LadyCarolingian

Thank you!

Caroline

Hello,

I'm boarding tomorrow (well, actually later today) for my first NCL cruise. Things have been crazy hectic and I haven't had much time to really study the shore excursion offerings, let alone book any. I went on the website just now and see that the bookings are closed. Am I correct in assuming that they will reopen once everybody is on board, subject to remaining availability? That has been my past experience on another line, but as I said, this is my first time with Norwegian.

thanks!

Caroline

Hello everybody,

Please pardon the long post! I am considering (like my wallet is 2 feet from my computer level of considering :D) Viking Star's January 4th Rome to Barcelona sailing. This would be my first Viking cruise, and my second overall. I did Holland America's Voyage of the Vikings crossing over the summer.

I would be traveling solo and so would have to accept the heavy single supplement. Frankly, I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it. I've contacted Viking with some of my questions, but haven't received any answers, and other questions are more of a "getting a feel" type.

I'm a professional historian and part of Viking's appeal is its interesting itineraries and reputation of culture-intensive tours and general enrichment. I know that a lot of the TED talks, etc., are loaded onto the ship's entertainment system for viewing in one's cabin, but what of on board "in person" activities such as lectures, etc.?

Regarding cabins: this is already super expensive, so I'll be looking at the lower categories. Can somebody comment on the difference between V1 and V2? According to their Viking descriptions, they're identical with no difference in perks or embarkation times, but I've read professional reviews that say that V1, contrary to Viking's website, does not have a mini bar (complimentary or otherwise), while V2 does (but whether it's complimentary is also unclear).

It seems from other posts that the included wine and beer is limited to meals only, and not something one can avail oneself of during happy hour or something similar. The sailing I'm considering has no sea days, so it'd probably just be dinner on board for me.

Lastly, if I do go ahead with this, I have two options for ways to book. One through my credit card company, which is offering generous bonus miles, and the other through a TA offering between $300-600 OBC. Other than alcohol, how many spending opportunities are available on board? I know I could use it toward shore excursions, but only once I'm aboard. How likely are the excursions to sell out?

Again, my apologies for the long post. I have wanted to try Viking for a while, and this early January sailing looks like it might be my best bet for the foreseeable future, but before committing such a sum, any "veteran" knowledge would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Caroline

Thank you all very much for setting my mind at ease!

Caroline

Hello all,

I'm leaving on my first cruise on Saturday and all of a sudden am flooded with logistics questions. My cruise has a two day stop in Reykjavik. Is there typically a "must return by" time for these overnight stops? Is there somebody there very late to let you back on?

Thanks!

Caroline

Well, I went ahead and did it! And I booked a vista suite and not a lanai cabin. Thank you all for your help. I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions, but right now I am so excited I can't think of any!

Caroline

Thanks for the quick reply! Do you think there would be a significant difference in motion between decks 6 and 7? Especially if they're on the same side of the ship (I'm trying to weigh price and frugality--which has already gone out the window--with the unknown seasickness variable)?

Caroline

Thank you all again for your helpful answers! I have another question (well, for now, I'm sure they will be dozens of others) for those of you with experience on HAL and Rotterdam in particular.

I understand the general premise of feeling the ship's motion less in the center, lower parts of the ship. But how much more aggressive is it, really, higher up? Such as on the Navigation deck (deck 7, I believe), especially in the aft cabins? I'm mulling over the splurge after all (embracing philosophy that this trip is already extravagant, why not go all out?), but am concerned about seasickness. I've never had it before on a considerable variety of boats and hydrofoils, but I've also never crossed the North Atlantic. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

Caroline

Thank you all very much of your helpful replies! I'm going to do it! (Courtesy hold already on, booking on Monday)

Can anybody comment on cruising solo? I'm an experienced solo traveler, but this is a whole new world for me and, at 37, I'm younger than the average cruise ship passenger. I chose this trip for the itinerary and also because the whole thing just seemed so restful, so I don't need to make a ton of new friends and socialize all day, but human interaction is nice. I get along well with a wide variety of people but, being on the shy side, have difficulty initiating conversation.

Thanks again!

Caroline

Hello everybody,

I am very, very close to taking the plunge (hmmm, bad choice of words) and booking my first cruise. It's for Holland America/Rotterdam's July 15th North Atlantic cruise (Rotterdam to Boston, via Iceland, Greenland, etc.). I've been procrastinating because of newcomer anxiety, but I really want to do this so I think I'm going to go for it.

Anyway, my question is about the general atmosphere of the public areas on Rotterdam. As much as I'd love a balcony, at this point they are only available in the suites, and that just isn't in my budget. Booking a lanai cabin is a big enough splurge as it is.

I understand that that the lanai cabins come with "reserved" chairs on the promenade deck and anticipate using them, but are there other areas (cafes, lounges, etc.) that are conducive to a little peace and quiet but also have a bit of a view? I am a writer and on sea days will want to be able to move around a bit with my laptop. I don't require utter solitude or silence, just not a lot of chaos.

I realize this question is a bit vague. I think I just trying to get a feel for the ship. I've traveled a great deal, but this is a whole new world for me. I suppose I am just looking to pick people's brains and anything that springs to people's minds would be appreciated.

(I glanced through the HAL "for dummies" thread and don't think this is repetitive, but if I missed something, I apologize. )

Thanks!

Caroline