Hopping Over from RCCL

[DesireeC03]

14 minutes ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

Hope you have a great trip!  Come back and share your impressions!  It’s a good product (usually) and has lots of loyal customers. But I admire your trying something new. I’ll be 4* soon and I know, once I start getting the free laundry, I’ll be hard pressed to branch away again. 🤪

free laundry - we might be sold!  LOL

thanks - we are Diamond on RCCL, so have cruised plenty. We are excited about the new ports, and the new ambiance. Service is everything and when Helen mentioned we were going to get great service... well, that was it. So nice to be treated (it always brings me back)

[mcrcruiser]

2 hours ago, DesireeC03 said:

is there a certain must do or see that you would recommend to a 1st timer?

you might search out a HAL cruise to the southern Caribbean where Aruba ,Curacio  & Bonaire are the port stops .when my wife could fly we took Konogsdam for a 9 day Southenr Caribbean cruise with her cousin & husband ,It was a great cruise because those ports are clean ,the water is clear & warm .  Although Koningsdam is now out of San Diego ,our home port ,I am sure one of the other HAL ships does that itinerary . Second to the Southern Caribbean imo is the English Virgin islands 

 

 I would first look at the Rotterdam or Statendam itineraries ,These are Pinnacle class ships & cousins to Koningsdam  .These areour favorite with HAL 

 

 We also are Diamond with RCCL & Elite Plus with Celebrity  .  Far less juveniles on HAK ships except  during Holiday periods especially id HAL offers include children sail free .Avoid those times  in my recommendation 

[mcrcruiser]

Free laundry starts at 4 star Mariner level . 200 cruise days ro get there 

[DesireeC03]

18 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Free laundry starts at 4 star Mariner level . 200 cruise days ro get there 

ummm

[oakridger]

3 hours ago, DesireeC03 said:

Perused this board over the last couple of days and learned about the Standby program

 

Did you read the threads about the standby program.  It seems to have glitches that I personally wouldn't count on getting a cruise through them.  You can be informed so will decide your level of risk tolerance.....

 

 

[crystalspin]

58 minutes ago, DesireeC03 said:

thanks - we are Diamond on RCCL,

We achieved 4* in January 2023 but cancelled what would have been our first free laundry cruise last month. But are booked for the same itinerary next year and two long cruises before then. HAL's laundry is the best of at least the mass-market lines. They will follow requests (warm or cool wash or dry, and even air-dry). The most economical is laundry-by-the-bag -- it is a stuffable canvas bag and anything you can fit in it for one price, which varies by the region, $25-$35. Of course, if you're sailing in warm climate for 7-9 days, it may be that no laundry is even more economical!

 

We sailed transAtlantic on the smaller Rhapsody of the Seas and found it more like HAL than different -- more activity in the Attrium and more observance of high-loyalty ranks than you will find on HAL. There may be one high-star luncheon in the whole cruise, but not daily cocktail parties, for instance.

[oakridger]

Rolling Stone Rock Room has dancing!  They play usually three sets six nights a week.

 

~Nancy

[AFNavigator]

4 hours ago, DesireeC03 said:

are chairs easy to come by?

Most of the Lido Pool loungers are often taken much of the day but you can usually find loungers at the rear pool, the Sea View pool.  If those areas are busy and you're looking to catch sun, the top deck directly above the Crow's Nest is kind of a hidden gem that few people use and nearly always has lots of seats available.  Its main drawback is it can get quite windy depending on your lounger location--take some clips to hold your towel in place.  There's no bar service up there but you can just pop down one floor to the Crow's Nest to get drinks at the Explorations Cafe coffee shop (also pretty much is a full bar too).  Rest rooms are located there too.

 

If you are looking for quiet shady areas, then the Promenade, as recommended by Ineke, is a great place to relax and enjoy the views and ocean sounds.  Lots of classic-style wood loungers are available there as well as pads to put on the loungers.

[DesireeC03]

2 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Did you read the threads about the standby program.  It seems to have glitches that I personally wouldn't count on getting a cruise through them.  You can be informed so will decide your level of risk tolerance.....

 

 

yes thanks - reading it pushed me to try it. If we don't make it on this cruise, we will try again another time.

[AFNavigator]

4 hours ago, DesireeC03 said:

thanks - we are not true late owls but we love to dance. Are there silent discos?

Good to hear you aren't late owls because HAL pretty much rolls up the sidewalks by about 11:00-11:30PM.

[HELENPSL]

On 3/2/2024 at 8:09 PM, DesireeC03 said:

slots or cards?

Both and that’s the problem! 😢

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Welcome to the next level.

[pmjnh]

If you ever sailed RCCL's Song of America (80's and 90's) , of the RCCL fleet that we have sailed in the past, that ship is the most like HAL in ambiance. We love the laid back , mature atmosphere of HAL.

[cheeseheads4ever]

Just checking in on the Orange Party. I’m guessing you dress up in Orange but anything else I need to know about participating?

In the BB King Blues Club?

As I stated in another thread we are coming back to HAL after a 10 year absence and are very excited about it..

Any help would be appreciated… 

Edited March 6 by cheeseheads4ever

[wdw1972]

Orange Party on the pinnacle class ships is in BB King's (in Rolling Stone Lounge in most of the others). The suggested dress is "a splash of orange". That can mean whatever you like. I bought a chunky orange necklace and earrings, so that's my "orange". A friend I'm sailing with bought an orange boa - that's her "orange".  I've seen passengers in orange clothing, orange costume wigs, orange framed fake glasses, etc - it doesn't have to be serious 😉

 

Sue/WDW1972

[vicd1969]

If you've sailed on the RCCL Radiance class ships (Radiance, Brilliance, Jewel, or Serenade), then the Nieuw Amsterdam layout will be pretty familiar to you. Has about 11 usable decks, a lounge and gym in the front, with dining in the stern and 2 decks of shops, restaurants, casino, and main theater. There are usually fewer passengers for almost the same size of ship, though that may not be obvious during a full cruise during spring break.

[SusieKIslandGirl]

HALfacts.com will give you a glimpse of areas of each ship and cabin photos.

[rafinmd]

Speaking of laundry,  HAL has very attractive options for those who are not yet 4-star.  When you get to your cabin you will find a blue fabric bag with a drawstring and a price list.

 

By the piece I think the prices are very reasonable but there are 2 other options.  You can get unlimited for about $10 per day (and I think that's for the cabin, not per person), and you can also fill the bag and send it out for a flat fee, I think about $30.  You can put anything washable in the bag (not just underwear) and and it holds probably 2-3 times as much as the paper bag Royal uses.

 

They do a great job and you can send a bag out any day (including the first night) and turnaround is usually not over 30 hours, sometimes back the same day.

 

Roy

[crystalspin]

3 hours ago, rafinmd said:

You can put anything washable in the bag (not just underwear) and and it holds probably 2-3 times as much as the paper bag Royal uses.

Easily three times, maybe four times as much as that paper bag. AND it doesn't tear. 

[Nickelpenny]

9 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Speaking of laundry,  HAL has very attractive options for those who are not yet 4-star.  When you get to your cabin you will find a blue fabric bag with a drawstring and a price list.

 

By the piece I think the prices are very reasonable but there are 2 other options.  You can get unlimited for about $10 per day (and I think that's for the cabin, not per person), and you can also fill the bag and send it out for a flat fee, I think about $30.  You can put anything washable in the bag (not just underwear) and and it holds probably 2-3 times as much as the paper bag Royal uses.

 

They do a great job and you can send a bag out any day (including the first night) and turnaround is usually not over 30 hours, sometimes back the same day.

 

Roy

You can put underwear in the bag 🥴

[DesireeC03]

On 3/6/2024 at 7:25 PM, vicd1969 said:

If you've sailed on the RCCL Radiance class ships (Radiance, Brilliance, Jewel, or Serenade), then the Nieuw Amsterdam layout will be pretty familiar to you. Has about 11 usable decks, a lounge and gym in the front, with dining in the stern and 2 decks of shops, restaurants, casino, and main theater. There are usually fewer passengers for almost the same size of ship, though that may not be obvious during a full cruise during spring break.

love the Brilliance - we hav e cruised the Meditteranean and Alaska on her - thank you

[DesireeC03]

Thanks for all of the help. You asked me to keep you posted and at 2:28 today we received our YOU ARE BOOKED email! So 48 hours before take off - and now we are considering beverage packages, excursions...

we have an interior room and are happy as can be with the price. Looking forward to trying out HAL!