Lizzie68

It's easy to find. They have all the ordered equipment there with the names on them so you just sign and go through the doors to check in.

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They have a table set up right outside the doors.

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There was another thread on here yesterday about this but I can't find it. Anyway, my thinking after viewing the video is that the security guys made the situation worse and acted as badly as the original culprits - I firmly believe that HAL security would have acted in a more composed and professional manner.

Usually Santa Carolina - the white is OK, the red is awful.

Thank you *Miss G*. I've been out of commission too long. Nice of you to notice I was MIA.

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One suggestion that comes to mind is a better location for the Neptune Lounge. It would be nice to have a sea view!

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Exactly! In 2016 it was not a problem to bring flowers on board in Hawaii (we were on the Hawaii, Tahiti Marquesas cruise) or any other port. there is evidently some major bug pestilence this year which is causing caution in some of those islands and I can certainly understand HAL taking precautions.

 

Normally in these scenarios, they do post a warning in either the When and Where or by announcement but they might have been caught off guard on the World Cruise. Hard to say.

 

I haven't been on a cruise yet where I couldn't bring flowers on board (including ports in Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Europe, etc.) so I would say that HAL is quite consistent ;) But if there is a special warning, bug, pestilence, etc. which could affect the ship or passengers then certainly caution has to be taken and they cannot be permitted.

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Actually, I speak for myself. Lizzie doesn’t need my help.

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It's too bad that we couldn't have a thread about what niceties could be added that all passengers could enjoy. Many of the comments on this thread are quite self-centered.

 

igraf

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Unbelievable that some are still arguing about this, and that common sense and consideration for others have no place in their arguments.

It is a SHIP not a darned hotel, it moves, it sometimes rocks and rolls, it has narrow hallways, there are people with mobility issues, there are often emergency situations. Keep the darned trays off the hallway floors. Good lord, a dirty tray in your room doesn't mean you can dump it outside and put everyone else at risk and it's not the end of the world. Call the front desk. Talk to your room steward. Just deal with it.

No saving on my cruise this time Dave, without losing some great perks - but I do appreciate you posting the alerts. I did make a big save on this same cruise last year thanks to you.

Totally agree - I've even read where every item of food delivered by room service was heat tested and reported on here. Talk about nit picking.

I do feel that HAL needs to brush up on their communication skills especially with info from HO but life on board the ship is removed from that and regardless of perceived cutbacks suits me just fine.

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I have a collection of different coloured lanyards that were hand made for me by poster 1 of 4. I can pick one to go with what I am wearing and at the same time be reminded of the great fun we had with 1of 4 and her lovely family on an extended cruise a few years ago.

 

A friend and I bought the blingy ones once in the ship's store just for fun. They didn’t last long because the diamonds kept falling off. :eek:

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Wow! Then maybe we got a good deal after all. I had an idea it was around $86. For the De Librije dinner, we got half off the food portion, as it was priced with the wine pairings separately, but for the CM's dinner it was all included, so no discount.

I just checked my final account for our last cruise, and the Cellar Master's Dinner then (on the NA last April) was $89 pp. So you weren't far out in your guess.

If someone cane save by obtaining a good exchange rate, of course that would make sense.

 

But, I am sorry that you seem to have a hard time understanding the concept that if you are able to pay for something in advance, you surely can pay for it a month or so later -- and, even at today's low rates of return, there is time value in money.

Why is it of interest or comment to anyone why, how or if someone prepays for something? Does it affect your cruise, your fare, your daily activities? You are not owed any kind of explanation.

Welcome back, Ann & Pat. Great report and photos, as always.

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The criticism of people who choose to use a lanyard is utterly ridiculous. And to denote those that do are "newbies" shows an ignorance that is incomprehensible. Does it really matter how other people choose to carry their card? If you don't want to use a lanyard - fine. If you do - fine. It's nobody else's business and no one will look at you strangely whichever you choose to do.

For any newbies reading this and other threads such as shorts on the first night etc - please be assured that life onboard the ship bears no relation to what you read here and co-passengers are, for the most part, really pleasant to sail with, and you will see no fits of the vapours requiring smelling salts at the sight of shorts or a lanyard.

Last April we did not have to do the drill again on turnaround day, so this is not new.

Someone had a valid point on the other thread. You have a cane in one hand and the railing in the other, the ship is rocking, and you have to limp around a tray.

 

 

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There is nothing worse than pushing someone in a wheelchair down a long hallway, and then encountering a dirty tray outside a door. No room to get past so you have to retrace your steps all the way back and try going down the hallway on the other side. On our last cruise one particular cabin kept leaving their tray outside. Eventually I complained about it to the concierge, and they stopped doing it. It is an absolute given that you do not leave trays in the hallway, if only for safety reasons. It is not the same as a hotel - ships rock and roll!

I'm on the Volendam atm, I always drink bottled water onboard, our friends next door have been drinking the water from their cabin tap, it's not marked as non drinkable but my water is brownish from the tap and in the shower, is it meant to be drinkable?

No. I find the water has an odd taste and is often an odd colour.

Kathi, loving your blog and photos. Just wondering how your cabin compares with the forward-facing cabin you had on the Westerdam for the Sailaway cruise? From your photos they look very different apart from the view!:)

Checking in to wish you a Bon Voyage and have a fabulous cruise, Kathi. I am following along with you on your blog but can't figure out how to leave a comment on there!:o

No I knew it wasn't you seagirl..

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The comment about peoples' legs is definitely crossing a line.

 

Don't care if I'm hurting feelings but boarding a cruise is NOT a fashion show.

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I also wear slacks and somehow I manage without melting into a puddle ;p. Somehow I'm not the least bit surprised to see your post commented on. Its like Groundhog Day every day.

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