my review: the holiday 1/1/7

[ihavecandy123]

My Holiday Review (Longest one yet??)

 

We had an AMAZING time on the Holiday. We cruised 1/1-1/6/07 on the Holiday out of Mobile, AL to Cozumel and Calica/Playa Del Carmen. It was just me and my husband (both 23) on the trip. This was my husband’s first cruise, and my second, but my first where I did all the booking and arrangements (parents did everything on the other one). On that note, we did the booking through Carnival with a personal travel agent. He was so nice and helpful. The booking process couldn’t have been easier for us, especially since we were new at it. I guess I’ll just review things as they happened:

 

Mobile/Embarkation: We drove to Mobile from Houston (took us around 9 hours) on New Year’s Eve. We put our stuff in the hotel and headed to downtown Mobile to find a place to ring in the New Year. I really liked Mobile…it is a nice town. Everyone’s really friendly. The next morning, we got to the terminal at about 11:30 or so. Everything was super easy. The guys took our luggage before we parked, but it happened so fast that we didn’t tip them. They just took the stuff out of the back of the car and walked off. I guess we should have had the money out, but at that point, I figured the cruise terminal would be similar to the airport where you take your luggage into the building with you, but they take it out of your car as you pull in to park in the garage. Oh well. Hopefully they weren’t mad at us. The entire embarkation process probably took about 20 or so minutes. It moved really quickly. The staff is awesome. I printed out our Fun Pass thing and brought it with us, but no one ever asked to see it or anything…they only wanted passports and documents.

 

As soon as we got on the ship (about 12:15 or so) we went around to find our room to see where it was. Our room steward was in the room across the hall cleaning and told us we could go ahead and go in if we wanted. So yay! We dropped off our bags, then headed out to explore. Our luggage was outside after we came down from eating lunch in the lido at about 1:30ish. They were giving out free champagne for the sail away. Why do they give away the champagne BEFORE the muster drill?? Hahaha. Good thing we never had an emergency.

 

I had read on other reviews that there was VIBRATIONS AND ROCKING, so we were kind of expecting that much from the Holiday. However, the vibrations were not like we had expected. It was actually soothing. The only time we felt the rocking was the night we left Cozumel. I heard some ladies saying that it was because the ship was staying in shallower waters that night. I don’t know if that was true…but the rocking was HORRIBLE that night. Both my husband and I got sick. We got some seasick pills from the purser, but they made us tired. So ohh well. Other than that one night, we didn’t notice the rocking or vibrations at all. If they were present, we had no clue- we were having too much fun!! And some people mentioned a sewage smell…we never smelled anything like that.

 

Our DINING ROOM waiters were so friendly! We had Jorge and someone else, his name is escaping me right now. They were awesome. They greeted us by name each and every night (and now I can’t even remember his name, I’m horrible! And tired). The food was incredible. I loved the warm chocolate melting cake for dessert! I got it almost every night… Jorge actually just brought it after the first two nights without asking. The only thing about our dinner that I didn’t like: the time! We had thought that later seating would be better because there would be less kids (there were less kids) and we’d have more time to get ready on port days ( we did ). But on sea days, it was so late to eat (you can’t really enjoy both dinner and the midnight buffet hahaha). And, they had two dance classes plus a couple of other activities planned at 8:30 only. I know you can eat on the Lido Deck, but the dining room experience was fun for us. On our next cruise, we’re going to try to get earlier seating.

 

Room service was amazing. The food was great and it got to our cabin crazy fast…maybe it was our location or something? It was fast. We even ordered a continental breakfast on Cozumel day and we didn’t hear the knock when they came at 7:45 (woops – we overslept!). They called at about 8:15 asking if we still wanted it. I felt so horrible, but they said they’d bring it. It was re-delivered about 3 minutes later! Wow! We gave a little extra tip for that.

 

 

We loved our CABIN! We had an ocean view stateroom on the main deck (5) which also happened to be an upgrade (yay). We loved having the view, that was really neat. Deck 5 was perfect, right next to the purser’s desk and far enough away from the public area’s noise. Our room steward was Ketut…he was great, too! He also remembered our names…which was surprising but we loved it. We had a cute towel buddy every night. And I swear our bed was made every time we got in it (naps or to warm up during the day)..how did they know? I have no clue. They were soo attentive. The cabin was the perfect size and it was so clean (smelling, looking, everything). I took pictures if anyone is going on Holiday and is interested in seeing it. And everything we’ve heard about the Carnival comfort bedding was right….. we’ve never slept so well! We ended up adding a little extra in tips to both our room and dining room staff. We just had to for the work they did. We have never met friendlier people than the staff on the Holiday-I’m sure of it. I’m glad we added a little extra because while we were waiting in line the lady in front of us asked to have her tips removed! Who does that? I can’t imagine.

 

SEA DAYS were a lot of fun. There were a lot of activities and things to do. All you chair-police will be glad to know that I didn’t see too much chair saving going on on the decks. We always found a great spot. Our only complaint with ship activities was with BINGO. Where we’re from…Bingo is played for hours… or at least longer than 15 minutes! One game?? Lame! (No, not just bitter because we didn’t win). We went once and never went back. I’d prefer to play longer for the fun of the game with many smaller pay-outs. Example: 7 games of Bingo with $100 prize each instead of one game with $700 each. There was a progressive game the last day that was kind of like this…but the others weren’t. We spent a lot of our free ship time in the CASINO playing blackjack and 21. We’re pretty new players, but all the dealers were so helpful and took time to explain if we got confused. Nothing like Vegas… haha. And we ended up coming home with an extra $112! Beginner’s luck?? Probably. The last comedy show—Frank DelPizzo (I think) was hilarious! Wish we could have seen more of him.

 

I went to SPA CARNIVAL once…. I doubt I’ll ever go back (on any ship). I just got a facial, but I thought it was extremely overpriced. She basically washed and exfoliated my skin, put on a mask, that’s all. I could have done that myself. The girl was nice, but she left me laying in the room for too long with the mask on my face and it was starting to itch. Also, this might be exclusive to the Holiday, but the spa area is right on top of the lido pool area. All I could hear throughout my “relaxing” facial was LOUD music coming from the Lido deck over the calming music she was trying to play in the room. Our tablemates said they got massages and had the same problem. Why is the spa on top of the lido?? Silly.

 

COZUMEL was really pretty, but kind of overrated, we thought. We ended up choosing MR SANCHOS BEACH CLUB. We took a taxi ($15 both ways) there. It was really gorgeous with a long beach, chairs, tables, umbrellas, a cute little shopping area place (overpriced, but they will bargain with you), a gorgeous restaurant that overlooks the ocean, same with the pool, clean changing rooms and bathrooms. There was also a great little massage area right near the beach. We both got a relaxing massage---those girls are good!! That was one of the best parts of our trip. After our massage we were hungry, so we sat in the restaurant. Got a Mr. Sancho’s special margarita…. YUM. The best! However, we can’t say the same for the food. The Nachos were so gross! The cheese was cheese whiz cheese and the beef was tough. Not what we were expecting. For one margarita, a small nachos, and bottle of water it was almost $20. The beach and club is gorgeous. They had motor water things too but we didn’t use them. I would recommend it, but eat somewhere else!

 

Oh, by the way, we took our time to tender. We headed down at about 9:30, got a tender ticket, and only had to wait about 10 minutes before we were called. Really easy process.

 

 

CALICA/PLAYA DEL CARMEN was the highlight of our trip, hands down!! We took a taxi to PDC ($10 both ways) and went to 5th avenue. This was so cool! Lots of shopping places, even a Starbucks?? Haha. The beach was pretty too. We just had a really great day that day. A little shopping, some lunch, beaching, etc. And a sunburn… but I loved the little area. So much to see and do… I wish we could go back to PDC.

 

DISEMBARKATION was the easiest thing in the world. We had one suitcase each and a backpack, so we just did the self assist thing. Since were about 6 doors down from the gangway, we were probably 5th off the ship when they called self-assist. We were through the terminal, through customs, and literally driving out of the parking garage at 7:45am.

 

 

OVERALL: We were thrilled with the way our trip went. Every passenger (that we came into contact with) was friendly, happy, polite, talkative, etc. I think I saw like 20 kids the entire time we were there. And for the most part they were behaving (they’re kids, what can you expect?) We’re just now back and we’re already talking and looking for another cruise. We’ll definitely go on Carnival again. It was a really laid back, relaxing cruise. We loved the Holiday a lot, but I think we’ll try a bigger ship with another itinerary (we don’t particularly want to visit the same ports if we can help it). But if Holiday sailed to other places, we’d go on it again without a doubt.

 

 

This is probably the longest thing I’ve ever written outside of school work, but I hope it was helpful! Let me know if you want to see pictures or have any questions.

 

 

Thanks to everyone at Cruise Critic that helped us plan and answered all of my questions before we cruised!! Your info really helped.

[PINEVIEW01]

Glad to her such a nice review. The Holiday was my first. You know what they say about first loves. To me, she will always be the best:)

[LSM1018]

Glad you had such a good time!

 

How much were the massages at Mr. Sancho's?

[tigerdadky]

I am glad you enjoyed your cruise. We will be traveling on the celebration, the holidays sister ship, in april. Ive been a little worried that I wont like it as much after cruising on the elation, my first ship and first love,. From what I read though there is a special allure to the smaller ships, so I know I will enjoy it. Gotta be better than a land vacation for sure.

[Alatraveler]

Ihavecandy123,

 

We are going on Holiday soon and haven't been able to find any recent pictures. Can you tell me how to access your pictures of the ship?

 

Thanks and glad you enjoyed your cruise. We've been small Celebrity and Princess ships and loved them.

[ihavecandy123]

Glad you had such a good time!

 

How much were the massages at Mr. Sancho's?

 

 

Hi,

I can't remember how much the swedish or deep tissue massages were (they were reasonable). We had a relaxing massage which was $1 per minute. This was a full-body massage. We got 40 minutes each. It was perfect! Ugh, I wish I was still there!!!

[ihavecandy123]

Ihavecandy123,

 

We are going on Holiday soon and haven't been able to find any recent pictures. Can you tell me how to access your pictures of the ship?

 

Thanks and glad you enjoyed your cruise. We've been small Celebrity and Princess ships and loved them.

 

 

You can try this link. Hope it works. There are pictures from our whole trip, the pictures of the ship are spread out through the album.

 

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/ihavecandy123

[Alatraveler]

Thanks, the pictures of the ship let me know what we were in store for. Looks like we will be fine. Looking forward to a relaxing trip. Thanks again!

[nomoreknothead]

Congrats on your new marriage! I loved your photos! You make a really cute couple! Here's to many more cruises in your future as husband & wife!

[earl_m]

glad you enjoy your cruise.

[ihavecandy123]

Thanks, the pictures of the ship let me know what we were in store for. Looks like we will be fine. Looking forward to a relaxing trip. Thanks again!

 

I'm glad they helped! I hope you have as much fun on the Holiday as we did. It's definitely a relaxing ship. I thought I'd be dissapointed with the size of the ship, but all the pluses make up for it. You hardly notice she's smaller! Have a great trip!

[ihavecandy123]

Congrats on your new marriage! I loved your photos! You make a really cute couple! Here's to many more cruises in your future as husband & wife!

 

Thanks so much- how sweet of you!

I'm glad you liked the photos.

 

I'll drink to that :) We're already looking for another one... hopefully sooner than later.

[cruisecrazy]

You said you were on main deck midship. I am on the Holiday in a few weeks in m70 and was wondering if the hallways in this area were noisy due to the close location to the embarkation lobby? Thanks

[marshabear]

Raven, thanks for sharing your pictures and your thoughts about this ship and itinerary!! :)

we are sailing feb 12th and i have a few questions....

 

is there a public beach to snorkel in PDC??? we are also considering Xcaret...did you hear anyone say they went there and how was it???

 

is there a good restaurant in PDC???

 

we may do the ruins in Cozumel...this will be our first time there this time of year...other times it was so hot, we didn't even try to go to the ruins...

 

i don't remember the warm chocolate cake from our last trip in October...is it on the regular menu??? was there creme brulee??? i liked it the best!! YUM!! and of course, my new found favorite drink-Kiss On The Lips!!! YUM!!

 

thanks and congrats on your marriage!! :)

 

Marsha

[Montycruiser]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, Holiday was our first cruise out of New Orleans and we went on her out of Mobile this past October. We got back on October the 28th and booked our next cruise on the 29th, we leave on Feb 3rd, on the Glory out of Port Canervial. Can't wait to sail on a Conquest class ship.:) The only cure for PCD, you know, is to book another.:) I almost forgot we loved PDC, we had lunch at Senior Frogs on the beach awsome.:D

[jetskier]

Raven,

Here is a photo for your scrap book. It took this from an airplane I rented last Sept. It is of the Holiday docked in Calica.

 

I sailed on her four times last year.

Dave

[ihavecandy123]

You said you were on main deck midship. I am on the Holiday in a few weeks in m70 and was wondering if the hallways in this area were noisy due to the close location to the embarkation lobby? Thanks

 

 

Hi!

We were in M87-which is on the opposite side. Looks like M70 is right next to the elevators... so I don't know how loud it might be. I can tell you our cruise got really quiet the later it got. We were usually the only ones walking back to our cabin at 1 or 2 each morning and never heard anyone in the halls at night. We never heard any elevator sound...but we were a little farther down the hall than you are. No one usually really hung out in the Purser's lobby on our cruise...so hopefully they won't on yours either! Have a great trip!!

[ihavecandy123]

Raven, thanks for sharing your pictures and your thoughts about this ship and itinerary!! :)

we are sailing feb 12th and i have a few questions....

 

is there a public beach to snorkel in PDC??? we are also considering Xcaret...did you hear anyone say they went there and how was it???

 

is there a good restaurant in PDC???

 

we may do the ruins in Cozumel...this will be our first time there this time of year...other times it was so hot, we didn't even try to go to the ruins...

 

i don't remember the warm chocolate cake from our last trip in October...is it on the regular menu??? was there creme brulee??? i liked it the best!! YUM!! and of course, my new found favorite drink-Kiss On The Lips!!! YUM!!

 

thanks and congrats on your marriage!! :)

 

Marsha

 

Oh man, you have to get the warm chocolate melting cake! It was available as "alternate selections" each night on our cruise. I hope they still have it for you... yummmm. No creme brulee on our cruise. :(

 

The only beach we went to in PDC was near 5th avenue. I guess you could snorkel, but I don't know if you'd really want to. It was really rough waves... Cozumel was a lot calmer. I'm sure there are calmer beaches in PDC but we didn't go to one. We ate at a restaurant off of 5ave in PDC called Limones it was really great. Good margarita's and fajitas! yum.

 

Our tablemates went to Xcaret and said it was really awesome. They had all good things to say about the trip. They had booked it through Carnival.

 

Have a great trip!! I hope I've helped!

[ihavecandy123]

Raven,

Here is a photo for your scrap book. It took this from an airplane I rented last Sept. It is of the Holiday docked in Calica.

 

I sailed on her four times last year.

Dave

 

Wow-thanks for sharing that beautiful picture!! We loved Calica/PDC so much.

 

You're so lucky to be able to cruise so often!

[LuvChowDawgs]

Raven! Loved your review! And your pictures brought back all of the memories of our Holiday cruise. We were just on the Golden Princess - very large ship, but had a much better time on the little Holiday. I'm pleased to hear that you two had such a good time. The bedding on the Golden was unbearable. I guess once you're spoiled to Carnival's - nothing compares. Now that you've been once, you'll get some super offers that will entice you to go again. Mike ;)

[Biggdogg89]

That was a great review and so where the pics. My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a cruise on the Holiday in September 2002. This was our 1st cruise and we loved everything even sailing during a hurricane!! The Holiday is a great ship even though it is smaller, we have since sailed on the Conquest(which was great also), but I think the trip on the Holiday was more relaxing!!

I bet it wont be long before your planning the next cruise!!!!!

[jetskier]

Wow-thanks for sharing that beautiful picture!! We loved Calica/PDC so much.

 

You're so lucky to be able to cruise so often!

 

The thanks goes to Carnival for offering veterans a military discount, the fact the Carribean was undersold this year, and that I live two hours to either Mobile or New Orleans. Next year it wont be as cheap to cruise since we did not have a bad hurricane season this year.

 

Dave

[ihavecandy123]

The thanks goes to Carnival for offering veterans a military discount, the fact the Carribean was undersold this year, and that I live two hours to either Mobile or New Orleans. Next year it wont be as cheap to cruise since we did not have a bad hurricane season this year.

 

Dave

 

Ah, that's awesome!! I wish they offered student discounts! haha.

We drove to Mobile-it was a long drive, but New Orleans would be that bad. However, I think we're looking at the Ecstasy or Conquest for our next cruise because we live north of Houston --only 2 hours or so from Galveston. That should make our cruise a bit cheaper! Have you been on either of those ships?

[ihavecandy123]

That was a great review and so where the pics. My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a cruise on the Holiday in September 2002. This was our 1st cruise and we loved everything even sailing during a hurricane!! The Holiday is a great ship even though it is smaller, we have since sailed on the Conquest(which was great also), but I think the trip on the Holiday was more relaxing!!

I bet it wont be long before your planning the next cruise!!!!!

 

I think we're looking at either the Conquest or the Ecstasy because they sail out of Galveston and we're a lot closer to Galveston. Our trip would be cheaper this way because we wouldn't have to pay for gas or a hotel room like we did this time going to Mobile. How was the Conquest??

[jetskier]

Ah, that's awesome!! I wish they offered student discounts! haha.

We drove to Mobile-it was a long drive, but New Orleans would be that bad. However, I think we're looking at the Ecstasy or Conquest for our next cruise because we live north of Houston --only 2 hours or so from Galveston. That should make our cruise a bit cheaper! Have you been on either of those ships?

 

Also dont rule out the NCL Dream in Houston as their rates have been super cheap here lately. It is about the same size as the Holiday.

 

I went on the Elation out of Galveston on Jan 23 last year. It is basically the same ship as the Ecstasy but with a different decor. It holds about a 1000 extra passengers compared to the Holiday. I have not been on the Conquest.

 

For some reason, the rates out of Galveston has been much higher than New Orleans or Mobile. More likely the denser population and higher demand.

 

Dave