Cinder Again

Thank you for all the replies. RuthC do I understand you correctly. the blue clam shell cover is given to you and you can put it on any of the sunbeds?

If there will be two ships in at one time, I hustle off to stake a claim to a shell where I want to be. You just find one of the ladies, show your ticket and point to whichever clamshell you wish and they set it up. You don't need to touch it at all. It has two loungers inside. This time of year, it's rare for it to be hot inside, but you can lift the bottom back a bit to get airflow if needed. It is possible to go pretty far down the beach and still have one. Personally, I choose one near bathroom walkways.:D

If there's only one ship, there probably isn't a need to hustle, there should be plenty.

Please add Cinder Again, Rotterdam, Feb 12 2017 21 days to the Caribbean

Please also add IFlyRc5, Rotterdam, Feb 12, 2017 21 days to the Caribbean

TIA,

RuthC,

 

Thank you for your reply. We are going from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires. Is the Antartica sail-by better on the starboard side? Looking at the itinerary map, it appears that the starboard side will be facing Antarctica during its sail-by or does it turn around so both sides of the ship gets to view the sights?

Personally, I don't think it will matter overmuch. You will be so stunned by the scenery you will be traveling all over the ship for "best views". Ruth C is correct, depending on what you are sailing by, you'll chose different spots for optimal viewing. Sometimes the open decks did get crowded (mostly in Antarctica) but when I needed to warm up, .I popped into the crows nest. I had a port cabin, but honestly rarely used my balcony...

I used to travel with my mom who needed a wheelchair. We took drills seriously, because if there's a need, there's little time to figure things out. I remember a lifeboat captain singling my mom out. He said, "After I get on, you will be next" He made a note of her cabin number, and then began the drill. Later, we got a call from the front desk asking her questions to determine her ability to walk at least a bit. That was before the days where you might have 3-4 wheelchairs/scooters/ walkers on each lifeboat. In a real emergency, I doubt there's space/time to load those scooters, I wonder if anyone has asked what the protocol would be?

I am watching since we get on the Oosterdam next month on the 19th and have some one boarding today that will be at our Meet & Greet next month. They are on for nearly 42 days...nice.

Is that Ted and Barb? I fly RC5? I am joining them, beginning next cruise! I've been chatting with him, while they've waited to leave and he said they were told the ship was late because they participated in saving about 10 folks in a boat. Of course, they also were told they'd sail at 5:15, then were told they were "waiting for a few guests" and nothing since that time... One of my friends heard they were waiting for Lloyds, don't know what that's about.

He was wearing a bright green shirt so we could pick him out,I told him in the dark, he'll have to moon us for us to see him! LOL!

Hello Everyone. I have a couple of questions. First is we booked The Sunset Cruise in Curacao and it was full so we were put on a wait list. Hoping a couple of spots will open for us. In the mean time does anyone know of another well reviewed catamaran sunset cruise in case this falls through? One that I looked at leaves at the pier on Palm Beach. If I am correct isn't that where the ships sunset cruise also leaves from? The time is from 5:30- 7:30 which is great as we will be docked there until 11:00pm. Also, we booked a guaranteed F category ocean view. If what I am seeing these rooms are toward the front of the ship. Now for the question. Some reviews I have read mention plumbing problems on Zuiderdam. Most said the problems seem to be toward the back of the ship. Just want to know if anyone experienced any problems.

Soon as you get on board, I'd fill out the excursion form for anything wait listed. I did that last time, and got my tickets later that day. My friends, also on the wait list never got called. I think they hold back some inventory for those that prefer booking on board. It worked for me, so it's worth a try!

I am curious if HAL has a webpage where you can " meet the cruise directors", and see their biographies and pictures? Sometimes I forget a name, but would recognize their face.

I know they want to keep their options open, as far as who goes where, but it would be fun to read where they are from, and how they came to be CD's.

New service offered at the spa to adjust tattoos?

Trish,

I have always wondered why they don't offer Botox on cruises. Go on a cruise, come home looking 10 years younger!

I really liked the Noordam, I'm surprised to hear anyone didn't love her! Although bigger than some of their ships, she still felt about the same size, and I didn't feel like there were huge crowds anywhere.

From my view, Alaska's pretty port intensive, I might spring for a balcony because there's glacier viewing, but I'd save the big splurge for a cruise with more sea days. JMHO.

Two I really enjoyed meeting and spending time with were Shane (already mentioned) and Mark Brignone who hasn't yet been mentioned. Last I heard he was in the Prinsendam, but he did a great job on the Statendam to Tahiti, and worked well with his staff. Clearly a happy crew= happy cruisers situation!

I think the CD matters more on the longer cruises, where there are more sea days and more time spent aboard interacting. I've had some great ones, and a few that were less than great, but adequate none the less. They don't make or break a trip, you do that for yourself.

The great ones are engaging, patient and actually act like they enjoy their job. One of the less engaged ones I had actually acted like he enjoyed his job when he was on stage, but it was like he turned a switch off when the lights and camera weren't on him. You could tell he wasn't happy, and interestingly, I actually noticed that the entire crew that trip was the same, so I think probably there was behind the scenes drama from the Captain on down on that ship. Happy Crew=Happy guests...

You can have rain and fog anytime, but I remember a native Alaskan told me right around July 4th is their driest time. But again, prepare for the worst, enjoy the best! I've been four times, covering the entire cruising season, and only had serious rain once, and I actually think it was that July 4th trip! ;-)

Bon Voyage, looking forward to hearing about the ship, crew and food, as we sail her in January! Enjoy your time aboard!

I have to say, before taking my Antarctic cruise, I sort of felt the same way as your friend, but a friend talked me into going on HAL. I figured I could always do it again later on a small excursion ship, but they were in the process of limiting the big ships, so I went ahead and booked on HAL. Afterwards, after seeing it from the bow and decks of a cruise ship, I am not sorry I opted for the larger ship, with no opportunity to actually land. I think it's less damaging to nature for us to look, vs. touch, and the higher decks allowed me to get some amazing photos. We saw all the wildlife, and slowly cruised in and out of the " bergies" for a solid 3 days, and we had everything from bright sunshine to snow.

It's a magical trip. Without sounding smarmy, I've never felt closer to God. I'd do it again in a minute!

Is the Westerdam the only ship offering unlimited internet, and if not, which ships offer it? What's the cost?

Why don't they all offer it? I have found the Internet rules vary greatly, ship to ship. On some collectors cruises, they've moved my leftover minutes forward seamlessly to the next segment, on another collectors cruise, I had to argue that it might be two segments, for them, since some folks disembarked,but it was one trip for me, and luckily, I had a printout showing how many minutes they owed me, from the first segment that they finally restored. It would be nice to know what I can expect on the Ooesterdam come January!

Thanks for your review, it really helps to build excitement for our cruise in January!

Thanks for posting, I am sailing the Ooesterdam to the Caribbean in a few months, so I'm glad to hear for the most part, the ship is in great condition. I will agree with you that Seattle and ships tours seem to have some sort of disconnect, I experienced the same thing last year, when I tried to book an excursion from home, only to be told that it was full and waitlisted. I took a chance, and filled out the form as soon as I got on board, and my tickets were delivered to my stateroom that night. My cruise mates who were also "waitlisted" never heard a word, so I think they skipped even looking at that list, Maybe they even deliberately leave some open spots, just so everyone getting on board isn't furious that nothing is left? I often get different answers from corporate in Seattle vs. the Front office or travel staff. AND the info my cruise travel agent gets vs. what they tell me often differs as well. I've learned to get things in writing and take the info with me.

Be advised that if you do cruise to Alaska, it will be a far different group of cruisers, lots of grandparents treat 3 generation groups to that cruise, since Alaska trips are when school is out. There are tons of kids on that cruise, and they pretty much monopolized the pools and hot tubs, which is ok, their family paid to use the facilities too, but it was less quiet and sedate than "normal".

Glad you enjoyed your trip, I know they are sticklers for not having people waiting in hallways to disembark, but it sounds like the lady could use some people skills classes. There are nice ways to get what you want accomplished. It can negatively "color" your trip, as it's your last on board experience. Thanks for posting!

My TA also contacted HAL and was told that the credit will be listed as SBC, only to be used for shore ex. Hope those who experience this will report back!

Our T/A was told the same, Shore Ex. only, and only ones booked after we are on the ship. We passed, based on what she was told...

 

As for our 'screen name', it is not spelled 'turd'!!! But, then again, said the same way!...there is somewhat of a story.

can't wait to hear the Story! I think ?I spelled it correctly on the sign! Kathi

Bon Voyage!:)

Thanks everyone! We're on our way to sunnier and warmer climates! The NE snow storm luckily didn't impact my early flight out of DC!

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I don't remember seeing you posting on our Roll Call. We have a very large CC roll call going and about 90 people signed up for our Meet and Greet. When we did this cruise in 2010 it was cool the first 2 days out of San Diego. Looking forward to meeting you.

Oh, they have been posting on our roll call, Ted. I chuckled to myself about whether or not they'd like having their door sign posted for a month with their screen name on it!

On this cruise before, I was cold leaving San Diego, and someone pointed out the Pacific has "trade winds". They weren't kidding! I kept seeing baseball caps flying overboard so you really have to screw on your hats if you walk on the promenade!

Look forward to meeting you! Kathi

They did send me some free luggage tag holders a few years ago, but I still have my old blue folder. I had so many of them, I finally dumped all but one, and I sometimes use it, other times (if I have a lot of port info I want to take) I use a file folder I bought at Target, so I can index each port and stay organized.

The wonder of the Panama - always a joy to experience. Hoping our cruisers have a good one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bon Voyage to Statendam - 15 day Panama Canal:

Cinder Again - B2B with Feb. 13th Hawaii South Pacific

iflyrc5 - B2B with Feb. 13th Hawaii South Pacific 2nd time

2 Sister Sue 2 - hoping the 4 of you enjoy your first cruise

 

 

 

 

 

Bon Voyage everyone!!

Have a great cruise and a WONDERFUL time!!!

Thank you so much for your well wishes, Kazu. I'm calling this "The Sea to Sea CC Cruise" Meet and Greets for both segments scheduled and confirmed. HAL tells us we'll have a change in Captains halfway through our trip, as Captain Sijbe de Boer is our Captain only on the Panama Canal part. They told me our next Captain is still "TBD". Hope they find one!:p

Does anyone know CD Mark Brignone? I'm not sure I've ever sailed with him...

Last followup:D I scanned and emailed my friends docs yesterday and within two hours had a confirmation stating that they'd credited her on Jan.12th. I guess they just forgot the request for confirmation. So, all is well, the fax is actually working again, so it must have been a glitch last Friday. Thanks for the email address, it really worked and my friend owes me lunch for getting her the $250 OBC!;)

To follow up, after trying 3 times before getting a "confirmed" fax last week, I've not gotten the "normal" confirmation by email back from them. So, today I scanned the docs and sent them in an email, outlining my attempts last week and asking for confirmation. I did get an "automatic" response from them right away, saying they'll help as soon as they can, so hopefully the 4th time will be the charm. Thanks for providing the email address, I can understand why they wouldn't want them to all come in that way, but we'll see if they respond. Thanks!