CruisinS

1972 - Greek Line's Queen Anna Maria

22 hours ago, mskitty1 said:

My dear husband passed on recently.  We were 5 star Mariners with over 1000 actual sailing days on a DAM ship.  I'm thinking of booking the Volendam for April 21, 2024-Ft Lauderdale to Montreal.  Just a little nervous as it would be my first cruise without him by myself.  Actually, I'm a pretty independent person, but need some advice from you solo widowed cruisers.  I don't mind going to hear music or to the shows or the casino or to the pool by myself or even some shore excursions.  And in Canada I'm not at all afraid to venture off the ship by myself.  We have taken many, many Canadian cruises with HAL.  Are there activities/"meet n greets" for solos?  I would prefer to meet some people for conversation so am wondering about dining.  We always liked to have Early dining with the Fixed Seating so we could have the same waiters.  What do you find is best when on your own?   I know that the GREAT HAL crew will make it a fun enjoyable cruise!  

Hi!  I am also on that Volendam cruise and am a widow traveling solo.  There is a rollcall for the cruise you can join - a Meet and Greet is being scheduled... so you can meet others.  I believe there are daily "solo luncheons" on sea days where you could meet people and maybe someone to dine with (I have open sitting this cruise, but like to dine later in the evening).  Join the Roll Call!

Susan

On 12/15/2022 at 9:04 PM, cruzingnut said:

Did anyone go on the Bandia Wildlife Preserve tour with HAL in Dakar?  I've got it booked for the world cruise but want to know how it was. 

 

Thank you!

Linda R.

Yes Linda... I did this tour in 2018 and really enjoyed it.  In fact I am signed up again.

Here is a review by someone currently on the Grand Africa:

https://apassportinmyparasol.wordpress.com/

Teeny, tiny!

N. Statendam Cabin 7017

 While I was on Rotterdam I took these two quick pictures of one of the solo rooms during change over day.

2 hours ago, pschweig said:

When you book a HAL private van shore excursion which includes a guide and driver for a day, are you responsible for putting the itinerary together? Or, does the guide do it? If so, does anyone contact you in advance telling you the itinerary and entrance fees required? 
 

Thank you in advance for your answers. I’ve never done this before - just tagged along on private tours put together by CC members. 

I did this in Bali and it worked out great because you can design your own tour, but you are on a HAL tour so if something happens and you are delayed getting back to the ship, they'll wait.  I researched where I wanted go in advance.  I plotted out directions from the pier to each of the places and back to the pier on google maps so I would have some idea if my "itinerary" was doable in the timeframe we had the vehicle.  I think about a week or so before we got to Bali I had to fill out an itinerary form and I think the names of the people sharing the vehicle.  I also researched entrance fees on my own.

10 hours ago, AFNavigator said:

Track the Rotterdam's Feb 5 cruise.  It is scheduled to stop in Key West on Feb 12.

The Key West stop on the Feb 5th cruise has been changed to a sea day (this change shows on the Navigator app although the website still shows Key West).  On the following cruise (Feb 13th) Key West was replaced with Bimini.  All this subject to change of course.🙃

You'd be surprised how many solos are on world cruises... you won't be alone!

I did one in 2016.  The only problem is that world cruises can be addictive.🤩

Some souvenirs from my Italian Line cruises with my parents… Geez…I was just a teenager.

1974 Michelangelo Farewell Menu – cover, menu and insert with some recipes.

Ralph Michele was the Cruise Director…wonderful CD and so entertaining.  I think he was the CD on all three of my Italian Line cruises.

Record album from the Michelangelo 1974.  I got all the guys to autograph the back.  I think they were called the Simoncini Orchestra.

Shore Excursion List from 1976 Leonardo da Vinci cruise…  most of the tours were $7-10!

Italian Line 💖– simply the best!  (closest being Sitmar and Home Lines).  I’m glad I got to experience the ambiance of those times.  I still love cruising but it is a completely different entity now. 

On 10/14/2020 at 9:11 PM, Thrak said:

With the beverage package we liked to order the Spellbound Petite Sirah but they no longer have it by the glass. We did order a bottle in the dining room. This isn't an expensive wine but was chosen by the vast majority of folks at the freebie Elite wine tasting as the favorite. I asked and was told it's pretty consistently the top choice for that tasting. I asked why, if it's popular, it was no longer offered by the glass in Vines and I got the, "They don't ask me, they just do what they want to do" sort of answer. We normally stick to red wines but they did have a nice Gewurztraminer that I sometimes ordered. It's light and ever so slightly sweet. Sometimes I feel like the only Gewurztraminer drinker out there.

The Vines bar staff turned me on to Spellbound Petite Sirah several years ago.  I love it and buy it here at home at Total Wine & More.

13 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Homeric I (1931), the former Mariposa (butterfly) of Matson Lines. Home Lines operated her from 1955 until she was scrapped at Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1974

 

Oceanic (1965) Home Lines had her until 1985. Afterwards, she became Starship Oceanic, then Big Red Boat I, both for Premier Lines, and then once again Oceanic for Pullmantur Cruises. She finished her career as Oceanic with the Japanese Peace Boat organization until scrapped at Zhoushan, PRC in 2012 

I was on the Oceanic sailing out of NY in April 1982 when she was clipped by a freighter in dense fog.  Dented the bow and  damaged a couple of lifeboats.  Coast Guard inspected the next morning and allowed us to go on.

Sorry... a little off-topic, but the picture of her brought back memories.  Wonderful ship!

Has anyone had any experience with arrival immigration at Mombasa port?

Just wondering if it is a relatively smooth operation or to expect delays.

On 8/14/2019 at 9:37 PM, Conte Di Savoia said:

The Leonardo da Vinci was taken out of service in 1978 and burned while in layup in 1980. I'm not aware of any alteration of her original stabilizers .  Raffaello and Michelangelo were twin liners with identical deck plans although Raffaello had a very slightly larger gross tonnage.  I never could perceive where the increased space was.

  For some reason these two ships were built without portholes in some hull cabins which could easily accommodate portholes.  That was a very bad decision.

Andrea Doria and Christoforo Colombo were also twins sharing the same deck plan. 

Each ship had unique interior decor and unique ambiance.  I'll post some comparative images.

 

Yes.. Leo caught fire in July 1980 while she was laid up... I co-incidentally was in Italy visiting someone I met on the Leo when we got the news.. very sad day.😢

9 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

 

A humble-brag??  Are you kidding???  6 times on the Italian Line is an achievement. My wife and I were only able to go once and we are still talking about it!  The people who are cruising today will never know how great the Italian Line was.  Truly, the Italian Line was the offering of a nation that excelled in art, food and service.  

Well said!

I sailed once each on the Mich, Raff and Leo and those ships remain my favorites after all these years.  Sitmar and Homes Lines were next in line.  Still love cruising... but nothing compares to those!

On 4/1/2019 at 2:35 PM, CGTNORMANDIE said:

 

Just reading your story brings back so many memories.  It was 43 years ago that we sailed in May from New York, at those same piers, to the Caribbean for ten days. There will never be anything like it again.  The one thing I loved about cruising on those transatlantic liners...no classes...a cruise was all First Class...wonderful.

After more than 40 years of cruising, the Italian Line ships are still my favorites.

For those who have been on recent Pacific Princess world cruises - what kind of dance music is there on board?

Is there a band that plays a variety of music in the evenings?? I know it is a small ship with limited venues.

Thanks!

Just read on another thread that HA has cancelled all Turkey stops for 2017.

Also, found this:

12/8/16 (11:50 a.m. GMT) -- Holland America Line is the latest cruise line to cancel all calls to Turkey in 2017, citing "guest preferences for alternate ports."

This follows the announcement earlier this week that sister cruise lines -- part of Carnival Corporation -- Cunard and P&O Cruises are also removing all calls to Turkey from 2017 itineraries.

In a statement issued this morning, the line said: "Holland America Line has made the decision to cancel all scheduled port calls to Turkey through 2017 based on guest preferences for alternate ports.

"Ten departures in 2017 are affected and booked guests and travel professionals on these sailings will be notified. Shore excursions booked in affected ports through Holland America Line will be refunded and taxes, fees and port expenses will be adjusted accordingly."

We have held a cabin on HAL for their 2018 World cruise because my husbad wants to go on a phot safari but just noticed that the QAE2s itinerary goes to South Africa, also, but it also has about 8 stops in Japan an area we have not been to. We are 4 star with Holland and very familiar with their ships and I have followed many blogs for their world cruises, but we have only sailed once on Cunard on the QM2 on a crossing. I do know it is more formal which is not a real negative for us, however, I know nothing about what they do for world cruises. I know they have many segments and many people e that are only on for a shorter time. Does anyone have any experience they or will share or are their any blogs from world cruisers I can read. Thanks for any insight. We would book a queens category cabin on Cunard and have a Pinnacle suite on Holland.

Does Cunard have butlers, can't remember?

Here are blogs from previous Cunard WC'ers:

http://kathisworldvoyage.blogspot.com/

http://worldviaqe.blogspot.com/2015_01_01_archive.html

Thank you, We're sailing away.

We are taking a World cruise on Cunard, so the credit card coverage is not going to be enough.

For shorter cruises though, that would be terrific coverage.

I just reread your cruise schedule. As you are in Florida, did you have any issues getting insurance for your Amsterdam world cruise for next year?

My TA sent me a link to Allianz coverage but the length of time it covers for Floridians is capped at 60 days.

Hi: Last year I was looking for coverage for the 2016 Amsterdam world cruise and also noted the coverage limitation for Floridians. So I emailed Allianz to verify that they could not provide coverage. After some delays, here is the response I got:

Dear Susan Howard,

Thank you for choosing Allianz Global Assistance. We sincerely apologize for the delay in responding to your email.

We are delighted to assist you with your question.

While the State of Florida requires marketing materials to include the following disclosure: “Emergency Evacuation benefits are limited to coverage for travel or use of accommodations for a period of no longer than 60 days, beginning on your date of departure.” Florida does not require for this language to be in the official filed forms for the AGA travel insurance plans.

We will continue to provide emergency evacuation benefits to Florida residents for the length of their travel.

If you have additional questions, please contact us at ... blah blah blah.

I ended up using another company.

We would like to book a private tour for Petra. Looking for recent recommendations for a tour company. Thanks

We used Jordan Inspiration Tours in April - they were very good.

A few more pix. Also one of sister ship, Fairstar, which we passed in the Caribbean.

Looking for photos...anyone out there have any......?

I want my Sitmar back.

Loved Sitmar!

It's been 10 years since your original post, but here are some pix of Fairwind.

These are from 1977 (sorry for the poor quality) - I think Princess bought them out shortly thereafter.

I guess these posts are more appropriate in the "Whatever Happened to" thread.

Hello, Wondering if anyone on this board has heard of ACMT (Australian Coastal and Mountain Tours)??

They are out of Melbourne and have a "shore excursion" listed on their website that I really like, but there is very little in the way of reviews on CC or TripAdvisor.

Anyone heard of them or used them?? If so, appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

Hello, Wondering if anyone on this board has heard of ACMT (Australian Coastal and Mountain Tours)??

They are out of Melbourne and have a "shore excursion" listed on their website that I really like, but there is very little in the way of reviews on CC or TripAdvisor.

Anyone heard of them or used them?? If so, appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

So while used to solo cruising (2 times NCL Epic), I'm about to go on my first cruise with someone...and I have to admit I'm nervous, haha!

 

Have been wanting to do Allure/Oasis for years now and decided to finally go this fall. But to afford it, I'm traveling with a neighbor who has become a new friend.

 

I absolutely love the freedom solo cruising offers--I can do all the things I enjoy: speciality restaurants, spa, the excursions I want, coming in/out of the cabin as late as I want, etc...And i worry about giving that up.

 

I'm just curious to hear experiences from others used to solo cruising and making a switch to traveling with someone. Did/do you feel obligated to be with them all the time? What's a good thing to say if you want some time alone without hurting their feelings? Did you have as good as time as your solo trips?

I've traveled both solo and shared with various friends. I think you have to be honest up front with the person before you book (or before final payment) about expectations. I would tell the person that you're used to traveling solo and there will be times when you want to go your own way. When I travel with a friend she goes her way and I go mine and we meet up periodically by the pool and usually for cocktails & dinner. If we both want to do the same thing in port, thats fine, otherwise we split up. You don't want to spend all that money and end up trying to please the other person the whole time. I also like to know that person's habits... smoker?? heavy drinker?? late riser?? early to bed?? slob?? It helps if you're somewhat compatible. I wouldn't share a room with someone, no matter how badly I wanted to go on a particular ship, if I knew up front we weren't compatible... that's disaster waiting to happen.

Has your friend ever cruised or traveled before? Someone who hasn't may be clingy-er than someone familiar with the ins and outs of cruising.

Good luck!!