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Unless someone is like me and gets motion sickness fairly easy that far forward and high up! Midship or slightly aft on deck 5 or 6 works well for me! ~Nancy

When I was gifted some of that I saved it for Mimosas one day. It was ok for that. 🙄

Yes it is, but they are there to assist you in getting your ice bucket filled and such. I have always had the steward stop by when I enter the cabin or shortly after. Some people have reported that they didn't see their steward on day one, but I think/hope that is a one-off situation! I consider myself a thoughtful ship guest but getting an ice bucket doesn't feel like I'm "bothering" them at all! Ask away and enjoy your cruise! ~Nancy

I agree. I thought I would only go once in 2002...four times later and I "think" that will be it, but, who knows??? 😉

Harv and Marv's Outback Alaska | Juneau Whale Watching (harvandmarvs-juneau-whale-watching.com) There are other well reviewed Whale Watch trips such as the company @RuthC mentioned, Allan Marine. I didn't know about the catamaran tour Ruth mentioned at Hubbard Glacier, but would definitely try that if I go back again. I took a catamaran tour with Allan Marine from HAL to Tracy Arm Fjord and it was excellent! I highly recommend that one.

Oops...posted the same time a Dawn and Allan. 🙂 We did offer similar thoughts! Hubbard and Glacier Bay you stay on the ship for scenic viewing (!!!!) and get commentary from the Park Rangers on board in Glacier Bay. There should be two talks in the afternoon, one from the Ranger and possibly a native American speaker. Ketchikan seems like a good day to wander around town and DIY. I've not taken any tours there but depending on your interests there are other things to do outside of town too. Visit Ketchikan Alaska Sightseeing Tours in Ketchikan (visit-ketchikan.com) Look on the Alaska Ports of Call forum as well, here on Cruise Critic, to find lots if info from a wider audience than just the HAL forum. Alaska Cruises Q&A: Find Tips & Recommendations - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums Have a great cruise and enjoy the planning. Alaska is just beautiful! ~Nancy

Use part of your excursion credit in Skagway to take the train. Then after there is still time to look around Skagway. Whale watching in Juneau. I took Harv and Marv and had a great trip with only about 25 people on the boat. Lots of whales and orca that day! ~Nancy

Keep in mind to make an accurate comparison of fares that the Base Fare is Non-Refundable and the HIA fare is refundable.....big difference for me. That is probably why your comparison is more than $50/day. If you compare the HIA fare to the refundable "Advantage Fare" (I think that's what it's called) then you get a difference of $50/day or less. The negative is that the Advantage Fare isn't listed on the website, you have to ask your TA or HAL consultant what that fare is. ~Nancy

It's nice to see Amtrak has the real plates/utensils and meals back again after the pandemic. The one dining car meal I had on the Coast Starlight about 7 years ago was (surprisingly) good! 🙂 ~Nancy

Nice colors in the sunrise picture today, Roy!! What hotel and where? Florida? I will go look for your CC posting, I guess. ~Nancy

Those iceberg pictures are building the excitement up for sure!! Reading your blog as well as Jo Johnston's ( @WriterOnDeck) and others posting, I am very convinced that I want to go on this itinerary after my 2025 trip that is already planned! Maybe November or December of 2025.......a long way off but can't wait too long for many reasons! Thanks to all posting for being and inspiration to Just Do It!!! 😁 ~Nancy

NOT be standing in a line!!! I don't like sore feet! 😉 ~Nancy

I just linked several threads for the OP to look over in their other posting. Trying to keep their info in one thread, if possible, to simplify things. 🤷‍♀️

OP, if your questions aren't answered after reading the links above, then come on back here and we will be happy to try and answer your questions. 🙂 ~Nancy

Read the response in the other post you just started about this please. No need to start two posts on the same subject. Club Orange Program Benefits (hollandamerica.com)

Please read the website link below and also look at all the many posts about it here on CC. Your questions will be answered! No need to rehash everything here for the umpteenth time. Club Orange Program Benefits (hollandamerica.com) Enjoy your cruise, ~Nancy

The Club Orange dinner menu is the same as the MDR menu plus one more entree choice. ~Nancy

I hope you will be posting your blog for this one! Have a great time Roy. ~Nancy

I booked the PP on a cancellable rate about a year before my cruise then watched the prices as time got closer. The price did go down and I just called the hotel itself and they adjusted my price to the lower one. No problem at all! I always book directly with hotels and join their loyalty programs (which are free) and get a few dollars off the room rates. I had a very nice stay there twice and loved the Pacific Club room. The views from the Pacific Club Lounge were spectacular, as was the service! ~Nancy

That's sad. What ship are/were you on? What was their response on the phone when you told them how you felt? Thanks for the review, ~Nancy

They are now back on several of the ships. ~Nancy

It's interesting that at my house, about 8 miles from Clayton, it's also 77° F this afternoon! It's pretty warm for this time of year. 🙂 ~Nancy

I'm enjoying the details and all the architecture pictures! I have had the experience that some of my most memorable guides have all been teachers! ~Nancy

No line for early arrivals. There is a line for Priority Boarding. (4* & 5* Mariners. Club Orange. President's Club. Neptune and Pinnacle Suites) ~Nancy