SeminoleMike

If you get to Skagway or Haines don't miss the train ride up (and down) the mountain in Skagway. Dw's favorite was a helicopter trip (about 1 hour) in Juneau. We flew out to a glacier, landed, walked about a bit, drank glacier ice water that had been there a million years and saw some fabulous scenery along the way.

Our recent cruise was our second so we were considered part of the "Mariner Club". Our benefits seemed to be 2 "HAL Tiles" and a nice brunch in the dining room near the end of the cruise. We had free wine at the brunch~ two glasses if you were alert enough to get their attention at the right time. We were chatting with a couple who were on their 40th HAL cruise (yes 40th) and he made the comment that the only additional benefit that he saw in what they got vs. what we got was that they had free laundry service. Not sure what to do with the HAL tiles, suppose they can be used as coaster on the back deck or patio at home.

Just back from a 14-day Panama Canal cruise on the ms Statendam. We had a few problems that caused us to miss two port calls. The first cancellation was for Huatulco, MX due to that fact that we blew out one of the 5 engines and had to overnight @ Puerto Viarta (unscheduled) and a sister ship (Oosterdam) came by and gave us an engine that they did not need. After the switch during the night we were off again. Two days later, as we approached Puerto Chiapas MX, our ship experienced large swells that required the pilot to abort the entrance to the port as the ship may run aground and/or be damaged by the tidal action when docked. Port call. cancelled. HAL quickly gave us credit for the two excursions that were cancelled. Also, a fellow guest became seriously ill and we made an unscheduled stop @ Acapulco to tender him off to a hospital. We still had 4 port calls that we were able to take as well as the transit of the Canal, which in itself is a real education and thrill. The Cruise Log that we were provided the last day is a fantastic keepsake and summary of the two weeks.

Just back from a 14-day Panama Canal cruise on the ms Statendam. We had a few problems that caused us to miss two port calls. The first cancellation was for Huatulco, MX due to that fact that we blew out one of the 5 engines and had to overnight @ Puerto Viarta (unscheduled) and a sister ship (Oosterdam) came by and gave us an engine that they did not need. After the switch during the night we were off again. Two days later, as we approached Puerto Chiapas MX, our ship experienced large swells that required the pilot to abort the entrance to the port as the ship may run aground and/or be damaged by the tidal action when docked. Port call. cancelled. HAL quickly gave us credit for the two excursions that were cancelled. Also, a fellow guest became seriouisly ill and we made an unscheduled stop @ Accupulco to tender him off to a hospital. We still had 4 port calls that we were able to take as well as the transit of the Canal, which in itself is a real education and thrill.