Wayfairers

We have always chosen open seating at dinner since HAL starting offering it. We’ve eaten as early as when they open and been the last people seated before they close for the evening. We spent around 30days onboard this past July/August (1st sailing since the pandemic) and really didn’t notice a difference in time spent at dinner vs pre-2020 cruises. But…I also must say I’ve never timed dinner. Obviously, a smaller table is better if you are in a hurry. We always ask for the largest table available because we enjoy meeting other people and many times our dinners stretch longer than 2 hours because the conversation is interesting. When we’ve had the longer nights some at the table leave to go to the show and that never bothers those of us who stay.

Not an app but Atlas Obscura website has great off the beaten path places. I put those in google maps and create my own walking tour.

We have free laundry onboard and on land we do laundry at a hotel or laundromat. We don’t rewear without laundering even in cold climates.

I take what fits in a backpack and a rolling carry on and do laundry regardless of the trip length. Normally, our trips are several months. However, the next trip is only a month and mostly in warm weather. For the cruises (2) in the Caribbean we are taking one backpack each and a small toiletries bag and a briefcase. On that same trip (not on the cruise ship) we are visiting TN in the winter so taking a small carry on rolling bag with 4 pants, 4 tops, 1 sweatshirt each and a heavier coat. That bag will stay in the car while we cruise.

We haven’t had an issue on Celebrity. But on HAL we inform the room steward and we also tell the front desk. We tell them we’ve told the room steward and we tell the room steward we are telling the front desk. Depending upon the problem one or the other takes the lead in resolving the issue. We’ve been compensated without asking for it.

I saw the Christmas decoration pics on your blog..thanks…we board the Zaandam Dec 20

Wondering if anyone has found a beach?

We just booked a cruise that goes to Bimini in January. It will be our first time to stop there. Are there any beaches within walking distance of the port? We would love to just relax on a beach all day. Cheap beers would be a huge plus.

Oh that IS disturbing! Sorry you got robbed. Thankful you didn’t get hurt and they didn’t take your purse. Appreciate you sharing the story to remind the rest of to stay more aware. I didn’t realize people were getting earrings stolen off their ears…how odd.

Thank you! Good to know the umbrellas and chairs weren’t overpriced.

This sounds interesting. Any idea what the name of the cruise line is?

We are good either way…..we are good at creating our own party if they don’t have an official one.

Thanks!

Thanks. If you remember, please let me know how it was!

Thanks for the information!

Spending both Christmas and New Years on board this year for the first time. How does HAL typically celebrate New Years Eve?

I’m also looking for a similar beach in early January. Would love to find one within walking distance of the port.

It has been a long time since we visited Nassau. All I remember is the straw market. Is there a good beach within walking distance of the port?

Have you been on your cruise yet? Did you rent a car?

How is the walk to Vigie beach? Are you walking along the road?

That’s a good idea. Any parts of St Lucia that unique to that island other than the pitons?

We’ve spent a lot of time in St Thomas but never been there on Christmas Day. Our cruise this year stops there on Dec 25. Has anyone been there that day? Is anything in town open?

Is there a charge to use the pool?

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us!

I appreciate that. We sailed together on South America in 2019. I was the one that crocheted the penguin on that cruise. I’ve been enjoying your Africa blog.