Hogladyrider

@QuattroRomeo...I grew up visiting the library regularly hence my love of reading. Now retired and traveling fulltime in my RV, my reading is mostly on a Kindle unless we are stationed someplace near a library where I can check out books. Most RV Parks have book exchange libraries. Where we are this summer I've read some great books from our book exchange library. I will be cruising on this ship in January 18 days to Hawaii and back and I will definitely be visiting the library and bringing my Kindle along!

@willdra.....OMG I live with a Mr. GS as well.....what is it with the male species....why can't they just say "I am not in a good mood" like us gals. Nice to learn I am not alone! Susan

@cabland....so sorry about your knee situation. Take it from me, at 56 you are not too young to have TKR. I just had it last November at 70. Recovery will be quicker the younger you are so if it is an option suggest you carve out the 6 months to a year recover time and go for it. IMO the two most important things are 1)the right surgeon 2)the right PT. I suffered with a bump knee for many years before being "ready" for the major surgery. Now 7 months PO no regrets but it is no picnic in the park for sure. Really enjoyed your review, HAL is our favorite "go to" line these days for sure, love the live entertainment. Susan

@Fouremco...awesome info, thanks for the link! VERY HELPFUL!

We will be in Kona, weather permitting, Feb 9,2024 8-6. We are looking for a recommendation for a reputable snorkel tour that is not a cattle call, meaning less than 50 people. We will be on Koningsdam and there are ZERO excursions that interest us. Thanks in advance. Susan

@Stealthdog...quick question. The land tour you booked with Princess did you have the option to include meals? I took a 7 day land tour with Alaska Wildland Adventures in 2014 and it included all our meals, all were amazing. It also included all excursions except flight seeing in Talkeetna. Only thing not included was alcohol and tips. We LOVED this tour, best vacation ever so far, even over cruising! Tour consisted of 16 people, we had our own driver, our own tour expert and we never ever touched our luggage.

Once upon a time Carnival was using Ocean Spray Bloody Mary mix......my all time favorite BM mix!

Thank you!

I have been told via another blog that Hilo Walmart is "the place to go for souveniers"....so this sounds like a great service! Anyone know if the driver is allowed to receive tips? We will be cruising to Hawaii via HAL in Feb 2024.

Unless things have changed drastically in Alaska, it has been my experience that both cell service and internet are mostly unavailable and should not be counted on. Talkeentna is a lovely unique town for sure!

Suggest you look on CC at the Floataway Lounge section to post your Japan review!

I used to overpack myself, after so many cruises I wised up, less is more for sure!

@Saint Greg...welcome home. Thanks so much for taking us along on this FANTASTIC cruise and land trip. Looking forward to following along on your Alaska adventure. Susan

and Katz's OMG!

@Saint Greg....WOZA my friend.....just FANTASTIC what you are experiencing....and those photos are prize worthy! What a way to wake up and enjoy my own morning coffee with all these pages to catch up on!

For the past two weeks when I am logged on to HAL web site and I view my bookings I keep getting the error message "something went wrong with our system we will be back soon". Is anyone else having these issues open to all suggestions. Both my bookings are thru TA's. I am trying to book excursions and also find out about Club Orange if it is available, what it includes and what it would cost to add to my bookings. TIA

Anyone know what company HAL uses for the turtle snorkel by catamaran in Lahaina? We are looking at this excursion for Feb. 2024 our first visit to Hawaii and we have excursion $$ to use up. It says it is 3-1/2 hours departs at 8:30 am and lunch and one adult beverage is included. I found the provider of the Ultimate Coral Gardens excursion on board Reef Explorer, nope boat is too small, we like to be able to move around. Lahaina is a tender for and we are in port 8-8 so I am guessing the host must sail out of Lahaina harbor. I really just want to read reviews and see the boat we would be on, thanks in advance! Susan

If I remember correctly, as it was YEARS ago, pretty tight quarters climbing up in the Statue!

....or are they from shopping while possibly under the influence? 😁

Excellent info, will research snorkel tours out of Lahanina Harbor. We will be there early in February 2024 and again in February 2025.

Excellent point....I am a little rusty since not having cruised since the shut down!

First visit to Hawaii, have shipboard excursion credits to use. We are water folks all the way. Looking for recommendation of a snorkel tour we are in port 8-8 tender port in Lahaina. What I have seen on You Tube, it appears that most tours depart from approximately 30 minutes away. Has anyone done the Turtle Snorkel Adventure via Catamaran with HAL? That is the only snorkel excursion offered otherwise we would book independently and use our excursion credits elsewhere. TIA

@Saint Greg...looks like some beautiful weather for your visit...ENJOY!

I am NOT a city girl but I enjoy your travels in the City and this museum sounds interesting sure. I remember that day like it was yesterday!

@Saint Greg....this review is a GRAND SLAM HOME RUN! Enjoy your time in New York. If it is anything like your last visit I know it will be jamb packed with fun!