Marianne

13 hours ago, LauraS said:

Take the poll....share when or where you'll cruise in the replies!

Baltic or  Alaska

I love the World Voyages.  And I don't really eat much differently on board ship than I do at home.  When I don't want much to eat, I find the Lido ideal for selective choices, a soup or a sandwich.  If a san, I have a good time selecting the bread or roll, ditto the meat with lots of lettuce.  That's plenty for me.  The Dining Room has enough choices for menu selection.  A person doesn't have to eat everything offered and can decline what is not wanted.  Also I've never been a large breakfast eater.  But must admit, it is fun having choices for meals , and having someone else do the cooking.  That is what I enjoy when dining aboard ship.  

Marianne

We did that trip from Portland OR to Fairbanks.   I would suggest you have the cruise line do your air arrangements.  At least check their prices.  When we flew it was in first week of Sept, and the cruise line charged us $ 100 each round trip airfare.  It was an unbelievable bargain for us.😃

Marianne

We just took off walking from the hotel mostly.  Walked all over, down across the river to the church, into residential area, talked to locals, and into town.  Bought fudge, and looked in shops.  Picked up something for breakfast at a grocery.  Took a bus to the University and looked around there -- much to see but ran out of time.  Also took a bus to a pharmacy to pick up some meds we needed.  Found a good Italian restaurant also.  This was over a period of three days, because we slept late and got up when the mood moved us.  Also one night the hotel desk called us about 2:30-3:00 in the morning advising that if we got up we could see the northern lights -- and we did.  It was just such a pleasurable trip, mostly enjoying the locals and Fairbanks itself.  And the weather was also so pleasant.

Marianne

This land/sea package is a great way to see Alaska, altho you will only be seeing a part of it.  Holland America arranged our airfare for us.  At that time we were living in Portland Oregon, and Holland charged us a total of $100 for out trip to Fairbanks, and then from Vancouver back to Portland.  We flew via Alaska Airlines.  We spent several days in Fairbanks and had such a good time in that city.  The weather was warm, we walked all over or took public transportation.  Regarding baggage handling:  We were instructed to take one  bag for train travel to live out during that time.  The rest of our luggage was taken to the ship and in our room when we arrived.  The baggage situation was no problem at all for us.  Actually everything was well taken care of, Holland America did a good job of caring for us.  While in Denali we stayed in a cabin, again arranged by the ship, and the bus tour of Denali was to me very interesting, saw animals and the weather was good.  (not cold)  Traveling this trip in the late summer/early fall we saw quite a bit of animal activity while on the train as well as in Denali, and in the towns as the moose were in rhut.  This was truly  a wonderful trip for us, and actually our first trip to Alaska.  I'd like to do the Yukon segment for my next trip.  I hope I answered your questions.

Marianne

We went starting the first week in September in Fairbanks.  Stayed there a few days before boarding the train.  There we saw wildlife, some coming down from high country.  We stayed only two days in Denali but there was a lot to see, altho the mountain hid from us.  From thereon the moose were in rhut, and saw moose all over, even in the city streets.  Fascinating.  Then on to Anchorage, boarding the ship in Seward, with a restful trip sailing home.  The weather was good except for one day while aboard the train with some rain.   You will love this land/sea combination -- a great vacation trip.☺️

Marianne

I just ordered dinner the night before, but I did eat breakfast in the MDR also.  But I don't eat much for breakfast, all I want usually is a cold cereal and a cinnamon roll.  But if I ordered eggs, I just told them 'lo salt, and I was never disappointed.

We ate in the Pinnacle quite a few times, again I just told them when ordering for 'lo salt' ;   the meals were always delivered as requested.  I only ate Italian once but was in a group, actually I don't recall specifically what I ordered, but it must have been okay.   Just tell the waiter in the MDR at time of order you are on low salt, I don't think you'll have a problem.  

I usually lunched in the Lido and had the guys build a san for me;  I chose the bread and a slice of meat, which was never salty.  BTW they have great ice cream, also the bread pudding.

Have fun dining --- I always found something I enjoyed ---   😂

Marianne

I am on a lo sodium diet and ordered the night before.  This was on the Amsterdam. and the meals when arriving were definitely low sodium.  Yes, I agree, often food off the menu has a high salt content.  I was really pleased with the meal service provided me.  🤤

Marianne

I encountered an interesting situation on our recent Amsterdam trip to Alaska.  The first morning on board we went for breakfast in the MDR.  I asked for a cinnamon roll and raisin bran cereal.  They had no cinnamon rolls they told me, but would get one from somewhere -- I don't know where.  In time I received the cinnamon roll.  Next morning, again no cinnamon roll, but my niece had been up to the Lido earlier and saw a tray of sticky buns.  She brought one down to the room, and I took one with me to the MDR every day thereafter.  I was told, that cinnamon rolls were discontinued in the MDR,  A few days later I again asked for raisin bran cereal, and the MDR was "out of it".  My niece again told me that it was available in the Lido.  Instead thereafter I ordered other items off the menu.  When others saw the sticky bun, they also wanted one, but were told it wasn't available in the MDR.  HAL has such a good bakery and it is one of my delights to have a fresh pastry for breakfast.  This strikes me rather strange to not have fresh pastries available in the MDR.    Another cut-back, I guess.   😯

Marianne

I have always found the MDR to be cooler, or even chilly.  Have some kind of wrap for evening dining, or a long sleeved

garment.  You will be glad you did.

Marianne😃

I have usually found the Dining Room to be cold.  Yes, bring a shawl or wrap.

Marianne😊

You ask a good question, re land-cruise vs cruise.  And I like either one equally.  They are different, but each so interesting.  Definitely do the 14 day itinerary, as you will visit many ports not always seen.  For the land-cruise, we flew into Fairbanks first, several days before boarding the train to Denali.  The University is in that city, and actually we had a lot to see and visit.  And also easy to get around on buses or taxis.  HAL put us in a suite-style room while we were in Flagstaff.  Even the locals were fun to visit, altho we were only tourists.  Denali is certainly worth seeing, we only stayed for two days.  There is a three-day excursion also.  Lots of wildlife to see in Denali, and also from the train.  I even saw a moose running across the street just after boarding the bus to the hotel in Fairbanks.  Ending up at Anchorage and the sailing to Vancouver also was very scenic.  I'm scheduled for another 14 day cruise later this year, but I look longingly at the Yukon-land-cruise trip.  Perhaps next year.  Hope this info helps.

Marianne

I often rate my cruises by the classical music played.  I've always enjoyed piano and violin, but also was very impressed with Lincoln Center, especially on my last cruise to Hawaii in November.  Please -- let's have more classical music!!!!

Marianne

Your cab driver should be able to drive into the Port, up to the area where the porters are.  If you have a lightweight chair, it would make it much easier for you.  Otherwise, when you leave the vehicle, you will have the porter take the luggage, then you will have to cross over to the line waiting to enter the building.  Sometimes the line is long, othertimes not -- maybe after you arrive from the airport, the lines should be shorter.  And inside the building there can be long walks, and long snaking lines, thus the chair would make it easier for boarding. 

I think I'd call HAL and discuss the boarding situation with staff.   They probably have a waiting area for assistance to board.  I too have mobility issues, but do not use a wheelchair.  I did, however, find the lines long, and distances where one had to go trying and tiring.  

On disembarkation getting to the cab area is short, but I'd ask for wheelchair assistance on disembarkation.  Hope this info helps.

Marianne

Am a 4-star Mariner and have never had trouble printing docs until the other day. Called HAL and a neat guy named Steve sent my docs thru to my email for printing. He felt some of the problems with the site are due to "security" issues. I also was told it really isn't necessary to have a piece of paper in hand when boarding, as all the info is already:cool: in the computer. Now my problem with the site is that I can't access the "tours". But will wait a few days, hoping the bugs go bye-bye from the site. BTW HAL/Steve was most gracious in helping me and sending the docs to my email.

Marianne

We like the itinerary on the 14-day Amsterdam. But we also enjoyed the train trip Alaska adventure from Fairbanks to Denali, then Seward, boarding for seven days on the water (included Sitka). Both Hubbard and Glacier Bay are worth seeing, but I think that Hubbard is more exciting. See them both, also Icy Strait if on the itinerary. I lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, and probably later in the season will give you more days without rain, but then one never knows either. Whatever you select you will totally enjoy the excitement and grandeur of Alaska.

Marianne

We just show up and are seated right away. Sometimes you will have to wait a few minutes but not for long. Also requesting a table for two sometimes calls for a short wait. Otherwise, we ask to be seated with others, and are placed at a table with no waiting.

Marianne

Oh lucky you for being on this Prinsendam trip. I'll be with you all the way. Thanks for writing up your adventures. Happy Sailing!!!!!:)

Marianne

Thanks SYESMAR. The second one worked just fine, but for some reason I couldn't get the first one to respond. Anyway, thank you. Now I've completed my travel info. Have to wait for about three weeks before I can print the boarding docs.

Marianne

Haven't rec'd my T&L for some time, several months anyway. I'm a 4 star Mariner. Has this "perk" be discontinued?

Marianne

I can't answer all your questions but I can about dining. My husband and I always enjoyed a table of six or eight, and have made some good friends from those days. What is nice is that you sometimes plan an event with one or two of the couples. Also it's fun to run into each other in your comings and goings while on the ship.

Regarding anytime dining, I have done that also. I haven't made any reservations for the main Dining Room but just go when it's convenient for us. We have always been seated, but we usually ask to be seated with others. My usual time to go would be around 7:15-7:30, but anytime that is convenient for you should work out fine.

Marianne

I have enjoyed the Roll Calls over the years I've cruised. It's good to put the name to a face after we've communicated via internet. I agree with Ruth -- sometimes we would meet and stay friends over the years. A roll call can be a pleasant experience: we initially meet each other, then see each other on the ship in our comings and goings. And sometimes we plan to meet for an event here and there. Personally I like the Roll Calls and look forward to them.

Marianne

Go to the Front Desk and ask. I've had gifts changed to what I preferred. Give it a try.

Marianne

Oh Anna, how much I have enjoyed your reporting on the Baltic trip. Several years ago I did the Prinsendam Baltic trip, loved it. Probably my favorite cruise of all times. But then I have German family and fully enjoyed the area. On that cruise we stopped in Rostock, and I totally fell in love with that city. But the Prinsendam hasn't stopped there since. It is such an interesting place. Anyway one of my cousins whom I had never met, rendevouzed with me in Rostock and we spent the day in her summer house out on the Spit of land. I loved that whole trip and the Kiel canal was also fascinating. Thanks for writing about your adventures. It's so much fun to read about the area again. Have a wonderful rest of the cruise. Happy sailing!!!!

Marianne

If I am sailing in cool climate, I usually take a cotton pullover and a wool sweater pullover. I used polo shirts under them. Silk underwear is recommended for Antarctica or other cool climes. If the weather is nasty then I wear a jacket over that while on deck. Has always kept me warm. I use the wool sweater when it is fairly cold. I have a sheer wool scarf which I sometimes use when going out in the wind. Wool sox, wool gloves and wooly hat takes care of the rest of the wardrobe. Hope this helps.

Marianne:):)