RuthC

I asked, out of caution.

Not correct. The outlet in the bathroom can be used for shavers, tooth brushes, and Water Pics.

I wouldn't chance it. I would want something at least after noon, and preferably after 1:00. First off, disembarkation isn't likely to start until 7:30, with those self disembarking first. Next you need time to get to the airport. Check in can take a while, then you have to get through security and to your gate. All this takes time.

Unlikely, as the OP said the cruise was two cruises before the drydock, not the last one before. I have been on two last cruises before a major drydock, including one that was going to include a major renovation of removing the aft pool. There were workmen aboard for that final cruise, but you wouldn't have known until the final day when they started covering things (like padding the elevators) while we were enjoying Half Moon Cay, or noticing the steel toe shoes they wore, or that they cleared their own tables in the Lido. On the other last cruise before drydock, there was no difference from any other cruise.

There are plenty of people who work on the ship who are more than capable of doing any and all of those things for you. While you sit back and enjoy your cruise!

First step is to go to the Roll Call forum, and find the listings for Holland America. Next find your ship, then look to see if there is already a roll call started. At this late date for your cruise, there likely is one already. If so, join it! If there is no roll call started, then there are some instructions there for the format to use to identify what cruise the roll call is for.

The tiles are for people who have sailed on HAL at least once before. OR, if you have ever sailed on any other cruise line in the Carnival family of lines, then you can be considered a one star Mariner and receive a tile. If you meet the second criterion, but not the first, have your TA submit the info on your prior CCL cruise to HAL so your Mariner number can be issued. Then you get a tile.

Fantastic investment!

Correct.

You can apply it, but will also have to 'top off' by increasing your deposit to the amount for the length of cruise you are taking.

You never know, though. Remember, the 'star' program started with a limit of 4 *, and increased to 5* after a few years. It could be increased again. Sky's the limit! You probably have a lot of cruising years ahead of you. If you can start adding double days based on paying solo rates now, that could add up to more goodies when the time comes. No reason not to gather extra days if you can.

This is the only possible excursion at Hubbard Glacier. If you don't get on it, and there is no additional departure for the catamaran, then you see some great views from the ship. I took the excursion the first time it was offered, after having been to Hubbard Glacier several times. It is a totally different experience; but I can recommend both. If you have never been to Alaska before, you will be thrilled with the sights whatever you do. I suggest you check the hours you are there to determine if there is even time for HAL to add another departure. I am betting there is not, but that's just an educated guess.

IIRC, when I bought a couple of segments back in '18 for '19, it was late June or early July. I was on a cruise then, and I remember the dates of the cruise, but don't remember when in the cruise it was. I had already contacted my TA about it, so she emailed me while I was aboard.

But it has already been explained to you that you can only make the reservations for up to 6 people. Since you have 7 in your party, you can't do it on line. If you call to make the reservation, they will cancel the booking that you were charged for.

Have you considered using the telephone? Call, with all the booking numbers in hand, and the dining reservations can all be made, with everyone at the same table, easily. I have done it. There are going to be 7 of us, on four booking numbers; I don't even know one of the couples. I called with the selected dates/times, booking numbers, and all was processed. It did take a while, as there were the four booking numbers to work through, for 2 dates each. But it was done in a lot less time than all your angst is costing you.

As noted in my original post, call and ask. As another posted, too, if your husband was booked, you are likely to be high on the list.

The higher you are on the waitlist, the better your chances. My guess is that if you booked your husband, then put yourself on the waitlist at the same time, then you might be high on the waitlist. But that is just a guess. You could call and see where you are on the list, which is what I would do. I have cleared a waitlist a few times over the years, so it does happen. If your cruise isn't until September, there's a decent chance that someone booked on the shore excursion will cancel their cruise, and you will get their spot. Good luck.

Thank you for checking in and letting us all know how things are going for you. Sorry you couldn't return to your cruise, but so glad you were able to disembark and get home for the surgery. The timing, if you had to get sick, could not have been better. Looking forward to your next cruise blog. Get well soon!

I have no problem with the person in the library (or anywhere else) for a long time, as they are actually using the chair. I don't approve of people using their laptops at the computer desks, as they are preventing someone else from using the computer. Or, when a couple comes in to use the computer and takes two chairs; again, they are preventing someone from using the other computer. It's when someone has claimed a chair, then goes off and uses another chair somewhere else, that I consider them a chair hog. One butt gets one seat at a time.

You might want to let your current TA know you booked another cruise on board, assigned it to him/her so they will be on the lookout for it. Then, the ball is in their court to follow up.

Thank you for the update. I haven't seen a Facebook post in a while, so have been wondering. I agree that they aren't self important. They love to participate in on board events, and enjoy seeing the ports they visit and learning about what those ports offer. Genuinely get all the enjoyment possible out of their cruises.

Diane got sick on the ship. They were put ashore in Puerto Vallarta, where they were going to disembark for a quick trip home anyway, and was approved to go home for the medical treatment. As far as I know she is recovering. All their things left on the ship were packed up and sent home to them.

I think I saw some listed on the salon/spa menu, but can't be sure what was there as I wasn't looking. Also, if the acupuncture 'seminar' is held, go and listen, then ask if they can do something. It took me three 'seminars' before I was convinced enough to give it a try, and was very pleased. I even continued at home as it helped so much.

Crew appreciation is added to your account daily, but isn't charged to your credit card until the end of the cruise. Nothing is charged to your credit card until the end of the cruise, although you are charging things frequently. Every time you order a drink, soda, dine at a specialty restaurant, order an 'up charge' item in the dining room, go to the salon, etc., the charge is added to your account. You can check your account at the Front Desk, or on Navigator. I recommend checking your account every day or two, and printing out a copy on the last evening, shortly before you retire and won't be spending any more money aboard.

Also the same water that ice for your cocktail is made from.