RuthC

In general, Oceania's dress code is not very dressy, however, people do tend to dress up to the code. They dress a lot better on a 'casual' scale than so many HAL passengers do.

All of this is normal. You are sailing in uncharted waters here, and it will take a while to get through this. Be kind to yourself, and take all the time you need before you start moving on.

Cabin sizes on the Veendam and Volendam are the same in comparable categories. Identical. There are 'insides' and 'large' insides; the large insides are, well, larger! The large insides are normally 186 sq. ft., while the outsides on the Main and Dolphin Decks on the Volendam are 196 sq. ft. There are a few insides, not handicap accessible, that are larger still, but that isn't pertinent to your inquiry. On the Lower Promenade Deck, yes, the outside cabins are smaller than the insides across the passageway. I've been in many inside cabins on many cruises, and a few outside cabins on all eight S- and R-class ships. I could unpack in any of them blindfolded! (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration)

More likely is that there were one (or two---in any case, a small number of) cabins left, and a lot of guarantees to be placed. If so, then selling that one (or two) cabins would have the ship filled, and close off the cabins, as your PCC noted. The Standby bookings are in case someone has to forego the cruise at the last minute. It happens.

Oh, Bruno, I am so sorry to read this news. He was so fortunate to have you, even to his last. I hope you can take comfort in knowing you did your best for him. May you both rest peacefully until you see each other again.

He's a keeper!

Your cabin is on the port side. At least on the Nieuw Statendam, the smoking area is on starboard. I don't see how smoke could both cross over the entire Sea View area, AND drop down one deck to your balcony.

I was picturing the Pinnacle ships when I posted that, as that was the class of the last ship I was on. Of course, you're right---on other classes, musicians don't have to break for an entire set so as not to conflict with another group. However, all else you posted about the procedure in the Westerdam Billboard Onboard still keeps it from being a piano bar, which is certainly my preference. Even if HAL would reintroduce Piano Bars on the remaining R-class ships, that would work for me. And it would leave a choice for HAL patrons.

I was always especially fond of 'Encore', as the music and the costumes were both gorgeous! I only got to see it twice, but could have seen it more times, had it been offered. I used to love 'Copacabana', but that was around a while, and I know others got kind of sick of it. I didn't, but then I only saw it 2-3 times.

I remember Glenn Michael from a stint he did as the musician in the Piano Lounge (it was a lounge on that ship, as opposed to a Piano Bar). He was really, really good in that role. Over the years I have found the requests that some of the musicians have are less spontaneous than formerly, when there were real Piano Bars, and being limited to (usually) the end of the evening, a lot less fun. Then, of course, the musician has to know the songs requested! The people Seattle is hiring these days do not tend to have extensive repertoires.

That's good to hear. However, I am willing to bet that the revamped Billboard Onboard is still doing only sets, with breaks the length of sets in Rolling Stone Rock Room, and that those sets are mainly comprised of songs approved by Seattle. That's still not a Piano Bar. I would love for HAL to return to those intimate rooms of yore, where the musician took his cues from the passengers who were there all night, every night.

A step in the right direction! The former production shows were so much better than the One Step Dance Company that replaced them. Now, if HAL can only return classical music and bring back Piano Bars! That would be wonderful.

I wouldn't plan on it at all. First, the 7:00 AM time is more likely arrival time. The ship still needs to be cleared. The self-disembarking passengers usually leave around 7:30 +/- 15 minutes. Second, the ride up to Anchorage is at least an hour, depending on traffic. If there's an accident, add in a LOT of time. Third, you would need to check in at the tour company, which will also take a little time. I would either stay over an extra day, or plan on doing something else.

Right place at the right time?

A 7-night cruise should have 2 'dressy' nights. You can order as many dishes as you want. But please, if you order them, eat them (unless they are not fit to eat).