Dana57

Thanks jtl513, Blue Mudshark & Topsham. Exactly what DH wanted to know. Appreciate the details Topsham! DH has never cruised, I haven't for more than 20 years and he was concerned how top heavy some ships seem to be and are. We are planning on Westerdam in Dec.

Does anyone know how high the Westerdam is above the water line (aka air draft)? I have spent a lot of time trying to find this info with no results. Thanks in advance.

Thanks guys! Appreciate the advice. I had thought I had read somewhere that if you bought getting aboard in Fort Lauderdale you also get charged Florida tax. Love the info on all these threads, great info!

Hi all! Curious as to when would be the best time to purchase SBP - prior to cruise or after we board? Any benefits to waiting till onboard? We booked before the Explore 4 (got the anniversary special though) therefore we need to purchase the SBP separately. Any advice?

Great info and insight. Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. Think we will stick with our 1st selection. DH seems to like the idea of open deck to see the stars at night (hopefully, as we sail during leonid meteor shower).

Oh and I forgot to add in reply to a question posed earlier by DaveOKC... yes got the anniversary package!

Love the help on these forums! You guys are a great wealth of info and knowledge. It is appreciated.

Thanks very much for the input DaveOKC, ANSalberg, Crew News, serendipity 1499! Crew News - love your site! Appreciate your comments and suggestions everyone. Most helpful. Still debating regarding cabin selection.

Hi!

I haven't cruised since back in 1994. My DH has never cruised (he is not sure he wants to though - but he has agreed to try it). Nor have we had a honeymoon (married in 2010), nor anniversary celebration (5 years), nor any holiday for either of us in over 20 years, so this is our big long awaited celebration! Looking forward to it. Love the Cruise Critic posts... learning alot! Nice to meet fellow cruisers.

I am now 2nd guessing our cabin choice (4180) Eastern Caribbean Dec 2015... I know IF he loves the cruise I can book the next one and if not, well at least he experienced one. Quiet, peace, freedom, and no unforeseen charges would help. (ages 57/60 - DH abit limited in walking long distances.) so..

1. good cabin or your choice (Neptune is a splurge but I so want DH to love cruising by having a great time. To hate it due to wrong line, wrong ship, wrong cabin is not a fair judgement on cruising. Advice?)

2. book shore excursions now or wait and adapt as needed.

3. buy SBG now or onboard?

I have read some great posts in the last month regarding all of above... So very grateful for the education but feeling overwhelmed atm. I so want this to be a special event for my DH. Thanks in advance for any advice/help.