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I would change the name of you thread to Hampton Inn Bayview Campus Baltimore for a better response. How did you find out about the shuttle to the port? I knew they had a shuttle to the hospital but did not realize it would also take guests to the port.

@XBGuyThe best tomatoes are local. I’d love to taste some of your local tomatoes, even though they are not authentic San Marzona tomatoes San Marzano tomatoes are like champagne ; grown by the EU, which specifies the precise cultivar, processing method and region in which the tomatoes can be grown. These tomatoes have a huge reputation and boast a Protected Designation of Origin status (DOP, or sometimes written as PDO - Denominazione d'Origine Protetta) which specifies the precise cultivar, processing method and region in which the tomatoes can be grown. Many say that these specifications do indeed make San Marzano the best tomatoes you can buy. In order to qualify as a San Marzano DOP, the tomato must be grown within a designated area around Naples. The DOP also refers to tinned, preserved tomatoes – not the fresh ones. The particularly fertile volcanic soil at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius is said to give the tomato plants even more flavour and nutrients.

@crystalspinThanks, tried your suggested way but still not showing option for complimentary dining

I Where do you see a link for complimentary dining?

@TGCRUISEOMAHA have tried with phone and laptop for my February 23 cruise. What promo code did you use? Thanks

You can find your Roll Call by clicking the link at the top of this forum and selecting your ship. Once there, select your sailing date.

I think the key to a good red sauce is to cook it for at least a hour and to let it rest in the refrigerator over night so the flavors can marry. Ina’s recipe “roasts”the sauce in the oven which I find easier than cooking on the stove top. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/nick-and-tonis-penne-alla-vecchia-bettola-recipe-1949812 Also, you must use the highest quality of canned tomatoes, just tomatoes, nothing else added. San Marzano (make sure they are authentic) are excellent but I frequently use these Jersey tomatoes. I’ll close with something my mother always told me, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Have a great weekend!

@VMax1700I hope Ellen is doing well. We will miss you on the Oosterdam transatlantic.

Yes, did the Panama Canal Ft Lauderdale to SanDiego this February and loved it. Bucket list.

@BRWolfWe upgraded to a Vista suite once. Didn’t feel like the extra room was worth the money since it didn’t come with any extra perks (like the Neptune cabins).

Sailed 4 different HAL ship in aft deck 8 cabins. We always try to reserve an aft cabin on deck 8 for easy access to Seaview pool and Lido. Because it is all the way aft there is less noise than cabins under the Lido. Occasionally, we have heard brief, minor noise while the deck chairs are being set up in the morning but it has been minimal. We will be sailing for the first time on the Rotterdam in February in an aft cabin on deck 8. I am wondering if we will get any sunshine. There seems to be quite a large overhang.

It includes water in cans. No plastic bottles are allowed on the ship.

Happy Friday! Happy dog day. Cruising corgis. I do not understand why toilet paper needs a day. I will never take my opportunity to vote for granted. Cheers!

Happy birthday to the National Park Service! On this day in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, creating the agency. I have been lucky enough to visit many of the parks. In 1989 my DH and I took an 8 week trip across the US in a motor home. We planned our route based on the park locations. My favorite park is Assateague Island National Seashore. Did you read Misty of Chincoteague as a child? This part of the park is where the famous pony swim takes place every July. Wishing everyone the best day possible!

I think the biggest benefit of Club Orange is the cabin upgrade. I select an obstructed verandah fare, pay for Club Orange and get an upgrade to the highest fare cabin within the verandah category. I always price it both ways; just paying for the highest fare verandah cabin has always been more expensive that adding CO to the lowest fare verandah cabin.

Do not confuse the Best Western in Elkridge with the one on O’Donnell Street. They are in very different neighborhoods.

@pedirn @Tenn/cruiserClick on the link in IPB4IGOpost, an excellent resource where you can view all the bar menus This is a screen dot of the vodkas available.

I changed my Southwest flight on the 19th from FLL to MIA. It was $100 cheaper to fly from MIA. I booked my flight to Barcelona with flight ease because it was much cheaper than any other one way flights I could find. I haven’t given them any money yet, nothing is due until 9/6. I am hoping for a direct flight from the US to Barcelona, really want to avoid the connection mess at the European airports.

@Rowsby To add a bit more info to Graham’s post, you need to access CC from your phone, then you can easily add a photo that is saved on your phone. This is what I see when I click on Add Files Just click on photo library and then click on the photo you want to add, you’ll see a check mark on the photo. Then click add. Once you have uploaded the photo you will see it below your post. Click the Insert button. Hope this helps. @lcand1923 If you are ever back in Baltimore, I can give you recommendations for the newer iconic “only in Baltimore” restaurants. Hoping everyone has the best day possible.

I try not to be “stuffy” about wine. Nothing wrong with a screw top bottle; they are never corked. I don’t bring glass to the pool or the beach so I thought I’d try canned wine. Also, cans are eco-friendly. They’re many available at Total Wine, most are fruity, more like a spritzer, perfect for a hot summer day. I like a rose during the summer, Amble Chase from France is particularly good, not to sweet. Daffodil Day must be for our friends in the Southern Hemisphere. They always make me think of spring and are one of my favorite flowers. Wordsworth like them too. A quote from his poem “I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud” Positive thoughts to those who need them and cheers to those celebrating.

Peach daiquiri is perfect for the season! I use frozen peaches, lemonade (or limeade) and rum. I am looking forward to pictures and insights about the port of Cartagena; I will there in a little over 2 months. Thank you to everyone who posts port pictures on a regular basis.

The OP was asking specific questions about a brief holiday cruise on the Zuiderdam. There are many messages in this thread that would confuse someone who had not previously sailed HAL and does not understand the different classes of ships in the fleet. The Zuiderdam is a Vista class ship and does not have some of the amenities of the Signature and Pinnacle class ships. Based on my experience sailing the Zuiderdam this year, there are no outdoor movies and there are no pay per view movies in the cabin. Also, there is no New York Deli & Pizza bar or Tamarind restaurant.

@The-Inside-Cabin I really enjoy all of your posts! I am a pescatarian. I love good food and this sounds like a great experience. If I tell them beforehand do you think I would still enjoy the meal.

Wow! That’s over 100%. The HAL websites says the Rotterdam carries 2668 guests. Does it feel crowded? Are you able to find a seat in the Lido? Are there lines for the tenders? We will be sailing her for the first time in February. I had to convince my husband to give her a try because he prefers smaller ships. Thanks for your insights and for taking us along on your trip.

I have been to Nassau many times; we frequently have to fly through in order to get to the Out Islands of the Bahamas. My very first cruise with my husband was to Nassau, neither of us can remember the name of the cruise line. We also boarded several Windjammer cruises in Nassau. I took my niece for a quick trip one Christmas. Seeing the decorations at Atlantis reminded me of the Christmas tree at Graycliff. Best food in Nassau can be found at Arawak Cay Fish Fry. Don’t miss it if you’re on Nassau. My favorite Bahamian dish conch salad. Whole fried fish from my favorite shack “Oh Andros”