fuzzywuzzy

We are doing our first trans in a few weeks time, Noordam 26 dayer from Rome to Fort Lauderdale, question is what type of weather to expect with the crossing, temputure, rain etc, big seas don't worry us, as we're used to the southern seas. We enter the Atlantic around 28th October, thanks for your thoughts. Tony & Julie.

We did this TA cruise last year leaving Rome Oct. 31. The weather was beautiful but Romans did say they were having unusually dry sunny warm weather for that week. Great for us.

Sailing across ocean we had one thunderstorm one night. The crew navigated away from it somewhat but it was a great lightning show. Temps were cool at first leaving the Azores but then became warmer as we headed southwest.

Take jacket and umbrella. We needed it in the Azores. Happy sailing.

I got 4 upsell offers for the Alaska cruise I am currently on...7 day trip

Booked VE cabin

 

Offer 1 $399 pp Neptune suite $199pp signature suite

Offer 2 $249 pp Neptune suite $149pp signature suite

Offer 3 came later in the same day as offer #2 and exact same offer

Offer 4.$199 pp Neptune suite $49 signature suite

 

Took offer 4 and got aft Neptune suite.....this was 3 days before the cruise

I wonder why the same person would get FOUR upsell offers? Maybe you have bought upsell offers before?

No kidding. How stupid is that? Maybe they want to make sure you are not interested:D;).

Come to think of it, I haven't been receiving any emails from HAL in a long time. Strange. Nothing has changed from my end.

Strange. Sounds like there's no rhyme nor reason. Our final payment is this weekend and will ask my PCC about upsells. I'll let you know what he says.

...oh yes, and don't forget the beautiful orchids in the diningroom area at the buffet and in the washrooms.

Yes, I love the gorgeous flower arrangements here and there. Real.

The beautiful and COMFY beds especially. The cabin seems to be larger than other cruiselines we've been on.

The crew and staff are so friendly and accommodating. Always working hard and keeping the ship clean.

I have not sailed on Celebrity, so can't make any comparisons, but you might be interested in this thread about the Eurodam. It has lots of information and photos: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1895592. We love Eurodam, especially the Tamarind Restaurant.

I love the Tamarind Restaurant as well as the Silk Den. Eurodam is one of our favourites.

Don't miss the waffles in the morning with your choice of fruit sauces and whipped cream!! Heavenly.

I used to love their ice cream but it's not as creamy as it used to be. Still good though - served in the afternoons at the Lido buffet area.

I always use PCC directly with HAL and have never been offered an upsell. When I make final payment this weekend I will ask about it. We'll see what happens or what he says.

Never heard of anyone having Pinnacle dinner delivered. Might be a nice option. Anyone else done that?

Part of the enjoyment is to experience the ambiance of the lovely restaurant. But to each his own I guess.

I've noticed that as well OP. You gotta be a big drinker to come ahead on that deal.

Totally agree. Is HAL trying to promote more drunken passengers?

You are no more confused about this than anyone else. We went for thirty cruises without being offered an upsell. Then, out of the blue come two offers in a row. I suspect it has more to do with the way the cruise bookings are selling. If you booked a very popular cruise and sales are going well, they won't be offering upsells to anyone.

I see. I will still be happy with my verandah guarantee I'm sure. Think positive and positive things will come your way!

We loved HAL until last Christmas on the Noordam. Our balcony cabin had a lifeboat in front of us.If we looked out we had to be standing to see the water. We spoke to customer service and the main person was as nasty as can be. We then wiended up with the hotel big shot and he was even worse. I felt likewe were treated lie criminals. Sorry but I have been on 45cruises and never had we been treated as poorly. Not an apology, not a comp for specialty restaurant just told that is not an obstruction. Most cruse lines are very exact when thereis any typeof ostruction even when it is minor. HAL does not.

We will not cruise with them again- We don't need to be tr eated so poorly.

Shame on them!

"Balcony cabin" with lifeboat in front? That seems impossible unless you had an outside cabin. Those are advertised as "obstructed". Maybe you were upgraded from an inside to an obstructed outside.

 

You are absolutely correct it is not free. I noticed our Alaska cruise for 2015 has gone up any where between 1,000 to 2,000 dollars more from this year to next but they're offering the Explore 4 for next years Alaska cruises. Your paying for it one way or the other, don't kid yourselves.

 

We found that out when we booked in May this year without Explore 4 and it was a 1,000 dollar less then the cruises in June with the Explore 4 added on. There was only a weeks difference in dates but way higher priced.

Absolutely. They are getting their money one way or another. I got this straight from the horse's mouth.

For what it's worth, we had paid in full for our Mediterranean cruise earlier this year and then I found the price had dropped by a couple of hundred. At that point we had not been allocated a cabin (guarantee) although our guarantee was for a balcony on Deck 4 of the Noordam and it did not have a plexiglass balcony. Thinking we had nothing to lose, I rang the TA who in turn rang HA and the upshot of it was we got a much better cabin on Deck 6. Of course I don't know what category cabin we would have had if I had not rung the TA. However, my point is that you will never know if you don't give it a go.

 

Ozcruizer

Did you have to cancel the first and then rebook? :confused:

Why are some people offered upsells and others aren't? I don't understand. :confused:

We like to have cocktails in the Silk Den and then dinner in the Tamarind Restaurant.

 

It is $20 per person and well worth it.

Welcome to CC.

The same here. I love the Silk Den - so pretty and peaceful. Food in the Tamarind is delicious and a lovely atmosphere.

We used to like the Maasdam the best until they changed it and prices changed as well. Now we like the Eurodam the best of the ships we've been on.

Usually do ours a week or so after final payment.

Yes, I do the same. I like to get it off my mind. I print off everything and put it into my binder. Then I start researching the online excursions, etc. I usually book one excursion online. And also get ideas from HAL's excursions for what might be interesting to see at the different ports of call.

I held off until a few days ago (sailing 9/20) because we still do not have a room assignment. I got so many nagging emails from HAL, I went ahead and did it. I haven't printed the luggage tags yet because still waiting in room number.

Sometimes you don't get your room number until boarding. We didn't one time. I don't think we had it on our luggage tags and our luggage came to our cabin no problem. We had booked a guarantee and weren't assigned until we arrived for boarding. We did get an upgrade too.

The last two times I booked the exact cabin but this time I am going with a guarantee verandah. See what happens. I like the surprise.

We've never been offered an upsell and we've sailed with HAL many times. We have been booking directly with HAL through a PCC. Does that make a difference? Do I ask them to consider us for an upsell?

Nothing in Old San Juan is more than a mile from where the ships dock, it's all easily walkable:)

Having said that though, there are up and down streets and cobble stoned just as an fyi. We love walking around on our own too and especially love it at night. Find an outside bar and listen to the little singing frogs. SO NEAT !! I love that sound. Coqui frogs. Sounds like ko kee, ko kee....

We went last year to almost the same ports as you. We left on October 15. I wore shorts (knee length) almost every day and did not look out of place at all. I usually wore white sneakers because we did a lot of walking. It was hot almost the whole 29 days but we were told it was unusual. I'm a firm believer in dressing for comfort and don't worry about looking like a tourist.

We were in Rome in October also last year - the last week of the month before getting on the ship. It was very warm and lovely. I were light weight sandals that are comfortable for walking - every day. Nicer shoes for evenings. Always wore capri pants with different tops. At night it was cooler so a cable knit sweater with elbow length sleeves was great which I bought in Rome. It is a light beige so went with everything. I don't think I looked too touristy either especially if you wear scarves! I had a lovely choc. brown scarf with a big sparkly rhinestone encrusted cross hanging from it in front. I had quite a few compliments on it (from LOCALS). So I thought that was great.

Never shake gin, just vodka. Gin is to be stirred. James Bond's character only drank vodka martinis -- "shaken not stirred." :D

Oh. Good to know. However they make them they're good.

I never get mailings from HAL. :confused:

We always get mailings from HAL and emails! That's how we know what cruise deals there are out there.

Cost for a martini is $6.95, the same as a Manhattan my drink of choice.

 

We had the SBP on our 18 night Panama Canal cruise. That was a $900/person value for no cost to us.

 

Rockfan2

But you have to realize too that when the Explore4 has been offered free as an incentive to book early, the cost of the cruise is usually higher. So it's all relative.

The first tour starts at 9:30 according to this site which also has a map of the places it stops. http://www.cityviewtrolleys.com/keywest/index.html

You don't need a date to buy these tickets online? You just present your confirmation I assume at whatever date and time you arrive there?