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@L11 you will receive your boarding time about 2 weeks before your cruise. The port will determine how strictly boarding times are adhered to; there are many recent threads addressing this issue.

Thank you for clarifying. I enjoy a quiet day on the ship while others are in port. Hope you do too!

@iflyrc5 I thought today was supposed to be a sea day. Why has the schedule been changed to HMC? I have some private tours planned 2/4-15 and am concerned about port order being rearranged. Thank you for your posts.

Me too! 2/4 (Sorry, I just the title of the thread and thought it would be helpful.) @ger_77 You looked cute in your robe. Based on some of the freezing temperatures you report from your home, this should be warm for you. Hope the weather warms up and you have a fabulous cruise!

I believe Crew News just posted the Rotterdam Daily for his cruise.

You can order any of the drinks you mentioned at every bar. Certain bars feature “specialty” drinks. This documents contains a list of spirits, wines and liqueurs available. https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Beverage-Packages-2021.pdf

CO upgrades are only within the same category. “When you join Club Orange, you will be upgraded to the best available stateroom within that category.” https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/dining/club-orange.html

I love to see an animal who enjoys wearing a costume. One of my favorite events is the Halloween Dog parade which benefits the Humane Society. Wishing everyone the best weekend possible.

Your reusable plastic bottle will be fine.

You can bring snacks on board. I bring a few protein bars for excursions otherwise I get mine from the Lido. Here is the link to HAL’s FAQs: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq.shipboard-life.can-i-bring-alcoholic-beverages-onboard.html

Because my husband would very much like to attend a Cellar Masters dinner and I would like to join him. For the appetizer I would be happy with just the “toastedbrioche with mushroom duxelles and with orange jelly” or a salad. For the main, I would be happy with just the vegetable sides. I would enjoy ever other part of the food and wine described by @tennisbeforewine

I wonder if embarkation for the Fall of 2023 cruises will change from Amsterdam to Rotterdam too? We are on the October transatlantic. Hotels in Amsterdam are ridiculously expensive. Guess I’ll check to see if Rotterdam is cheaper just in case. Also, is it easy to take a train from Schiphol to Rotterdam? I found a good price on a nonstop flight I’ll probably keep. Appreciate all your insights and advice.

My husband would have loved your dinner but I am a pescatarian. If I let them know in advance, would they make substitutions? Thank you for taking us along. I am enjoying your reports.

HAL visits 2 ports in Costa Rica; I believe you will be at Puerto Limon. I visited Puerto Caldera during a Panama cruise in February but have a few insights. Sloths are very cute and equally boring. Truly, they do not move. I had seen them on a previous trip to CR but my husband really wanted to go to the sanctuary, after a long bus ride (generally bad roads in CR), we arrived. There were many sloths, often needed to be pointed out by the guide, asleep in trees. I believe some of the other tours mentioned above also are in Calderas, not Limon. I looked at the reviews for tours in Puerto Limon. Have you? I always filter by Most Recent. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/ports/puerto-limon-san-jose-costa-rica.excursions.html?sort=name asc&start=0&rows=12 The Meet the Sloth tour is rated easy. One review states that the owner’s son paddled the canoe. Based on how you described yourself and what you want to see if you decide against the sloths , I’d recommend CARIBBEAN TRAIN, COUNTRYSIDE & TORTUGUERO CANALS

It is an easy, safe 20 minute walk from the Courtyard McHenry to the National Monument.

Thank you for this thread. A bit of sunshine every day! Can you rent the mats people are using in the water at HMC?

@Quartzsite CruiserGreat minds think alike! Lasagna freezes beautifully! There are only two of us, when I make a pan (half with meat for DH, half with spinach for me), we each have a serving the first night. Then I put the pan in the refrigerator. The next morning, I cut it into individual servings, wrap in foil and freeze. Delicious, easy meal from the freezer, I think it tastes as good reheated, sometimes I’ll add a bit of extra sauce on top. Loved our private snorkeling excursion in Turks & Caicos, unfortunately I don’t have any photos. Thanks to all who post the port pictures.

Aft cabins are my favorite. One advantage is you can watch the scenery on both sides of the ship. It is also out of the wind when sailing, an excellent place to relax. We did a transatlantic Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale in November, loved it. Favorite port was Madeira, beautiful island.

Bar Harbor is a beautiful port. We were lucky enough to do a tour of Arcadia. We were surprised to see the Coast Guard with mounted guns patrolling the perimeter of the Veendam when our tender returned. Unfortunately, after this season the BHBs will no longer be able to visit the port. In November, voters adopted a citizens petition that limits the total daily number of cruise ship passengers to just 1,000 people. https://maritime-executive.com/article/bar-harbor-votes-to-dramatically-limit-cruise-passenger-arrivals Feeling grateful this morning, a few shout outs are in order. Very happy to hear that Jacqui @kazu and Kathi @Scrapnana will both be home soon. Sending them healing thoughts. Thank you Rich @richwmnfor creating the Daily content and Roy @rafinmd for posting the Daily every morning and the Bon Voyage threads while Rich is on the WC and Jacqui is healing. Thank you Debbie @dfish for your recipes that encourage me to try new dishes and Dixie @summer slope and Ann@cat shepard for expanding my beverage palate (but not during dry January). Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for the links to previous port picture and all your personal pictures and commentary about the port of the day. Thank you Joy @Seasick Sailor for postings while on the Rotterdam. I board 2/4. I have a reservation the the Pinnacle Valentine’s Day dinner but may change it to a different night in Rudis. It would be less expensive and it seems like you enjoyed your meal there. Thank you Terri @Cruzin Terrifor your advice on Barbados. BTW, the email link in your signature does not work. Thank you Bruce @aliaschief for inspiring me to explore additional cruise lines. Positive thought to those who need them and cheers to all who are celebrating.

Hi Jacqui- Thank you for letting us know what actually happened. I’m happy that you have had your surgery and are on your way home. The tone of your message lets me know that you still have your fighting spirit. Jonathan and I wish nothing but the best for you. Tina

I looked up Elbert Hubbard because I wanted to see if he was related to L Ron Hubbard. (Rumored to be his uncle through adoption.) Quite an interesting life…here’s a bit about his death. The Hubbards were on the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland when the ship was as torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat on May 7,1915.

@scooter6139 I believe the Elite Package has unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages.

Forgive me (I don’t live with snow/ice) I’ve heard of roads being salted, bur sprayed with what? The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is taking steps to reduce salt in rivers, streams and groundwater to protect aquatic life and drinking water sources while roads are made safe for winter travel. MDOT SHA has moved to using proactive strategies to reduce road salt use. The agency uses salt brine – a liquid solution that is 22 percent salt and 78 percent water – before, during and after winter weather events. Pre-treating roads with brine prevents the initial bonding of snow or ice, giving road crews time to mobilize. Edited: Many posted before me. Sorry for duplicate info.

How do you need to check in? Can you use your cell phone? Telephone: Shore to Ship Connecting to a Holland America Line vessel at sea is simple by using Ship Dial Service. A credit card is required for all inbound phone calls to a ship. The rate is $US16.00 per minute and billing begins at the time specified. Internet is slow and spotty at sea.

@2flacruisers You ask about bringing non alcoholic wine onboard. I’m not sure if this is correct. Bringing on wine is $20 a bottle. Non-alcoholic beverages(except water) are prohibited. From the HAL FAQ (which can be found here) https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq.shipboard-life.can-i-bring-alcoholic-beverages-onboard.html Guests 21 years and older may bring Wine and Champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form.