buckirj1

jeans, turtleneck, sneakers

...I think you'll see a growing trend of cruises to nowhere for a week. It'll save on port fees, the ship can ambient slowly to avoid burning fuel and still have al revenue producers open. I'm honestly surprised RCCL or NCL hasn't tried this yet. It'd essentially be a floating resort.

I have to admit I kind of like this idea, which dovetails nicely with a previous thread about shorter cruises. A 4-5 day cruise to nowhere has some appeal.

Also appealing is another poster's idea of more cruises overnighting in ports, as currently done in places like Bermuda. The examples of Curacao and Barbados are terrific. There are probably others. I'd love an overnight in Halifax in place of a throwaway port like Bar Harbor.

Nice to see you back, Dawg. I hope the luck of the draw is with you, and you get a great cabin.

I like the idea of older ships for 5 night cruises, as other cruise lines currently have. For example, Canada 4 or 5 night itineraries from New York on Carnival are quite successful, in my experience. To me, it's an almost perfect blend of sea and port days in a couple of my favorite ports: a day up, Halifax, a sea day, Saint John, and a day back. I'd love it if another cruiseline would do something similar from, say, Boston, that isn't the QM2 over Independence Day. Unfortunately, as I've said many times before, HAL is not an innovative cruise line by any means, and likely won't jump on a trend until its time has come and gone.

can't say either one would be a dealbreaker for me

The chocolate croissants in the Lido at breakfast. I think it's the best sweet onboard.

I was simply trying to say in my opinion (the only way one can say something) that there has been some "piling on" in regard to dismissing the ms Maasdam as being on the ropes. But apparently I have stepped on the toes of some who think this is their domain and not to be entered without peril.

Like you, I don't doubt the veracity of the initial report or the OP's integrity, but your other observations are absolutely correct. There is absolutely a Greek chorus on the HAL forum whose specialty is "piling on," as you yourself experienced. That doesn't always make them wrong about whatever is under discussion, but it can be tiresome to see them gang up on somebody.

Not everything on a ship is required to be fambuhlee-friendly, nor should it have to be identified as such. Parents should supervise their offspring to a degree sufficient to haul the sprogs out of anywhere that isn't appropriate for them. One is never forced to stick around if something offends one's delicate sensibilities. Sometimes we make things a lot harder than necessary, especially when travelling in herds.

There was no "48 hour (or any hour) hands-off" procedure on NCL, Cunard, Carnival or Royal Caribbean. NCL and Cunard are huge proponents of hand sanitizer and are vociferous in encouraging hand sanitizing, albeit in vastly different styles. I had the impression Carnival and RCI weren't too interested in bothering about it.

Fascinating. I love stuff like this. Thanks for posting.

The Via rail station in Quebec City is certainly walkable from the cruise port, provided you have a reasonable amount of luggage. It's a lovely little station, too, like a miniature Chateau Frontenac. I just checked the viarail.ca website; there are multiple daily trains between Quebec City and Montreal: 4-5 trains during the week, and 3 trains on the weekends.

Regarding Boston hotels, most anyplace in Boston is accessible to the cruiseport via taxi or public transport. Priceline can be your very good friend. Do some research before bidding on any of the more common bidding sites (biddingfortravel; betterbidding; etc.)

Welcome. I haven't been on HAL yet (but it's calling my name), but I've sailed NCL and RCCL. I've never sailed with a large group, so my observations might not always be applicable.

In my observation and experience, HAL is a more sedentary experience and has a lot of older folks aboard. That's okay with me, I'm getting to that demographic a lot sooner than I'd like. That's something you might want to think about, given the vast age range of your group. Given the vast size of your group, I've no idea how HAL would handle such a large group in a dining situation. I'd investigate that, particularly if you all wanted to eat together at the same venue at the same time. I think they'd do fine with smaller groups.

RCCL remains my least favorite cruiseline by a pretty wide margin, but it might be a good fit for your situation. To me, it's so...busy, and sets my nerves a-jangling. It's almost frantic sometimes how they're always wanting you to DO stuff, when all you want to do is find an isolated corner somewhere. On the other hand, that sort of action might be just what some of your group are looking for. That's another thing: in my experience, RCCL pretty much caters to families. I don't know how they are with big groups, but they're pretty terrible at dealing with solo cruisers. I found cabin and dining staff to be fawning and obsequious. Didn't like that at all, but YMMV.

NCL is by far my favorite, because of Freestyle and normal courteous service. NCL has a lot of choices for everybody, and might be your best bet, especially if you're not planning to do everything together.

I hope this helps, and I wish all of your group a marvelous cruise; whatever you choose.

To me, whether to eat in the MDR or Lido has less to do with the food than with timing and service. I don't eat at the same time every night at home, and don't see why I should do so on vacation. Similarly, I might want to stay home some nights, go out somewhere casual other nights, and go to a fancy place occasionally.

I think dining service should be on par with a normal restaurant experience on land. I'm low maintenance. All the MDR staff needs to do is take my order, fulfill the few special requests I might have (dressing on the side, etc), and deliver my food. I'd rather get up and get my food myself than have a waiter fawning over me. Different strokes.

I've been keeping a list of those who report A/C problems. So far I only have only read of 4 cabins on it:

NS - 7077

NS -7087

NS - 7089

Penthouse 7045

I suppose this is better than nothing, but I remember the same thing being done when the Maasdam was under a lot of fire because of a/c issues. The problem, as it turned out, is that the issues weren't necessarily consistent with specific cabins: i.e., NS7077 might have air this week, but might not next week.

Good suggestions all, but please don't entirely discount the Windjammer. I ate dinner there several times on my last RCCL cruise, and it was FAR quieter and much more peaceful than the MDR. It wasn't at all crowded, and the staff didn't look like they were being run off their feet. You might want to give it a try to see how you and your toddler get on. You might be surprised. Good luck!

Yankee and city girl through and through. I don't like those soft mushy fluffy biscuits...you know, the way they're supposed to be. I like 'em hard and crusty, that you have to work at to chew.

Next up...the cornbread wars.

As much as I love NCL, I can't think of a single memorable dessert. Not one. As best I can recall, no matter what the dessert was supposed to be...it always wiggled. Hence, I usually stick to ice cream or sherbet if I want dessert. Best sweet onboard are the chocolate croissants at the breakfast buffet.

See....the split bathroom layout is going to work out after all ;)

Splort!! Funniest thing I've read all day. I don't have a whole lot of interest in the Epic, but I'm really curious about where the Jade and Spirit will end up.

That gnocchi/pumpkin entree in the MDR. The cheese rolls in the buffet. Chocolate croissants. And what everybody else has already mentioned.

Thanks for doing such a thorough review. I like the looks of the Jade, but I fear her current itineraries would be way too hot for me. I apologize if I missed your saying, but could you please let us know the average daytime temperature in port?

Glad you made it home safely. I've enjoyed reading your report so far, and look forward to your wrap-up.

No, I don't think I could do any one thing for that long. I'm considering a 10-day Alaska cruise for next year, and a 14-day North Cape itinerary the year after that. Maybe by the time I retire in 10 years or so I will have worked my way up to my dream cruise, Voyage of the Vikings. Being away for 35 days seems unthinkable right now.

I'm just now getting caught up. I loved your previous report on the Volendam, and I'm loving this one just as much. Thanks, Sarah!

Gee, I don't know. :confused:

 

On the "Carnival Glory New Dining" thread, the report back from someone who was actually on the ship was the waiter did NOT ask.

The side dishes were automatically brought out to the table in bowls for sharing family style.

 

This is for side dishes only -- appetizers were done individually.

 

LuLu

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I'm with you, LuLu. The whole business makes me go, "ewwww" and makes me even more inclined to eat alone.

"Carnival Glory New Dining "

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1956362

 

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Recent posts on the "Carnival Glory New Dining" thread are saying they were served family style -- the side dishes were in large bowls to be passed around the table.

 

At first I thought it was a joking comment but they are absolutely serious and the way it's being done. :rolleyes:

 

LuLu

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Not quite. Passengers are given the option to have "famblee-style service" or individual sides and appetizers. Carnival in the last few years has tended to concentrate on those who travel in herds, so sharing food amongst the table isn't too surprising. Individual sides and appetizers are still available on request, though.

I don't care one way or the other about tablecloths and such, but the big bowls business gave me serious pause until I found out the real story. Carnival's dismal evening entertainment, and focus on Family!Friendly!Fun! doesn't make the line a good match for me anymore. That's a shame; there used to be a lot to like.