RuthC

I've been on several cruises over the years that had Passenger Talent Shows (quite different from karaoke) that were very good and entertaining. Not every act, of course, but the professional entertainers brought aboard aren't all great, either. Passengers we had gotten to know a little bit, even people we hadn't interacted with, showed a different part of themselves and it was a really good time. These were not evening entertainment, but rather were daytime shows, on a sea day. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see passengers perform. Wish HAL still had such shows.

That would work. But under BB King's? Ah, not so good, even if I am a night owl. I wouldn't want to retire early and have to listen to them. Too loud at their best! But the deck plans make it look as if BB King's is a tad forward. Hummm. But thanks for the pics. There may come a day.

I haven't seen Karaoke on a HAL ship in ages. The last time I remember seeing it on a HAL ship was in 2010, and I don't remember the music going back to the 40s or 50s. There may have been a 60s song or two.

Thanks for the link. It does look like there is room to store the scooter at the foot of the bed. On the other classes of ships the door is not the problem so much as the narrow passage from the door, past the closets, and the bathroom door or wall on the opposite side. There isn't any room for a slight mistake in driving a straight line. I can't tell if that passageway on this ship is wide enough. On the Vista/Signature ships the insides on Main Deck have the arm of the couch, which is low and short, to get by. It works well.

Are there any? From what I have learned, the insides on the Pinnacle ships are not much bigger than linen closets. I'm a confirmed cave dweller, but on a Pinnacle class ship I want at least a balcony cabin. And it has to be an accessible cabin, since there are NO insides that have room for a scooter. ALL earlier classes do have such insides.

I remember a couple of transfers where the luggage was sent in a truck, left in a secure area in the airport, and we had to pick it up there. For the last many years I have been disembarked in a wheelchair, so there is a porter who brings the luggage along with me. IIRC, it is not automatic, nor would I want it to be. I want to SEE my luggage.

I use a mini-mag flashlight I won on a HAL cruise many years ago. It's about the size of a ball-point pen, turns on/off easily, and isn't so bright it wakes me completely. Take the batteries out when back home, and they last for years.

I usually use ship to airport transfers, as except for two ports, it is less expensive to take the transfer than a cab. Since every one is disembarking the ship during the same time frame, those heading to the busses are all leaving more or less as a group. There is usually a jam-up of people at the bus door attempting to get on; there is barely a wait before the bus leaves. Not everyone can be the first one on the bus, remember! Someone is going to be last, and that person has no wait at all.

You may bring extension cords that are plain, old-fashioned cords. There CANNOT be a surge protector on the cord. I always bring a cord to use with my CPAP, and often need it in my pre-cruise hotel. I keep it packed in my carry-on luggage so it's not forgotten. I have never had a problem getting it onboard.

I would bring a waterproof windbreaker, preferably lined, and a sweatshirt. Also a scarf and gloves. Pack the gloves in the windbreaker pockets to insure you have them with you when your hands get cold outside.

Promenade Deck on the Volendam/Zaandam, from the mid-ship elevator to the aft elevator banks is directly under the galley and storage areas. They are busy at night, and noisy. If you want to stay on friendly terms with your neighbor, I suggest you warn the neighbor off from cabins under there.

Both of those are good ports! Very different from the ports they replaced, but interesting in their own right.

I always keep a copy (the last one, pink) of the invoice that goes with the laundry. One is returned to me when the laundry is returned.

Very possible. I know Oceania has that procedure, and I'm sure they aren't the only ones.

Since when? In all the (many) HAL cruises I have taken, I have never gotten a 'flyer with a special bag price ... about halfway through the cruise'. The 'bag' price is the same every day, starting with the day of embarkation, and ending a couple of days before disembarking.

Paper confirmations is all you need. Bring them with you when you sail, then confirm them with your on-board account (after a day or two to be posted). IF there is a discrepancy, then take your confirmations to Guest Service to have your account corrected.

Did you book through a TA or PCC? If so, contact that person, and have your request put in. If you booked through HAL (not a PCC), then call in to place the request. HAL tends to default to open seating, so that is likely where you have been routed. DO NOT wait until you are onboard to take care of this!

You can only book Pinnacle lunch on board. Excellent, and worth the price of admission.

You are correct. The smoking area is on starboard side, by the aft pool. IIRC, most of the area is covered.

Choosing early dining along with all-day tours means getting back to the ship without enough time to shower and change for dinner, let alone a few minutes to put your daytime things away, relax a bit, or grab a cocktail or glass of pre-dinner. As early seating has gotten earlier and earlier, so has main seating. It is now much earlier than the 8:00, 8:15, or 8:30 times it has been in the past. There is always a show time that will suit both early and late dining. At least with either fixed dining time you won't have to fight any crowds arriving at the same time, as you have a chair at a table reserved for you. With open seating you are really taking your chances that you may be seated immediately, or have to wait a very long time. If you plan to return to the ship quite late in the afternoon only a few times, and prefer early dining, you could book a specialty restaurant for a little later on those nights, and still be back in time to get ready for the 5:00 early time. Your first cruise together! How exciting! Enjoy it, and create some great memories.

A beverage card is like a pre-paid debit card; it's your money. You can buy any drink you like, with no price limits.

If you can look at a Pinnacle class ship, there are family cabins that would hold your entire family in one cabin. I don't know if any Pinnacle class ships do Alaska out of Seattle, but it might be worth checking on, or widening your horizons to a Vancouver departure.

Yes, and it's pretty good. Not as good as you would make at home, but it sure beats the cleaning up at home.

You neglected to mention Tamarind and Sel de Mer, if on a ship that has either (or both) of those restaurants.

Had a lot of days on her, too. Can't remember if I had more on her, or Rotterdam V, but between the two of them, it has to be around 300 days. The only reason I would ever want to sail on the Pinnacle Class Rotterdam VII is to have sailed on three Rotterdams! That class of ship is just too 'dam' big.