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35 minutes ago, mawvkysc said:

Couldn’t get a Sloe Gin Fizz. They don’t carry sloe gin. I have no idea on the difference. 

A gin fizz is basically a Tom Collins that is shaken: gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, soda water, fancy bars add an egg white.  Sloe gin is a liqueur, very sweet; if you substitute sloe gin for gin, it is a sloe gin fizz.

The Origin Story is shown on every HAL cruise.  Hopefully you will see it in the future.  
 

I am enjoying your positive attitude and your live thread!

 Celebrate! The work of these elders enabled my beautiful goddaughter to marry her wonderful wife.

Positive thoughts to those who need them.  Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

@carnivaljunkieAccording to the HAL website,  January 9 and 31, 2026 cruises to South American and Antarctica both include the Early Booking bonus.

@kochleffelWe spent a week in Aruba.  I am going to give you two very different suggestions.  The Atlantis submarine company is available on several islands.  I am a bit claustrophobic but it was an amazing experience.  The Butterfly Farm was also very nice.

Hoping that all who are dealing with medical issues are on the road to recovery.

9 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

1) I have zero tendering priority and I'm concerned about making private tour arrangements and not being able to get there in time.

I had zero tendering priority.  We made arrangements to meet our private tour group (between 8-12 people arranged on the Roll Call) in the Ocean Bar.  Then the group went to Rolling Stones to line up for our tender tickets. The tour operators seem to understand the difficulties of tendering.

9 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

What tour(s) would you recommend from HAL??

 I met many people who only did HAL tours.  If you are going Santiago to BA, the penguins on Magdalena Island from Punta Arenas.  I wanted to see penguins at every possible opportunity.  If it was my first experience it would have been incredible.  It was my last and there weren’t as many penguins as at some of the other places because by mid February, the juveniles were beginning to migrate.

9 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

What stops were fine to get off and just explore on our own?

We explored Montevideo and Isla de Chiloe Castro on our own. If you want to hike, you will need transportation to get out of town.  Chile is a beautiful country with many hiking opportunities.

9 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

What are the top three tours you did?

Adventure Falklands (formerly Patrick Watts) was by far the best tour.  People cautioned me about the long rough drive but it was so worth it.

El Pedral from Puerto Madryn, my first time walking with the penguins.

Tierra del Fuego National Park with Alma Calma in Ushuaia.

When planning, I found a lot of information on the previous Roll Calls.  You should book your tours asap for 2025.  Have a great time planning.

I will celebrate Decency Day. The mission of the organization is to inspire decency in our everyday life, in our conversations and our actions. DECENCY is all about:
Active listening
Better understanding
Compassion
 

The Key bridge has been removed from the Dali, the ship will be refloated and tugs will move it to the marine terminal in a few days.  Here is an article from the Baltimore Sun:

Cruise Industry Hopes Channel Reopens

Positive thoughts to those who are suffering.  Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

Here is a translation of @Swiss traveler post.  Hello from Switzerland! I'm thrilled to have found your review because me and my best US colleague will be doing the same cruise as you at Eurodam in April 2025! I'm also a person who writes a lot, so I'm looking forward to reading what's coming from you!! One question in advance: Did you need a visa for the different countries we visit? Except for an ESTA for the USA, I think a “one day” stop to different countries doesn’t require a visa. Thanks

I am interested in the activities available onboard, particularly on your sea days or when you miss a port.  Are there any guest lecturers or naturalists?  Anything oriented to Alaska?  Cooking demonstrations?  I am not a gambler and not interested in coloring for adults. 

@BermudaBound2014Mahalo!

We are doing January 4-28, 2025 Mexico/Hawaii cruise on the Koningsdam.  Plans for all ports except Honolulu on a Sunday. I’ve been there before, seen Pearl Harbor, hiked Diamondhead, drove to the north shore.  I wanted to do a food tour, can’t find one available on Sunday. Many of the”local” restaurants are closed.  Thoughts?  

You will love the 22 day cruise to Antarctica on the Oosterdam (my favorite ship).  I did a live thread and so did several others.  Book your tours now.  Post on my live thread if you have any questions.

@SusieKIslandGirl I post all my pictures from my iPhone.  Go to add files.  Select photo library. Select the picture you want to add.  It will appear below your message.  Click insert. Viola, you have added pictures.  Hopefully the same process works for other types of phones.

i could see your quilt.  I love the colors!  I look forward to meeting you on the Oosterdam in 2025.

@mawvkyscThank you for this wonderful live thread.
 

Did the flower arranging activity allow you to create your own and take it with you?

I am happy to see cooking demonstrations and guest speakers on the Daily.  Enjoy your sea days!

Sky West is a regional airline partner of United.  Look for the flight on their site.

There is no harm in booking a flexible fare.  You do not need to pay for it until you pay for your cruise.  You can easily cancel up until that point.  
 

Another thought..,Are the flights on partner airlines?  That might be why you can’t see the flight number.

2 hours ago, Liao said:

also have seen a number of videos with the music walk, really looks like a great area and I think I'd enjoy this a lot.

There is no music walk on the Oosterdam.  There is Billboard Onboard, a piano bar and The Rolling Stones lounge, music from the Beatles to serious rock and roll.  I do not go to the theater in the evening so cannot comment.  On a TA there have been some excellent speakers in the theater during the day and other activities I have enjoyed such as cooking demonstrations.

2 hours ago, Liao said:

Also, the service on Celebrity is always very high caliber.  Any feedback on this?

The service on HAL  ships is extraordinary.  Honestly, I give them my highest rating.

The Oosterdam is my favorite ship but it is older and doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the newer ships.  I sailed on her twice last year in a verandah cabin for a total of 37 days.

Some smiles for Mother’s Day beginning with a limerick.

A mama, worn out by her brood,
Said, “This pampering’s understood!
No chores nor alarms,
Just calming hot balms,
A day for pure peace and self-good!”

Thank you to all the regular posters.  Positive thoughts for those experiencing difficulties.  Cheers to all who have a reason to celebrate.

Thank you Leanne and camera operators.  See you in the Fall!

Sorry about missing the Northern Lights.  I’ve seen some wonderful pictures from the lower 48.  I hope you can tender to Valdez.

Any sightings of the Northern Lights?

46 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

In Hawaii, we even got the license plate number.

You always get the license plate, make/model of car, driver’s name and their picture the app. These are the basic safety features.  There are many other safety features that I suggest you turn on within the app.  For more information go to Uber.com: Protect your safety while riding with Uber.

@StLouisCruisers I agree it is very easy to set up an Uber account.  I use them all the time. In Buenos Aires we paid less than $3 for a ride to the port.  Those who took cabs from the same area paid between $30 & $60. Bon voyage!

1 hour ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

That’s a good theory. And in fact one can do so. One can also put one larger tip on a check near the voyage end.

Agreed, the servers certainly deserve it.

1 hour ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

Another theory is that the accountants want it.

Ok, but then why aren’t they presented every time?

1 hour ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

A third is to provide proof when someone reaches 15 drinks.

? The number of drinks served is not on the receipt.

1 hour ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

fourth is that there is no function on POS terminal to omit the printed receipt and bartenders/servers are just in the habit of presenting the check.

I wonder if this is true.

1 hour ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

I’ve seen many people waste their breath and vacation time arguing with staff about why they need not sign.

I would never argue with the hardworking HAL servers.

On 5/8/2024 at 7:29 PM, DShier1a said:

Sometimes, but not always, we are asked to sign for drinks. Anyone know why the inconsistency?

But back to the OP’s original question…why the inconsistency?

Wish I was cruising and could ask the Food & Beverage department for the answer.

Dia De La Madre, Mexican Mother’s Day is celebrated on May 10, a date that never changes from year to year. El Salvador and Guatemala also honor El Día de Las Madres on the same day as the Mexican Mother’s Day format spreads across Latin America. 
 

I am lucky enough to still have both of my parents.  I will celebrate my Mom  on Sunday by grilling lunch for her.  Cheers to all the mothers on the Daily and to those celebrating and cruising.

2 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Sign the chit.

Nope.
 

How does my unsigned slip prove the charge?  Over the past two years, I have cruised 80 days on 5 different HAL cruises. Twice, I had an incorrect charge on my drink bill.  Since I had the HIA package, I should not have been charged.  Both times, I used the “let it know” feature on the Navigator app stating I should not have been charged.  In less than 8 hours, the charge was removed from my bill.  (I check my bill every morning.) 

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

My Kenai Fjords National Park excursion

 Thank you for your tour review of Seward. I assume this was a HAL tour.  Do you always do HAL excursions?  Would there be better options for those who prefer private tours?

Thank you for the pictures of Flam.  Made me very excited for our Best of Norway cruise on the Rotterdam in August.  We will be using part of our HIA credit to take a 6 hour tour that begins with scenic bus ride up to Voss where we will board the Bergen railway and finally transfer to the Flam railway.

Positive thought to those who need them.  Cheers to those celebrating and cruising.

Any comments about time spent in your first port?  What did you do when you went ashore?