hal lover

39 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

I have NEVER and nor would I expect anyone in any profession to  work for nothing.  I sold real estate for 30 years and I understand commission quite well.  

I beg to differ.  

 

If you have a free cabin and are not upgrading, there is no commission for your TA.  Naturally they don’t want to handle the work with no compensation.  If you are upgrading that’s different.  A TA works on commission.

 

A PCC is a salaried HAL employee.  They get points for their bookings and additional compensation when they achieve a certain number.  So, they get paid whether they book a free cabin or not unlike a TA who works on commission.

 

You can’t compare apples to oranges nor is it fair to expect someone to work for nothing.  JMHO.

 

 

11 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Time for a new TA in my opinion.  

Never had an issue with booking through a HAL PCC.

I think you are right!  

Well here I am.... a long time HA passenger by choice and have NEVER rec'd an offer for a free cabin.  I recently remarried after the loss of my DH and this was his first HA cruise.  He got an email two weeks ago for a free inside stateroom if he were to book by a certain date. REALLY??  we figured it had to be because money was spent in the jewelry store. (that's a whole different post)  

Anyway, I called my travel agent and she informed me that she would not make any money by doing this booking for us.  OK, sorry.

6 minutes ago, ottahand7 said:

No lighting around the bed but there is sensitive motion sensor lights in the hallway to the bathroom.  

Yes!  If you need a small night light, bring a small tea candle that has a battery.  NO real candles!

5 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Today's Care and Celebration lists for Roy

 

Today’s care list:

Tyre Nichols funeral 2/1 RIP

Roy in hospital with pneumonia and low sodium

Luvteaching DH in hospital with infection
Kazu awaiting bone clinic visit & X-rays
StLouisCruisers neighbor Rudy awaiting bypass surgery 1/31

Seasick Sailor recovering from oral surgery

From the rotation:
Rowsby in need of shoulder replacement

Marshhawk DH eye issues.

Status of Scrapnana
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Aliaschief leaving for Cancun 1/31
Redneck Bob in Vegas until 2/1
Cruzn single in Hawaii until 1/31
1 day for Kochleffel (Norwegian Getaway 2/1 to 2/6)

4 days for 0106 (Rotterdam 2/4 to 2/15)

7 days for Cruzin Terri (Oceania Sirena 2/7 to 2/19)

DeeniEncinitas, and sailingdutchy (Koningsdam  to 1/31), Cruising sister (Disney Dream to 2/4), lindaler and ottahand7 (Volendam  to 3/18), and Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty ,richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam  to 5/12) at sea

Thank you StLouisCruisers for the update on the "dam" ships and for the update on our fellow cruisers.  

Prayers for all!  Roy, please get better!  Rowsby, shoulder replacement is a tough one.  For those celebrating, YAY!  

5 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Today's Care and Celebration lists are long, but I am hoping we will whittle down the Care list very soon.  Get well Roy!

 

Today’s care list:

Roy in hospital with pneumonia and low sodium

Seasick Sailor having oral surgery

JazzyV experiencing eye hemorrhaging

Cruzin Terri with Polymyalgia Rheumatica pain
Marshhawk doctor/vet problems
HAL Sailer suffering identity fraud

Luvteaching DH in hospital with infection
RIP Patricia 1/23/23
Kazu with continuing pain
StLouisCruisers neighbor Rudy awaiting bypass surgery Tuesday

From the rotation:
HAL Sailer DSIL in final days and family squabbles
Status of Scrapnana
Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney

Ominous scan for Marshhawk
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Welcome Hal lover

Aliaschief leaving for Cancun Tuesday
Redneck Bob in Vegas until 2/1
Cruzn single in Hawaii until 1/31
Welcome home Heartgrove

5 days for 0106 (Rotterdam 2/4 to 2/15)

8 days for Cruzin Terri (Oceania Sirena 2/7 to 2/19)

DeeniEncinitas, and sailingdutchy (Koningsdam  to 1/31), Cruising sister (Disney Dream to 2/4), lindaler and ottahand7 (Volendam  to 3/18), and Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty ,richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam  to 5/12) at sea

Good morning to all!

Sending prayers to all that are ill and those in the rotation.  Happy celebrations to all!

Thanks for the updated information!

It's time for a nice cruise!  (have to wait till March)

3 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you Sandi and Rich. I’ll pass on the days but do enjoy SUDOKU when 

I have access.  I’ve been to Newport several times but never on a BHB.  Sandi, I normally carry deaths for 7 days.  I think @kazu’s list shows Daily some of us boarding 2/4.  My O2 level is dropping so I expect a longer stay.  While my church livestreams Father David may be my only uninterrupted service today.

 

Roy

I hope you feel better soon! You are in my prayers!

sorry, mistake!  Oh well, Happy Holiday's to all! 

5 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you for the hump day report, Rich.  Today's weather seems appropriate for Winter Solstice.  I like the Milne quote and have been to Puerto Madryn on Crystal Symphony, Zaandam, and Prinsendam.  I'll pass on the meal.  My alternative is Wattleseed Roasted Duck with Apricots and Passion Fruit Pavlova as served on MS Prinsendam December 21,  2013.

 

Today’s care list:

 

My positive covid test
smitty34877 recovering from hip replacement
pauline’s friend losing daughter
USN59-79 with leg fracture
Marshhawk DH family illnesses
StLouisCruisers DD recovering from foot surgery
From the rotation:
Cruising-along niece awaiting a kidney
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)
HAL Sailer Sister in Law with aggressive cancer therapy
Cruisin Terri leak damage

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

 

Eurodam and

Rotterdam in Everglades

Hannukah day4
Mamaofami successful bivalent boost
smitty34877 at home doing well
HorizonChaser1957 temporarily in Fort Lauderdale
Quartzite Cruiser DH home doing exceptionally well
Good post surgery report from StLouisCruisers DD
6 days for ottahand7 (Volendam 12/27 to 3/18/23)
1 day for Av8rix (Koningsdam 12/22 to 1/7/23)
1 day for richwmn {Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12/23)
SusieKIslandGirl (Island Princess to 12/22) and Cruisin Terri (Insignia  to 12/28) at sea
Cunnorl (Noordam to 1/2/23),  Kazu (Koningsdam  to 1/7/23 Damcruiser (Nieuw Statendam  to 1/14/23), Seasick Sailor (Rotterdam  to 1/25/23), indaler (Volendam  to 3/18/23) and  Horizon Chas4r1957 (Zaandam to 12/20; Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12/23) at sea

Roy

14 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Hal doesn’t follow its dress suggestions.  There was a time you couldn’t get into dining venues at night except the lido with shorts.  Now anything goes.  Don’t want to change out of your pj’s, you don’t have to.  Sandals and flips flops would fall into the dressy category for hal now.

So true!  A disappointment that HAL has gone to allowing some of what you see now.  My recent cruise there was a man who thought the robe was fine to wear whenever and wherever he wished.  Some in bathing suits in the Lido (no cover at all).  One came to the dance lessons in a swimsuit.  I try to live and let live but really?  HAL used to be a step above but now allows anything to fill a stateroom.  The class of the HAL has truly changed and not for the better. 

Many wonderful memories of the lovely MS Zaandam!  Welcome to Ft. Lauderdale!

Thank you for sharing.  RIP MS Dolly.  What a life!

23 hours ago, pirate cruiser said:

Personally I don't want to know the menus ahead of time-part of the anticipation of cruising is discovering what is available each day.

I SO agree with you!  Live dangerously!  Must everything be planned?  JMHO.

9 hours ago, sparks247 said:

Disembarked from R'dam on 11/20 (post Nicole cruise), guess 3 to 4 days before disembarkation came down with a cold, just nasal stuffiness. While having something to eat at FFL airport noticed that my smell was not as good as it normally is. Upon arrival at home did selftest and yes positive. Never felt sick or had a fever and I have been negative for 6 days now and my smell is good. Have been jabbed 5 times, it works. Never wore a mask, was on tours (some of them crowded) in every port. From now on wil wear a mask on cruises!

One thing I did notice was that the tables in the Lido were hardly cleaned, just barely wiped, if at all, and definitely not with disinfectant...........same with the bars.

Was on a cruise last Xmas and New Year with another cruise line and all tables incuding chairs, when vacated, were cleaned with disinfectant! The ship was Covid free!

Yes Sparks, I noticed that as well.  They have a lot of work to do but cleaning should not be shotty at best.  

Dear husband and I disembarked the Rotterdam on Wednesday.  He had been sick a few days and we figured it was his COPD acting up and that I was fine.  Well.... driving home from FL to NC we had to go to the emergency room.  A day later, still on our way home, he gets the call that he has tested positive.  Oh NO!  Next day I get a sore throat and cough.  Have tested positive myself this morning!

I am not writing this to say that it is or was anyone thing on the Rotterdam that brought it on but I want my fellow HAL lovers to know that Covid is STILL very much alive and I hope that you all will consider wearing your masks!  

The trip itself was good except for in room dining.  I won't go into that issue except to say that you should look at your order before you tip the room service person.  Three times they got away with very bad food.  (our fault for not checking).  Also, the smell of cigarette smoke was so apparent in the lido, not to mention the casino area.  I was shopping in one of the stores and it was so strong!  HAL needs to restrict the indoor smoking. 

Rotterdam is a beautiful ship!  The best yet, in my opinion.  

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you for the Nicole day report, Rich.  I'll salute both Carl Sagan and World Freedom Days but won't be going to an Art Museum or anywhere else today, hunkering down for the day and getting a bit more optimistic about boarding Eurodam tomorrow.  I like the Monroe quote but have not been to Ilfracombe.  Not sure about the meal but probably better than what I will actually get today (other than a nice breakfast).  My alternative is Classic Caesar Salad, Lamb Chop with Mint Chimichurri, and Dutch Apple Pie as served on MS Prinsendam November 9, 2017.

I think the person I talked to at the front desk was not the sharpest tool in the shed.  It turns out he apparently made an additional reservation for LAST night.  I talked to the front desk this morning and have my room for another night.  We will sort out the details later this morning.

 

Today’s care list:

Those in the path of Nicole, including me and HAL Sailer
Quartzite Cruiser DH clot complications interrupting surgery
Kazu severe foot injury
Grapau27, smitty34877 postponing joint replacement
Kazu sister recovering from fall
Ottahand7 Brother in rehab
Lady Hudson DH recovering from oral surgery
HAL Sailer Sister in Law with aggressive cancer therapy and new blood clot
Mister67 persistent hand injury
cruisin single step-son with double cancer and months of recovery before kidney removal
From the rotation:
Luvteaching DH recovering from fall and facing dimentia
Status of St. Louis Sal (7/1) and JAM37 (7/7)
Cruisin Terri leak damage and recalcitrant insurance company
Sandi’s neighbor Linda recovering at home

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

New cat for 4966 and 556
Marshhawk at the Symphony
Sharon in Charleston
The end of election ads (except possibly in Georgia to 12/6)
Ichiban Nekko settling into new house
Sandi’s neighbor Linda well enough to receive visitors
Work about to start on Cruisin Terri’s house
1 day for me (hopefully) (Eurodam 11/10 to 11/20)
GTVCRUISER (Koningsdam 11/5 to 11/12), Dobiemom (NCL Bliss  to 11/13), CrazyForCats and segarsmoker (Nieuw Amsterdam to 11/13), Norseh2o (Sirena to 11/18), and  Kazu , 0106, jimgev, Heartgrove and ger_77 (Oosterdam 11/5 to 11/19) at sea
Cunnorl (Noordam to 1/2/23),  and  Horizon Chaser1957 (Zaandam 10/1 to 12/20; Zuiderdam 12/22 to 5/12) at sea

Roy

 

Praying you will board tomorrow and have a wonderful and safe trip!  

Hi!  Just booked the MS Volendam March 18-April 1, 2023 Southern Caribbean

Thanks!

Tricia and Andy

On 11/3/2022 at 6:07 PM, Don Kehote said:

Might I recommend you fill out the Special Requirements form?  It's located Right Here.  You'll need your booking number and last name.  From there, under the section "Respiratory needs" you can let them know he will be bringing a CPAP, and you can even request distilled water.  This may help prepare the staff a little better so that they can provide an extension cord as necesary.

Thanks so much!  My agent has contacted them and all's set.

Very nice!  That will be us soon!

My DH uses a CPAP machine.  How does this work on HA?  They are allowed, right?  Thanks!

Thanks for sharing this information!  Going to record it tonight.

I just saw it last night while Jeopardy was on.  Beautiful!

Been such a long time!

Honeymoon cruise 11/20 to 11/30, 2022  Rotterdam  Southern Caribbean Seafarer

Thanks!

20 minutes ago, Overhead Fred said:

You're killing me!  I too love them.  

Rest in Peace my dear sweet Kakalina.  You and Virgil are forever cruising again.