mskitty1

I, too, will be traveling solo for my first time tomorrow on the Volendam. My DH passed away on January 3, 2024. We have had over 1000 actually sailing days on HAL. I feel very comfortable with the wonderful crew looking out for me at times. I will be very anxious to meet up with other women in the same situation of loss of a dear husband to share some of the time with on the cruise. See you on Sunday on the Volendam!

A few years ago my DH & I took a very similiar cruise called “The American Adventure”round trip from Ft Lauderdale to the Med. We loved it!!! We took it twice-once on the Veendam and the other time on the Maasdam. A lot of relaxing days sailing over then busy days with many ports and relaxing days back. Of course, since we live in Florida-NO FLIGHTS! I am considering booking it in 2025. My DH passed away in January, 2024, so just not sure….

Late 80s (probably in 1989) our family was on the Big Red Boat (Premier Cruiseline). They had a plan with a 3-4 day cruise and 3-4 days at Disney World. First HAL cruise on the Veendam out of Pt Canaveral in March, 2005. Since then have been a DAM ship over 1000 days.

Has anyone taken Brightline from Orlando to Port Everglades? If so, any suggestions/pointers?

Am interested in how many of you from Central Florida (Orlando area) get to cruises leaving from Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale). Is there a bus that you can take? From where & cost info please.

My dear husband passed on recently. We were 5 star Mariners with over 1000 actual sailing days on a DAM ship. I'm thinking of booking the Volendam for April 21, 2024-Ft Lauderdale to Montreal. Just a little nervous as it would be my first cruise without him by myself. Actually, I'm a pretty independent person, but need some advice from you solo widowed cruisers. I don't mind going to hear music or to the shows or the casino or to the pool by myself or even some shore excursions. And in Canada I'm not at all afraid to venture off the ship by myself. We have taken many, many Canadian cruises with HAL. Are there activities/"meet n greets" for solos? I would prefer to meet some people for conversation so am wondering about dining. We always liked to have Early dining with the Fixed Seating so we could have the same waiters. What do you find is best when on your own? I know that the GREAT HAL crew will make it a fun enjoyable cruise!

Who's been on the Zuiderdam recently? Recently we booked the repositioning cruise from Quebec to Ft Lauderdale on September. Would like to know about the music venues and specialty restaurants. Thanks in advance for sharing information.

We are considering a New England/Canada in May. It would be on the Zaandam. Can someone whose been on that ship recently give us an update? Looking for information about activities like music venues (especially want to know if there is Lincoln Center & BB King), what types of World Stage entertainment is there, do the cabin bathrooms have showers or tubs, have they updated the tv system with larger tvs & the On Demand system?

I’m not sure what’s wrong with your taste buds! We have been on Royal Caribbean, Disney, Celebrity besides many, many, many HAL cruises. By far, HAL has the best food! RCCL does have good food in most specialty restaurants and do like the offer of shrimp cocktail every night. Disney food is good, nothing fantastic. They try to make everything to follow a theme. Celebrity had good food as I remember, too. BUT HAL’s food offerings win hands down. Of course, neither myself or husband care for lobster which is a biggie for many!

Come on people-we all have our likes/dislikes, favorite foods, personal preference, etc in foods! HAL dining venues always offer a great selection of options. If you find something that you don’t particularly like possibly due to the difference in the way it’s cooked, don’t order it-find something else!!! My husband and I are 5 star Mariners on HAL and always are happy with the meals on 1 of the Dam Ships-somethings are real favorites and others we just don’t order. For example, my husband likes the Lido’s scrambled eggs made with pasteurized eggs. Not me!

If you test positive in Vancouver, they will NOT let you fly and you are responsible to find a hotel that will take you to quarantine for at least 5 days. (The Fairmont at the airport will NOT take people who have tested positive.) IT CAN BE A REAL NIGHTMARE!!! OR get yourself to Seattle to fly a domestic flight which doesn't require a test.