Califonria cruiser

Thanks for sharing! What floor were you on that you noticed the sewer smell?

Jenn

Honestly not worth it after all. I saw the pricing at cruise.com website but that was not with Anniversary sale even though the rep thought it was. It is a slightly better value if you book excursions, but after seeing the prices we like our independent excursions better. Will still look at it tomorrow when I call for final payment.

Jenn

Awesome! Gonna call this morning after dropping the kiddos off at school.

Jenn

The anniversary sale looks like it might be a decent deal for me. I have not made final payment so can cancel with no penalty.

I see it is for new promotions only so can I cancel and then immediately rebook?

How do they deal with it?

Jenn

Thank you! Will check into the options : )

Bummer! It looks like Rostock is it for Holland America. Does that change your advice?

Any guesses how can I get a rental car from Rostock area?

Jenn

Wow, that covers it all! Going to try to get going on the car rental ressie : )

Jenn

Figure I would ask and see if anyone has any suggestions for me.

I did read through Anni's website and it seems like too many options to choose from... If I had only one day my plan would be Lubeck, but I have 2 days : )

We are arriving on Holland America's Eurodam and it says we arrive Rostock but it might really be Warnemunde not sure yet, that is another research question! One day we are docked between 6am and 8pm Rostock and another 7-5pm in Kiel. Both times they are mid week so will have the before 9am issue for the trains. Wondering if I want to go to Lubeck which day would be best to go? Also, I am open to renting a car at one of the locations so then we could possibly see Schwerin or who knows! What are some good ideas for the other day? Which would be better to use the train or the car?

My hubby and I want to see castles, picturesque lakes, churches, etc and like seeing it on our own.

Any guess which location would be easier to rent a car from the port? I was leaning towards Rostock since we are in port longer, but not sure the best plan. Is one of those going to be harder to drive/parking?

Jenn

Any list of fav hotels not by the airport, best for walking around in town? I want to stay in town for a day or 2 before the flight, just 2 adults and no kids.

Jenn

What is MIX?

Don't know all the acronyms!

Jenn

Eurodam is the plan. My travel agent (Costco) when I asked said all the bars had smoking allowed and since I've never been on Holland I wasn't sure but thought that seemed a bit too many,

Thanks! I always like a drink or 2 or 3...

Jenn

Sorry for the smoking question,tried posting on the smoke thread, but it was closed.

I am overly sensitive to smoke, always have and on all the cruises we have been on, never been an issue, but I have never sailed Holland America or the Baltic so figure it may be an issue and wondering what the options are.

Are there any bars that are smoke free so I can get a drink? Are there any music venues that are smoke free so I can go to the shows?

Figure if they are the only cruise line that is smoker friendly nowadays, guess they will get more of those passengers and wondering if there is a place for me, too or whether I need to rethink it.

I love the itinerary so am trying to make it work.

Did people find it overwhelming?

Jenn

Wow! Didn't know there was so many places to check : )

Thank you,

Jenn

I am looking for a website that when you put in a particular day like July 7th, 2015 Copenhagen it will tell you which ships are docked there and how many passengers the ship holds max.

I have one website, but it doesn't include the European ports. The other I found website doesn't show next summers dates yet.

Am trying to decide between 2 different cruises and would love to see which ports are done each day and how many people will be docked there. (helps me get an idea how busy it would be)

Any leads?

Jenn

Thank you! That was exactly the info I was looking for. We are not smokers but given that it is a Europe cruise wonder if there will be more smokers.

I'll watch the promos and see which one works out best for us, they seem very similar. I did like the stops slightly better with HAL, but I have been on Celebrity and know what to expect, have always loved it. Never sailed with HAL.

I did know that there was a thassotherapy type pool on HAL but it was extra. Wonder if there is one on Silhoutte.

Jenn

Thanks for mentioning the difference with smoking. Just trying to gather info to make our selection. Any other comparision about the included restaurant quality or other issues?

Jenn

Can you explain the smoking policy? I would have figured them to all be the same.

We don't smoke and I don't like to smell it at all. The cruises I have been on in past always allowed them on one part of the ship outside and in the casino. Is it different with HAL? What is Celebrity's policy?

Jenn

I have found a Baltic cruise with very similar itineraries and can't decide which one to book. Celebrity Silhouette is about $500 more for the 2 of us over HAL Eurodam.

Any ideas of what you think it better than Eurodam that might make it worth the cost?

Do you think the food is similar to those who have cruised both?

Has anyone else compared these 2 ships and has any thoughts?

Thanks for your input.

Jenn

Just wondering if the main dining room, room service and buffet are the only "free"/included restaurants? I saw that Tamarind charges about $20 a head. Is there anything else that is free/included?

Jenn

Thank you for the Halfacts site, very helpful. We have always been on Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, NCL, RCL, but never Holland. Trying to figure out food, service, etc.

I guess I should have clarified "summer" looking at a cruise that leaves June so know it won't be super warm.

I like thassotherapy type pools we have used in past, but not sure which ships have them. It looks like there is a smallish one on Eurodam but it costs extra, ugh! I don't get into cold water and this may be a trip without kiddos so all the more reason to look for some special things to do with hubby.

Jenn

Have never travelled on Holland America before, but am considering Eurodam for a cruise next summer that goes to St. Petersburg. I know it will be on the cooler side so figure can't swim in the outside pools. Are there any included heated swimming pools on the ship? Figure there will be Jacuzzis at a minimum.

Any thoughts on the ship especially when comparing to the Celebrity Silhoutte, Regal Princess and Norweigan Star?

Jenn

My hubby and I have sailed in the Caribbean many times and been to most of the major ports. Am looking to go on a smaller ship in 2015 or late 2014 on an itinerary that tends to visit the smaller islands. Any leads?

No kids coming do geared towards adults please : )

Jenn

Never been on a ship like this before, have always done the large mega size ships, mostly because we needed kids club, etc, but am considering a couples only trip and have always wanted to do it. Did you find it easy to get an excursion at the other ports also? Did you feel that the prices were higher since it was a Windstar cruise line?

Was the pool and Jacuzzi salt water or fresh?

Jenn

Trying to compare Norweigan Jade and MSC Divina for a possible cruise June 22nd.

So far here are my thoughts, any input?

MSC Divina has only set time dining and buffet, gorgeous, new ship and very international passenger set. Any chance lots of British kids on board or they not out of school yet? Limited hours in ports and not sure why? Food gets mixed reviews and no free water so fator that into the cost.

NCL Jade- older ship, more geared toward North Americans, food doens't get great reviews, but compared to MSC not sure which is better, anytime dining and very casual clothing like jeans are allowed. longer times in port.

Can anyone compare the kids club facilities? Compare the food or the feel? For our family of 4 the base price is almost the same, so just trying to figure out more info to decide!

Jenn