ProfCruise

Just now, kazu said:

 

 

It's just safari via my Ipad.  It's not usually an issue with blogs.

 

 

Well shoot, sorry about that.  I'll see if I can get to the bottom of it.

2 minutes ago, kazu said:

Can't read your blog that you linked too easily due to the pictures that block out the text. Weird.

 

What I DO love about HAL - the crew - everyone from my cabin stewards, MDR waiters, Beverage servers to the people cleaning the railings.  They are all a joy.

 

I also like itineraries that take me to different places from the standard stops.

 

I don't care for ATK but different strokes for different folks and if I don't like it, no one is making me go 😉 

 

 

Sorry about the photos blocking text - must be the browser you're using.  While I do like ATK, it seems we agree on the crew and itineraries.  They really are the best!  

1 minute ago, daisy-mae said:

I love being able to have my breakfast, lunch, and even the occasional evening meal, outdoors on the back deck.

 

I also love to play pickleball on the sports deck, something that Holland America seems to be making available on most of its ships.

 

 

That's a great tip about the aft deck.  On embarkation day on my last cruise, while the Lido buffet was packed inside, I was literally the only person eating outside on the aft deck.  It was a bit chilly in Seattle, mind you, but such a nice quiet spot with fresh air and a great view. 

16 minutes ago, MISTER 67 said:

 

That's so disappointing.  I would definitely book one of the older ships with the traditional promenade deck if given a choice.  Will be very sad to see them gradually disappear 😞

5 minutes ago, MISTER 67 said:

We have never had one iota of bad service on a HAL ship. 

Cleanliness and ship maintenance are other strong points for the line.

We also love the old style promenade decks which are slowly slipping away in the industry.

LOVE the promenade decks.  Please don't abandon them, HAL! 

I just returned from my shortest ever cruise aboard the Eurodam.  And while I wish it had been longer, it served to remind me of all the things I love about Holland America - things that really set it apart from other lines.  I jotted down my top 20 things here.  https://profcruise.com/20-things-i-love-about-holland-america/ Anything you disagree with or that I missed?  What are your favorites?  Booking my next HAL sailing for next summer and already counting down the days!

2 hours ago, snorklinbarb said:

Just got off Dawn 20 nights B2B so they ran 11 nights DR and then 9 night DR.  Your menus were so helpful to pre-cruise planning.  Gave me some ideas when to go to specialties.

 

For those just seeing them now, there are some updates.  Shrimp no longer being served in the DR's.  So, for example,  the menu here shows shrimp & crab cake appetizer which is now a fish cake.  Coconut shrimp w/Thai chili sauce appetizer is now coconut chicken.  Pasta and shrimp entrees not offered but pasta w/scallops or clams still are.  

 

Finally had a chance to try that 3 cheese ziti raved about here and must say it was really good.  Asked for small portion along with my entree.  Quite funny considering I had ordered lamb curry that night.

 

Specialties have shrimp dishes.  There is a really good new red snapper entree in La Cucina ("cartoccio").  

 

Also just a few weeks ago surf & turf with lobster tail has returned.  I had it in Cagney's and both the fleet and lobster tail were very tasty.  If dining a la carte, it is $46.  It is covered under SDP.  The menu here has the shrimp listed so for those looking for lobster tail it's back.

Thanks for providing these updates - that sounds like a fabulous b2b!  I really liked the 3 cheese ziti too!

We love Paradise Beach.  They have more pricing options, so it can be less expensive than an all-inclusive if you don't plan on eating and drinking a ton.  Here's a full review I wrote with lots of info and pics.  https://profcruise.com/paradise-beach-in-cozumel-does-it-live-up-to-the-hype/

Here are all the recent menus from the Bliss, if these would help anyone: https://profcruise.com/ncl-menus/

Here's my review of a standard balcony cabin on the Bliss with a tour and a bunch of pics, if that helps: https://profcruise.com/bliss-balcony-cabin-review/

I was so happy to read your latest review of the Breakaway.  We've sailed on her twice and had a great time.  We've also been to each of these ports, so it's fun to see what you did at them.  I'm so sorry to hear of your medical challenges - how stressful!  Thinking about you and sending out positive, healing vibes. 

Here's my review of the Breakaway, if anyone wants another one to read (not as good as yours, but better than nothing, I guess): https://profcruise.com/norwegian-breakaway-ship-review/

Thanks again for taking the time to write these detailed reviews.  I always enjoy them!

On 9/23/2019 at 3:30 AM, ollienbertsmum said:

 

 

Food

We mostly ate breakfast in the buffet, lunch in O’Sheehans  and supper in the Main Dining room.  We were quite satisfied.  I only chose one meal that I did not really like and that was a dish that was over-salted to my taste.  We went for supper after the 7.30 show.  We usually had to wait - the longest was about 30 minutes on Day one - because it was basically a sea day.  We are happy eating at around 9 pm at home so the timing suited us.  

 

I find it annoying is  that you have to ask for veggie burgers in O'Sheehans when they are usually available.  Why do they make you feel that you are being a nuisance and  not just put them on the menu like  restaurants ashore.   No vegetarian sausages at breakfast is a shame.  

 

I loved the Asian section in the buffet.  The Udon noodles were delicious.  I think we ought to have tried Ginza but it always looked full and we were happy with the MDR

 

I was not fond of the cakes.  That has been general across all the cruises I have been on.  They are to me style over substance.  I do have to give a shout out to the Zuppa Inglese - I could eat pots of that!! (But didn’t) 

 

Loving your review!  As a vegetarian I agree with you about the veggie burger at O'Sheehan's - they should add them to the menu.  And I was also disappointed in no veggie sausage on the menu in the dining room like on Holland America.  And I'm also a huge fan of the Asian section on the buffet!  I'm not sure if you're a vegetarian (I may have missed that), but for anyone else who is vegetarian or vegan and booked on NCL, I have a guide posted to my blog with menus, veggie food pics, and tips if it might help anyone.  https://profcruise.com/complete-guide-to-eating-vegan-or-vegetarian-on-ncl/

Thanks again for the comprehensive and helpful review.  I'm following!

We were on a b2b on the Millennium to Alaska just a few weeks before you, so it's been really fun to compare experiences.  Thanks for such a detailed review.  What an amazing trip.  I visited Japan as an exchange student many years ago and have always wanted to go back.  Someday! 

Here's my photo review of the Millennium if anyone booked on her wants another one to read.  https://profcruise.com/celebrity-millennium-review-and-ship-tour/

You might find the guide to b2b cruising I have on my blog helpful.  It includes a play-by-play of our recent b2b on the Millennium.  Depending on your ship and itinerary, it may be slightly different for you, but this will give you a sense of what to expect.  Congrats on your first b2b - it's the best!  https://profcruise.com/prof-cruises-complete-guide-to-b2b-cruising/

I just returned from the Millennium and stayed in one of the newly added inside staterooms.  I posted a review of the post revolution staterooms and the overall ship on my blog, if anyone is interested.  Beautiful ship! 

Cabin review and tour: https://profcruise.com/inside-cabins-on-the-millennium/

Ship review and tour: https://profcruise.com/celebrity-millennium-review-and-ship-tour/

I've cruised on many other lines (including many on NCL) and just tried Celebrity for a 14 day brb a few weeks ago.  I jotted down some of my initial impressions of Celebrity.  You might find it helpful.  Overall, while there are a few things I think NCL does better, I loved Celebrity and she's my new favorite (at least for now).  Give it a try!  https://profcruise.com/prof-cruises-first-impressions-of-celebrity/

Here are all the recent menus from the Millennium, if these might be helpful in getting an idea. 

https://profcruise.com/celebrity-menus/

Okay, made it to the end of the review finally.  One of the best I've read.  It was especially fun for someone who lives in Seattle and who sailed on the Bliss to Alaska just a few weeks before you did.  It looks like you made the most of this experience.  You mentioned that you were interested in maybe trying Celebrity.  I just returned from my first Celebrity sailing.  I would definitely recommend giving it a try (especially if you're sick of the food on NCL, which I generally like, but change is good).  Here are some of my initial impressions of Celebrity you might find helpful in deciding.  Thanks again for the fantastic review!  https://profcruise.com/prof-cruises-first-impressions-of-celebrity/ 

On 8/21/2019 at 9:39 AM, Joeghartman said:

The beauty and scenery just explodes and doesn’t stop. It truly is amazing.

 

We've been to Alaska many times, but the white pass train remains my favorite excursion.  Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did.  Your photos are gorgeous! 

On 8/24/2019 at 10:48 AM, sandseeker3 said:

 

Your welcome!  I can't take the credit for compiling the menus or for the Breakaway review though.  Credit goes to @ProfCruise

Glad they were helpful to folks! 

I'm loving your review so far!  I live in downtown Seattle and was on the Bliss just a few weeks prior to you, so it's fun to hear your perspective on everything and relive my trip through your awesome photos.  Can't wait for the rest - I'll be following!  Here's the review I wrote on the Bliss (heavy on food pics), if anyone would like another one to read while they are waiting for the rest of yours.  https://profcruise.com/norwegian-bliss-ship-review/

Come back to Seattle again soon! 

I booked a sailaway inside guarantee on the Bliss for practically nothing and ended up in a balcony!  It was a bit of an unusual situation as I booked at the very last minute (you can read more about our crazy adventure booking last minute here: https://profcruise.com/last-minute-cruising/), but I would definitely do it again for the price regardless of which cabin we end up in.  If I can pay less and cruise more (even without the drink package, etc), count me in every time!

Thank you for the super helpful information.  I'm trying Celebrity for the first time in August. 

On 3/6/2019 at 8:08 AM, purpleally said:

Yours was fun

Thanks!  Glad you enjoyed it!

We've had great luck with the weather in September, but as others have mentioned, prepare for anything.  Waterproof and layer and prepare to have a great time no matter the weather!