Blackduck59

I will, I'll probably start the thread on the 19th. It won't be a "live from" just observations good bad or indifferent. I'll drop a few lines now and then and perhaps others on the cruise will throw their thoughts in too. Funny thing I just read a post by @Btimmer that his recent boarding in Vancouver was his second worst right behind Boston last year. I have boarded in Vancouver and the great long line at US customs and border security was an absolute s**t show. So I'm wondering how Boston could be worse. We have been planning this trip for over 2 years, we cancelled the first booking on another line, that was for last summer, we booked this cruise 16 months ago..

Yes somehow we do, and there is a constant stream of threads about chaos at this port or the next with long lines blah blah blah. Sorry you can't have it both ways. Stick close to your appointed boarding time and there will be less whining.

While I did make a comment earlier that people show up whenever they like anyway, it didn't mean I agreed with the practice. I understand that there are some perks that come with Mariner "status" I don't really know or care what they are. If in fact the status or suite category gets priority boarding I'm good with that. What I'm not really good with are those who feel they're somehow entitled to show up outside their time and clogging up the works. It's simply another form of queue jumping. Someone who has an 1100 hrs. boarding time is stuck in with a bunch of people with later boarding times who are there because they think they're special. Try to stick to your assigned time, don't be showing up at 1100 for a 1400 hrs. boarding time.

Considering many people seem to show up whenever they want, I'm pretty sure you are safe. Besides if you have an I'm special card as well...

Is that a paved road and a concrete curb in that photo of Carcross? Things have changed in the 46 years since I was there.🤔😉

Sorry to hear about your positive test. Be safe, get well soon.

Yes, we are mildly concerned about the drink count, we don't drink a lot of alcohol but she does enjoy a nice latte or special tea. I doubt we will reach the count. We used to drink bottled water on Celebrity because there was no drink count when we cruised with them. I think we will probably drink the free water onboard with some ice to keep it cold. Hopefully HAL will have some nice logoed water bottles in there shops.

I'm not sure we've had many "we think HAL is great" type threads. Recently it has been a seemingly endless parade of HAL sucks and it's not what it was threads. Someone started a specific ship "They're doing great" thread which I certainly appreciated by me as my wife and I prepare for our first HAL experience and were beginning to think we made a big mistake booking a HAL cruise.

Thanks so much for your info. I spent 7 weeks in the Yukon in 1977, I spent considerable time in Whitehorse and I'm very interested to see what has changed. I was also in Dawson City, of course I was under age so no Diamond Tooth Gerties back then. I spent 2 of those 7 weeks at a bush camp outside of Carcross so I would like to see what Carcross is is like now. I somehow think that may have to be before or after the official cruise tour.

Thanks for your great posts, they are so pleasant to read. My wife and I are thinking of a land/sea tour in future. We are interested in something that includes the Yukon. I spent 7 weeks there in 1977 and my wife has wanted to go there as well. Thanks for any insight anyone can give. Again @Btimmer thanks for your excellent reports.

It could if one was not subtle. The non drinker would have to order what there friend wants and then they would probably have to move to another space. It would be a pain but doable. That being said the drink limit may make enforcement less of an issue. Do other cruise line still have "open" drink packages? When we cruised on Celebrity in 2019 our included in our fare drink package had a price limit, but I don't think there was limit on the number of drinks. I could be wrong we don't drink enough to test the limits of a drink package.

Thanks for starting a "they're doing great" thread. It is a welcome change from all the whining threads and complain for the sake of complaining threads. We will be embarking on our first HAL cruise in about 2 weeks. We enter with open minds and thankful we don't know how it "used to be". Hopefully what is will be very good and this may be our new best cruise, who knows.

You sir are a lucky man.

I agree, as a matter of fact I'm not sure that all USN terms mesh with other navies either, most are interchangeable like Deck, Bulkhead and Deckhead etc. But others will be different between military navy and merchant navy let alone nation to nation. Just because that's the way the USN says it doesn't mean other terms are wrong.

I tried to get tickets when he was close by; sold out before I had a chance. There was a radio contest as well...no joy. Enjoy the show Mr. Gut, I'm jealous.

I doubt you will be able to bring "cured meats" or spinach pie or any other fresh food products, especially if you are crossing an international border. One of the reasons to travel is to try new things. I have a some local places that make great cold cuts, there are bakeries that people line up for hours to get their baked goods. Funny thing is wherever we travel they have those places, try them.

Remember Marino wool is your friend. It's a natural fiber, doesn't retain odor and will keep you warm even when wet. That being said we only used it when we were on the bow at the glacier. I also packed some "Hot spot" pocket warmers. they were quite helpful to warm my hands when I had my gloves off for photography. I even gave some to one passenger who was not very well prepared.

Nice to see Zaandam made the news. We look forward to visiting Cornerbrook in a few weeks. We actually board her in Boston when she completes her current cruise.

Was the service perfect? Was there a $45.00 cover charge just to walk through the door? I'm afraid that I don't care that you paid a ridiculous price for Dinner at a steak house on land, all that means is you have money to spend. Just because some establishments are able to charge these prices and some people can afford it, doesn't make any meal worth $160.00 per person. I'll buy the whole dry aged loin and cook it at home.

@lissie Are you able to respond to the OP? I have to admit I'm curious because we are scheduled to board when you get off. If you're not in a rush to catch a plane maybe we can meet up for coffee at the port in Boston.

With a $46.00 (+18% service charge) per person cover charge, the service should be exemplary EVERY time. If they're going to charge $100.00 for a couple just to walk through the door and also charge extra for many menu items it better be outstanding from the moment you walk in until you walk out the door. Keep in mind these guests have already paid for a multi course meal at another restaurant, included in there fare. I have to say we would never have dinner in Pinnacle Grill if it wasn't included in our "Have it All" fare.

Take a shot it's only $20.00 to find out, and remind him that a good steak has to "rest" before you cut into it. Think of the extra 30 seconds it will take that steak to make it to your table as "rest" time. And if the steak isn't as good oh well you tried. If it is just as good you save at least $25.00 on that steak.

Right now the $46.00 includes the service charge, when the price goes up around September 1st then it's $46.00 plus the 18% just to enter Pinnacle. After that several items in Pinnacle are also up charged. This has been discussed on another thread. I think when we enjoy our HIA visit to Pinnacle grill I won't be choosing steak. I think the OP is on to something here, if you can get the specialty steak without the Pinnacle cover charge in the MDR and only pay the premium for the steak and the "service" charge on the much lower cost of the steak.

Thanks for posting the menu, I was about to post my thoughts that making "Pinnacle Grill" menu items in the MDR would be poor marketing. Why would you pay $46.00 just to walk through the door of Pinnacle Grill if you can get that same steak for $20.00 in the MDR?

If you make it to the area we will be happy to meet up with you.