djg541

Just looking for any feedback from anyone who's stayed at Elements Hotel Ft Lauderdale pre-cruise.

Will be staying there Friday 31st to board Volendam following day.

Any tips or hints appreciated.

Thanks,

 DJG541

Due to scheduling issues we wont be arriving to our pre cruise hotel ( Elements Ft Lauderdale) until around 8-9 PM night of the 31st for our Volendam cruise departing next day,April 1st.

Will a HAL rep still be available to check in with regarding luggage pick up and transport schedule to the terminal? Any others been in this situation?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

 DJG541

The hotel will likely be in Rome as there are far more choices and better quality hotels to choose from.

We did stay at a Hotel some years ago in Civit and it was fine,but no frills,just the basics.

The ride to the port is about an hour to an hour and a half depending on traffic which is heaviest in Rome of course.

Its a pleasant and scenic ride through countryside along a fine highway.

Enjoy!

DJG

All you have to do is to do a  YouTube,search: "Uptown Girl" Billy Joel

I.d be a happy camper if she was on our Miami- NYC cruise in April 2020!

Were considering doing SB Barbados 14 day cruise in March '20 departing Boston and looking for feedback on air.

Looks like only American and Jet Blue service Barbados. American via Miami and Jet Blue via JFK, although Jet Blue does have direct service on Saturdays,but thats the day of cruise and Boston weather in March can be dicey.

Any experiences or advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

DJG541

No

( unless I get a $10 credit if I DONT eat a meal)

I cant speak for VIP as we've never used them

We have used luggage direct whenever and wherever its available and it works well. You sign up for it aboard ship,usually several days prior the disembarking. 

Once signed up, you put your luggage out the last night aboard like all others.but you dont deal with it again until you reach your final destination airport.

Get your air boarding pass prior to disembarking and you dont even have to do a desk check in at the airport. Just head straight to the security check line.

Note: Not every airline participates in luggage direct. Check HAL site for specifics.

Enjoy your cruise.

I still wonder If I DONT eat a meal.do I get a $10 credit?

From my experiences, the "adults only" rule is seldom enforced in any real way. Ive seen kids in the Seaview pool often.

No one did anything and it seemed no one was that concerned either. But that my experience only.

If you dont eat a meal do you get a $10 credit?   (cough)

Given there's so much food available throughout the day on the ship,Its seldom we ever order a second entree. I think ive done it once in a dozen or more cruises.

Having said that I feel the charge is somewhat of an insult to passengers in general. I see some empty suit bean counter coming up with this one. More "Carnivalization" as I call it.

There are ways to increase revenue without rubbing it in your face.

Did this a few times over the years.

Drive to the marina is about 1/2 hr on an open sided van.

Boats are well appointed,clean,and crews were good in our experiences.

The swim site can get crowded as other boats use the same location,but never to the point of being a problem.

Have fun!

Menu should read: "Broiled twin lobster tails"....truth in advertising

Sounds like its back in the Crows Nest, Good news.

Thanks all.

It seems some ships,maybe all ,no longer hold happy hour at the Crows Nest but at Billboard.

Is this the case? Im thinking the 4 o'clock hour specifically aboard the Eurodam.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

DJG541

Thanks for the responses. All appreciated.

50's and 60's wont be bad for us as were from NH and thats mid spring temps! Its the wind that gets you.

Thanks again.

DJG541

Planning an April cruise San Diego-Hawaii-return in April '19

With many sea days just wondering what to expect temperature wise on the Pacific that time of year?

Im sure San Diego and the Islands will be comfortable, just want to get an idea of sea day temps.

Any experiences?. I know weather can vary,but just generally.

Thanks,

 DJG541

Is early Happy Hour still 4 PM and still held in the Crows Nest Lounge?

Thank you.

DJG541

HAL generally doesn't attract a large family crowd but during break times,March,April there will be more kids than usual especially on 7 day cruises out of Ft Lauderdale.

If you choose a longer cruise,be sure its not a back to back combined cruise as thats just 2- 7 day cruises in a row and you WILL be required to leave the ship and re-board per US Customs and there likely will be more kids.

I luggage direct available in San Diego?

We've used it several times thru Ft Lauderdale and loved it. No schlepping bags thru customs off bus to air check in.Just pick up destination.

Speaking of Ft Lauderdale, if you at all can,avoid the airport on Saturdays. Its a total zoo. They make it work but the crowds are

horrendous since you an as many as 5 or more other ships are debarking the same day. I know is not always possible but be ready.

Our trip on the K-Dam,April this year. Rome-Amsterdam Happy Hour was 4 PM billboard. I missed happy hour at the Crows Nest. Not the same vibe to me but others liked it.

Some ships still do it at the Crows Nest, We plan sailing on the Eurodam come April '19. Anyone know where they do Happy Hour now?

Thanks

Thanks for the info....I always buy USDA Choice.....being taught by father and grandfather not to buy anything below that...my grandfather had a "special supplier"...who dry aged his steaks...he bought all his beef from him....even now I can remember how wonderful those steaks were!! But lately I have found USDA Choice ribeye and T Bone steaks lacking IMHO...from a certain grocery store we have in our area...making me decide to not buy anymore beef from them and wondering if it's actually Choice.....Question...is Certified Angus Beef always considered USDA Choice? I know another grocery store that uses labels other than Choice and Prime...such as Certified Angus....and there is always a price difference in each labeling of beef...

Jane,

Certified Angus Beef will always be USDA Choice. As I mentioned,it comes from only the top level of choice graded beef. Its either 8 or 12% of the best choice available,thus the difference. Their logo shows a profile of a steer,usually in black with "Certified Angus Beef" prominently visible.

You can google search CAB. Their HQ is in Wooster,Ohio for more info.

There are other Angus programs out there with different names. "Silver Angus" "Butchers Angus"...etc, and I dont know their specs.

Happy shopping!

Having sold beef commercially for 25 years and taken about a dozen HAL cruises I can pretty well assure you most of the beef I've had is USDA choice since actual Prime makes up only 3% or less of all graded beef and is extremely expensive even on a wholesale basis.

There is a level of beef known as "no roll" thats not actually a grade...but usually falls between high select and low choice...border line,so the processor will ask the grader to "no roll" it and its sold as that. I doubt HAL would dabble with that as it can be inconsistent.

IMO the best beef available on the retail market now comes as "Certified Angus Beef". Look for the label at your grocers. Its generally all choice beef but it comes from the top 12% of choice graded beef from select breeders. A bit more costly,but nowhere near Prime prices and a generally superior product.

Happy grilling!

A follow up question about the PH class suites...Now called Pinnacle suites?

Other than a spectacular room,do any other perks come with this suite beyond those given to Neptune suite guests as well?

Thank you,

DJG541

Thanks for all the replies.

Was looking for general feedback and I appreciate your responses. As most indicate,its a personal decision in the end.

Thanks again.

DJG541