3rdGenCunarder

Thanks. I guess their computers just spew out these emails whether they're needed or not.

Related question. Can I do the health questionnaire on the Navigator app or must I use the HAL website?

NJ uses Docket. I recently got the new booster, and by the time I got home, Walgreens had loaded the info to my Docket account. I will have my card with me, just in case rules change while I'm traveling.

I received an email today recommending Verifly for my 1/15 cruise. But my cruise doesn't require testing or vaccination, so there would be nothing on the app to show. Mary, thanks for the comment about the line being no faster. The email did say there would be a separate Verifly line, but it doesn't sound worth the bother.

I agree. Jacqui, you have been brave to take such a long trip solo. You got through your first solo Christmas, which to me is a big hurdle. So remember than you can be brave and get through this. I'm sure Jose is cheering you on, saying "you can do this." I wish I could do more than send love and virtual hugs.

Well, HAL is making me crazy. I just got an email encouraging me to use VeriFLY, so I can upload my vaccine and test info. BUT I'm on a 10-day to the Caribbean and HAL's protocol page says no testing or vaccine required. The email says there's a special line for VeriFLY at check-in. Is this true? (Port Everglades) That would be the only reason to bother with the app as far as I can see. It looks more annoying than ArriveCAN!!!

All the more reason for a superior to take staff aside, away from prying eyes, for a dressing down.

Sorry, the OBC is the same no matter how many shares over 100 you have. I've never seen a form. I just fax or email a cover note and copy of the proof of ownership.

I'm glad it can be done online. I remember the noro questionnaire at the pier. I'd be juggling purse, carryon, passport and boarding pass that I just showed to get in the terminal, and THEN this little piece of paper with no pen to fill it out (which meant digging in my purse for one). Do they ask you the questions again at the pier? In Brooklyn (Cunard) in September, they required a health form online and then the check-in agents asked the same questions again.

I didn't say I don't have dessert. The salad is nutritional penance in advance.

I haven't been on Zaandam, but I've been on Veendam, Amsterdam, and Maasdam. For me the big minus is that the thermal suite has a hot tub instead of the thalassotherapy pool. On the plus side, the aft pool is still there on Zaandam (unlike the mess they put at the back of Veendam). The small size makes it easy to get around quickly. Unlike the Pinnacle ships, the promenade has deck chairs. And I think Zaandam doesn't have lanais, so none of the deck chairs would be reserved.

Thanks! That's my token healthy eating. Of course, on ships with a taco station, I used to go off the rails a bit with some chips and guac...

Not a correction, but an addition. Research White Star luggage handling and see if they will ship and store the bag. Or luggage Forward or similar companies.

I don't like standing on a line either, but for free super bowl tickets, I might go as long as 30 min! I've seen the grab and go salad options on the menus Kazu has been posting. Do the servers at the salad bar still make a salad to order?

I haven't been on HAL since the "before time," but I recall that they asked if your entire group was there and ready to go. You can't send one person down early, grab tickets, and then go back to your cabin to get whatever stuff you're taking ashore. Does someone have a more recent experience with this?

I have never bothered with the thermal suite on the R and S ships because there's no thalassotherapy pool. That pool is so much more relaxing than a hot tub.

It made a return appearance on QM2 in September. On QE in June, I was in PG and got two half bottles of an Italian fizz, don't remember the name. One was embarkation, the second one was WC. I was pleased to discover that I liked it. I was disappointed to discover PA in my cabin (I was in Britannia) on QM2. There was a note saying that half bottles in general had become difficult to get, so I would get a whole bottle of PA instead of the two half bottles of something else.

Rules/processes might be different for the UK, but in the US, if you don't book HIA when you book the cruise, HAL will send offers via email, probably more than once. I book through a TA and the offer for HIA was sent directly to me. The going rate is $50 per person per day.

Any reviews on the cucumber mojito? It sounds close to the honeysuckle daiquiri that I love on Cunard. Rum and lime is always a good start. 🍹

Woo hoo! It arrived! Now you need to find an excuse not to do laundry...

And it just happened to me. I'm on Eurodam, leaving on the 15th. Today I got an email saying that the snorkel by boat at HMC has been cancelled "due to operational reasons." Not a lot of ports on this cruise, so my HIA is now worth somewhat less. I don't think there's anything else I particularly want to do on HMC, so I may skip it entirely. I don't want to substitute the airport transfer. I'd rather lose the credit than deal with the whole bus thing. Edited to add: I spent some time on HAL website. Not surprising, anything I might have booked as a substitute is sold out.

I'm thinking along those lines for my cruise next year. 21 days on Zaandam. Traveling alone, it's hard for me to get through a wine package on a short (7-10 day) cruise. The last time I had a wine package, I ordered the fizz on the last night and shared it with the table, just to use up the package. But on a longer cruise, that might be a better way to go, especially at a 4* discount. Also, the HIA for a cruise that long has 3 specialty meals. I'm not excited about Caneletto (I can get rustic lasagna any night), and the Pinnacle on the R and S ships always struck me as dark and depressing. So you really do have to look at what you can get from the package on your particular ship and itinerary.

I do that math, too. I just booked a cruise for 2024, and my TA booked it on the advantage fare. I guess the website can show only two fares because the choices were "best price" (nonrefundable deposit) and HIA. HAL always says HIA is a "$100 value." Do they ever try to sell it at $100 per day? When I do the math, I don't see how it adds up to $100. $50 is about break even for me.

Your "medium" to me would probably be "hot"!! The tempura and the duck are probably going to be my choices. Thanks, everyone for the suggestions!

Most recent offers I've seen do not.