CruiserBruce

FB groups are "owned and operated " by the founders. They get to make the rules. That being said, I joined my first FB group a month or prior to a cruise we just got off of today. It was informing and helpful. However, there was also a couple people, including one of the moderators, who put flat out wrong info in the posts, and refused to even correct or acknowledge their errors, even when confronted with the actual facts. No wonder we have so much false info going around that people believe without any thought.

It has been discussed here KDam is going to Ft Lauderdale just for the one Caribbean season, and probably a dry dock. She will return at the end of that Caribbean season.

Only you can decide "worth". We never cruise without a balcony.

Have you searched on the board? George's Taxi is mentioned regularly. There is another mentioned frequently as well.

In one right now on Volendam's sister, Zaandam. Not a single problem with noise.

Or, to just simplify things, would park at the port.

I would call the hotel and ask " what should we do?"

This was a special problem with 3 ships in port at San Diego, not related to the OP's question. It was redacted, and not enforced. I know because I was on the Zaandam that day sitting next to you. The combo of weather, 3 ships in port, fueling delays and a couple of other things made it a total cluster...but the cruise was fantastic.

Impossible to decipher. Can we stay away from amateur investment advice?

You were right ....it was a bartender. Don't do now what you can put off for an hour or two!

They have been eliminated. A month or so ago.

A few observations and bon mots... Orange Party and attire is very popular! I would say two thirds wore something orange, and there were some really creative and crazy attire. The Party was held at the Lido Pool and fairly well attended. This is really growing on people. Today is Cake Me Away day. They had about 15, maybe 20 cakes. The Executive Chef in charge was celebrating his birthday today, with everyone. I passed through 3 times, and every time, he was telling someone it was his birthday, which prompted the nearby staff to lunch into "Happy Birthday ", (again) joined by anybody in the area. Pretty funny. There is also some "desert surprise " at 9:30 tonight. Doubt we will make it. Tom Vassos' final presentation was today. It must have been well attended....we didn't go, but the rest of the ship was vacant. Just before was " A City at Sea", so the crowd just hung around, I'm sure. I hear suitcase packing calling my name...or is that a bartender?

Doesn't matter. Most of your sailing time you will be outside of the view of land. If you are sailing Prinz Christian Sund, the scenery is close on both sides, and your cabin is the last place you want to be.

Ah....where did I leave off... Today is Friday, the last full day of the cruise. The quiet gloom has settled over the ship, both because it is cloudy heading towards San Diego, 20 knots into the prevailing wind and current, causing white caps on the pools, and because reality of the end of the cruise is setting in. Wednesday night was Dutch night. I had the herring trio app. I have never had herring but have wanted to try it. So nothing to compare it with. It was good, but it didn't seem to have much herring in it. I would definitely have it again. DW stuck with shrimp cocktail and tenderloin. The Bami Goreng was excellent. The entertainment was " Musicology " by the dancers. I thought we had seen it before and liked it, but I was confused. Not what we wanted to see. We left early. Yesterday was Cabo San Lucas. Crystal clear, beautiful day. We had booked a "Luxury Sailing" excursion (HIA money). Overall it was very nice, saw whales, great crew, fun time. The water was only 72...about the same as the air temp, so not many people got in the water. Even the crew said was probably not the best time for water sports...which we knew from a previous land tour. The was a couple minor issues that I will address in my wrap up after the cruise. But overall a fun day, recommend it. Last night was a dressy night. Oddly, no entree ( even though there were 10 entrees listed) grabbed us,,so we both had the lasagna. We also both had the escargot. The entertainment was Tyler Bryce again. Maybe not quite as good as his first show, but still very funny and entertaining. Definitely need him to be on more HAL ships. We will eat at Pinnacle tonight. Not sure if I will write again today. I plan an extensive review a couple days after we get home.

Anywhere from 21 days out, to at the pier.

There probably won't be any passport check. Rarely is. You don't tell us when you are scheduled to dock, but 8am shouldn't be a problem.

We just stayed on our ship. The sunset and colors were phenomenal.

Early check in is ALWAYS a facet of availability. The hotel is not going to hold a room open from the night before just for you. And, if it is a hotel that cruisers frequent, room turnover is high. Any hotel will hold your luggage until your room is ready. That is the far more commonly used method. Then there is the phrase "reasonable ". What does that mean?

Yes, it will be moving slowly, so the ship's moving won't cause much if any, wind. That doesn't mean it won't be windy, tho. Mother Nature has the final say. Might be pretty cool, to cold, as well.

The Canadian regulations have been around for a while, and apply to ALL Canadian ports. I wouldn't worry about it, you won't be in Vancouver that long. Adjustments can be made.

4 people and luggage? Going to be interesting...

You can definitely have 2 starters. Have been on the Zaandam for 11 nights now, have had two starters every night.

Have you checked with what your cruise line air program offers? Capacity is still pretty restricted to China, due to slow re-opening of travel to China. So airfares are very high.

It's a trolley on Oahu. I think Hilo is the only other possibility.

I think perhaps a wheelchair is in order for your mother?