Commend the HAL CCer's

[MikeT718]

I have to really commend the HAL CCer's. The reason is over on the NCL boards I posted some questions about the Crown and their freestyle cruising at 12:30 and I still have had no responces. when question gets posted here there are many replies in a short time. so my hats off to the HAL CCer's

 

PS The reason that I have to go to NCL is because friends of ours want to go to Bermuda in 07 and from my research NCL's Crown is the best choice for us;)

[sailroscoe]

Maybe most of the NCL cruisers are at work, while many of the HAL cruisers are retired! Just a thought

[MikeT718]

Maybe but this is not the first time I had this problem. Maybe there are more of us and that is how we answer so fast.

 

PS I just checked and there have be 21 views of the thread

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sailroscoe, since a lot of the posting here is done by folks who are at work, I don't think that would explain it. Much of the time, us old retired CCers are out living it up during the day ... golfing, sunning, beaching, walking our dogs, playing tennis, etc.;) .

 

I think a better explanation is HAL CCers are the best on this board IMHO. I've been happy here for years and if I have a question about cruising, this is where I come.

 

Mike, that's so nice of you to make a point of posting your appreciation. I can't understand why no one would respond to you on the NCL board. But you will really enjoy that Bermuda cruise ... we did it twice, once on NCL (Westward) and once on Celebrity. It's really fun because you have so much time to enjoy Bermuda which is such a wonderful island.

 

Have fun!

[bepsf]

You're welcome, Mike--

One of the reasons I'm here is that although we may disagree from time to time, this really is a great community of people.

:)

[MikeT718]

Just as an update there is only one responce to my thread. I really don't understand this because if someone from another board comes here and asks a question we welcome them with open arms:)

So it is just said how other board operate. By the way this was not my first post over on NCL and I kind of got the same reaction.:confused:

[sail7seas]

You made a nice post, Mike. Thank you for it.

 

We're a good bunch here, aren't we??!! :)

 

[c-to-sea]

I am not disagreeing with what you say. However, to put a bit of

balance here, I started a roll-call for Rotterdam July 28 sailing on April

10th. So far, there has only been one reply. Several other Rotterdam

roll calls have been similarly unresponsive. Wonder why this is?

[HeatherInFlorida]

A roll call is something else altogether. Sometimes you just happen to choose a cruise that CCers just aren't on. Or perhaps they don't care for roll calls. Everyone's different.

 

But when a roll call doesn't work, it should in no way reflect on what you think of the HAL boards ... one has nothing to do with the other.

[MikeT718]

On a roll call we had the same problem we had very few on it for our last Oosterdam.

What I am looking at is general info. And here on HAL it flows freely:) At NCL I am thinking that because they can see that I have 2 HAL cruises maybe they are not answering me:confused:

[sail7seas]

I'm unable to understand that sort of thing.

 

It is inconceivable that someone would participate in a public BB and withhold information they know can help another cruiser/poster. It makes no sense to me. Why would they be unwilling to share??

[bepsf]

Why would they be unwilling to share??

 

'Cause they're a big ol B****!!!

:eek: ;)

[MikeT718]

I guess I have to just laugh, because this is so sad, I have 2 responses over at NCL and they make no sense to my questions:confused:

 

If you have the time go and look at my thread over there and you can see what I mean

[karen2cruz]

Just having cruised NCL for the first time in October, maybe I can help. I understand your need for answers as we are cruising HAL for the first time in August and are in want of helpful hints.

 

First the fridge issue- As far as I know only category AD and above have fridges. Some friends of ours were in Oceanview rooms and did not have one. You could leave your meds in the infirmary. NCL crew are very nice and would accomodate you. Best bet is to call NCL direct or fax them with your request.

 

Making reservations for the anytime dining- for that large of group making reservations are a must. Again, if you are in a suite, concierge will do that for you every night. I do have to state that the concierge and butler service we had for our suite were incredible. We did get the suite for a steal.

 

The atmosphere on NCL is very casual and the food average in the regular dining rooms, but food in the specialty restaurants are very good. The staff and crew are A+ freindly and accomodating.

 

Hope this helps.

[DonMaryCar]

Mike

 

Not really sure what your questions were. Quick evaluation of our NCL cruise (lets just say if it's any indication we just booked a b2b HAL for Dec) We had a good time but just didn't feel like home at HAL. The staff was very friendly and professional. Ship is small so easy to get around but that is not always a plus. The gym is very small. I would say the food is very subjective but not up to what we are accustomed to on HAL. They have the pay specialty restuarant Le Bistro which we heard was very good but we did not eat there. The other two specialty restuarants were Chopsticks which was very good and had great Sushi but is very small and was totally booked after about 6 days for our 16 day cruise. The Pasta Cafe was also good. I guess one fault I had with them was there menu's were the same for the entire cruise. The Yacht Club is the buffet and it was good but nothing extraordinary, biggest problem there is lack of available drinks, water, tea juices etc. Seven Seas Sit Down Rest. was good and we never had to wait for more than 5 minutes to be seated so that is a plus.

 

We just book inside cabins which was large and always clean, however the bedding is not on the same level you will be used to with HAL. The dance troup was friendly but they don't focus on entertainment. The crew all have other positions on ship for example the lead female singer was the librarian.

 

The casino was never very busy but pretty much like any other shipboard casino. They have a nice food buffet there every night at 11 pm.

 

I really don't know much about Bermuda but I know the crew was looking forward to doing that route, said it was always fun and they actually enjoy the overnights because it gives them more time to get off the ship.

 

If you have other questions, I'll sure try to answer them.

 

Mary:)

[gizmo]

A roll call is something else altogether. Sometimes you just happen to choose a cruise that CCers just aren't on. Or perhaps they don't care for roll calls. Everyone's different.

 

But when a roll call doesn't work, it should in no way reflect on what you think of the HAL boards ... one has nothing to do with the other.

 

Agree with this. Roll calls are entirely different.

[MikeT718]

Karen and Don,

Thank you very much for your insights..it is a shame that I have to get some of this info off the HAL site instead of the NCL site