pmcubed

not sure if you're using a desktop, laptop, or what

but on my laptop at the top of the page there is a link to "countdown clocks" and that is where to go for those. . . just choose your cruise line and there you go!

Pat

Hi, my dh and I are on

Zuiderdam

July 16, 2016

12 day northern isles

Our first european cruise - I love cruising, he wants to see Iceland. perfect fit!

Pat

I love San Juan - so I would choose a cruise leaving from there and spend a couple of extra days there. Many times I've read less than stellar reviews about the condition of ships and when I am on them, I am so excited to be cruising I don't even notice. So, ignore reviews - for the most part.

Pat

Once we left the "animal" in the hallway entrance to our room when we went to breakfast with a note attached to the door that said, "Beware of Guard "Animal"

(it's in quotes because I can't remember what it was - dog, elephant.)

When we came back after breakfast our room stewards had made a new one that was hanging just as we entered. We moved that one all over the room - so they never knew where they would find it and neither did we.

We have had really good luck with awesome, fun room stewards.

Pat

Great news. I know she is an older ship, but I am so looking forward to sailing her again in July.

Pat

For our upcoming cruise the price did NOT go up when the Explore 4 promotion began. So, I was really happy and booked.

Now that Explore 4 has ended the cost of the cruise dropped $600 - so that is $1200 for the two of us. But, I still think it's a bargain, especially for my husband who enjoys his cocktails a lot more than I do.

But I was surprised at the amount it dropped. Yes, I could cancel and re-book, but this is the price I agreed to and like I said, it is still a good deal for my dh.

Pat

Peru also will accept US dollars.

One thing you might want to make sure of - your bills are in GREAT shape. If they have tears or corners missing or are very ratty - they will not take them in Costa Rica (don't know about other areas).

Also, if you don't want a LOT of foreign money in change - have smaller bills.

Pat

I have traveled a great deal in Costa Rica and NEVER had a problem with my credit card.

As long as you let your credit card company know you'll be fine.

Pat

Well, we have officially booked our first cruise. 14 day Southern Caribbean with Holland America in a verandah. Now we just need to determine our final cabin location.... Thanks all for the assistance. Looking forward to being part of the cruising family. :cool:

Yay! I hope you enjoy HAL as much as my dh and I do. We will be taking our 4th HAL cruise. We are not into being entertained and enjoy being pampered while on vacation. So, it's the perfect fit for us.

Enjoy!

Pat

Besides the tips, our OBC usually gets eaten up at the spa - the best massages I have ever had were on HAL ships!

Pat

For the responses. I have checked temps - we are doing a couple of Fjords and Iceland - and although I know weather can fluctuate - it appears that their normal temps are chillier than Caribbean temps.

I will pack layers - and I knew to bring my swimsuit - love the hydrotherapy pool!!

thanks!

Pat

For the update - my favorite place. I really do wish I could stay there forever!

Pat

We have only cruised in the Caribbean. We are taking our first cruise to northern Europe next summer. I know it will be much cooler. So, how does that change the pool areas? I don't picture swimsuits and chair hogs - so what does the seaview pool area look like?

What should we be prepared for?

Thanks.

Explore 4 made the choice for us. We were considering a couple of different cruises. When the Explore 4 promotion came up - one cruise was $400 more per person, but the other's price remained the same. That clinched it for us.

We get all the perks and pay no more.

Pat

between a chair that someone obviously has been using and has left for a bit and those chairs being saved with a neatly rolled towel and a book that have never been used.

Mechanical difficulties caused us to miss our connecting flight (we had a three hour lay-over - still missed it!) to Fort Lauderdale.

I called HA - they put us up at a hotel in Ft Lauderdale and a gentleman met us in the lobby the next morning to take us to Miami to catch a flight to Grand Cayman - we had two days in Grand Cayman. The breakdown in communications came there - we were told there was a room for us there - there wasn't. Neither was there someone to meet us at the airport to take us to said room.

Not only had we purchased our flights - but also the insurance.

But, it all worked out and the HA crew on ship could NOT have been nicer nor more accommodating to us. We had a huge obc for the hotel and meals (without even showing receipts).

Pat

My PCC e-mailed me again to say she spoke to her supervisor and was able to get us this promotion too!

YAY! on another note, when they added Explore 4 to our cruise it did NOT increase the price.

We are very happy right now. After all 90% of the fun of travel is the planning! haha!

Pat

When we missed our cruise out of Fort Lauderdale last February (long story) the port we were flown to was Grand Cayman. (it was nice to have two days there). But when the ship arrived they weren't sure they could get us on because of the rough waters. So this would solve that problem. (we did get on the ship - and had all kinds of shipboard credit and a free bottle of champagne)

Pat

I have a verandah stateroom and my cruise is listed in this promotion, but my PCC said:

"I have checked the new promotion and it is unfortunately not combinable with the promotion that you have already. I would be glad to keep an eye out for you for any other new promotions that might apply."

If others can get it, not sure why we can't. Oh well.

Pat

the promotional on the website does say it only applies to new bookings. . . but I'll wait and see what my PCC says.

*fingers crossed*

Pat

Last February we had a late flight and did the HAL Evergades tour. We loved it.

It was very informational and a great way to spend the afternoon. We were still at the airport in plenty of time.

Last Winter - I got several e-mails from flight ease on changes in our flights - even if it was just 2-3 minutes different.

But on flights I booked myself I have always stayed VIGILANT as to changes.

So happy it all worked out - you need this cruise! Happy Anniversary and Happy Cruising!

Pat

With a TSA approved lock - we always lock our luggage.

Oftentimes we open it to find a letter stating they opened it and checked it. But we definitely lock our bags.

When my husband and I renewed our passports last we had our photos taken at a local post office - no charge.

and the passports arrived back to us within 3 weeks.

I thought it a miracle at the time.

We were on the NA last February on the 4th deck aft and it was just fine. We loved the ship. We were on the starboard side and the room was very nice.

Enjoy!