Libraries are a tough subject on this forum. I know that the Rotterdam now has a library, but from the sounds of it, there are mostly bestsellers there. I know, a crowd pleaser, but most of the bestsellers out there are a giant yawn for me. Combatting it with a fully loaded kindle is my only choice now and I miss the days when the Maasdam and Veendam had pretty comprehensive libraries. And librarians! And book clubs for the transatlantic crossings. Sadly, those days are long gone.
Hope you have a great cruise. I'm pretty sure obstructed would be ok for me. Never done it but it would be a good place to read and escape the noise by the pool.
Since you are married to a surgeon, I am assuming you know the risks of traveling while recovering from pneumonia. I'm confused about the gathering of opinions as to what you should do. I would stay home, if I were you, which I am not. I would want zero risk of getting sicker and landing in a foreign hospital. But, whatever you decide, I wish you the best, of course.
I like those. Definitely use them. I hope they never have self service again in lido. Wherever you get this dreaded noro, it really could happen anywhere. Lots of people onboard. It's either stay home or travel. That's the choice we all face.
Remember when they had a book club on long cruises. They'd supply the books and the librarian would run the book discussion. This wasn't that long ago.
Having a kindle is insurance that you will have enjoyable reading at hand. I don't think I go anywhere without a book or a kindle. I have a friend who would swim out to her floating dock with a book in a zip lock bag. Now, that's extreme! Enjoy your cruise; very enjoyable thread, thank you.
They do oversalt the food...and I agree about the Pinnacle. I saw no reason to go there after the good food we had in club orange. Which was food from the MDR! I liked the service there much better, as well. It was warm and inviting.
I remember a woman I met on a transatlantic who was incredibly stressed out about additional tipping. Others were discussing how much extra they were going to leave some crew. I told her that there is no need to do that but make sure you leave the auto gratuities in place. She did.
You haven't let us all down. I like the comment about "mature drinkers" and am sure to use that term in the future. Thanks for the tip. All the other complaints on this thread hold no value to me but I like the mature drinkers being shown as a postive Holland American trait.
I usually listen to their horrible wait time music and then, usually get cut off or transferred to someone who can't help me. After a very long wait. They need more people to answer the phones.
Such a great blog. I remember visiting the Canary Islands and the mountains were so high. The roads were hairpin, in some areas, and it was quite beautiful, if not startling. We visited 3 islands and they all had unique characteristics. And, yes, we did ride the camels, lol!