Cruise NH

Regarding 'double occupancy' and 'solo supplement'...I recently came across this video on youtube. This guy is spending a year on cruise ships solo, he's retired Navy. In this video he talks about how these terms can be confused and how to work it all out to get the best deal and understand pricing. I thought it was pretty good. If you want to start it where he starts talking about cost per day and traveling as a solo then skip to 1:57.

Luggage Direct will service any port or airport so that's not a problem. We did run into one thing with them. We told them we were self disembarking from the QM2 in Brooklyn and wanted to make sure they would be there at 7:30. The answer I got back was...'we are aware of the disembarkation time and one of our representatives will be there'. I wasn't convinced and with good reason. We got off the ship and waited, we had an early train and had scheduled a car service. We waited and waited. We got talking to a friendly HAL person there and she told us the guy doesn't usually show up until 8:15! Luckily we (with this ladies help) were able to convince the people at the terminal front desk to hold onto our luggage until he arrived and took the luggage. I know 8:15 seems like a perfectly reasonable time, but they should have communicated that to us. This may be a totally different situation down in Florida, maybe they do get there early enough for self disembarkation...I'd like to hear that from someone who as experienced it though.

Wow that's late. I can only tell you what we would do...which is arrive when we felt like it. The worse that can happen is that they make you wait but at least you're there and will probably get in earlier then that time as the crowds will lighten considerably by 2ish.

The trouble with asking if the conditions are 'rough' is that it's totally subjective. We were recently on a cruise back from Hawaii and we had a couple of days where some folks were talking about the 'rough' seas, we didn't think it was rough at all compared to other cruises we've been on. So you would have two people on the exact same cruise one describing it rough and the other saying it wasn't. Cruise lines do a very good job of avoiding the rough stuff if they can. They can go slightly to the south, north, east or west and make a world of difference. If anyone is concerned about the seas bring dramamine (though it will be on sale on the ship) and have confidence that the captain will do all they can to make you comfortable.

We were just in Honolulu with the Koningsdam and took a taxi to Pearl Harbor. There are plenty of taxis outside the building with signs to direct you. With tip it cost us $60 to get to PH , it was further than we thought. Our driver gave us his card when he dropped us off and said he would give us a discount for the trip back, just call him 30 minutes before we wanted to leave. We decided to take the bus back. The ranger at the entrance told us where it picked up ( main road in front of the entrance). I don’t know what the actual price was, the smallest bill I had was a five and that covered us both. We decided to take it to the mall downtown and simply asked the driver if he went there. If you go to the port talk on the ship they’ll tell you all about what bus numbers to take or you can go on the bus company website.

We were just on the Zaandam and Koningsdam, the laundry was fantastic. I separate the cold water wash from normal wash and send them in separately. We never had a problem. On the form, after checking off what’s in the bag, I write in big letters ‘Cold Water wash- low dryer heat’. I never experienced any problems. (I was going to say shrinkage but Seinfeld fans might take that wrong)

This is so sad. I remember him so well. We were on the 2017 WC, our first one. He set up a little meeting with all those on board who were new. He wanted to make sure we felt comfortable because so many people took them every year and had established relationships, he wanted to make sure we didn't feel left out. I'll never forget that kindness. Rest in peace.

They may have held on to one or two to loan to passengers but I don’t know how they would be plugged into the wall mounted tvs. I couldn’t get my hand back there. I think the tvs in ocean view and inside cabins are free standing however and it might be possible.

We were on the Zaandam last month. All the old tvs were replaced and there no more dvd players. There are plenty of on demand movies available on the new system.

Just measured it, it’s 5 1/2 size 10 Sketchers women’s sandals long.

I’m on the Koningsdam (another pinnacle class ship) now, in a vista suite reading your post…and got curious. I actually couldn’t get the bed open, I’m sure the stewards take care of that. I think there’s room to get around with out much trouble. The bed only has one fold so it would only stick out about the width of the couch itself. I don’t think it can be moved against the other wall because there’s a wooden lip behind the bed.

Some people think it’s important, it’s not I agree. I stopped bringing multiple dressy shoes and outfits long ago but if you’re new to Cunard you might not know. We we’re on a crossing last October where a tour group wore vintage clothing both for day and evening wear. I looked forward to seeing them every day, they were fabulous!

Just remember you don’t have to bring something different for every night, especially on a longer cruise. You can change the look of a top by throwing on a sweater, jacket or shawl. Even jewelry can make a big difference.

Under navigator >account >statement there is a category above for Bookings and that shows my old trips, I’m trying to see something there. I think the problem is I’m currently on a trip so under ‘statement’ it just shows the current. I’ll try to look at the old one again after we get home.

How do I look at old statements on Navagator? I went into my account and then bookings and I can see my last trip listed but nothing happened when I pressed on it. Thanks.

We’re currently on the koningsdam and in January we were on the Zaandam. The laundry has been outstanding, send what you need to have done as soon as you get on. Don’t worry about the number of things. One tip on packing is to keep sport coats/shirts on hangers and in those plastic dry cleaning bags. Just fold over them once and pack them. I use the covered half of my hard sided bag. Everything comes out great.

Don’t lose hope on your fixed dining. The same thing happened to us on the Zaandam, open seating was on our boarding pass. But when we got on board there was a seating assignment card and we got first seating, table for two. It was a great table, we were really surprised.

Well for a few bucks we bought a 6 foot extension for his corded earphones with hopes I can squeeze my hand back there and that the jack actually works. If the internet is good he can stream the channels but I’m not holding my breath. If we can get him msnbc or cnn he’ll be good.

We recently had club orange on the Zaandam. We got priority embarkation and disembarkation, which was important to us. We were in group A getting on and the first group off (after self disembark). We were waitlisted for fixed dining, table for two but our boarding pass showed open seating. When we got on board we found we had fixed with a great table for two. Did club orange help with that, I don’t know but we were happy. There is a dedicated concierge to call and we did a couple of times and that was helpful. They did have a little sign at the guest services desk for CO but we just waited in line and didn’t use it. We already had a vista suite and didn’t get an upgrade, we weren’t expecting one, so we got a $100 credit pp on our account. We didn’t use it along with some other credits and it all was refunded to us after the trip. Would we do it again? Probably not because we expect to be four star in a few months.

Why? So my husband can watch stupid cable news with his earphones and I don’t have to listen, that’s why. Sorry to hear it’s not available. I considered using a Bluetooth dongle but I don’t know if we’ll be able to reach back to the jack, the tv is so close to the wall.

Wished I had thought to check this on the new Zaandam tvs but I was wondering if the wall mounted tvs are Bluetooth enabled. We’ll be on the Koningsdam next but all them are probably the same.

The usb ports are almost impossible to access on the wall mounted sets. Thin hands and patience would be needed…along with someone to hold a light. Very inconvenient, I wish they had thought to buy sets with access from the bottom. They came today with the new remote, it’s much more responsive than the one to the old tv (although it did work).

I believe so, I didn’t see them working down there today. Here’s something funny…after this cruise on the Zaandam we’re going to be on the Koningsdam! Going to Hawaii after a week in Arizona.

Yes they are. I saw someone in a Neptune suite posted before me and said it was interactive. My definition of interactive would be if you could place orders, etc from the tv. Also it would know who you are and give you access to your account. Short of those two things I wouldn’t call it interactive and my tv at least doesn’t do either of those things. if they do in the Neptune suites that’s good news that it’s coming.

Okay it’s hooked up but not interactive. Maybe in the future? Who knows. nice picture with movies on demand. here are some ‘screenshots’