Ottawa traveller

I just got off the Rotterdam. There was no classical music that I saw on the program.

Correction regarding filling your water bottle. Yes you can do it but you have to first fill a mug and then pour it into your bottle. I was just on the Rotterdam and I asked if I could fill my thermos directly because I do not drink from it and the staff said no, that you must use a mug. There are lots of staff to pour you water or lemonade at your table. The Lido is so big on this ship that is never really gets crowded.

Onn my recent cruise on the Rotterdam, they had all of these types of performers on the main stage in addtion to the Step One Dance company.

I was at the Mariner ceremony today on the Rotterdam and asked the person responsible for Mariner matters for the answer to your question. She told me you would receive it in your cabin. Only persons receiving silver medallions and above receive it at the ceremony. Additional guests like me who are invited to the ceremony are 5 star and President's Club.

I am on the Rotterdam. They had a ceremony last week for Silver Medallions and up. Not sure if those receiving bronze were invited to attend. There was a large crowd in attendance. I know that Platinum medallion holders and President's Club were invited. It's likely that it was 4 and 5 star Mariners who were invited.

I use this plan all the time as I have a pre-existing condition and the plan lets you cancel for any reason up to sailing. That is you can cancel if you simply change your mind. There is some medical but I also have an annual plan with an affiliate group tha makes sure I have all the medical I need. You would have to decide exactly what you think you need it for. It is quite expensive but for me not so expensive that I know I can cancel if need be and still get 90% of the fare ( not including the cost of the premiums for the plan) back.

The Navigator App has a section where you can link to Newspapers via the ship intranet. The complete daily versions of many newpapers are available. I was able to read my Ottawa newspaper as it was among about 5 other Canadian newspapers. I believe I saw the New York Times among some other American newspapers.

I was on 3 cruises this past year. For the first 2, I had ship internet and got my news that way. On the recent Oosterdam I did not bother with the internet but checked out the newspapers on the Navigator app. To my surprise I could get the full versions of 6 major Canadian newpapers including the one from my home town on the app via a Pressreader site. I didn't miss the internet at all.

I was on the Westerdam twice last year in Japan and Southern Asia. I worked extremely well in Japan and very well in Indonesia. I just came home from the Antarctca cruise on the Oosterdam. At times it was non-existent and very slow most of the rest of the time. As Heidi13 said it is entirely dependent on where you are.

In a VA there are also 2 usbs by the bed

Mary 229's advice is good. Look up how to ride the metro. You have to buy a card to which you then have to add money to pay for your trips. I believe you can use one card for two people as you would just have to tap it before each person goes through the turnstile and it would charge the 2 fares. You need cash to pay for it. Download Google translate Spanish to your phone as practically no English is spoken (unless of course you speak Spanish.) The streets are crowded as it is school summer holidays until March 2nd so pack your patience.

Thanks for doing this blog. I've been following since the beginning. When you disembark on Sunday, I will be getting on. Right now l am enjoying the warm sunny weather in Santiago. I hope you will be staying awhile to enjoy Santiago. It has a lot to offer.

Yes, I just looked at my passport. The entry stamp was Nov. 27th for 30 days and the exit was Dec. 6th. We spent the time in consecutive ports in Indonesia but we did not leave the country other than going to sea between ports until we left to return to Singapore. The visa type was Visa on Arrival.

Just looked at my statement from November and it was $60. US

Looking forward to following you once again. As for Hong Kong, you don't need anything. HAL can get the visas on arrival for Vietnam with the fee chargeable to your account. As for Singapore, they have an online arrival document that you have to complete within 3 days of arrival. However, HAL gives you a 3 page instruction sheet which includes everything you need to know to complete it and if you don't have a smart phone, they will help you use their computers and print out the document for you to take with you.