Davidson Duo Posted February 24, 2014 #76 Share Posted February 24, 2014 FYI. For all those wishing that HAL would provide an intranet system that will give you on board access to account, event, etc. information on your TV or mobile device, it has been reported that they are currently in the process of getting this installed. I am unsure of the completion date, but I imagine it is all part and parcel of the new update to their Internet system that is being installed and tweaked ( :D ) at the moment. I am sure it will take a bit of time for the whole fleet to be transitioned, but HAL obviously HAS listened and is taking action. I also feel there is an interesting attitude from many people who view use of paper as a horrible, environmental catastrophe that damages our air because of loss of CO2 producing trees. In looking at the progress made in the logging industry, it is clear that MORE trees exist in planted forests used for harvesting (just drive south eastern US roads to see the acres of planted forests in previous cotton fields!) than a few decades ago. Improved logging practises mean more jobs, increased tree planting in designated tree farms, and more CO2 produced for those concerned about the air quality. And a lot of paper nowadays is made from recycled product, so it also helps reduce items going into landfills. Is there an over abundance of paper coming to our cabins on the ships? I think probably, but when you consider that our cruise fares are kept to a minimum as a direct result of add on sales that the cruise line can generate while we are on board, they need to "advertise" to their onboard market, and the most successful way of doing that is by paper to each cabin. And - it is a tried and true method. It does work. As a passenger on their ship, I am their target market. I very rarely turn my TV on while onboard. I am usually out and about enjoying what the ship has to offer. My husband will turn our laptop on once a day to check for messages from family, but the only time I check it is if he says there is a message for me. And that has been downloaded to the laptop just for me to review, I am not on the internet myself. When at home, we are as tech savvy and plugged in as any youngster these days, but when cruising, we have other interests to keep us occupied. I have no need or interest in reviewing my account during the cruise before they deliver my end of cruise account summary. And we are not phone people, so our cellphone that is strictly used for emergencies when traveling when not on cruises doesn't even get unpacked when on board. On the other hand, my brother and his wife have their iGadgets attached to them at all times, and their TV turned on whenever they are in their cabins. So I can see why HAL has continued to focus on paper communications to this point, but why they have now felt it is financially sound to invest the big money to introduce a new tech option for those so inclined. I think there are now enough HAL cruisers interested in the online option to make it financially viable. But I also expect the paper option to continue, as we are not alone in liking to receive our on board information in paper form. I like feeling that paper in my hand while reading about what to expect on board that day, and what joys await me at our next port. It takes me back to my first cruise in 1977, and keeps my nostalgia of cruising fed. What it would really be neat to see HAL do, is pick my name for that free cruise!!! :) I can't wait to get back on one of those Dam ships! There is a comfy deck lounger out there with my name on it, and I can't wait to meet back up with it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellieanne Posted February 25, 2014 #77 Share Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) TV system would work. I'm all for less and less paper. It's astonishing the amount that HAL uses that is wasted. Less paper means more trees and more trees means less CO2 in the atmosphere. I am not of the "younger" generation, but I have a smartphone, a laptop, and a tablet, and use them frequently. I usually bring my laptop with me, although I don't use their crappy internet service. If HAL wants an on board internet and can do it right, that suits me just fine. Everyone else that wants it on paper can stop by the front office and pick it up. Most paper is made from specially planted trees in managed forests. If they are not making the paper, the companies are not planting the trees. Additionally, why should I have to GO to the front office everyday when they can drop off the paper when they clean my room? If you don't want the paper, I am sure you can walk to the front office and ask that they not be delivered. Edited February 25, 2014 by ellieanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted February 25, 2014 #78 Share Posted February 25, 2014 (edited) A family remedy (assumably for most) is ginger ale for an upset stomach. I thought it was the bubbles, maybe it was the ginger.Again from Wikipedia:Ginger ale, as with other ginger products, is often used as a home remedy to alleviate indigestion or motion sickness, or to relieve and to soothe coughs and sore throats. Studies on its effectiveness as an anti-emetic have produced mixed results, with most finding that ginger extract will relieve symptoms of nausea. Because most brand-name ginger ales contain ginger flavoring rather than actual ginger extract, most experts believe ginger ale's popularity as a home remedy is the result of placebo rather than ginger. It also contains high levels of sugar, which can cause an osmotic shift, that can affect the bowels more than the desired effect of the ginger. Now here they are talking about the pale dry ginger ale that is most popular today. The old-fashioned Golden ginger ale may have had more real ginger in it. Edited February 25, 2014 by jtl513 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsyAnne Posted February 25, 2014 #79 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I do not know if the same goes for every ship, but on our last cruise on Rotterdam a couple of weeks ago, the "On Location" was also posted outside of the main dining room, next to the menus of the day. Thank you and richwmn for your responses... I have two new places to look on my next cruise. Trish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHOPPERTESTER Posted February 25, 2014 #80 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Again from Wikipedia:Ginger ale, as with other ginger products, is often used as a home remedy to alleviate indigestion or motion sickness, or to relieve and to soothe coughs and sore throats. Studies on its effectiveness as an anti-emetic have produced mixed results, with most finding that ginger extract will relieve symptoms of nausea. Because most brand-name ginger ales contain ginger flavoring rather than actual ginger extract, most experts believe ginger ale's popularity as a home remedy is the result of placebo rather than ginger. It also contains high levels of sugar, which can cause an osmotic shift, that can affect the bowels more than the desired effect of the ginger. Now here they are talking about the pale dry ginger ale that is most popular today. The old-fashioned Golden ginger ale may have had more real ginger in it. Bring the little cans of Canada Dry Ginger Ale on-board for the real stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHOPPERTESTER Posted February 25, 2014 #81 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I'd like to see interactive TV with: Shipboard account status MDR & Lido menus of the day Room service ordering E-mail capability Excursion ordering Specialty restaurant reservations Stateroom messaging service Steward messaging service Disembarkation status TV timer for shut off Wake Alarm on a prescribed channel Satellite radio channels On our first cruise on CCL Destiny, sorry Sunshine, in 2000 they had casino interactive gaming on the TV. Not anymore though. Intranet for phones would work to, hopefully, get rid of personal radios/walkie-talkies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St. Louis Sal Posted February 25, 2014 #82 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I'd like to see interactive TV with: Shipboard account status MDR & Lido menus of the day Room service ordering E-mail capability Excursion ordering Specialty restaurant reservations Stateroom messaging service Steward messaging service Disembarkation status TV timer for shut off Wake Alarm on a prescribed channel Satellite radio channels On our first cruise on CCL Destiny, sorry Sunshine, in 2000 they had casino interactive gaming on the TV. Not anymore though. Intranet for phones would work to, hopefully, get rid of personal radios/walkie-talkies. I totally agree with this list of TV options. We loved being able to order room service on the TV when we cruised on the Celebrity Equinox. There was no waiting on hold, it seemed like the meal arrived more quickly and everything was just as I ordered it. I would prefer to check my statement periodically and just let them email me a final copy to print out when I get home. Having the lunch and dinner menus would be nice as well. Unless we're in a Neptune Suite we usually trek down to the MDR to check the menu at some point because what's being served sometimes changes what we eat earlier in the day. Someone earlier in this thread (sorry, forgot who it was) mentioned not wanting the card on the bed wishing you a good night from the Captain. Because they are blank on the other side I keep them and write notes on them. All the ads go into the recycle bin. St. Louis Sal no cruises currently booked :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneFougere Posted February 25, 2014 Author #83 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Bring the little cans of Canada Dry Ginger Ale on-board for the real stuff. And then there's the joke I remember from my youth about "America drinking Canada Dry". It's amazing what kids find funny. I have no doubt that the placebo effect is a big part (even all) of the value in the remedy but it's my childhood memory and I passed it along to ours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted February 25, 2014 #84 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I don't know where I heard it, and don't know how true it is, but I thought the difference was that there was more, real, ginger in soda decades ago, and that was why our Moms gave it to us when we had upset tummies. It worked. Today's stuff is either/both watered down, and imitation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted February 25, 2014 #85 Share Posted February 25, 2014 ... but I thought the difference was that there was more, real, ginger in soda decades ago, ...Right - the "golden" ginger ale. There's a couple of companies that still make it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneFougere Posted February 27, 2014 Author #86 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I'm disappointed to hear Canada Dry list “100% natural flavours, including real ginger” on their bottles (http://bitemywords.com/2012/02/21/how-much-real-ginger-is-in-ginger-ale/) What a weasel clause! I remember an aunt who used to make ginger beer. They didn't let the kids drink it though :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boytjie Posted February 27, 2014 #87 Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) The MSC Divina has a web based app that is supposed to allow access to a variety of information and even allow users to text each other. I never got it to work on our recent cruise - it kept tossing out error messages. So not all cruise lines are up and running with apps ;) Edited February 27, 2014 by Boytjie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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