Hogladyrider

For us the only way we would cruise Excel or Vista class would be Havannah interior. We found Vista class to feel super crowded. Ocean Plaza area was unbearable in the evenings. Just our opinion.

I agree 100% the BLOG is excellent and I look forward to each and every entry on each and every cruise adventure!

I believe she is cruising end of March first part of April....it will more than likely be windy as they sail and cool in the evenings. I think the water temps will be cooler as well....but they are die hard water fans so they will do just fine. We have a 14 day Mexican Riviera booked over New Years Eve 2025 on HAL. Checking another item off my bucket list of cruising over a holiday!

Awe thank you so much.....Susan & Gary a/k/a Hogladyrider....Gary isn't on any social media

@broberts...thank you...done!

Reminder that cruising on the west coast is VERY different from the east coast. Not the Caribbean water or weather at all, very different. We did our 1st Mexican in February 2020. We loved it. Always windy on deck when cruising. When stopped not so much. The water color is definitely different from the Caribbean. I would hate to see you disappointed. I have read ALL your cruise reviews and land vacations on your web site so feel like I have an idea of what your family would enjoy. I believe @Jamman54 and Patti stayed at QM before one of their cruises and have pics in his review. We saw whales right from the ship while sitting out on the aft of the ship enjoying drinks with new friends. We also saw the arch right from the ship as well. It really depends on the weather conditions when you arrive as the Pacific is very different. We are doing our 1st cruise to Hawaii next week and I have spent almost one year researching and so glad I did and we will not expect the Pacific crossing to be anything like all the 40+ cruises we've done from Florida when we lived there. Good luck, I may have missed what month your cruise is booked for! With airlines they way they are today I'd definitely fly in ahead of time and flying east to west is pretty rough and long!

I made sure to pack some congestion meds for our upcoming cruise, you never know what might happen!

@MeganGC1983...you are a TRUE CLASS ACT. Though we have never met in person, it comes thru in your writing. Yes I am old enough to be your mother, but trust me, I feel more like an older sister. You are what I wanted to be when I was growing up in the era that said "women want it all". You are a mom, a wife, you have a full time job just in that, but you take the time to also maintain another fulltime job and take care of others and their needs. I admire that when you can get away on a cruise without the kids you are able to allow yourself to have a good time, yet when you cruise with the kids it is family time. Life is about balance and you seem to have discovered your own groove! Wishing you nothing but success in all your endeavors. Having lived the single life for many many years, it is "easy" compared to the life being in a relationship and trying to balance so much and so many different things. I applaud you and this LIVE has just been so much fun to read and follow. Your wrap up states it so well. Maybe some day we shall meet on a ship. Hope you have a wonderful VV cruise with friends and family and thank you so much for taking us along on this cruise it was a BLAST even from my RV recliner! I could not and would not attempt a Live like you did! Susan

While I am not Dee, refer to post #463 where she said it was "dressy" night and they had filet and lobster in the dining room.....to of page 19.

You can boooo me now, don't follow football so I am lost at what you all are chatting about, but it's ALL good. Now that @MeganGC1983 will be winding down her review, we will have @Jamman54 starting soon to help us all relive it again.

@TravelBluebird interesting observations on HAL. We are not production show folks and we don't visit the casino. We absolutely love the live music at BB Kings etc on HAL, that is our genre for sure. We are folks who enjoy good food, time on our balcony, a good movie in our room in the evening, relaxing in the Crow's Nest and of course people watching. Both Platinum on Carnival after living in Florida for 40+ years and driving to all the ports. Now retired we still have Carnival gift cards but doubt they will get used since we have moved over to HAL and we would also consider trying out Princess. Fun in the Sun and Fun Times was good for us while it lasted but not so much these days. I remember cruising when under 21 drinking was allowed, OMG the sights I saw way back when. Now the sights are different and just no long my idea of fun.....I admit it is an age thing and I am proud of it. There is something for everyone on every cruise line, glad you are enjoying your cruise on HAL the photos are stunning. HAL is known for its port intensive cruises for sure. Our very first HAL cruise we enjoyed so much we never got off the ship in any port we just savored all the time on the ship!

@MeganGC1983...a home run, many many touchdowns and everything else...it's been a fantastic read all week. Thankfully you don't have long to wait until your next adventure. You've done an outstanding job thrilled so many CC came up to you. And we still have @Jamman54and Pattis pics to help us enjoy it all over again. Safe travels home.

Tiramisu is one of my all time favorites

It was first cruise and as a solo, back when Carnival offered "solo share"....I cruised with about 7 other couples so we could go diving together. I loved cruising solo back then.

@TravelBluebird...simply breathtaking photos!

I have looked into the bus, the "issue" is the time the bus goes by the port! Thanks I will look into the Uber/Lyft apps.

What we really want to know is how did Patti do with her 1st Cheers cruise.....I see a big smile on @Jamman54 but no beverage in front of Patti!

Holiday was my very first cruise waaaay back in the early 90s and I remember that adults only area very well!

I agree, better keep the rest to myself (ha ha)!

@Haljo1935...we love HAL and Koningsdam was doing the early shoulder in Alaska. My other half has never been to Alaska and he doesn't fly so the Eurodam will get us from San Diego to Vancouver before we board Koningsdam for 14 days. I am beyond excited to get back on a cruise soon it has been far too long with this lockdown and us not being able to cruise. Although on our Roll Call someone on Koningsdam Hawaii cruise now posted that they have come down with C! sigh...:-(

@Haljo1935...no worries at all, and absolutely I will share some pics, more than likely over on the Tribe CC page. @sunviking90 thank you so much for responding, makes me feel a lot better. We paid for transportation to Kualo Ranch and back but we have to pick it up at the Hilton Hawaiian Bus Depot so we will need to get from the Pier to their. I am old and not familar with Uber/Lyft do you have a preference? Is it customary or polite to ask "how much" before you get in the vehicle? I realize it is only about a 15 minute ride...but definitely too far to walk, saying over an hour, I'd be too nervous walking.

@MeganGC1983...is Mr. Megan rolling today or still in the prone position?

@Saint Greg.....LOL with his OCD you are dreaming!

@Haljo1935...do you remember if taxis were available from Pier 2B in Oahu? We need transportation from the pier to the Grand Island bus Depot at Hilton Hawaiian Village. This is where we will pu our transportation at 10 am to Kualo Ranch for our excursion. Thanks...see you over on the other LIVES wrapping up today and tomorrow, BUT we still have Jamman upcoming review of Celebration to look forward to.

WOW that cruise went by FAST....too fast. Safe travels home and stay warm.