Epicureangirl

I have been to a couple of hotels recently that have switched over to dispensers (when I had been used to getting the little individual bottles) and I was instantly disappointed when I saw the dispensers.  The little bottles are a small souvenir that I get to take home and enjoy after my trip (the scent transports you back to your great holiday memory)!  I have discovered and enjoyed many beautiful products from many beautiful hotels.  Those dispensers don't look great forever and so far they have been very irritating how many times you have to pump to get a decent amount out.   I would rather the cruise lines work on reducing packaging for the food they buy, or having a better recycling program then forcing the cheap looking dispensers into the teeny-tiny shower space.  

As for the test-drive of new product choices, I have tried Elemis and honestly I thought it was a cheap brand (based on it showing up in discount stores like Marshall's and the look of the packaging), but L'Occitane bought the company so clearly they thought it was great stuff!  And I have to say that Malin and Goetz is quite hip and much more attractive to men with straightforward and bold scents (not florals). It is also a New York originated brand which (if I were American) would make me more likely to support a made in the USA product.  Still, Malin and Goetz feels young, but not necessarily luxe.  It is a moot point though because neither will FEEL luxe when pumped from a dispenser.

And I don't hate the environment, I am ready to make different sacrifices but don't really want to start with those darling little bottles.

1 hour ago, martincath said:

The included stuff on Azamara was what we were cruising to sample this time around - testing the waters if you will - so we avoided any OBC deals deliberately. Just as well - our total spend onboard was, for the first time ever, $0.00 since even gratuities were included in the fare!!! Whereas our card will be very readily spent in Unnamed Big Box Store... 😉

That's fantastic.  I don't know if that will be possible for me (I am always tempted to try out the specialty restaurants at least), but my husband would be thrilled to leave the ship without a balance to clear!  

53 minutes ago, Doh15 said:

For what it’s worth, via a competitive bidding website I was slightly offered more in OBC than I was offered from the big box store but I was afraid I would have more OBC than I knew what to do with (like shopping on the old wheel of fortune)

Yes, we're probably using the same competitive bidding website. I'm still waiting for more quotes to come in but the first ones that have arrived are a bit lower. Yes, thank you for reminding me that I would actually have to use that OBC.  I reminded myself that since this cruise is almost all-inclusive I would probably spend much less on board than I usually do on HAL.  Spending money at the big box store never seems to be much of a problem. 😉

7 minutes ago, martincath said:

We got a pretty hefty cash card offer from our local Big Box membership-required store (which is winging its way to us now we just finished our cruise) plus effectively an extra 2% discount over any other TA rate we could find, in the US or Canada, thanks to our Executive membership (travel became eligible for the 2% yearly dividend a while ago) which made it an absolute no-brainer to use 'we technically cannot mention their name due to CC rules but it should be pretty obvious who I am talking about' for us.

Thanks so much -- it is the same Big Box store I was talking about and not naming names... 🙂.  I have basic membership, but can easily switch to Executive -- the math doesn't lie, it is very worth it!    I have been getting quotes in from US agencies today, but the OBC they offer still is less than the cash card and dividend combined.  

I'm getting ready to book my first Azamara Cruise (for March 2020) and was going to book through a big-box agency that will give me a little bonus (not nearly as impressive as what seems to be available in the US).  
 

Is there any advantage to book directly with Azamara when the pricing is identical? Is Azamara more likely to offer OBC or any type of compensation if the price drops before final payment?  Are any Canadians using US TA's instead of Canadian for increased OBC or other benefits?

I am not used to using a TA, I've always booked directly through HAL but am ready to try something new (and better).

Thanks!

I agree with much of what was said.  I think the logistics of having that many water-baths going, coupled with much longer cooking times than a stovetop, would be a few more reasons against trying to do it on a cruise ship.  I certainly wouldn't be surprised if they offered something sous-vide in the specialty restaurant onboard (they could drag out your appetizer course while they prepared your entree!), but I don't know how they could pull it off for meals in the MDR.  

I've been cooking sous-vide at home for a couple of years now, but by no means has it been so amazing that it would replace other ways to prepare food. I often still combine sous-vide cooking with a quick sear, as the meat doesn't have the same expected (appetizing) appearance that we associate with meats/fish that are charred or golden brown.   As for clean-up, I have all my sous-vide gear out and still have to dirty another pan and add another cooking step before plating it.  You can get some beautiful results with sous-vide, but in the right hands a pan and some tongs will be enough.

Cheers.

I found this post particularly interesting since I have a daughter of the same age who will be doing Alaska with us in August.   I find it a bit scary that your question has turned into a commentary on kids today and parenting, I thought you were being quite considerate. 🙂  I just asked my daughter just now if she was worried about not having internet for the week and she said "No, for 7 days -- not at all".  She knows she'll be able to get some wifi in ports if she wants to post pictures or send a note to friends.  

Entertainment-wise, she took advantage of the old-school DVD library onboard, frequented cruise trivia and tried out some new (to her) board games with us or played cards. A lot of the entertainment will not be of interest (my daughter left part way through several shows), so you're smart to think she may need to keep herself busy a few evenings after dinner. Club HAL was good when she was in the younger age-group, but we haven't found a HAL itinerary yet where the teens usually frequent the club even though they can play video games there.  On longer itineraries the teens sometimes find each other and hang out and play cards and socialize, but I'm not sure the busy and short Alaska itinerary will be like that and it always depends how outgoing your child is.  Honestly it seems like there are only brief amounts of time free between each meal!

I should also mention my daughter has already done a 17 day cruise without internet and didn't die, complain or drive me nuts.  If she did a cruise that long again without ports that have reliable and free wifi, she DEFINITELY said would want some internet time. 

Do what's right for your family and enjoy your cruise!

Are you looking for Champagne, or will a sparkling wine do?

You can pre-order certain bottles online under "Cruise Activities>Beverages" on the HAL website, or is that where you are "only seeing Dom"? On my account I can see Veuve and Dom and a reasonably priced Prosecco, though I have no idea if each ship shows different inventory available for purchase or not.  I am a fan of bringing my own bottles aboard, but I'm not sure if you'll have enough time to get a bottle properly chilled before sail-away.  Perhaps if you order online, guest services could have it chilled bottle and delivered before sail-away?  I would give them a call and see what they can do for you. 

This menu is a little out of date (2018) but I expect most of these items would still be available from Room Service.  You should definitely be able to put together a nice champagne brunch to eat from your room if you order before 11am.

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Room-Service-and-Breakfast-Card.pdf

If the champagne choices aren't to your liking, I believe the current corkage fee is $25/bottle if you wish to bring something on board to enjoy from your room or the restaurants.

Enjoy. 

Hi all,

I'm not sure if you'd seen this article (from April) on the HAL blog, but they mention all sorts of great things from their Summer menu for many different itineraries:  https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/destinations/alaska/holland-america-lines-summer-menus-feature-locally-inspired-dishes-and-regional-flavors/

Does anyone know if they have seen the switch to a new menu? Perhaps any of you disembarking an Alaska itinerary recently may know?  I thought the whole 2019 Alaska cruise season would keep the same menu, but this makes me think that's not true at all.

I have looked at the Alaska menus published on the Roger Jett Photography website (from June 2019), but didn't see any of the items mentioned in the article. (i.e. Salmon Brochettes with Sorrel Aioli, Cheese and Beef Piroshky, Macadamia Cilantro Crusted Shrimp and Hazelnut Crusted Beecher’s Flagship Cheddar). 

Thanks!

We were on the Volendam Feb. 2018

 

Bathroom did NOT have the "tube" hairdryer, Dresser had hairdryer in a blue drawstring pouch, a magnifying mirror was in another blue drawstring pouch.

 

Our inside cabin had updated bathroom, with shower.

 

We had also been on the Volendam last April/May -

We had both types of hairdryer — our bathroom was not refurbished during dry dock. Our cruise was this January.

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Game shows and additional entertainment, such as in the Crows Nest, are not a suggested improvement. It's a suggestion to return to things they cut.

Absolutely, it is more about what HAL used to have that they don’t now. Not trying to make them like another line. There was one game show on our 15 day itinerary. They canceled the other one they planned for the following week. There are only so many gemstones, watches or spa treatments one can ‘entertain’ themselves with.

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While we enjoyed ourselves, we have chosen Crystal for our next Christmas cruise, this time on the Rhine. Newer ship and bigger cabins, at the same cost. Plus, a refundable deposit up to 90 days.

I hadn’t even looked at Crystal, I assumed it would have been even more. Sad to hear the food was disappointing, was that in relation to other river cruises you’ve been on? Or compared to ocean cruises?

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Personally, I consider a river cruise to be destination focussed, and, as such, would give priority to the itinerary.

 

Which of the three you have listed do you consider the most appealing?

This is true, for my other cruises I choose the itinerary first. I guess I think of it being dark and cold, and these destinations all seem more appealing to explore in good weather. Austria is somewhere I haven't been yet, so that would push the Beatrice and Maria Theresa to the top of my list -- both have 3 Austrian stops.

I haven't really done my homework yet on each port, I do like the idea of walking off the ship and being there, instead of involving lots of additional transportation (such as with Ocean cruising).

Thanks for the reminder of concentrating on the itinerary!

Hello everyone,

I usually do Ocean cruises and am ready to try river cruising. I 'think' I have narrowed it down to Uniworld, and am looking at 3 different ships and itineraries.

Can anyone with experience on these ships let me know if one is better suited to a winter cruise then another, or if one offers additional food options/venues. I believe one of them has solariums on the top deck that could be used in winter for instance.

Itineraries and Ships we are considering are:

• Rhine holiday markets on S.S. Antoinette (Basel to Cologne)
  
• European holiday markets on S.S. Beatrice (Vienna to Nuremberg)
  
• Danube holiday markets on S.S. Maria Theresa (Budapest to Passau)
  

My husband and I are in our mid 40's, and are interior design and food focused -- some of the interior embellishments look a little over-the-top for us, but ultimately very comfortable and well appointed. The beds sound great, and I am hoping Uniworld offers a step-above (Viking, Ama etc) in terms of food quality. Honestly I am finding my river cruising research a little harder to accomplish than with ocean cruising. Any observations or suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks!

Yes, our boys are free on a Baltic cruise this summer. I'm just paying port fees (which decreased after deposit made!). Now we have never had one room and I'm sure it's going to be awful in some sense but I am doing it because the Baltics are port heavy and it literally is saving us thousands of dollars!!

I just checked the attachment, our July 21 cruise wasn't listed but we got 3rd and 4th free.

I think this is a mariner offer only, yet other 3rd and 4th passenger free offers are hidden throughout the site. I booked 3 persons with the View & Veranda offer, paying for all passengers. When it ended, it appeared as though there was no price change, yet I double-checked by going through the booking process. Low and behold that 3rd passenger was now free. I refared and saved $1,100.

I have had 4 to a room for the Baltic — you are so busy the room is barely used! Enjoy.

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Nieuw Amsterdam ~5*, Oceania Riviera 4*, Celebrity Eclipse (best Celebrity ship) 3.5*, Azamara 3.5*-

Can you please tell me where these ratings are coming from? I often see sites rating the Celebrity Solstice Class ships very highly, and much more favourably than most of the HAL fleet. I sail HAL, but want to try a Celebrity and Oceania ship — it needs to be the right one though!

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Did I ever!!! I was onboard the Eurodam in the fall of 2016. On a sea day, listed in the When & Where there were alcohol "classes/ tastings" offered.

 

One was a beer tasting, where 6 different beers from around the world would be sampled and discussed. The charge was listed at $14.95. I attended and found it interesting. I happily handed over my ship card to pay the $14.95 as listed in the daily program.

 

Later that day the When & Where listed a Spanish Flaming Coffee sessions, no cost indicated. I thought how fun, I've never heard of a flaming Spanish coffee. My sister and I attended. After the demonstration the bar tender gave the Spanish coffee to the guest next to me (it was the guest's birthday). Then the bartender asked if anyone else would like one? So, of course all 6 so of us said yes. After sometime enjoying our coffees the bar tender went to each guest and asked for their ship card to pay for the coffee. Now, how the bar tender said, "who would like to purchase a coffee" I would have expected to be charged. But when I am asked who would like one and when the program did not list a charge I was "surprised" to have a charge.

 

Later, that afternoon I went to the front desk and explained that I believed the program should note there is a charge of $8.95 or whatever just like the beer program listed, or the bartender said who would like to purchase a coffee. The front desk passed my information onto the assistant beverage manager.

 

Fast forward two days later, the assistant beverage manager comes up to the Tamarind where I was dining to apologize for the confusion and invites me to come to the bar in the Piano area after 10pm where he will personally make me a flaming Spanish coffee. So, I thank him for the gesture and agree to meet him at 10pm. 10pm I arrive, the assistant beverage manager personally makes me my flaming Spanish coffee and then......wait for it......

asks me for my room key to charge me for the coffee!!!!

Oh my goodness, I was tearing up here while laughing at this. Well written -- thanks for sharing it. :')

You both are experienced cruisers and of course have developed your packing strategies over time. Not everyone has as many trips under their belt as you! I am an experienced traveller, but I still find it fun to find out what other things people can't live without -- sometimes a good idea or two comes of it (or at least a chuckle). ;)

The bottles that you are NOT charged corkage on, are only for consumption in your stateroom (someone please correct me if I'm mistaken here). The ones you pay $18 for, can be consumed in your stateroom or in any of the dining venues. The bottles I bring on board, are all consumed in the dining rooms and restaurants, so I have paid corkage on each and every one. On my most recent trip (Volendam Asia itinerary), they were not set up to have corkage paid when we boarded, so I received ALL bottles to my room. I was charged $18 for each bottle brought to the dining room. I'm not sure if it depends on the ship, or the embarkation city -- but I asked to pay for the corkage on my bottles and no one knew what to do.

I'd rather pay $25 to check a bag than spend that on toiletries and sunblock that I already own, but to each her own.

The liquids rule is really why I like checking a bag. I don't like decanting my (great) sunscreen into TSA-sized bottles, but more importantly.... where are those wine bottles going to go?;)

I am old school. I do it manually in a wooden bowl.

To get a scratch dressing base requires a food processor (at least for me). I’m pretty sure that the noise wouldn’t be appreciated. I’m sure hoping they made that part!

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I’m not the OP, but also had not come across this before. I usually have booked a cruise already and then come to CC, checking on things about my destination or ship — the purchase is already behind me. I search for a lot of cruises and go through several steps to check final price after finding a room I could live with. This is the first time I’ve seen that type of “Special” for one I’ve looked at.

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Ok, my next PG meal I am going to ask all about the dressing and report back!

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