dns20
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Posts posted by dns20
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HAL is very much a full-service line, no DYI. Even in buffet, most food and beverage are served by staff, no self-serve beverage machines (other than coffee and water). They do not expect/want guests to make or even heat up their own food. If something needs heating, they will be happy to do it for you. I do not like putting cold cream into my coffee because it cools it too fast so I tried to warm a small amount over hot water - the server saw it and offered to warm it up in the kitchen for me. They may pop a bag of popcorn for you if they have microwave in the kitchen.
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The longest line for anytime dining is usually around 7pm. Hardly any wait before 6pm, unless it is Gala/Dressy Night. 5:45 is good time because they open up no-show seats from fixed 5:30 seating.
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On 9/11/2023 at 1:16 PM, JamieLogical said:
You will receive a pretty lengthy PDF of your eticket via email prior to your cruise. Of that giant PDF, you really only need to print the pages called "Embarkation Form" and "Mandatory Health Questionaire." As long as you have those and your passport, you should be good. Make sure you bring a credit card to link to your shipboard account once you are onboard.
If you don't have a printer, can you just show the form with barcodes on a tablet or the like, or does it have to be on paper?
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On 8/19/2023 at 9:05 AM, Morgsmom said:
Keep in mind that while your cabins might be "fantastica" your experience will still be Bella.
How can you tell which cabins are Fantastica vs Bella vs Aurea? The deck plan doesn't distinguish.
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29 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:
You reserve it by tapping your card on the touch screen or in the app. When you get to the theater an attendant scans your card to see if you have a reservation. Five minutes before show time they start allowing in folks without reservations. This is because the theater can’t hold everyone so to avoid the crowding. Most shows have three showings per night. There is no seat assignment .EM
Thank you for clarifying how it works. Since they have to scan everyone's card, is there a line to get in, like at certain "rush hour" (to avoid)?
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12 hours ago, Essiesmom said:
No. You can do it in the app after boarding, or on the interactive boards around the ship. EM
Some questions regarding the reservation system? Is there an attendant at the entrance checking reservation on everyone entering? Do they have the reservation list or do you have to show it on your app? Can you sit anywhere or is there seat assignment on the reservation? What happens if you don't have a reservation - do you get turned away or be put on a waiting list, since some won't show up?
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Any particular reason for doing this 4/3 b2b instead of the 7 day that goes to OC overnight and Mexico?
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I heard that the clientele on the 3-day cruises (especially the ones on the weekend) tend to be more rowdy that the longer cruises. Do you notice any difference between this 3-day cruise vs. the 4-day one earlier this week?
BTW, thank you for this non-YC "live from" experience journal that us non-Yacht Clubbers can relate to.
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On 8/17/2023 at 5:13 PM, Essiesmom said:
On Seaside there are juices at breakfast and after it changes to ice tea and lemonade
You can also order it in mdr
So, you CAN get iced tea in the MDR? No need to take a glass from the buffet?
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I investigated this whole "water with meals issue" last I sailed with MSC (which was pre-Covid) so this may have changed since, but apparently serving water is not traditional in Europe and since MSC is European in nature, this is not something they normally do. However, because water is expected to be served automatically in North America, they provide complimentary bottled water only to American, Canadian, and British passengers in European sailings (apparently they do not carry water pitchers there). They have water pitchers in U.S. departing cruises, so they use that in Caribbean sailings for all passengers.
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On 11/4/2022 at 11:59 AM, FlaMariner said:
......and w/3 Star discount, Sommelier package #1 comes out to $25 a bottle. Not being picky wine people, it's not worth it to us to shlep bottles onboard to pay $20/a bottle boarding fee
(8 bottle package #1 $258.42 (includes 18% bar tip) - $54.75 (Mariner 3 star discount) = $203.67/8bottles = $25.46/bottle)
Source is my 12/2021 OBC account.
How does that compare with Happy Hour prices? I believe it now only BOGO 25% off and no Mariner* discount, so probably not a good deal.
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Looks like there is a consensus - Lido salad bar! Same here. Looking forward to our favorite dish for lunch: Asian salad with lots of seared ahi
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Yes. However, on one sailing, there was none on first 2 days. It took them 2 days to locate and unpack newly loaded supply. Meanwhile had to scramble to find 1 or 2 generic packets ("Wee") leftover at various locations (cafe's, bars, buffet, etc.)
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The answer is 2 or 3, depending on how you define "formal" night. On my last 11 night Divina, there were 2 "Gala" nights and one "Elegant" night. I asked what the difference was and they said that "Elegant" is not as formal as "Gala" ("Gala" is not that formal anyways). Most people were not even aware of the "Elegant" night so it was mostly casual that night. I was also told that these nights are not preset and are subject to change and selected as they go.
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I was on an 11 day Divina cruise last December and there seemed to be a theme party just about every night - white party, Gatsby, 70's, Caribbean/tropical, country western (I think), can't remember all of them.
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Definitely the taxi if there's 5 of you (get a van that can seat 5) - it will be the fastest and most economical. Shuttle are per person and there is nothing less than $8pp and they usually wait until full or leave at preset time. Taxi rate to MIA is set price and is per vehicle, not pp.
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Does anyone know from personal experience whether the $50 OBC given on Voyagers Selection departures to Silver/Gold/Diamond members is cashable/refundable or must be spent on board? On my booking, the OBC I got from the TA specifies "non refundable", but the one from MSC for booking a Voyagers Selection does not. I don't want to ask MSC as I don't want to wait 1 hour on the phone and simply get reiteration of what the brochure says ("to spend as you wish during the cruise") or get conflicting answers, depending on who you talk to.
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3 hours ago, 4104ever said:
I have been on 3 MSC ships in the Caribbean, Divina, Seaside and Meraviglia. Each one has told me to just show up anytime I'd like for my one hr session. No appointment was needed. Also, I've never seen them make note of your arrival time so I don't believe they keep track of your 1 hr.
Same experience on the Armonia. They just ask for your card and give you locker key, card was placed in a holder with other "Black cards" and returned when locker key is returned. There was no recording of any sort - no name, date, time, etc. Anyone could have used it as long as you present the card.
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On 11/12/2019 at 8:30 AM, KevintheIrishDJ said:
Check your bags first. Make sure you are using pier 2. Princess also uses pier 18 or 19 and that is over 2 miles from the stores.
If you had to go through port security (e.g. if going to pier 18 or 19) - whether you are walking or driving, all you need to show is your ID.
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On 10/29/2019 at 5:19 PM, MissP22 said:
It's hard to say. They had cold lobster on the crossing for lunch, they had hot lobster thermidor on the Oct 8th sailing for dinner and nothing for the Oct 18 sailing.
Let us know about the 28th.
Nothing on the 28th either. The chef said they did not get any loaded at the turnaround in Fort Lauderdale.
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23 hours ago, steelers36 said:
On the mini-bar swap, I was informed by Princess rep today that the swap for a bottle of wine is up to $40 in value (clearly less value than two coffee packages assuming both partners in the cabin are consumers of coffee/tea, etc).
What she could not tell me was is if we selected a $45 bottle, would we just be charged the difference of $5. It works that way when you have a wine credit or gift as part of the cruise booking. If anyone knows from experience on the wine swap, I would be interested in feedback.
ETA: I can likely find something that works, but I might want to pick something just over $40, rather than just under. I did see one or two I would pick right on $40.
Just curious to know, but we are thinking we will swap it all for a few beers and the rest as Perrier.
What are the minibar beer choices for exchange ?
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Can you just show the boarding pass on a tablet/laptop to enter port or to check in (like at airport), or must you have a printed one? I lost access to a printer now and it's 30 miles to the closest Staples, so rather not print if possible. BTY, I will be at Port Everglades.
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3 hours ago, voljeep said:
Thanks! I will be on the next leg, I wonder how many will stay on for B2B.......
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22 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:
Currently 400 plus Bears on this cruise. Not possible to find usable seating/space at the aft pool/area during the day.
We have sailed several times when this group has been onboard. Once being on the Emerald with 800 plus.
Excuse my ignorance, but who are the "Bears"?
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Favorite Holland America desserts
in Holland America Line
Posted
Back in the days, they also had chocolate covered strawberries in the Explorers Lounge Cafe. And macaroons, too. Nothing much there now.