crystalspin

I side with those above who say, let the ship do your laundry. Take easy-care fabrics (those that will not shrink). Please whatever you do, do not spend your few hours in Barcelona searching out a launderette! Even if one existed, you need to experience something of the city -- walk Las Ramblas, find a Gaudi building, have a glass of sangria and some tapas. I have sailed with RCCL one cruise only. At about the half-way point, they offered a "buy-the-bag" special. The bag was pretty small and tear-able paper, and the contents were restricted to underclothes incl. socks and nightwear. Maybe tee-shirts, but nothing that would need pressing or hanging. That doesn't mean I wouldn't send individual items out, marked "Warm wash & dry", having chosen my garments well.

My practice is to put "possible" garments (on hangers) on a portable clothing rack in the bedroom. Arrange by priority. The cats do not recognize this as packing as the rack is often out for laundry, etc. One day before leaving home, get out the carry-on-sized suitcases. The cats are now onto the impending travel and can be expected to go psychotic or climb in the cases, or both. Pack spare shoes against the wheelie end; trousers in the base; and selected tops ON THE HANGERS on top of them (in groups of four, two each per bottoms). Tuck smalls around the corners. Lay a jacket or cardigan across the top; zip up. Comfort kitties. Try to get some rest.

Not currently cruising, but have done three HAL Alaska cruises: 7-day NB, 7-day R/T Vancouver, and 14-day R/T Seattle. The long one was the best; R/T Vancouver would be even better! because of the Inside Passage, very scenic for first and last days.

The Navigator is really intended for onboard usage. Have read the "smart casual" will update when you board and that Dressy night frequency is as previous.

You are correct -- the bag is quite enormous, easily a weekender all by itself. It is currently packed with a month's worth of crafting and other non-essential "third bag because we are driving" items! I subsequently bought this smaller bag (which is heavier than you might like due to its organization abilities). Again with the crazy big picture! It is about 16" tall. I would pack a simple stuffable daypack for excursions.

The offer is perfectly clear that the benefit is per stateroom. (As I think you know!) I suspect there was some other OBC in the mix, as HAL does not make it clear where OBC is coming from on pax documentation. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/community-appreciation-cruise-offers/aarp-member-benefit-offer

I feel sure you can do it Lois! The freedom of carry-on-only wins over "options"!

Haven't sailed with Celebrity, but with HAL, the "insurance" is carried by a third-party and any money down (must pay before penalties begin to be levied and the cost is paid outright on the spot) is gone to them.

Ruining climate control for the whole sector of rooms...

We bought 100 shares of CarnivalCL at about its highest (last week of December, 2019). My husband was retiring, and we had six cruises booked on HAL and Princess... None of which happened. Plus the stock price plummetted, and we didn't cruise for three years. But HAL is still our favorite line and we hope to someday recoup our losses!

Oh, that's true -- after walking by the crowd of people with pagers waiting for the MDR on the first night, we simply didn't try again! Well, we called for a reservation on the night of Lamb Shanks, but the only opening was very late and at a large table... so I agree, there is a problem with MDR. We were avoiding contagion and only went to the BBC programs, and Lincoln Centre Stage was still on board. We always found seats at distance from others in the Lido, and usually a 2-top in the shade on the deck for Dive-In burgers. The Crows Nest hadn't been chopped up, either, and I am holding out opinion for the next Pinnacle ship. The Grand Dutch Cafe and Tamarind were other favorites. When we travelled with family, the Zaandam and Volendam were fine; usually able to find one another. But it was just the two of us on the full K'dam over NYE 22-23 (also our anniversary), and we were our own company.

The Pinnacle Class including the K'dam, are not "new monsters". We did a 16-day B2B and promptly booked (and subsequently re-booked) a 35-day on the Koningsdam. She has the perfect selection of venues so that rarely does anyplace seem crowded.

I stand corrected! I thought the Disneys were mega-ships.

Try to get a balcony room (Verandah in HAL terminology) near midships if on the Koningsdam. You may still have occasion to walk the length of the ship, say from the Crows Nest to the Main Dining Room, but most treks will be only half the length or less! The K'dam is one of three of HAL's largest ships, but still smaller than I believe ANY Disney ship. She has added venues over the smaller HAL ships. I say go in September and then go back in June for the long hours of daylight!

You know you will have a window in your Inside cabin? If you want a second chair, ask your stewards (we had three in 10021 on Zuidy!). There are only the two nightstand drawers in the whole cabin (if you don't count the large drawers under the end of the beds). We packed collapsible closet-organizing boxes and used them as drawers on the closet shelves. ETA: it is the left-right opposite of this cabin: https://halfacts.com/vista-class/10024-oosterdam/ PS, the window looks over the roof of the pool, but you get light and can check the weather!