luv2travel06

QUOTE: Comfort Suites 17th & Federal Hwy. - $119.00

 

 

 

 

 

I just checked for this Comfort Suites on 17th & Federala Hwy. Does NOT come up on the Comfort (Choice Hotels) site. When I did a google search, it says that this hotel is CLOSED. Does anyone know if this hotel has a new name or is it definitely closed? Also looking for a reasonable place. Have booked the Quality Inn on Sterling Rd. but looking for another reasonable alternative.

That Quality Inn is a bit old, but we have stayed there several times. There is a new Comfort Suites just down the street and a Hampton Inn next door. Our primary credit card is the Choice Privileges card so we usually stay for free.

I'm looking for something that may not exist. A budget friendly hotel in Ft. Lauderdale (under $100.00 a night for two) with shuttle service from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel to Port Everglades. With good reviews (at least three stars), in a decent area, and within a short walk (less than a mile) to restaurants and stores (to purchase sodas and last minute items). I've looked on Trip Advisor, and found a few "maybes", but reviews are mixed. The closest "maybe" I've found so far is the Comfort Suites in Dania Beach for $110.00, but I don't know what's close by.

Brand new property. We stayed there in November. Have to pay for shuttle to port. Airport shuttle is free. Strip mall with Kmart and other stores and restaurants nearby. We always stay at one of several places there at I-95 and Stirling Rd. Never had any problems.

I recall we stayed on the ship and enjoyed the quiet while everyone else got off. Reason being, I do believe this is a volcanic island with dark sand and not so pretty beaches. We docked in St Kitts on a Summit cruise that left from San Juan. If you are on this one where ports of calls are antigua, barbados, st marten, etc, I would suggest staying on the ship in st kitts, from a pure beach perspective.

If the beaches on St. Kitts are unsatisfactory, we have found the catamaran excursion to a beach on Nevis enjoyable.

Exciting! I can hardly wait for some reviews to come in from the first cruises! Getting closer.

Exciting for sure!! We are booked on the 14 day Southern Caribbean cruise in November.

We are not big beach people, but always look forward to HMC. We like the fact that no one comes to try to sell you anything, you can go for a walk and feel safe both on the beach and on the island, chairs are free, water is crystal clear, and beach sand so white and fine. It is just a relaxing day!

DW, who loves to go to the beach says, "DITTO!"

Here is a picture of the equipment rental prices sign.

 

After reviewing it, I can't seem to add it so it is legible.

So, what it says is:

$10 pool float all day

$26 half hour, $46 one hour 2x4 aqua cycle

$60 half hour, $100 on or 4x4 aqua cycle

$19 half hour, $34 one hour one person kayak

$26 half hour, $46 one hour 2 person kayak

$12 zip line adult unlimited

$6 zip line child unlimited

$8 umbrellas

$275 ocean cabana

$250 hillside cabana

$250 poolside cabana

$1495 grand cabana

$20 half hour, $32 on hour stand up paddleboard

$6 lockers all day

$6 refundable locker deposit

$8 wifi all day

Here is a picture of the equipment rental prices sign.

After reviewing it, I can't seem to add it so it is legible.

The walls of the hallway leading to our cabin had fascinating photos of Holland America cruises from days gone by. It was fun to take time and look at them.

And the paintings by Stephen Card in the forward stairwell are amazing!

The walls of the hallway leading to our cabin had fascinating photos of Holland America cruises from days gone by. It was fun to take time and look at them.

On a sea day on our first Eurodam cruise I circled the hallways on every deck looking at the pictures. Love the photos of the old ships!

Wouldn't the art tour that is available on the ship and on the HAL site possibly talk about these pictures as well as the others? Just a thought.

I did not know they did art tours other than those that involve champagne and auctions :)

Obviously it was a "Mad Hatter" contest! :D

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They must have discontinued that event lol.

Walked past these photos every day on the Eurodam. Curious if these are some random family's photos or someone important to the cruise line. And what event are they participating in in the last two photos?

Once you have looked at the menu in front of the dine room, take down notes. You can not see the menus on the TV.

DH takes a photo of the dinner menus where they are posted outside the MDR and Lido and reviews the dinner options with DW wherever she is sunning on deck.

Hello all and thank you ahead of time for helping me with some quick but hopefully not stupid questions. It has been about 1 1/2 years since I have cruised so some things may have changed.

 

I am thinking about taking my parents on a cruise (as a Christmas gift). I have always traveled on a budget but suspect that I will need to loosen the purse strings a bit to get them to go (no inside cabin and things like that).

 

1) Concerning outside cabins, I see that most are on the main deck below common areas such as bars and casino. Is this a problem for noise? Do I need to go to a veranda to avoid excessive noise?

 

2) Wine - My parents are a little bit of wine snobs so I suspect that the bar tab could get expensive. I was reading that HAL allows individuals to bring on wine with a $18 corkage. That might be the best thing for me to afford their bill. How does that work? Do I just carry it on and take it to the dining room?

 

3) I am a three star Mariner but they are not. We will be in separate rooms. Can I take them as guests to the embarkation lunch and Mariner lunch. I hate the Lido on embarkation and always look forward to a drink and quiet lunch after all the travel but I wouldn't not eat with them.

That is very generous to gift them with a cruise. That generosity does not necessarily need to extend to their bar tab (or every other onboard purchase they make), though.

Another option would be to buy a package, and let them be responsible for anything more. Or, give them a gift card they can use for bar purchases up to the amount you are comfortable covering for them.

There may be an upscale entree or dessert that is not available in the lido but many of the same dishes.

We ate dinner in the buffet 8 out of 10 nights on our NCL Pearl cruise and it was one of our best cruises.

It can be more relaxing as it is more casual.

Is it worth taking my own hair dryer on Eurodam?

On the Eurodam or wherever we go, DW says yes.

This was our first HAL cruise since our b2b cruise on the Eurodam 2 years ago. In the interim we sailed RCCL Navigator OTS and Legend OTS, NCL Pearl, and Celebrity Infinity. We very much appreciate the larger cabins and more storage space on HAL ships. While we throughly enjoyed our Pearl cruise, we thought the cabin extremely small....until we sailed the Legend. On that ship, one side of the bed was against the wall, and there were exactly zero shelves in our closet, even though with 2 bunks it could have been a four person cabin. The shower was also very small. We would sail Celebrity more often, but we get better deals and shareholder credit with HAL.

While on board, we booked a 14 day cruise on the Koningsdam for next November, a 14 day cruise on the Rotterdam for March 2017, and bought an extra FCD as we are thinking about going back to Bermuda in May.....maybe.

We had flown to FLL 2 days early for the best deal we could get on airfare. We stayed at the nearly new Comfort Suites on Stirling Rd. in Dania Beach for almost free with hotel points. The breakfast isn't terrible there, but they do charge for the shuttle to the port. We rented a car for a day, a 2016 Dodge Challenger with only 3400 miles. That may have been one of the most fun parts of the trip, and it only cost +/- $57 with Enterprise at the airport because of our discount. We went shopping at Sawgrass Mills Saturday morning, enjoyed an amazing lunch at the Grand Lux Cafe there, and drove to the state park to watch the sailaway late Saturday afternoon, waving in excitement and encouragement as the Westerdam sounded its horn all the way through the channel.

The 10:00 shuttle took us to the pier. We breezed through check-in and were given #3 for boarding, which began at 11:30 and included the obligatory boarding photo, which other lines we have recently sailed now omit. Cabins were ready when we boarded, so we stowed our carry-ons, which contained the allowed 2 bottles of wine. Our luggage was brought to the room before the standard HAL safety drill on the Promenade Deck. We find the safety drills that take place in inside assembly areas on the other lines we have recently sailed less annoying. While we were supposed to be the first ship to depart, we ended up being the last as the Celebrity ship docked ahead of us was delayed.

For the length of the cruise, the weather was perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The ports were :

Amber Cove: We were only the 10th ship to visit this new port. We did a HAL tour. Tours will get better organized as time goes on. With little time left after the tour because the ship departed at 3:00, we were unable to spend any time in the pool area, but it looks very nice, although prices for sports equipment rental seemed outrageously high--nothing we would ever pay. Lots of work was going on to improve the city of Puerto Plata.

St. Thomas: We did a little catching up and interneting on our cell phones, some shopping, then a couple hours at Morningstar Beach after we bought some sodas at the nearby grocery store to take back to the ship. The Carnival Sunshine and Freedom OTS were also docked at Havensight, Regal Princess and Westerdam were docked at Crown Bay.

St. Kitts: The last time we visited the island we did a catamaran sail to Nevis through the ship with lunch and beach time. On this cruise we booked a HAL tour of Nevis, thinking we would see more of the island. In reality, the island tour was brief, and we spent a couple hours on the beach again. The Thomson Celebration (former Noordam) was also in port, as was the Aida Luna, which apparently does not restrict the use of the nudist deck area while docked, lol.

San Juan: More catching up and interneting on our cell phones, then the free trolley to El Morro, where we took lots of photos. Trolleyed back to the market area just up the hill from the pier where we bought a souvenir and enjoyed a free Starbucks. We also booked a room at the Sheraton across from the pier for our April 2016 pre-cruise stay, and bought more sodas at the nearby CVS. Celebrity Constellation was also in port.

Half Moon Cay: Perfect weather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since we were there last, they added a sheltered area for waiting to return to the ship.

This sailing was the last for the Eurodam before a two week drydock, but all areas were functioning and available, with few indications of the impending work.

We had originally booked an inside guarantee cabin, but ended up with a verandah on deck 4, port side, past the aft staircase, after paying an extra $50 for an upsell. As mentioned previously, plenty of room to move around and plenty of storage. The cabin was satisfactorily maintained by our cabin stewards. The showerheads in the cabins are better than the showerheads at home. The two outlets at the make up desk are adequate for charging all our devices with the addition of the multi outlet adaptor we brought along, which we always unplug when we leave the cabin. There is also an outlet in the bathroom.

Dinners were in the MDR, where the two of us enjoyed a 4-top table next to the window by ourselves at the late seating. Having only 2 at our table minimized any delays in the service from our very pleasant stewards. Of everything, we enjoyed our desserts the most, especially the creme brulee and desserts containing fruit. It is embarassing to admit, but one night there were six desserts on our table.

We had met Hilman, one of the dining room managers, on our previous Maasdam cruises, and enjoyed chatting with him throughout the cruise. He said this is his 30th year with HAL! When we asked about the dessert extravaganza we used to enjoy, he indicated that it had been discontinued, and we discussed the amount of food that was wasted at the event and the amount of time that was required to prepare for it. There was a Lido BBQ by the aft pool on the St. Thomas port day. On the evenings of the two sea days, the dress code was "gala attire."

When we ate breakfast, it was in the Lido--(the waffles are the best!!), lunches were usually also from the Lido, although we did enjoy the hot dogs, burgers and fries from Dive-In. DW enjoyed the pizza the one time she had it. The addition of the signs indicating the beginning and end of the lines at the various Lido serving stations was helpful. On our RCCL cruises, attendants would offer to get water, tea, etc. for us. This has rarely happened on our HAL cruises. We rarely dined inside, choosing instead to sit outside by the aft pool, even though we were often asked 3 times in 5 minutes if we wanted something from the bar. On our recent Celebrity cruise, the bar staff would lay the drink menu down instead of leaving it standing as an indication that we were not interested in what they were selling so they would not ask us repeatedly.

However, that is not to say we never partook. We did take advantage of HAL's happy hour, which is not available on the other lines we have recently sailed. In the Crow's Nest and Ocean Bar from 4-5pm, drinks are buy one, get the second for $1 (except on embarkation day). Most nights, the Northern Lights Bar had happy hour 10-11pm, and the Piano Bar did one night. We made only one purchase from the Explorations Cafe, using the coupon from the book provided on embarkation day. The Legend OTS had a punch card that got you a free beverage after you purchased five or six at their coffee venue.

As mentioned in a previous post, we were disappointed to find that fresh strawerries were not available, nor was pineapple readily available. Except for an occasional mixed fruit (melon?) salad, fuit was served in cups or on saucers, not in large serving bowls.

We only went to one production show, which one of us slept through. One show was a piano player we had heard before, which one of us slept through. Although we had seen him before we did go to see the "Action Comedy" show, but did not go to hear the stand up comedian. There was a steel pan player who performed each day throughout the ship and gave lessons a couple of days. The B.B. King All Stars performed three sets several nights, and we were often able to catch two of them after dinner. We attended the crew show and took photos of our MDR steward playing the harmonica. We had the photos printed in the photo gallery and gave him several copies, which he was happy to receive and share with his friends who were also on stage.

We did not use the casino at all, but it appeared to be busy. Nor did we spend much time in several lounges where various musicians played. We did not use the spa services or the upcharge restaurants. Our Mariner lunch was at 11:00 on the second sea day, and tiles titled "Eurodam & Nieuw Amsterdam" were passed out.

Puzzles are available each morning in the library. NYT news briefings in several languages are also available there, with additional English versions available in the Lido. We did not attend any trivia contests or the many well-regarded Microsoft and digital photography workshops. The Hotel Manager is a professional photographer, and he gave a slideshow and talk one day.

Captain John Scott was very visible throughout the ship. Any questions we asked at the front desk were answered quickly, politely, and accurately.

We did the self-disembarkation, which began at 6:45am. Customs was a little slow with only 2 agents available, but we were soon in a taxi on the way to the airport, the fare for which was only $20 including tip.

Overall, we enjoyed the cruise, and we consider HAL our primary cruise line. However, cruise lines and cruise ships are like houses. Unless you are building your own, you choose the one that has the amenities you find most important to you and compromise on some others.

Nope, no paninis. Nothing grilled or toasted.

Our Eurodam cruise ended yesterday. My wife was able to get a panini in the Lido. But a manager said the Eurodam will be switching to the Lido Marketplace concept after dry dock. So does that mean only pre-made sandwiches on that ship in the Lido from now on too?

I would check when you board. It could very well be that you have a 4-top for the two of you. We had one of those on two previous cruises. The first one was a surprise, the second one we had our TA request it, and got it. We asked for a specific table, in fact.

Just off Eurodam. We had requested a table for two. We were the only two at a nice 4-top table by a window. So happy we did not get one of the awkward 2-tops along the main aisle with all the passengers and tray-laden crew coming and going.

On the 7 day Western Caribbean on the Eurodam last week they had happy hour every day from 4PM - 5PM except embarkation day. This was in the Crow's Nest and the Ocean Bar. It was buy 1 get the second for $1.

 

 

 

Helen

Just off Eurodam. Also happy hour 10-11 several nights in Northern Lights and once in piano bar on our 8 day Tropical Caribbean cruise before ship goes to dry dock.

We are on the Eurodam now. Before we sailed, I noticed a sign in our local supermarket that said strawberries were not available due to the weather in California. We were gifted chocolate covered strawberries on the ship but were given chocolate treats instead. The ship's staff indicated they are also unable to get fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries are available for toppings.

Pineapple also seems scarce on this cruise. There are no large bowls of pineapple (or melon for that matter) available at the buffet. Fruit cups or a few pieces of fruit on a saucer is all you see.

Still finding plenty of good things to eat! Enjoyed three mango desserts and passionfruit sorbet at dinner in the MDR last night. :)

We talked to a dining room manager and we understood him to say there would be servers assigned to sections of tables with the new concept. Did we misunderstand? On our two Royal Caribbean cruises, the attendants in the buffet frequently offered to get tea, water, etc. for us. We rarely experience that on HAL.

Didn't seem as many Toots as we have had the last few weeks.

We are boarding the Eurodam today. We were on the channel wall at the state park watching the Westerdam leave yesterday. The horn sounded all the way to the end of the channel as we waved in encouragement and excitement!

Your statement that I bolded seems very peculiar to me, because in our lengthy experience of cruising on NCL (and also the comments of almost every person who has talked about this on Cruise Critic), unless you ask to be seated with others in the MDRs, you will be seated by yourself. This is one of the things we most appreciate about NCL -- lots of tables for two.

At the times we went, it was either wait for a table for two or immediate seating at a shared table. We chose not to wait. When the service disappointed, we chose the buffet thereafter, where we very much enjoyed our dining experience (even though steak was not on the menu there).

The Pearl was one of our most enjoyable cruises.

We used to enjoy NCL as well.

But when they started the Freestyle thing, we quite sailing on them.

We were on the Pearl last year about this time. Tried the MDR 2x but service was not good and was pretty much the same food as the buffet. Sat in the same section of the buffet every night and received great beverage service from an attendant there. It was also uncomfortable being seated with different people the 2 nights in the MDR. We don't pay extra for the alternative restaurants....we're too cheap. [emoji1]