CherryG

We were in the Neptune Suite on the Westerdam two years ago. Loved it. We felt pampered the whole week. This Sunday we'll be on the Nieu Amsterdam, but not in the Neptune Suite, unfortunately.

Penndennis, my husband and I will be on the same ship this coming Sunday. We're flying from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale, but on Friday. I wanted to be sure that if there was a snow storm, we wouldn't miss the flight, or the boat. So we'll also have Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. If you meet Cherry and Gerry on the ship, that's us!

:)

On our last HA cruise, my husband took a tux and I took long black skirt, and two different sparkly type tops for formal night. We leave this weekend for a HA cruise, and my husband is only taking dress pants and sports jacket and I'm taking one cocktail shorter dress for gala night. It's so much easier packing and on vacation this time we just don't want to go "formal". It sounds like this is the norm.

We leave in 10 days for our 2nd Holland Am cruise and we took the guaranteed room. Our cabin assignment came yesterday and we're very happy with it. The first time, we also took the guaranteed room, but ended up getting such a good deal on an upsell to the Neptune Suite, that we grabbed it. I don't expect that to happen this time, but boy, we sure would like it again!

We aren't big drinkers, but decided to purchase two of the $50 beverage cards so that we can have a cocktail or a beer. Not sure we should have prepaid for these, but we did.

Has anyone used these?

We just booked yesterday for the Western Crb cruise, leaving Jan. 24. This will be our second cruise on Holland America and we're looking forward to it. If anyone has been on this cruise and has any tips, concerns, or comments, I'd love to hear them.

My husband was hoping to scuba dive in Grand Cayman, but Holland America's excursions say if you're over 65 you can't. He's 71, so disappointed.

Also, I'm a little nervous about the tender into Grand Cayman. We read where some tender boats (not sure what cruise line), recently got stuck for 3 hours as the water was so rough. They couldn't go to the ship, or back to the island. Is the water in the Western C rougher normally, than the Southern C (which is what we're used to).

Thanks in advance for your comments.

:o

Might be a silly question but is Ezair an airline or do they use all airlines? I always book our air myself as I'm very comfortable doing all our travel directly. Thinking of using them for next cruise. Are they cheaper? What is the advantage? Thanks.

Has anyone done this cruise? We're thinking of doing next summer but as the cost is on the high side for us as retirees, we will have to do much research. We would definitely take a balcony. I thought a cruise would be easier than travelling through Scotland which is the main place on my bucket list to visit. My husband is concerned the weather could be very stormy in June. Any comments or tips or suggestions?

From what I'm reading on upsells, I think we were lucky. We booked the guaranteed verandah cabin and the price was more than reasonable. Our first upsell email was for $149/pp for a Signature Suite. I was hesitate, but took it. A few days before our Nov. 30th cruise, another email offered the Neptune Suite for $49/pp. We grabbed it and were so spoiled. Can't imagine any other way to cruise now. It was a treat and it was wonderful. Sounds like we really did do well at this price point. (total cost /pp was about $800).:p

I'm sorry you were happy with your cruise on the Westerdam. We were on the Westerdam Nov. 30 - Dec. 7, so immediately after you were. It was our first HA cruise. We couldn't have been happier with it. We upgraded to the Neptune Suite (7089), and everything was wonderful. We found the service in our room, in the Neptune Lounge and the Dining Room to be great. We were happy with the food, except the last night for me, as I don't eat seafood or a lot of other things. When I said there wasn't anything I wanted off the International Menu, our waiter asked if I would like chicken or steak instead. As for having trouble getting a drink, or wine, we didn't have any cocktails, just soda and always seemed to be asked if we wanted one. We had the wine package and our wine was there every night. We thought the bottle of wine was rancid and called the wine steward over, and he quickly replaced with a different type. Our dinner in the Pinnacle Grill was excellent, and Spenser from the Neptune Lounge arranged to have a bottle of bubbly from our room (we had two and hadn't drank one), to be chilled and available for us in the Pinnacle.

My only complaint and it was quickly taken care of, was two wrong charges for the spa. I went once, but had 3 different day charges. Turned out it was someone on another floor who had her hair done twice. I said I'm not leaving till this is fixed and I have a revised statement, and without 15 minutes I did. Once the toilet didn't flush immediately (last day), but it corrected itself within 20 minutes.

As we sit here in Ontario freezing this morning, we'd give anything to be back on the Westerdam sailing and enjoying the warmth. Can't wait to cruise again and we'll definitely look for a HA cruise.

Last week we cruised on the Westerdam and upgraded to a Neptune Suite. This isn't a full trip review, but just a short message to say WE LOVED IT! We have been spoiled. It was wonderful. No complaints (except for cold room service the one time we ordered breakfast in). We felt pampered and truly enjoyed our vacation. Will post a full trip review when time permits. :D

Yes, I did grab it. So excited to start my vacation!!! 3 more sleeps!!! :p

No, it is just two of us.

Just got an email from HA for our cruise this Saturday. We were offered a $49 rate/pp for moving to a Neptune Suite from a Signature Suite (which we had already upgraded for $149/pp).

Frequent cruisers, is this a good deal? It sounds good, especially the priority:confused: boarding/disembarking. How does that work?

We leave this weekend for our first HA cruise. The first stop is on Grand Turk and from what I see on the internet, it looks like a great relaxing place to spend some time in the sun. My question for those that have been there before is this - my husband will be diving that morning, so I'm on my own. I'm a little worried about getting off a ship on a strange island and being alone for most of the time we're there. Am I being silly, or what? Normally I'm pretty self sufficient, but I'm a little apprehensive this time. Comments?? Thanks.:confused:

I was 8 years old and home sick from school with the flu, in Toronto. My mother was ironing and we were watching I Love Lucy together. Lucy was interrupted with the news and I remember my mother getting very upset and starting to cry. I guess I didn't quite understand the impact of what had just happened. I was more upset that Lucy was interrupted.

Great review. We are taking the same cruise in less than two weeks, and our cabin is 8072. First Holland America cruise we've taken and it's been about 15 years since we last cruised, so I'm a little apprehensive about it. Your review has given me a good idea of what to expect with this itinerary.

We have stayed in Aruba 13 times and first discovered it on a cruise. If you are a beach person, just get off the boat, grab a taxi and tell them to take you to Palm Beach or Eagle Beach. Approximately 10-15 minutes from where the ships dock. Palm Beach is more upscale and there's some shopping, while Eagle Beach is quieter. We prefer Palm Beach, but everyone is different. Tell your taxi driver to pick you up at a certain time. Also you can walk to the downtown area which is very nice from the ship.

As for Curacao, have stayed there 5 times and though the name is slipping me, tell the taxi driver to take you to the beach that is beside the Seaquarium. It's a public beach and about $3 I believe to enter. There are proper change rooms, toilets, lockers and you can rent chairs if you want. Also food is available there.

Aruba has long soft sand beaches while Curacao has smaller, coarse sand/shells.

ENJOY!

This is our first HL cruise. It's been years since we cruised. I've completed the online check in and printed off the paperwork.

How do we know what time we can board the ship? It doesn't sail till 4 pm, but we're flying in the day before. Perhaps I'm just missing that on what I've printed off.

Thanks.

This will be our first cruise with HL, scheduled for end of Nov. Booked the V class directly with HL, and last week got the sell to SS for $149/person. Called, pulled up the deck plans while she was on the phone with me, and was very satisfied with the change so booked it.