blizzardboy

I'm responsible for planning a family cruise in June 2024. With the ages of our grandkids (6 of them 3-9 in 2024) we have opted for our first RCI cruise. When should I expect June 2024 Caribbean itineraries to be available for booking? 

On 6/2/2021 at 1:50 PM, lstrong said:

I don’t blame you!  HALs pricing is not good at all right now.

They're selling out cruises. The previous poster is correct, the free market rules. Market forces, like most things in life and nature, work both ways. When demand drops, so will prices.

4 hours ago, RetiredNow said:

Our first cruise was on the NCL Skyward on July 4-11, 1982.  We did a Mexico cruise that included Miami, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Cozumel and Great Stirrup Cay. 

You were aboard the Skyward three months before our honeymoon cruise, Oct 3-10, 1982. Between raising kids and becoming a golf addict, we spent the next 32 years at great resorts before rediscovering cruising. We've since reached 3-Star with HAL, but still spend a few weeks at our favorite resorts each winter.

I was just nosing around on an on-line antique auction and spotted a lot of five Delft tile coasters: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/86066182_lot-of-five-delft-tile-coasters

On 2/3/2020 at 11:15 AM, BirdTravels said:

Cancel and file an insurance claim. 

Norwegian told the family from Hawaii that the insurance they purchased from NCL doesn't cover epidemics. The customers acted in good faith.  NCL, not so much!!

On 12/1/2019 at 7:14 AM, kazu said:

As the temperatures dip lower and colder, the Caribbean sounds ever so inviting.  We hope blizzardboy enjoys every moment of the sun, sea and sand & his time on board the blue hulled beauty and of course we wish him safe travels, fair winds and smooth seas.

 

Bon Voyage to Nieuw Statendam - 7 day Western Caribbean:

blizzardboy

 

 

Bon Voyage blizzardboy !!!!!!!

Have a great cruise and a WONDERFUL time !!!!!!!

 

Thanks Kazu and fellow cruise lovers. 

bb

9 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

The newer cruise ships are larger. 

 

Instead of 1,200 guests......now nearly double 2,100 or so.

 

It takes time to board, so how would you suggest alternate embarkation?

 

David

I get your point, but the original question posed pertained to those that are very first slated to board anyway.

It's been a couple of years since we've sailed with HAL. I just got an email with boarding times listed. It shows 4 & 5 Star and NS and PS anytime after 1:00. I thought we used to be able to board after 11:30, but I may be delusional. It's been rumored for years.

I am sailing on the Nieuw Statendam in 5 weeks. I read about Club Orange, but as a Neptune customer I didn't think it was applicable to me. I never dreamed we'd lose the PG breakfast. I will reserve judgement until I experience things first hand.

bb

Hence the quotation marks. I try to avoid blatant plagiarism, but my bibliography is lacking!

4 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Well I’m glad they were greatly exaggerated 😉 

Happy to add it for you.  😄 Could you kindly confirm how many days the cruise is?  Thanks.

7 day. Hope all is well with you and yours!

bb

"The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!"

Blizzardboy will be on the Nieuw Statendam, Dec 08, 2019.

Residence Inn in Plantation. About 7-8 miles inland. Good shopping and restaurants in the area. 

1 hour ago, slidergirl said:

 

Well, that is a pretty disgusting comment you just made.  Lazy?  How about nose-up-in-the-air to think that someone who adheres to the HAL dress suggestions is lazy just because you cling to the "traditional" while HAL is no longer requires formal wear...  If you are turned off by people dining in the MDR in clothing deemed fine by HAL, you can dine in your room in your finery.  Or, you can turn to Cunard and it's class-defining dining rooms or Crystal.    Me?  I'll be wearing my roll up go-anywhere little black dress and enjoying what HAL offers, sometimes having a chuckle at the older couples decked out in the ill-fitting tux and gown they bought back in 1970 for their first cruise because they have to be formal...

Snarky aren't we? Just so my ill-fitting Calvin Klein Tux and my custom gold and diamond ship's-wheel studs and cuff-links don't offend you, we eat at the Pinnacle or Tamarind on Gala nights. 

35 minutes ago, iancal said:

We hardly go to the MDR is shorts and flip flops.  I wear a collared shirt, cotton slacks, and deck shoes.  We more than meet the HAL's gala night MDR attire suggestions.

 

Why, when people discuss casual in the MDR, they immediately go to  ball caps on backward, flip flops, shorts, and muscle shirts?  Why not add tattoos and body piercing for more effect?     Seems a little overboard to me.

If you're referencing my post, the juxtaposition was purely to point out a casually-clad person doesn't affect me or my desire to dress up if I choose to do so. I was not slamming shorts and flip flops. I've been in swim trunks and sandals on an elevator with formally clad folks at a resort. It happens.

I realize I probably "married up", so I consider it an honor to dress for dinner with my bride. I too am retired and no longer put on a suit and tie on a daily basis. Now when I put on a suit or a tux, it's because I want to look my best for her. I've also mentioned on this forum that it's the only time I get to wear a tux without having paid for a wedding or being asked to write a check to a charity.

Bucking the all-casual-all-the-time trend is a personal choice. If I'm standing next to someone in shorts and flip flops, I realize that's their choice. I don't look down on them. I was taught to lead by example. I was also taught that some will refuse to be be led, so don't let it ruin your day.

There are casino offers from HAL that do include free drinks in the casino. Like any other casino, your offers are derived from your average wager and time spent playing. I find we get more generous treatment "on land".

What looks like Las Vegas should stay in Las Vegas - 40 revolting pictures of the new generation of floating warehouses: https://www.farandwide.com/s/largest-cruise-ships-4e56865b699a4631?utm_campaign=largestcruise-3e5b14b5cbde4c58&utm_source=tab&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=hearstlocalnews-sfgatecom

 

Where is my Bonine. No HAL, you do not have to compete. Carve out your own niche with what you have right now - there is no competition for the HAL cruise experience out there - hold fast.

We have taken 17 cruises on HAL, and are four star Mariners. Having taken two longer cruises on Seabourn, we are at the silver level with them. Having set our preferences with HAL as far as getting emails on specific itineraries and specials, we receive literally nothing from HAL. No brochures, no emails, nothing. I have to scour their website to see what there is to offer. Seabourn, on the other hand, sends email, brochures, even calls from time to time to see where we are at with our next cruise. Does HAL just assume they have our business? Thoughts.

We have always driven from Kentucky to the cruise ports on the cruises we have taken. But we booked the Hawaii cruise from San Diego and will have to fly. That is too far for me to drive. Looking to book our flights and can't decide if first class is worth the bucks. I'm a big man 280 pounds and don't want to sit in a seat my butt won't fit in. Are the seats in comfort plus big enough for me or will first class seats be bigger and more comfortable?

The kids get more personal attention.

We will be on basically the same cruise this Nov. I think it’s even the same week as last year. Deal we couldn’t pass up. Congrats on the grand baby. Cheers!

 

 

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Sorry we'll miss you!

Dave

Hey blizzardboy - I remember you from last November on the NA! You were in the pool talking, and I asked if you were blizzardboy from Cruise Critic bulletin boards. (I am remembering you correctly, right?).

Safe travels,

Dave

On Koningsdam, the aft-corner Neptune Suites can combine with the adjacent cabin. There is a door in the hallway, which when closed means the two rooms become effectively connecting.

 

Is this hallway door also present on the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, so that the two adjacent rooms become a kind of “suite”???

Higher oil prices and a trade war are going to have repercussions.