Hawkeye1946

Hi, Bill and Mary Ann!

I've been living vicariously through you two for at least four of your wonderful journeys and have very much enjoyed doing so.

Silly question....is there a Bill and Mary Ann stateroom on the Amsterdam, meaning do you try to stay in the same cabin each voyage?

Thank you so much for doing this. I'm looking forward to travellng with you on the WC.

Sue

I have issues with standing for any length of time. Last spring on the Veendam I was advised to check in with the muster station leader and then told to go to the Atrium for the duration of the drill. The instructions were heard on the PA system. Also, two crew members were there and demonstrated the life jackets for us.

I hope it's the same plan on the Oosterdam....I'll find out on Sunday!

Sue

Hi, BSR!

I've been reading the message boards. It seems the embarkation lunch for Mariners is no longer. There is now a welcome aboard gathering between 3:00 and 4:00 ...to end just before the muster drill. I have only had lunch in the Lido on the first day ONCE. What a rat race!

Last HAL cruise (see below), I learned that you can request the daily "newspaper" be delivered to your cabin. They used to do it automatically. They do have places around the ship where you can get one...but they go fast.

When announcements come overr the PA, many people open their doors to hear them. But, they are streamed onto your TV..the channel that shows the bow cam.

Another Lido comment....many assume the food offerings are the same for breakfast...the are not. Most of the food is the same; however , one side has Eggs Benedict (many variations) ....I seem to think the starboard side. Other side serves Belgian Waffles.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sue

Last Spring on the Veendam, Guest Services advised me to check in at the muster station and then go sit in the Atrium during the drill...which I did. I am not disabled, but cannot stand for long periods.

I wish HAL would do what Celebrity does....have passengers go to various indoor venues with seating, then demonstrations are given.

Sue

Hi...

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I can't find it...please excuse!

I will be traveling solo and looking for a decent hotel with complimentary shuttle from airport and pier. An on site restaurant would be nice. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

I thank all of you. I can't make any plans yet...when my husband was ill, I let my passport expire. As soon as the new one arrives, I will get down to serious planning!

Sue

My husband recently passed away and I would like to disburse his cremains near Puerto Vallarta. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Hello, Roy.

My name is Sue and I have been thoroughly enjoying travelling vicariously through your wonderful updates.

We have some wonderful former neighbors who are travelling with you. I'd be very surprised if you have not already met them. They are George and Pauline from Tucson. He is a very well-travelled retired Presbyterian minister. Both of them are quite short and chances are good that George is wearing an

Aloha shirt. If you see them....say "hi" to them from Sue & Steve.

Thanks!

Sue

We sailed on Celebrity Solstice this past September and were awed by her. We booked just two months prior to sailing and got an excellent price on an Aqua class stateroom. See signature for HAL cruises. We love the ambience of HAL and almost always have been upgraded or up- sold...last time to a Neptune suite:D! I demand a veranda, DH refuses to pay for it until HAL no longer allows smoking out there.

What we loved about Celebrity - besides dining in Blu:

-Muster Drill inside at various venues - so much easier to bear.

-Cafeteria set up...hardly ever ate there, but the flow was great....no standing in line, no pushing or shoving, and always plenty of open seating.

-VERY limited smoking policy.

-No "in your face" photographers.

What we missed about HAL:

-The beds!!!

-The wonderful Library....altho Celebrity's was a very nice two level affair, it doesn't even come close to HAL's offerings.

-The daily updates from the Captain...Captain on Solstice had one brief update on a ten day cruise!

All in all, I would love to get another star...but until that one policy changes, it's a deal breaker. (No flames please...I smoked until just eight years ago.)

Sue

Hi,Dave...

I've thoroughly enjoyed your blogs! We'll be repeating this journey on the March 12 sailing.

A couple of questions...what are they charging for WiFi? And...have you heard any comments about the Lanai cabins? We'll have a lanai...a "heads up" would be welcome.

Thanks!

Sue