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Thanks for posting the menus. It seemed and if there were many appetizers and desserts that appealed to me. Maybe on some nights will dinner will be a collection of appetizers and desserts.

I would suggest 2 connecting rooms. They can be inside, outside or balcony, depending on your budget. This would give you two bathrooms. It would be easier to keep an eye on the kids this way as opposed to two separate rooms.

I enjoyed your review..Thanks for taking time to post.

While you are thinking of a cruise within the next few months, don't forget to book a hotel room. Hotels in Florida tend to fill up quickly during the winter.

Marcia

They also take care of reservations for cabanas...both lido and cabana club.

Marcia

I really enjoyed reading your reviews of your cruise through the canal. I hope your medical problems will be resolved soon.

Marcia

Thanks to all who answered. I booked a hotel..Hyatt Manchester this morning. For some reason they price for the date I wanted dropped a bit this morning so I jumped on it.

I have learned something from this thread. While I read most reviews, I didn't realize that I should use better manners and respond by thanking them.

Marcia

Embarkation lunch in the main dining room seems to be in a state of flux.

Sometimes it is just for Mariners sometimes for everybody and sometimes the MDR is closed. The best idea is to ask when on board if the dining room is open and if your are told no, go to the dining room and check for yourself. A new event on some ships is a Mariner reception on embarkation day. The one specifically that I am aware of was in the Crows next at 3pm. Upon arrival at your room check the newsletter for scheduled events.

I really like the lemon drop. On our next cruise we will have a drink package so I am will be trying lots of new drinks and maybe finding a new favorite.

Does anyone know which hotel in San Diego HAL uses for the passengers who book transfers and hotel through the cruise line?

Marcia

I use just a little something from the craft store. At first I did it to help our children find the right door and now I do it just because it makes finding our cabin so much easier when I am talking and not paying attention.

To Sassyredhat, what is the date of your cruise? We are departing on Oct 29.

Marcia

We have booked a cruise to Mexico on the Westerdam for Oct 2016. We are very much looking forward to it. The general feeling in south Texas is that Mexico is much safer now than it was several years ago. We think Mexico will be a nice change of pace from the Caribbean cruises.

Marcia

Sounds good. Thanks

Marcia

Regarding the signature suites by the glass elevators. Since the corner of the balcony is cut off for the elevator, is there still room for the larger table and chairs? Eating breakfast on the balcony sounds like such a nice way to start the day.

Marcia

The only way to offend someone is to speak critically of the holiday or the traditional food. We ate in the Pinnacle on one Thanksgiving and the waiter offered to put a slice of turkey on our plate in addition to our chosen meal which was nice for us. There were some decorations in the dining room but not around the ship. There were no special activities..there may have been a church service..I can't remember.

Marcia

Between Zuiderdam and Nieuw Amsterdam, I would choose the Nieuw Amsterdam. It is larger and would probably mean more younger people. It also has the Tamanind restaurant and has both Lido cabanas by the pool and the cabana club on one of the higher decks.

I know that drinks must not exceed $8 in price and the beverages on Moon Cay and the in- room mini bar are excluded from the beverage package.

Are there any other locations or situations where drinks/beverages would not be included in the package?

Marcia

Another thank you to Dave. I called our TA and she spoke with HAL. She had to rebook our Sept 2016 Mexican cruise. The cruise price remained the same and now we have the explore 4 package and some OBC. In her words "you got a sweet deal".

We had the cabana closest to the lido restaurant. We like the location and found it to be very convenient. Our attendant brought us anything from the lido restaurant that we wanted in addition to champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and ice cream. The round lounger is very comfortable and easily holds two adults and a little child.

When I called to reserve a cabana I requested this one. The request wasn't guaranteed but in our case it was granted.

The biggest advantage of a lido cabana is never having to look for a lounger by the pool.

Marcia

We have always had early dining. On our next cruise we are thinking about dining later so we can participate in activities that we have previously missed...like sail away and happy hours and other early evening events. I know we may get hungry before 7:30 or 8pm so is it possible to get appetizers or snacks from the lido during the dinner hour and still eat dinner in the main dining room ?

Marcia

I was looking at the deck plans for the Westerdam and I didn't see a screening room. Did I miss it or are the movies show in some other room?

Marcia

We took an excursion which included a city tour and a boat ride past all the waterfront mansions..they were really beautiful. That being said, it only it only took 2-3 hours. Maybe one of the hotels would rent a room for the day at less than the overnight rate.

We stay at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas. It is surrounded by lots of interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants. The staff at the hotel is very nice.

Marcia