blizzardboy

Looking at these 2 ships for a transatlantic cruise in fall, 2018. We like traditional cruise experience - fixed seating, shows after dinner. Since there will be a number of sea days, cabin is important. We'd like a generous size cabin (at least 200 square feet excluding balcony), a combination tub/shower or an oversized shower stall, and a large balcony. Any recommendations? Aft facing verandah, signature suite? Have to admit the wraparound corner balconies on Oosterdam look very appealing. Thanks for any advice....

I've yet to sail on the K'dam. Though we can afford it, I refuse to pay a substantial premium to sail the newer ship. I don't see us have a 20-25% better time. That's just my opinion.

(bold is mine) Of course it does. Your comment reminds me of a package of cocktail napkins I saw recently. It showed 2 or 3 well-dressed women (1950s style) and said "I never judge people. I wait until I'm with my best friends and we judge them together."

As far as kilts go, there's nothing wrong with "breezing" into a room. Besides, all lack-of-underwear complaints were directed at breakfast, and I've only seen kilts on board on Gala Night.

"Standards" is the issue, and we guests have an obligation to abide by the standards the cruise ship sets forth. That works both ways: We must comply with those standards ourselves and not allow our own personal standards to affect other guests' enjoyment of their cruise even if our own standards exceed that of the cruise ship. That doesn't mean anyone needs to dress down, but rather only that one's dissatisfaction with the fact that someone else does not wish to exceed the same standards in the same way shouldn't manifest as behaviors or attitude toward that other guest.

 

This post may have been entered by voice recognition. Please excuse any typographical errors.

We chuckle when we see the comments about bathrobes. It is not uncommon to see them poolside in five and six star resorts. In North America and in Europe.

 

The basic issue is that there are people who actually believe that what is de riguer in their world or indeed their country must absolutely be the standard throughout the world.

 

Sorry, but that is not how it is. Maybe across the street, around the block, next state over, but certainly does not have to be so in another country, another type of vacation option.

Our first cruise was on the Amsterdam July 4th 2004...7 night Alaskan Explorer.

I was the most perfect cruise I have ever been on, we have done many since then.

We still love cursing, can't wait until the next one.

Jackalope,

I don't normally point out misspells, but your's made me laugh. Maybe it was the irony of it right before the scripture in your signature. I hope you're laughing with me!

bb

I'm one of those who still dresses for dinner and enjoys wearing my tux on Gala Nights. That being said, if I'm in the Caribbean, or about any other warm locale, I'm going to be in shorts and a polo at breakfast, and probably my swim trunks at the Dive-In or equivalent at lunch. What others do, up to a point, doesn't affect or bother me. Bathrobes at breakfast in the Lido, and ball caps in the MDR at dinner are not acceptable to me, but it doesn't affect us. If I considered all the changes in society that have occurred in my lifetime as "dumbing down", I'd have to have started, and ended, with a very high opinion of myself. To quote another like-minded philosopher, Dennis Miller, "That's just my opinion, and I might be wrong".

bb

This was very well said. Having dealt with cruise ship refits as the Project Mgr for the shipyard, I have see over the years more and more repairs taking place on older vessels. But on the other hand I don't think most folks realize how much work is put into maintaining the ship. Yet I look back at the cost of a cruise 25 ago on Sitmar or Princess, the rates were higher

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sure the condo may have survived but do you want to live without power for weeks ?

The "weeks without power" that you mentioned mostly involves rural areas. The San Juan area had almost all power restored in 3 days after Irma.

bb

Typically, the Eastern Caribbean gets storms early - Western later. This year is a crap shoot. We usually sail in Jan, but have an anniversary to celebrate, so an Eastern Caribbean run is scheduled for November. Before you say we're crazy, let me confirm it by saying we're going to San Juan for a couple weeks in Jan to look at condos/neighborhoods. My logic is let's see what buildings/locales weathered the storm.

I'm sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it. What is the acceptable attire for breakfast (and lunch) in the main Dining Room? Is it acceptable to wear shorts and a Polo or T shirt? I assume that this is OK in the Lido.

 

DD

It's in the "Terms and Conditions" for every promo that provides a beverage pkg: "Package excludes purchases made in Signature Shops, Mini Bar and In Room Dining, or beverages on Half Moon Cay." The package description if purchased seperately goes a bit further: "Excludes Mini Bar, Chocolate Seduction, In-Room Dining, beverages on Half Moon Cay, Freestyle Coca-Cola and any self-service draft beer."

There's a wealth of info on HAL's site if one takes the time to look.

If you pay with a major credit card, you have "No Fraud" protection, as well as the right to dispute charges for cause. That being said, you're going snorkeling 3.5 months from now, not buying a used car or renting a beach villa today. If they have gas for their boat, go and have a great time!

I'm also a huge fan of breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill, as is my bride since it gets me out of the suite so she can sleep undisturbed. Don't forget to take advantage of the unlimited laundry and dry cleaning amenity included with your Neptune. We come home with little or no laundry or dry cleaning to do. You don't have anything to compare with the NS, but from our experience, they are highly addictive and we've never looked back.

Hello

 

Before Irma I contacted a reputable company for a snorkeling trip. At the time they were very busy getting ready for Irma and said that they would get back to me once it was over.

 

Unfortunately they lost a boat but all there staff are safe. They have asked me do I now want to book, which I do. I am visiting Grand Turk on the 26th Dec. I have to give a 50% deposit which is refundable if the ship doesn't dock.

 

I know nobody has a crystal ball, but is it possible that Grand Turk will be a possibility in late December?

 

Thanks

I figured if that comes about it basically makes the insurance free.

JMO -- but I would write a letter to the president detailing everything.

Many of the survey's are never read.

forgive me if I've missed a post on this but does anyone have any info on Turks or Half Moom Cay since Irma. Need to cancel within the week, if I'm going to and not getting anywhere with my TA. Can't find any info on HALs website either. Booked this cruise specifically for these two ports, not sure if I want to go if they are eliminated or substituted.

We have never cruised Holland American and are looking at a Caribbean cruise in January out of Fort Lauderdale.

 

It seems that parents take their children out of a school at any given time these days and we we were wondering if anyone can comment on whether we are likely to encounter kids on one of these cruises that time of year.

 

We are looking for an adult vacation.

 

Thank you.

Quick question about the shipboard account statement.

 

Previously on HAL I cruised with a friend so our "key cards" were each linked to our own individual credit cards.

 

There are two of us that may be using the same credit card on our upcoming cruise...

 

So, does each person get their own statement based on what was against their key card? or.....

If it appears all one one statement, is there a way to tell who's key card was used?

 

We were thinking this might be a work-around to keep the ship board charges and the $60.00 hold for both all on one card, and keep the other for any shore expenditures.

 

As always, thanks in advance as I know someone out there will have the answer :)

Of course this is simply one person's highly subjective opinion and should not be interpreted as authoritative in any way, nor representative of most people's opinions.

The included food is extremely bad and of very poor quality that's the simple answer to your question

The specialty restaurants are quieter and more intimate, and they do offer superb food and service for a small upcharge, but the MDR is in no way "extremely bad", nor is it of "very poor quality".

Do they give you some kind of card to put in the machines so they know how much you gamble?

 

We have been buying casino chips every month since we booked our cruise so when we get on board we have money to gamble with.

I did not mean that you were wrong - I merely wanted to clarify for slot players.

"Dollars in" increase with time played, wager amount, and frequency of play, so my original statement stands. Casinos at sea are not regulated as they are on land. Cruise lines have a much larger margin on slots than land-based casinos. A person in the industry told me that Cruise slot payouts are in the mid to high 70s.

I will be there in November. Can anyone who has been there lately give a brief description about what there is to see and do?Thanks!

We're going back to San Juan to look at real estate and vacation in Jan, so we'll be able to see progress at 2 and 4 months out. Our prayers are with the whole region.