brichar499

Thanks, all. Looks like we'll be sticking with our traditional early arrival strategy.

We are going out on the Royal Princess in December. It's the first Princess cruise for us since 2002. We've been on many since (mostly HAL) but are looking forward to returning to Princess.

In recent years, we've become early arrivers (once we were actually first in line). We like the chance for an uncrowded lunch and tour the ship.

However, in viewing these boards, I'm am detecting that early may not be the best strategy on this line. Our boarding pass shows a 12:30-3:00 check-in window.

What can we expect? This will be a Monday departure and the Royal is the only ship in at Port Everglades.

We were on the Royal Repo at the end of January.

 

The Concerto Dining Room (I think) was open, but was understaffed. We were seated immediately, but a waiter was not yet available for our section. After waiting for about 30 minutes without our order being taken, we left and had lunch at the Trident Grill.

 

As the Royal was a new ship for us, we preferred to look around the ship rather than have a lengthy lunch. Others later told us the dining room lunch on embarkation day took about 2 hours.

 

Just our experience...

 

B

Thanks. We've always enjoyed a sit down lunch on embark day where offered. The free for all at the Lido buffet on most ships is not pleasurable. Hope they get their act together in the Concerto in the next few weeks.

I'm on a December trip. Can anyone tell me what the current lunch options are on sail day besides the Horizon Court buffet? Thanks.

Would like to know what is open for lunch besides the Lido buffet when I first board. Thanks.

I don't miss the debarkation talk but I definitely do miss the singing of "Love in any language" and acknowledging the crew.

Get off the tender, turn right, walk less than a couple of hundred yards and you'll find a free entry to a reef right there in town. Walk down the stairs and join the huge tarpon and smaller colorful reef fishes swimming within a few feet of where you put in.

I just got back from a Cayman stop and, again, got what has to be the best free deal in the Caribbean.

I'm trying to get a read on how deep the major refurbishment project went when it comes to cabins.

I know they changed out the tv's but did the dry dock include new bathroom fixtures, bedding, balcony doors and glass, a/c, etc.?

It's been 18 months since we cruised HAL but we go way back with the line and are 3 star Mariners. HAL is our favorite cruise line.

We did the western itinerary last week on Nieuw Amsterdam. The ship, HAL's newest, is a marvel. No evident wear and tear nor should there be with a four year old ship that was in dry dock less than a year ago. The NA manages the 2,000 passengers as well as the passenger loads we've seen on Vista, R and S classes.

Yes, some cutbacks were obvious. You certainly can't call Adagio a string quartet any longer (it's now a piano and a violin). But there was much more live music around than on some recent cruises with competitors. Main showroom entertainment was first class on most nights but the venue was dark one night with the only offering being an 11pm crew show.

Dine In burger place is an attempt to compete with Carnival's Guy's Burger Joint and they have come close. Much better product than the Terrace Grill it replaced.

Food overall was great with little noticeable decline with one big exception. The buffet on Half Moon Cay has sunk to such lows in selection and quality that we have resolved to leave our favorite island early and go back to the ship next time for lunch. This observation was noted by several other passengers.

We traveled with another couple this time who were cruise novices and they provided an interesting perspective. Without any basis of comparison, they thought it was one of their best vacation weeks ever and they raved about the MDR, the Lido, their cabin, and the ship's activities and entertainment.

I know it's tacky to note this but count me among those who miss the last day rendition of "Love in any language." This is the first HAL cruise among ten that we did not get to enjoy this sentimental moment.

Finally, a big shout out to Cruise Director Eric Dowis. Eric is the only CD we have been with on another ship and we remembered him fondly from a few years ago on the Noordam. Eric is an unusual combination of being a secret introvert but having a winning on stage presence and wonderful dry wit. I have never seen a CD with such attention to detail and guest concern. I was out at the Lido pool just after 7am and observed Eric with shoes off and pants rolled up walking around the pool, kneeling every few feet and staring intently at the water (it appeared a little cloudy to me). And who can forget his last evening "impromptu" dance routine.

We understand Eric is leaving the line soon to head to NYC with his talented singer/dancer wife. He will be missed.

I tried the Dive In burger concept last week on the NA. Much, much better product than the old Terrace Grill. They have three basic burger combinations with a special sauce and the food is presented much like you find at a Red Robin.

That's great. We're on the March 9 sailing.

Although we are 3 star Mariners, it's been over a year since we've been on the Line. I do have a few questions about an upcoming March cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam.

1. Is there still an MDR lunch for Mariners upon boarding?

2. If so, is it possible to sneak a couple of first time cruisers in with us?

3. Is there still a Mariner champagne brunch during the cruise?

Did the Eastern itinerary. As usual, all cruises are great - and some are better than others.

In the entertainment department, the Dream contrasted very positively to a trip last winter on Ecstasy (with its lame Playlist Production main theatre shows). In fact, the total entertainment package on the Dream was among the best in our more than 20 cruises across all brands. The talent and production values in the showroom were outstanding as were the comedians and other musical acts. Come on company of the Fun Ships, keep the big shows and live bands.

The brunch concept was not a hit. As most on these boards know, brunch is now served sea days in the MDR from morning through early afternoon. Seated breakfasts and lunches are now mostly unavailable. My biggest problem with brunch is that the menu which is fairly uninspired doesn't change and after a couple of tries, it gets old. Unfortunately, the only other alternative is the utter chaos of the Lido buffet. It's another cost saving move that diminishes the cruising experience for those of us looking for a modicum of refinement.

But again, another nice week on the water with great weather, outstanding service, mostly good food, and terrific entertainment.

Quick answer is "yes."

See link to local paper.

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/carnival-cruise-lines-will-return-norfolk-2015

Help. I have googled HOHO and only get a chinese restaurant. Clearly I'm missing something. Can I get a link from someone? Thanks.

Dennis, I will have a 6:30am departure out of YVR following a cruise and a day in town. I will be staying in a downtown hotel (TBD). It looks like the Canada Line doesn't start early enough to comfortably get to the airport so I will take a cab. What time do I need to be at the airport and what time do I need to leave the downtown hotel. Traffic shouldn't be an issue early, early in the morning. Thanks.

I'm sure it's been asked, but what's the latest on the best (and best value) place to park near the port. Will be off on a 10 day cruise late next week. Thanks.

Just returned from 10 days on the Noordam. Eric helped us laugh through 7 days of code red and dealt with the tragedy in Haiti that occured as we just passed the island offshore. His farewell dance was not to be missed.