tinykygal

Greetings.

We often dine in the WJ of the evenings and find that there is always something that appeals to us.

How is the dinner buffet on the Mariner?  It will be our first cruise on her.

Thank you.

Did Guest Services exchange back for you?  

I don't want to bring home $ that I may not use again.

Thank you.

We will be on our 2nd Canada/NE cruise in September.  

We had no idea 20 years ago that we might need to consider Canadian currency.

Our plans are to take our excursions that are booked and walk around the charming communities, perhaps having a local beverage or a snack/lunch, shirt.

Do I need to order Canadian currency for these 2 ports?

Thank you.

Our first stop in Portland and have decided not to take excursions and just "wing" it on our own.

We are mid seniors who enjoy walking, local food, harbors.

Do you feel that Portland is safe to walk around the port area, find a local place for chowder, local shops, etc.

Thank you.

Are pastries in Cafe Lattitudes complimentary?

Haven't been on her, but I know that many ships recently continue to offer "free" pastries, ranger cookies, etc.

Thanks.

It has been 21 years since we cruised from Baltimore.  We flew straight home and saw none of the area. in September we have decided to stay 1 night post cruise for a better flight.

We chose comfort over $ and will stay 1 night post cruise in September.

Any suggestions for an affordable hotel/motel near dining and suggestions for things to do nearby?

BTW, hotel shuttle from the port would be extra nice.

Thank you.

It has been several years since our daughter and family have cruised.

I want to purchase beverage and coffee pkg for them as a surprise.

I realize that I would probably need their reservation booking #.  However, I want to print those purchases and present to them personally.

How do I do that?

Thank you.

Thank you!

19 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

Agree with what 1025cruise said. If you want good cannoli the usual suspects, Mikes Pastry and Modern Pastry there for you (and will have lines). My personal favorite from my time living in Boston is Maria's Pastry which gets sometimes overlooked since it isn't on Hanover Street but I think is of a higher quality than Mikes or Modern. 

 

Also agree that Uber/Lyft are the best bet for quick, easy ride from the pier into town. From the North End you can walk pretty much anywhere of historic value in Boston. 

 

Chinatown isn't one of the country's best-- was a bit of a war zone when I lived there a number of years ago but my guess is its a bit better now. But not atmospheric-- only worth going if you plan on eating there. 

17 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Boston is one of our NE/CAN ports we have in all our sailings. Sadly we have exhausted the City from the first time we visited. Sometimes we get off and some we stay on and enjoy the ship with most of the passengers off.

 

On this coming voyage, we are not sure of we will come off. But we too have always heard about the North Side Italian portion of the city. Heard many, many restaurants and bakeries.

 

We agree that the high lights attractions a quite a distance away. MyDW love to see the Public Gardens especially in the Summer.

 

Enjoy the bucket list but I must disagree and think we in Brooklyn, NY has the better Cannolis. 

We visited Boston 16 years ago as a cruise stop.  We were much younger and our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson in a stroller walked to everything we were interested in.  2 frugal couples and a child less than 1 year.

A few years ago we took a bus tour and again walked to all the highlights.

Today, however, my DH said it was too far to walk to the highlights and especially my favorite Little Italy.

I see no need to purchase transportation.  What are your recommendations from your recent trips to Boston?

Since Italy is on my bucket list and probably won't be able to reach that goal, Little Italy and an awesome cannoli are a must!

How about China Town?

I have been to Paul R cemetery and the church 2X  Not interested this trip.

Thank you.

Thank you!  I just saw that Coffee Card for $31.  Not bad.

We have never purchased a "drink pkg" as the bottle we bring on board or a few glasses of wine at the bars are much cheaper than that for us.

On 4/16/2023 at 10:12 AM, GEORGIEGIRL said:

They charge a corkage fee if you have them open it in the dining room. I think its's like $25.00 or so. 

If you really like coffee I would suggest that you purchase the "Coffee Card" for $31.00 and it gets you 15 coffees at "Cafe Promenade". That way you can save your "Drink Vouchers" for the more expensive drinks (alcohol, etc..) For RCCL a drink is a drink. You just need to let the waiter/bar tender know that you want to pay for the drink (ex. water, soda, etc.) and not to use a "Voucher" for it. Much better deal if you do it that way.

 

Yes, the cost of the drink packages is per day... 

Typically there is no corkage fee if you open the bottle yourself in your cabin. Just bring you own corkscrew and ask for a couple of wine glasses from either your cabin steward or at any bar.

Are there currently 2 types of refreshment pkgs on RCCL?

Looking for current price on soft drink pkg only, and are all members in the stateroom required to purchase?

We have cruised many times with RCCL and have never purchased either.  

Thank you.

On 4/5/2023 at 8:01 PM, shipshape sam said:

Great! 

Do they charge corkage fee if enjoyed in stateroom?  HAL now does.

Why have the APP when it doesn't work?  Our RCCL APP worked like a charm.

I have spent 5 days trying to plan activities and upload security photos.  Not working.

On 2/21/2023 at 3:38 PM, five. said:

So true. We do this most nights and it's usually empty. It's wonderful. Last night on the cruise it will close early, either 5 or 6.

How much was the pass?

On 3/3/2023 at 7:16 PM, Dismomx5 said:

I've loaded pictures the past two trips for both hubby and me. And both times, hubby passed right on through, and I was hauled aside and had to retake the picture. Not sure if it was because it was a selfie (so backwards) or not.

Our APP is not allowing us to upload or take pic pre-cruise.  I have deleted APP, added it again, restarted my phone.  RCCL worked perfectly pre-cruise.  I give up.  Any ideas?

On 3/7/2023 at 10:41 AM, potatopotato said:

I noticed there is a daily program section in the app. Does this become available at the same time as the paper copies (i.e. the night before) or is it available in advance? Does the program in the app get updated if there are changes, or do you need to rely more on the paper copy? Curious to hear any thoughts on the paper vs digital option. Thanks!

Our RCCL app kept crashing when onboard.  They were more than glad to provide paper copies and I do hope the same will happen with HAL as their APP is not working properly on my phone.

7 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

As you asked: my android phone just updated itself to 4,.23.1

No corrected itinerary, no menus for MDR, Pinnacle or Canaletto.

Before, once I got 4.17 back by myself, I had the menus and the old itinerary, virtually everything.

HAL is getting closer.  I hope I get it all soon, or I will have to go back to 4.17

Thanks for your help 🙂

Were you able to upload or take a security photo?  The APP has permission to use camera, but feature is still not working.

I have restarted my Android no less than 7 times.  One day the APP works, the next day my activity calendar is blank.  I have never seen a menu nor expect to.

The most concerning situation is that we have tried for days to upload or take a security photo.  Not going to happen.  I give up.

On 3/5/2023 at 4:12 AM, sandiego1 said:

The policy is very clear and is listed above. What IS confusing is people who misquote the policy or list OLD information such as 2 bottles allowed.

They are allowed.  Wine or champagne .

On 3/5/2023 at 4:12 AM, sandiego1 said:

The policy is very clear and is listed above. What IS confusing is people who misquote the policy or list OLD information such as 2 bottles allowed.

I had questions re: upcoming HAL cruise and once those questions were answered I asked about the "alcohol" policy.  She read the HAL policy to me.  🙂  She came to the conclusion that wine is not alcohol and 1,  750 ml bottle of wine or champagne is allowed per quest subject to a $20 corkage fee.  However, she said "hmmm" I wonder if screw caps are subject to a corkage fee.  

We always have later aft flights post cruise @ FLL.

It is a very uncomfortable day as we arrive and are unable to check our bags, and there are no places to sit.

How do you handle that long wait before you can check your baggage?

Tried a couple of shore excursions in the past, but they seem to be repetitive.

Suggestions for grabbing a bite of lunch or relaxing @ the airport?

Thank you.

This "know before you go" is confusing to me.

We have sailed HAL several times as well as several other cruise lines and RCCL recently.  

We brought 1 bottle of wine per person in our stateroom in our carryon.

There was no problem with that and no corkage fee.

So has HAL seriously discontinued allowing that?

No alcohol, yet if your age qualifies you can bring 1 bottle per person.  

What am I missing?

Thanks.