Wine, Entertainment & Demographics

[Nereida]

Hello everyone,

 

This is my first post here so please bear with me. I have been reading these boards for a couple of months and find them so informative and honest that I just had to sign up!

 

I am leaving on January 2nd for one week out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Western Carribean with my bf.

 

I have a few questions for those of you who are familiar with the cruise line:

 

1: We are planning on purchasing some wine at Total Wines. My question is silly but here goes: Does anyone have any suggestions for carrying the wine to the ship? We are planning on purchasing 10 bottles or so and were wondering how people carry these cases along with their other luggage to the ship (we will be taking a taxi from the airport, not sure how long the walk is from where we get dropped off to the ship).

 

2: I have read mixed reviews regarding the entertainment. What type of shows should we expect? For example: comedy, magic, music?

 

3: We are a young couple (26 & 27). My question is not a typical "is everyone old enough to be my grandfather?" rather, do the older travelers

snub the younger ones?

 

I chose HAL because I wanted to avoid the party-goers ... I prefer a classy atmosphere where I can have enjoyable conversations with fellow passengers (or at least a more courteous atmosphere).

 

I am worried because I have people who are twice my age warning me that the crown on HAL is "too old" for their liking...

 

Please tell me this is ageism rather than a reflection of the ship's atmosphere.

 

I also do not want to be snubbed due to my age.

 

4. Has anyone been to the Culinary Arts Center? If so, can you please describe your experience? I am very curious about this feature.

 

5. I am somewhat allergic to cigarette smoke. How much smoking actually takes place on the ship? I am aware that the casino is probably a place I should avoid because it's a closed-space where people are allowed to smoke, but what about other areas of the ship?

 

I apologize for the number of questions.... and thank you in advance for your replies!!!

 

Nereida :D

[TurtleLove]

Hello everyone,

 

This is my first post here so please bear with me. I have been reading these boards for a couple of months and find them so informative and honest that I just had to sign up!

 

I am leaving on January 2nd for one week out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Western Carribean with my bf.

 

I have a few questions for those of you who are familiar with the cruise line:

 

1: We are planning on purchasing some wine at Total Wines. My question is silly but here goes: Does anyone have any suggestions for carrying the wine to the ship? We are planning on purchasing 10 bottles or so and were wondering how people carry these cases along with their other luggage to the ship (we will be taking a taxi from the airport, not sure how long the walk is from where we get dropped off to the ship).

 

2: I have read mixed reviews regarding the entertainment. What type of shows should we expect? For example: comedy, magic, music?

 

3: We are a young couple (26 & 27). My question is not a typical "is everyone old enough to be my grandfather?" rather, do the older travelers

snub the younger ones?

 

I chose HAL because I wanted to avoid the party-goers ... I prefer a classy atmosphere where I can have enjoyable conversations with fellow passengers (or at least a more courteous atmosphere).

 

I am worried because I have people who are twice my age warning me that the crown on HAL is "too old" for their liking...

 

Please tell me this is ageism rather than a reflection of the ship's atmosphere.

 

I also do not want to be snubbed due to my age.

 

4. Has anyone been to the Culinary Arts Center? If so, can you please describe your experience? I am very curious about this feature.

 

5. I am somewhat allergic to cigarette smoke. How much smoking actually takes place on the ship? I am aware that the casino is probably a place I should avoid because it's a closed-space where people are allowed to smoke, but what about other areas of the ship?

 

I apologize for the number of questions.... and thank you in advance for your replies!!!

 

Nereida :D

 

Hello! I am hoping I can help you with some of your questions as I am 27 and went on my first HAL cruise when I was 24. I had some of the same concerns you do when I went on my first cruise with HAL, but I have fallen in love!

 

1) We always bring all of our wine on board with us. Recently, we have been just carrying our wine on board in one of the wine boxes that a case of wine comes in. Since your rooms are not ready until after you have lunch on board, we have been able to leave our wine in the Neptune's lounge for safe storage. That is only available to do though if you have a deluxe suite or above. If we don't get the deluxe suite, we will put the wine it its own duffle bag and lug it around the ship! It can kind of be a pain for a few hours, but you will be glad to have it on board later on. Plus just sit down and enjoy a few cocktails so you don't have to CARRY the bag =). We just bring a bag that can be folded up and packed away for our trip home. BTW, I have seen some people leave their wine/bags in one of the lounges for storage (as there is sometimes a designated area for carry on bag storage the first day), but I would rather carry the wine to be safe.

 

2) There are all types of entertainment. They try to cater to all age groups so the enterainment can vary. The main show of can be anywhere from a musical to a comedy act. The comedy shows are usually our favorite while the musicals are usually nights we skip! They also have game shows, a karaoke show, and other little bits of entertainment throughout the day. The lounges also have different musicians playing while you enjoy cocktails such as piano players. We love the marriage game game show. Althought it is mostly the same very trip, it is soooo hilarious!

 

3) Being a younger traveler on HAL too (27), I know what you mean. For the most part, we didn't experience any of the older travelers "snubing" us until we began getting rooms in the deluxe suite category. We love HAL because we can relax and enjoy ourselves without the huge party scene. This last cruise, to Alaska, was really the worst. Many of the travelers on our floor were quite rude, and we actually overheard some older travelers talking down about us as they caught the elevator and we took the stairs. We are both nice/respectful people who have cruised several times and did nothing to disrespect our "floor mates" (No really, I would tell you if we did =). BUT do not let that deter you! We have NEVER experienced any attitude from other cruisers beyond our last trip. We usually meet some really great older travelers who are fun to talk to. So, don't worry about older travelers! You just have to remember that if someone is talking down to you it is because they are unhappy with who THEY ARE... not with you.

 

4) In the culinary arts center, the chef will cook a given meal, appetizer, or dessert of the day. There are cameras above the kitchen so you can see what the chef is doing. The chef and the cruise director will do commentary as they cook the meal as well. They also hand out receipe cards with the treat they cooked, so you can duplicate it at home. And after the food is done being prepared, you always get to try it! I believe you can also have a private cooking lesson and group cooking classes in the culinary arts center, but I have never done that before so I can not comment.

 

5) I have not noticed cigarette smoke on board too much, but I am also not allergic to it. If you are sensitive you may notice it more than I do. The only time I really have noticed has been on the balcony. For some reason, I want to say that people can't smoke on their balcony? So, I am not sure why I can smell it the most out there...

 

Hope that helps =)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Culinary Arts Center -- there are a few free demonstrations -- usually on a sea day. There will be at least 1 sometimes 2 classes -- they are $29 per person per class -- limited to 12 people -- held on a sea day -- if you are interested -- sign up the first day either at the front office or at the Culinary Art Center.

As for the wine -- if you get to the ship around 1 PM the cabins should be ready by then and you can go directly to your cabin.

The Neptune Lounge is only for people staying in the PS, SA, SB and SC cabin categories.

[Nereida]

Thank you TurtleLove & Krazy Kruizers for the informative reply.

 

We did not book deluxe. We will be staying in a VA Deluxe Oceanview on the 8th floor (Navigation Deck).

 

Unfortunately we will be arriving later on in the day due to making the mistake of booking a same day flight through the cruise line (I learned the hard way to NEVER do this again). Lugging around the wine though is a small price to pay for actually being allowed to have it on board.

 

I wanted to say that I also love the marriage game shows!!!!! I have only been on one other cruise and I recall how entertaining it was to watch. Like you TurtleLove, I see my bf and I skipping the musicals because it's not our type of entertainment... It's good to know that they mix it up a bit and don't stick to one form of entertainment!

 

Concerning the age group, that's exactly what I meant... I work with an older crowd (I am a college prof) and I can attest that I would choose some of my older colleagues as traveler companions over the younger ones... it's not about age, it's about attitude... I hope I don't have to be subjected to the attitude you got on the Alaska cruise.

 

As for the culinary arts center thank you for the information! I will definitely give it a shot!

[Mary Ellen]

Welcome to the CC!

 

We were about your ages when we took our first cruise (on HAL). We've been among the youngest (adult) passengers on board - but that is now changing. ;) Over the decades we've never encountered any "attitude" from other passengers, no matter our cabin category. Even at the parties for deluxe suite passengers we didn't notice any poor "attitude" towards us from the other guests. We've never been the 'party until you puke' types and have enjoyed the laid back atmosphere on HAL.

[IRL_Joanie]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!!

 

Just a couple of things.

 

1. Regarding snubs: I have noticed that sometimes we are all subject to a bit of shyness, yes even I am shy at times:D I like to keep a smile on my face at all times, helps alot. Also I tend to go into places such as the Lido Aft pool area and ask to sit at a table that is already occupied. I then try to engage in conversation with people. It really tends to help break the ice, young and old alike seem to respond when questions are asked with a smile and sincerity.

 

2. Smoking is allowed on the verandahs.

 

So smile at those that seem to be snubbing you and keep in mind that they may be jealous of you being able to do the stairs. BUT, also know that 99% of the other older passengers would love to chat with you for awhile.

 

Ask about their kids, their past experiences on and off the ship. Ask about their childhood, heck just chat away, you will be amazed at how well we respond:)

 

Joanie

[Nereida]

Thank you for your replies Mary Ellen and Joanie.

 

I would love to interact with people like my grandparents who give good tips and who are fun to be around.

 

I love the fact that HAL can offer me exactly what I need: a relaxing experience!

 

On my last vacation, there was this couple who (although young) seemed so unhappy. For whatever reason we always used to run into them everywhere! We tried striking up a conversation with them and they just didn't want any of that... It was very awkward.

 

Actually, one of the reasons we chose "open seating" was in order to avoid such types.

 

Concerning the smoking, I just hope that I am lucky enough to have non-smoking verandah neighbors!