oakridger

I haven't returned to the HAL afternoon tea since my first one in 2006. I think the Crow's Nest, or some other "lounge" type place is a better atmosphere than the noisy dining room sitting at a table for 6 or 8. I miss the real clotted cream for scones and some nice classical or easy listening live music. That's how I like my tea service! 🫖 I guess it isn't traditional, but I prefer a cart with a selection of the treats going to each table so we can select what and how many of each item we want. That's my wish list for afternoon tea! ~Nancy

I wasn't clear when I said there was not a naturalist. There definitely were park rangers on in Glacier Bay on all my cruises there! They were very informative and offered entertaining presentations. I meant that HAL didn't have any subject expert outside naturalist/lecturers on board for the cruise. ~Nancy

Slightly off topic but I'm looking at taking Amtrak to San Diego for a cruise. The train arrival is at 01:00 am. I'm leery about walking around as a solo female at that hour even just over to the Intercontinental Hotel. Do any of you locals have any comment on how safe it may be? Thanks, ~Nancy

That level of special requests for off menu ordering is what you can find on luxury lines at a much higher fare. Mainstream cruise lines like HAL, with a 2400 passenger capacity, are not generally prepared to accommodate those bespoke special orders. I love Crystal Cruises, maybe try them next time. As the others have stated, the staff on HAL will do what they can with what is available to try and please diners. I hope your group has a great time on HAL and I think you will with appropriate expectations! ~Nancy

Maybe your TA already booked you with the HIA rate? ~Nancy

Nieuw Amsterdam and all the other non-Pinnacle ships only show movies in the main stage or indoor theater (if the ship has one). There are movies on demand on the cabin TVs. Konningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam have the movies in the Lido pool area. ~Nancy

Dang!! I wonder if the cost difference will change as time passes or stay the same???? ~Nancy

Or Windstar? ~Nancy

I responded to the other thread you started! I see you did start a roll call but you should put the full date in the title so anyone looking for that cruise can find it and to get more views. ~Nancy

Did you post your question on the RCCL forum? Do you have a question in particular about solos on this cruise? Also, a suggestion for posting here on Cruise Critic. It's best to put a specific question or comment in the title of your thread in order to get more targeted responses. Just saying Hello doesn't draw views or responses! Good luck and Welcome to Cruise Critic! ~Nancy

Try this video at 0:28 Bing Videos ~Nancy

In my experience when I have signed up for webinars like this with various travel entities, they have always offered them as reruns after the webinar so I could watch them later. This is good because I am rarely in a place to sit and watch in real time. Go ahead and register and see if Hurtigruten will allow you to watch later. ~Nancy

That surprises me that yours would be so much. My recent cruises have always been approximately $100 but depending on area selected it went up some from there to select my cabin. Check this random booking I just tried:

The Club Orange Dining Room on Rotterdam is along the side corridor of the aft of the ship. Starboard side just a bit forward of the MDR. There are openings in the wall of the CO where you can see out the side windows slightly but no direct view. Depending on when you are sailing (winter) it could be dark outside at dinner time. The MDR has not changed and has large windows on the side and aft. From halfacts.com Club Orange wall ~Nancy

My last HAL cruise to Alaska did not have a naturalist on board as @Ken the cruiser referred to. The CD presented some talks but there was no subject expert sadly. I sure hope they start having a professional Alaska presenter! Other than that, I have very much enjoyed my HAL Alaska cruises! ~Nancy

Eurodam will have the Rolling Stone Lounge with live music/dancing most evenings. Usually they play three sets. Eurodam doesn't have the BB King Lounge, only the 3 Pinnacle class ships have that. The Ocean Bar will have live music of more easy listening and dancing music also three sets each evening. The main stage will have possibly a dance company, comedian, maybe another type of act or singing quartet. It varies. The main stage is the weak spot in my opinion. As @CruiserBruce mentioned, Eurodam may have some version of a piano bar in what is called "Billboard Onboard" but that area is in transition it seems. ~Nancy

I am smiling reading this! I have enjoyed your blog and CC posts so much over the years and it's wonderful to hear you will be back to sea in a few days! Take it easy and enjoy every minute! ~Nancy

What did Mr. Bear do on the island? Did he enjoy the visit enough to overlook the tendering hassle? I'm so happy reading how much you are enjoying this cruise after you had such a long cruise "drought" after the pandemic! 🙂 ~Nancy

As @WriterOnDeck mentioned, I hope you went to Paihia/Waitangi! It's a nice area and cute town. I wanted to go to the Treaty Grounds, but it was closing in 15 minutes when I got there......next time! ~Nancy

Hey @elklemi I see you are from Oak Ridge! (me too, hence the CC name) There is at least one other person here on Cruise Critic that I know of from there! I left there after 5th grade but was last there in 2000. I hope to go back to visit again sometime. I'm looking forward to your review! I'll be on Star Breeze in 2025. First time on Windstar. ~Nancy

Thanks for the informative video @Tahitianbigkahuna. The background picture is beautiful. Where is it? ~Nancy

@moto_italia Excellent! I do appreciate your time to answer this question that I believe many of us were wondering about! I hope Crystal will proceed to improve the improvement soon!!! 🙂 Thank you, ~Nancy

Ask any bartender before you purchase any drinks on the Signature package.

Yes, thank you for anything you would like to share with us! I'm very seriously considering a BA to Santiago or vice versa via Antarctica in the next couple of years. Have a great trip! ~Nancy

Mariner Society (hollandamerica.com) For 4 and 5 star only: 3 Star discount: No discount for anyone at Morimoto. ~Nancy