feathersandnananose

Thanks for the responses!  So happy to be going back to cruising....

Forgive me, but I cannot find a way to search the forums for this topic.  So, just asking, how casual has the "formal night" become?  If it still exists.    

OK, I see that the unlimited  pressing service for my cruise(?) is $60.00 and the unlimited is maybe $129.  And the by-bag laundry is $30.?  This is for a 12 day cruse to and from European ports.    Does anyone know it these numbers are close to real?

12 hours ago, Alaska05 said:

You must be thinking of Princess ships.

Nope, the smaller HA ships (which the Ooosterdam is) used to have self-service laundry areas.  But it was some years ago.....

It's been years since we sailed.  But planning for an August trip, just wondering if the ship still has a self-service laundry with ironing boards.  Because it will decide which clothes I bring.....linen?  Only if I can iron it.    Nothing shows up on the deck plans, so I'm thinking they shut it down.

I loved having access to an ironing board.....

Anyone know?

We took a European trip that was going to be 2 months, with a cruise at the beginning.  I had a travel iron for long term - labeled it with my room number knowing it would be confiscated, because I needed it after the cruise.  They didn't see it in their machines.  I had it in my full possession for the cruise.  Didn't use it, of course, because the issue of fire on a ship is BIG.

And I admit, the more I travel, the less I obsess over wrinkles.  I can tolerate them - because wearing them, I don't see them.  And anyone who wants to judge me on the basis of wrinkles....well, that's their problem.

Sloppy Barbara

We ended up with a red-eye from California to Florida (that we didn't intend - long boring story) that arrived really early in Ft. Lauderdale.  Being young folk (in our 60's), we just bit the bullet, found a place to pretend to nap in the airport (head on crossed arms on table in eating area.......).  We survived until we could get on the ship.  But I don't think I'd do it again (still in 60's....but farther along towards 70).   But you might seriously need someplace to actually lay down....counting on your ages....... it's your choice and decision.  

Having experienced the red-eye before getting on the ship.....I'd also go in the day before.  At least.  Just saying.

OOOH, I just got censored on Cruise Critic.  For what it's worth, the original statement was " On our last cruise in June, it [the asthma] was a....female dog.  Didn't want you to think I'd said something worse....

Just saying....about people with coughs.  Do not assume they are all infectious.  I have asthma that is vapor sensitive.  This means that scents set my lungs off with violent coughing.  On our last cruise in June, it was a *****.  I carried and used my inhaler all over the ship.  Maybe the smell of cleaning stuff?  Maybe someone's perfume walking by me?  Whatever was in the air?

There are people with other non-infectious issues that cause coughing. 

I only know that I got the evil eye from lots of people when I was having an asthma attack......  I understand what they were thinking, and sympathetic to their take, but leaving the room while coughing to use the inhaler seemed to be the most polite move.   Though staying in place (noisily) and using the inhaler might have comforted a few folks......

We've done it twice.  First time (Los Angeles to Seattle and back)  was a piece of cake.  Second time (L.A. to Stockholm to Copenhagen, then Copenhagen to London and back) , we were given a very short connection time on the ride home, and our TA went back and re-arranged it.  She was SO RIGHT.  It took HOURS to get from here to there when at Heathrow.  But the prices were much better than we found elsewhere.

This would be best on the Princess board, but I'd be surprised if the US outlet wasn't grounded.  OOPS - looked at the pictures in the link, and all I could see was the bathroom outlet.  On the panoramic picture, looks like there are multiple USB outlets by the beds, and then....?  Send this question to Princess Board, but my experience on Holland America (owned by the same corporation as Princess), is that the US outlets are 3-prong.

Hugs to you all.  We are in our late 60's.  In June, I sprained my ankle very badly on our first stop of a two-week cruise (it took two months for the ligament damage to finally be repaired).   We had plans to do lots of hiking.  That went out the door fast.  The worst experience was the flight home.  At this point, I could hobble wearing hiking boots (which worked as a strong brace), but we spent hours at Heathrow on our feet in line after line for the connecting flight home.  I never realized how horrible "simple travel" could be to those without full mobility or who are in pain.  

As they say, aging ain't for the faint of heart.......

11 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Because if they notice unusual activity they may block the card for fraud and sometimes unusual activity can be activity in a place you've never been before. Best to be proactive and let them know because as many have mentioned having your card deactivated while traveling is a hassle.

Years ago,  we got a call from our credit card company about an expensive plane reservation made to Dubai.  Not us.....we were GRATEFUL for their vigilance.  It's a two-way street.  If you DON'T tell them, and then they decide to block you..... what are your options?  If you tell them beforehand.....  Just wondering and not sure what is best.

OK, just saying.....we informed our credit card companies that we were traveling and would be OUT OF COUNTRY until a certain date.  I got pickpocketed in Copenhagen.  We called the CC companies about the stolen cards within maybe 3 hours of the loss.  There had been a charge on one card ( a big boost on the thief's transportation card).  We were assured it was cancelled and all was good.

When we got home from our trip (three weeks later) we had a SNAIL MAIL letter from the CC company (who were supposed to know we weren't home yet!) waiting for us.  They denied our request to cancel the illegal charge because the  card was "in our possession" when the charge occurred, in spite of our previous contact with the bank reporting the theft.   Called the bank, the case was closed, and we were responsible.  IF we chose to contest, it would take a month for them to even re-OPEN the case.

It wasn't a whole lot of money, but....REALLY?....we'd informed them as soon as we could.  So we contacted them again, with a fax of the Copenhagen police report....and got the funds back, and it didn't take as long as were were told it would. 

Lesson learned: if you are pickpocketed, go to the police to make sure you get an official report.  You won't get your stuff back, but it's proof that you really suffered a loss.  It's a pain in the butt, but if you need to verify, it's very helpful to have the documentation.  And go ahead and push your CC company...

We did a Golden Circle tour that started at 2 pm and lasted almost 8 hours.  In mid-June.  It was still light out at the end, at 9:30 - 10 pm.

On 7/1/2019 at 12:08 PM, ducklite said:

Heathrow is known for very long lines for everything.  I am connecting there later this year from an EU country with my bag checked all the way through to the US and am still rather uncomfortable with my two hour connection time and no terminal change.  I wouldn't want to have less than three hours on arrival to check bags and clear security.  My experience is that lines for security are a bit shorter in T3 than T5, but lines to check bags can be a full 45 minutes plus.

I second this.  We had a connecting flight (Copenhagen to Heathrow/ Heathrow to LAX) witha full  3 hours to get from one gate to the other.  In the same terminal.  We were on our feet in line for most of that time.  Maybe it was just BA, but it was AWFUL.  Multiple security / passport/ gate checks.  Long lines.  No time to grab a snack or...visit the facilities.  It was awful.  I will NEVER connect through Heathrow again.  EVER.

Just wondering .... on many ships there are TWO floors to the dining room.  Since anytime diners eat "anytime", perhaps the ONE "yum yum man" just hangs out on the floor with fixed dining.  Otherwise, he'd be ringing his bells all night long.  Just saying.  

We were on the Zuiderdam in June, and he was there.... for the late fixed dining.   My two mints, and my hubby's candied ginger.

Just saying. Cheap backpacks are vulnerable to theft.   I have a backpack that we have used for years, and when time was an issue  and I was frazzled, I put my wallet in the most outside pocket instead of buried in the coats. YES,  my stupidity in action.  I was expertly pick-pocketed while I was wearing the damned thing and my husband was almost always walking behind me.  In Copenhagen.  Didn't realize it had happened until I'd taken the backpack off to pull something else out of the backpack......and the pocket was unzipped......

We've never needed to use internet when on a cruise, but this year, we'll be on the ocean when we will need to check-in to our airline and get our seat assignments***.  I seem to remember there was a one-day internet offer in the past.  Is that still true? 

***Just not willing to pay an extra $ 122.00 per person to choose seats ahead of time.  We are, at least, in premium economy....so willing to take a chance that we might not be sitting together at worst.

Thanks!

We enjoyed the time we had at the top.  Took a lovely walk.  But we are the walking around type, and would choose that everywhere.....

On our last few HAL cruises, they had eliminated the written end-of-cruise survey , which we always filled out.  We have NEVER received an on-line after-cruise survey.  Is there some reason they don't ask EVERYONE what they think?  Or is there some way we need to ASK to be asked?  Or should I just write notes to the front desk about my (mostly) happy experiences?  

Just asking....

8 hours ago, doone said:

On my cruise no escargot was served, found out when I got home there was a shortage, maybe the chocolate are with the escargot 😁

OMG.  No escargot?  That would RUIN my trip (tongue in cheek).  They'd have to fill an escargot dish with butter and garlic and give me lots of bread to soak it up.......

My asthma is VERY vapor sensitive, so perfumes/colognes/air fresheners/cleaning materials etc. all can get to me.  But if someone wants to be over stinky, I'll just keep going past them.  If I am stuck, it is MY choice of what to do.  For example, let's say hubby and I sat down in good seats for a performance, and a very scented person sat down next to me.  I haven't the right to tell them to leave because of their scent choice.  It's my individual problem, so I'd be forced to move.   If I were in fixed dining (which we prefer), and on the first night a table companion's scent was overwhelming, I'd be honest.   I'd tell them I couldn't bear it, and would they be willing to forego the scent, or should we ask to be moved to another table.......

OOOH< I forgot.  We got an Ulu knife and cutting bowl in Alaska.  I LOVE that damned thing for chopping herbs and garlic.  It's PERFECT.  Bought two more to send to the sisters.

Earrings.  They certainly do not overload the weight limits, and every day I put a pair on, I remember where they came from....... Not something put away or on display, but something I use day to day.....