Many Questions- HAL Newbie

Hi! I thank any/everyone in advance for taking time to answer a silly newbie's questions (which I'm sure won't be my last here) :D

I did my first real cruise this last December on the Carnival Glory. I did the whole solo thing and I needed to stay cheaper since I was paying double. But this time I am going with my mother on the Westerdam in January (very early for asking for help, I know) and I have a few most likely dumb questions about HAL.

I am also sorry if these have been answered before, I went back many pages and wrote down the questions i had that i didn't see answered anywhere. The HAL for Dummies post is ok, but more bar talk that I care about since I'm not much of a drinker.

1. Is there anything like the Faster to the Fun program that Carnival has? The super fast check-in was a godsend last time. I don't see anything about it on the site, but its not really the most informative thing on the web.

2. Do you have to bring/wear the life jackets for the muster drill? I know I read on the boards the last time that a lot of lines have moved away from this, but I haven't seen anything about it for this one.

3. In the few reviews I've seen, it seems like HMC tendering is a big issue. Has anyone else experienced as much trouble as the reviewers complain of? I'm really looking forward to the stop and worried I'm going to have to miss it.

4. I read that the smoking is much less restricted than on Carnival, and that you can smoke on the balconies. Is it generally bad? I know you can't speak for every sailing, but I have severe asthma and I'm quite sensitive to smoke. We have a balcony room, and it's a guarantee so I'm not sure where it will be. And yes, I've read people's opinions about getting guarantees, but saving $200 was pretty much the difference between going and not for us.

5. I know it's trivial, but is there possibly much chance of finding someone to play Canasta, or is there any gatherings to play games? My last cruise there were some card game gatherings, but none for that. I know its stereotypical of both the line and game that both are for an older crowd, but its really hard to find anyone around me to play since its not a common game anymore but I really love it.

6. We're going on the January 2nd Eastern Caribbean sailing, and I'm curious about the general crowd level for this time of year. I know it's just post holidays, but most grade schools go back in session during that week. I see there's a large number of ships in each port when we're going (many more than my last) and I wondered if that translated at all to people on board.

7. I can't find it listed, but is there anything like what Carnival has that's the water/tea/lemonade/coffee/hot chocolate that's available 24/7. I really enjoyed that and the indulgence of the ice cream machines being open as well.

8. Does anyone have or know where I could view a daily program from the type of sailing that we're on? The most recent I dug up with some googling was from 2010. I know it'll always be different, but I'm curious about the general direction and feel of the schedules.

9. Because I've sailed Carnival, I've got the star mariner status. I see there the embarkation lunch, etc. and I was wondering if you're given tickets or something for it or if they just can tell by your card.

Thank you so much for reading my ridiculously long ramblings :rolleyes:

I'm using the boards to make myself feel better about having more than 6 months before my next vacation, it's the longest I've ever had to wait from booking until travel and I'm not so good at the whole waiting thing...*sigh*

If there's any other tidbits you fabulously knowledgeable people have, let me know :D

Thank you! ~Illy

1st and foremost - there are no silly questions! Hope I can help.

1. Is there anything like the Faster to the Fun program that Carnival has? The super fast check-in was a godsend last time.

*Only for higher star mariners and suite guests. HAL is very efficient and the ships are smaller so it goes fairly fast.

2. Do you have to bring/wear the life jackets for the muster drill?

*Nope

3. In the few reviews I've seen, it seems like HMC tendering is a big issue. Has anyone else experienced as much trouble as the reviewers complain of? I'm really looking forward to the stop and worried I'm going to have to miss it.

*In high seas tendering is always an issue. I have some mobility issues and have never really had a problem.

4. I read that the smoking is much less restricted than on Carnival, and that you can smoke on the balconies. Is it generally bad? I know you can't speak for every sailing, but I have severe asthma and I'm quite sensitive to smoke. We have a balcony room, and it's a guarantee so I'm not sure where it will be. And yes, I've read people's opinions about getting guarantees, but saving $200 was pretty much the difference between going and not for us.

* HAL allows smoking on balconies, in one section of the back deck and in the casino (be careful in the casino as can get bad). As a recovered smoking (and smoke now bothers me) have only had an issue in the casino.

5. I know it's trivial, but is there possibly much chance of finding someone to play Canasta, or is there any gatherings to play games? My last cruise there were some card game gatherings, but none for that. I know its stereotypical of both the line and game that both are for an older crowd, but its really hard to find anyone around me to play since its not a common game anymore but I really love it.

*There is usually a sign-up sheet in the library (or Explorer's) for people who want to play games so you may find a game there.

6. We're going on the January 2nd Eastern Caribbean sailing, and I'm curious about the general crowd level for this time of year. I know it's just post holidays, but most grade schools go back in session during that week. I see there's a large number of ships in each port when we're going (many more than my last) and I wondered if that translated at all to people on board.

*Would guess your ship will be fairly full but it is not that big. There are many more ships in the Caribbean than ever before. Here is a link to find out about what is in port and the ship's sizes: whatsinport dot com

7. I can't find it listed, but is there anything like what Carnival has that's the water/tea/lemonade/coffee/hot chocolate that's available 24/7. I really enjoyed that and the indulgence of the ice cream machines being open as well.

*You can get water, ice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate in the Lido at any time and the room service menu is 24/7.

8. Does anyone have or know where I could view a daily program from the type of sailing that we're on? The most recent I dug up with some googling was from 2010. I know it'll always be different, but I'm curious about the general direction and feel of the schedules.

*Someone else can post the links for these as I don't remember but if you try googling hal and cabins, you may get directed to a website that has tons of info. There is a great website out there that has tons of info and pictures but we cannot list the address here - sorry.

9. Because I've sailed Carnival, I've got the star mariner status. I see there the embarkation lunch, etc. and I was wondering if you're given tickets or something for it or if they just can tell by your card.

*You just show up at the MDR (may need your Carnival card to show status) but have rarely seen anyone being asked.

You will thoroughly enjoy the great service on HAL. It will be a bit more quiet on the ship as there will probably not be belly flop contests. Have a great cruise!

People in wheel chairs and scooters and those in the Pinnacle Suites board the ship first. Then those in the Neptune Suites and 4 and 5 Star Mariners board next. All others are given numbers. Boarding usually begins around 11:30 and goes fairly quickly. HAL usually has the cabins ready by 11:30 so that you can drop off your carry-ons and do whatever you want, go to lunch, explore the ship, etc.

Since you have sailed on Carnival, yes you are entitled to lunch in the dining room as you are now a 1 star mariner. You just show up -- lower level of the dining room -- it is from Noon until 1:30. Some times they close the doors early.

No you do not need to take or wear your life jacket to the life boat drill. It is held outside -- you stand under your assigned lifeboat.

Some times the lines are long for the tenders at HMC. I see that you will be there on Jan 3 with the Zuiderdam. One of the ships will use their own tenders and the other one will use the larger island tenders. It will be quite busy on the island that day.

There is a sign up board at the Librarian's desk in the Explorations Café for games, etc. You may or may not get lucky on finding others to join you.

We always have a verandah and there have been a few times when we were not able to use it because of the smoke issue. No predicting who will be smoking around you.

Additionally, while not available 24/7, HAL has a station in the Lido that serves real ice cream with the flavors changing each day. You must try it as it is soooo much better than soft serve.

On HAL you will have access to your stateroom as soon as you board. Anything that you will need or want immediately just put into your carry on bag. The delivery time of the rest of you luggage can vary but normally we have ours before Muster.

When we have gone ashore at HMC we have never had a delay or problem with the tenders. That being said, we have never wanted to be the 1st passengers off the ship either.

Welcome to HAL! :D

Just addressing your Half Moon Cay question - The seas tend to be a little rough in the Caribbean in October - early December. A lot of the posts you see about missing HMC are from that time period. You're sailing in January, so things should be smoother.

The rough autumn conditions affect many of the tender ports, not just Half Moon Cay. Cayman, the Dominican Republic, and other ports are often a little bumpy. It's not just the tender ports either. We were on the Nieuw Amsterdam last year and had Key West, which isn't a tender port, to ourselves because a Disney ship couldn't dock.

If you are using the big island tenders on Half Moon Cay, it's pretty efficient. I kind of remember that they added additional tenders at HMC, but I could be wrong. We usually head down past the Captain Morgan pirate ship, and that part of the beach is usually much less crowded. There's also a bathroom nearby, which is a big deal for my people. ;)

We haven't been on the Oosterdam since 2004, but it was one of our most enjoyable cruises. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Thanks you guys! I always love how awesome these boards are. Informative and keeping me from going crazy waiting so long to sail!

Tendering can be a hot mess at HMC. It seems like all 2000 plus people want to get off at once. I really wish they would have tender tickets there because people are backed up the stairs waiting to get on a tender. I refuse to be in a crush of people waiting to go so that usually means waiting a while even though I have priority tendering.