funji1

Great to know that in advance !

We are experienced cruisers but this is our first HAL cruise. At Pinncale Grill can you order more than one appetizer, entree etc. per person?

I am not saying that we want to pig out but just to try a variety since I heard the portions are very small.

Just wondering as other cruises allow you to order as an example:lobster and a filet mignon together even though they are listed individually on the menu.

Thanks for your input.

Experienced cruisers trying to decide between HAL Oosterdam and RCL Vision of the seas.

Ports are important but so is the atmosphere of the ship. We are 68 and 72 active seniors who love music,( my husband is a musician) jazz, symphonic, pops, oldies, broadway type shows and good food without having to pay an extra charge.

HAL: ports are exactly what I want. Heard it has an "older" crowd and after 9 or 10 pm no one is awake .

RCL: I have heard this would have more entertainment options in the evening for us. I would be ok with the ports on RCL.

Do I need to compromise the itinerary for the overall ship activities on my 2 choices?

Thanks for all your help !! This is making me crazy (er)

I have read if you put your wine in plastic bottles in you checked luggage, the scanner will not detect them. Is this true? Just curious, I do not really drink enough to make it worthwhile.

After speaking with a few people and intense rethinking my plan, we will be changing our minds and going with RCL Vision of the Seas. The main reason is the ship and activities you all discussed. I am disappointed that we will miss Grand Turk but for the extra $500 we would spend on HAL, I decided that for the 6 hour port stay, it was not worth it. ALthough we have been to Key West, we can use that as our "unwind day" and go for a walk. The same with Grand Cayman. However, we only walked through the port area to go snorkeling so maybe we should take a trip around the rest of the island see exactly what Grand Cayman has to offer.

Of course, being a female, I may change my mind again prior to final payment.

If anyone has more suggestions, please send them on !!

Bon Voyage.

I addressed you as Mrs. Cooper because we have friends with that name. I am so sorry Mrs. Copper.

Also, what made you decide on HAL and how did you book it.?? Travel agent or yourself?

Have you sailed HAL before? If so, what are your pros and cons for MDR dining, buffet dining, shows and night life, excursions, service and cabin choices (we usually go for midship and inside to save $, and value for the price. Where is your cabin located?

Thanks to all who have replied to my posting. After considering all your pros and cons and information, I think I will stay with HAL simply because of the itinerary. With the other cruise lines we would have to sacrifice 1 or more of the ports we will see with HAL. Since all these ports, good dining, and the lack of noisy beer parties will be part of the HAL cruise, and important to us, I hope it all goes well. Thanks again !

BON VOYAGE !!

Here is my problem deciding.....our finances are limited but we need to get away. Having been to most all of the Caribbean islands, I loved the HAL ports of Curacou, Bonaire, Aruba and Grand Turk as we have only been to Aruba and that was 35 years ago. We LOVE music as my husband is a musician.....jazz, symphony, classical, oldies, all types. We like nice dinners but not necessarily want to pay extra for the Best food. We love fun but dislike the Carnival party atmosphere. We do not want to head to our cabin at 8 or 9 PM. Or, be the only people in the clubs at that time. We Also love to go to the shows, especially the musicals. SO, my choice is Carnival for $1200 for 3 islands in 8 days, $2100 on HAL, and about the same for RCL with similar itinerary as HAL. We live in Florida so will be driving to the port. We are 68 and 72 and active, loving to snorkel ! Maybe this clarifies it more. THANKS

Cannot decide which is better because of a differnece in price. RC Vision is about $400 less for 2 and has almost the same ports. But, I hear HAL is better all around. We are well experienced cruisers on several lines, loving Oceania as #1 and Celebrity Equinox as #2 but have never been on HAL. we are in our upper 60's but active and love to cruise.

Thanks in advance for your help.