SusieKIslandGirl

Did you max out your Onboard Spending Bonus? You can only earn 1 per day no matter how much you spend.

The meal came in a metal pot and the lid was used for shells. There was 1/2 a Dungeness crab, some clams, shrimp, a piece of salmon, mussels, corn and once with and once without scallops. A piece of garlic bread and dessert were included. Next time DH is going to ask for the crab to be served separately. Once the sauce was added to the pot it made the crab rather messy and hard to remove from the shell. But it was good.

Sort of off topic but still food......DH has done the Seafood Boil twice now and has really enjoyed it. It's usually just one night and held in a sectioned off part of the Lido. I don't care for seafood but I was able to find what I wanted in the Lido and join him at the table. Bibs were provided along with butcher paper covering the tables. It was well done.

We generally just book Verandah cabins but this last cruise, we were able to upgrade to a Vista at no additional cost. It did add a bit of extra room and storage. In fact, we ended up changing our cabin for the November, 2024 cruise to that exact cabin.

Yep, we’re there. Sure hope someone can set up a spreadsheet. Love the ones Jacqui (Kazu) does for her cruises.

I was wasting time, reading online articles, and one of them reminded me of Lemonade Pie. I need to dig out that recipe-especially now that it's gotten so warm!

Me too. You weren’t the only one confused.

I haven't stayed at the Charter Hotel but the location looks great! The other option is to stay at the airport, either the Hilton or the DoubleTree and then take the light rail from the airport to downtown.

Just checked the big box warehouse online and a rental car on May 3, 2024 from 10 am and drop off downtown Seattle by 5 pm is approx. $220 US ($283 Canadian). Booking.com has hotels for $150 to $200 and Amtrak (which says connecting bus) leaves at 9 am, arriving at 12:45 pm or 11:30 am, arriving at 3:30 pm for $100 per person. Flights are about $140 per person. (Can you tell who doesn't want to do the dinner dishes?)

@RozDH and I will be on the Jan. 5, 2025 cruise too. I'm always looking for someone to play trivia with since DH avoids it. Hope we can meet up. --Susie

If you take the train, it would be a bit of back and forth, but the Light Rail goes to SEATAC and lots of decent hotels. Then Light Rail back to downtown and a quick cab to the port. I think I'd rent a car though. DH had to do that when we stayed the night before a cruise in Vancouver. We left one bag on the porch so he rented the car, drove back to Seattle, grabbed the bag and headed back to Vancouver. The border officer did question his quick turnaround in a rental car 🤪.

Have you tried to do a "live chat" or calling either HAL or your TA to see if they can book the spa for the entire cruise?

And it depends on if the bar nearby has that particular liquor.

I love the new electronic digital door lock DH installed a year or 2 ago (can’t remember exactly when 😛), especially since DGD could never remember her key. It’s nice that a temporary code can be used for a visitor or delivery.

Rudi's Sel de Mer (specialty restaurant) has them on its menu. Pinnacle class ships only.

When friends were there, they mentioned pick-up trucks that gave people rides around the island. Take a bunch of $1 bills with you.

Where’s the “WOW” button? Absolutely beautiful-thanks.

And loud snoring is one of the signs along with "holding your breath" while sleeping. The CPAP machine helps so much and it's amazing how much energy you have after starting with it.

It was offered on the Nieuw Statendam last month. The crew member who was leading the class saw me knitting and asked a few questions so I'm not sure how much she really knew about knitting. I think they had supplies, but not positive.

Wonderful report. Thanks for sharing every day!

I just looked at Expedia.com for Rome airport hotels. I chose a middle of July date. There were some decent looking rooms for around $120.

@StLouisCruisers@smitty34877 My DS also turns 51 in August-but that doesn't mean we're old, does it? Where did the time go?

@Haljo1935You are so right!

My DH really enjoyed Rudi’s on the Nieuw Statendam. Lots of seafood options.

Thanks for the update. Now if I can remember the answer if the situation arises!