Wayfairers

Yeah, the pirate ship bar was there in 2011.

Sorry if these questions have been asked and I missed it...

when did this program start?

Do bartenders serve those using Cheers with the same effort that they serve those who aren't? After all, surely they have figured out by now that when you signed up for this program you paid your tip so extra effort will probably not result in additional tip. So, logically, the guy sitting next to you, who isn't on Cheers and hasn't tipped is more likely to get better service.

Are mixed drinks light on alcohol?

Any complaints about the program?

I've seen conflicting answers concerning whether or not Cheers can be used on Half Moon Cay....any definite answer? This is typically one of our more intensive drinking days.

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Thank you, that is exactly what I was searching for!

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Our last visit to HMC was late 2011. We grabbed a hammock for the day and had fun just relaxing. Any changes to HMC? Are the hammocks still free?

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Anyone know what beer brands are sold on the Conquest? Any beers from micro or macro breweries?

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Something I learned on our 30 day Hawaii/South Pacific is to make sure you vary activities on shore. Never hot bored on the ship but seeing volcanoes at several stops got a little old. Now I list the ports and what I have planned at each port and review that for variety before finalizing anything. Also found it is important for us to have some port days on our own rather than on a tour.

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I don't think you would have time to do both....I decided to do the regatta this trip and save the Maho/airport bar for the next visit based upon several people who had done both telling me there isn't enough time. And, truthfully, I didn't want to deal with having to get to the bar and back to the ship while worrying about time.

We enjoyed this excursion. It isn't one I would repeat several times, but a wonderful experience. Our boat won! The bar was open the entire time and we actually ran out of beer. I was a primary grinder and my husband was a main grinder. It really wasn't hard work.... We started grinding when we were told and it was always a fairly short stint followed by sitting back and relaxing until it was time to grind again. We had great weather during the sail followed by a short rain when we got back to the store/office. Luckily there was room for us all to stand inside until the rain passed.

Biaria - Wanted to say THANK YOU for the great advice you gave me before our trip to Madeira. With your help I was able to plan two wonderful days on the island. I fell in love with Madeira and look forward to visiting again some day.

On day 1 we hiked the Ribeiro Frio Lavada Hike (one of the prettiest hikes we have ever taken), rode the cable car, the basket (FUN!) then walked back to the ship enjoying Funchal along the way. We even tried Poncha - good!

On day 2 we took a tour with Daniel's Taxi and saw so many amazing views and a really cute fishing village! It was the perfect last day before the Atlantic crossing back to Fort Lauderdale. A few on our tour were concerned that we would miss the boat, but our driver/guide got us back with over an hour to spare.

Thanks again for taking the time to patiently answer all my questions!

Thanks! I have read the Tenerife Forum, but haven't posted the question there.

I Love my Wii Zumba - it really works me! The steps are a little hard to follow, but I've never had any dance training and it is getting easier with time.

Is it possible to take a taxi from the port to Mt Teide? Approximately what should we expect to pay?

If we take a tour (bought on dock) instead of a taxi I am assuming they wait on you to ride the cable car up/down the mountain?

Rude people is one of the reasons we always use the stairs! The other is that we burn more calories that way!

Nice job RickinNYC... wish more people were like you!

Hi Wayfairers we were on a caribbean cruise last year with halloween and they told us the same thing so i didn,t bring anything but nearly everybody was dressed up, that was on a RCCL cruise so don,t know if that will be different to a HAL one.

hmmm.... if everyone is dressed up we could always ask for a couple of top sheets and make togas! :D:D

We will be on a 45d cruise this Halloween on HAL - I've heard we may have decorations, but most (if not all) people won't dress up.

Thanks for new toboggan ride cost Biaria - it helps to know what to expect!

So my follow up question to skipping ports is - do some cruise lines tend to skip more ports then others? I have cruised 9 times and this is the first time I experienced it. And when I started to look into this cruiseline, it appears they seem to do it consistently. I'm starting to think that from now on - I would like to research a cruise ship's past records in skipping ports before I choose which line to go with.

Is there a place to see records of skipped ports? I'm thinking that some ports may be skipped more often than others (by all ships) rather than some ships skip more ports. This would be great information to have when planning private vs ship excursions.

Thanks once again!! I have added the walk to my plans. Looking forward to my visit to Funchal!

The first day we are planning to....

walk to the market and spend some time browsing

walk to the cable car terminal and take the cable car to Monte

explore Monte

ride the Monte Toboggan (cash only) to Estrada do Livramento

walk to town center stopping by Blandy

spend time downtown until we are ready to walk back to the ship

Biaria - I'm thinking of adding a morning Levada walk to this day that will return at 3pm. The toboggans end their day at 6pm. Am I correct that I will have plenty of time to do the Toboggan after I return from the walk? I am going to ask the driver to drop us at the cable car (or at least close) instead of at the cruise ship. Any suggestions? I know the change in my plans will not allow me to visit the market.

Some people see this website as Information & Referral. Others see it as a place to chat about cruising, and getting to know each other.

I'm in the latter camp. You really can't get to know someone if all you do is give them a link in answer to a question (although they do learn something about you. ;))

Interesting that you choose the latter - that must be why I always enjoy reading your comments on here! I'm with you - this place is to chat and help expand people's knowledge (including mine), not just fire off quick answers.

Agree -- don't worry about those people who keep telling you to use the Search Feature -- all too often it doesn't work.

There are quite a few of us who do not mind answering the same questions over and over since we know it can be frustrating finding the right answers on here.

Go and enjoy your cruise.

Dont let a few cranky people turn you off. I don't mind if someone has asked something 1000 times. Sometimes people will have different answers. I haven't found the search to be bringing up that much lately. Did a search the other day and it only brought up responses from Aug. That's not helpful IMO. I hope you enjoy your cruise:).

Thanks for the support! I have learned that two things are needed to survive in the world: not let people intimidate you (being a female in a male dominated profession taught me how to do that) and treat others the way you want to be treated (thanks to my parents for teaching me this one). I'm glad there are people like you guys that are willing to answer questions without the snarky comments. Thanks again!

CruiserBruce: OP (me) only has a few over 800 posts - sure that is closer to 1000 than it is to 0, but still not to 1000 yet. Before I post a new thread I usually do a search first. You caught me one of the few times I didn't do a search. Should I have done that? Yes, but no need for you to be mean about it. This is a small world.... I may just be sitting at your table on your next cruise so you may as well be nice.

The OP clearly stated that they have only cruised HAL once before. They asked a simple question. Pointing out that it has been discussed before is not helpful, especially in the wake of search functions going out for days. Why not just give them the courtesy of an answer. So what if it's come up before???

Well said, thank you.

Thanks for all the answers everyone!

tangerinebunny: We live in west TN not far from Jackson. Went to school in Knoxville and worked there for a couple of years after college. Really enjoyed the town.

Our upcoming cruise is our first as a return customer on HAL. What is the welcome back lunch and the complimentary champagne brunch? Do I have to have anything to lD me as a past cruiser to get into the dining room for the lunch or to go to the brunch?

one of the star mariner perks: Welcome Back Embarkation Lunch in the dining room (from 12:00pm to 1:30pm) as well as a complimentary Mariner Champagne Brunch