oakridger

I get motion sickness way more easily in a car or bus than on ships. Consider taking Meclizine (Bonine) before a bus tour (or small plane/helicopter). I always carry it on ships but rarely have needed to take them. ~Nancy

That was the answer I got on HAL when I first started sailing on them! I'm a night owl too and the bartender did stay there until I left! I stayed as long as there were any other people too. I didn't feel right making him stay up for just me, but he would have! There should always be at least one late night venue available. `Nancy

I would like to believe there will be bar service in said public lounge. 😉 ~Nancy

I love that word "whinging"!! I learned it from my British sister-in-law. It's just so descriptive of what some people sound like when complaining!! 😏 ~Nancy

I always take Meclizine (non-drowsy motion sickness medication. Generic for Bonine) before a small plane or helicopter ride. It's what I carry on all cruises but have rarely needed to take. Check with your doctor before taking it. ~Nancy

Lots and lots of Alaska port information on this Cruise Critic forum. Alaska Cruises Q&A: Find Tips & Recommendations - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums ~Nancy

The excursion price in 2018 was about $300 per person. Here's a picture along the way.... Oops, it's the next post.

You are absolutely right, and I read it wrong! I'm sorry Rich! I'm too tired so should wait longer and reread before commenting. Have a good day aboard. ~Nancy

Hi Rich. Is this comment highlighted in yellow above a typo? Did you mean "has NOT been better"? Thanks for your thoughts! ~Nancy

Hello and welcome to Cruise Critic @Leigha7! I have been to Glacier Bay 5 times and also the Tracey Arm excursion from the Nieuw Amsterdam. The Tracy Arm is a different experience because it's in a much smaller boat so the perspective up by the glacier is wonderful! That excursion has been the one I enjoyed the most of any HAL excursion so far. If you are comfortable with the price, I highly recommend it! If it means skipping another different type of excursion than for your first Alaska cruise I would go on the other excursion instead. (Whale watching, Skagway train etc.) Since I have been to Alaska a few times I would choose the Tracy Arm again! Have fun, ~Nancy

@Flyinby, Gary, thank you so much for the detailed information. Just what I was looking for! It all sounds like the kind of trip I am looking for and now I just have to wait.......!! I'm planning on time on land in Norway before and/or after the Havila voyage. A lot to investigate, but that's part of the fun for me. Tussen takk, ~Nancy

I sure hope, for everyone's sake, that they get Yosemite cleared and open before you arrive! ~Nancy

That was also what I did! No special booking package needed. The front desk also told me in September 2022 to just let them know at check in and it will happen. I gave the bellman $5 tip for one bag. The Fairmont Waterfront across the street also did this for me. Picked up my bag the morning of the cruise and I tipped the bellman. Saw my bag next onboard. Sweet!!! ~Nancy

I plan on staying here on the left coast for the entirety of Spring Break Season in South Florida!! About 9 friends and I drove from Kent State in Ohio down to Ft. Lauderdale for spring break in about 1973 and even as a member of that demographic I did not like it at all!!! 😱 ~Nancy

Hello @Flyinby and welcome back from Norway! Your trip went by so fast! I read your posts over on the Hurtigruten thread. Thanks for those! One question about the dining room food....is it okay to ask for slight changes to the posted ingredients? For example: I'm wondering about something like leaving off a sauce, or no mayonnaise on a sandwich. Or asking them to cook the, as you described "scrambled eggs (semi-runny though)" a little more, so they aren't runny? I know that a drastic change in ingredients or cooking method may be a step too far in this type of setting! I don't want to insult the chef or disrupt the kitchen flow!! 😲 I'll be going in June 2024 so the excursions will change due to the season, and we will go into Geirangerfjord also, so no excursion needed there. I will be in a Superior Seaview, not a suite, so am going to consider adding the Gold Package and beverage package. I do appreciate that if I don't get the Gold Package, in the dining room I can still order one of the dishes on it for about $15 if I really fancy something. I'll do the math on the beverage package to see if I should get it. I do like some wine with meals and some beer maybe while watching scenery. Do you have any comments on any enrichment/history/culture talks that may have been onboard? That is a major aspect of what I loved on my previous favorite regular cruise line. (Crystal Cruises sadly went belly up). Havila says some various talks are offered. Anything you have time to share from your trip will be greatly appreciated! Now, I'm hoping to hear that the last two ships, Polaris and Pollux will be put into service soon! Thank you, ~Nancy

Such a cute couple in those wedding pictures!! What an exciting life you are having! ~Nancy

Isn't that a picture from Symphony? The WC is on Serenity. ~Nancy

True, maybe I misinterpreted when they said they had to "only show up once". I thought they meant the "once" was on day one of the cruise. Maybe they meant once beside the first day?. ~Nancy

On Rotterdam and Nieuw Amsterdam last fall the person behind the counter in the area by the premade sandwiches would make one for you from a small selection of meats and cheeses and the bread or roll you selected. I also got meat from the carving station (turkey, roast beef, etc.) a few times and a roll and made a sandwich from that. I don't like the premade sandwiches because they usually have something on them I don't want and not enough filling! ~Nancy

Go for the 14-day trip! I've not sailed on Princess, but the itinerary is so good and covers a huge portion of the coast. June will have the midnight sun at its best all the way north in Honningsvag. You may even have a crossing the Arctic Circle ceremony on board! Please let us know what you decide. ~Nancy

Welcome to Cruise Critic @BostonBoy2! In Puerto Rico your USA phone plan works just like in other parts of the USA. It's a good time to take advantage of that while in port. The ship WiFi works intermittently, sometimes well and sometimes not at all. You can't "depend" on it if work requires you to be available at all or specific times. Double check on the roaming when at sea because I "think" it will cause you to have horrendous bills. Best to consult with your cell carrier for specifics. Have a great trip! ~Nancy

I don't think this posted above by @Quo Vadis? is following the law. See @chengkp75 post #4 regarding the minimum laws. I have always had to do a muster at least every 30 days on any ship. ~Nancy

Thank you at @Real NHDOC for the firsthand from the ship information!! There are some serious communications disconnects here!! The OP was told something very different by HAL Ship's Services department. (See below) ~Nancy

I'm trying to imagine why they would even close Canaletto. The kitchen is right there, and the dining space is right there. Curious to hear what is going on. ~Nancy