J4NEC

Hi, is anyone doing the Jordan/Holy Lands/Greek Islands cruise tour in October?  I'm not sure if 3 days in Jordan is enough, theres so much to see and Id like to spend a night in the desert.  Has anyone done this before?  Thinking we might do our own tour of Jordan then join the cruise at Haifa.

Has anyone been on the HAL Mount Etna 4by4 Expedition while in Catania?   If so, can you tell me if it takes you up in the cable car to the top?  I phoned HAL to ask, as very little info on the website.  The very nice man, however, had no idea but said he thought it probably did.  I’d really like to know for definite, though, as if not, I’ll cancel the excursion and book a private one that does take you up to the top (cheaper).  I think it’s quite a new trip as there’s no reviews of it I can see.  Thanks, J.

Daughters in love- what a lovely expression!

Hair straighteners!

27 minutes ago, TAD2005 said:

Sometimes it is tough to tell is an AC power plug strip (not a low voltage USB multi-charger) has a surge protector.  So to err on the side of safety, the crew will grab any power strip they see at checkin.   

Most hair dryers have built-in GFI trip devices in case you drop the hair dryer in a sink or tub full of water and reach for it.  If you do, you will be toast.   So all current hairdryers have GFI protection to kill the power if there's any current leakage in water.   That works similar to a surge protector, so they will be confiscated.   HAL provides 220 volt hair dryers that must be plugged into the 220 volt outlet at the desk, where there is no chance of the user dropping it in water, or standing in water while using it.  If you try to plug the HAL provided hairdryer into the bathroom shaver 220 volt outlet, it will not work. Leave your hair dryer home, you won't need it.

Do you know if they also confiscate GHDs?

To me a catapult or ‘cattie’ is something you make as a kid with a Y-shaped stick and a rubber band!  

We’ve just bought the EBP for our summer cruise precisely so we could enjoy a couple of glasses of champagne before dinner and now it’s not included?!  How annoying.

7 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

 

If you use the Euro socket then it gives 220v, the European standard voltage.

7 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

 

If you use the Euro socket then it gives 220v, the European standard voltage.

That’s great, I didn’t know how it worked . Thanks for the info. 

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

 

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

There is a hairdryer in the drawer (I am reliably informed it is reasonably good at doing what it should!).

If you bring your GHD you will need a Euro or US plug adapter as there are no UK 13a plug points onboard.

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

 

Hi,  thanks for the info.  I’ve never yet come across a good hotel hairdryer, and always bring my own as I have ‘problem’ hair! I know I’ll need a plug adaptor but just wondered if the hairdryer will get full voltage. In the US last year with an adaptor itworked at about 1/4 of its power.🤨

Does anyone know if there’s any point bringing a hairdryer and GHDs on board Koningsdam?  They work on  GB 220 volts and I wonder if the supply is less as it is in the US where my appliances are rendered useless?

5 hours ago, doone said:

I know this is an old post, however, need to ask a question.  I have the Signature Beverage package for the cruise I just booked, but am a Pinot noir wine drinker. Am I reading the above information correctly that the Signature Beverage package has not even 1 wine offering for Pinot noir wine without upgrading???

 

Appreciate your help in clarifying.

I think it will now because the threshold for the SBP has been increased to $11as far as I am aware.

Love... exciting and new.  Come aboard, we’re expecting you!

 Id imagined waiters going around with trays of fizz!  Oh well, we will just have to make sure we get our bed package up and running.  

Never having cruised before, not sure what to expect!  At the sail away I envisage passengers standing on deck at the rail, waving (to who though!), cocktail in hand.  Does this happen? 

On Koningsdam , Med, July.  I was wondering if you get a complimentary sail away drink.  If you pre book a drinks package when does it activate?  If you wait till on board, how soon can you buy the package?

Thanks, everyone, sounds like we’ll be well fed!

Is there not Air conditioning in the staterooms?

Hi, thanks for that info.  Do you know what sort of thing the Lido does late night? Can you eat it while watching the late movie? Also, I’m presuming there’s a movie every night? J

We are doing an Eastern Med tour on Koningsdam leaving from Rome on 29th July.  We are in port in Dubrovnik till 11pm one night and I thought we might have a mid afternoon light meal in town then we are doing an early evening tour.  I thought we’d  come back to the ship about 9.30 or 10.  Can anyone tell me if the Lido or Dive In will still be serving food? I thought we might catch the late movie and have a burger or something. Thanks for any info on the latest we can get food/snacks.  J

On 4/9/2019 at 8:39 PM, Despegue said:

Tip for making risotto correctly: stir as little as possible. You do not stir a risotto but let it simmer and absorb the broth. 

On 4/9/2019 at 11:26 PM, Despegue said:

The lecture is not correct though, you never stir a risotto as it destroys the consistency and will turn into a rice pudding basically...

You absolutely do stir risotto.  You use arborio rice, Add it to hot olive oil and turn to coat each grain, then add the broth one ladle at a time, stirring continuously until each addition is absorbed, the rice is cooked but still al dente.  It’s labour intensive and time consuming and the only way to get creamy risotto.  This comes from an Italian Nonna.  

On the other hand, you never stir boiled/ steamed rice as it sticks together like glue.

Sorry if you are offended by my saying I would find it weird if my in laws wanted us to share a room with them.  It’s nice that you’re all so close, and probably more of an indication of my relationship with my in laws that it gives me the shivers!  

If my in laws booked one room for us and them I would think it was downright weird, I couldn’t bear to sleep in the same small room with them!   Maybe you are very close though.

But on a practical level, how are  you going to manage the one bathroom and lack of circulation space.  I agree it could be a laugh but maybe for one night camping! 

2 hours ago, Zerks said:

We have a few complimentary dinners and lunch as a perk through our TA. Is it possible to pre book reservations on line.

 

TIA

 

 

Yes it is but you have to pay the supplement at the time of booking so I don’t know how you’d get your complementary  perk.  Best, I think to ask your TA as they might book it for you?

Hi. I live in Edinburgh and have been to the Tattoo a few times.  Gates open at 8.15,  they advise you be in your seat by 8.45.  To be honest, you don’t want to get there before 8.15 as it can be very cold at the Castle.  If you want a meal nearby, I would recommend the Whiski Rooms on the mound, it’s 20 mins walk max to the castle from there.  Or the Grain Store in Victoria Street is nearby too but a bit more formal.  Really casual but you can’t book is Bertie’s fish and chip restaurant, it’s huge, very lively and fun but you might have to wait in line as it’s a busy time of year.  All these are 15 to 20 mins walk to the castle.

I can give you any other advice if you want.  But make sure to wrap up warm, it’s a great show but it’s cold up there!

ps what date will you be in Edinburgh?  If it’s during the festival you should try and take in a fringe show, they usually last an hour.

Is there a difference between Exc tours and other tours? Are Exc tours on HAL website?

What’s English bacon?