pmcubed

Zuiderdam

July 16

12 day Northern Isles

husband and me

Pat

For me the question I'll answer first is what appealed to me about cruising.

I love to travel and see many different places - my dh likes travel but hates the packing/unpacking. So, when we discovered cruising - perfect fit.

Now, I know I want a cruise - which one? I chose HAL because of the older clientele (don't want to trip over children while I'm on vacation). And because of the smaller ships.

We have been on 3 HAL cruises, one Carnival. We love HAL.

Pat

I always bring a copy of my proof of paying for each excursion just in case my shore excursions aren't in my stateroom in the bright pink envelope.

It has never happened to me, but I still carry the receipts, just in case.

Don't fret - HAL takes good care of you.

Pat

On a land vacation in Costa Rica (2010) - our "guide" told us to make a copy of our passports WITH the visa stamp - that way if our passport is stolen - at least we had proof that we entered legally.

I often carry my passport with me - in a very carefully concealed location. . .

Pat

I agree about the braking system. I have zip-lined three times now. My favorite was where the attendants on the next platform slowed you down - and all I had to do was hang on.

But last March with students in Costa Rica we all zip-lined - and they loved it! They even had a set-up where the one student who is blind could zip-line.

If he could do it- you can do it! And I agree - nothing like a roller coaster!

Pat

thanks for the reply

Pat

Anyone recently cruised in Europe since the switch to Gala nights? Are the men more dressed up there?

Thanks

Our biggest expense will be the spa - my husband loves his massages and I love the thermal suite.

We buy our shore excursions ahead of time. And this time we will have the Explore 4.

But once, my husband left a 7 day cruise with and $800.00 bill - me? $250?

depends on what YOU plan on doing on your cruise

So, I usually buy enough OBC to cover at least two massages.

DH may get three. . . he loves to be pampered!

Maybe I am misunderstanding this conversation but, for me. . .

I have booked my cruise and flights through HAL. I have paid for my flights in full and even have a booking number with Delta - where I was able to go and chose our seats.

I have NOT paid for the cruise in full - that needs to be done by May 2nd.

So, you do NOT have to pay for the cruise and flight in full at the time of booking - just the flights.

And the price of the flights is NOT going to change for me (probably just the times, since airlines like to do that).

Pat

I returned to our stateroom one afternoon to find my husband watching TV - I was so surprised and said, "Are you kidding me? It's gorgeous out there - we are in the middle of the sea and you're watching TV?"

He replied, "you relax your way and I'll relax mine."

The only time I watched TV on a cruise ship was when I had a horrendous sinus infection - then I watched movies.

There is so much to see or do - but, to each his own.

Pat

I have been on 3 HAL cruises and one Carnival. And to be honest I saw just as many with wheelchairs and oxygen tanks on CCL as I have on HAL.

I just saw fewer young families on HAL - but still saw them!

It cracks me up that people keep telling me that HAL cruise ships are full of the older crowd - most of them have never cruised with HAL.

I have loved my cruises and I believe a vacation is what YOU make it.

Pat

I think it depends on what time you choose to dine - and the cruise you're on.

We have only had to wait maybe 3-4 times in all the cruises we've taken.

We have made the reservations - but generally do not like the selected times - so we have taken our chances and like I said - we have walked in right in - no waiting.

The times we did have to wait were when my husband wanted a table just for the two of us. I prefer a table of 4 or 6.

Pat

We live outside of Pittsburgh -- the confluence of 3 rivers.

No cruise ships here either.

Thanks, this made me chuckle (I'm a couple of hours north of you in Jamestown, NY).

So, that I can "tire" of the gorgeous white sand and turquoise water of Half Moon Cay!

I love to stop there - no one is hassling me nor charging me to sit in a chair.

Living in one of the more overcast counties in western New York I love to bask in the sunshine. We see way too little of the sun here.

So, if you're tired of Half Moon Cay - stop cruising in the Caribbean!

simple solution!

Pat

I was surprised at how much I LOVED being on a ship at sea - the salt air!

I chose a cruise for our vacation the 1st time we cruised because I love to travel and see a lot of different places. My DH hates the packing and unpacking - so a cruise vacation is a perfect fit - unpack once.

I was struck by how friendly and helpful the HAL crew is. And yes, calling me by name - wow!

I can't think of a better way to vacation! I am hooked!

When we took our children on a cruise - we did a Carnival cruise - and although it was nice - doesn't measure up to HAL.

Pat

How long did it take to do your hike? And did you start from the ship location or did you taxi to a start and stop location?

Inquiring minds want to know!! Please enlighten!

I actively disliked St. Lucia; had the worst experience with aggressive vendors on Reduit Beach of any Caribbean destination we've ever been. I'll never go back. I'd visit St. Kitts, Barbados or Puerto Rico again in a heartbeat though. All of which I though had superior scenery, activities and hospitality to St. Lucia.

And that is the experience I had in Barbados - obnoxious aggressive vendors. But I had a great cab driver.

I enjoyed St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts.

But it really depends on what YOU are looking for.

I love San Juan - Old San Juan is wonderful to wander around.

But I also love St. Maarten.

So, for me, it's a toss up.

"I wonder how long it will be before someone posts that they don't understand why people watch tv on a cruise. It won't be me."

that made me laugh. On one of our cruises I stopped back at our stateroom to find my dh lying on the bed watching TV. I said something like - we are in the middle of the Caribbean, it is gorgeous outside and you - you're in here doing exactly what you would be doing at home!.

His reply, "you relax your way and I'll relax mine".

To each his own.

Pat

for your reply. That is what I thought that Europe would be a bit dressier.

also, we are definitely planning on swimming in the Blue Lagoon! can't wait.

Again, thanks.

Pat

I have only cruised in the Caribbean - knew I would live in my swimsuit most days.

This summer we are going on a Northern European cruise - to Iceland. I know I need to pack layers and be prepared for cooler temps and rain, but what about in the main dining room.

How will the ladies be dressed on casual and gala nights? What kinds of outfits will I need there?

any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Pat

You may also want to wait - for it's a long time until September. HAL may add to your shore excursions or take away.

That said - there are NO shore excursions listed for our particular cruise - yet. As it's in July of next year.

so, be patient. . .

Pat

We haven't been on many cruises but have always booked a verandah (balcony) guarantee. My dh really does spend a good deal of time in the room - so we like the balcony. We have been upgraded in the balcony category every time - we have been very happy. We have another guarantee for the upcoming summer cruise.

Pat

Now offering Comfort+ as a fare you also have to pay US 7.5 percent tax on domestic tickets on that where as an add on with seat selection you weren't taxed.

 

I guess you can now use miles to get Comfort+, couldn't do that before but is the price worth the mile?

 

Another issue is that you have to buy comfort+ for all the legs of your trip instead of upgrading a longer leg if you had a short hop and did't want comfort+ for an hour trip on an RJ.

 

I wonder if others will follow?

Have to purchase comfort plus for all our legs. We are flying into Copenhagen next July - dh wanted to upgrade so we did - to comfort plus on delta - but ONLY for the long over the ocean flights. We did NOT have to purchase it for the shorter flights.

Pat