BermudaBound2014

@0106 thank you for this report! Very timely.

 

Few questions (for anyone who cares to reply):

 

1) I have zero tendering priority and I'm concerned about making private tour arrangements and not being able to get there in time. On the 35 night Kdam cruise, it took nearly 6 hours to get everyone off in Nuka Hiva. It was also challenging in Fakarava, and several people were left behind by their private guide. What are you thought on this?

 

2) I have $300 to burn on SE. Like you, I really don't like HAL excurstions, but I'll spend the money. What tour(s) would you recommend from HAL??

 

3) What stops were fine to get off and just explore on our own? We are hikers. Distance isn't really an issue.

 

4) What are the top three tours you did?

 

Mahalo!!!

 

 

1 hour ago, d9704011 said:

Yes, I am following the Roll Call for 2025. We are arriving in San Diego on 13 February; we're staying at Springhill Suites so won't be planing on any pre-cruise meeting at the BW.

 

Just so you know, last year we had many people uber to the bwyh from the downtown hotels :).The first day night we had about 40 people and the second night we had around 80. It really was a fun gathering so if you change your mind know that everyone is invited.

18 hours ago, d9704011 said:

Thanks and hope to meet you next February.

Ditto! I'm sure our paths will cross. I'm in the middle of organizing another pre-cruise meeting at the Best Western yacht Harbor if you plan on coming into San Diego a day early. Are you following the Roll Call here? Lots of info from many very knowledgable people there :).

 

 

17 hours ago, 0106 said:

@BermudaBound2014Mahalo!

 

We are doing January 4-28, 2025 Mexico/Hawaii cruise on the Koningsdam.  Plans for all ports except Honolulu on a Sunday. I’ve been there before, seen Pearl Harbor, hiked Diamondhead, drove to the north shore.  I wanted to do a food tour, can’t find one available on Sunday. Many of the”local” restaurants are closed.  Thoughts?  

 

You will love the 22 day cruise to Antarctica on the Oosterdam (my favorite ship).  I did a live thread and so did several others.  Book your tours now.  Post on my live thread if you have any questions.

 

Oh Boy. I have the palette of a toddler so Food Tours aren't in my wheelhouse. I lived in Honolulu back in the 80s and I'm sure any of the restaurants I enjoyed then are long gone (although I did find my rickety apartment still standing last year; it was a dump in the 80s I can't even imagine now).  Have you checked out Dukes for happyhour? That's a fun bar with entertainment. Not sure how long your in port but it's all I've got for you :(.

 

I am off to fine your Antarctica review. I will be posting on your live thread shortly! Mahalo in advance :).  

Honey I'm home!!  Winter 2024 is in the rear view mirror and so is this review. Time to wrap it up.

 

In keeping with my goal to avoid Michigan Winter, in 2025 Hubby and I are booked on 22 night Oosterdam to Antartica and then I'll be repeating this 35 night Koningsdam cruise followed by another couple months in Maui. Why fix what isn't broken?

 

Continuing to book with HAL should speak volumes about my overall opinion on the product. Obviously I very much enjoyed this cruise and feel that HAL offers a tremendous value. However; In a perfect world these are the things I would change for next year:

 

1) More activities offered for those of us who don't want to spend all day laying in the spa. I like a little spa action as much as the next girl, but I like to mix relaxation in with high energy. Get up and get moving!  Things like aqua aerobics,  pool volleyball, an additional yoga class,   would be most welcome. The dance classes and TaiChi were so well attended just doubling up on those in the afternoon would be a major improvement. And for the Love of God, play some music at one of the pools for a just couple hours a day. 

 

2) I'm hoping for a better band in rolling stones rock room. That music is my chosen genre, but I ended up in BBkings for the dance energy. The band in Rolling Stones had a habit of playing a couple tunes to get the dance floor rolling and then jumping into some Hendriks. As mentioned, I like cowbell as much as the next girl, but the sets just didn't flow. And while I can't remember why I walked into the kitchen, I do remember the lyrics to almost of the songs from the 80s. Unfortunately, too often, it took until the chorus before I could recognize the actual song being played. The music walk is an excellent concept, but it doesn't work if the band/piano players don't motivate the crowd. More often than not, billboards and RSRR  were empty by 10:00 and BBKings stopped between 10:30-11:15 most nights.

 

3) For me, even the low energy entertainment options were often really low budget. Obviously entertainment isn't a priority for HAL (as evidenced by only 3 playmakers on a ship this size). The arts classes were a joke. The Hal dots was literally a hand out to connect the numbered dots to reveal a ship. The watercolor class offered no instruction, but did provide an inspiration and some paint. With the exception of a couple shows, my local high school offers better evening shows and I still can't figure out why they don't utilize the big screen at the lido, if not during the day, at least offer a nightly movie. 

 

Now; I get it. Many long time HAL cruisers sail HAL for the very serene atmosphere I'm recommending be changed.  But, these are the very same reasons HAL's long time reputation is a cruiseline which appeals to the  'newlywed or nearly dead". If HAL wants to shed that stereotype (and I think they do), I believe just a few minor tweaks could go a long way drawing in the newer retirees who seek a bit more spice but want to skip the amusement park on the sea concept (side note, I still love a good water slide but don't expect that on HAL).

 

Generation Xers are entering retirement and have different wants/needs than what HAL is currently providing. Evolution. I'm not suggesting turning HAL into a family cruise line. I mean really, how can that possibly work? They don't even have a water slide ;-). But I beleive there is an energy level that exists somewhere between the library and a Metallica concert. Just pump it up a bit without turning into Disney.  I think this slightly pumped up version maybe the sweet spot as HAL struggles to identify itself. I certainly don't envy Hal trying to find that elusive sweet spot and, as mentioned, none of the above suggestions stopped me from booking 57 nights on HAL in 2025. Their interesting itineraries at reasonable price points keep drawing me in. That's the niche HAL does best.

 

As far as the good, I have not one complaint with service. It was stellar. Very personal. Several crew asked to friend me on social media (not visa versa) proving that they really are interested in us. I did hear complaints about service in the MDR but I did not partake.

 

I think the food was terrific  All you can eat lobster on the buffet on dressy night! It was like a step back in time to cruising pre-covid. I really enjoyed all the fresh to order grill items at the lido nightly (steak, chicken, or rotating types of fish). The Asian wok station to individually select protein and veggies and have it cooked while you wait assured food was fresh and hot (same with the pasta station). The salad station was exceptional!! Hint, there is a lime vinaigrette dressing that is low in fat/calories at the deli and it's soooo yummy. Why they don't offer this dressing at the salad bar in the lido is beyond me but I started having my salad made downstairs and carried it up to the deli for the dressing.

 

The ports were amazing, but I'm a water girl. To me, the draw of this itininary is the water. Next year I will do absolutely zero land tours and spend my entire time exploring reefs that are actually still quite vibrant (and snorkeling with sharks of course). If you aren't in the water, it's hot. As in makes Florida in August look tepid. If you aren't planning on being in the water, perhaps consider a small battery operated fan. Many folks were resorting to wetting wash clothes, putting them in their freezer overnight, and bringing them on excursions to help stay cool. 

 

But, for me, the absolute BEST part of this cruise were the friendships made. Friendships that are still going strong! Of course, social media helps, but I've spoken on the phone with a few of my 'gal pals' already. Dozens of us are planning and booking future cruises together. A couple folks are meeting me in Maui next year and I'm having beers with another couple here in Michigan in a few weeks. 

 

If you were on this cruise, and are still reading this ridiculously long review, please accept my deepest thanks for helping to make this trip one I will remember for life!!! When it all boils down, it's the relationships made that make any vacation exceptional and this certainly was an EXCEPTIONAL cruise!

 

I promised to post the pdf files I created for tours once I got back to my desktop in Michigan so here they are. These are obviously old now. I have also posted these in the 2025 roll call but I believe someone was inquiring for their fall French Polynesia trip. These should get you started if looking for independent tours. There isn't a tour here that I would not highly recommend.

 

Best Western Yacht Harbor 1.17.pdf Fakarava excursion 2.11.pdf Moorea Day 1_ Catamaran named Taboo 11.5.pdf Papeete ~ Island Tour Day 11.5.pdf Raitea Wednesday March 6 w_Bruno (4).pdf Shark Cage Dive. Honolulu Day 2 1.2.24.pdf Whale Watch Maui 1.2.24.pdf

23 minutes ago, ferretktf said:

NCL never give anything for missed ports….when by rights they should refund the port fees. We got nothing for missing Bermuda in December.
 

I was on HAL last year in Israel when the attack happened. HAL credited two days Port Fees as OBC.
 

 

 

I have gotten port fees returned on NCL several times, but it's not a blanket policy. Depends on the port. Same thing on RCL. There have been times I have gotten port fees returned and times received nothing. 

I spent 35 nights on Koningsdam in Feb/March. Agree that the physical layout of the ship is lacking. She just doesn't move people well. Too many dead ends and poor design features for crowds. Took me a few days to figure out how to zig when everyone else was zagging. 

 

With that, I found the service exceptional (although I steered clear from the main dining room where most of the service issues appear to be). 

 

1 hour ago, peajay said:

Unfortunately the crew  made an error and sailed west of Vancouver island, so no inner passage cruise for us. The captain announced that they made a mistake and tried to get a pilot at the last minute but none were available. 

 

 

That seems like a pretty big error. It's not like these ships are driving down US75 and just got off at the wrong exit.  I'm very surprised the captain admitted this mistake. Very.

 

With that, as disappointing as this maybe, the compensation is more than fair according to the terms and conditions you agreed to. I got $15 OBC for missing Fanning Island and thought that was more than fair (granted it wasn't crew mistake).

 

Edited to add, I'm shocked the captain put that mistake in writing!! Please take a photo of the letter and post here. With the letter you may have more leverage than missing a port for weather or medical.

11 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

...... With these AARP gift Cards ,the monies go back on the cards ;but ,then what if a person can no longer cruise . Then they are challenged to try & sell them 7 most likely discounted unless to a realative .

 

From the HAL terms and conditions of the gift cards. 

 

HAL Gift Card Terms and Conditions

 

 

I know many people have successfully had funds reloaded onto their gift cards upon cancellation, but the language in the actual terms and conditions has always made me cautious. I do realize there are different interpretations of 'reloading', but the T&C (linked above) also state clearly that HAL can change T&C at anytime within the laws of the state of Florida (when not mandated by Fed).

 

I do use gift cards, but acknowledge that gift cards always come with risk. Buyer be informed..

Welcoming committee and little flee market in Moorea. It’s a tender port so be very careful here booking your own early tours.
 

Tendering was pretty slow this cruise. The tender ports are: Fanning (we didn’t get there), Moorea (safe for most people), Fakarava (caution for those with walkers or wheelchairs as it’s Sandy gravel), NukaHiva (those with mobility issues should reconsider getting off here. There are a couple steep uneven steps to exit the tender. One lady slipped and an ambulance was needed, not sure what happened to her). 
 

Anyway, this is what you will see then tendering into Moorea- a little flee market plaza and a lovely church. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 4/29/2024 at 6:20 AM, rollie said:

All right you guys.  We're going on this cruise next year.  My question to you is, can we make an 11:15am flight?  It's the only non stop home.  Thanks for your feed back.

 

Rollie

 

 

Im on next years cruise with you. Unfortunately we will be sharing the port with the Volendam on our return (so far we are in the clear at embarkation ).

 

Sharing the pier makes all the difference in the world in San Diego. It absolutely slows the process down and makes things a bit more chaotic (or very chaotic given your perspective). It appears to me that both space and manpower are challenges for 2 ships. 
 

Based on everyone I know, and everyone posting on other social media platforms, there were people who missed 11am flights. I suspect those people did not make a conscious effort to be one of the first off the ship (the line to clear customs moves fast but it was long snaking the entire length of the cruise and back). People were lining up at 6:15am. 

 

I always like to stay an extra night or two in port cities and San Diego is a great place to explore. imo that would be my vote. Why stress?

 

With that, if you pay attention and get the first luggage color off (they put luggage tags out 4 days before debarking) I think you will be just fine, but no dilly dallying! The volendam is smaller than the Disney ship we shared with this year, but offloading 35 nights worth of luggage is considerably more challenging than 7 nighters. If you can carry your own luggage off even better. My biggest slow down was waiting for luggage to be offloaded. At 10:30 am the last luggage colors were still sitting on the ship. Not sure if that was due to space, manpower, or both but the challenges in San Diego are real. 

On 4/28/2024 at 1:15 PM, Homer88 said:

I love reliving the adventure thru your pics. Thanks so much!!

thank you MaryPat 🙂 I appreciate the encouragement to continue. Part of the reason I do reviews is to go back and reread them much later as that helps to cement my memories. But, this  review is now over a month old (blame it on Maui). I really need to wrap this up 🙂 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, jerryg95 said:

Or they want to buy a house, car, need cash or want to diversify. 

Sure- but the fact that not one has invested should raise an eyebrow (besides poor Maritza who missed the memo and invested his measly 100k).

 

One never can tell what investor trading means, but I do pay attention to patterns. 

I’m not actively trading cruise stock at this time so I’m out of the loop, but this came across my desk. Thought some of you may find it interesting to note. 
 

 

 

insider trading of RCL the last year- 

18 minutes ago, rj59 said:

 You're missing the leap in fares the rest of the summer, and fares in Mexico and elsewhere the rest of the year, when they appear. These last-minute fares also don't have many cabins available--I did some mock bookings and there were only one or two inside and oceanview, and only guarantee balcony. That said, another argument for non-standby is that you can get military, shareholder, and other OBC, which they don't give on standby. 

 

If you want to book in advance (aka the rest of the summer) you obviously pay for that privilege.

I mentioned the “bus runs”. Those typical 7 day trips offered by HAL to Alaska, caribbean, mexico (and I’m even seeing some very attractive fares for New England). These sailings tend to offer excellent rates last minute without booking the new program. 

If history repeats itself (as is has the last several years), the Alaska 7 day runs will sail at very similar rates all season. Of course, if you want last minute rates you have to wait to book last minute;). My point is that you can book last minute (a month in advance) for - similar price as last minute (48 hours prior).
 

I get that the $49 fare may offer better rates for unique itineraries. I’d use this program for legendary voyages in a NY second, but I don’t see those offered. 
 

 

 

Other than solos, I’m not following the benefit of this program for 7 day Alaska (or any of the “bus runs”). 
 

These cruises are the same price (or Pennies more) than the standby program and you get a regular booking weeks in advance. Heck, in some cases it’s cheaper than the $49 offer.

 

What am I missing?

 

 

 

 

Then we had about an hour to wait for our prearranged taxi (that never showed, always be prepared to hoof it).
 

The guide offered us his private pool to relax in while we waited. Those were some magical moments that will forever be cemented in my memory.

 

 

 

Moorea Sail away- check out this guys driveway…..

 

 

 

Later in the day our guide tossed a ski rope behind the boat and dragged us along an area that had too strong of a current for snorkeling. We came across a couple dozen spotted eagle rays, lots of turtles, and yes even a shark 😁 (omg- I just noticed my go pro has the wrong date stamp. That will bug me into eternity 😂)
 

 

 

 

These photos aren’t mine but this is what a spotted eagle ray looks like if I knew how to use the zoom on my GoPro 😜)

 

Back to Moorea (this review is so disorganized even I’m getting anxiety- my photos are a hot mess). I work so much better off my desktop but couldn’t fit that in the suitcase so photo organization will have to come this summer. 
 

For those that want to snorkel with things other than sharks, these manta rays were super friendly. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, 57redbird said:

We had dinner there in March....won't be back....ate early & too many unmannered kids & oblivious parents....

What a shame- we come here every Sunday for breakfast. Not a single child here today. I come for lunch too, and have never seen a kid that I recall, and certainly not a misbehaving one. Perhaps it’s because I tend to eat with the golfers. 
 

If you think plantation is bad for kids, don’t go to the very popular Gazebo in Napili. Unlike the Plantation House, it’s more of a family place. I have seen unruly kids there, but half expect it due to the nature of beast. 

 

 

On 2/15/2024 at 7:41 AM, *Miss G* said:

 

Oh my gosh.  I know exactly where you are!  And brekkie at Plantation!  I can taste the pineapple spears and dip as we speak.  Yum.

 

Do you know, it’s funny and purely coincidental, but I was saying to my husband not two days ago that the best spa I’ve ever been to was at that R-C!!

 

Thank you for the pictures.  Just ❤️.  You are so right that it’s a centering and spiritual place.  I know you’ll have an amazing time.

 

 

 

Coming to you live this morning from brekkie at the Plantation- this one’s for you MissG!  ps- Don’t get the bananas foster pancakes unless you have a baseball team and plan to slice and serve it like bday cake. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

I know I’m jumping around a bit but I want to wrap this “live” up while I’m still on Maui. Once I head back to Mich there will be lots and lots of tasks to catch up on.

 

 

Tahiti/Papeete was much different than the rest of our stops in FP.  There are no great beaches there and the snorkeling isn’t terrific either, so I recommend this is the stop to experience a FP bustling city and do a land tour.

 

I used Eden Tours found on trip advisor. An air conditioned van to circle the entire island. Some tours only do either the east half or the west half but this was a full day tour that did the circle. We stopped at many waterfalls, a black sand beach, a blowhole, a grotto, you get the jist. I would highly recommend this guy again and with various discounts (rakuten, targeted Cc offers, TA discount code) I believe the price was less than $50 pp -  a far cry from the Hal tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are beautiful colorful street murals

scattering the city. I was told that Papette holds one of the largest street mural competitions annually and it shows.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also an international market across the street from where the ship docks. I picked up an amazing bunch of flowers for $10. US dollars accepted everywhere on this trip. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn’t look like the video loaded properly…let’s try this. These videos were taken with my GoPro. No zoom.  The sharks aren’t more than a few feet away.

 

 

 

 

Let’s finish with the rest of the black tip shark videos. As most of you know there are very few blacktip attacks on humans. It’s almost unheard of.
 

With that, I wouldn’t recommend splashing around on the surface like an injured fish. I watched a local “call in” a shark on motu Otefro and used my new skill to call one in at the blue lagoon on Fakarava. By calling in I just mean making repeated circular splashing patterns at the surface of the water to get the shark to abruptly turn around and come check out dinner. It’s fun 🤙

 

This is snorkeling with black tips in Moorea which was my favorite because we were on a very small tour (only five of us). The bottom was Sandy and shallow so we could stand and this lent itself to a much more stable encounter.

If you are looking to snorkel with black tip, reef sharks, I can highly recommend either Raitea or Moorea. But if you don’t know how to snorkel and just want to get in the water with black tip brief sharks, you can probably do that easier in Moorea where no swimming is involved and you can stand for the encounter. Just Look at this guys eyeball ….. 

 

 

 

 

19 hours ago, TableGirl said:

Yes!  Thank you again @BermudaBound2014 for those videos.  Ah to be in that crystal clear (and warm?) water!

oh yes, the water  was VERY warm. Much warmer than Hawaii was (even yesterday and we are getting close to May).
 

Unfortunately the warm water is expected to create a large bleaching event in FP like what happened in 2019  😭. Like forest fire, reefs can comeback from catastrophic bleaching but it takes sooooo much time. But, if there is a bright side, you will not need to wear skin and it’s not even a bit chilly getting out of the water and there is evidence to show just how much the reef has returned.

 

Are from the USA? If so, i highly recommend you rent a car. The pick up is literally across the street from the ship. Hawaii roads are super easy to drive on. No way to get lost. This will give you lots of freedom to hike many trails and see much of the park. The park is huge, you will want to drive around it and not just get dropped off at the main visitor area. You can even swing by rainbow falls on your way home. Car. Car. Car.