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You can name the tour companies you used on your Roll Call. Just not Travel Agents. Example: "I went on Jane's tour in Tahiti. Jane'stour.com" or the like. ~Nancy

I would absolutely never remove the crew appreciation! Why? Because I appreciate the crew!! ~Nancy

@TravelBluebird your little tips are really helpful and also, I have been watching your YouTube videos for more information. Enjoy the day tomorrow. ~Nancy

I'm with you Hank! On ships or land restaurants I learn when the big rush is and go at a different (usually later) time!! Another strategy for going to the MDR is to arrive at odd times. Not at 7:00 but maybe 7:10 or 7:20 instead. When people are meeting other members of their party it's usually at say 7:00 or 7:15 or 7:30.....rarely do they meet up at 7:10! 🙂 Seems to work pretty well for me! ~Nancy

That looks like my idea of a great snack! Of course, then I'd need to wait at least four hours before going to dinner! ~Nancy

Yes. The rest of your questions will need to be answered by others. Have a great trip! ~Nancy

A dinner with a menu that is only offered temporarily. The menus are usually from one of the other HAL restaurants that aren't on that ship. Example: Tamarind isn't on Zuiderdam but one evening on Zuiderdam they offer the Tamarind menu food at the Pinnacle Grill restaurant. I hope that explains it clearly! It's a good opportunity to have some variety in the dinner choices, and, oh yeah, makes more money for HAL!! ~Nancy

On my Fall 2022 cruise, the Shore Ex didn't answer their phone other than the couple hours a day they were "open". In my case, by the time I found out the time had changed, the group had already left the ship. I didn't think to call guest services but if needed again, I'll try that. ~Nancy

This is so important! I have almost gotten caught up with official looking websites that ended up wanting money to do a service that is free on the official government website. Always, always, use the official websites for anything!!! Happy travels everyone! ~Nancy

Crystal! I like that the shore excursions are NOT included like a few other lines. I mainly prefer to do my own thing in ports. Check them out and read reviews here on Cruise Critic. Welcome to Cruise Critic @Arrgghhh and Happy Retirement travels! ~Nancy

I looked at booking a Viking Ocean cruise that friends are sailing on in May, and they are charging the full 100% solo supplement which made a DV cabin about $1000 per day for only me. And they aren't all inclusive. I'm also not happy with the Viking policy of payment in full a year (or more) out from the sailing date! Nope. I would love to go on a Viking Ocean cruise but will also need to see a lower per diem rate. I'll keep looking and watching! ~Nancy

So we don't have to look up all your options, please list the Iceland ports available on the itineraries you listed. Give us a hand here and people will give you lots of info! ~Nancy

There are generally two "dressy" nights on a seven-night cruise. They aren't called formal anymore because most people don't wear gowns and tuxes! (but if you want to...go for it!!) The first is usually the first sea day and the second is the second sea day, but never the last night of the cruise. If you tell us your itinerary/ship, I could be more specific. I think you will enjoy HAL if you are normally a mainstream cruiser. I like them!! ~Nancy

Last time in Tamarind I asked for a couple more onion rings with my filet and the chefs happily (I hope!) provided them! ~Nancy

Here's some older pictures of the same location on the sister ship Zuiderdam on Halfacts.com. Lots of balcony space! Further from the Neptune Lounge which is mid deck 7. Others here have lots of personal info on these and should chime in soon! 8147 – Zuiderdam | HAL Cruiser Information (halfacts.com) ~Nancy

OK, I'll add to this edifying conversation.....Garuda Indonesian domestic flight in 1975....lunch was a banana and a rice ball. ~Nancy

I needed a way to contact shore excursions on my last cruise in fall 2022. On our San Francisco stop the tour start time got changed to 30 minutes earlier than what was published when I signed up. The morning of the tour I casually looked at my phone while getting ready to go down to meet and saw the time change! I had no way to contact the Shore Ex because their phone hours were off. I felt terrible for missing the tour and I really hope that they weren't waiting for me, or any others caught in the time change. I mentioned it in my survey but didn't pursue it. Next cruise I will be more proactive. Shore excursions really need to have longer hours at the very least for phone contact. ~Nancy

This is new to me! Like at hotels, this is a great feature for those people who left their room card inside the cabin....like my friend did!! 😉

Yes it's an "on the books" policy to only charge the overage plus 18% gratuity on the overage only. I can't quickly find it on the website at the moment though, but it's there...in writing! ~Nancy

The same on Signature Class ships. (Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam) Ocean Bar opens in the morning around 10am until 11pm or midnight. The band played usually 3 sets 6 days a week. ~Nancy

Short answer is No. Has it ever happened in the history of Holland America Line? Maybe Enjoy your trip! ~Nancy

As others have said, it has been HALs practice since I have been cruising with them (2006) to raise the beverage package limits to cover the "standard" cocktails when prices go up. I really believe this is imminent but this time they seem to be dragging their feet or are just really disorganized!! 🙄 ~Nancy

I love the glass and espresso cup in the Crow's Nest picture! I don't drink coffee so hadn't seen it before. I'm also loving all the detail and pictures in your posts. All you Oosterdam Antarctica posters present and in the recent past, @NorbertsNiece @Btimmer @WriterOnDeck @StLouis Cruiser @scubacruiserx2have been doing an exceptional job of sharing with us! It's really getting me excited to take this itinerary! ~Nancy

I sure hope no one was throwing panties at him à la Tom Jones!! Loving your blog as usual Pete! ~Nancy

I use https://www.cruisemapper.com/ for tracking my friends.....and Cruise Critic posters. 🙂