Blackduck59

There will be in less than an hour. Then we will keep them at home until we take them to Vancouver in April.

It's not nice to make fun of Canadians 🤔

Thank you for your enthusiastic report. I'm sure there are many who will be happy to read it. Hopefully the "talent" coordinators will be able to find more like Krista Meadows for the whole fleet. If so it would be a good first step to rebuilding the entertainment offerings on HAL ships.

I think @boeckli is correct. I can see a "CD" Medal on the uniform. If they are correct that is a member of the "Vandoos"

This is my final tribute of love and respect for Granny (my name for Lynn's mom).

I just re-read the OP and it seems to imply that the term "Oriental Corner" was used in the Navigator App. So while many were debating the "political correctness" (including me to a degree); we all missed the reference as to where the term was used in relation to the original question.

It sounds like an interesting concept, apparently it is available in Seattle and Vancouver; so maybe one day.

I often read posts where people want to see the menus or some secret rotation formula so they can plan their specialty dining. I don't get it, FOMO to the max; We like to plan our cruise to a degree, what we will do on shore days, where we will stay before and after the cruise, etc. We actually have to preplan meals because of my wife's dietary needs. Never once have we thought, If we have dinner here we will miss out on (insert menu item here) there. We know that we should be able to find something to eat every day. If we missed the prime rib night because we made reservations for the Tamarind pop up, Oh well, I can roast a perfect prime rib at home and my Yorkshire pudding is pretty good too.

Personally I was not that impressed with "Afternoon Tea". Each one of those stands should be for 2 people, and if you are going to add a new couple to a table after the fact (when the stand is picked over); then bring a new stand. If you're going to do "Afternoon Tea" then do it, rinky tea is just an insult to the tradition. We will see what we get next year on Westerdam, we will be on her for 6 weeks so I guess we will have several chances to see what they serve.

@Haljo1935 Thank you for the photos, it looks a lovely meal. I have no problem with Mariner Society special events and perks. Loyalty deserves rewards.

I'm sorry to hear that, it seems to be hit and miss. There have been reports of invite only "Mariner's Lunch" with presentations and special menu by a number of members on different cruises. There have also been some members expecting to have the "Mariner's Lunch" in the MDR on embarkation day. That assumption is usually from people who haven't cruised on HAL in some time. Now there will be no lunch in the MDR on embarkation day and hopefully those who enjoy the invitation only Mariner's Lunch will find it offered more consistently on cruises going forward.

We will expect a proper report with the findings of your "research" into this event.😉

@Miss G I think you missed my point. There is already a special "Mariner's Lunch" those who are invited enjoy if you choose to attend. If a person has a point of view or personal knowledge they want to share, then share it. No need to quote your "Mariner Status" to validate it. I think the MDR being open for lunch for a reasonable period say until 1430 hrs. on embarkation day would help set a tone for passengers new and returning who would enjoy a sit down lunch; as well as take part of the surge from the Lido. Unfortunately many people thought it was for "Mariners" only and since they weren't they didn't even try. Conversely some "Mariners" where upset that it was no longer exclusive.

@BobbiSox I'm sorry that you have been driven to feel you need to bring your own camping chair. Even with your own furniture you will need the deck space, which some rude person will surely decide to use. It feels like a no win to me. Best of luck for a great cruise. Our cruise was on Zaandam which doesn't have the "Lanais" but does have the loungers on the promenade in the same locations as the Lanais. As a personal thought I wouldn't want to rely on that space as a substitute for a balcony.

I think that the MDR should be open on embarkation day...or not. The idea of it being a "Mariner's" lunch is just off. I understand there is a "Mariner's Lunch" later in the voyage. As many people who have read my posts know, I don't get the whole quote my "status" mindset. There are many people who post on these boards (on all lines) who clearly have many sea days and they don't feel the need to mention status. Their opinions hold value to me. On that point my wife and I are 2* mariners, we have been on one 11 day cruise with HAL. Do I get into the "Mariner's Lunch"? Probably not. Will we go when we reach the lofty status required for an invite? Probably not. We will however happily take the free laundry if we ever get to 4*.

Seriously???? Where does the "Tips" line end? Do you tip your insurance agent? The receptionist at the Gym? The plumber who fixed your dripping faucet? If you want to praise your PCC send a "My PCC did me a solid" to Holland America.

I don't think you are correct with this. There are plenty of "family friendly" cruise lines to choose from. There are plenty of people of a certain mindset who prefer a quieter experience. Some say the "HAL demographic" is dying off and fading away. I say not so fast; there are new people who have cruised with other lines and now want a different experience. This is the HAL demographic regardless of age, as some move on, more join the group.

I'm pretty sure it will be frowned upon. First do you really think you need to bring camping chairs on a cruise? Just ask your room stewards to make sure they have your dedicated lounges out early. Also ask them to keep the cushions in your cabin, they will be less bulky than your camp chairs. If anyone is sitting in them just give them the punt.

@Ned49 rather than debate "Tips" which are different than "Gratuities" and whether we should or shouldn't; I will make a suggestion to your original question of currency. Is the ship returning to Australia or is it carrying on to the US, or another country? If the currency on board is AUD and the ship is returning to Oz then use AUD. If the ship is in AUD but will be moving to a new home port with a different currency then use the new currency. Our next voyage starts in New Zealand, has stops in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and several other countries. It ends in Seattle, where it will start the Alaska season. We will probably give some crew who make our voyage more enjoyable a "Gratuity" when we disembark in Victoria (North). We will take the opportunity to pass on any US currency we may have left over from our Hawaii port stops.

Great shot Lyndon, hopefully we can get something like that when we visit. Thanks for posting "pretty pictures"

Didn't think so. I guess I will eliminate Ketchikan for the others as well.

I think you were in Alaska. Perhaps Juneau, but I doubt it.

That is a vintage shot, late 1960s?

I have to ad my voice to those of the sticker shock crowd, from looking at the bar menus. I live in Canada and those prices are outrageous. I knew there was a reason why we abandoned Celebrity when we booked our 3rd time lucky trip for next year. We didn't like that they took away the S class ships and prices just kept rising.

@RuthC, that is an interesting solution to the milkshake dilemma. You are a resourceful woman.