wurm914

14 minutes ago, Mike45LC said:

 In the late 1990s, Carnival was a Spring break experience, full of 20-something guys getting wasted and vomiting in the corners. 

 

We had the same experience on a spring break cruise with RCCL.  We found out after we boarded and realized we were definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time.  RCCL had been selling the cruise with a cheap booze package on the college campuses in FL.  We ended up staying in our room most of the cruise - it was safer for our shoes.   We had an aft balcony/junior suite - someone threw a bar glass off the back of the ship that broke one of our balcony panels - it was a whole day repair.  

deb 🙂

15 hours ago, papajoe said:

Then I found out that the Valor is doing the round trip from New Orleans in April with a month between legs.

 

We did the Freedom TA earlier this year.  Older crowd, few kids and no drunks to deal with.  There were also some enrichment type events.  Lectures and such that I really enjoyed.  Lots of relaxing sea days.

 

We can't wait to do it again.

Thanks for pointing out the Valor - you're right, that could be a fantastic trip!

deb 🙂

32 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I'm doing a rcl may 2025 ta, pc to rome. I'd take just about any cruiseline home if the dates worked rather than fly home

 

I looked at your repo date and for me the price is high.

 

I agree with you about the price - and since the ship turns around 30 days later and heads back to PC I'm thinking it could be going in for refurbishing.  I may wait a while to see if the price comes down and the other cruise lines put out their Fall 2025 offerings.   Thanks for your input and I hope your spring 2025 repo is fabulous!

deb 🙂

Hello All, I'm not new to cruising but have never done Carnival - always thought of Carnival as more of a party boat and that's just not my vibe. I'm mid 60s with approximately 30 cruises, some of them long ones.   I'm trying to figure out a way to get to and from Europe in 2025 and not fly.  I see a Carnival Mardi Gras repo for September 2025 - but I have concerns.  Is the atmosphere different on a repo/transatlantic for Carnival?  What's the demographic for this type of cruise?  Any information you can offer to help me decide?

Thanks!

deb 🙂

Has anybody checked this sailing, 1/11/24 a transatlantic cruise - prices are crazy low and the ship returns state-side approximately 3 weeks after arriving in Southhampton, England.  Maintenance or a charter NCL couldn't resist?  I don't remember seeing this before and I think I heard some ships were being  redeployed.  Any insights from those in the know?  Would you do it?  There are only sea days and lots of them! 

Color me intrigued.

deb 🙂

17 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

(Disclaimer:  not saying you must but merely a suggestion.  I get in trouble on here if I come across as though I am requiring someone to do something.  LOL)

 

Oh, I'll go, don't you worry!  I appreciate your input.  🙂

3 hours ago, ISLANDFAN said:

I will share our thoughts on the difference between RCCL, Celebrity, and Princess verses Holland America. A few highlights:

Level of service a notch above

Food presentation and flavor in dining room was outstanding

Dive In and NY Pizza were excellent as our food was made to order

Music venues were incredible. Enjoyed all three rooms. 

Stateroom attendants were efficient and friendly

Veranda stateroom was one of the best we have had.

 

 

Thank you for sharing your insights on the differences in the cruise lines. 

27 minutes ago, 0106 said:

@wurm914 What ship are you sailing?  Where an re you sailing?  Only Pinnacle class ships have the New York Pizza & Deli and the Grand Dutch Cafe.  The pastry may be the Bossche bol from the GDC; many people rave about it.

 

I sail HAL for the ports and the service.  

Konigsdam.  Vancouver > Hawaii > Vancouver - coming up soon!  Thanks!

18 minutes ago, Banditswife said:

You might want to mention your ship so people can be more specific for suggestions about your particular ship's offerings.

Very true!  It's the Konigsdam.  17 Night Vancouver > Hawaii > Vancouver.  Thank you!

Hello all! 

I have over 30 cruises under my belt but I've never been on HAL before.  NCL, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Princess. 

What advice can you offer?  Is there something that cannot be missed?   I've heard of a certain pastry that cannot be missed and I'm preparing to break KETO/Low Carb to have one - but I can't remember what it's called.  I've heard about tea time, that sounds interesting - is it still a thing? 

Thanks for all information and suggestions.

deb 🙂

9 minutes ago, Mike A said:

In fact you can even keep the same stateroom if available. All you have to do is disembark and re-embark. If the same stateroom is not available the steward will move your belongings during the turnaround. 

As it turns out the same cabin IS available! 

Hello all, I need some advice from the knowledgeable folks of CruiseCritic.  I'm wanting to cruise out of NY next fall to Quebec City and then return to NY on the same ship on it's very next cruise.  Essentially a back to back situation.   Is this a Passenger Vessel Services Act no-go or am I good to go? 

Fingers crossed waiting with bated breath. 

Thanks all,

deb 🙂

1 hour ago, FlaMariner said:

 

It is a great perk!  And to add, at 3*s you get 25% off. 

 

Enjoy.

I don't know what 'at 3's' means, but I'm looking forward to finding out!

deb 🙂

3 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Once you get to be a 4 Star Mariner your cost drops to about $18 per bottle (package #1), all costs included.  Costs $20 per bottle for the corkage fee along if bringing your won wine onboard.

That's an interesting perk for a loyal cruiser - haven't seen that before.  Thanks for the information!

deb 🙂

4 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

Check out this link to a review of Holland America Line wine's.....

 

Looks like wines by the bottle are several bucks higher than the Sommelier.  

 

(We always buy package #1 and find that the wines are good and the price is right)

 

https://sandinmysuitcase.com/holland-america-wine-packages/#List

 

by "than the Sommelier" do you mean it's a better price by the glass?  Thanks for your response!

deb 🙂

Just looking at the website and I note that Cellar 1 prices are approximately $33 per bottle for a 6 bottle purchase.  Can anyone comment on whether that represents a certain percentage off compared to buying individual bottles?  I'm a HAL newbie and want to make a good decision.

thanks,

deb :)

Hello all, I checked the HAL website and see the perks that Club Orange provides but can you give me an idea of how much it costs?  Is it a one and done type of thing for the rest of your cruising life with HAL or do you have to "join" for each cruise?  What do you think the best benefit is and why? 

Thanks for any information,

deb 🙂

The Garden Cafe serves "snacks" from 3 - 5 pm.  There's sandwich fixings, quiche, scones, cookies, fruit and the like - I guess it's kind of a make your own "tea time". 

deb 🙂

My friend and I are booked on the Vancouver > Hawaii > Vancouver cruise in October and are considering Thermal Spa passes.  Can anyone tell me what floor the Thermal Spa is located and any information on how the TS is on the Koningsdam's spa in particular?   I very often get the thermal spa pass on NCL ships and wonder how the HAL Koningsdam will compare.

Thank you for any info,

deb 🙂

23 hours ago, luv2cruise523 said:

I'm  low carb, and I always arrange for a carton of Heavy Whipping Cream for our cabin fridge ;-)

Me too and I would prefer HWC, half and half is the minimum for my coffee.  How do you "arrange for a carton of HWC  for the cabin fridge"?

deb 🙂

On 6/2/2023 at 8:38 PM, Ellis1138 said:

 

On 6/2/2023 at 8:38 PM, Ellis1138 said:

I can bring my own Instant Cafe Bustelo and add hot water to it, no problem.

 

I have been bringing my own Starbucks VIA instant coffee for years now, but I need cream or half/half at least. 

 

14 minutes ago, wil e coyote said:

I guess this means we have to go on another cruise so I can personally verify this.  🤪

Dear...where is the credit card?

be sure to bring your little container to fill with half and half in the Garden Cafe.  So nice to have that first cup of coffee (with half and half) on the balcony.  🙂

deb 🙂

2 hours ago, Travelling2Some said:

 Any chance this was the confusing labeling?

nope, not a chance, it was straight up Coffee Mate - a trademarked product.  The ingredient labeling said Contains: a milk derivative. 

We were on the NCL Joy in January this year, half and half for coffee was standard - available in the little single serve cups.  You could get heavy cream if requested in most of the dining rooms.  Fast forward to last week on the Getaway and they've switched to Coffee Mate!  You can still get half and half from what used to be a milk dispenser in the Garden Cafe, but if you want to bring a few extras back for making coffee in your cabin - you'll be using Coffee Mate.  I didn't really mind in the Garden Cafe - I had my workaround and would bring a water glass back filled with half and half back to the cabin every other day - I had a covered reusable container that fit in the fridge.  But - seriously, Coffee Mate on the table at Le Bistro?  Nothing says fine french dining like Coffee Mate.  Is this switch across all ships?  Am I a coffee snob? (kind of, maybe...) What do you think?

deb 🙂

1 hour ago, RunBikeCruiseDC said:

We had a few people that had both on our cruise last week, they were not planning on leaving the ship as the ports of call were the typical Bahamas cruise that many of us have done a bazillion times.  

This was my rationale (some may call it girly math) for justifying buying spa passes.  We're unlikely to get off the ship much at all, I love the ship atmosphere and have been to the Caribbean many times.  I figure $319 pp  (9 day cruise) for a spa pass is a lot cheaper than excursions.