Haljo1935

3 hours ago, Mike_and_Co said:

We had four bags of laundry washed on the Oosterdam during our April 5 to 30 cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Athens. Turnaround was also always less than 24 hours, though they say to allow up to 48 hours. It must be quite an operation as they regularly provide laundry service to keep some 800 crew members looking sharp. 

 

Per someone's previous post, I would always write "cold wash, low heat tumble dry" on the ticket. I don't know what they actually did, but everything always seemed to come out in great shape. 

 

We always asked for things to just be folded. After the first bag, they took to hanging up our shirts and pants, while continuing to stack the rest in the basket with tissue paper. 

 

After calling guest services for pickup the first time, we realized that our stewards took care of it during their twice-daily cabin service (along with just about anything else that needed doing!) 

 

We didn't have any luxurious fabrics in our wardrobe, everything we had washed by the ship's laundry was pretty much cotton and cotton blends. (I also rinsed some of my lightweight long-sleeve synthetic sun shirts in the shower myself as they were lightweight and quick-drying.) 

 

Our first bag of laundry included 4 shirts, 4 pairs of long medium-weight pants, 6 pairs of briefs, 4 pairs of boxers, 6 pairs of socks and we probably could have even fit in a bit more. We were completely happy with the service we received. 

Good to hear you were pleased w/the laundry service - they do a great job!!

On 5/7/2024 at 3:50 PM, erdufylla said:

I’m sure this has been addressed numerous times in this thread, but wasn’t able to find an answer scrolling back several pages, so hopefully my redundancy is forgivable.

 

I’d planned to quit smoking months before my upcoming trip, but that didn’t happen, and I’m faced with trying to source nicotine for a 6-week trip which includes two cruises. I assume the HAL shops are still selling cartons of cigarettes. Are they still running the deal where you buy 4 cartons for the price of 3? 

Assuming the answers above are “yes,” anyone know if they sell just the classic Marlboro Gold Pack? And if so, anyone have a rough estimate on what a carton sells for on HAL these days?

I'm not in a position to search right now, but if you do a search for my Live AK review from Eurodam April 29 - May 6 last year, I posted pictures of the cig sale in the Shops w/pricing.

5 hours ago, dfish said:

So much wrong here.  Did the Dr. appeal the decision of the insurance company?   Always appeal, especially given that this med is not experimental or expensive.  And he's not the one that needs to try and work under those conditions.  I would be particularly upset since you have no job protection currently and can't work.  Would your PCP sign the papers?

Yes, Neurologist appealed the denial which resulted in a lower dosage being approved; that is the 1/8th dosage he wrote on Tues.

I spent 10 weeks trying to get PCP to sign the papers and decided to approach each Dr individually myself hoping one of them would come through. Ortho (shoulder surgeon) says he will sign when it's time for surgery & the dates are in place; that won't happen until the frozen shoulder is resolved.

Eye Dr will only sign if "invasive surgery" rather than the 4-part laser procedure she's doing is required.

The 3rd party administrator our company uses does not accept chiropractors, so she cannot help.

Aren't you glad you asked?🥺 yes, there is a lot wrong - thanks for listening. 

4 hours ago, kazu said:

Ooops how could I have forgotten to add this?

 

The FCC on this cruise is either incompetent or lazy.  Now I know why I do not book cruises on the ship.

 

I bought some FCD’s while on the ship - usual standard form - charge my credit card used on the cruise.  easy peasy

 

I got my Future Cruise Deposit Confirmations - all good.

 

BUT she charged my FRIEND’S CREDUT CARD instead of mine.  I’ve refunded my friend but now I have to get them to change the credit card on record in case they happen to not be used (you don’t know what the future holds).  

 

We each used our own credit cards for our on board accounts.  My friend’s name is ahead of mine in the alphabet so I think she just hit the first one.

 

I amd NOT impressed with this at all.  

Disappointing and frustrating, especially since it's not complicated to get right.

Good days today and very important day in history. Pass on the meal but sub broccoli for the spinach & add 🥓 and other cheeses and I'd be in, yes to the drink & wine, not been to the port and am enjoying the pictures. 

Tuesday neurologist appt was frustrating - he understands why I have not started the med he prescribed but is confused why insurance denied it. He says the dosage he wants me to take is 1/4 the accepted max and it's neither new, experimental nor expensive. So rather than switching to a different one, he cut the dosage in half (so now 1/8 the accepted max) to see if ins will approve; if so, he'll increase it from there. He referred me to OT to see if they can help me learn to handle computer work & get me through a full day.  Lastly, he would not sign the FMLA or Accom papers saying I need to get & work an OT plan first and see how I respond to meds. That still leaves me off work w/o pay and my employment unprotected. Ugh.

Pharmacist cautioned me that even at a very low dose I should take 1st of the pills at night due to extreme 💤 and to be aware they could make me "loopy." How a person is supposed to work 12ish hours on a computer being "loopy" and fall-alseep-in-your-mashed-potatoes tired is something I cannot comprehend. 

Hugs @smitty34877 @RMLincoln @Nickelpenny @luvteaching

Safe travels @StLouisCruisers. Prayers 🙏 @StLouisCruisers and others in path of tornadoes stay safe.

I planned to make a meatloaf yesterday but decided I didn't want to heat the kitchen up and today is no better, so I have to find something else to do w/the pound of ground beef that is thawed.

Currently muggy 81° headed to 84°.

Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all. 

12 hours ago, CT D&N said:

Since we boarded on Sunday, the BB Kings band has only had a male singer (not a male and a female singer as I've experienced on previous cruises) and they are playing 30 minute sets. Anyone know if this was the case on the previous cruise or what the issue might be? Suspect maybe an illness. The band has been great but really would like to see longer sets on this cruise like on past cruises.

Oct, Nov & Dec (2 separate cruises) on NS there were 2 singers & 45 min sets.

I had never seen an Entertainment Guide and was not familiar w/it until taking a holiday cruise. The only time I have received one was on K'dam Dec 21 2023 - Jan 6 2024. It was larger than the Daily Guide; tri-fold, I think.

Did not receive on 11 day Med/Adriatic Sea NS Oct/Nov "23 nor 14 day TA NS Nov/Dec "23.

@kazu I L🧡VE your Quebec pictures - thanks for posting them w/all you have going on.

So sad they cannot afford to maintain those beautiful churches. 

5 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

If one if offered "a free cruise"....you pay taxes/port fees and a $50/pp deposit.

If you take the offer...and then decide not to go (awful weather, awful cabin) I assume you get reimbursed for taxes/port fees....and just lose the $50/pp.

Is this correct?

Yes

Gift cards, specialty dining, spa treatments.

And congrats - enjoy!!

1 hour ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Good afternoon, we’re back from the vet appointment. He got 2 injections and is supposed to get B-12 pills . He lost more weight since Friday, hopefully he will start to put on weight . They will follow up on Friday. We have an appointment for TT for a regular wellness visit.🤞🐾🙏

 

Hugs and prayers for you and Houdini 🙏🐈🐾

Happy Heavenly Birthday to your mom @JazzyV

Now that I've seen the price, I'll pass on the wine unless it's a group purchase.🫣

Thanks for the well wishes  @smitty34877 yes I have noticed a difference in my shoulder w/the reduced computer time; if that would fix it long-term, I'd never touch another one!  @Cruzin Terri your adjusted travel plans seem reasonable & doable. 

Good collection of days today. Although I quite enjoy amaretto, I'll pass on the drink (Southern Comfort), yes to the meal & wine, not been to the port. Big day in computer history and all that followed. 

@StLouisCruisers prayers your family stays safe from the tornadoes. 

@kazu hope the antibiotics do their job quickly.

Today is the 2nd eye procedure & neurologist appt. I wanted to cancel the neurologist since I've not taken any of what was prescribed (insurance denied) but decided to keep it to discuss alternatives. 

Currently 73° headed to 88°. Rain has been removed from forecast until Thursday, so the yard may at least dry a little. 

Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all. 

10 hours ago, Djb.zville said:

Wondering if my preferred cocktails will be covered under the $11 HIA drink package - or if I should upgrade it to cover higher prices.   Can anyone tell me the per drink cost for strawberry daiquiris, and fruity/frozen type concoctions?  My google searches didn't answer this and I can't find it on HAL's website.

 

 

You do pay only the difference +18%, so it takes a bit to break even on an upgrade. But you can upgrade onboard so long as you've not used the drink package at all; just let the bar know you want to upgrade.

Nice collection of days.

Great quote from Pluto.

Pass on the meal (kale), yes to the drink and wine, L💜VE Bar Harbor (no pictures- they're on computer).

Big day in history  - job well done, Mr Minuit. 👏

@kazu sounds like the foot nurse is trying her best - hope you can get the testing to identify & treat the source of your pain.

YAY Stars 🌟 🏒 managed a Game 7 win so they'll be moving on to Round 2.

Tomorrow is the 2nd of 4 eye procedures and a follow-up w/neurologist. Today is nothing but relaxing; wanted to pull some pesky weeds, but yard is too wet & pollen too high.

Currently 73° headed to rainy 84°. You'd think with all this rain there'd be no "stuff" left in the air, but  pollen is off the charts and making me miserable. 

Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all. 

Happy to hear you made a decision - welcome to HAL!

We're here to answer questions if you have any.

Thanks for bringing us along. 

AK is my happy place. Bon Voyage!

3 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

... We've never gotten special shots for Japan either.  There is a travel clinic in Austin that our DD uses when she is traveling to exotic places.  They seem to know which shots are needed for which country.   Sorry, but I don't know the name of the clinic or where it is located.

@Seasick Sailor we use Passport Health in TX for travel shots.

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

 

Thanks. They will be coming.  Nurse coming to check my foot so I will get at it a bit later.

Hope the nurse is able to bring you some comfort. 

No rush - we'll be here 😊

Welcome home @kazu! May you find the Great Cracker Shortage of 2024 has ended and all is right with cheese plates again.😉

Thanks for letting us tag along and for entertaining us along the way. And supplying us w/great pictures and videos.

Hope you enjoy the "new" car🫣

Safe travels home!

11 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

Looking forward to seeing more please!🙂

+1 (or more if it helps us get pictures 😉)

@dfish fajitas🫔 sound great! (Not a fajita, but the closest I could find.)

Thanks for the sound recommendation over Eleanor 😀 I had no idea where we were going with that.

Interesting collection of days:  definitely support awareness of childhood strokes - that is just something no child should have to endure. When he was a toddler, my grand nephew had a series of strokes as a result of being pinned under a car; he's a trooper, having survived both, but has lifetime complications. 

Pass on the drink (although it is pretty), happily try the wine, not been to the port, no idea about the meal 🤷‍♀️

Hugs @kazu.

Congratulations @StLouisCruisers to Morgan!🍾🎓

The Stars🏒 must win tonight - extra support appreciated. 😊 

Currently 64° headed to 81° with rain again tomorrow. 

Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all.