sunshine3215

Nancy's slideshow was amazing. Hoping to book for next winter.

I hope someone can help me, I am booked on a Carnival partial that is leaving on Jan 2 2017 out of Balitmore, I looked at the itinerary today and the ship says "partial" but it does not offer any excursions.

I thought we would travel though the locks and then be able to get off and get a few souvenirs at least.

Am I misunderstanding.

To the original poster, I am just seeing your message.

GO< GO< GO<GO< GO...you are so blessed to be in good health to go. This will be a memory for your children for the rest of their lives. 30 years from NOW, they will be talking about this trip with their children.

Please go, I wish I could go with you.

The best thing for me is take motion sickness pills everyday NO MATTER how calm or rough the seas are; but I now get my cabins mid ship no matter what level but I tend to want to save money so I am now get lower level cabins.

Thank you so much for your posting, the pictures are lovely, you inspired me greatly. I am so thankful, your posting was so detailed, exciting and inspiring.

thanks so much!!!

Thanks EVERYONE,

I really appreciate all the comments, I did not start a roll call since I am really "not" going, I did not know if it would be "right" for me to start a roll call.

thanks everyone.

I am so thankful for everyone's feedback, I will give this island another chance, I think because we had two boats and we left late, that was the cause for the massive crowd.

I'd love to hear any comments anyone has about this cruise line or the itinerary. I am not able to reserve a cabin for 2016 but I am watching this and plan to take in one day 2017 possibly. So I'd like to hear from YOU, no matter how small you think your comments might be I'd like to hear all comments, ideas and tips for 1) taking Holland America 2) experiences on this ship or line 3) itinerary ideas.

Cruise Line - Holland America

What trip are you talking about?

29 Night Baltic Adventure & Viking Passage - Zuiderdam

Departing from: Copenhagen, Denmark

Date: August 09, 2016 – September 07, 2016

Ports of Call:

Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany • Tallinn, Estonia • St. Petersburg, Russian Federation • Helsinki, Finland • Stockholm, Sweden • Kiel (Hamburg), Germany • Goteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden • Helsingborg, Sweden • Bergen, Norway • Akureyri, Iceland • Cruise Eyjafjordur, Iceland • Isafjordur, Iceland • Cruise Isafjardardjup • Reykjavik, Iceland • Cruise Prins Christian Sund, Greenland • Qaqortoq, Greenland • Nanortalik, Greenland • St. John's, Newfoundland • Halifax, Nova Scotia • New York, New York

Is this itinerary not great!!!!! All comments will be greatly appreciated.

Keith I appreciate your comments and would love to hear more from you. I am not financially able to do a world cruise now but I have a few in mind that I am watching. The cruise below, will probably be too short to count as a world cruise but I'd love to hear any comments anyone has about this cruise line or the itinerary.

Holland America

29 Night Baltic Adventure & Viking Passage - Zuiderdam

** I did read the Holland American page and I will also post this on that page.

Departing from: Copenhagen, Denmark

Date: August 09, 2016 – September 07, 2016

Ports of Call: Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany • Tallinn, Estonia • St. Petersburg, Russian Federation • Helsinki, Finland • Stockholm, Sweden • Kiel (Hamburg), Germany • Goteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden • Helsingborg, Sweden • Bergen, Norway • Akureyri, Iceland • Cruise Eyjafjordur, Iceland • Isafjordur, Iceland • Cruise Isafjardardjup • Reykjavik, Iceland • Cruise Prins Christian Sund, Greenland • Qaqortoq, Greenland • Nanortalik, Greenland • St. John's, Newfoundland • Halifax, Nova Scotia • New York, New York

is this itinerary not great.

All comments will be greatly appreciated.

 

Once they get a person off the ship, with a scooter......are there walkways or trails that one can cruise around on the scooter, or is it sand?

 

Are there trails that are scooter-able around the island?:)

 

I can't seem to find pictures showing this.....

I am going to say NO, I saw no scooter able trails. I did not see what happened when the elderly man departed the tender.

When I got off the tender it was ALL SAND, there was a few feet of concrete and then after than, all sand. I saw no concrete walkways. But I'd say ask on the ship before you take the tender. I don't know so I don't want to mislead you.

I would several questions before I got off the ship 1) after the golf cart is taken where does it take you and what is the environment 2) ask if arrangements can be made for a RCL Assistant to come with you (don't know if this is even possible) 3) can you reserve a golf cart to not only take you to the cabana destination but arrange for one to take you back to the SHIP. That is the key thing, back to the tender.

Honestly, I think this island is for the more physically able, if I knew in advance that the island would have been so crowded I would have stayed on the ship and stayed on the deck and relaxed.

royal carb grand of the seas (the ship I was on) and another RC Ship, I'm not sure of the other name maybe majesty of the seas, it started with an M.

They were with us at Key west also.

I just returned from a cruise on Grand of the Seas and I wish I had NOT GOTTEN the internet. It was terrible. I should have complained the first or second day and then maybe I could have got my money back.

I kept hoping it would get better, If I was on a site to read only, it was okay and that was when I was in my cabin. If I was outside the cabin it was ULTRA slow, and you could NOT WATCH ANY MOVIES, YOU TUBE or anything like WWE network.

I could play games on my kindle, (which I did not need to pay for internet to do that) and I could read message boards, maybe view qvc items sold page, any shopping page you could read, but if your plan is to watch a movie, watch youtube, Netflix, WWE network, oprah, investigation discovery, etc. it is a WRAP.

I would not get it again unless I'm on oasis of the seas or a super new ship as the comments have posted above.

thank you for posting these pictures, I am also going to Colon in Jan 2017,

I was just in KW during the festival and our boat was their until 4:30 pm. We left the boat at around 11:30 am and took the trolley, and honestly I think we just happened to be their at a bad time.

The town was super crowded, two ships were in town. The trolley to me, did not talk you right in front of the door, it make take you around the corner or down the street from X place. Also because the town was so crowded with the two ships if you got off the trolley you might have to wait a long time for another trolley. We passed several stops and could not pick up the people waiting for a bus.

I think the trolley is good for people who just want to ride and see the sights because we could NOT have walked and seen as much as the trolley showed up. Plus it was super hot so please dress for humidity, the lightest clothes, tank tops, summer dresses, etc.

Oh I forgot, activities:

What can we do on the island:

If you can swim, then you have a lot to do, their are floating devices (it looked like a jungle gym type thing in the water), and they have snorkeling and other water activities.

I also saw parasailing, which I recommend that if this is of interest to you, please consider doing it on this island. In my opinion, because this island is totally run by RC, I am confident the safety is the top priority.

Part Two:

How far is the walk from the tender to the beach -

Honestly, it is a long walk for the elderly or people in moderate health. The walk is on sand, and it is like a maze like hallway, their is not much shade and it is a good walk. I did observe golf type carts to take people to the beach but when it was time to leave, that is where I DID NOT SEE many golf carts to take you back. I waited for one and just had to break down and walk.

Lounge Chairs/ Shade:

Now here is where the DRAMA began for me!!! We did not leave the ship until about 10:30 am and an announcement was made that 2 ships were on the island. We could not find a lounge chair anywhere and my husband and I walked the beach both directions.

We ended up sitting at a picnic table by the food for the ENTIRE TIME, I did not get to go in the water, it was so crowded, we knew if we BOTH left our seat we would have LOST IT. So I just sent him to walk in the water.

If you want to go to this island, GET UP, AND BE ON THE FIRST TENDER, so you will be assured to get a lounge chair.

I watched many people just go back to the ship and we did that but we stayed about 2 hours and just left.

Is Food Served:

Yes, the food was great, men walk around selling drinks, there is a food station which has water and tea, punch etc. Food did not seem to be available until 12:30 and it was hamburger, hot dogs, rice/peas, ribs, dessert.

Are bathrooms available:

Yes, there are bathrooms in real buildings and my husband said they were clean.

Can I buy anything:

Yes, there was a shopping area that sold straw bags, t shirts, I did not get to see it because I was "watching the table" so I sent my husband. He said the prices seemed kind of high.

Would you recommend it:

I learned from this experience, any cruise that stops at a private island, GET UP, and be on the first or second tender so you are assured a lounge chair. I know you can reserve a cabana so I would also do that for sure, I don't know how far the walk would be for a cabana so keep that in mind if you have walking limitations.

I did not expect there to be 2 ships, but I wonder if their were even enough lounge chairs for one ship if you left at a later time like after 10:30 am.

I would go again, but I NOW KNOW what to expect.

I just came back from a Royal Car. Cruise out of Baltimore, MD and one of the stops was Cococay, Bahamas. Please see my review below and I hope it helps future travelers.

What is Cococay - It is a RC private island and often times a cruise will stop their for the day.

What to expect:

When I went 2 weeks ago, (Oct.2015) it was hot but the heat is not the issue really the sun is blaring and their is not a lot of shade (unless you are lucky enough to get a lounge chair under the shade.

What to wear:

This is the island to wear your lightest clothes, ladies - strapless dress over swimsuit, or short/swim suit, skort and tank top, short/tank top, if you KNOW you are going to swim and get a lounge chair then even a swim suit and sarong (longer length for modesty).

How do we get to the island:

We leave the boat by tender ship but it was one of the largest tenders I have ever seen, seats at least 200 people. The boat moves very slow so you "should" not feel motion sickness. The ride is about 10-15 minutes if that.

Can an older person or special needs person go to the island:

Yes, I witnessed the staff help an older man out his scooter (he could walk) and they helped him down the ramp, then to his seat), then his scooter was brought on the boat. Also I saw the special wheelchairs with the big wheels on the beach. I don't know the reserve process to get one of these items. I also witnessed ladies being helped with strollers, etc.

How do you get off the tender:

The tender docks and an automatic bridge comes down, the boat was secured and then the bridge came down, the bridge is carpeted so you won't fall or drop things through the planks.

Part Two...

This price seems high to me, question would you consider a nice bed and breakfast or nice hotel stay in a nearby town, maybe a themed trip like a baseball game, a great dinner, maybe limousine service for the weekend. I just think you can get so much more for the price if you investigate land options.

Prevention is the best answer for all cruises, you just never know when you will experience rough seas. I plan for it no matter what, I take the motion sickness pills that you take one time every 24 hours. I start taking the pills like 2 days prior to the cruise and through the entire cruise. I do not drink liquor so this is not a problem for me. I also take my pills at night before bed. While my husband takes his every morning since he on occasion likes to have a mixed drink one or two nights on the cruise.

I have done this cruise with Princess several times............depends on time of year as for rough seas etc...........I've had it be very clear and smooth and rocky........all depends.

 

It is a fun cruise

I'd love to do this cruise, does anyone know when the "rough" seas are more likely than other times???

I was also on this cruise.....so I agree with your comments....here are my comments below:

Food: To me the food was below average, I mostly ate the grilled sandwiches, salads and hot dogs/hamburgers. The food on the lido deck buffet was below average, my husband had a steak one night that was good but otherwise...not good.

Shows: the shows was okay, we also did not go to the comedy shows. We did go to the musical show.

Purpose of Trip: TO me, the purpose was for me to see the scenery so I did see that but the leaves had not changed much. The cruise is okay but I would not recommend this as an "exciting" cruise. I saw a show years ago that talked about how all of the US now looks the same and it is really true. Some things looked unique like Peggy's Cove, and the Hailifax out of town scenery but all and I was not overly impressed. I had not been to Portland/Kenn. so it was nice to see the Pres. Bush's home, and the little town but I mainly loved the flower boxes on the homes in that part of the country.

TOURS: I did a tour at each port, for me, I don't go to the same place 2 times so I wanted to see all of the town scenery. Some people just walked around outside the boat but I wanted to see more than the port.

In Boston we did the on/off trolley (which is your spouse is a taller man) the seats are cramped in the leg area.

In St. John we did the pink tour bus which was a trip. The tour was not bad it was the boarding process. When you exit the boat you go to the pink bus, you have to walk to join the line. But this is the key, the line is for ALL THE CRUISE SHIPS IN PORT....so can you imagine the line for 2 cruise ships.....when we joined the line, we had to wait 1 hour for Tour B on the first bus. Then after tour B we took tour A bus which was an 1 hour wait OUTSIDE in the element. And then after we did each tour we went to the tent (set up next to the pier) for shopping which is a nice selection of souvenirs. Honestly, unless you are looking for something specific, we did not need to walk up the street to the local stores, a good selection is in the tent. But I will tell anyone if you plan to do the pink on/off tour please dress for standing outside, I'm so thankful I had on a scarf/ trench and hat.

COATS: Please plan to take a warm jacket, the weather was windy in some ports.

ROUGH Waters: The Atlantic waters are rough, it was not rough in Boston but as we moved up the coast the water was rough. I took motion sickness pills starting 24 hours before the departure of the cruise and took a pill each night whether the water was rough or NOT. That really helped me because I spoke to several people who were sick.

NEW YORK Departure: What a MESS. The comments about waiting long periods for a cruise is TRUE, I recommend everyone to make arrangements for a DRIVER through CarMax or one of the services. Also find out what level they will meet you on PRIOR to arriving in New York (level top or bottom). The top level has the cabs but my driving service picks up people on the lower level (Supposedly). Also make sure you give the driver service your cell phone number so he can reach you...OR THE DRIVER will leave you which happened to US.

CAB: To be on the safe side, when we exited the ship, we got a cab number then we found out the driver picks you up on the lower level....when he did not come....we went back upstairs in the cab line. Thank GOD I had gotten a cab number, when we went upstairs the cab line was like 4 hours longs.

LEAVING THE SHIP: I recommend that you do self service or leave the ship as soon as possible. Also do not make a flight or Amtrak reservation for prior to 1:45 pm to ensure that you make it. I went to the service desk on the boat and requested an early departure number, my number was 3 and I still did not get to Penn station until like 12:45pm and this is leaving the boat by 9:30 am.

New York is a mess at departure time, I will not cruise travel out of new York ever again.

I'm in....If this is ever a final "go"....I'm ready to go....

thanks....we get to penn station by around 9:30-10:00 so I'm going to let my husband browse as we go to the port. I'm going to follow your advice, and just go on to the port. 1) probably safer then penn station.

Question, at night are their comedy shows, my hubby and I are in are late 40s and he like to stay up and dance, go to shows at night. I was not sure if this ship shuts down by 11:00 pm other than the casino. IT was like that on our Alaska cruise, older crowd and not much night life.

thank you for this posting, I leave on Saturday on the same cruise from New York, I'm hoping and planning to have a good time.

So far, it was the Splendor repositioning B2B2B in February and March of 2013. 48 days of cruising, 20 ports and 11 countries visited. We went from Los Angeles to New York around Cape Horn and stopped at almost all the countries in South America. If Carnival ever does it again, I am booking it right away!!

WOW...I'm jealous I only wish I could do this cruise....1) job 2) who would watch the cat 3) job....