RuthC

But only if you have a need for the Premium plan. The Social and Surf plans are both lower price than the Premium purchased in advance.

I've found that in hot/humid areas it's nice to come in from the day, shower and dress for dinner, and send out those things I wore that day. Doesn't come close to filling the bag, but is so nice to have just one sundress and one set of undies come back the next day all fresh and ready to be worn again. I wouldn't send out so little if I were paying the full bag rate.

Norway has to be my second favorite destination (Antarctica is first), and it is so much easier to get to/from than Antarctica. I have been to Norway more times than I can count, and would be happy to go there again. It doesn't matter which port I am embarking from, or what the itinerary is, I find something to enjoy every day in Norway. The same ports are different each time, especially in that the weather makes a big difference in the mood of a port, so it feels new each time. Just breathing the clean, fresh air makes me feel so alive. The people are friendly (they speak English very well, too) and helpful. Just typing this I am practically talking myself into going again next summer! The Nieuw Statendam is a nice enough ship, but personally I much prefer the smaller ships. They are easier to get around, and I meet the same people over again, so get to know them a bit better. Makes it easier to strike up a conversation.

That would depend on the routing your ship is taking. If you are going around the Horn, then you need clothes for two climates. That would be very hard to do with only a carry-on.

If the ship originated in Quebec (or any other port outside the US), it wouldn't have to go to Bermuda. It could sail non-stop to Ft. Lauderdale without violating the PVSA. No sure how appealing such an itinerary would be, but it's certainly possible.

If you love Carnival and MSC, and enjoy Royal Caribbean, and NCL, plus have two teens, then HAL is likely not for you. HAL is relaxed, much quieter that those lines. The food is good---sometimes excellent. Entertainment is poor, at best. There are few activities during the day; sea days may have a lecturer, and there are trivia games. The cabins are generally larger than comparable cabins on other lines, with very comfortable beds. Service is excellent. The ships are kept very clean.

The rule about one bottle of wine per person, free of corkage fee, for the cabin, is no more. The current rule is a 'reasonable' amount of wine (yes, vague) for which a corkage fee of $20/bottle is due for every bottle---regardless of where consumed.

No valid reason there can't be both.

Might as well ask. Or use it as a bargaining chip towards the cost of that outside cabin you have your eye on.

As Rich said, no it isn't 'distant' enough. Think of a 'near' foreign port as something on the North American continent, and a 'distant' foreign port as on another continent. It may not be a perfect reasoning, but it's very, very close.

Unfortunately, no. There are people who don't know to be uncomfortable about being poorly dressed for the situation. They are true 'It's all about me' people.

If HAL won't upgrade the people in 'your' cabin, and won't give you the outside you want, then I would be 'suggesting strongly' that the TA pay for the outside cabin. I hope you get some decent satisfaction, since you have lost a great cabin through no fault of your own.

Also add Nieuw Statendam. Note, too, the Internet Center on the ship is no longer 'powered by' the New York Times. I suspect the relationship between HAL and NYT has ended.

My meds, make-up, and jewelry fill the carry-on (roll-aboard) all by themselves. I need a second carry-on (tote) to hold the CPAP machine, since it won't fit in the first one! Clothes? Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

I haven't cruised much since cruising resumed after covid, but from what I saw on my one cruise, and what I have seen on threads showing dailies on others' cruises, the 'late' show ends fairly early these days. Unless I was going to bed very early, I wouldn't be too concerned. However, if the late show on your cruise starts/ends later, or does overlap with your normal cruise bedtime, then you have good reason to be concerned. Also, if you are interested in napping in the afternoon, then that's the time rehearsals are typically held. I would contact my TA and see if HAL can switch you to something that would be a better fit if the shows are likely to interfere with your sleep time.

You are allowed to, but with your carry-on, and whatever else you are handling, are you sure you want to lug a gallon of water, too? For the price on board, I don't have the stamina to lug a gallon of water, too. It would take more than that out of me.

Have your TA contact HAL, or if you didn't use a TA, call HAL and place the order. Order as many gallons as you will need for the length of your cruise, as if you order from room service on board, the price is higher.

I am so sorry to read this! I hope you recover quickly and are treated well until you do.

Which ship are you talking about? If it's the Zaandam or Volendam, 2619 is my favorite cabin on the ship. I would be furious if I were 'upgraded', especially to an obstructed 'H' category cabin. No 'upgrade' in my opinion, but a decided downgrade. I would insist that my TA get my cabin back. If it has been rebooked, then the TA should suggest to HAL that the new party be 'upgraded' and you be given your cabin back. Failing that, then perhaps the TA will pay the difference to give you a true upgrade to a cabin of your choice. There is nothing comparable until you get to the balcony cabin level. The agent's error should be the agent's problem to solve.

No! I have cruised to Norway more times than I can count, and I never get sick of going back to some of the same places, nor seeing the fjords/scenery. For one thing, the weather makes a big difference, so seeing the same place under different conditions makes for a very different experience. Just sailing up a fjord in crystal clear, sunny weather, then back out that afternoon under a cloudy sky evokes an entirely different atmosphere.

I sailed with him once when he was the Piano Bar musician. He was one of the better ones.

Then HAL should get rid of Billboard Onboard and go back to a real Piano Bar. Back in the day HAL had several musicians in the Piano Bar who could play any song at the mere mention of it---music and lyrics. This is before the days of tablets holding the lyrics for them, too. Some had a Fake Book, though. Several I had the pleasure of spending evenings with knew a few times more than 500 songs. Those days of playing 'Stump the Piano Player', and losing much of the time, were fun.

Your TA should have explained all of this to you before you booked. Or, didn't you use a TA? If you are new to cruising, or new to a particular line, it is wise to either use a TA, or do the research as if you have never cruised before. Assuming all lines use the same terminology, or do things the same way, is a recipe for disappointment.

That's not at all the same as learning the songs from scratch. That's learning to work as a team. And 500 songs is still not very much for any musician to know. There is no excuse for HAL musicians to be playing the same few songs night after night after night. It is boring.

Your situation is different from the OP's question. However, did you try using it to be added to the overall crew gratuity pool, instead of specific people, though? My understanding is that it can be used that way, but I could be confused with refundable OBC.