Today was more or less a rerun of yesterday, except it was a bit warmer. It was not unusual to see more folks wearing shorts while walking on the promenade deck. Those that have gotten comfortable in the lounges will need to be careful, because the rays of the sun can burn a lot quicker as we head south.
We have had a question regarding the photo packages here. Besides the new computers for info in the Photo and Video Gallery, we can find no printed flyers promoting their prices. But we did notice that there is a promotion for a complete package for $299. In addition, you can learn how to make your own personalized metal prints, coasters, desktop panels, and coffee cups and water bottles. On this ship, there is a coffee and crafting corner, also located in the Photo Gallery. It has a large table with many chairs where a group can learn these new projects, we assume. For a price, we also assume.
Another inquiry was about the purchase of t-shirts, which, of course, we wear all year. And regarding the arctic jackets, we found ours at LL Bean and Cabela’s, as they both had a big selection and we can add, are well made.
And thanks for the insight with the margarine that is served onboard. Should have remembered that margarine is non-dairy.
Port talks and shopping maps have been the subjects in the Mainstage the last few days. That gives the guests a chance to book shore excursions ahead of time. We have done most of them, so don’t plan on taking any this trip.
About the best thing we do is eat. So many new items have popped up, it has been a dining adventure. Good thing the portions are on the small side. At lunch, we tried a mushroom and cheese quesadilla, and at dinner, we had beef sukiyaki and huli huli chicken. A strange name for a BBQ sauced chicken breast on macaroni salad. The chefs at HAL have gotten quite creative lately. There has been an ongoing problem with the temperature of our dinner food. We are among those who like our food hot. That will never happen when at least 10 entrees are brought to the waiter’s station, to sit until you are ready for that course. Tonight’s food was lukewarm at best. But then, we have not complained, so they don’t know. That is one thing that being on longer voyages where certain requests makes a difference. For the last two world cruises, we have been blessed with the same waiter, who remembers we order our food hot-hot-hot. And that is how we get it for 100 days plus. Our entire group of 8 to 10 enjoys the extra effort.
We don’t think that the staff deals with many people in the President’s Club. To be more specific, perhaps it is the accounting department that seems to miss the fact that we receive 10 complimentary Pinnacle dinners each cruise. On the Alaska trip, they got it correct every time. However, there might have been a change of personnel in the purser’s office, because we have gotten charges where there should be none. And since we “eat out” often, it requires a trip to the front desk every other day. Working with the Guest Relations manager or her assistant, is the only route to go. It may take until the following day to resolve mistakes, so it is always best not to wait to correct them.
Besides spending a lot of time outside, we also took advantage of the sun on our veranda. Relaxing in the quiet scenery might have been possible if it were not for someone located near us learning to play a ukulele. Played properly, the ukulele can be fun, but learning is another story. The group lesson was in the BB King’s Blues Club at 4pm….a good place for learners.
The Explore 4 promotion is on for the month of October. Or perhaps longer. The good deal there is getting the double onboard credit with the future bookings. We had done this on most cruises, although we are not interested in the drink program. Fifteen beverages each every single day is over-kill, at least for us.
We do hope it will be warmer tomorrow, since we will be in Kauai on Monday. At least we can report that the mighty Pacific has been behaving herself with fairly smooth seas and light winds. This ship is larger than the Amsterdam, and seems to handle the swells with less movement.
There was a musical journey in the Mainstage of Scottish folk music delivered by a fellow called Matt Cairns. A talented musician, he played songs from John Denver and the Beatles, among others.
Bill & Mary Ann
