mrsbuddha123

I am a non smoker who loves HAL. I can always retreat to the spa if smoke ever became an issue. Love those Dam ships!

I am not a smoker but partner is, yet we have never booked on HAL for the smoking policy. We love the Neptune Lounge and the wrap around aft balcony.

I am uncertain how these types of mix ups happen. Jan 11, 2015, Jan 18, 2015 and Jan 25, 2015 are total ship charters. Indeed the Smooth Jazz Cruise was completely sold out 1 year prior to sailing. The Country Music Cruise Jan 18 and the Jazz Cruise Jan 25 are still available if you are interested in these music genres. The booking is done through the charter production company not HAL.

I just got off the eurodam mar 30, and I tried a veranda and the retreat cabana,, just perfect for me going solo. the cabana guys where great and the treats where lovely- they would get what you needed, breakfast, lunch, snack at 4 pm and I had my own place to read, nap . etc.. well worth the extra

I normally get a Neptune Suite but I have 3 trips booked for January/February 2013 and had to sacrifice the NS for one. I was looking into the retreat cabana. Did you use it daily? Did it provide enough privacy? Just curious. I'm hoping between the cabana and my spa pass I won't miss the Suite Life too much.

The menu options were excellent! I usually pre-ordered and if something was appealing on the regular menu the wait staff happily accommodated me. The butternut squash soup was amazing looking forward to my next sailing 2/23/14. By the way the poolside grill offers a delicious portobello mushroom burger that you shouldn't miss.

You will not go hungry or be disappointed with the taste of the dishes.

Fellow vegetarian from NY.

Thank you for your lovely post. In a world where danger lurks on the internet, your post is proof good honest people are also there. My mom died at 44, her mom at 36. So I cruise as often as I can. I am changing employers on Monday and have two cruises in 2 weeks they have agreed to honor. Let's hope they honor the ones already booked for 2015 :D

How I envy Florida's weather as so am here in NY with 6-8 inches of snow! I'm looking forward to tomorrow!

Feb 2012 my then 13 year old has a blast in the Edge on the Dream. She is still friends with many of the teen girls she met. February 2014 we sail the Fantasy I cannot begin to explain how excited she is to go to the Vibe.

We travel as single mom and teenage daughter we were paired with others like ourselves (dad & teen girl and grandmother & teen girl) looking back at the dinner photos are fun. 2 years later one of the girls we were paired with still texts and Facebooks my daughter.

Happy Sails & Happy New Year!

As it turns out after some initial discovery, it looks like we may be able to retire this year (at least me). It does not look like we will not be eating cat food (I used to shop at the same time as this little old lady and she always bought lots off cat food. I asked the clerk if he knew how many cats she had and she said she did not have any....) or visiting the local food bank. Looking at cruise prices it looks like everything is up from before. My question is does it make sense to book and interior room? We have always had balcony rooms, but we could save big bucks by doing an interior.

 

What are your feelings on interiors?

I am not yet retirement age but when traveling on HAL, we usually book a suite. I have been pondering what would happen when I am on a fixed income? I have never been in an interior and the choice I would face is learn to adjust or cruise less frequently. Let us know what you decide.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Can hardly wait until embarkation day!

I completely understand your excitement. We are counting down!

Happy Holidays! I have been eagerly waiting for your posts to begin. Every year I tell myself, one day I will be joining you for a margarita pizza and not just enjoying your posts.

I thank you for allowing me to see the world through your descriptive posts. I pray you safe travels and good health as we exit this year and you adventure on the next world cruise.

ITA! I've now done two 7-day after my first 4-day on the Dream, and even the 7 seem too quick sometimes! I may try the shorter one solo, but I'm afraid 4 days will pass in a blink.

 

Like I told my daughter, I think I'm just meant to live permanently on the ship or Castaway Cay!!:p

I have been plotting my retirement on a cruise. Lol

I appreciate you allowing us to travel will you! One day I'm hoping to take a world cruise.

You are welcome...if it helps , I met several MSM cruisers in the Ft Lauderdale airport on Sunday Nov 10th returning home (just so happened my Capital Jazz SuperCruise was the same week)...they LOVED their experience and almost all at signed up for next year while they were onboard this year's cruise...it was a tie, on which charter had the best teeshirts...lol

 

I looked at the MSM line up for next year and it looked awesome...I would strongly urge you to take the leap and book it...

Their shirt is mailed to them weeks before the cruise sails and it is free as opposed to purchasing your shirt on board. Free wins every time, $25 pocketed.

I am super excited to read your review. I am booked in the owner's suite for 8/25/12. I figure this is my once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii and you just confirmed the expense is worth it! Thanks again for the details looking forward to reading more!

Disney Cruise Line also has this service fee at least on the Dream. By the way you can have it removed and tip on your own. I love cruising I just prepay the charges before I get on the boat and take it as part of the charge of the cruise.

I sailed on the Jewel a few weeks after you so I followed your roll call. The wedding was lovely. I saw you considering the Breakaway. I booked the maiden voyage but I'm also thinking about booking to Bermuda Aug/Sep 2013. Again continue to walk in love and respect of each other your joy is apparent to all. Tracey

You're going to have a fabulous time! Which itinerary are you taking, eastern or western?

Looking forward to fun and music in sun! I booked OS excited to say the least! I'm counting down. 13 more work days to go!

Boarding the Valor on a chartered cruise on 10/23 looking forward to your entire review!

Tracey - I'm so glad you've found my review useful. I've gotten so many good suggestions from these boards, and I just want to give back when I can. I will continue to answer the questions I can as long as people keep asking them. You are going to have a wonderful time I'm sure. Please post a review when you return. I love to read all the reviews.

 

Donna

I have some plans and I will let you know the true outcomes. I will post upon my return Sep 2012. Thanks again Tracey.

KW/Donna

I wanted to thank you for continuing to answer questions for posters a year after you completed your POA Hawaiian Cruise. I am going to cut and paste many of you ideas. I am not traveling on POA until 8/26/2012 but your planning is organized much like my own and your review cut out some of my leg work.

I purchased my copy of Frommer's Hawaii before reading your review. LOL could have saved a few bucks.

Thanks Tracey

This is a great bedtime story. I can dream of Hawaii until your next installment.

I am also interested in arranging the lei greeting. My POA cruise is 8/25/12 pre-cruise hotel is Disney's Aulani Resort. 8/18-8/25. I want this to be our most memorable cruise ever booked the owners suite.

Please continue your review!

This helps I have Penthouse on Jewel & Owners on POA.