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I looked at the lunch menu. Has anyone tried the blackened cod sandwich? I haven't seen anyone mention it so does that mean it isn't very good?

We want to eat lunch in the Pinnacle at least once and maybe twice on the next cruise. Are reservations suggested for lunch or is it just walk in?

15 drinks person is good. We don't drink a large amount of alcohol but we drink a lot of coffee, soda and bottled water. I am looking forward to trying some different cocktails, knowing that I can get something different if I don't like the first one. Is the 15% gratuity included in the explore 4 or will that be charged to our account?

We were given the explore 4 package several months ago when we booked a cruise. I assumed the limit of 15 drinks a day was for each person however now I am wondering if it means a limit of 15 drinks a day for the couple.

You probably need to start a new thread to discuss the cancellation and single supplement issues. There are knowledgeable people here who can help you but I am not sure they will find your question within your current thread.

Thanks for all your info. I called our bank and AAA office. Both have stopped providing travelers checks to customers. I guess they have become almost extinct. We will have to re-think the cash and credit cards. On our last cruise we were going to make a purchase in an art gallery in San Juan and they didn't take American Express credit cards. After walking back to the ship to get our Visa card I decided I didn't feel like going back to the store. It save us some money but I still think about what I left behind.

Do most merchants accept dollars or should we plan on getting pesos?

I know travelers checks are much less popular now but I was wondering if the guest services desk will still cash them. Also is there an atm machine on the ship? We will be cruising to Mexico in the fall and I assume the merchants will accept US money..

Thanks

Marcia

Maybe the sleeper sofas are different on various classes of ships. On the Zuiderdam, the sofa took up lots of floor space when it was made up for the night. The steward made up the bed while we were at dinner. In the morning I sometimes put it back into a sofa and sometimes the steward did.

My vote would be option 2 -- neptune suite and inside cabin. This would be for the reasons you stated. Also if your daughter were to sail alone in the inside cabin she might have to pay an extra single supplement.

As I understand it, the square inside cabins on the main deck are large and the I cabins on the navigation deck near the front elevator are large.... You will need to look at the deck plans closely. I think the other inside cabins range from small to tiny.

A corner aft suite is the best for seeing the locks if the price is within your budget. Unless things have changed since I lived there, you can see equally well from either post of starboard side. Just this morning I said to DH that if we went through the canal again I would like an aft veranda cabin. On our last Panama cruise we had a cabin on the port side. I was sitting on the balcony with a sick child and we saw the sunrise. It was quite amazing.

Marcia

We have always eaten lunch in the lido buffet {HAL). On the next cruise in November we plan on eating lunch in the Pinnacle (speciality resatuarant) and the MDR on sea days. I am looking forward to a more relaxed experience.

It is so hot here but I hope you have a good trip.

While waiting for our Mexican Rivera cruise in November, I started wondering about the Vista ships and which deck typically is completely booked first. Any ideas?

We like the Riverside on Las Olas. It is a short cab ride from the airport and to the port although not as short as those on 17th street. It is surrounded by shops and galleries. We enjoyed the atmosphere more on Las Olas than 17th street. It seemed more relaxed.

I would assume that that explore 4 offers have to be limited due to fitting everyone into pinnacle grill for dinner. It would make sense that a particular cruise would only be included in that promotion one time.

I can't comment on MDR since we always do fixed seating. In the lido at breakfast I know that there is a a time which is busiest...probably 8-9am. going early or late would help with the crowds or order room service for breakfast. Also breakfast in the MDR is an option. Port days will see more people eating an early breakfast.

Thanks for all the help. I know I at least need a jacket and won't be too out of place in white jeans. I will work out the details later. I am thinking about options now and looking into my closet as ideas come to me. DH has given me the "you don't need to take so many clothes" speech.

Marcia

I am asking this on the HAL forum rather than on the west coast departures because I absolutely trust the HAL cruisers to give me good advice. I live in south Texas and have always boarded ships leaving from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. In Florida, even in November people wore summer clothes. We will be cruising on the Westerdam in November..departing from San Diego and going to the Mexican Rivera. Apparently the temperature ranges from 60-70 degrees at that time of year in San Diego. Will I look out of place wearing whites and pastels in San Diego or should I wear darker fall colors until after I board the ship? I want to do whatever is most appropriate.

Thanks

Marcia

I think Holland America uses a Sheraton Hotel in San Diego. ...From what I understand the cruise port is a short cab ride from several hotels..Wyndam, Embassy Suites, and Hyatt Manchester were recommended to me.

Boarding in San Diego sounds like such a mess. What time did you arrive at the port on embarkation day?

Are waffles and eggs benedict still available in the lido restaurant or are they only available in the MDR? I wasn't sure after reading some recently posted menus.

Thanks

Marcia

This happened to our Mexico cruise for next fall. I learned that it had been chartered by a vegan group approx 2-3 weeks prior to notification by HAL. We received OBC and changed to the next week with the same cabin and the Explore 4 promotion moved with us. It was possible to change the date on our travel insurance policy and hotel reservation. Luckily we had not made air reservations.

It is an aggravation when trying to determine what is happening and what to do next.

I am planning to purchase some tequila while in Mexico. I understand that it will be kept by the cruise line until I am ready to return home...but exactly when do they return it? I am assuming that it has to be packed in checked luggage prior to arrival at the airport. This is my first time to purchase liquor while on a cruise. Years ago I had some amazing tequila in Acapulco that I have never been able to find in the US and I am hoping to buy some in Puerto Vallarta.

Thanks

Marcia