QuattroRomeo

You know David, I agree with you. Might do half and half! I've read a couple of reviews that spoke to disembarkation congestion. So  "taxi there, transfer back" is looking appealing, just to make it easy!

Welcome to cruising! You have chosen a great itinerary for history buffs. It will be very port intensive, so likely lots of walking. Pace yourselves! It is so nice to just put your feet up when you get back from each port and not have to worry about making dinner! We've done the same itinerary as Greysandy. 

What plans do you have for tours? 

Very good, thank you. We've only been to YVR once before, and that was during Covid, so not the best time to judge things!

We have only recently become 'westerners' and hope to cruise a lot from Pacific ports now that we are closer. As you know, every port is different when it comes to transportation, and we've done taxis, shuttles and ship transfers, so your outline is very helpful. Our cruise will be a Sat-Sat, independent air, and I only see 2 ships in port for the dates, so I think we could manage waiting in a cab queue leaving the ship.

P.s. what/where is the independent shuttle you referred to as an option on really busy port days? I haven't found one yet during my searches.

Is there any problem or delay getting a taxi from the YVR airport to Canada Place, and then back to the airport again after disembarkation? 

It is of course less expensive than the ship transfer service; but are there any advantages to using the transfer in this particular port? Or just stick to a taxi?

There does seem to be a real difference in quality from ship to ship. (Of course that goes for just about anything)!

Last May (2022) aboard the Koningsdam, Canaletto was just excellent. We ate there 4 times on a 7 day cruise. I am hoping the menu there now is the same ( i.e the old one with daily specials).

On the Rotterdam this past winter, Canaletto was disappointing during our 2 visits. On CC people were starting to say that they couldn't do Canaletto reservations online and wondered what was happening. So I asked the hostess there if she had any news. She said that a new menu was being rolled out March 8 (our disembarkation date), but she didn't know if it was fleet-wide.

Cruisemom, the meal you had with gnocchi was likely the braised beef. My favourite.

I agree with your affogato comments- R-dam's was ridiculously small too. Last year on Kdam it was full-sized and very good. Don't know yet for K's current size-status! Seems like an odd choice of dessert to cut back on!

My favourite dessert is the Sicilian cassata torte - doesn't show up on the new menu though..

When we were on the Rotterdam in March, HAL was about to change the menu for Canaletto. But did the new menu get adopted for K-dam? When I look at our current booking for K, the sample menu is still the old one. (Which would be nice because I prefer it)! Anyone familiar with the old one know what is actually offered now? 

No, you don't need pressing service if you get laundry done- your clothes will be ready to wear! As Haljo mentioned earlier, the pressing service is for clean clothes. For example, the wrinkled mess we sometimes pull out of the suitcase.. gentlemen often use it for suit jackets. Or of course anything linen!

2 hours ago, Edinburghgirl1 said:

We are first time HAL cruisers and are thinking of buying the laundry package for our 35 night cruise in February. The website states wash, dry and fold however others have said their clothes come back ironed! Will we have to purchase the separate pressing package too or are the clothes pressed in the unlimited laundry package? 

For 35 days, I would definitely get the pkg. Not only will you save $$ compared to the per item pricing, it is just so convenient. We sent some laundry practically every other day. Doesn't have to be a full bag, so those items you like to wear a lot can be back in your closet in no time! And, it is just so adorable how they carefully fold your socks and underwear and wrap them in tissue paper..! 😄

We had the Unlimited Laundry pkg on our 21 day Rotterdam cruise this past Feb/Mar. I asked the cabin attendant for an extra laundry bag, and then would write cold water/air dry on one of the order sheets for that whole bag. Worked great. We sent several bags of laundry and had no problems. We noted the laundry service specifically on the post-cruise survey, because it was so good! 🙂

I empathize; I sure would be livid if I couldn't sleep in what is essentially a floating hotel, because of a problem known to them. The Kafkaesque saga you endured is so frustrating. And then to have it all topped off with the "gang of six" stormtroopers?!! Lordy, lordy! 

I really do hope you get to enjoy the rest of your cruise, now that you have "sleeping quarters"!

The OP is probably fast asleep in the alternate cabin..Or, the GM's assistant has cancelled OP's wifi..😁

How far did you get?!?

Happycrafter, I feel your disappointment. It makes me so mad and sad that after all these years, so many cruiseline excursions continue with the same old herd mentality and make no attempt to improve. Mediocrity continues yet prices keep rising.

For those going to the Med later, please Read the cruise reviews on CC. Read the Ports of Call boards on CC. Join tours on your roll call. 8 people in a tour minivan beats a busload any day!

I really hope Alaska is a better experience for you. I see you like YVRteacher's posts, and she has several tips for Alaska after multiple cruises. There are lots of other reviews building up already as well. Check out the other cruise line reviews; the ports are the same! We have only done one Alaska sailing. I booked a trip with Alaska Shore Tours- Yukon Discovery tour from Skagway (signed up directly online with them) and it was an excellent day. 

Another thing I like is the security of being on board. What I mean by that is when travelling with a partner, or family or friends, you can split up and do whatever interests you at pretty much any time of day or night, and not have to worry about them. They are on the ship somewhere!! 

Enjoying the sounds and feel of the ocean. And, unpacking only once!

Yay!! So glad you had a fantastic tour from Livorno. We loved Volterra, even though it  poured rain there for us, too.  Aside from the at-times-too-controlling tour guide, you had a memorable day! The Boccelli experience sounds really interesting; will have to put it on the to-do list!

Your tour from Livorno sounds wonderful, I hope it is so! Sorry that Messina and Naples weren't as good as they should have been. We always do private tours in the Med and make specific requests for stops and food, so I guess that makes a big difference. We did go to Volterra and it is really a neat place. A small walled city - cobblestone everywhere so wear comfy shoes. Beautiful alabaster carvings, bowls, etc in the shops there and really nice Etruscan style jewellery. I hope you have time to really enjoy the place. P.s. if you happen to be into the Twilight movies there are shots taken there. I don't really  know the movies but there is certainly "atmosphere" in this town. I also look forward to your account of the Bocelli experience! Enjoy!

Seafood in Sicily....sounds like a winner! Hope you enjoy.

Tell me you asked  where to get the octopus wall art!!!

Thank you for the gorgeous photos and excellent commentary. And you're right- Utrecht is lovely! Glad you enjoyed your trip and bet you will revisit some of these places!

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Found our spot to rest the heels 

 

What a terrific looking skillet of shellfish- limpets? Did you like them?

What a fun display! I even recognize a few items from this trip! Thanks for sharing it.

Do you have a photo of your updated travel wall?

Thanks for the information and beautiful photos!

Looks like you had a lovely ladies' cruise! We've been to these ports so it was very nice to see your beautiful photos of them. Did you have a favourite tour?