CruiserBruce

Side of the ship doesn't matter.

Its common procedure in a lot of countries.

Luggage Direct is only available in Ft Lauderdale and Copenhagen. Seattle has it's Port Valet system, which HAL participates in.

We stayed at the Nimb (very nice hotel) more of less across the street from your hotel. So we went the same way. Took about 15 minutes.

A Google Maps search for Copenhagen Cruise Terminal will get you two possibilities. N. Statendam will likely sail from Oceankaj, we sailed from Terminal 2 last summer. If you look at Google Maps, the grassy area across from Terminal two is now parking, Terminal building, etc.

The bar staff and spa employees are on different contracts. Bar staff split the tips under a formula that goes something like (assuming an 18% tip) 12% for the bartenders, 5% for the waiters, 1% for the staff party fund (it has a more appropriate name). I don't know the spa staff arrangement. The specialty restaurant staff are the same as the MDR staff...part of the automatic tips.

So they would know they have to turn anything you might give them into the pool (if you have removed automatic tips).

We are not allowed to name or discuss travel agents or agencies on Cruise Critic. Did you get an invoice for the booking/purchase? If so, the OBC will appear there, and on the Navigator app a day or two before you board. It will not appear on line in your booking.

I don't think the employees, who live and work very closely with other crew, want to be perceived as people who are cheating the system.

As discussed here many times, when you remove the automatic tips, the supervisor of your cabin attendants or dining room staff are notified. The supervisor will advise the employees of the removal of the automatic tips.

Yes, your bags go with you.

Thank you @Shmoo here. There have been a number of doubters around...

You still have to check your bags at the airport. You will take them from the side of the bus into the airport.

Does anyone really read the "Stickies"? I don't know that HAL needs to post this publicly. Its a personnel issue.

That is a WiFi problem, not an internet problem.

You can speak for all crew? There is no milk chocolate on board? I find that very hard to believe.

Tipping has been beaten to death here. MANY times. Tips are automatically taken unless you have them canceled. Please don't. You can still tip additional amounts directly.

Getting in at 8 or 9pm, jet lagged, then an hour to clear Immigration and claiming luggage...not a bad time to check in, hit the sack and try to adjust to the new time zone. Driving 90 minutes in the dark, I see falling asleep.

The OP is saying, I think, that the ship spends the night before at dock in Athens, getting off the ship on day 2 in Athens...that is what I based my comments on. If I misread it, then its entirely different story.

Nope...been researching the same cruise for 2025. Have been on all members of the Vista class, except Zuiderdam. Nice ships. Like their size. You will be fine.

Or leave the ship late in the day via taxi for the airport hotel you are booked into. What you do ashore prior to that late in the day departure is up to your interests.

There certainly are: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/19-africa-amp-middle-east/

@martincath, very well put. "Must see" is what interests the person, not what someone you don't know says it is.

What time is your flight? The airport is around 40 minutes away. If you are going non-stop to the US, you have an extra step before you can board, so arriving at least two hours in advance is needed to be safe.

Have you looked at a deck plan? If you booked a GTY, who knows where you will end up?