Minne Wonka Girl

She is scheduled for a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas. Don't know why her arrival is so late.

I believe the policy on the Zaandam was no flash or video for the shows. I believe no photography at all was permitted during presentations by the naturalists. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Just off back-to-back cruises, including Antarctica on the Zaandam and Caribbean on the Celebrity Silhouette. Guests on the Silhouette were encouraged to photograph and video the shows and to post on social media. The Celebrity audience was courteous and there were no problems. Coincidentally, HAL and Celebrity have similar Frankie Valli shows.

Don't forget Tri-Rail from FLL to MIA, $3.50. Very easy.

Hi we are also just off the Zaandam South America and Antarctica cruise that just ended. We have open dining and have a table for two. In our experience there was no wait from 6.30-6.50pm but after that we might have waited between ten and twenty minutes, they give you a pager that works upstairs in the lounge where the adagio duo plays, so you can wait in comfort there. Usually after 7.45pm it was very very busy as we left the dining room. But I do believe that if you want to share a table there shouldn't be much of a wait, if any.

 

The service in the main dining room was the slowest we've ever experienced on HAL but as we had nowhere to go it was fine! Staff were very nice as usual. Seems to be less dining room stewards but more wine stewards which was good, as they did all the bar drinks as well. I had no real issues with the food. Coffee wasn't the best though and sometimes not hot, and twice they forgot to bring it, so we would go to the explorers lounge instead.

 

Also noticed on the gala nights the dining room did not have the white cloths on the chairs and the staff were not dressed in different uniforms like we've had before, but we haven't cruised on HAL in over a year so maybe this isn't new.

 

Overall a really great cruise though, hope you enjoy yours.

We were on the same cruise and affirm these comments. As others have said, some tables for two are very close to other tables. Coffee was not great. MDR service was slow (sometimes taking two hours for dinner). Food was quite good. Overall it was a wonderful cruise.

We have been quite happy with Princess kids clubs for our triplet grandchildren who were 5 years old when they started cruising with us two years ago. They have cruised on Princess and Celebrity, and Princess wins hands-down. Princess is very well organized and camp counselors give you a beeper, which Celebrity does not, so you are notified immediately if they need to reach you. Though this never happened, it provides reassurance, especially in rough seas if your young one is prone to a bit of seasickness. The arts and crafts are thematically based, so if you are in the Caribbean, they have a pirate day and if you're in Alaska, they study wildlife, glaciers, and lumberjacks. The kids love going to the "Pelican" and we planned our schedule based on offerings there.

Alirght, kiddies, for your history lesson do you remember when the QM2 sideswiped the channel wall while departing Port Everglades on her world cruise in January 2006? I watched her departure and return and weather was not a factor. There was considerable conversation over who was at the controls. Coincidentally the much revered Commodore Ron Warwick retired in July of that year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4645316.stm

Is there a reason she the Spirit has two tugs assisting her in the Port Everglades channel? The weather is mild.

Here's a video I took last evening, January 20, 2016, of the Queen Mary 2 departing Port Everglades. I hope you enjoy it, particularly the blasts of her horn:

Caroline

Does anyone know why the Emerald is returning to Port Everglades? She is in the inlet right now (12:05AM local time on Monday, December 14th).

Our family group of three adults and three six-year old children took a Celebrity Reflection excursion on November 24th from the port in St. Thomas to Magen's Bay beach in an open air bus with no seat belts, shoulder harnesses, and no guardrails on one side of the bus over steep, curvy roads where passengers had to hang on going around corners to avoid being tossed out. Fortunately it was uneventful, but I would not do it again. We were not informed of this mode of transportation prior to the excursion. It is surprising that Celebrity would take such risks with their passengers.

Heartfelttraveler, the 6-year old triplets enjoyed the cruise. We ate in the MDR for breakfast, and they did the buffet for lunch and dinner. We did eat Thanksgiving dinner together in the MDR. Breakfast service there was inconsistent. The kids met friends in the Fun Factory whom they enjoyed seeing around the ship. Comparing to Princess, the Fun Factory does not give parents a beeper. Since the seas were a rough on certain days, we were reluctant to leave the kids there in case they got sick, as we would not be notified. Otherwise, the Fun Factory seems to be well managed.

September 22, 2015: http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cruise-ship-mishandled-medical-emergency-for-canadian-couple-1.3310921

We are on board the Reflection this Thanksgiving with our DD, SIL, and 6-year old triplet grandkids. All of us sailed Princess last Thanksgiving and Alaska this past July. We took our nephew on Celebrity a few years ago. The triplets love cruising and we are sure that they will love this upcoming cruise.

There were seven of us including 2 grandparents, 2 parents, and 3 age six triplets on the same cruise and everyone had a wonderful time. The food was great, ship was spotless, and the children's program was excellent.

We've been on the R ships several times, including Tahiti to Hawaii in a forward facing cabin. While we enjoyed the view, especially sailing into port, and anchoring / mooring activity on the foredeck, the balcony is unusable while underway. There is definitely more motion in the bow. We find it quite pleasant, but many would not.

Always disconcerting to see the ships turn around after they've left.

Drydock in Freeport to repair propulsion problem. Here's her departure:

Just now disembarked the Zuiderdam after a charity luncheon for Seafarer's House followed by an awards ceremony in the theater. Passengers were going up the gangway as we were going down.

Does anyone know if crew would enjoy some donated magazines? If so, to whom would you give the magazines on board? Thank you in advance.

We were in A235 in September and the mattress was hard and lumpy. We were in a mini-suite in May and the mattress was quite comfortable. Go figure.

Sailed by just now. Inbound.