Shih-tzu

Thought that might get a few chuckles...…  and I can't seem to find anywhere on their website to contact them to tell them something is "slightly" wrong.....

Just looking at the gifts section for my cruise...... guess this wine is just a little too expensive and I guess they aren’t selling too

much....

Thank you for the spreadsheet.   Appreciate your time for preparing this.   

Enjoyed your review - we spent a week in November 18 at Waikiki and have talked about returning to spend 3-4 days at Waikiki again and then take the POA cruise and spend another couple of days post-cruise.   Just curious if the choppy seas was a common thing in that area or just a one-off thing?   Of course, I'd never be in a suite as airfare alone to get there is quite hefty - and the 27 hour airport-to-airport flight was a bit exhausting.  Usually I only sleep, change and shower in my quarters on ship but if the waters are frequently choppy, I'd rather be inside, low and mid-ship 🙂

Following....

I think the one we had on deck 10 was narrower than others we spoke to, but they may have had one if the wider ones that are referred to in the above posts.....

I see on our weekly handout that there are 2 Weight Watchers Cruises on MSC Seaside. Anyone ever gone on one of these??

Curious as to what all they do (I read the info but anything can seem "glossy"). And wondering if fellow cruisers would be looking at every bite you eat.... it' s a fair bit more than the normal cruise but does look interesting.....

Companies/employers can vet applicants all they want, but if the employee has never been in trouble before (or been caught/charged) then his/her record is clear and the employer has done due diligence.

I wouldn't......the lines to clear customs took us an hour alone.......thats not counting getting off the ship. Then there' the "agricultural " clearance at SOU before the normal things.....at least that' the way it was in 2016.

In November. We enjoyed staying on the ship through the canal both ways and a leisurely pinnacle lunch. Our friends did panama old and new and were underwhelmed.

 

We walked off in Colon but after a quick look returned to the ship. It was very grotty.

We did the same........wouldnt even get off at the port next time but the canal was wonderful

Before you get to the canal, watch the Panama Canal TV programs. They are very good and the information will help you during your passage.

 

Jim

Very true. Gives a great perspective and appreciation of the canal.

I always find the staff very friendly.

I didn't use the spa services but anyone that mentioned it said they had a great experience.

I thought the new Tv's were great, along with the Navigator app that' free to use....

Glad you are enjoying your trip!!!! The "new" smell was quite strong on 5 Nov but I thought the ship looked great.

Maybe for hot tub that is close to pool?

Not on N.Amsterdam but did a couple of weeks ago on the Zuiderdam.....it was a one night event.....loved it....excellent food.

We are sailing into Puerto Limon now. There are always minor "it could be better" quibbles but I have no real issues to report. This is my first time on HAL and I'm slightly younger by a decade and a half than the most common demographic onboard. I love the low key atmosphere. I haven't seen any of the drunken roudiness that has become synonymous with cruising. Its freshing.

That's what we like too.....low key and relaxing.

They lie! So-called Maine or New England Lobster is actually called Homarus Americanus (American Lobster). If you have ever had it, you would know that this type of lobster has claws as well as a body. Most "lobster tails" (actually the abdomens) sold in the USA come from Rock Lobster or Spiny Lobster (which is not even lobster...but crayfish). Those that are familiar with Maine lobster know it when they see it....and you will not see it on HAL (or most other Mass market cruise lines. And no, they are not removing the claws (the best meat of the lobster) and serving the abdomens on HAL. That would be a stupid thing (since it reduces the value of the lobster).

 

Hank

Oh....I think I would know a true lobster if I saw one.....my dad fished them in the Bay of Fundy..... When served without claws or cooked differently than what I'm used to it throws me off though. I am used to them cooked in sea brine, cooled and eaten cold ( along with potato salad or fresh still-warm home made bread......sometimes a little mayo, not dipped in butter). He always said 1.5 to 2 lb lobsters were the best.....(and ships don't serve anything quite that big).

If I can figure out how to post photos once I download them I will. Any day on a cruise is a good day in my books! Oh, and as an aside, we did Rudi's Sel de Mer. It was fantastic!!!!! Something worth considering.

Having same problem. Will let me log in if I try to post reply to something but won' let me see subscribed threads. Happy to know it's just not me.

Not ignoring you.....in my case it' that I've been under the weather....caught something aboard on the last full sea day and finally got diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday. Haven' even gone through my photos yet and been sleeping a lot.

I really enjoyed the cruise....there was still some work in progress (aft pool didn' open until late Monday afternoon). All new carpets, new furniture in Lido buffet, new carpet in cabins, ours had new furniture (loveseat), new 40" interactive TV. Crows Nest completely redone. Looked nice. The music venues were all redone and I enjoyed the entertainment. Usual great service from staff. The crystal seahorse is still in the atrium. I was never on the Zuiderdam before, so I could just go by the pictures I saw prior to the cruise.

There were some issues (air conditioning inconsistent, plumbing, staff turnover, etc). Although the issues didn' affect my cabin, those that weren' happy made sure we all knew they weren't to the point they were looking for the most trivial things to complain about. I truly felt sorry for some staff members who were taking the brunt of it all. I think a lot of it was because they didn' know it was just coming out of drydock so weren' prepared for what to expect.

Oh joy! Now I have justification to bring my bagpipes! My wife will be thrilled!:D

 

I guarantee that she will insist I only play on the balcony with the door closed.;)

Nope....drones are banned....ha ha ha.

Just promise you won' play a 3/4 and stick with jigs and reels.

On the Zuiderdam last week the menu for Rudi's Del de Mer specifically said Maine Lobster. Two tails came on the plate. It was good but I'm used to eating lobster cold, not broiled....

My suspicions were confirmed.... it’s the airplanes. Flying to FLL yesterday there were oodles of people coughing and sneezing.... hoping I don’t get it.

A few questions about the quench package

 

What are the daily specials in Explorations?

 

Are there any sugar free mocktails?

 

 

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Not sure. I was wondering too. My "guess" is that the daily specials in Explorations might be a flavoured latte or something....but something different each day???? If anyone can clarify/correct my guess that would be fine.

Not sure about sugar free mocktails.....maybe if it' something that uses Coke or Sprite then they coukd use the diet ones?

The Quench package Is something new this year....on previous cruise I drank Coke and had something similar to a fruit smoothie (but I know they probably had a lot of sugar as they were sinfully sweet).

I keep telling myself that I' going to drink more sparkling water this time and hopefully they can make mocktail Caesars (tomato juice and Worstershire sauce) to try to cut back on sugar..... but by this time next week all caution will probably have been blown to the wind....;p

Thank you.....seemed like it was so far away, and now it's here and I'm in a panic to pack......

I just looked at my boarding pass for this weekend and it says my Embarkation time is 1:00. Wonder if that's when I'm actually supposed to show up at the terminal, or when I actually get on board? (1st time I've really noticed a time on the pass). I don't want to get there and wait outside in the heat, but what are we supposed to do when we have to check out of our hotel at 11:00 and we have all the luggage, etc? Could this be later because the ship is just coming out of dry dock/refurb?

Which Zuiderdam sailing are you on? My cruise documents indicate to be at check in at 1:00 (my itinerary leaves at 4:00). I would think that if you arrive in MIA by 1:00 you should be fine.