RuthC

I once booked an Alaska cruise for the sole purpose of taking this excursion. It was that worth it. It was a dreary day, and there might have been some rain (too long ago to remember for sure), but was still worth the price of admission.

OP is asking about the Zaandam. There is no BB King's Nightclub. There are no cabins below the Sports Deck, and only four inside cabins below the Lido Deck. Can't get sunshine in any of them.

Then you want to be outside when going through the fjords. There is always something of interest on the other side, so a place where you can see both sides at once, or get from side to side quickly, is what you need.

Passengers on cruises in Europe tend to dress up more than passengers on cruises of a comparable length closer to the United States. This seems to be especially true with HAL cruises starting in Netherlands, but is also true elsewhere in Europe. The Europeans as a whole tend to be a bit dressier than Americans, so that is reflected on a European cruise. There's a wide range between a ball gown and a blouse. You can pick something in between and pretty much be 'going with the flow'.

Highly unlikely, since your turnaround port is Rotterdam. It will be treated like any other port day where you are free to come or go as you please. What is your last previous port?

HAL already uses the non-refundable OBC first. You don't have to lift a finger.

He isn't.

I agree. A true 28-day cruise would likely have only four Gala nights, but you aren't taking a true 28-day cruise; you are taking two 14-day cruises, which have 3 Gala nights each. Unless the itineraries are vastly different (e.g., if one were a repositioning cruise), then I would also agree that the menus will likely repeat.

Still a good looking ship. Thanks for posting the pics.

Until shortly before the industry shut down for covid, HAL had room service breakfast available for all cabin categories. I remember it well, since that was my customary way of ending my cruise. It was a wonderful way to end the cruise in a somewhat relaxed fashion. Pack a little, nosh a little, take a sip of coffee. Repeat until done. I don't recall being able to do that on my last pre-covid cruise in July 2019.

On a 7-night cruise, there should be two Gala nights. The first is most likely the day after you board, and the second, the night preceding the night before disembarkation. This is in general, and can vary depending on which days are sea days.

No passenger use washers or dryers on any HAL ship. All HAL ships do have a laundry service, however. You can pay by the piece, which is frightfully expensive. Or, you can pay by the bag. It has ranged from $20/bag to $30/bag lately, and has varied on different ships. You can also purchase unlimited laundry, where you pay one price for the length of the cruise (although you can't send any out the day before disembarkation); again, the price has varied lately, and you can send a bag as many times as you like. The bags are cloth, and are fairly large. If you roll your clothes tightly you can get a LOT in there. Stuff the bag (or not, if you are using unlimited!), leave it on the bed before you leave in the morning or evening, and it will be returned to you all clean, pressed if appropriate, or folded if that is your preference, frequently the next day, or likely the second day.

My only caution on the Westerdam is the length of the ship, considering your wife can't walk long distances. I don't know her definition of 'long distance', but I know for me, the walk from the dining room (even a table near the entrance) to the show lounge is quite long. There are work-arounds, such as having a rollator, or scooter, for times when the walk is just too much, or at the end of the day when being tired is a factor. But cabin choice would matter on this cruise. BTW---I think it a fabulous itinerary!

I haven't seen that done in over 30 years! It was on the Royal Viking Line, and those who caught fish while on an excursion could have it prepared and served for dinner the (I think) next night. IIRC, other cruise lines also did that, but stopped when there were arguments, ending in fighting, when some fishermen claimed it wasn't 'their' fish that was served to them. It was lovely, though. At least on that line.

Yes, that's it. Either that, or the crew would end up with less money in their pockets. For example, a $16/day gratuity would have to be closer to $20/day for the crew to break even, since they would now have to pay taxes on the shifted income.

Exactly. They don't pay US Income taxes, and don't pay income taxes on gratuities in Indonesia or Philippines.

If the cruise lines were to do that, though, the fares would have to go up by an amount more than what is currently being charged in order for the crew to receive the same amount. Were the fare increase the same amount, the crew would take a decrease in income. The crew doesn't have to pay taxes on gratuities, but they do on earned income. The crew appreciation amount is an after tax income to them.

First, this isn't about the Jones Act. The ruling Act is the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Second, so long as the passenger who starts a cruise in the US, ends it in another country (Vancouver, Canada), then the PVSA doesn't come into play. It's only when the cruise both starts AND ends in the US that the PVSA rules. Either the passenger must stop at a near foreign port if the start and finish of the passenger's trip are the same port, or a distant foreign port if they are different.

Since you say you like to dress up, and this is a special occasion, by all means---bring your tux and gown. And your best jewelry, too! After all, your pretty clothes like to go out to play, too!

You can easily put them out before you leave for the evening, then. Even a couple of hours earlier would likely be all right, since people are leaving for early dinner by then.

That Pole to Pole itinerary is pretty close to land a large portion of the time. Unfortunately, a lot of that land isn't too close to well equipped medical facilities. I love the Pole to Pole itinerary, and am tempted, but like you, I'm not getting any younger, either. I do know I want to continue to get older, though, so it's something to think about. Good luck with your decision, and I do wish you the best.

Consider the Insurance forum, in that case. Other general forums you suggested would also be good. Perhaps you could ask a moderator for advice as to which forum would be most appropriate to reach the best audience. I have read every post to your blog and enjoyed it very much. I am sorry for what happened to you, of course, but glad you were able to get to a port when you could get the help you did. A unique experience for any patient, to be sure! I wish you well on your current recovery, and wonder if you will ever want to take a World Cruise again. Thank you for the advice you gave in your post to this thread. It was helpful.

The OP isn't the poster Albingirl is talking about, and you are taking her to task for. They are two different people. So, who are you referring to as having given helpful posts? The OP? I can accept that point of view. The one Albingirl is talking about? I can't see that.

I have all those certificates, plus participated in all the activities the ship provided. I swam the pool when the ship crossed the Arctic Circle, so have the Polar Bear certificate to go along with that. When crossing the Equator I kissed the fish, which was a real kick since you only cross the Equator for the first time once. There is a King Neptune ceremony for the novice staff which is a LOT of fun for the passengers. They didn't do the Swim in the Panama Canal when I did that passage, but they did give out the certificate to note the occasion.

Eurodam. The ship is smaller, while the cabins (in a comparable category) are larger. It has a real promenade, where you can sit outside and commune with the sea in peace and quiet. Most important of all, it has the itinerary you prefer. The ship still has plenty of entertainment venues at night, and several excellent restaurants.