SilvertoGold

HAL has had a few variations this entree over the years but the latest is the best! BTW: Looking at Lisa's photo of the Opera Cake, I can say I blew it by not ordering dessert. That particular variation is fantastic!

Seafood and Articoke en Bouchee, Salmon Chowder, Eggplant Cannelloni Parmigiano. Yum! DH: same, except the Hake.

Check-in time is not to be confused with boarding time. HAL sends pax their time to show up at the cruise terminal, not when to board. Boarding time varies considerably depending on when the ship is considered ready.

Halfacts.com for some staterooms and some are older, but a very useful site overall.

Both appetizers are excellent but I like the lobster. The profiteroles are not up to my standard (tough), so I would go with the crepes. Enjoy your cruise!!!!

Crab cakes, coconut crusted shrimp, halibut for both of us.

Noordam does not have Tamarind and the interiors are not as modern looking

Best for you would be after 1:30 to 2pm depending on how many ships are in port. If the ship leaves at 4 pm, you could be there at latest about 3pm. You should be able to waltz on then :)

Crab Cakes, Salmon, Brownie: my go-to since this menu came into effect. DH: Prawn Bruchetta, Cod, Brownie

The perfect combination of cruises. Looking forward to your interesting commentary and impressions. Thanks for taking us all along once again as this will be the first thread I read each day. Bon Voyage!

Arancini Pomodoro, Devilled eggs, Chile Rellenos Devilled Eggs, Chicken and Tabbouleh Salad, Schnitzel All good, but no desserts worth the calories for us.

Both these EVisas are easy to do. Just get all your info, passport ready. Make sure you use the government website for both as there are agencies that will try to convince you to use them and charge you much more than the government sites. Australia: ETA Visa and NZ: NZeTA

HAL does the Panama transits very well. We've done 6 and loved each one. If and when you do this cruise, you must come back to this CC board and get some tips on how to enjoy this crossing.

I've seen the same thing. If the system is working well, some like it. Others have said they don't like to have to switch between the two methods.

Wonderful! Shakshuka made to order! Wow! Air C is not wow, I know all about that, but much, much better for long haul, like Vancouver to New Zealand: more experienced, helpful cabin stewards, lots and lots of food, seating OK. Great thread :) Love seeing photos of my town and the ship, along with your lovely writing style.

Noordam this year Happy Hour was in Crows Nest and Ocean Bar. 50% off any drink. 4 pm and 7 pm were common. Things change so make sure you read the program daily! Mocktails will be made to order, just ask. The ones I had were quite good. DH could certainly tell there was no alcohol in mine! The Noordam is a lovely ship and they do Australia and NZ well.

HAL has used tablets on and off but the waiters have said the system doesn't work well all the time. They do use the tablets once in and while. Paper and then imputing into the waiter station computers works perfectly.

Crab and artichoke dip with rolls, shrimp cocktail, lamb, cheesecake. Oink ;

Lisa: The European (substitute for the herring smoked salmon or grilled salmon, as I do because I am not a fan of herring) and Fritatta (add in bacon on the side?) are favourites, quite light and tasty.

From what we have seen, President's Club, handicapped, Suites, maybe Club O get the early slots for check-in. Like the upgrade fairy, it is a mystery.

So, it also depends on the number of ships at dock. You may be in luck and go through quickly, but still, you sit and wait until boarding opens which will be 11:30 am at the earliest unless something has changed drastically. KIndly remember not to confuse check-in time with boarding time. Have a great cruise and please let us all know how it goes!!

Depends on the port. If this is Canada Place, this may indeed be hurry up and wait.

Thanks for your thoughts :) I have no idea how many pax do more than one cruise a year (or every second year... ) We do/did different ships and the menus were... the same, with a few variations. Some of these menu items are identical to those offered pre-Covid, so it has gotten old. When we did 5 B-Bs it was a bore after three weeks of identical menus. We did start ordering not our first choices, but our second and third choices each evening.

OK, I like this game but this is the same menu, with a few name changes, as in March and April in NZ/Australia. Also, very siiliar to 2022, May through October, Alaska and Hawaii. I would love to see a new menu every 6 months or so! Salmon Chowder, Vegetable Cutlet (fantastic!), Strawberries Romanoff and DH: Cod Slider, Salmon, Brownie Cheesecake. Thanks, Lisa, for the great, detailed thread amd menus. Just like being there without the calories :)

Really excellent summary, nicely written and the whole thread was a pleasure to read. Your comment about not needing a taxi to get from bow to stern made me laugh out loud! I was a bit surprised about the numer of pax on this R class ship and know that can be a let-down and detract from the experience, especially the Lido seating. The gluten-free problems sould not have happened: HAL can do better. Glad you did have some good times and enjoyed Glacier Bay, your Suite, the Neptune Lounge and the service. Maybe some day you will find that bucket-list cruise and return :)