Zyc

On our cruise on the Eurodam last fall,  a couple offered us their drink coupons as they had a beverage package. We had never heard of them and went and enjoyed a margarita at the Ocean Bar. After we got home, we realized that as 4 star mariners we should have been given the coupons. Something to remember on our next cruise.

Looking forward to reading your reports, we will be on the Noordam 14 day Alaska cruise in September, so all tips will be welcome.

The pictures and tips for London are really interesting, looking forward to your posts.

We have been to Sydney a couple of times on cruises, and visited Cape Breton one year with our car. We loved the area, the town itself is friendly and welcoming.  We had a great time chatting in the tea shop and at the kiosks down at the wharf. The historical sights in Cape Breton are well worth a visit. As an area to visit whether by car trip or cruise stop, we love it.

That is a great picture, blue sky, blue ocean, a wide open walking deck and a fine looking drink.  Glad you are having a great cruise.

While I realize it is very disappointing to miss the Canadian part of the inside passage, compared to a trip to Japan, it is a minor part of the voyage, it is not nearly as dramatic as say the inside passage in Chile. We have had 2 chances at the inside passage and one was fogged out and the other was a pleasant sail among misty islands at dusk.  I am sure everyone who cruises regularly has had disappointment over routes and ports, but that is life on a cruise.

As the ship doesnt have a promenade deck, and Oceanias' dress rules do not allow running shoes in the dining room, it is not a line we will be sailing with.  String music is not something that would override those considerations.

The picture definitely confirms that HAL's ships remain our first choice.  The Icon is a monster.

We got off the Eurodam on Nov 8 and received the survey within 2 or 3 days.  Yesterday we got a follow-up survey asking us to rate the shore excursions we had taken. This is the first time we have received a follow-up and we are four star mariners.

We were on the Eurodam from Oct 8 to Nov 8, our cabin was on deck 8, but we were on deck 2 and deck 3 quite regularly, and never smelled anything off. The air conditioning in our cabin was fine.

Background articles on just about anything that would interest potential customers always seem to follow the advertising or freebies. While the articles are often interesting , they cant be considered definitive.

We were on the Westerdam last fall, on that trip we did NOT dock at the Bund area. We were docked, with a couple of other cruise ships in an area approximately an hour bus ride from downtown. I never knew the name of the docking area. That remote docking was my only major disappointment of the either voyage from Vancouver to Hong Kong.  Other than that, the trip was a  total success for us. Hope you have a great time if you decide to take the cruise.

I bookmarked all 3 sites you suggested, thanks for the additional suggestions, lot of great information on them.

That is great, thanks very much for the suggestion

We are boarding the Veendam in Lisbon for the trans Atlantic in August. Normally we just use Holland America hotels and transfers. However, they do not offer that service in Lisbon. Was wondering, if anyone knows where Holland America docks in Lisbon and if they have a recommendation for a hotel.  Thanks