Mumsysailor
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Some current social issues in Bermuda underlying this decision? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/bermuda-repeal-same-sex-marriage
I fail to see that this can have anything to do with HAL’s decision. 🤨
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Began reading this thread to ascertain alternative ships for Ballroom dancing. We have sailed Cunard, Celebrity and HAL but each for different purposes, not just dancing. Our first choice for dancing is obviously Cunard but we'd like to find other lines that are suitable. Our home port is Southampton and we are not interested in 'hideous' large sized ships. Any more up to date information would be very welcome.
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Please add: Westerdam 12 April 2018 17 day Hawaii R/T Vancouver.
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Perhaps they've found Zealandia and more like it.
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Oops!!
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Juneau. We went with Harv and Marv's and saw humpbacks bubble net fishing! They collect you from the ship and guarantee sightings or your money back. Highly recommended.
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Our ship offers a 3 hour Catamaran Adventure excursion which includes snorkelling for $125 per person. I was wondering if anyone could personally recommend a private tour from Ajaccio which is better value for money from a reputable company?
We are there this coming September.
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I'm glad to say that I've seen the dress code enforced on all three Cunard ships, including a man turned away with black jeans in the MDR on an informal night. If people really don't want to dress for dinner and respect their fellow passengers they should choose another cruise line.
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Apart from the risk of getting held up on the motorway, or any other road for that matter, being a transatlantic if you miss the ship at Southampton, where are you going to catch up with her? Personally, I couldn't cope with the stress of leaving it as late as possible.
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Bon voyage. Wonderful itinerary. Enjoy.
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I must apologise for not making it to the meet & greet - I was feeling a little under the weather.
Yes the seas were rolling a bit but I am usually a good sailor.:(
I would have loved to meet you all, it sounds like you had a
great time. The weather was fantastic, wasn't it?
Sorry we didn't get to meet you too. Who knows, we may have seen you and not realised it. On one cruise we shared a table with fellow roll call members and didn't realise it until the meet and greet.
There was a bit of rock and roll at the beginning. I hope you soon felt better. We certainly had brilliant weather in the end.
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Arrived home safely after a few days on Vancouver Island - well worth a visit! We sure miss all our cruising companions and can't wait for the next time. Sapper1 and Lizzie68, are you doing the Alaska leg after the repositioning next year? We may join you.
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Joining this tour on 28th may and really enjoyed reading about your experiance....my question is this...you mention you saw whales so is there any reason to book an independant whale watching tour away from the ship ??
Last time we went to Alaska we took a private Whale watching tour with Harv & Marv in Juneau. It was mid-June and we had the most fantastic experience of watching humpbacks bubble net fishing for over an hour! I don't think we could top that so probably wouldn't book another tour although I would like to see more Orcas close to. Maybe we'll do that from Victoria before we go home.
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Victoriann, we'll be coming over on the Pacific Coaches scheduled bus service leaving Canada Place at 8.30am on Saturday. Not sure what time it arrives, DH deals with all of that. I'll call you.
13th May - Final Sea Day.
Beautiful morning with sea like a mill pond. Some nice whale activity around 10.30am on the starboard side.
At 11am we attended the Mariner's Medal Ceremony where Lizzie68 and her DH were presented with their 100 day medals cheered on by other Cruise Critic members. The lunch was good but the Chardonay was not to my liking so I exchanged it for the red which was marginally better.
This afternoon was spent packing and booking a future cruise. I'm very happy to say that the future cruise deposit for British Pounds onboard was a good deal. See picture.
Our winning streak failed us with Trivia this afternoon and so did the sunshine as we were plunged into thick fog. On the bright side we got to hear that horn blowing over and over. :) Around 5pm we emerged from the fog with glistening water and spectacular scenery.
As we wanted to make the most of our time together, Sapper1, Lizzie68, me and our DHs had a very informal dinner together before joining Scrapnana for our last chance at Pub Trivia at the Northern Lights. It was evident that the stakes were higher because the questions were a little more obscure. However, undeterred, we went on to win the bottle of sparkling wine for our final encore. We took it along with us to watch The Marriage Game in the main theatre and a very kind bar steward brought us glasses and poured for us.
Our final group activity was to join in the Karaoke at the Northern Lights, singing Sweet Caroline in our own inimitable style.
It's always sad when saying farewell to dear friends whom we've known so long but we're already making plans to travel together again in the not too distant future.
Tomorrow we leave the ship to join up with other dear friends on Vancouver Island while others make their way back home. This has been all the fun and laughter it promised to be and well worth the distance travelled to get here.
I hope all you who read this have enjoyed travelling along with us.
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12th May -Ketchikan
It has been a beautiful day all day today. The sun has been warm enough to wear shorts and a T-shirt. This is the only weather I've known in Alaska as the last time we were here it was hot the whole trip.
There are two other ships here today: MS Westerdam and Norwegian Pearl.
We docked at a little after 10am and, after allowing time for those on shore excursions to get off, we wandered into to town to browse the shops, remind ourselves of the rustic architecture, view the Totem Poles, and to find ourselves some lunch. We found what some might term a 'greasy spoon' cafe just a little off the main tourist route and had an adequate yet inexpensive lunch. The place was occupied by many locals and that's always a good sign to me.
Further wandering took us along Creek Street but we were disappointed to discover that the Funicular Railway was out of order. We continued our slow walk past the many souvenir and artisan craft shops before exploring some of the main shops in town.
At about 3pm we headed back to the ship which was docked at the Northernmost part of town. As we walked along by the dock we noticed the stained glass panels on the street lamps. I didn't photograph all of them but here's a selection - very pretty. We also noticed a tsunami evacuation route sign. The last time I saw those was in Phuket.
On our return to the ship we sat by the Lido pool enjoying the warm sun and drinking cocktails. At 4.30pm we took part in the Trivia Quiz and, again, won with a full house!!! More Alaska pins this time.
While we were in our room getting ready for tonight's dinner at Le Cirque when Captain van Dreumel announced that Orcas where playing just off the Starboard bow and we were treated to another fabulous display. I didn't get my camera there in time to capture them but the memory of them jumping right out of the water in front of us will stay with me forever.
Dinner at Le Cirque was exceptional especially as Clifford was looking after us once again. He is so funny and had our table in stitches for much of the time. He offered us the President's Cut steak again but we declined. There was plenty on the menu to interest us without it. Clifford has a phenomenal memory and often made detailed reference to our trips with him before. I really want to take him home with me.
After dinner we went to the Northern Lights for a bit of dancing before retiring to our room to be greeted with that beautiful little box of truffles.
Tonight the clocks move forward one hour - good job we don't have to be up early in the morning.
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11th May - Glacier Bay.
An early start this morning as we entered Glacier Bay National Park. The weather has bright, sunny and warm all day. Our first whale sightings were early on and were no disappointment. Soon we were out and about on deck and in the Crow's Nest to hear the Park Ranger explain about, and point out, the Glaciers. At 10.30am on the dot Dutch Pea Soup was served. It was very thick, more like Mushy Peas with ham than soup.
The ship halted in front of Margerie Glacier taking it's time slowly turning, first, anti-clockwise, the clockwise, then anti-clockwise again for everyone to take in the splendour of the scenery and to experience the glacier calving to the delight of everyone.
DH and I met up with friends on the aft deck before, once again, taking lunch in the MDR. No food porn on this occasion.
Our journey back out of the bay brought another great show of whales on the port side. We also saw sealions, seals and many interesting birds.
At mid-afternoon we gathered on our friend's large balcony to admire the scenery, eat some chocolate and drink some wine.
This evening in Northern Lights our team, once again, won the Trivia. Our host, Nick, knowing we already had Alaska pins, gave us Caribbean pins instead.
It was Gala Night tonight and unlike the last one, there were white covers on the dining room chairs and the dining stewards were dressed in white uniforms. It seems that more people dressed for the occasion and we saw one or two Tuxes. The usual Surf and turf was on the menu and I must say it was all very delicious.
After our meal we met our friends in the Piano Bar (Mike was playing in the Crow's Nest) for a quiet evening of drinking and laughter.
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This will sound crass :o, but I have to ask about the other orders from those who shared the huge rib eye steak...
My understanding is that there is an extra charge for this entrée, over and above the $29 charge to eat there. Correct?
If so, what happened to the entrée orders from those who shared? Was their share of the huge piece over and above their paid for entrée? Or was there an adjustment on the prices charged if that was the meat portion?
Did that make sense? I'm sort of too embarrassed asking the question to be able to form it right.
Ruth, we were all on complimentary PG dining. DH took the additional $59 charge for the steak and we apportioned it amongst ourselves later. However, Clifford did bring us the 4 big plates of King Crab Legs which were on the Entree menu with no extra charge. It was offered for us to take away the crab meat for later but we thought it too gauche and one wouldn't do such a thing in a fine dining establishment.
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A view from Skagway.
This evening brought us another Trivia win and our coveted Alaska pins were of much better quality this time.
The one on the right is thin aluminium and the one on the left the heavier metal.
A late dinner followed by a brief visit to a game show called The Majority Rules but it was almost over by the time we got there. We took a quick browse at the shops onboard before retiring for an early night ready for Glacier Bay tomorrow. The view when we reached our room was stunning - a beautiful crescent moon over the snowy peaks.
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Some pictures from yesterday - Juneau.
Wildlife!
Icebergs.
Our guide.
One of the many Bald Eagles.
Mendenhall Glacier.
MS Westerdam.
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Monday 9th May
I'm really not into this 'food porn' thing but just had to share the pictures from last night.
Our dinner at the Pinnacle Grill was certainly an experience. We were waited at table by our old friend Clifford who had cared for us so well on previous cruise adventures. It was wonderful to catch up with him and to be reminded of his humour and attention to detail.
I began with Lobster Bisque and Clifford created a beautiful flower design as he served it.
Four of our six decided to share the 36oz President's Cut Steak which was absolutely delicious. Presented to us raw for our inspection before being cooked to our preference. We were supplied with heavy duty steak knives and the PG Manager carved the steak for us. Clifford also delivered to our table four large plates of king crab legs to create a surf and turf dinner for us.
I finished with a Chocolate Lava Dish which was superb.
After dinner we made our way to the Queens lounge to listen to the Karaoke. At one point we were in tears of laughter as DH sang along to 'My Way' when the performer lost His Way. As with any Karaoke, there was a mixture of good and bad but it was a very entertaining evening full of lots of fun and laughter throughout.
I shall retrieve our pictures from our visit to the Glacier from my camera and upload a selection in due course.
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Tuesday 10th May - Skagway
We had already docked at Railroad Dock by the time we opened our curtains this morning. Our starboard balcony was facing the lush green side of the mountain. A little later, on closer inspection, we could read the many graffiti on the rocks, painted there by many a ships crew over the years. It is a very pleasant sunny day. DH and I walked in to town passed the hoards of people lining up for excursions. There are four ships here today and it's very busy.
After browsing in a number of shops and buying a little souvenir, we stopped for coffee at the Sweet Tooth Cafe before heading back to the ship. We didn't take the White Pass Railroad because we have been here before and did that and a walking tour last time we visited. It was nice to just wander at our leisure and enjoy the fresh air.
About mid afternoon we spent a very pleasant hour or so out by the Lido Pool enjoying the warm sunshine. It was great to be able to look out aft to see the Celebrity Solstice in great detail and share a greeting with one or two of their passengers and crew. I just love the camaraderie amongst fellow cruisers this way.
There has been no internet connection whilst we have been in port due to our proximity to the mountains. I quite understand the situation. We seem to forget how privileged we are to have hassle free connections at home with high speeds and consistent service.
Sitting here at the Ocean Bar at almost 6pm with a cocktail we're enjoying music from The Band, a very pleasant quartet: piano, guitar, bass and drums. It appears that a number of people are still arriving back from their visits ashore. Sailaway is at 8.30pm and we'll already be seated at dinner by then so no Sailaway party for us tonight. We'll make up for it in other ways I'm sure.
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For Sapper1 - the long awaited food porn.
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I was woken up this morning by an announcement in the corridor for a "Bright Star" at our room number! There was a lot of commotion outside for the best part of an hour and, because we didn't want to intrude, we didn't open the door. It seems our neighbour has been taken to the medical centre but I don't know what the problem is only that a stretcher, bleeping machines and adrenalin were involved. I hope and pray our neighbour will make a full recovery.
In the meantime, I opened our curtains and got a wonderful display of whales in the distance for a while. The sea is very calm and we are moving slowly through the islands. I believe we have a very brief stop to drop off people for the Tracey Arm excursion.
Trivia was at 10.30am and our team won!! Woo Hoo!! I now have a coveted Alaska destination pin.
The scenery around us is stunning. We passed small icebergs and some more wildlife and it seems we're likely to arrive at Juneau a little early.
After a spot of lunch in the MDR we went ashore, taking a local bus to the Mendenhall Glacier. Our driver, also local science teacher and one time park ranger, gave a very interesting commentary along the way. He told us about the life cycle of the whales, their breeding habits and that the waters along here will be full to bursting with Salmon come June and for the rest of the season. He was very knowledgable and interesting. We went to the Visitor's Centre, a free resource open to all, and there we watched a superb film about the glacier and local area amongst other things.
On our return to downtown Juneau we did a little souvenir shopping before heading back to the ship. We were very pleased to see MS Westerdam had docked while we were away. The Celebrity Solstice is also here today.
Back on the NA the crew were conducting a major Crew Safety Drill, shutting of emergency doors and lowering all of the starboard side life boats. There was only minor inconvenience to passengers as some had to take the long way round to get to their rooms and many of the guest services were temporarily suspended. I'm sure no-one minded as these drills are vital to ensure our safety.
After a brief rest in our room we will get ourselves ready for dinner at the Pinnacle Grill with friends this evening.
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Holland America pulling out of Bermuda for 2019????
in Holland America Line
Posted
My DH has just spoken to our TA - as, although our travelling companions in Canada have been informed our cruise is cancelled, we have not. Our TA spoke to HAL who said the Veendam is being redeployed to the Mediterranean and that our itinerary will most likely go ahead on a different ship. They will keep us posted.
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