deeko

Hi again......advice needed.

Just books a last minute cruise on HAL. Trouble is my tuxedo is about 1000 miles away in my wardrobe as I am in my holiday home.

So can tuxedos be hired on board HAL ships. I seem to remember it was possible in the old days on Princess??

Never needed to before but this spur of the moment booking has me worried about "formal" nights.

Advice...experience ....very welcome.

Thanks all.

Deeko

Hello Mackfam,

I'm sure others will be helpful in answering your question, however your question made me want to write re Holland America and sales in Europe.

I have tried to buy a HAL cruise from a number of American Agencies on line. I am consistently told that HAL do not allow this.

The point is that the dollar price shown where converted to say sterling is very much cheaper than the sterling price quoted when I turn to UK based agencies.

I know other Cruise Lines allow USA companies to sell cruises outside the US can anyone explain....let alone justify HAL's position.

I'd be interested to know if other UK based cruisers have been "victimised" this way.

Deeko

Hello again. Just had a great time looking at your excellent photos of many places we have been.

Thanks again for the opportunity to see them.......also discovered your other pseudonym.....

In your very first instalment you referred to the "accessible cabin". I think that was also on the Epic. We may be travelling with someone who would find climbing over into a bath a bit hazardous. Do you know if only accessible cabins have "showers" not shower over bath.

Wow you are expected to know everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And btw, I am a nice guy......some of our friends are/were teachers...and I know the energy, patience, and endurance needed......and the good humour. Roll on Christmas lol

deeko

Lovely to hear from you Melting!!

So a Bank Holiday and then I guess education again!!! It's almost that time again. In this part of France schools go back on Tuesday.

Pity the teachers........but great for the beaches!!!

Bon courage et bon chance

deeko

Thanks Sauer -Kraut.

That's very helpful. At least when there is no sliding roof the crowds aren't there. I've read some unfavourable comments about the Spa in Epic. We always take the offer of 2 for whatever it costs usually around 100 dollars each. We have had good use of the Spa in the Jade.

Thanks again for your reply

deeko

Well done melting and very well written. I live near Cannes and am there very often. Also hope to plan an Epic cruise but in early Spring. And hey the heat was amazing this year.....cutting my grass was a nightmare. lost pounds each time (who needs a gym)

A question......does the Epic have a sliding roof over the pool? I know most NCL ships don't. The Jade comes heated and in Istanbul in late November it was ok. It would be good if Epic has a hat!!!

Thanks again for your review and take care. I agree by the way about Vatican officials. We went to a Service in St Peters after we came out and that was very helpful.

A bientot Melting

deeko

Seabands thanks for your reply.

The virtues of the balcony we can buy into. We've never been in an O/V and it looks like we never will!!

There is a wealth of experience on here and it is appreciated.

We also like you like the aft cabins. The exercise to go to many places is as good as the gym.............

deeko

Hi Kalliekae

Lots of chat here since your first helpful comment. This one clinches it!! If it looks too cheap............it is too cheap!!

I haven't had goldfish since I was a boy..............your image of swimming fish is terrific. In the Caribbean I enjoy the flying sort!!

A balcony it is...and thanks again for your time and thought.

deeko

Once again you have said something very important.

The cruise we are thinking of is as you say port intensive. I can see your logic perfectly well.

The logic continues........if not much time to be spent in cabin then there is no point in paying more than necessary. Its dark anyway in Europe from around 8pm and we'd be elsewhere!!!

Thanks again

deeko

Hi Tango

That was interesting to hear. We would love to fit in another cruise and hearing your experience makes us a bit bolder to try the O/V.

Its not being snobbish to wonder about no balcony. Just a matter of the

"rapport qualite prix" as the French say.

Thanks again for your help.

deeko

Thanks Ruth for that very helpful info. First time on the NA and we are thinking of trying an O/V, so are a touch hesitant. That was helpful. Its a worry about no outside space AND a small space inside that makes us edgy.

Thanks for your help!!

deeko

Thanks so much Kaliekae that is a helpful comment. We have been aft on Princess and on NCL.

I agree about the movement and you are right to remind me!! We plan for Europe in Oct and so I may not get the Caribbean weather you had!!!

I wonder did you ever chance an ocean view. We wonder if we would feel a bit more claustrophobic??

Great to get your reply and thanks again.

deeko

Thanks for that thumbs up. It is always difficult to spot the differences when its a ship we haven't been on before.

the price difference I'm seeing is not too much so the VB looks the business. Thanks.

Did you get a peek into the o/v cabins on the main deck, deck 1 by any chance??

Thanks again

deeko

Thanks for that helpful reply. The ship is the Neuiw Amsterdam. Its always difficult to know about sizes of cabins when the brochure gives a range!!

The E cabis seem to have shower only and I guess that this means they are more cramped than ones with full bath as well.

Thanks again for your help

deeko

Great thread..thanks to all.

I'm new to HA and usually have been in Balcony cabins. Just wondering about trying out E O/V. Is the main Deck likely to have noise from above and is E very small, its hard to get proper measurements.

Aldo is VB worth the little extra over VC.

All help appreciated and needed!!!

Thanks again

deeko

Its been very interesting reading about the VB cabins etc. Great info fron those who know more than I do.

Never been on NA and never in and O/V before. Has anyone been in E staterooms on Main deck??

Size and noise from above may be an issue. Price looks ok but would that E cabin ruin a cruise??

Thanks for your help.