cruz chic

I bet the crew can hardly wait to see their loved ones. Thx for the update.

I sure hope the MDR has lunch on embarkation on my cruise but I'm afraid that those days are gone :(.

Very helpful ..... especially if HAL actually is somewhat consistent which we know is not always the case. :)

 

That's for sure :D.

I called ship services today and they said there will only be Retreat Cabanas. I was able to reserve one in advance for the 20-day Christening Cruise and Viking Sagas trip, but they did not have a layout available and wouldn't let me put in a request for a specific one. The price for 20 days was $599.

 

I ended up talking to 2 different people about it and got somewhat conflicting information, so you might want to call ship services and ask specifically about any Lido cabanas. The deck plan makes it look like the ship will have some.

Thx for posting this info. That's the problem with Seattle, talk to two different people and get two different answers. Enjoy your cabana. They sure are lovely.

All Vista class have the 5001/2 cabins. They are HA cabins, and should be used for that purpose.

 

-The location at the prow is not ideal, as the ship movement is the worst.

-A third of the cabin is for a huge washroom to roll in a wheelchair.

-The toilet is in the shower, which necessitate removing the toilet paper when showering. If you forget, you get a wet roll.

-The usable cabin is smaller than an SY, and there is a wonky ramp to get the balcony.

-The couch is much smaller than the usual SY room, which is useless for laying down.

The balcony is smaller, and has no protection from the full force of the frontwards winds.

Etc..etc..etc...

 

I understand that such a cabin is right for Handicapped Access, but it is wrong for HAL to foist it on pax that always book midship SS/SY cabins, just because it may be empty.

You booked a guarantee and this is what you were assigned. Hal didn't "foist" anything on you. This is a good lesson not to book a guarantee if you are particular about what you like.

My cruise docs for our upcoming 33 day cruise say there will only be five gala nights. I was quite surprised to read that. Pleased though, as it will make packing easier.

It looks that that is in line with the amount of gala on my cruise (prorated). It will be much easier to pack.

Thx for the info. I do realize that b2b are different then a longer cruise. I also looked at the first part of retired mustangs thread. He had 2 for the first cruise. Can't recall if it was the 10 or 11 day segment. Seems we are a bit low on gala nights which I know can change aboard.

Thanks for the info.

We were just off Eurodam and if I remember correctly, during one private function there was a wall pulled out between the Crow's Nest and Library/Cafe areas. Don't know if this was added to Eurodam or if this exists on all the ships.

I imagine that there are all sort of walls. There was no wall there in place in October. Usually there is no solid wall there unless it's new. Call a desk a wall or whatever you like. For all intents and purposes it's a large space.

Oh, the stories I could tell. I'm a pediatric nurse. I can't tell you how rude parents and kids can be (and honestly, I don't blame the kids, the parents don't parent!) Friday I had a mother with her two teenage kids. When I called their name to bring them back, they didn't respond because their faces were buried in their phones. I called a second time, and they proceeded to get up and follow me to the exam room. Once in there, while I attempted to get a history on the sick child from the mother, she ignored me and was texting on the phone. I waited a few seconds and then politely said, "would you mind putting away the phones." She became incensed. I pointed to the sign on the wall requesting that all cell phones be "put away during your child's visit, as the nurse and dr give you their full attention and we would appreciate you giving us yours." She said she was "busy" writing an email. Now I should have said I will come back later when you've finished. Instead, like a jerk, I waited for her to finish. I learned my lesson.

You must have the patience of a saint. That's ridiculous. It's a different world.

I'm surprised they have cut back that much.

Why don't they bite the bullet and just end them?

They seem to straddle the fence on a number of issues.

They cannot be all things to all people.

Take a stand and declare a policy that either includes 'Formal Night', diluted down to 'Gala Night' and enforce it or stop being a fence sitter.

 

JMO......

I agree. At least this is a step in the right direction since its been dumbed down so much.

Seems to be all over the map. Thx.

Thx Kirk and freestyling.

Here is a link to the thread. Don't mention a sticky. Some people get deeply upset about them :D.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2309427

No sure fire formula for varieties of body types and metabolism, but a rule of thumb is 300-500 calories a day extra will cause weight gain or 300-500 calories fewer will cause weight loss.

 

Setting what your daily calorie needs are in the first place is dependent upon many variables as well. Mayo Clinic has an online calculator to determine your normal daily calorie needs based upon age weight, height and activity levels. http://www.mayoclinic.org/calorie-calculator/itt-20084939

 

Anyone have a quick and dirty formula for the calories found in the Dive-In fries with cheese sauce. :eek: Okay, just half of the fries with cheese sauce?

 

Pays to know ahead of time to know what combination favorite onboard items will rack up that extra 300-500 calories a day, and how many extra times around the deck or in gym each day will take it off if one wants to disembark calorie neutral.

 

List your own favorites and then know what you have to do to balance it out.

 

Rolls with butter, ice-cream with cookies, soup and appetizer plus main meal and dessert. Fancy drinks, special coffees, bread pudding with or without custard sauce. Sushi for lunch or a burger. One slice of pizza or two.

Thx for the calculator. The dive in is the most overrated spot on the ship. I've never tasted the cheese fries nor do I care to.

To add my opinion on guarantees: be VERY careful to be sure that you are happy with ANY cabin in the category you are booking AND the cabins in higher categories. HAL's newly changed (about 1-2 years ago) category system resulted in some unusual situations (IMO).

 

For example, in assisting a friend book a Vista suite on the Maasdam, I really liked the to lowest level cabin groupings, BC and BB. Both are on the same level as the Neptune suites (a few feet away), have easy access to the Seaview pool area, are one deck from the Lido buffet and are below the Lido dining area which is carpeted and thus fairly quiet.

 

By comparison, the BA cabins (higher ranking) and some of the Bs (even higher) are further aft than the BC and BBs, plus they are right under the Seaview pool area (often get chair scrapping noises). Further, they are above the MDR (while the BBs and BCs are above cabins).

 

To most people the BB and BC cabins would likely be preferred. BUT, if you took a BC or BB guarantee, you could ended up being upgraded to these BA and B cabins! So, I had my friend downgrade from a BB guarantee to a BC actual cabin (for the same money). Just saying - BE CAREFUL.

This is so important to remember. I'm generally really ok with any balcony cabin except the Juliette ones on the eurodam. I booked an specific Oceanview on the the NA and marked it do not upgrade as I don't want something Hal calls an upgraded oceanview.

Just got the edocs for my Panama cruise. I expected to see 3 gala nights for the 15 cruise. On my last cruise they said 3 for the b2b (14 day Caribbean) but there was 4 . Does this seem like less gala days or is it sop? I've taken more b2b lately so I'm out of touch. Thx.

Funny I was looking over old posts and found this one. We are finally going on the Hal Amazon cruise in February 2017. 12 years latter.

That's a cruise I really want to do.

Personally I don't have any problem with mixing the discussion of PCCs and TAs together in the same thread, even to the point of making general recommendations, as I consider PCCs nothing more than cruise line in-house TAs. The big difference to me is that PCCs just focus on one specific cruise line but can provide the booking, hotels, transfers, and flights within that context. Personally I use a TA because I want the discounts I get but that's not necessarily saying PCCs are bad. I don't criticize people who go the other way and only book through a PCC. It's not a case of a right or wrong way to book your cruises. To each their own and their own level of comfort.

Yes, absolutely agree. The part I object to is when people say "I don't know why anyone uses a PCC". I also don't enjoy listening to those the use them then complain endlessly about them but still use them. I also don't enjoy those that I feel put others down because they "don't want to save money". Why put others down for their choice? In my eyes there is no need for that. Ymmv.

I am wondering why anyone uses a PCC. From what I can understand they can't give any discounts on the fare so what is the point?

 

When I book a cruise, I already know ship, date and cabin #. If it is last minute I call the ta I use and have her book it. If it is months away I book it myself. If something happens and I have to cancel the cruise I just call and cancel it If everything goes as planned right before final payment I call HAl and tell them I am going to turn the booking over to the TA. Then I call the ta with the booking # and our cc # and she figures the discount and lets me know what kind of discount I will get.

 

This way I can do what I want with the booking and not have the three way call during the waiting period before we sail.

 

If the ta didn't give a discount I wouldn't use them.

Happy for you. I've had TAs book the wrong cruise and take weeks to get back to me. I don't need hand holding, itinerary suggesting etc. so I'm happy with my PCC. I have total control of my booking. As I mentioned before the op was not asking if they should use a PCC or ta but those that use a ta always seem very interested in pushing that agenda and telling others what they are missing out. I seem to recall at least one thread you started about problems with your ta. I apologize if I am incorrect.

The Vista and Signature Class ships.

I wanted to say that but I knew someone would hop out immediately and correct me if it wasn't true. Kinda like saying they are not in the same venue.

Um, no. It's adjacent to the Crows Nest, with the library tucked in between. With a fair bit of seating available for those who can use the starboard side, rather than the port side.

Um, yes, let's split hairs. It's not like it's a huge area:rolleyes:.

I think you meant to say you go to the Explorations cafe, did you not? Now you may choose to sit in the CN after you get your coffee, but a private party on the CN doesn't stop you from getting it, do they?

In a number of ships the exploration cafe is in the crows nest.

I have about 100 days on princess ships. Not once have I had a toilet that didn't flush. On Hal it seems to happen on almost every ship. I wonder why. Maybe there is a no wet nap policy on princess :rolleyes:.

Amen, failing mechanical systems are totally unacceptable. The problems are beyond routine maintenance and cosmetic redos.

People are not paying to go on a camping trip.

On our last Veendam trip people spent 12 days in cabins with no ventilation. They were repeatedly told repairs would be made in the next port, however the HVAC issues overwhelmed repairs.

My travel agent friend frequently hears post cruise stories about these old ships, she is stunned that anyone sails them and says this is the big issue hurting Holland America.

There is nothing wrong with the ship ;). It's just people leaving balcony doors open and flushing wet naps for plumbing issues :rolleyes:. My cabin was very warm on the Veendam when I left Boston in May. It was still quite cold so I doubt anyone had a door open. It's unfortunate that some will only believe if the issue happens to them.