Former Goalie

1998, Celebrity Century - Eastern Caribbean.

Flowriders have been added to 3 of the 5 Voyager Class ships so far (Voyager, Explorer and Navigator). The other 2 (Adventure and Mariner) will eventually have it also.

My apologies, you are correct. I pulled up a deck plan of Mariner OS, and I didn't see any Flow Rider. I was wrong to ASS-U-ME that if the newest Voyager class ship didn't have one, all in the class wouldn't.

Thanks for mentioning Escape a couple times. NCL did good with their Breakaway Class ships and I'm hoping to sail Escape soon. She's an impressive looking ship. One thing though...I don't recommend anything older on NCL. My NCL experiences on Sky and Dawn were downright awful....enough to steer me away from NCL for a while. Also, the OP should be aware of NCL's upcharges, especially after sailing DCL. $7.95 for room service can be tough to swallow if you're not aware of it ahead of time.

 

With regard to RCI, I think the OP can go much deeper into their ship classes for an awesome experience. I would recommend any Voyager, Freedom, Oasis or Quantum Class ship. All 4 classes have Flowriders, ice show productions, etc.

Not that it would be a deal breaker for RCL, but Voyager class does not have Flow Riders. For that reason, and others, you might find pricing for those ships to be somewhat less.

Which cruise line do you usually use? I love HAL, but when I have taken my family and grandsons when they were teens - or if I took them now they are in their early 20's - I booked on RCI. Lots more to do. Food in the MDR is not bad at all. HAL would give you a much more relaxing cruise, and I love that, but there would not be enough activities for my young family members.

I agree, when we travel as a couple (in the early 60s), we usually travel on HAL. It fills all our needs, and wants. We will be traveling on the Edam shortly.

We are Diamond on RCL, that is because we have taken many trips as a family on Royal. IMHO, RCL has it all for a family vacation. Lots of activities (putting greens, wave riders, the ever popular belly flop contests, etc.), Broadway class shows like Hairspray, varied and very acceptable food. We love the stop in Labadee, Haiti, plenty to do there. You'll have to cough up $90 pp, but the over water zip line is spectacular (per our kids). I don't know what your price point is, you would have to check your comfort level with RCL on that. This is not at all a slam at HAL, just one man's opinion.

How do you reserve the cabanas? I have booked our first HA cruise for March on NA, and I can't find it on the website.

 

Thanks for everyone's help!

You can also request a specific cabana - Ship Services res. agent sent me a link to the layout. We booked Naples on Eurodam. We had one before on our other HAL cruise on Eurodam, and we prefer the ones that face aft, towards the pool. We like those as you get much more air flow. The ones facing port and starboard do have a view of the sea, but that comes with plexiglass that restricts air flow somewhat.

With this attitude about the only ships you can book now are the three Cunad sisters, HALs current ships and um maybe an old RCCL ship.

 

Promenade decks are out the door and around the corner for multiple reasons. HAL having one - and it still will just less places you can lounge - is actually against the new norm.

Actually, newer RCCL ships, as well. I've sailed Oasis and Allure, and they have a substantial wrap around deck, with deck chairs in some places.

We LOVE HMC. It is one of the things that we look forward to on every cruise (and we are not beach people). I am not bothered by the new additions...if they add revenue that helps in some way to keep my price in line, then it doesn't bother me. I can't complain about the closeness of the chairs or anything like that because we only use one chair as a storage for our "stuff" while we're in the water or walking the beach or at the BBQ.

 

We generally get a float and float around in the beautiful water for quite a while (in fact, we recently bought floats just like ones that we rent that we're taking with us...they cost us less than one rental fee to buy them). It's so easy to lose yourself there.

 

The last time we were there we had a new experience for us and it made me love it even more. We walked down the beach a bit past all of the "goings on" and we honestly felt like we were on our own private island. It was totally quiet and there was no one around. Extremely peaceful, serene and absolutely gorgeous.

 

We would go on a cruise that only went to HMC for a week. [emoji6]

The single time I was there, I walked past all the cabanas to the far end of the cay, and back. Beautiful, peaceful walk. I have no need to be part of the action, and, we don't do the on shore cabana thing, although we do love the retreat cabanas on the HAL ships that do offer them.

I almost always walk one hour in the a.m. before breakfast and another hour around 4 pm....my normal pace is 3.5 miles per hour so about 7 miles a day. Helps keep weight gain down plus i just love to walk on the Holland wrap around decks. Give me an MP3 player with some good music and I am a happy camper.

 

Colder weather cruises can sometimes be a bit of a problem but on most cruises I do manage to get in my daily miles. I am not fond of treadmill walking but unless it's is really rough or extra windy/cold you'll find me on the LP deck.

 

One of the best things about Holland is the wrap around deck. Frankly I hate ships that don't have this feature.

 

Most people on the deck are polite although of course there are sometimes a few that don't seem to be able to read the NO JOGGING signs or those who think they can stand on deck and smoke a nasty cigar and nobody will notice.

Agreed, the HAL wrap around promenade is excellent for walking. I use it, like you, twice a day. It's one of my favorite activities on the ship - peaceful, the best view you can ask for! You can make an argument for the promenade on RCL Oasis/Allure/Harmony, simply because a circuit is the longest at sea (over 2000').

LOL..... Funny. :)

 

When we had butlers on Celebrity cruises, we tipped them to stay away and not bother us. They were more a nuisance than asset, as far as what we experienced.

 

When I sailed NCL this summer, I had a butler and really liked him. I had few requests but the little I wished for him to do for me was done well and I would be happy for him to buttle again for me. :)

 

I sailed Celebrity (only time in '98) on Century with a butler. Also Norwegian, with a butler on Jewel, probably '09 or '10. I agree Celebrity was just OK, the Norwegian butler was better. Personally, having someone "buttle" is not high on my list of priorities when I'm researching suite type accommodations.

On Caribbean cruises I would take a dedicated pool area over a lounge or restaurant. It has nothing to do with avoiding the riff-raff, and everything to do with having a lounge chair whenever you want. The $250 I spent for a retreat cabana on HAL a few years back was money very well spent.

Exactly! Well said, HouseRulz! I didn't start this thread to inspire discussion about who is in what class cabin. We're 60 somethings, we don't need nor want a ton of activity when we set up pool side. And, we absolutely don't like to joust for real estate around the pool. We have sailed HAL once and rented a Retreat Cabana. You are correct, that was probably the best $250 we've spent on a cruise.

Might look into this Royal , the word certainly attracts. If one's balcony ends up in the shade do they provide alternative balconies on the other side?

 

Also does Royal provide an ironing service for one's morning newspapers. I found on Celebrity that the Butler would arrange for the Times & Telegraph to be brought onboard when we docked but they had been folded ! [emoji35]

Excuse me for asking, this was a pretty simple question, based on my experiences on Royal, Celebrity's sister line. Yes, Royal does offer a dedicated area on Oasis class ships (the Suite Sun Deck) and dedicated areas on other ships in its fleet.

Wouldn't it be logical to think that Celebrity, supposedly a more "premium" line, would offer that amenity, as well?

I haven't sailed Celebrity in over 15 years, on Century. We have sailed Royal multiple times, and RCL offers a dedicated area with loungers, chairs, etc., for suite passengers to enjoy the sun. I'm searching Celebrity, thus far I haven't found anything of this nature, other than paying (some say overpaying) for the Alcoves. I was told by a Celebrity rep, when I asked about this on Reflection and Silhouette, if there was a dedicated area for suite pax. He said yes, but I can't say his response made me feel confident he is correct. Is there a dedicated sun deck/area for suite pax on Reflection/Silhouette?

That's cool, but I would save the "singing his praises" until after you have filed for a claim. ;)

I have purchased insurance through Steve's company around ten times now. We did need to make a (fairly substantial) claim last November. There was a good deal of paperwork, but we received the full amount of our claim 4-5 weeks after filing the claim.

I agree, we have considered Seaboard, Silversea, etc., and we have sailed on what is now Regent (got a really favorable fare for a Bermuda 7 day). Loved Regent, but we really prefer the big ship feel, and we don't drink outrageous amounts. We book suites with Neptune access, the service is superior. We do the same upgrades you do, love the Retreat cabanas and Pinnacle Grill. For this, you get the big ship feel, with a very high level of service and attention.

Wow, no wonder I agree, noticed I was responding to myself. Oops, sorry!

This is why we purchase our travel insurance only from tripinsurancestore;)....Steve and his staff are a wealth of knowledge.

Agreed. It helps having a team, such as the team at trip insurance store, guiding you through the maze that can be travel insurance. First bought a policy w/Steve and the folks I'm guessing 10 years ago. Knew very little, couldn't understand why I had to insure for the full amount (I believe with CFAR). I left that conversation knowing full well that I needed to insure full amount, or the policy would not help with CFAR. I've become pretty savvy (I think) since then, but still purchase from them. Purchased probably 10 policies total, one claim, which was paid in full (with some paper work) in about 2 months.

We love HAL, having cruised once, in Cat. SA. We are cruising again soon, in a suite with Neptune Lounge privileges. We have considered sailing on Seabourn, Silversea, etc. We prefer more of the "big ship" feel that HAL provides, with all the amenities said ship provides, regardless of cabin class. We also "upgrade" our experience by dining in the Pinnacle Grill, and booking a Retreat/Cabana Club cabana for the duration of the cruise. While the suite amenities may seem limited to some (no "free" drinks from 5-8 pm, some other things), the concierges in the Neptune lounge are terrific, just adding to the welcoming aspect of the Neptune Lounge.

I agree, we have considered Seaboard, Silversea, etc., and we have sailed on what is now Regent (got a really favorable fare for a Bermuda 7 day). Loved Regent, but we really prefer the big ship feel, and we don't drink outrageous amounts. We book suites with Neptune access, the service is superior. We do the same upgrades you do, love the Retreat cabanas and Pinnacle Grill. For this, you get the big ship feel, with a very high level of service and attention.

You'll get myriad responses, this is very subjective, depending on price, location, whether you are a group or couple, etc.

We have stayed at what was Il Lugano in Lauderdale by the Sea, just north of Fort Lauderdale. It has been re-branded Residence in by Marriott. We LOVED it, actually liked being a ways from the action, we had a room with a great view of the Intercoastal Waterway (the hotel is right on it). The rooms are very spacious, some with kitchenettes and washer/dryers. Very good in house restaurant, a Walgreens about 1/2 block away to get sundries and drinks. 15 minute or so ride to Port Everglades.

Not to make too fine of a point, but if money was no object then why would one cruise on HAL? Surely such a person would cruise on a more expensive line.

 

It doesn't make much sense to me to be the one who paid the most. It is not like you will receive better food, ports or entertainment.

 

igraf

We love HAL, having cruised once, in Cat. SA. We are cruising again soon, in a suite with Neptune Lounge privileges. We have considered sailing on Seabourn, Silversea, etc. We prefer more of the "big ship" feel that HAL provides, with all the amenities said ship provides, regardless of cabin class. We also "upgrade" our experience by dining in the Pinnacle Grill, and booking a Retreat/Cabana Club cabana for the duration of the cruise. While the suite amenities may seem limited to some (no "free" drinks from 5-8 pm, some other things), the concierges in the Neptune lounge are terrific, just adding to the welcoming aspect of the Neptune Lounge.

Any recommendations for cruise insurance?

We always purchase insurance from a broker, not cruise line insurance. Medical coverage from the cruise line (in HAL's case, that would only be through platinum coverage) is, in most instances, limited IMHO.

We have purchased many times, with great satisfaction, from the broker with "store" in its name. You talk with one of the principles when you call, and you get honest, detailed straightforward advice.

Below is a list of insurance providers, we typically purchase from travel insured.http://www.frommers.com/tips/health-and-travel-insurance/frommers-coms-top-8-travel-insurance-providers

Pretty cool looking ship, not sure about the cabana's...having people walking by. At least that's how it looks, I could be wrong. But I'd try it out.

Looked at the new cabins, and the private area, really this does nothing for me. Love the CL on Oasis/Allure, I see nothing in the Carnival offering to compare with that. The new staterooms are nice, but no way do they have the Wow factor of Crown Lofts, Aquatheatre suites, etc. (but, they probably don't have that price point, either).

We have sailed HAL, RCL, NCL, Princess, and Celebrity (way back when), all in suites, all mass market lines IMHO. Also Regent, once, I'm not including that, as that could be considered a more "upscale" line, thus not comparable.

Don't get me wrong, I like what HAL offers, but feel the suite amenities fall short of the offerings of the other mass market lines, except maybe for Princess. Any comments, and does anyone think that perhaps HAL will revamp its suite amenities?

Find a good bartender and grease the skids with a little bit of cash, and you'd be surprised what you can accomplish with those vouchers. ;)

 

I know when the vouchers first came out, someone somewhere told me you had to wait 15 minutes between the vouchers but in my experience, that rule was never implemented....if in fact it was ever even a rule. Either way, I think it'll just depend on the bartender.

Just off Allure, I would get two beers at the same time, and take them back to the cabin, every day, no problem. The bill you would get would "zero out", and you signed it. No gratuity. I felt that was unfair, and added a grat before I signed it.

No propulsion problems whatsoever.

On our recent Allure cruise, we went to Chops at $39/person. We received the heavy upsell to the Dry Aged steak. An upsell when you've already bit on an upsell bothers me. The servers toed a fine line, but you almost have to play down the steaks that are being offered at $39 per (....dry aged steaks have never been frozen, blah, blah, blah - I would hope the "regular" steaks have never been frozen either!). Our filet was excellent, even though my wife felt that what was supposed to be a 9 ounce filet seemed a little shy of that mark. Sides were very good. Service was spotty. Our meal took 2 hours 35 minutes, IMHO that's too much. RCL will meet resistance at some price point, I guess just not yet.

Used it multiple times in multiple ports, never a problem. I wish it was available in more places (San Juan).

You are correct about wishing it was available in San Juan. I remember our AOS cruise from San Juan about 10 years ago. We disembarked AOS and caught a cab to the airport. The airport was absolute bedlam, lines, lines, more lines - long ones, too. We didn't feel like dealing with this, we summoned a porter/sky cap. He let us know right off the bat the "protocol". He said "you help me, I'll help you." I may have even "prepaid", gave him an oversized tip/"service fee". We bypassed all the lines, he took us right to the ticket counter, with bags. I saw a little discussion between the sky cap and the counter agent, some money may have even changed hands....BOOM, the bags were put on the conveyor belt, and we were at a very short security line. Had to save us at the very least a half hour.