My Holiday Review

[baileyadog]

This is my first review so please bare with me if it is somewhat lacking. My DH and are took our fifth cruise on the Holiday 9/4-9/8 with two other couples. DH and I are in our mid 20s, his parents are in their 50s, and his aunt and uncle are in their 40s. This was my in-laws first cruise and we picked it based on how close the port is to our home. The cruise was a great price and thought it would be a good first cruise for the in-laws. We are not the typical 20 somethings and prefer mellow fun to the wild and outrageous parties. I share this so that everyone can understand where we are coming from.

We traveled to the port of Mobile after staying overnight in Greenville, Alabama. We arrived at the port around 12:00pm and were own board and eating on the Lido by 1:00. The process was easy and quick and it seemed that we were on the ship in no time. The food in the buffet was good; however, it was very very hot. It was uncomfortable in the dinning area surrounding the buffet so we chose to go outside and finish our meal. I became nervous that this was going to be the case the entire trip but found that after setting sail things cooled off considerably and was comfortable for the rest of the trip. After lunch we went to check out our stateroom located midship on the upper deck. We had three cabins together but not connecting. We again were nervous because we had our first OV. DH and I have sailed only in balconies with one being a junior suite and another a grand suite. I was pleasantly surprised with the room we had. Things were clean and well kept. Further it seemed we had no problem accommodating our things and the two of us got along just fine. The bathroom was the usual with a shower that seemed slightly larger than what we have seen in the past. We met our room steward who I have to say did a fantastic job throughout the trip.

Both DH and myself signed up for massages that afternoon and missed sail a way because of it. I enjoyed the hot stone but felt that the atmosphere was not up to par. There was no soft music and it was very loud throughout the treatment. I know I am being picky but for $159 plus tip I would like to have a little soft music or at least water trickling (lol). After the treatments we went to the deck and enjoyed the company of our family. We met the outstanding bar staff that was located on the lido deck at the back of the ship. Both Nikki and Ramona were great and kept our glasses full. They really were fun and we felt lucky to have found them so early in the trip. After this we went to the dinning room for our late seating meal. I had requested a table for 6 with the other two couples. Upon entering the dinning room we found a table for ten. We were somewhat disappointed until we figured out that our tablemates either didn’t exist or were not planning on eating in the dinning room. We had the table to ourselves each night, which was nice having a group like we did. Food in the dinning room was average to excellent depending on what I had. I know this area is so subjective. I wasn’t blown away by the food but not disappointed either. I was very happy with the warm chocolate melting cake. I owe everyone on CC a thank you because this dessert was absolutely amazing and I ended up having it every night.

We attended some of the shows and felt that they were on par with other shows we have seen. We went to the casino and found our luck the same as always, which is not very good. We further did lots of relaxing and hanging out with the family we came with. Our only port was Cozumel, which we have been to multiple times. We did the snorkel, sail, and deluxe beach party which was lots of fun. We enjoyed the trip and concluded our excursion with a quick trip to Carlos and Charlies. The taxi trip for the six of us was $14 one way.

Overall it was a very enjoyable trip. We have decided that we prefer the larger ships to the smaller ones. We always felt a vibration on the ship especially around the back of the ship. Having read such mixed reviews we were pleasantly surprised with how nice the trip ended up being. We had some rough seas and the boat rocked and rolled a pretty good bit but we figured this might be the case on a smaller ship during hurricane season. As to the things we had heard about the ship I did not experience brown water from the faucet or shower. We did notice a slight sewage smell upon entering our room but once we started moving the smell was gone and we did not notice it again. The service we received on this ship was by far the best we have received on any other ship or cruise line. The only thing that was really aggravating was the early morning announcements by the cruise director Tory. If you wanted to sleep in you were just out of luck because they started announcements at about 9:00am.

Overall we had a great time and look forward to trying the Fantasy when it moves over next year. I hope the review has been helpful. I have always gained so much from reading reviews from everyone else and thought I should add to the mix. Please let me know if you have any questions and I will be lad to try and answer as much as I can.

[larsenbiz]

Thank you for taking the time to write a review.

[Magic City Cruiser]

Great review, Bailey! It was as I remembered and I'm looking forward to sailing her again. We also sailed Fantasy but I think we actually prefer the smaller ship! But, as you said, to each his own! I, too, would have been disappointed in the massage. However, I don't buy the extra's on ship though my friends really enjoy ALL the spa services! And, I'm an actor in community theatre and I see way more shows than I'd like to while I'm at home so on a cruise, I sit most of the shows out. So, I'm glad it's still nice and clean and the service at the back bar is still great!

Again, great review, glad you had a good time!

Donna

[ADL3]

Cruise Director Tory? What happened to Steve??

[futaba951]

Cruise Director Tory? What happened to Steve??

On vacation and then on to Ecstasy.

[Traveler353]

Excellant review. I plan on taking at least one more trip on the Holiday before she moves on. She will be missed by many of her past passangers. She is the last of her generation sailing from US ports.

[jetskier]

A "woohoo" that early in the morning does tend to knock you out of the bed. :)

Dave

[floatingaway2525]

WOOO HOO great job, enjoyed the review!!:D

I am determined to sail her before she goes away!!

[rebeljohn]

Thanks for posting your review...........Enjoyed reading it..........

[lvs2cruz]

I will be sailing on the Holiday in Jan of 2009 and I found your review very helpful. I have sailed Carnival twice and both times had a fantastic time. I was a bit worried about this ship (Holiday) but you've put my mind at ease.

[mcfam5]

We had a great time on the Holiday about 10 days ago and we are going back again on Thanksgiving Day. Can't wait!!!!

 

Woo Hoo!!!!

 

One question, when we sailed a few weeks ago we were on the five day. We are going back to do the 4 day and are wondering which show is cut from the line up. Could you let me know which of the following were not help on your sailing?

 

1. Welcome Aboard Show

2. Shout!

3. Comedy Show

4. Passenger Talent Show

5. XTreme Country

 

Thank you!

[Toddcan]

I wrote a review on our sailing a few weeks ago, I loved the cruise too.

 

I admit that by day 2, Tory's WOOOWHOOO got very old :o

[Payd]

Great review. Glad you and your family had a good time!

[leeleent]

Thanks for the good review and also to those who warned us about the WOOHOO from Tory. Althought my DH and I were on the Holiday a few years ago, it's still nice to catch up on the latest reviews like learning that Steve is not the CD on this ship anymore. He was really good. Anyway we will be on the 4 day on 10/2, and was wondering if the Holiday docks at the International pier in Cozumel? I think I read it some where, but if it's so that is kinda a disappointment. We really like getting off the ship downtown, because it is so convieniant for us. We just kinda like to walk through the shops and hit a couple of the bars especially Margarittaville.

:)

[jetskier]

Thanks for the good review and also to those who warned us about the WOOHOO from Tory. Althought my DH and I were on the Holiday a few years ago, it's still nice to catch up on the latest reviews like learning that Steve is not the CD on this ship anymore. He was really good. Anyway we will be on the 4 day on 10/2, and was wondering if the Holiday docks at the International pier in Cozumel? I think I read it some where, but if it's so that is kinda a disappointment. We really like getting off the ship downtown, because it is so convieniant for us. We just kinda like to walk through the shops and hit a couple of the bars especially Margarittaville.

:)

 

 

It can dock at either the Punta Langosta or the International pier. Check http://www.cozumelinsider.com for the weeks schedule.

 

When I was in Cozumel last week, the pier at the Puerta Maya pier is completed. They are building a structure near the land end of the pier. Talking with the locals, they are saying November for the pier to open.

 

Dave

[baileyadog]

Thanks for the nice comments about the review. Yes the WooHoo got very old very quickly especially in the morning after a long night. On our four day we did not see the passenger talent show. Kinda sad as I remember something like that from our glory cruise that we really enjoyed. We docked at the pier away from downtown (sorry not sure of the names) however I think this changes and like someone else mentioned you could check the website for that. Thanks again.