gknep

I'm going to guess that it was used for people to pose for the ship photographers.

My experience on multiple Alaska cruises on both NCL and Holland America is that Holland America has better docking positions and no shuttles needed. This is especially good for Ketchikan where NCL now docks at Ward Cove and the provided shuttle drops you off at a place that still requires a bit of a walk to the main part of town. This season there are more ships than ever so even Holland America is having to anchor in Ketchikan and use tenders for some of their stops there. I had to tender once in Ketchikan back in 2004 and it wasn't too bad, but I was a lot younger then.

So much this. I have gotten to know one or two bartenders on a number of different cruises and been treated very well by them absent any tipping. I have tipped them in cash at the end of the cruise. I have found the bartenders in the whiskey bar on the Encore on multiple sailings to be excellent.

I can tell you from experience that on Glacier Bay day during multiple Alaskan Cruises the Laser Tag area was nearly empty and I got some great views and pictures from it.

I was kind of up set by this, but then I thought about it and I'll take the smaller Observation Lounge if it gets rid of the laser tag and adds a spice H20.

I've come to the conclusion that I love meeting other people and talking to them at the bar. For some reason that does not translate at meals where I don't really want to make small talk with people I don't know.

May 5-12

I got priority tags in the mail a few days ago for an Encore sailing in May. Regular Club Balcony and platinum. My parents on the same cruise and in a Haven Aft Facing Suite got nothing.

I still enjoy actually reading books. I cannot get the hang of listening to them on a regular basis.

If you have Platinum of above status on NCL you also get 2 free specialty dining meals. One with a bottle of wine.

Jan 4 2025 Konigsdam 7 Day Baja Peninsula

I've been on the Encore a few times. Had great meals at Ocean Blue, Onda, and Le Bistro. I was less impressed by Los Lobos just because I get great Mexican food where I live. Cagney's has been fine but not outstanding. Aside from the specialty dining the Indian food at the buffet is not to be missed.

This has been a really interesting thread for me to read. I've been on HAL and NCL multiple times. We leave on Tuesday for our first Princess cruise. From what I'm reading it sounds like Princess sits in a nice middle ground between HAL and NCL in terms of activity level, entertainment, and service.

That was not my experience of the chocolate surprise on a September cruise on the Zaandam.

On my September cruise from Montreal to Boston you could sign for dinks in the Neptune lounge and they were included in your HIA package.