I have read

[OlsSalt]

1 hour ago, JOHN 57 said:

Hello, thank you for information.  We used Cruise TT. which gives date and time in port.  Vancouver 3 ships, Juneau 3 ships, Skagway 2 ships, Glacier Bay 2 and of course only 2 ships allowed per day, Ketchikan 3, and Vancouver 2.  Counted the Volendam as part of 3.  We have always wanted to go to Alaska, and the price was right.  We are hoping for the bottom of South America someday, have already been to Southern Europe, but we flew.  Have been unable to sell my wife on 2 weeks.  We also plan on a cruise to Hawaii someday.  Looking over Tom's guides

 

We put off doing the South America cruise for years - just did not interest us and was never on any bucket list. After running out of other major areas  to cruise we finally did it and absolutely fell in love with this entire itinerary - did a lot of it again recently  on another ships, and are signed up to do it again for the third time  with the inclusions of the Antarctic cruising which is the last year HAL ships will be allowed to do this extra extension.  

 

This was a total surprise - it was so low key, not over-touristed, beautiful, scenery and we learned so much about pre-Incan civilizations that we never knew before,  as well as modern political realities found on this very large continent. . They offer excellent speakers on these cruises. Hope you get to this next cruise  goal.  It is a good one.

[JOHN 57]

Hello OlsSalt, thank you for your experience.  Hopefully we will try soon.  My wife is from Colombia (South America), and I am born and raised in Texas.  With Myriam we fit right in. 

[IrwinE]

The bread pudding is one of my favorites. Find it in the Lido at lunchtime where the hard ice cream is served. Which is a good thing cause I have found myself asking for a little extra sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I know, not good- but so good.

[JOHN 57]

thank you IrwinE for confirming, that bread pudding is still being served.  I will see, if it is better than casino bread puddings.   Looking forward to trying.

[cabinluvn]

You might find the mint/ginger/fruit cart unmanned on the lower level with Open Seating, but manned on the upper/Fixed level.  We haven't seen/heard chimes since we were on the Prinsendam 6 years ago. (The P'dam has only one level MDR.)

We had fixed seating on the upper level on the Veendam in January. I would say that the mint/ginger/dried fruit station was manned 50% of the time


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JOHN 57]

Hello cabinluvn, thank you.

[OlsSalt]

Old sea-faring digestive aids: ginger for nausea, mints for digestion, dates, apricots or figs for fiber. As well as adding back in some trace minerals taken out in the drinking water desal process.  

 

One of the traditional charms of the older HAL ships. Has it continued on the brand new ships?

Edited March 4, 2019 by OlsSalt

[JOHN 57]

Olssalt, that is all true.  On cruises, I have had lots of digestive problems, being stopped up and stomach cramps.  This has happened on all cruises, so started drinking hot peppermint tea and going to the gym, that helped a lot.

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, OlsSalt said:

Old sea-faring digestive aids: ginger for nausea, mints for digestion, dates, apricots or figs for fiber. As well as adding back in some trace minerals taken out in the drinking water desal process.  

 

One of the traditional charms of the older HAL ships. Has it continued on the brand new ships?

 

Yes, I saw these at the doorway to the upper level of the MDR on the K in January. I don't recall seeing a Yum Yum Man there. 

[avian777]

3 hours ago, cabinluvn said:

 

 

11 hours ago, catl331 said:

You might find the mint/ginger/fruit cart unmanned on the lower level with Open Seating, but manned on the upper/Fixed level.  We haven't seen/heard chimes since we were on the Prinsendam 6 years ago. (The P'dam has only one level MDR.)

 

3 hours ago, cabinluvn said:

We had fixed seating on the upper level on the Veendam in January. I would say that the mint/ginger/dried fruit station was manned 50% of the time.

 

 

We were on the Zuiderdam in late January, and the  mint/ginger/dried fruit station on the MDR (Upper Level) was manned every night ... and the chimes were tolled before Early Seating each evening as well.

Edited March 4, 2019 by avian777

[Sue from Canada]

13 hours ago, tuolumne couple said:

 Also, If you get the chance, have lunch at the Pinnacle Grill and dinner at Canaletto. You will not regret it! 

I prefer the Pinnacle Grill at lunch as the portions are smaller and you're not sitting there 3 hours.  I also enjoy Canaletto.

[JOHN 57]

thank you for your response

[drowelf]

On 3/3/2019 at 11:49 AM, tuolumne couple said:

Yes! The attendant who rings the dinner chimes prior to dinner in the MDR  mans the after-dinner mint, fig and ginger station. He is facing you as you leave the main dining room. Nice touch. I am sure they have this also in the Lido as a help yourself 🙂

In many cruises on HAL I don't think I've ever seen it in the Lido. If so I'd love to know where they hide it. I love a little candied ginger as an after dinner palate cleanser. 

[JOHN 57]

drowelf, my first time on Holland America.  I will try to find it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have never seen a cart set up in the Lido at dinner time with the mints, ginger, and dates.  Mainly because there are 3 entrances (exits)

[OlsSalt]

37 minutes ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

I have never seen a cart set up in the Lido at dinner time with the mints, ginger, and dates.  Mainly because there are 3 entrances (exits)

 

Never seen this at the Lido either,  but now am seeing these post-dinner treats offered in different ways on different ships - sometimes the cart with the steward, sometimes a set up at the Maitre d' desk at the entry, sometimes the cart on the side of the MDR exit un-manned - help yourself. 

 

Then what do you do with the napkins and toothpicks - that is when I always realize there are no trash receptacles out in the public areas, except the rest rooms. Though we did finally find one in the casino where we would drop off our  little pack of debris. 

 

 

[tuolumne couple]

8 hours ago, drowelf said:

In many cruises on HAL I don't think I've ever seen it in the Lido. If so I'd love to know where they hide it. I love a little candied ginger as an after dinner palate cleanser. 

 

Edited March 5, 2019 by tuolumne couple
.

[tuolumne couple]

14 minutes ago, tuolumne couple said:

Oh, so sorry, my mistake. i was assuming. I didnt mean the cart, naturally, but a side with some set out, i was hoping...Honestly, i am a MDR person. i really dont eat in the Lido at dinner. If you are an exclusive Lido dinner person, i would then go to the MDR entrance and ask for some. I am sure they wouldnt mind. Or ask your Lido waiter for some? I am sure they would comply. I am embarrassed i assumed that they had it in the Lido. I was hoping for your sake. Here is a pic of the set up, though, every evening in the MDR. I hope you make it to the MDR on your next cruise. It really is so much fun with tradition. Happy Sailing. I hear the chimes prior to dinner each evening as well.  Peace! 🙂

Edited March 5, 2019 by tuolumne couple
.