ljgordon54

4 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

This is snorkeling with black tips in Moorea which was my favorite

I hate to say it, but black tip shark is a great dinner too!

12 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Those videos look blank on my phone- can someone please let me know if you can view them? 
 

Also let me know if you just want me to stop. I feel like this is now a groundhogs day review. 🤣

The videos are short but very clear. Please don’t stop. You have been a valuable source of information. Janet

I do think there is some “middle music” that most can agree on and those who don’t like it can use another pool. However, a huge screen with a drop of water is insane! Can you imagine all the photos, videos and things of the current cruise, future cruises…..Lord the photography I see from cruises is amazing and I wonder if most of the people who take pics wouldn’t love to share? If not, advertise for shore excursions. Something. I have stared at that water drop and thought how stupid I am for looking at it! 

16 minutes ago, anniegb said:

The cruise director was Kristen Hickman. She was observed leaving the ship, complete with luggage, at the end of the cruise,

 

FWIW I raised the schedule/room allocation with her on Day 2 of the cruise.  She replied, it had nothing to do with her.

 

As has been stated before, the public venues on the vessel are far too small for the size of the passenger list.

Well sometimes when people are on the downhill slide leaving a job, they don’t give a darn. 😞 

18 minutes ago, ldog said:

I totally agree with you Cheryl.  We didn't go to any of the parties because they were SRO after we came down from late dinner.

 

the problem with showing movies on the Lido deck was the sound was horrible and badly out of sync.

We wanted to watch a movie @ the Lido on a different ship and couldn’t understand it at all so we quit trying. Maybe it is just our old ears.

I wonder who/why the cruise director is. Activities should be well planned or that person should answer for it. Anyone would have to know that chocolate is a draw!

Janet

8 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Afternoon!! I have lots more to summarize and I promise to get to all questions; but today has been a whirlwind between packing and all the goodbyes. Yep, already shedding little tears. Sure there are areas for improvement, but this has been a remarkable cruise with amazing people. I am overflowing with gratitude.

 

I’ll be at the Hyatt in San Diego for a few days as I have a friend from Grad School driving down from northern CA to spend a long girls weekend. From there I’m flying to Maui where I’ll have lots of downtime to wrap up this report. I also have GoPro footage to upload once I get to stable internet. So much left to discuss :). 
 

 

 

So appreciate all the information. I feel we have gotten to know you. I am looking forward to next year for many reasons: you, all your suggestions, a beautiful trip. The absolute never a doubt thing we can always say is HAL has the best service and room stewards anywhere. We have had issues at times, but never saw our stewards that they weren’t smiling or pulling a joke on us!

Safe travels, look forward to the updates.

Janet

46 minutes ago, anniegb said:

No chocolate offered

😖 

1 hour ago, anniegb said:

Well I was there and chocolate surprise was for me - no chocolate offered.

Management know these public venues cannot possibly accommodate everyone who wants to attend. One of the drawbacks of ever larger ships.

I don’t understand, it was for you because you don’t like chocolate? I am hoping they fix some of these things before next year. Especially trivia; it is our favorite thing we do. Janet

@BermudaBound2014 I love your reports and I have to say that latest is the most negative. I do understand you still are happy enough to do it again. It never hurts to point out areas of improvement.

I wish I would get tired of eating—anytime anywhere!

I still can’t wait for our turn on that trip. Thanks for the information, enjoy deck 10.

Janet

@BermudaBound2014 you just don’t know how much a little thing like helping that woman means; not only to her but to the people who love her. I haven’t gotten to the “frustrate/confused old lady” yet, but my mother who loves to be out among people has. Her children cherish that there are people who take a minute to ensure she is ok. Bless you.

34 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Are you sure about the milkshakes?  There is much debate about that on a different thread I keep an eye on.

that is what I heard from somewhere that you could get the gelato shakes included if you ordered at the Dive In or something really convoluted like that. 

48 minutes ago, TableGirl said:

I used to think the HIA package would be a waste of money for me (lightweight drinker) because if I had 15 drinks a day I’d be passed out all the time - or dead!  But, when they include milkshakes, specialty teas and coffees, hot cocoa, bottled water, bubbly water, fresh squeezed OJ, and smoothies and sodas, then I’m sold!

Actually true. I love my morning latte and after dinner specialty coffee. It does give you freedom to get what you want.

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

The social aspect of the crawl and 4 drinks that don't count against your daily 15?

I'm a'thinkin' that 15 drinks is too many most days--19 might really give folks a view of Janet's World that won't be pretty!!!! 😃

2 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Forgot to mention. There is a bar crawl for st patty’s day. $25. You get 4 drinks and games. I was going to sign up but the bartenders are stressed because there are already 100 people signed up and HaL is putting no limit on the affair. I have friends participating so I’ll report second hand. 

 

If you have HIA what is the advantage of the $25 for drinks? anxious to hear 

@BermudaBound2014 we are the demo for HAL’s age and DH LOVES Time Conway 🙃 (it wasn’t Mary Tyler Moore, it was Carol Burnette. Yep, we’re old). I wonder in Fakarava, was it easier to get off early if you were a 4*? Or was everyone in line priority?

Loving the pictures. The lectures work well for DH too. I would really love to see some great evening shows on HAL, but I have to say I really haven’t. I am not a fan or Carnival, but their shows are more production quality.

I’m anxious to hear what you retired from so young, lucky you.

2 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

It was rough seas this morning so we didn’t even know if we’d get into this port.  I’m not sure even if we were on time if that would help the tender process.  I know my husband only waited about 15 minutes and after I left him I was walking through different areas of the ship and couldn’t believe the number of people waiting.  
 

I heard them calling tender tickets well past 2pm. Crazy.  
I would advise if you are not 4* and above or Club Orange to sign up for a HAL excursion as they get on first. 

We are just now 4* so I guess that helps. But there are lots of priority folks these days.

@canadianbear I read on whatsinport a description of the island and it sounds lovely. It is also the last stop for several days. I hope by next year they smooth that out.

When everyone has priority, no one does is exactly correct! Even a ship tour has to yield to “priority”, I know cuz we have. I hate tender ports! I will plan not to need oil so maybe stay on! Let us know if it was worth the trouble going in to port, please. Janet

@BermudaBound2014 you should be in HAL PR! I just can’t wait. Is there an up charge of any kind for the nights you have lobster? I am so psyched about lobster and escargot! I can’t wait for the snorkeling. Your pics are great.

Have you spoken to SCUBA divers? Are they finding the diving out of the world or is it shallow enough that snorkeling is fine? I don’t know if we will be allowed due to age, but when we dived regularly we always wanted to go there but we couldn’t afford it. 

Janet

I understand @BermudaBound2014 and washy-washy! Noro is high in the US now; 12-13% in NE & West on shore here! It has been bad in our area. Take care even on planes & trains.

@BermudaBound2014 that looks great. I am glad to see it at the Lido instead of BBKing. It can be too loud and crowded there. If I were on board, I would vote heck yea. Janet

36 minutes ago, danogg said:

Tech question….how do you delete the pics when quoting someone?

I just address the replies to the commenters so I don’t have to figure that out!

@BermudaBound2014 the photos are gorgeous! I have already cancelled one HAL tour in Kauai of the “Grand Canyon” because of reviews. I too am normally disappointed with them. Thanks for the heads-up.

I love following along on your trip; I can’t wait until next year!

Janet

@SonuvaBeach fabulous

@SonuvaBeach at which port are you taking these? Just gorgeous! What type of camera. The colors are great.

Janet