Mary229

I only buy $100s. Up until now they have allowed me to use a single $100 FCD and charge the remainder to my credit card. For example if my deposit is $600 I use a $100 FCD and charge $500 to the credit card.

I haven’t noticed as of late - does HAL still polish shoes?

I don’t know the price per pack but DH buys the carton deal - 4 cartons for $150. Remember the shops do not open unless you are at sea

I agree but on the Noordam you may easily brush elbows with your neighbors. They should rearrange the tables so they are truly tables for two. This would be easily accomplished with the current trend away from fixed dining. In the anytime dining room it may be harder to accomplish. on other ships we enjoy a brief “how are you this evening” and a good night salutation with our table for two neighbors. On the Noordam you could whisper and still be heard by the neighbors

thanks for the list😉 Noordam and its sister ships make the table for two awkward. You are seated so close to the next table you feel obligated to say something. They really aren’t tables for two.

Same. Vegetables are surprisingly inexpensive but I think the amount of waste is likely staggering. As much is said about healthy eating it is not actually practiced. The cruise lines are well aware of what people actually eat as opposed to what they profess to want

Food and energy suffered large inflationary pressures in recent years. I am not surprised that food costs weigh on menus. Also I think trends change, the younger generation consumed much more fast food and convenience food while growing up and continue to consume far more convenience food as adults. I never imagined that macaroni and cheese would be a culinary highlight. From the USDA: In 2021, food-at-home prices increased 3.5 percent and food-away-from-home prices increased 4.5 percent. The CPI for all food increased an average of 3.9 percent in 2021. Of all the CPI food-at-home categories tracked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Research Service (ERS), the beef and veal category had the largest relative price increase (9.3 percent) and the fresh vegetables category the smallest (1.1 percent). No food categories decreased in price in 2021 compared with their prices in 2020. In 2022, food prices increased by 9.9 percent. Food-at-home prices increased by 11.4 percent, while food-away-from-home prices increased by 7.7 percent. All food price categories tracked by USDA, ERS increased by more than 5 percent, and all food categories grew faster than their historical average rate.

I went into flight ease today and it really has improved. I was able to run through multiple choices, changing class, changing airports and more without a single error message.

FYI. Original Morimoto announcement with menu https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/news/2023/november/news-1122023-holland-america-line-to-open-new-restaurant-morimoto-by-sea

You must have hit a wrong button. You certainly are allowed to add TSA and change seats without incurring a fee. If the flight is paid for you can also do that at the airline website

I am quite sure you pulled a quote out of context and since it is from over 4 years ago I am certainly not going to dig through this thread to determine the context.

Having done this recently first you must complete the checkout to be waitlisted. You will then Reta confirmation email that you are on a waitlist. The best check if you missed the email is to attempt to purchase again.

I wonder if those are there with permission or not. It has been quite a few cruises ago that I have seen scooters parked in public areas

We always assume 5 pours to a bottle on HAL

I second the trip insurance store. Steve is a great asset to the travel insurance industry. He knows all of the gotchas.

I have an annual medical policy paired with my Sapphire. Geoblue is a bargain. They offer a bit more than $750. I have compared them side by side with basic popular comprehensive plans and they are almost identical.

That’s Viking. I don’t get it.

On your HAL invoice scroll down. The second or third page will contain all of the perks

Here is the post regarding bread plates.

A few weeks back there was a thread about the dinner ware on ship. Apparently they will sell you a set. As I recall someone quoted $35 for 4 bread plates

I have had the cakes. They are a good cake but I was not a big fan of the frosting. Instead of a rich buttercream it is more of a whipped cream based frosting.

That would be a game changer.

I have a cruise leaving Seattle in June 2024 and it lists the Sheraton at USD538 per couple per night. I would look elsewhere. Of course June is more expensive than October

If you want an independent hotel visit look at these links for recommendations https://www.allcruisehotels.com/blog/port-of-seattle-hotels-with-cruise-shuttle/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2824556-hotel-recommendations-for-sailing-out-of-seattle/

I sail from Europe September 27, 2024 and have their hotel booked. Did you look on the precruise travel arrangements page on your manage my cruise page? The website has been very glitchy lately so patience can be needed. The other option is to call the shore excursions phone number, they are the people who know all of the hotel details. Or you can have your travel agent take care of it. I have never used them in Seattle as many nearby airport hotels have shuttle services.