jeh10641

I like both Blackjack and Roulette. I do not care about the odds since I am going lose my budgeted gambling funds anyway. What i do care about is the smoke on HAL ships so pretty much stay away from the casinos. Jim

Bread pudding is my favorite food. Due to health restrictions my intake is severely limited. But I always have it at least once a week on a HAL cruise with lots of exercise in between my intake of it. Jim

I have been debating the value of Club orange with myself for months. I have decided that its costs/options do not warrant the expenditure. We like specialty dining. We like "My Time" dining in the MDR with different folk every night. Jim

August! I have been to Alaska over 60 times for business (never on a cruise) from Fairbanks to Ketchikan. Jim

Whatever the entertainment options are on a cruise ship, attending them is optional for the passengers. How many of us have created music playlists for our electronic devices (I have several depending on my mood; now I am listening to a You Tube Hawaiian music package that i heard many times)? How many times have you viewed a favorite Broadway show? On my recent Royal cruise, we went to see We Will Rock You (for the first time for us) and there was audience participation for many of the songs. Obviously, many attendees had seen this show many times. How many sporting events have you recorded that you want to watch again (and again and again)? I have several. Repetition is NOT a bad thing if you enjoyed what you saw. Jim

Me, too. Jim

I have heard from a You Tube source that HAL charges only the difference between US$11.00 and the cost of higher priced cocktails if you have the drink package. I NEVER buy a drink package, either for alcohol or not. They are not cost effective for us. I do not know if that includes Scotches, Bourbons and the like. Jim

I think an enhanced driver's license is also valid for Canada. However, I do know if they are available in all states. I live near Seattle and have such a license. Jim

Hi, Norris, We stayed at Hotel Conscious Park Tire Center (I know, it sounded weird to me as well) that is located about 30 minutes by tram from the Centraal Station (train). The staff were wonderful. The extra cost buffet breakfast was very good. Lots of dining options within 10 minutes walking distance (we are in our 80s so factor that into time). We went to a concert at Concertgebouw for which the price was an unbelievably low-price (29 Euros) on a Saturday night. We sat in seats along the left side wall (as you face the stage) with about 6 feet of legroom and nobody sitting in front of us. It was an aisle. If you have not seen it, try the WWII Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam: Plantage Kerklaan 61) and Zaanse Schans Tour: Prins Hendrikkade 74, 1012 AE Amsterdam which is a tour to a windmill museum. I found both on Trip Advisor. Look for FEBO fast food outlets for a very unique dining experience. It is an automat with food served through little window compartments. I think it has limited stool seating. Better than your standard McDonald's or Burger King by far, with some local food options as well as good burgers (most under 3 Euros). I know that there is one just off Dam Square (short walk from the Royal palace/City Hall complex (to the left with your back to the Palace). Take the historic antique tram ride around the city (about 45-60 minutes) located in/near Dam Square as well. If you need more, let me know. Jim

Hi, Norris, We spent a week in Amsterdam in October 2023. If you need a hotel, dining or sightseeing tips, let me know. Jim

At the implied suggestion of several correspondents in this stream, I sent messages to the Mariner Society and HAL Ship Services about the embarkation MDR lunch. From both, all I got was a form letter stating that I would be contacted later. Both of my notes were sent out before Friday March 15. As of today, March 18, no further response. (For reference only, I am a Three* and loyal HAL patron since 1959.) Jim

While I was still employed (I retired in Feb. 2011 at age 70, after which "work" became a four-letter word I do not use in public!), I traveled to Alaska about 60 times from Nome/Fairbanks to Kodiak to Ketchikan (and many places in between). Each trip was a minimum of two weeks, usually late February (around the time of The Iditarod), early May and early September. My last stop was always Ketchikan. In those 60 trips, I encountered snow once in September and rain more frequently but not every trip by any means. I have not been to Alaska for more than a decade. Weather patterns may have changed as they have in the Seattle area. I would take rain gear. Jim

This is certainly a unique cruise. I think that only small ships spend this much time in these ports. Victoria is certainly worth 10 hours (or more). Butchart Gardens should be really colorful at this time of year. Jim

I live in Seattle. There are some days of sun every month of the year. April is usually fairly nice but I would expect a couple of days of rain for this cruise. Jim

We are in our 80s and agree.

My first cruise ever was in 1959 (17 years old, student tour to Europe between high school and college). It was the Nieuw Amsterdam, 1938 version. There were three classes of passengers then - first class (access to the whole ship), cabin class (access to the lower two tiers only) and tourist class (access only to the lowest tier places). God forbid you cross the lines (as teenagers, we did!). It seems cruise lines are slipping back to that. Jim

You are right. I meant to say National Park Rangers. Jim

Hi, Norris, I use bold font because it is easier for me to see. I hope that does not offend you. In my signature below is a review I wrote on the Rotterdam after our cruise in December 2021. Pinnacle class ships of HAL (Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) are my perfect size ships. We are going on the Koningsdam in January 2025 to Hawaii. Talk soon. Jim

Hi, Cliff, Here is what I used: :HAL_Ship_Services@hollandamerica.com Jim

I suppose weather might have an influence on eating outside, on any day.

Not the same experience.

Fewer staff members, less cost.

I, too, sent the following note to HAL. "Hello, Gentle People, I have been a fan of and cruiser with HAL since 1959. My 3-Star Mariner status is a result of my loyalty. From a thread on Cruise Critic, I just read that the Main Dining Room will not be available for lunch on embarkation day. That is truly disappointing. I hope you reconsider that decision before my next HAL cruise in January 2025. The Lido Buffet on HAL is the best I have found on various cruises and ships. On embarkation day, it is a zoo since that is where cruisers are directed for lunch. Are the Dive In, NY Pizza or the Grand Dutch Cafe open now on embarkation day? If not, why not?"

I hope that is not the case.

You will love HAL, I think. In Alaska, they are reputed to have the best naturalists onboard because of their longevity sailing to Alaska. I have been sailing on HAL ships since 1959 (age 17+). Most recently (since 2012) on the Westerdam, Oosterdam and Rotterdam (Koningsdam in January 2025). Never cruised to Alaska but went there for business about 60 times. Now I'm retired. Have not been to the state in over 20 years. I look forward to taking my wife on a cruise there maybe in '25 or '26. Jim