wurm914

We had the same experience on a spring break cruise with RCCL. We found out after we boarded and realized we were definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time. RCCL had been selling the cruise with a cheap booze package on the college campuses in FL. We ended up staying in our room most of the cruise - it was safer for our shoes. We had an aft balcony/junior suite - someone threw a bar glass off the back of the ship that broke one of our balcony panels - it was a whole day repair. deb 🙂

Thanks for pointing out the Valor - you're right, that could be a fantastic trip! deb 🙂

I agree with you about the price - and since the ship turns around 30 days later and heads back to PC I'm thinking it could be going in for refurbishing. I may wait a while to see if the price comes down and the other cruise lines put out their Fall 2025 offerings. Thanks for your input and I hope your spring 2025 repo is fabulous! deb 🙂

Hello All, I'm not new to cruising but have never done Carnival - always thought of Carnival as more of a party boat and that's just not my vibe. I'm mid 60s with approximately 30 cruises, some of them long ones. I'm trying to figure out a way to get to and from Europe in 2025 and not fly. I see a Carnival Mardi Gras repo for September 2025 - but I have concerns. Is the atmosphere different on a repo/transatlantic for Carnival? What's the demographic for this type of cruise? Any information you can offer to help me decide? Thanks! deb 🙂

Has anybody checked this sailing, 1/11/24 a transatlantic cruise - prices are crazy low and the ship returns state-side approximately 3 weeks after arriving in Southhampton, England. Maintenance or a charter NCL couldn't resist? I don't remember seeing this before and I think I heard some ships were being redeployed. Any insights from those in the know? Would you do it? There are only sea days and lots of them! Color me intrigued. deb 🙂

Oh, I'll go, don't you worry! I appreciate your input. 🙂

Thank you for sharing your insights on the differences in the cruise lines.

Konigsdam. Vancouver > Hawaii > Vancouver - coming up soon! Thanks!

Very true! It's the Konigsdam. 17 Night Vancouver > Hawaii > Vancouver. Thank you!

Hello all! I have over 30 cruises under my belt but I've never been on HAL before. NCL, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Princess. What advice can you offer? Is there something that cannot be missed? I've heard of a certain pastry that cannot be missed and I'm preparing to break KETO/Low Carb to have one - but I can't remember what it's called. I've heard about tea time, that sounds interesting - is it still a thing? Thanks for all information and suggestions. deb 🙂

As it turns out the same cabin IS available!

Hello all, I need some advice from the knowledgeable folks of CruiseCritic. I'm wanting to cruise out of NY next fall to Quebec City and then return to NY on the same ship on it's very next cruise. Essentially a back to back situation. Is this a Passenger Vessel Services Act no-go or am I good to go? Fingers crossed waiting with bated breath. Thanks all, deb 🙂

I don't know what 'at 3's' means, but I'm looking forward to finding out! deb 🙂

That's an interesting perk for a loyal cruiser - haven't seen that before. Thanks for the information! deb 🙂

by "than the Sommelier" do you mean it's a better price by the glass? Thanks for your response! deb 🙂

Just looking at the website and I note that Cellar 1 prices are approximately $33 per bottle for a 6 bottle purchase. Can anyone comment on whether that represents a certain percentage off compared to buying individual bottles? I'm a HAL newbie and want to make a good decision. thanks, deb :)

Hello all, I checked the HAL website and see the perks that Club Orange provides but can you give me an idea of how much it costs? Is it a one and done type of thing for the rest of your cruising life with HAL or do you have to "join" for each cruise? What do you think the best benefit is and why? Thanks for any information, deb 🙂

The Garden Cafe serves "snacks" from 3 - 5 pm. There's sandwich fixings, quiche, scones, cookies, fruit and the like - I guess it's kind of a make your own "tea time". deb 🙂

My friend and I are booked on the Vancouver > Hawaii > Vancouver cruise in October and are considering Thermal Spa passes. Can anyone tell me what floor the Thermal Spa is located and any information on how the TS is on the Koningsdam's spa in particular? I very often get the thermal spa pass on NCL ships and wonder how the HAL Koningsdam will compare. Thank you for any info, deb 🙂

Me too and I would prefer HWC, half and half is the minimum for my coffee. How do you "arrange for a carton of HWC for the cabin fridge"? deb 🙂

I have been bringing my own Starbucks VIA instant coffee for years now, but I need cream or half/half at least.

be sure to bring your little container to fill with half and half in the Garden Cafe. So nice to have that first cup of coffee (with half and half) on the balcony. 🙂 deb 🙂

nope, not a chance, it was straight up Coffee Mate - a trademarked product. The ingredient labeling said Contains: a milk derivative.

We were on the NCL Joy in January this year, half and half for coffee was standard - available in the little single serve cups. You could get heavy cream if requested in most of the dining rooms. Fast forward to last week on the Getaway and they've switched to Coffee Mate! You can still get half and half from what used to be a milk dispenser in the Garden Cafe, but if you want to bring a few extras back for making coffee in your cabin - you'll be using Coffee Mate. I didn't really mind in the Garden Cafe - I had my workaround and would bring a water glass back filled with half and half back to the cabin every other day - I had a covered reusable container that fit in the fridge. But - seriously, Coffee Mate on the table at Le Bistro? Nothing says fine french dining like Coffee Mate. Is this switch across all ships? Am I a coffee snob? (kind of, maybe...) What do you think? deb 🙂

This was my rationale (some may call it girly math) for justifying buying spa passes. We're unlikely to get off the ship much at all, I love the ship atmosphere and have been to the Caribbean many times. I figure $319 pp (9 day cruise) for a spa pass is a lot cheaper than excursions.