DeeDee Groff

A good TA is worth her weight in gold.

Had a wonderful experience yesterday that underscores this sentiment for me!

Booked a 30-day HAL cruise on the Memorial Day weekend for February 2015 with our TA. The category D price the TA quoted was $1100. less for two than on the HAL website, and the deposit requirement was $1450. less.

Was I ever surprised when I made the final payment to learn I was paying $1100. less than I expected! Over the months since the booking, the TA had gotten price reductions as HAL lowered the price on the sailing for the category. When I checked on the HAL website immediately after getting off the phone with the TA, I saw for myself that we paid $2200. less than HAL is charging.....

Have no idea what will happen if HAL continues to drop the price, but am counting our TA as among my many blessings!

I do appreciate all the replies. We don't usually dress up but on the ship we do like to eat in the dining room so a few nights in a suit won't hurt him. Just having to bring it with him is not fun. He doesn't own a sport coat - darn!! Oh well, it's all good and we get to relax and have fun soon:)

That's the spirit!

Thank you to all who posted: The rain suit is staying in the closet!

Therm-A-Rest Travel Cushion worked well' date=' while the J Pillow proved not to be that comfortable for me.[/b'] On the flight going to Tahiti it fell on the floor while I was sleeping on the way back I just couldn't get it in a position that worked for me. Also the J Pillow took up a fair amount of room in my carry on. Probably wouldn't purchase it again.

Hope this is helpful.

Shirley

Very helpful--thanks!

Thank you, kitkat343 and Vineyard View!!

DeeDee

when we went to marrakesh on a ship's tour, the buses got back to dock 1.5-3 hours late due to soccer game traffic. I would not chance a private tour because it is such a distance and too much can happen to make you too late to the ship

I am booked on HAL's 83-night Africa Explorer in September, and I had the same question as the OP. Thank you for your advice!

Kitkat343- we just were in both Pt. Said and Alexandria. I just posted some comments on the first stickey. Not sure that they are what you want to hear, but the reality of the current situation is pretty unstable. Hoping that it will calm down in time....

What does this mean? I am booked on HAL's Africa Explorer 83-night voyage in September, and I am eager for information. Thank you in advance for the clarification!

DeeDee

Not sure if I should pose my query here or on the HAL forum, but am wondering if I need to bring my rain suit on the Africa Explorer (circumnavigation of Africa) cruise next September. It is lightweight and wouldn't take up much room, but I'm unsure. Your guidance would be most welcome!

We have done a couple of B2B's and I would love to have been gone on longer ones but the cost just gets to be too much for us. Since I never thought I would ever go on a cruise at all I consider myself lucky to have done what I have done.

 

The othe thing is we seemed to have received a cat 2 yrs. ago and have trouble getting someone to look after him so too long a cruise won't work right now.

tigercat

Me too!

I'm going to preface this by saying I hadn't been on a HAL cruise in 14 years and I primarily sail on Princess.

 

I was just on the Veendam in September. Unfortunately, my cruise was cut in half when they cancelled the cruise due to mechanical problems and made us get off the ship. The cruise was OK. It was a B2B Canada/New England RT which should have been 14 days. I was on for 8 days. Overall, the crew was really good. I really enjoyed the good service and positive attitudes of the crew members. They honestly, for the most part, were delightful. The ship is older and most of it is well kept, but you can see a lot of chipped paint and dings here and there. None of that bothered me. They have a really nice promenade deck and the chairs there are nice, but most are reserved for the Lanai cabins. I could always find one on my itinerary, but I imagine it would be harder to find a chair in the Caribbean. This really is a much smaller ship than what I've sailed recently and I loved that. There is only one pool and the area is small. On a warm weather cruise it will likely be pretty crowded. The buffet area is small, but they had good food with lots of choices. They have limited hours for the buffet and they close the grill and pizza at 5pm. They had good desserts and ice cream in the buffet. MDR food was decent. Pizza is atrocious. Grill food is pretty good. They make the burgers, etc. to order and give you a buzzer. They have a nice taco bar near the grill. People do take dressing nice more seriously than some other cruise lines, but I really didn't see much true formal wear. Demographics were a bit older than I'm used to, but people were very nice and interesting. I was cruising solo and people were very warm. Entertainment was pretty sedate. I loved the big library and all the comfy chairs. There were some negative here and there, but not huge problems. Of course, it was disappointing that the cruise was cancelled, but the captain did the right thing choosing not to sail. The crew and HAL handled everything very well. For me, I'm not anxious to try another HAL cruise, but it really was OK.

Have experienced this on every HAL ship and am looking very forward to returning to the Rotterdam for an 83-night cruise next September! The libraries and the service on HAL ships are what I enjoy most. Of course, I have not sailed on Crystal or Silversea.....

I love to overpack! My normal clothes are boring work clothes or jeans and sweaters. I have another whole wardrobe for traveling.

 

Cruises let me be fun and flirty. DH is a good sport about it all. Gotta have dry bathing suits, cover ups, nice dresses, fun capris and sparkly tops, work out clothes and shoes, sandals, sneakers, hats, jewelry.

 

Now, I have been known to go to Europe for three weeks with only a carry on and a large purse. I end up doing a lot of mix and match and some light laundry every second or third night. The only thing that keeps that from being too boring are bright colors.

This part of your post reminds me of a "grand dame of cruising" whom I met on my first cruise back in 1986. Her advice consisted of "blue, orange, coral, turquoise, red, yellow, and navy and white combinations."

Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories!

I "stage" my clothes in a seperate part of my closet. That way I can see them all, and count the mix and matches. I do this 3-6 months in advance, and add/subtract. Then, about a month before I count up the evening outfits, daytime outfits, and add the "standards": evening pants and daytime capris.

This makes it easier for me to pack!

in 2 LBD's//a long sleeve jewel neck..and tank style..both long ish,,never cen sorry. just took on to Morocco and wore a sheer dressy top over it for 5 star hotel dinner..have mt go to's..always.....Nov thru Feb is the time for light burn out velvets at night.....also chiffon panel trousers w. many tops for all my neutrals.

Good to know--thanks!

Agree! The Maitre D' and/or Dining Room Manager are always the exceptions!

Still, it should be done with cash in a palmed handshake ....;)

LuLu

Yes!

That's when my next passport is due, too. I will consider myself incredibly fortunate if I need to renew then. So fortunate that I probably won't care what the picture looks like. ;)

Here's hoping you will be!

Soft side, it weighs less and we need every extra pound packing. :D

Amen!

You sound as though you're comfortable with your decision so go for it!

I don't much care for Jamaica, Grand Cayman though I do like Cozumel so Western itinerary is not my favorite.

 

I really enjoy San Juan, Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Barbados, St. Barts, St. Maarten, HMC, Tortola.........

Same here!

DeeDee added physically challenged. That is not necessarily wheelchairs, but could be other mobility problems.

Thank you, NM Lady!

Two of my formal gowns that I purchased in Hawaii are 100% polished cotton and look marvelous. My other is crepe and silk. The formal pants are crepe and silk. The sequin tops are a poly blend, I think.

I have made a note of this--THANKS!

Biker shorts under skirts & dresses so I can go bare legged without chafing. More for comfort than compression.

 

Hate the "firm control" stuff although I'm certainly sure any TV makeover maven would stuff me into one like a sausage for an impressive enough "after" photo. But I don't plan to go onto What Not To Wear shows anytime quick, and cruising is supposed to be fun!

Right?:p

This is a riot!

Huh? :confused:

When was the last time any of us saw a riding lawnmower being used on a

cruise ship? :D

 

It is not as impossible to imagine the admittedly small chance for a case of ebola.

 

The best ever mental image I have conjured up from a CC post!!!

I have used HAL's laundry service for over 80 cruises and I can't remember them destroying anything.

 

That being said, I used some common sense.

I sent out all DH's t-shirts, shorts, jerseys, underwear etc for laundering.

I sent dockers, dress pants, shirts and better Polo shirts for dry cleaning.

 

I sent my casual slacks, tops, capri pants, jerseys for dry cleaning but hand washed any 'dainties'. I never sent out my lingerie but rather washed and hung to dry in the bathroom overnight. I wouldn't send out a delicate, lacy dress or item that needs special care. I bring that home to my usual dry cleaner.

 

HAL does a fine job with laundry and sends it back pressed and folded or hung as per your preference.

I find this part of your post particularly helpful--thank you!

I'm going solo on my very first cruise in February. As an introvert I usually keep to myself. I think of this cruise as a safe way for me to grow and expand my comfort zone. As I get closer to the cruise date I realize I'm excited to explore, meet people and have the vacation I've always dreamed of. It's cool because the only one I have to make happy is me. :).

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Forums mobile app

Go for it--with gusto!

There may be separate check in line but you would join others who have VIP - Priority boarding. You would not cut the line but would probably have a low embarkation number. Neptune/Pinnacle Suite guests and those with many days with HAL also have priority so you would join in with them.

 

You probably would be better responses by contacting Premier Cruising. Just be aware that not all phone reps always have the 'right' answers. :)

 

and those who are physically challenged