Haljo1935

@marshhawk my GM troll collection probably rivals your gnome collection, but the gnomes are cuddlier 😊 I don't have all her trolls, but I have a good assortment and I can't help but smile when I look at them. Your gnomes are adorable - thanks for sharing them w/us.

Great to hear Chase made it through the surgery, prayers biopsy results are in his favor. Good to hear Fiona is continuing to feel better.

Great pictures @Quartzsite Cruiser - thanks for sharing. I love seeing pictures from the places I haven't been, but have booked - gets me excited for and even help plan the trip. It's nice to see places I will never go to - helps keep my world from feeling small. And seeing pictures of places I have been to usually brings back great memories.

@Nickelpenny hugs and warmest of thoughts as you prepare to head home. I am sure the young man who was sitting for you will be very touched you thought of him. I know it will be difficult seeing Martina's stone, that just means you loved her and she will always be with you. 💔 Safe travels.

OMG - waiting to be called back for the EMG. Couple sits down beside me and woman asks man for car keys. He wants to know why she wants them. She says she left the papers in the car. He tells her since they're early she can just fill them out again. Jerk 😒 the jerk is my comment, not hers. She then went to the counter and asked for another set of papers to fill out. My first thought is I hope she's not in a bad situation - captors & domestic violence offenders often keep car keys away from their "person" so they can't leave. My next thought was what an inconsiderate jerk - that new patient packet is one of the largest I've seen (about 15 pages) and it likely took some time for her to complete it. If she has to physically check her meds to list them, she will struggle with that section. And what inconvenience is it to him if she walks out to the car to get them? She didn't ask him to go. Jerk. Then I thanked God for giving me strength to not have that kind of person in my life. I hope that woman is ok and I hope he chokes on his dinner tonight.🙄 Extra hugs and kisses to my sweet husband.

@Mr. Boston Happy Birthday to your DM🎂

@StLouisCruisers Happy Birthday 🎂 to your brother. My arm was sore but did not react so severely like yours -🤞 keep us posted.

Happy Birthday @bennybear

Nice collection of days; pass on the quote; would like the meal but pass on the mushrooms, maybe the drink when I know what it is, wine sounds good, not been to the port. 3 very important days in history. Currently 70° headed to 79°. I think it's going to rain 🌧 as I drive to my EMG. I've had a pounding headache since the sinus headache yesterday and hoped it would clear before my appointment, but I don't think it's going to. And now I have to drive in rain- ugh. I just hope I get through the EMG so I don't have to reschedule. I hope work this afternoon this slow. Prayers 🙏and positive thoughts for all.

Yes, you can book directly with HAL then transfer to a TA. There is a time limit (60 or 90 days, don't remember which) from the time you book and it can't be w/in final payment. You can get the form from HAL or the TA can give it to you. If you do this, you shouldn't use a HAL PCC to book as that's a lost booking against them; just use a general reservation agent that answers the phone. If you have questions that you really want to ask directly to HAL, you can do a 3-way call w/them and your TA - they will talk with you that way.

Yes, they do. Sounds very similar to your experience.

Nice!

Publushed policy says unless it's a grand world voyage, status does not change during a cruise. We were 4 days short when we moved from 3 to 4* and I was bummed b/c we always pay for laundry and I really wanted that perk. We were quite surprised when we were not charged for laundry. We did not ask, it just happened and we were very appreciative. I've read posts by cruisers who say to notify GS or talk to the Mariners Desk and ask them to change your status, but I believe policy is policy and we knew going in we were short. But we said a big "thank you" when it was gifted to us. We did not receive any other 4*benefits, such as discount on specialty dining, and our 4* status on the website did not show until about 2 weeks after the cruise. Our key cards showed 3* and I was ok with that. With that said, you could ask GS or Mariners Desk since they clearly do it. Congrats, safe travels- enjoy your cruise!

You were in my Happy Place going to my Happy Place!! Nothing beats an aft cabin in AK. And we like the Eurodam. View of Puget Sound from our Deck 6 balcony May 2023.

@luvteaching we asked the funeral home for a "Travel Permit." It is a standardized form they fill out and have provided with no issues. I was asked for it once when flying out of DFW and the other times was prepared as @kazu stated, but have not been asked. Travel Permits have been provided to me by funeral homes in CO, TX and MO; I believe they're likely standard in any state.

There is a bar at Grand Dutch Cafe on K'dam that serves beer, wine and, yes, cocktails.

Welcome back!

Locked in at 48 hour mark. After 48 hours only refundable if HAL does not put you on passenger list by 90 minute mark.

Welcome to HAL! No shower curtains and larger showers - the showers on Princess were the size of a linen closet. The train from Skagway provides some amazing scenery - good choice, enjoy! Glacier Bay is fabulous. We move around the ship enjoying the incredible views from our aft balcony, aft Seaview Pool, Lido Pool (open or closed), Lido buffet (windows on both sides), Library, Thermal Spa and the Crow's Nest. We have even lounged on a couch in Billboard Onboard watching the glaciers. So, there are many places from which to enjoy the scenery. The Naturalists, Rangers and people from Alaska Geographic that come onboard make it a very special day. Be sure to enjoy the pea soup that is served.

HAL definitely caught on and fixed their system to prevent this. In the past, since charges are deducted from non-refundable OBC first, you could use OBC in the casino then cash that out. If you redeposited, it went under refundable OBC, which you could then either cash out or have credited to a CC. In Dec 2023, my cabinmate tried to do it and it went back into non-refundable OBC. She had done it in May 2023, so the change happened sometime in that 7 months.

Welcome to HAL! We have cruised HAL, Princess and Carnival with varying itineraries and seasons; there's something to like about each of them, but prefer HAL mostly for the smaller ships and quieter spaces. We like Music Walk but it is LOUD. While there is plenty to do, we do think there's a lack of activities and entertainment. The ships have great start of the art theaters, but there are no Broadway type production shows. I am happy to share the Daily programs from my 16 day San Diego HI cruise Dec 21, 2023 - Jan 6, 2024; no idea what the adjustment removing Christmas & New Years would be as that's my only time for that itinerary. It should give you an idea of what's offered. If you want them, let me know if you want them posted here or emailed. If email, just provide. I love Grand Dutch Cafe - K'dam is 1 of 3 ships that has that - enjoy! You could also search the Live reviews for HI itineraries on K'dam.

@DeeniEncinitas beautiful painting - you do lovely work.

@SonuvaBeach ans @BermudaBound2014 once again amazing pictures! Private pools and incredible waters - sounds like you're having a great cruise.

That's not the headline to make 😕 😐 🙄

My experience is it usually doesn't show at all.