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Loved today's post on Split. What a great excursion. And, after spending 3 weeks on the Oosterdam in January, I agree regarding the Caneletto. We like it so much better than the Pinnacle. Thanks for letting us cruise with you. Cherie

I did a Neptune suite with 3 teens. It was great. We were on the Zuiderdam. If you can snag an aft corner wrap Neptune it gives a lot of outdoor space. Someone mentions it might make a difference which ship you are on. We didn't have a problem and the one bathroom was not an issue. JMO. Cherie

We had Argentine currency and used it to pay for meals, small items in shops, and it was great. No one uses the official exchange rate. We exchanged U.S. $ for Argentine currency thru our guide. So easy. JMO. Cherie

@wcGma What you propose is what we did in January. The company we used is mentioned in post #9. Cherie

Your posts are awesome. It doesn't mean that passengers should accept sub standard service but if you make no attempt to let them solve the problem it's hard to get sympathy. On a HAL ship you are not dining at an elite restaurant in your favorite city. Your are dining at a specialty restaurant on a main line cruise ship that is charging for your experience. It's a first world problem that is easily remedied. I love post #77. When you get a baked potato do you not cut it open so that you can put your favorite toppings in. Well they give you a potato that is ready for your toppings. I do think that anyone who has made their displeasure known and nothing is done should ask for the charge to be taken off of their account. As mentioned, not all Pinnacle managers and staff are exemplary. JMO. Cherie

Mine took 48 hours but our daughter received her NZeta/IVL in 5 minutes. It's worth a try if you haven't applied yet. Cherie

We received our NZeta and IVL confirmations last week. They are valid for 2 years. Our confirmation says nothing about a visa except that a visa will be issued at the border. If you are hoping to get the 35NZD IVL before October 1 you should apply as soon as possible. Our charge was 17NZD for the NZeta and 35NZD for the IVL, total of $52. Cherie

In Santiago I suggest the neighborhood Vitacura. There are many hotels there and it is safe to walk at night. Also lots of good restaurants. Cherie

What is the difference in cost? If you only have 3 alcoholic drinks a day that leaves 12 bottles of water, soda, or coffee. 15 drinks a day including alcohol and non-alcohol seems reasonable. And, if you need more water the water on board is drinkable. We have the Elite package because it was included with our fare, but the signature package was fine for us for 3 weeks in January. But the more people that upgrade the more money HAL makes and helps the rest of us. This opinion does not include those who prefer all of their beverages to be more than $11. JMO. Cherie

If you order a baked potato and half a baked potato is not enough for you can't you ask for another half? Possibly it is not cost cutting but the fact that many leave half of a whole baked potato on their plate. Frankly I would prefer half, but that's just my opinion, and that's how I serve them at my house so the guest can load them with whatever they want. I would be surprised if you asked for another half baked potato you would be denied. JMO. Cherie

@fstuff1 You don't need status with a hotel chain to check your bags with the bell desk and have them call a taxi for you when you're ready. Or get your bags if you have an Uber coming. We did it last December. If you decide to go to Pearl Harbor I would do the pre-arranged Uber ride to make sure all is in order. It's a short ride from Pearl Harbor to the airport. And, make sure you get your ticket to the Arizona Memorial on the nps.gov site when they become available for your date. And, if you decide on a beach day you can reserve a beach chair and umbrella set up for @$95 at several beach services operations. Then you arrive at the beach, claim your chair and umbrella, enjoy lunch and then head to the airport. Cherie.

Check the FAQ's on the Pearl Harbor NPS website. There is a section "Bag Policy and Information". Bags can be stored at the Pacific FleetSubmarine Museum near the entrance to the visitor center. There is a fee. If you want a beach day I would head to Waikiki and check my bags with a bellman at one of the hotels. Cherie

We always like to have an antibiotic prescription filled before we travel, just in case. Also, charcoal is often recommended for stomach bugs and diarrhea, but my husband's physician said absolutely not because it also clears your body of any important medications you are taking. If you do not take other medications it may not be a problem. Giving our personal physician our itinerary and time to make suggestions is our preference. Cherie

I don't think so. Unless you will traveling in the future to ports where they are required. JMO

@Sea42 In Chile we had our driver stop at a flower shop prior to arriving at the pier and I had beautiful flowers the entire 3 weeks. It was a bit cumbersome prior to getting rid of our luggage at the pier but other than that not a problem for me, and so worth it. JMO. Cherie

Also, you can pre schedule an Uber so you don't have to worry about getting one. Our experience is that is a $5 charge to pre reserve. So worth it to us. Cherie

You're boarding in Athens right? And will be there a couple days before your cruise? Why not pick up beautiful flowers from there and take them on board with you. Your room steward will be able to get you a vase if you do not have one with you. JMO. Cherie

So many different opinions. I would rather have a Pinnacle meal at lunch and enjoy my evenings in shorts and t shirt. Love the new menu. JMO. Cherie

However if you call the number that manages the beach set ups at the Royal Hawaiian, WBS, 808-308-1510, they can reserve beach set ups for you as a non guest. It is just a different rate and not behind the ropes. If you are on a cruise ship do your research and find the best price for your dates. JMO. Cherie

We live in Southern California and travel north and south. In my opinion September and October are the best months on the west coast, Seattle to Los Angeles. I wouldn't even consider a spring cruise on the west coast...burrrrrrrr. JMO. Cherie

If you are in the Pinnacle and your order is not to your liking can't you send it back? Not sure why someone would fight with a piece of meat in order to take a bite. I find sometimes that medium rare and medium well are heard differently by some servers. If I was in the Pinnacle and my meal was inedible I would politely ask for something else. You would not be the first or last person to do this. For goodness sakes, in the MDR they are unhappy if you are not happy with your order and ask to bring anything you want. So, if you struggle thru a horrible meal on HAL I am surprised no one was able to help you. Our favorite restaurant on the Oosterdam was Canaletto. JMO. Cherie

@Star1 I would call both numbers regarding December. However their December dates may not be available until October. That was what I learned for our reservations in November...they were not available until September. Enjoy your beach day, Cherie

I suggest calling 808-388-1510 for the beach set up. December is a really popular time. If they can not help you please post back. Also, there are companies that will deliver chairs and umbrella to you wherever you want and that can be a nice option because you do not have to give them up at 5 or 6pm. Also, I suggest making a reservation for Duke's at lunch or dinner. As I have said before...you cannot always make a reservation but you can cancel a reservation. And, have you contacted Aloha Beach Services at 808-9223111 that have the beach set ups in front of the Outrigger? Cherie

@Mike B Landlubber I understand that you were on a ship excursion but I had never seen photos of the town. Your photos showed apparent lodgings and I thought that was awesome. Totally understand that it would probably be an overnight where you do not bring anything but a carryon but it looks interesting. We spent 6 nights in Barcelona in 2022 and decided not to go to Monserrat because it just didn't seem worth it for a day. This decision was made after reading reviews on CC of Monserrat. Thank you again sooooooo much, Cherie

We are planning on a cruise and land trip to New Zealand in 2/2026. We have just completed the app and for the two of us the cost was NZD104. It was $35 for IVL and $17 for the electronic travel authority fee....total per person NZD52. Thank you for this post and alerting travelers to the upcoming increase in the IVL. Cherie