2009 Caribbean itinerary posted on HAL

[hammybee]

I really don't think there is a significant difference in revenue potential at work here. My guess is that the issue is strictly one of cost.

 

By cost, do you mean docking in NYC and/or the fuel costs or something else?

[mamaofami]

Hammy, looked like plenty of spending going on on those b2b sea days when I was on the Noordam. The casino was always full, the bars busy, the shops seemed busy, etc. I would think that four extra sea days would keep everyone spending and would give HAL the income they are looking for.

 

I hate the hassle of flying. It takes me almost an hour to get to the airport, then there's checking in and security, which depending on the time of day could take from 30 minutes to well over an hour and a half.

Add on the taxi to a hotel, the hotel overnight in Fla. and then the reverse trip coming back and that makes me an unhappy camper, or in this case flyer.:( On one of our cruises out of FLa. there was a big snow storm back in NY and we managed to get the last hotel room near the airport. We called for it while we were still on the ship before disembarking. Nothing was flying out of Fla. I really love having a HAL ship in NY.

[tomc]

It costs a lot to move that ship for 2.5 days down and 2.5 days back.

[bUU]

By cost, do you mean docking in NYC and/or the fuel costs or something else?

My statement was a general statement regarding increased costs (versus decreased revenues due to decreased demand).

[welove2cruise232]

This is very bad news, indeed, as far as I'm concerned. Like many have posted here, flying is too much of a hassle; sailing out of NYC is the best!

 

I guess this means I'll have to go back to NCL...:rolleyes:

[airlink diva]

I was just perusing through the itineraries and found one that looks very attractive: 10 day Noordam in Feb 09 with stops in BVI, St Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, St Maarten and of course, HMC. The hooks for me are St Lucia and Barbados, for sympathetic reasons: my great Aunt was born in St Lucia and my Mom and Nana vacationed in Barbados several times. So, for those "in the know", is this a new itinerary for HAL?

No they have this sailing on the Maasdam. I sailed into all of the above ports this past April.

I loved all of the ports (except for one) on this cruise. Prehaps with the Noordam you have more time in ports.

You are going to love St. Lucia!

My stop in Barbados wasn't nice, but that's because I pick the wrong tour to take as a solo cruiser. If a sail again and stop in Barbados, I will try something else.

Happy sailing!!!

[airlink diva]

I see that the Maasdam is doing a 14 day cruise with some great stops in 2009!! I'm thinking now of pushing my big cruise to 2009 and doing a shorter cruise (7 days) in 2008.

My TA is going to kill me about changing my cruise plans again!!