Oceanwench

Not everyone is a 100 years old that sails on Hal :rolleyes:. I was a toddler when jfk was shot. That said, either carnival or RC would likely be a better choice for the op.

 

True, not everyone on HAL is 100. There are a few in their 80s. :rolleyes:

 

Obviously I am a HAL fan -- BUT the OP has been cruising DCL and would find the HAL pax a lot older.

It was VERY noticeable to me - the age of the DCL pax. Mostly families. Very young families with babies, toddlers, teens.

 

I have to say, we met NO disagreeable people on DCL. Never saw a passenger complaining or crabbing. Wish I could say that about HAL!!!

People were friendly, enthusiastic, helpful.

DH is in a wheelchair and people were so considerate of him. Several times I had to stop to adjust him when he began to slouch - and had fellow passengers stop to ask if I needed assistance or if he was OK. That meant a lot to me.

 

Having more than a dozen HAL cruises under my belt, I have to say that DCL is geared to families and caters to youngsters.

HAL attracts an older demographic.

Each has its own niche.

Doesn't make one "better" than the other. Just different.

 

For us, the ship is the destination.

Have you considered Norwegian?

We were on Norwegian Escape and were impressed with all the activities, shows, etc.

NCL has three MDRs - all open seating - and a buffet restaurant, plus lots of specialty venues.

Tons of bars - and usually they have a promotion that offers a beverage package.

Comedy club, dueling pianos, Broadway show "Million Dollar Quartet," dinner theater (extra charge) with songs from '80s movies ...

Irish pub that is complimentary dining venue.

 

Water slides, ropes course.

 

Escape is the newest ship. Getaway and Breakaway are fairly new and have many similar amenities.

 

We were impressed and booked a family cruise on Escape.

 

 

I would not recommend Princess. Friends just cruised on Regal Princess with their kids (oldest is 17) and they said the kids were bored.

I am a 4-star Mariner on HAL.

Just got off Disney Fantasy yesterday, my first experience.

 

I would say that you would find HAL far less exciting than DCL.

I was blown away by the service, food, activities and whole cruise experience on DCL.

 

HAL has one MDR, with choices for fixed or open seating - unlike DCL, which offers fixed seating and rotation through 3 MDRs.

Like DCL, you can choose to eat upstairs in the Lido for dinner too.

 

HAL's breakfast/lunch in the Lido is buffet, but not all things are self-serve - whereas most were self-serve on DCL.

Soda is NOT free on HAL, the way it is on DCL. And ice cream (soft serve) is not self-serve the way it is on DCL.

 

We don't go to the shows on HAL, mostly because we enjoy the Piano Bar so much (we follow a certain player, and we usually cruise with a group of fans).

On DCL we went to four shows and they were outstanding and full of that Disney magic!

 

HAL doesn't offer a movie theater experience the way DCL does in the BVT. (Not a real "theater")

But HAL's popcorn is free!

We watched the three original Star Wars movies, plus the newest one, in the BVT with surround sound and they were awesome!

 

Dress code is more formal on HAL in the MDR at night, whereas anything goes in the DCL dining rooms, from what I saw. Shorts and T-shirts predominated.

 

On HAL the dining room is much quieter, and you will be able to carry on a conversation.

And you won't hear pounding footsteps up and down the halls all hours of the day and night!

We rarely have seen more than a handful of kiddies on our HAL cruises ... But on DCL, well, crowds of kids are a given!

 

Oh, no Pirate Night on HAL! LOL

 

Palo blows away Pinnacle Grill in the specialty restaurant category!

 

Debarkation from Fantasy was a breeze - walked right off the ship.

Finding luggage was easy because not only do they have luggage arranged by character, but also by room numbers (the third number in your cabin number, so our luggage was in section 9)

With HAL, we've been in long lines and it always feels like a hassle to find luggage, get through customs, etc.

 

All in all, we had a fantastic DCL experience and wonder if our next HAL cruise will seem boring!

I came here to ask - pre-cruise - about redeeming Chase rewards dollars, and about the need to take original Rx bottles along when cruising.

I got a mixture of responses.

Here is what I found when we cruised.

 

Chase - I went to guest services when I boarded and told them I'd been advised I could get my Chase dollars while on board. I was told that when the ship returned to port on the final day, they would have the card and dollar amount.

After breakfast on the last day I stopped by guest services and they gave me a card and had me call Chase to activate it. Then they swiped the card and the $$$ was credited to my account.

 

On any future cruises I will be sure to have my rewards card loaded prior to sailing!

(This time I could not, as I had one of the cards that expires at the end of the year and had not requested a new one.)

 

Meds - I packed about a dozen Rx bottles and cut the Rx label off two boxes of meds to take along.

No one asked to see anything. I had a pill container with some of my meds in it, in my purse. No one questioned it.

Next time I would not take the original bottles with me.

I always carry a list of meds with dosage, etc. info.

Enjoy!

I hope your weather is a lot better!

We had wind/rain in Cozumel, then couldn't dock at Castaway Cay because of the weather.

The whole last day was windy, rainy and COLD!

I was underwhelmed with the deck stage show. People waited a long time to get good locations - and the show seemed too short for the long wait.

 

The show started at 10:30 and many went to the screenings of The Force Awakens at both theaters at 8:30. So at 10:20 there was a large influx of people trying to get a look at the show. It seemed as if the whole ship were there!

 

Fireworks/music was awesome!

 

I don't know what else they could have done with the show though. It was a treat seeing C3PO and R2D2!

Our server used a tablet on the Westerdam in December.

We all joked about how he could track everything we did all day. :)

 

I don't see how it's any different from taking notes on a order pad, it gets the info to the kitchen quicker, and individual preferences can be noted as others have pointed out.

 

Technology happens.

Just got home a few hours ago from our first Disney cruise.

 

Since I haven't been on one previously, I can't compare this SW@Sea cruise to a "typical" Disney cruise.

 

There is definitely a SW presence the entire cruise, but that is because of the passengers. Even on embarkation you could see SW T-shirts, luggage, ball caps, etc.

On the ship, there was a lot of SW merchandise in the stores for the entire cruise.

There was a big SW@Sea set (for photo ops) in the atrium, which was there all week (but roped off much of the time). It magically disappeared before the end of the cruise.

 

Throughout the week the SW movies played in the BVT, and on the SW@Sea Day, the newest film played in both BVT and WDT.

No Disney characters were out and about that day. Everything was dedicated to SW.

The SW characters roamed decks 3,4,5.

There were photo ops (done by tickets with specific times) with SW characters too.

 

People did keep on masks - and there was someone in an inflatable Jabba costume.

Lots of light sabers too.

 

My husband is not a SW fan and had never seen the movies, but he went with me to see 4-6, and twice to see 7! (They had some showings in 3-D)

 

Disney wants SW to be one day, totally immersive, of the 7-day cruise.

But the passengers keep The Force front and center all week.

I was there - it was awesome!

 

All the Star Wars stuff is gone for this week, but returns for the next Star Wars at Sea Day.

 

Our first Disney cruise and it was wonderful. I am hooked.

Thank you, you all have a wealth of info!

Thanks for sharing!

 

I have cruised many times (4 star mariner on HAL) and never took along bottles or boxes.

I do have a list that includes all his meds and dosages. I have that with our passports, and a second list in my pocketbook. Also includes doctors' info.

 

I will check that on my iPhone - thanks!

 

And also thanks for info on the cords. I will scour DCL site for that form.

Wading through DCL's lengthy list of prohibited items and other info.

 

Does everyone bring along prescription meds in their original bottles?

DH has almost a dozen meds, plus two injectables.

That's a lot of bottles - and the injectables have to go into an insulated carrier, so I'd have to take the boxes they came in separately.

 

Usually I put his meds in a plastic container that separates them into 7 days, with four different times to take pills. It's the best way to manage so many meds.

 

Thanks!

 

Oh - and how easy is it to get extension cords from guest services, since he can't take his own? He has a wheelchair and a CPAP that need to get plugged in, and outlets are usually a distance from the bed.

Don't know about your rock legend entertainer, but you had the one and only Jimmy Maddox in the Piano Bar.

We go two hours early to get seats when he's playing!

 

Our server in the MDR was cute - told us how he had all our info on the tablet, so he knows where we are all the time while on the ship!

From HAL's web site:

 

"With a wide range of food & dining options, we invite you to dine 'As You Wish®' To savor Italian cuisine one night and a perfectly grilled porterhouse steak the next. To take your place in the Dining Room at a specific seating time or be spontaneous, following your desires"

 

Open seating is only one part of As You Wish dining.

 

Thank you for your extensive research!

 

As I noted, this has long been discussed on this forum.

Even HAL has published materials in which AYWD was synonymous with open seating.

 

I should have taken a photo of the AYWD host's name tag. Next time I will.

Then ask him what it means.

 

I only brought this up because someone else felt the need to correct the OP's use of the term.

You can get rewards cards at the parks, but the Chase site does not mention the cruise ships:

 

Pick up at Disney Theme Parks

 

Pick up a Disney Rewards Redemption Card at the Guest Relations locations listed below. Present a photo ID and your Disney Visa Card.

 

Walt Disney World Resort, located directly inside and outside each Theme Park

Magic Kingdom Park Guest Relations Window

Magic Kingdom Park Guest Relations at City Hall

Disney's Hollywood Studios Guest Relations

Epcot Guest Relations

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Guest Relations

Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort Downtown Disney® Marketplace Guest Relations

Downtown Disney West Side Guest Relations

Thanks. I really feel the Chase customer service person misled me.

She got upset when I doubted her - but honestly, what she said about picking up a "blank" card onboard really seemed unlikely.

 

This cruise came up suddenly, nothing we had planned for in the long-term, and I never thought about using rewards on board.

Then I read some posts here about doing it - so I called Chase.

 

I don't have a rewards card right now - it expired 12/31/15, so I used it up last time I was up at the parks.

[quote name='innlady1'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"]I, too, am surprised that your PCC, a HAL employee, would book you in one if you don't need it. IMO, they should be saved for people who are truly mobility challenged.

In addition, they have a roll in shower for a wheelchair. Why would someone not needing that want one? Most that I've seen when walking by have limited furniture. No sofa, etc.

No advantage that I can see for a person w/o mobility issues. [/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]


All of the HA staterooms we have stayed in on HAL ships -- VA to SA - have had sofas.
Most have too much furniture, too.
We just sailed in 6108 on Westerdam, an SS.
We had to ask the steward to remove a chair and a coffee table, so DH could go from one side to the other of the room in his wheelchair.

It's only when we book a suite that we don't request they take away furniture.

The roll-in shower feature is a real annoyance in the mini-suites and suites for HA staterooms.
I would much prefer the separate shower as in the standard rooms, if I had the choice!
The HA roll-in showers make a mess - you have to remember to remove the rolls of TP or they will get soaked!:eek:

Sail,

 

Yes, you might have booked a year out because you wanted a specific cabin.

I understand that - if a person really, really wants 7056 ... and no other cabin will do ... then he/she has to book in advance.

 

My point was that a person requiring a HA cabin doesn't always have the option of booking closer to the sailing date -- say when there's a sale, or a promo, or when friends decide to cruise and invite them along.

 

Not everyone who cruises HAL has a specific cabin he/she wants -- Most people I know want a certain category or location, but the cabin number is not important to them.

 

But with a person who has no option but to sail in a HA cabin - because of mobility or other issues - there is not always the luxury of choosing closer to the sailing date.

 

That is our lament -- too few HA cabins, and when able-bodied folks book them, assuming they are going to get "perks," it just makes fewer cabins available to those in need.

The "As You Wish" dining is offered to everyone. Some people choose a fixed dining time (early or main), some specialty restaurants or buffet and some open dining but it's all "As You Wish".

 

I've heard this argument made over and over on this site, but HAL refers to open seating as "As You Wish Dining."

I noticed when we checked in at the MDR for open seating a few weeks ago, the man at the podium had a name tag that said "AYWD Host."

Go to the Piano Bar on Deck 2 if you want to have some fun.

 

Say hi to Jimmy Maddox, the Piano Man.

He gets there at about 8:45. Most nights it's standing room only!

In the past we have been shut out of cruises because there were no HA cabins available.

I've asked HAL customer service if all the cabins were occupied by people who needed them.

The answer? " Of course. We would not let someone book one who didn't need it."

Lots of misinformation on this thread.

 

There are TWO HA Neptune suites on Vista and Signature ships.

On Vista, they are SC. ON the others, they are SA.

 

NO travel agent should book a person into one of the HA cabins if the passenger does not need it.

 

I have to laugh at people's vision of these great ships sailing with numerous empty HA cabins, if they are limited to handicapped pax only. Seriously? The larger ships have about 2 dozen HA cabins across all categories.

 

We have to book HA cabins as DH is in a wheelchair. We almost always book about a year out, so we can get a HA cabin in the category we choose.

Imagine if all you able-bodied folks had to do that!

Sometimes even that isn't enough, and we have to book a different week, or ship, just to find a HA cabin.

 

I have no problem with HAL releasing the HA cabins to the general inventory at some point around final payment.

But you know what? I understand that many people who book guarantees do not want to land in a HA cabin.

They don't like the toilet/shower combo (as previously described), they don't like the single sink (and limited storage) or the fact that the tub is not jetted.

 

The balconies are NOT bigger in HA cabins.

In fact, the balconies for the SY cabins all the way forward are SMALLER than the standard SY cabins.

 

Biggest myth of all: if an able-bodied person books a HA and someone needs it, they will be moved.

NOT true.

If you are able-bodied and book a HA cabin, it's removed from inventory.

 

Call HAL's Access & Compliance people and ask.

Yes, I believe you take 528 to get to 95.

 

Traffic in Broward is horrendous and even worse in Miami-Dade.

95 can easily become a parking lot.

 

If you want to fly out of MIA, make it the next day.

Thanks.

I'm a charter member card holder, so I know how it works with the card and reloading, etc. Been doing it many years.

But we'd be cutting it close to have it mailed out.

Had I realized we could have used it on the cruise, I would have ordered it weeks ago.

 

I know if there is a time constraint you can pick one up at the hotels on site at the parks.

This woman insisted the same is true for the cruise ships.

We've never cruised Disney (though longtime park passholders) and just realized I could use reward dollars on our upcoming cruise.

 

I called Chase and was told I can pick up a rewards card at guest services and they will call to load the dollars onto the card.

 

True? I don't have a lot of faith in the customer service rep, who didn't seem sure of herself.

I enjoyed reading this, as we took the same cruise and got off the day you got on.

 

Wise choice to go to the Piano Bar and enjoy the wonderful, talented Jimmy Maddox.

On our week, we got there almost two hours before he started, just to get a good seat!