OlsSalt

You might be interested in watching The Great Courses series "How Our Planet Works" which sets out all the geologic forces at work on our planet - from inside the deepest molten core to the massive layer of volcanic magma, to the ever shifting tectonic plates which all impact what we call the surface "climate". I would not put much credence in CNN or NYT alarmist "climate change" reports targeting only cruise ships in the Antarctic, when so many other factors totally outside our control are at work and have been at work for 13 billion years, let alone add the variability of sun spot activity on earth temperatures. That said - pollution is pollution - and we all need to pay attention to that so the least impactful visits remain the better choice. BTW - "starving penguins" may be the direct result of "saving the whales," since they both compete for krill as their primary dietary source. Our onboard naturalists claimed they had never seen so many whale on our "drive-by" visit last Jan 2020 while we cruised into a quiet bay and spotted hundreds of them, many swimming in "circling bubbling" to capture more krill right off the bow.

Ruta de Cafe - Chiapas: https://trans-americas.com/ruta-de-cafe-chiapas-mexico/ Swiss and Germans bring coffee plantations to southern Mexico.

The number of "drive-by days" is material, because the weather is so variable. So the more days, the better chances of getting at least a few days of clear weather. Bright, sunny and surprisingly "warm" - long days at this time of the year means lots of sun reflecting off the ice. We had exceptionally clear weather on our Jan 2020 "drive-by" with stunning views, but was reported an earlier cruise on the same ship for the same number of days, it was fogged in and they could not see the spectacular mountain backdrops, but still saw lots of wildlife - penguins, whales, and the massive tabular icebergs. If you do pick a "drive-by" by all means pick the longest number of days spent in this region.

When using Navigator on board, the device needs to be in "airplane mode". Maybe others already knew this, but we had to stand in very long lines the first day to learn this along with plenty of others who were also having trouble getting Navigator to work on board. Then we found we did not get reception in several spots around the ship - like in the retreat cabana - we had to move around to make it work. But despite those early set-backs, it was pretty handy to instantly look things up.

Neptune "specialty dining" is typically having breakfast in the lovely and quiet Pinnacle Restaurant in the mornings, or some other specially designated dining room for breakfast - Club Orange on your ship?. Or ordering room breakfast with complimentary mimosas. The Neptune balcony is very large, with a full table and chairs so dining outdoors for breakfast in your cabin can be very special. As well as the many types snacks, small bites and beverages in the Neptune Lounge. I believe there is now an honor bar in the Neptune Lounge, where you can use your drinks package too. I find I rarely to to the Lido for anything to eat during the daytime, when staying in a Neptune. I believe you might also have Neptune access to Club Orange on the Konigsdam for dinner - which is a specialty private venue, but serves the main dining room menu with one extra entree item just for this Club Orange group.

Not one of HAL's strong points. Sorry this has been such a poor introduction to a cruise line that delivers a very good product, otherwise. Try a phone call and get a PCC - Personal Cruise consultant, or transfer your reservation to a trusted travel agent.

You may get an automatic upgrade if you let them choose your cabin - as they allocate the final cabin assignments, and the upgrade fairy waves her magic wand. Sometimes this happens, sometimes not. Some times the upgraded cabin (an ocean view to a verandah) but is in a less desirable location. That is why many cruise veterans do end up paying the premium to choose their own cabin upfront, and get what we really wanted all along. That is the real cruise price - the other options are the discounted cabin lottery price.

Easily cured with mega-doses of Vitamin Sea.

The last really legendary HAL cruises were on the short-lived Maasdam InDepth program that ended a few years ago, along with ownership of the Maasdam, a sister ship of the Ryndam. Those were the days. I did not realize at the time how special those smaller HAL ship itineraries were - I assumed they were "normal". First HAL In-Depth one was a knock-out: FLL to Papeete, Tahiti via Easter Island and points in-between. Later on: SF to Tokyo across Alaska Aleutians, Russia Far East, and 2 weeks circling around Japan. HAL delivered.

More on Shakleton's crew stranded on Elephant Island. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15350763/

Be careful what one is asking for when demanding only boots on the ground counts a true Antarctic experience - remembering Scott and Shackleton. Where I believe they had to boil their boots in order to survive. And knock off more than a few cute penguins for the frying pans as well.

Your original premise was comparing (1) a "drive-by" Antarctic HAL cruise to (2) cruising Glacier Bay in Alaska. That is the failed premise. There was no intent to compare a HAL Antarctic "drive-by" to an Antarctic expedition cruise on Brand $$$$$. Those are apples and oranges. Or penguins and polar bears. Both Antarctic choices can be 100% engaging, even if Brand $$$$ is inaccessible for many due to costs, add-on gimmicks, and rigors of expedition cruise requirements.

I think you just got approximately 1000 new sets of grandparents.

There is also a good argument to be made for not stepping foot on this fragile environment. Regardless of the layers of precautions required by expedition ships, when disembarking. Looking, but not touching is awesome too.

Is it too late to cancel? This was a failed material expectation. However, we have seen solo children on some of our longer cruises, officer's children perhaps? Staff is also available for baby sitting, and one often hears how delighted the crew is seeing young children onboard since they remind them of their own children they had to leave at home. Travel is meant to be adventuresome, so why are you thinking this will be boring even for a young person? What would you do, if this were a land-based 21 day vacation?

It is hugely different, from having done both. The "drive-by" Antarctica is very intimate even when not leaving the ship as one spends quiet time in secluded bays and narrow passages. Everyone is guaranteed these close up views regardless of weather or crowd management clothing and clean-up considerations required by landings. But no, we did not step on the continent. Our 2020 Zaandam "drive-by" was fabulous.

Finca Argovia - in Spanish but there is a contact link. We have been dealing directly with the owners son when we need to order. https://www.argovia.com.mx Another coffee find from the port stop in Costa Rica was "Shade Lady" coffee, another independent operation run by an American writer who lives part of the year seeking out small batch shade coffee producers. But I think he went out to business during "covid".

This 1873 is a special edition from the same company that has long provided HAL's premium coffee - Beukenhorst: https://www.beukenhorst-usa.com We personally now order all our coffee beans from Argovia, in Chiapas Mexico, after several HAL port excursions to this special mountain grown coffee plantation. Even with shipping, it is still less expensive than other local premium brands.

Prinsendam Black Sea cruise was great - wonder if one of the smaller HAL ships could still do this? Barcelona to Black Sea and depart to Athens. Of course, some of the Black Sea ports in Ukraine/Russia would be off limits now, which were highlights of the former itinerary - Sochi, Sevastopol. Yet there were still other very interesting and low key ports in the Black Sea - Romania, Bulgaria and other more remote Turkish ports.

Can't yet find any info about the Pioneer Inn - been part of my family visits since the early 1960's - beaded curtains and fans on the ceiling.

What are some of the longer, themed HAL cruises not to miss, when one has time and resources to allow taking some of the longer three-week plus special destination cruises. 1. Voyage of the Vikings 2 .Tales of the South Pacific 3. Grand Asia 4. South America - Antarctic 5. London to Singapore - Indonesia 6. ???

Sure hope HAL marketing pays attention to this list since there are pretty consistent favorites. HAL has a special niche, well worth protecting and celebrating. And protecting.

Best to let the ship know ahead of time so they can plan for for best service and to have adequate provisioning on hand. That way those who do need these special diet accommodations are not limited by those who chose not to notice the ship upfront.

Count me as someone not particularly enamored with the Dutch Cafe offerings, though it is nice to have food/snack delivery on this lower deck. So it has been a good addition to the newer larger ships and well executed for that. Bravo HAL for celebrating your Dutch heritage. After we tried several menu items, it was back to the Lido for us for any mid-day snacking. We personally like the ready made Grab and Go sandwiches, and never lacked in finding plenty of other good things to eat at the Lido Buffet - small plate appetizers; salad bar; distant lands, custom made sandwiches; ice cream; cookies; desserts; and did someone mention potato chips? I understand the make your own nacho/taco bar is making a comeback on some ships too. It is easier to get to the Lido on the smaller ships like the Noodam, so it pretty much can serve all snacking needs, including access to the Dive-Inn and their wonderful french fries. Along with speciality coffees at the Explorations Cafe. I do miss the extra fee Gelato Bar on the larger HAL ships - that was an excellent product for the price.

How is the NS fundamentally different from the Konigsdam? K-dam was one and done for us.