RuthC

So that justifies taking it out on the lowest level of employee, who has little in the way of decision making, and even less on ability to correct what went wrong?

I'm especially appreciative of those who keep the public restrooms sparkling and well stocked.

Don't even bother getting there before 1:00 PM, and I would recommend even later than that. I needed assistance boarding, and that always takes a long time. There is no such thing as 'priority boarding' when you need assistance, either. It's first come, first served. If you don't need assistance, it will be easier for you. Just don't get there early. Oh, and the Zuiderdam is much smaller than the Nieuw Statendam, so you won't be jockeying with as many people. Will there be another ship in that day? When BetsyS and I boarded, the Zaandam was doing her usual NE/Canada turnover, which added to the traffic outside, but was totally separate inside.

To a great extent it will depend on whether or not your ship is doing a regular run, or if it has just returned from an extended period overseas. To a lesser extent, it will depend on the size of your ship and how many ships are in that day. When I embarked the Nieuw Statendam in Boston in Aug. '22, it was after the ship had been out of the US for months, so every government agency swooped down to do whatever inspections they are authorized to do. That held up embarkation of a large number of passengers. It took me three hours of sitting and waiting to be brought aboard, so late I missed any opportunity to check in at muster drill. There was also another HAL ship embarking that day, but a smaller ship on a regular NE/Canada run. They didn't have to go through all the difficulties my ship did. They had a fairly easy time of it. I would say each ship's experience that day covered the two extremes of boarding in Boston---especially when there are two ships in town.

Even for those of us who have been known to take a nip or two.

He just doesn't get that there are other points of view, and he never will. A real piano bar isn't a 'show', or a 'performance'; he just doesn't understand the difference. Better to save our breath to cool our porridge.

While I have no desire to attend a 'performance'. I want entertainment! It was memorable for everyone who was there that night. Loads of fun for those who filled the room. But then you weren't there, so couldn't know. It's apparent you don't remember the good old days when the musician played to the room. There was no such thing as 'set lists', and the musicians knew hundreds---if not thousands---of songs off the top of their heads. Toss in a Fake Book, and the piano players could play until 2:00 AM every night, for a long cruise, and not repeat a song (unless requested, of course). The Billboard players know only a few hundred songs, and think that's a lot! It isn't.

Precisely. I'll never forget the night we had a substitute musician in the Tropic Bar on the (old, old) Rotterdam. So, we suggested he play Three Blind Mice in the style of various classical composers. He played along, and was very good at it. It was tremendous fun, and he was a really good sport. Another musician (same bar, different cruise) used to say 'name a song I can't play and I'll give you $1000'. I did, and he did! Sure, it was funny money, but it started a good game of 'stump the piano player' that lasted all 16 days of the cruise. I learned a lot of new-to-me songs on that cruise. A good Piano Bar isn't a 'performance'; it's a party. I also learned to LUV piano bars.

Yes.

OP sounds so proud of himself for stiffing the crew. Does he not realize that by stopping the auto gratuities (which have been around for 20 years now), and giving cash to the 'deserving' instead, they can't keep it? I hope he at least distributes the equivalent of his withheld gratuity so when it is turned in, the crew does get their same amount. HAL and the crew will be better off without him.

I'll believe it when I see (hear) it. I miss the Rosario Strings like crazy. It seemed every troupe of them was excellent, and one or two were even better than that.

Yes, you can send one piece for a single price---determined by what garment is being sent. The prices per item are outrageous, which is the primary reason no one ever discusses them on these threads.

You may have read that re: HAL, but in reality gratuities will be charged daily, and the OBC will be reduced daily to cover it.

I remember cruising (on HAL) when there were no TVs in the cabins, a 'weather report' card slipped under your door in the morning to let you know if there would be/how much sun, temperature, humidity, and there were no telephones in the cabins. If you needed to place a call to the outside world, you headed up to the Radio Room, and it was placed for you. There were 'house phones' around the ship for public use on the ship only. There was no such thing as the Internet, or cell phones. You were effectively cut off from the outside world. It was heavenly! I have never been so relaxed in my life.

Alyeska is a resort on the peninsula between Seward and Anchorage. I have spent a few nights there (in terrible weather, which may have colored my opinion), but didn't enjoy it. I have enjoyed all my times in Homer, and would happily go back. The museum in town is worth a few hours. There is fun to be had out on the Spit, and there are boating activities to enjoy. I would also recommend as much time as possible in Denali. The bus tour is long, so doesn't leave a lot of extra time on that day. Another day, especially if the weather is good, a flight up the mountain is a marvelous excursion. That leaves another day for rafting, hiking, or other activities.

Except the passengers who would prefer that at least the remaining R-ships in the fleet revert to a real Piano Bar. In all my nights closing ships' piano bars over the years, I have had more fun than should be legal. I miss that.

Your 'boarding' pass really reflects a check-in time. Even those with a check-in time prior to 11:00 AM likely won't actually board the ship until 11:30 (or later). The crew is at lunch until 11:30 on embarkation day. Lunch in the dining room goes until 1:00 (or 1:30), so you have plenty of time to arrive, check-in, board, and head to lunch.

The 'Premium' WiFi is only 'better' if you need streaming, as that is the only thing it adds to the 'Surf' plan.

It means some people live lives that are very different from yours. Perhaps someday you will understand.

Normally, you are allowed to bring food ON the ship. It is bringing food OFF the ship that is not allowed.

There is no absolute need for a smart phone. Everything and anything an app provides can be had by some other method. If you do want to use the HAL Navigator for some reason, or use the Internet, there are real computers---with screens you can read!---on the ships. It costs the same to use them as it does to access the Internet via a phone. If, like me, you don't have a smart phone, see no reason to spend the money for one, and to pay for the monthly plan, you can still get along fine on your cruise.

Because you can't use a website; you MUST use an app. Even if you don't have a smart phone with which to use an app. Where is Plan B? Or even a Plan C???

If the train comes to the ship to pick you up, that would be wonderful. However, do ask if the train will be dropping you back off at the ship. It has been known to happen that the end of the tour is at the train station. If that happens, and you are with someone who is mobile, you can make arrangements to leave the scooter at the gangway (you will need to leave the key), have the mobile person walk back from the train to the ship and pick up the scooter, ride it to you, then you ride back. I have done that at a different port.

Excellent. That might help solve the problem, too. You could ride your scooter to the railway station, head inside (as I recall, the wooden sidewalks are raised, but there will be a ramp at one end or the other), and ask if you can leave your scooter inside while you take the train. Take the key! I have never been refused a request to leave my rented scooter while I take an excursion. Then, if necessary, use a cane, walker, or rollator to get to the boarding area. That may work---and work well. My only question would be can you climb the stairs to the train. You can ask about this at the Shore Excursion Office the day you board. Or, you can contact the special department in Seattle (sorry, the name of it slips my mind right now) to describe what you can and can't do, and find out if they can answer your questions. If not, they can get the answers for you. I have had the Shore Excursion Office on the ship get those kinds of answers from the vendor more than once.

Promenade Deck is above Lower Promenade, and in the area I prefer (as noted in my first post) there is nothing to make noise above you; you are under the Front Desk and Shore Excursion Office. The aft area of the same deck, inside, also is quiet, as it is under the dining room. I have stayed on Lower Promenade on all the S- and R-class ships many cruises for many nights over the years. My usual cabin was 345 on the S-class, and 3345 on the R-class (Zaandam has since renumbered the cabins in that area). I never heard a peep.