Marianne

My experience in the Dining Room is that the entrees on HAL are not very salty. Rather bland actually. And I don't use much salt when cooking. But I cannot comment on the soups, since I rarely order them. Usually choose a salad. Sometimes the entrees have more pepper on them than I prefer, but these are usually a non-American dish. You can also order your entrees with no or low salt. ;pMarianne

I still enjoy a Manhattan Up before dinner. If I don't order that, then a good red wine, preferably a Beaujolais if it is available with dinner.

Marianne

It doesn't matter what cabin you stay in. Most passengers go to different places while traversing the Canal. My husband liked it up on the top decks outside. I preferred to be down front while going thru the locks. Lower promenade deck anywhere is interesting. One time while a Japanese freighter was going thru the locks at the same time as our HAL ship, my husband and a Japanese sailor tossed a tennis ball back and forth. Eventually all three of the balls were lost in the waters of the canal, but they had such a good time. As you move to different areas on the ship you also will enjoy conversation with various passengers. This is an interesting cruise; I'm sure you will enjoy it wherever you are on the ship.

Marianne

I always pack a long skirt with a dressy top. If the cruise is long, I have several long skirts to pick from that are reversible. They don't wrinkle and don't take up any more space in the suitcase. Dressing for dinner even makes the dinner taste better, at least in my opinion. Dress to the nines if you wish, you will not be the only one.

Marianne

I usually cruise Alaska the first or second week of September -- Why? Well, I used to live in the Pacific Northwest and that is when the weather settles. Both times on this cruise we've had good weather -- maybe a short rain on one day. Also, if you have concerns about children on cruises, there are usually none, since school starts right after Labor Day. Another plus is that prices are less at that time of the year. This is an excellent itinerary and you will enjoy it no matter what time of the year you take it.

Marianne

Agree with Ols Salt. San Diego has such good air connections, closeness to port, good hotel accommodations, train access and interstate for driving. Actually we always plan several days to play in San Diego prior to boarding. So much to see and do, as tourists and as many year's visitors. This activity has become part of our cruise. Have really had no problems in boarding prior to the Veendam/Westerdam moorage of Nov 5th. Have never had any probs debarking the ship. Just get off when number is called. Jump in a cab and off to the airport. So one event in many trips, probably have been lucky, but no complaints here.

Marianne

Just off the Westerdam, and we reported to our Lifeboat station. Our cards were "read" as we arrived. Went fast and quite well.

Marianne

OVChamp asked how efficient "check-in" is in San Diego is. Well, once you are inside the building, check-in itself is quick and efficient. Have never had any trouble there.

The weekend of November 5th had both Veendam and Westerdam in port and both leaving that day. Yes, bedlam, mayhem. Our hotel brought us to the port about 11:55 am, arriving as suggested. Our driver managed to get onto the pier as he had two Veendam passengers and two Westerdam passengers. We were on the W-dam and let out first. Within a minute I found a porter but had to make sure our luggage got on the right ship, correcting him more than once as he was interrupted. Anyway, then the long line outside which was combined with the V-dam. By 1 pm we got inside and health info and security lines moved along pretty good, really couldn't complain. Finally to the window and that was very efficient, very quick, very pleasant. So -- if two ships are in port and also leaving the same day, you will encounter the mayhem situation we found.

However, many times we've sailed out of San Diego, and this was the first time I've encountered such a messy situation. Usually arrive at the port at 11:30 and am on board by 12 noon.

Marianne

Like Lady Arwen, I thought the problem was me since I'm not the most adept person using the internet. However, tonight I thought I'd order some land tours, but encountered nothing but problems including having to re-enter data already entered. So, I just gave up. Maybe I'll do land tours on my upcoming cruise, and maybe I'll just wander around the dock area. Kinda strange such a good product as HAL has such a nonusuable useless web site. Maybe someone in the upper echelon will read this and get some changes made.

Marianne

DH and I have sailed this route several times and only once was the weather mild and quiet. If you go to the Falklands I think you will be more comfortable with a warm sweater, jacket or coat and wooley gloves, scarf and sox. When the winds blow you will need this clothing. A good all purpose jacket over a fairly heavy wool sweater will do, but waiting for the tender sometimes is prolonged and warm clothes are ideal. Pretty much ditto for Ushuhia. Heavy sweaters are available at the booths near the dock in Ushuaiha (spelling?); this is an interesting stop.

Otherwise places like Puerto Montt and/or Buenas Aires you can use your regular clothing you wear. Of course Rio and areas around the equator are quite warm and dress accordingly. I would suggest however for the colder climes to be prepared with minimally a warm sweater, hat, sox, gloves and scarf. Then you will be able to enjoy these two ports if you hit a streak of cold or wind.

On our first cruise down there, we encountered a fellow in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts and flip flops in the Lido when we were going around the Horn. He told us he thought that South America was a 'tropical climate' and that's all he pretty much brought with him. He was not comfortable, even in the Lido, as folks went in and out onto the deck, with the wind blowing.

This is a great cruise. You really will love and recommend you strongly consider signing up for it.

Marianne

This is my favorite ship in the HAL fleet. I've stayed in different balcony rooms as well as ocean view rooms. (Often I decide to sail late and don't get a true choice of cabin). I've never been bothered with room noise in any area I've stayed. Yet, maybe others will have a definite response for those specific cabin numbers. You will love the Prinsendam!

Marianne

Not having dance hosts on HAL's longer voyages is disappointing. In our early days of cruising we went to the Ocean Bar where we liked the music for dancing. DH was an outstanding dancer, and he always noticed who also could dance. If it was a lady without a partner he often asked her to dance. We then would gather together and have a grand evening. But those days are gone now. Dancing to me is/was more fun than sitting and listening in the Piano Bar. Guess I liked the exercise. Thanks for the heads up on the Cunard Line. I think I'll look into that cruise line.

Marianne

Received the Mariner a few days ago, but no Survey yet to date. Prefer the Mariner of days of yore with assorted cruises and trips outlined. Will await the survey.

Marianne

I would definitely choose the cruise -- less effort than the land tour. Viet Nam ports were each interesting, for us but the best to me was Halong Bay. However, I would definitely plan some extra time on each end of the cruise -- Hong Kong has so much to see and do, and Singapore is a city that one must explore. We enjoyed my post-Singapore stay, a fascinating place and ended way too soon. I think you will enjoy this cruise.

Marianne

Sometime back on one of our cruises, I was talking to the hotel manager. On asking about the Indonesian cuisine, he told if I let my dining steward know, the kitchen staff would be happy to make Riistafel for my dinner. I've never done it, but often thought how grand that would be. Maybe on our cruise in November.

Marianne

DH and I celebrated our 60th anniversary in Neptune on Oosterdam. It was a wonderful experience. The concierge arranged to have balloons and streamers on our door and my niece made a collage of photos, also attached to the door. Many folks recognized us and congratulated us while on the cruise. I particularly liked the Neptune Lounge itself with its nibbles, reading matter, other folks to visit with and the great service from the concierge desk. This was my husband's last cruise as he is no longer with us. But I would strongly recommend the Neptune if available, we were upgraded. I didn't really know about breakfast in PG, but it still was a wonderful voyage. Hated to get off the ship.

Marianne

Thanks Fouremco for the info. Have no idea why I had no trouble this time, and the only thing I did different was to use "Bing". I'm such a "genius" with the computer anyway. I've even had to call my "Geek" in the past to get thru the Check In process. I guess I struck a miracle this time.

Marianne

Checking in was a snap the other day. The first time I never had a problem. Possibly because I used Bing instead of IE.

Marianne

Just guessing, but somewhere probably in the $20-25 for a page or so, and then maybe a $1 or so for each additional page. I used to send medical info from hospitals and that was the charge we used then. Hope this helps.

Marianne

For a cruise going into cooler country, I always pack a wool sweater, preferably a Shetland wool. I don't pack coats or heavy clothes, because the sweater works just fine under a good windbreak jacket. Instead of a hat, I have a wool scarve which keeps my head warm on deck. Gloves yes, take an umbrella for tours, and sturdy shoes. I have wooley boots now, but always just used tennie runners before. Long sleeve polos are comfortable with or without the sweater, and silk long johns which can be used to sleep in also. I pack quite light for Alaska and always am comfortable with the above. I usually travel Alaska in September and have had all kinds of weather, however for the most part -- pretty good. Some of the shops on land have hats, some a bit crazy; it might be fun to find one as a trip souvenir, and to also keep warm.

Marianne

Oh yes, this has happened to us. In our early days of cruising we overpacked, each of us with two suitcases. (Today I just use one with a small carryon). We were bussed from the ship to the airport in San Diego. While our bags were removed from the "hold" I saw two of our bags and stood by them, but also watching for the other two. When they were removed from the "hold" I noticed now I had only one bag -- where was the other one? I realized someone picked it up as theirs. Immediately we told an attendant who took charge, telling us "it would be found. Please just wait here so we can bring it to you". Probably 10-15 minutes went by, and we were so very nervous, considering it lost. The attendant was helping others, but I heard his phone ring. Ah, yes, he came right over and told us the bag had been found -- the person picking it up while in line at the airport realized it wasn't hers. We, of course, were relieved and the bag was soon brought to us. As you might have guessed -- yes the bag was black. When we arrived home, one of our next baggage purchases was to replace all bags in the color red. I still use these bags and have never regretted changing colors. No problems since then.

Marianne

I think you will enjoy HAL cruise line. The passengers seem to be more well read, well-traveled and fine food served. BTW -- the PEI was my favorite stop when doing the NE Canada cruise. Am sure you will love it!!

Marianne

As far as I know you will need a visa for Brazil, but check with your TA or HAL for this important information. It took about two weeks for sending and return of our Brazilian visas from Portland OR to San Francisco, via special mailing. We always chose the five-year visa, which we used several times. Hope this info helps.

Marianne

Well, I've been to all the options you've mentioned, and recently returned from a cruise to the Baltic. I loved the Baltic trip and hope to take it again some day. However, --- you mentioned a keen interest in St Petes which isn't really conducive to folks with any type of physical challenge. You will have been post-op surgery for a considerable time, but the streets and areas you will have to walk on are almost always cobblestones or very uneven surface. It is easy to turn your foot even when being very careful.

St Petersburg sites have no elevators, many stairs, uneven pavement and long lines. Standing can be tiresome. Altho using a walker is sometimes possible, the sites do not lend themselves easily to this.

One could do South America but Macchu Picchu is in really high country, and walking in the area would be difficult also. If MP is your main reason to go to South America I would delay a trip there too.

So, I think I like like Kazu's suggestion to do a transAtlantic both ways. You can as suggested easily do the tours or half day visits to the ports, and recover back on the ship. This new surgery will be well along the way of being healed but irritating it in some way or spraining it will not make your trip so pleasant.

Doing beaches is not my thing, so I rarely consider cruises with only those options.

I found the tours in St Petes to be very tiring, difficult to walk, many stairs to climb and then often with considerable distances back to the parked vehicle.

I do hope you have a fab cruise, no matter which one you select. Just am concerned for you after a surgery and hope for all the best.

Marianne

Just got off the Prinsendam and especially enjoyed hearing Anton and Svetlana each evening. They are musicians with great talent and ability. I hope they continue to play for Holland America in future cruises. Loved hearing good classical music again.

Marianne