happy4al

Quick question, are you limited to ordering drinks that are only on the menu for that particular bar, eg Billboard?  Or can you order any standard drink, eg an old-fashioned or whiskey sour, even if it’s not on the menu? Thanks.

This is terrible news! I knew they were not renewing the contact with Lincoln Center, but was hoping they would go back to previous times when classical musicians played every evening before or after dinner. Their shows were always  packed. Classical music onboard is the reason we have stayed with Holland America all these years!

Thanks for the review! I agree about the uncomfortable depth of most of the chairs in the various venues, we found that to be the case on the Solstice too.

Neither rack of lamb nor lamb chops were offered in the MDR on the Solstice Mexican cruise Feb 11, 2023. On the night that lobster was offered, there was a lamb entree,but it was sliced and overcooked, I don’t recommend it.

Lincoln center was like modern art, only with musical instruments. The horror, the horror.😀

Just got off the Koningsdam. Food, service are really good. BB King is fine, just way too loud. Rolling stone is lousy, and too loud. Suitable for teens at a rock concert, or adults who think they’re still teens. Pianos not too bad, just not too good. Real problem is the Lincoln Stage, where highly trained classical musicians are forced to play— over and over, year after year— modern  screeching “ classical” junk like creep and bohemian rhapsody. Mozart and Beethoven buried in the afternoon.

Yes, it was a chip credit card. I have used it multiple times on this trip in Australia & New Zealand, and never had a problem except for this encounter.

Yes it was a proper taxi, and in the queue at OPT, and we were directed into this taxi by the supervisor of the taxi queue line at OPT cruise port. We were not out on the street trying to flag down an unofficial taxi.

We don’t take taxis often enough to know to watch for a meter. But now we will.

This was an unscrupulous taxi driver who cheated us. Please don’t try to blame the victim for the crime!

Sorry to say I did not get his taxi number or ID. We were too shocked to think clearly. He didn’t have the meter on during the ride either. Charging more for luggage?? That’s why we took the cab instead of the train! I know the hotels and stores in Australia had no problem with our credit card.

He did tell us early in the ride how much lower the crime rate is in Australia compared to the US, then proceeds to rob us! I’ve never been cheated by a taxi driver in the US, so wasn’t prepared for this. Left us with a very bad impression of Sydney!

Just back from cruise, ended in Sydney. Had 4 pieces of luggage, so my husband &I took a taxi to airport. Asked the driver before entering the taxi if he accepted Visa credit card. He said sure. When we got to airport, he said “oh no, I can’t accept credit card. My machine doesn’t process AMERICAN credit card. I’ll take cash, any type, Australian, New Zealand, US. Price is $82.50 (Australian dollars) plus $4 more for the luggage. So $85, US is fine.”

I said I’ll go in & get Australian dollars from debit machine. He said he’ll accept $71 US.

Wish I had taken the HollandAmerica airport transfer for $19 per person!