VMax1700

Interesting! I looked at the itinerary and it does mention both Trieste and Venice, however Venice is listed as a tender port. Maybe they are going to anchor somewhere close to Venice and tender people in and out. I have not heard of this before, but suppose it is possible as the ban on shipping in Venice only relates to specific areas.

But I wouldn't miss it at all! That is why I am happy there is no karaoke on HAL. The piano 'singers' in billboard on board are bad enough and I don't go there! 🤣

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I posted a picture similar during a port call in June in Europe. I also brought plastic bottles of water onboard at a port call in Greece.

That is good to hear. Have a safe flight home.

Water is water! It is not 'soda'. I see no reason that it would not be permitted, specially if it is a well known brand such as Perrier. The 'regulations' state 'water in cans or cartons' and if you can get Perrier or similar in cans, then why not?

That is 'Scrouge-ingly' mean. I have always filled the glass just before I left the restaurant, and taken it with me to a bar etc. I still will. I can't see them stopping me, if they don't tell people to wear masks when necessary. Maybe I will have to take a bottle or two onboard and pay corkage, then drink those in the bar. It is a stupid, penny pinching decision.

It doesn't actually say that. It says you can enjoy it with your meals or have it delivered to your stateroom. It does not say that you must drink it in your stateroom nor does it say that you cannot use it in the bars.

Water allowance? Are you referring to the drinks in a beverage package?

Helloooo! You are on the ship. Why ask here? Ask them? duh!

Found these terms on the HAL website. Specialty dining is based on cruise duration and ship type. For 6–9-day voyages, guests will receive one night at Pinnacle Grill or Tamarind. For ships without Tamarind, guests will receive one night at Pinnacle Grill or Canaletto. For 10–20-day voyages, guests will receive two nights: one night at Pinnacle Grill and one night at Tamarind. For ships without Tamarind, guests will receive two nights: one night at Pinnacle Grill and one night at Canaletto. For 21+ day voyages (excluding Grands), guests will receive three nights: one night at Pinnacle Grill, one night at Tamarind and one night at Canaletto. For ships without Tamarind, guests will receive three nights: two nights at Pinnacle Grill, one night at Canaletto. Offer excludes Specialty Dining Events in the Pinnacle Grill such as Sel De Mer, De Librije and Sommelier Dinner. Reservations and dining times will be available to pre-reserve.

But isn't that what they have just done? Added another incentive on top.......Crew Appreciation.

Yes, on the HAL website. Go to 'My Bookings' and then 'Cruise Activities'. There is an option for Speciality Dining. Depending on when your cruise departs you may be able to make reservations.

I don't believe you can pick any. I think the terms are 1 night Pinnacle grill and 1 night Tamarind on ships that have Tamarind. If the ship does not have Tamarind then it is Canelleto.

Though we did not travel to Ephesus, no visa was required for Ephesus or Istanbul. We had to show passports re entering the dock, but that is all.

Thank you! That was my main concern. Our flight is September 11th at 9.15pm so I hope that it is a bit shorter by then. Thanks again for your comments.

I have one of those too! It is a curse sometimes......... Just promise me that you won't start taking the ship apart to see how it works 🤣🤣😉

Are they? In EU (and probably UK) consumer laws, the price must include taxes and fees. I understand that the HAL confirmation does show the separate tax element (as does the booking engine), but is this not for N. American customers? Anyway, if we get a credit for reduced taxes and fees, great. If not, then no problem. p.s. you forgot to mention that as the ship will not use the Ijmuiden locks twice there should be a further saving there as there is probably a hefty charge for using them.😉

As I mentioned on another thread, we were able to reserve times on Oosterdam in June, but cannot reserve on Rotterdam for 2 weeks time 😭 Very useful if you can successfully guess the Dressy Nights 🤫

You say you are checked in? Then your dining time is shown on page 2 of your boarding pass.

Do tell us more??? Queue time at security etc. (p.s. thanks for a balanced report. Interesting comment about the crew collecting Lido lunches as I had never thought about that element.)

It is well documented on your Boarding Pass and also on the 'Know Before You Go' on HAL website. It has also been discussed numerous times on this board.

CCL is the actual stock exchange 'ticker' name for Carnival Corportation. Carnival UK is CCL.L Many people would recognise CCL as being Carnival Corportation.

I believe that function has been removed. I know I used the function in June, but I am not seeing it for our cruise departing on August 28th.

Which airport? FCO or CIA? Where are you flying from? Do you have a stopover/transfer? (that is where your baggage has a bigger chance to go missing!)