bakcd

We had skeet shooting on the Home line.   

I remember assorted liqueurs at the ice cream station to top your ice cream.   

In the past we have had same or next day turn around on laundry.  Recently I've read that it is taking longer on some ships.  I am in hopes that some recent Zaandam cruisers will share their experiences on the turn around time.  I am hoping to pack less than I have previously.

Thank you for taking time to review the gluten free diet onboard.  I was hoping for some changes but I do know it can be done.  I agree with you that Celebrity has a better handle on it but we now prefer HAL.  We will soon be on the ship for 3 weeks and hope to enjoy lunch with fresh seafood in each port.  We have done this sailing several times and have some favorite places for gluten free meals.  Do you have any tips for lunch in Montreal or Quebec?  I did not know about the cidery in Sydney, thank you for that tip.  I was also happy to see the books back in the library.

I never found the hair dryer in the drawer to be of much use, I have fine hair,  as it is not very powerful and I don't believe it had a diffuser.

Please share your experiences with the gluten free diet on your sailing.  We will be on the ship later this month.  Did they have gluten free beer?

Thank you. Does a noon departure give us enough time or should we book even later?

We would like to book an early flight from Logan at the end of our sailing.  Is a 10 AM flight on a Saturday within reason?   If not, what would be a better option?

If anyone has had recent experiences with gluten free on the Rotterdam please share.   What items are they offering in the Lido at breakfast and lunch?

I read the daily this morning with just 2 pages but had a lot of catching up this evening.  I enjoyed the travelogues, they fill a desire to travel.  No fur babies here.  Outdoor Christmas displays are down and stored, thanks to my dh.  Reimagined leftovers this evening.  Thank you for the thread 

I offer my confession as a lurker although only for the last month.  I am enjoying the photos of your cruises, the recipes, prayer list as well as dinner and drink suggestions.

No hangover for us last evening.  We enjoyed a neighbors generous fireworks display at 8 and then a bit of Netflix.  Dinner tonight will be collards, black eyed peas, pork chops and cornbread.  Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

What a disappointment to read you had a bad experience in the Pinnacle.   Did you go for lunch?   We will be sure to order something other than steak when we go and may have to limit it to our free meal.   

Any insights on on the new ports?

Carol

Is anyone able to post a photo of the thermal mugs?  I hope they will be available

on our upcoming sailing in the Maasdam Explorations Cafe.

20 hours ago, Cruisin Kay D said:

bakcd:

The 1st 21 day Alaska cruise of Maasdam in May started  May 7 and ended May 28.   You may want to change the title of this topic or start over.   

The 2nd 21 day Alaska cruise of Maasdam  started May 28 and will end on June 18.   There is a live blog being written by a woman on the current cruise.

You 2 & we are both sailing on the  3rd 21 day  Alaska cruise of Maasdam which starts June 18 and ends July 9.      

So far not much info from the 1st cruise that ended on May 28....  

I don’t know why I only counted back 2 weeks rather than three, it must have been one of my many senior moments.   I really do not know how to edit the topic.

I was happy to hear of the variety of lecture topics shared by Jakers.   It won’t be long before our questions will be answered.

Thank you, Jakers, for taking time to reply.  . This is our 7th Alaska cruise, 6 have been with Holland America, we enjoy the relaxing HAL cruises.   It appears there should be something for everyone when it comes to the lectures.  The guest chefs will be a new twist and something to look forward to.   I did see that regional cuisine was offered on the menu the first evening, hopefully that will continue throughout our sailing.

I am am hoping they will also bring in guest entertainers some evenings.  We have always enjoyed the Maasdam an are happy they have found a reason to keep her as a part of the fleet.   

Please share your experiences of the first Alaska Explorer cruise.   Since this anew approach by Holland America, I am curious as to what to expect.  How where the speakers, how many a day and the entertainment?   Did they have the Orange Celebration?   Was the Pinnacle open for lunch?  Has the cost or the menu changed?

Condolences and prayers for the family.

There is a new menu.   The one posted on HAL website has been replaced and my 2 favorite items have been deleted.

Ruth, we also enjoy the Pinnacle and often make reservations for the first night to avoid the rush in the dining room for anytime seating.   Lunch on a Sea day is also enjoyable.

we found the Pinnacle to be very good on the Rotterdam last year.

I always enjoyed the Tomato broth with spicy lemongrass chicken and the Pinnacle soufflé.  Sorry to see them go.  

Does anyone have a recent experience in the PG on the Maasdam?

We are just off the Koningsdam and they did have tamari which is the gf substitute for soy sauce.   They changed their menu and no longer have gf tempura so we did not go.  They do accommodate the gluten free diet.

I neglected to say that I have enjoyed many gluten free meals on HAL over the past 18 years in the main dining room, Lido with caution and in the specialty restaurants.  What I had hoped to learn is what dishes others have enjoyed in the restaurants. Has anyone tried the new venues on the Koningsdam?  What were their experiences.  

On on our recent Voyage of the Vikings, I enjoyed the best gluten free offerings yet.   The adaptations at dinner were far above any I have had on previous sailings.   Gluten free (removed) beer is available on all ships now.   My only complaint was the lack of variety of non starchy vegetables in the Lido and (I did not make special requests) and many of desserts are dairy based.    

If you are wondering if HAL handles special diets, my experiences have been positive but I will always question if I am served something I am unsure of.  I do appreciate the strides they have made to accommodate our needs allowing us to travel and remain healthy.

Avoid soy sauce and oats as well.  Thank you.

I have had enjoyed several meals in the specialty restaurants and plan to do so on our upcoming sailings on the Koningsdam and Maasdam.  We have dined in the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto recently as we were on the smaller ships.  I wonder if recent cruisers have had good gluten free experiences in any of the specialty restaurants and what menu items were available.  Please share your experiences.  I have found the tomato broth with spicy lemongrass chicken and the cedar planked halibut to be very good.  I also the beef tenderloin with Oregon blue cheese with a substitute for the scalloped potatoes.  In the Cannaletto I had the Rigatoni with Italian Sausage.  Although not memorable, it was good.

The discounts do not show up as 25% or 50% since the 15% percent service charge is then added on.   From experience, the 15% is calculated on the full package price.