Edinburghgirl1

I just got back from French Polynesia with HAL. We didn’t book any snorkelling tours through the ship. In Raiatea we used Are tours who were excellent. Had a great day at the coral garden then on to a private Motu for a very tasty lunch in the water surrounded by fish and sharks. Snorkelling gear was provided. In Morea we used Captain Tania who also provided snorkelling gear.

I’m Elite Plus with Celebrity and just came off my first cruise with HAL a 35 night on the Koningsdam. I can categorically say the food was much better than Celebrity. More choice in the MDR, great quality and much better and more food venues throughout the ship which there is no charge for. The entertainment in the Theatre is better on Celebrity however BB Kings Blues club was fantastic and they also have the Rolling Stone Rock Room. I would go with the best itinerary,

Last September we stayed in the Room Mate Bruno hotel. It’s directly opposite the entrance to the cruise terminal so a 2 minute walk. Good sized rooms, great breakfast and reasonable room rate.

We have a Sky Suite booked on the Solstice in Asia for November 2025 and it was only $2863pp for 12 nights! Same cabin in 2024 is $6873pp!

Yeah we booked a Sky Suite on the Solstice for November 2025 for $5700 for two! It worked out only $120 more than a regular veranda so was a no brainer.

We’ve visited Vietnam and Thailand many times on land based holidays but have booked this cruise for 2025 as we couldn’t resist the price. We booked a Sky suite for only £2700 ($3400) per person. A veranda cabin was only $120 less!! I agree with all previous comments book your own excursions and try and spend some time in Singapore and Hong Kong, both are fabulous cities to visit.

They had Captain Morgan and Havana Club and I’m pretty sure they had Kraken although it’s my least favourite so I never ordered it, sailor Jerry is my favourite.

Someone thought she was from the US

I’m the opposite getting my passport into the hotel safe with other valuables has always been my priority since I first started travelling!

I would never book a hotel anywhere that doesn’t have an in room safe to store cash, passports, watches and jewellery.

Just boarded the Apex in Rotterdam and there is a lounger on our aft cabin balcony and as far as I can see all the others in the row!

Now I can’t get in on app or on my laptop

We sailed Azamara for the first time last November and would be unlikely to sail with them again. We had lots of sea days and felt the ship totally lacked any atmosphere and things to do. Ship was also very tired and in need of general maintenance.

Took mine in February this year with no issues.

Are they pressed too or just folded( I don’t mean the socks and underwear lol)

First time HAL cruiser here and our cruise is 35 nights. We are thinking of buying the unlimited laundry package which states wash dry and fold. Will we also have to buy the unlimited pressing? We have read conflicting information where some folks say their laundry comes back pressed without buying the pressing package and others state it’s only folded and still needs pressed!. Can anyone who’s previously bought the unlimited laundry package please clarify.

We are first time HAL cruisers and are thinking of buying the laundry package for our 35 night cruise in February. The website states wash, dry and fold however others have said their clothes come back ironed! Will we have to purchase the separate pressing package too or are the clothes pressed in the unlimited laundry package?

If cruising in Europe they add VAT ( value addd tax) but if you live out with the EU you can claim it back at the airport.

I think the issue may be like the UK in the Netherlands they use chip and pin system where you will be asked to input your PIN number which is usually a 4 digit code. If you card doesn’t have one you will need to buy from a kiosk or insert cash.

I wouldn’t be going on a ship with compromised lungs where there is a high chance of catching Covid!

We love Celebrity but are now trying other lines for more interesting itineraries. Celebrity”s are pretty boring. Got HAL cruise in the Koningsdam booked for February 2024. Hawaii and French Polynesia 35 nights.

We were on a Costa cruise from Dubai on their new ship the Toscana in February. We are from the UK. We were certainly in the minority but all announcements were in several languages including English. Every staff member we encountered spoke English. The ship was stunning. The food was good and the entertainment was amazing. I’ve never had such late nights on ANY cruise. We never do ship tours. For the price we paid we thought it was great value for money. Must just depend on the itinerary and where you are sailing from.

This is only April a lot can change between now and October!

We did our first Azamara cruise in November last year and agree with most of your comments. We were on the Quest which was badly showing signs of age. We thought the MDR food was no better than Celebrity but the buffet quality was higher although less choice. The other food offerings around the ship were excellent. We loved the Patio. The service was great but our cruise was only at two thirds capacity. We were in a Club Continent suite which was lovely. We liked the fact the ship had a laundry room. We hated the pool area. Cramped and totally lacking in any kind of holiday atmosphere which was pretty much like the rest of the ship. Little going on during sea days unless you played bridge or wanted to paint. The main bar, the Den, we often thought was closed when we approached as it was deathly quiet. We would only cruise with them again if the itinerary and price were right.

Got this booked for this year along with cruise before leaving from Rotterdam.