Vicki'sMom

So close! Third time will be the charm for you - fingers crossed world events will not interfere! 👍 Happy cruising! 😊

March 2, 2025 - Sydney to Auckland. Are we??!

Thank you! I am looking forward to relaxing, reflecting, and rejuvenating. ❤️‍🩹

Thank you for your kind words and the great information! My husband and I had so many fun experiences requesting "shared table" in the main dining room on NCL Gem. I was hoping Covid didn't ruin that! I just booked the cruise - it's not until March 2025, but that will give me plenty of time to prepare! I did book a Signature Suite on Deck 6, 😊

REOVA and OlsSalt: Thank you both for your detailed information. It's really helpful! I'm thinking of booking the Sydney to Auckland 14-day (my son & daughter-in-law live in Wellington NZ) so the ship's entertainment, having a suite with lots of amenities, etc isn't as important to me for this cruise. I love the itinerary! I haven't been to AU/NZ since 2017 (2020 was canceled) and I'm anxious to get back! Thanks again! 🥰

That's encouraging! 👍 The reviews I read were far from "glowing" and that concerned me. I know I shouldn't put much faith in reviews as those who are unhappy will post more often than those who loved something!

That's a good question! On Norwegian, Celebrity and MSC (which I forgot to mention in my original post!), I love their "private" area (Haven, Retreat, Yacht Club). I get overwhelmed in crowds so I've found these areas to be perfect and relaxing for me, although pricey. I think Westerdam being a smaller ship (under 2,000 passengers I believe), I would be okay! I have never cruised "solo", but since losing my husband a year ago, this is becoming my reality. I'm not sure how dining would work, but I have no problem sharing a table - in fact, I prefer that to eating alone. Do they assign dining times? I am used to dining on my own time schedule. Thank you for any information! 😊

I would definitely book a Veranda.

I have cruised many times on NCL, Celebrity and Disney; never cruised HAL. I am considering booking a 14-day Westerdam (solo). This would be my first solo cruise. Can any of you experienced HAL cruisers offer any advice? TIA!

Yes! I believe that is the Riu hotel I have considered booking. Sounds like a good location, correct? I don't think my daughter and son-in-law are too concerned with their hotel's location needing to be "central", but for my stay - I would like to be central! 😊

I am looking at Hotel RUI Plaza which states they are a new hotel "in the heart of London". Does anyone have any information (good or not-so-good!) they can share about the hotel and it's actual location? My daughter is also considering Hilton Paddington since her husband has Hilton points! Any info you can share on that hotel ad area? Thanks in advance!

The last time my husband and I had a port stop in Portland (love the city!) was in 2018 and we did a Foodies Walking Tour that was so much fun! He just recently passed away very suddenly. This September I am taking our (adult) daughter on the same itinerary/same NCL ship we were on. First port of call is Portland and NCL shows zero excursions for that port! 😧 I am looking for either a private foodie-type tour (9/7/2023) or advice on how we can do it ourselves! (I don't remember any of the places our 2018 tour took us, but it was great!)