combined cruise question

[schauki]

Hi!

 

We had done a 2x7 days back to back cruise with celebrity 2011, but booked as 2 seperate cruises.

Now we are looking for a 14 day HAL cruise. 2x7 day back to back from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

On celebrity we had 2 times the same shows, menu,... this was a little disappointment to us.

But we doesn't had to do the drill and new check in, no entry-customs in San Juan,..

 

Now I'm wondering if this is the same on HAL, or if this cruise (booked as one) will have a full 14 day program.

It is possible to book the 7 day cruise seperate, and there is also an other 14day cruise that starts after the first 7 days of the last 14day crusise and so on,...

 

I'll be happy to hear some comments about this. And what points of the program will double, wich not.

 

Thank you!

 

Best,

Richard

 

sorry for my bad english :o

[cruz chic]

There will be the same shows both weeks. The menus will be mostly the same with a few variations.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done quite a few of Collector Cruises on HAL.

Booking a back-to-back under the term Collector Cruise means that you do have 1 booking number and do save a little money.

The menu will vary are over the 14 days. Some items will be repeated.

The shows for the most part will be the same -- especially the production shows -- there may be or may not be the same for the comedians, etc.

Yes -- you will be required at the end of the first segment to go through immigration and everyone must get off the ship. But even that could be different. It all depends on the ship and how many "In Transit" people are on your cruise. You will get a letter on the last full day of the cruise explaining where to meet and at what time for the immigration process. This will usually happen around 9:30 AM. No one can get back on the ship until it is down to "zero" count. Sometimes we have waited in the terminal for 15 minutes -- other times we have waited 1 1/2 hours.

Also -- you will be required to attend the second lifeboat drill as well.

[schauki]

Hi!

 

Thank you!

Thats not so good news to us.

 

On X there were 2 seperate 7 days, and so I can understand it that there is just a 7 day program that repeats, but if they sell a 14 day cruise I thought that they have a 14 day program that repeats, with 2 master chef dinner and 2 crew shows for the 7 day cruisers.

 

But okay, now we know it that there can be a deja vu the second 7 days.

 

Best,

Richard

[thetexasaggiecruiser]

On our b2b over christmas, the production shows were different the second week. So they may not exactly the same. The menus did repeat a little. That may not always be the case, but it was for us. Apparently Fort Lauderdale has changed its policies for turnaround day - in transit passengers are cleared onboard in the lounges, if you aren't planning to leave the ship. If you have an excursion on shore, you can debark to clear though, to get done earlier.

[schauki]

Hi!

 

Thanks!

The concern cruise is the Nieuw Amsterdam from 14.02.2015-01.03.2015 from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I think they do this 2x7 day cruise all the season.

 

Best,

Richard

[thetexasaggiecruiser]

We just took that (nearly the) same cruise on the Westerdam, and if you like Half Moon Cay, you'll love it. Here is a great trip report of that itinerary on the NW from a few weeks ago:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2132818

 

It just depends on whether the menu items that get repeated are ones you like, or not!

[POA1]

Hi!

 

Thanks!

The concern cruise is the Nieuw Amsterdam from 14.02.2015-01.03.2015 from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

I think they do this 2x7 day cruise all the season.

 

Best,

Richard

Hello Richard -

 

We did that cruise last month, and I scanned all the daily programs and (I think) all of the menus. It's in this thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2132818

 

While some of the entertainment repeats, the welcome show each Sunday night for example, most of the other shows will not. The Nieuw Amsterdam swaps performers with the Eurodam in Fort Lauderdale, so that there are two distinct weekly entertainment schedules. The movies in the theater are different, and even the piano bar had a 14 day schedule. (You will hear "Sweet Caroline" and "The Piano Man" more than once. The 1987 International Treaty on Overused Songs mandates it.)

 

As far as the menus go, there will be repetition of some items, like prime rib, but the set up (starch & vegetables) will differ from week to week. Other entrées won't repeat at all. (If you're like us, they'll be your favorites. ;) )

[POA1]

We just took that (nearly the) same cruise on the Westerdam, and if you like Half Moon Cay, you'll love it. Here is a great trip report of that itinerary on the NW from a few weeks ago:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2132818

 

It just depends on whether the menu items that get repeated are ones you like, or not!

I just realized that I posted the same link as you. Sorry about that!

[schauki]

Thank you very much!

This sounds good now.

 

It's not a problem that some things repeat - absolutly no problem in case of Half Moon Cay :D

But on X there was exactly the same menu, the same shows, same jokes by the cruise director (when not :rolleyes:),... and this was not so fine for us.

 

And the in transit procedure doesn't looks okay too.

 

Best,

Richard

[take us away]

Richard - not to worry about the in transit procedures - it is just about an hour from start to finish if you stay on the ship between cruises and you get to reboard earlier (no waiting) if you get off the ship between cruises. We did a B2B in Dec and the crew shows were different (1 cruise was Philippino and 2nd cruise was Indonesian). The production shows were mostly the same but the 1 repeat show we attended was excellent and we went to see if again. Our only repeat shows were the production shows as the individual entertainers changed between the 2 cruises. As others have said, menus may not repeat but some things will but then there are the 'always available' menu items that are on every dinner menu, jokes were different.

 

Have a wonderful time!

[schauki]

Hi!

 

Sorry, there was a "doesn't" too much.

So no problem with the in transit procedure.

 

Best,

Richard

[PathfinderEss]

On the majority of b2b cruise we have done it is just a repeat of the week before, sorry just like Celebrity.

Edited January 8, 2015 by PathfinderEss

[Krazy Kruizers]

We did your Collectors Cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam twice in the last year.

The Chef Rudi's dinner was offered each week but cancelled a couple of times as they did not get enough people to sign up for it. It is $89 per person. We did it twice ( as well as on other ships). The menu never changes. You need to sign up for it in the Pinnacle Grill on the first day of the cruise -- just in case it does fill up. Held on the night we were in Key West. It was supposed to be held on the last formal night of our second part of the cruise but was cancelled. These days are subject to change.

On the Nieuw Amsterdam there is also the Club Cabana dinner -- $129 per person -- and set up in Club Cabana. If it rains -- it will be moved to the Tamarind Restaurant. On the Western part of your cruise the Club Cabana dinner is on the night you are in Cozumel. On the Eastern part of your cruise the dinner is on the night you are in San Juan.

One evening there will be the Le Cirque dinner in the Pinnacle. It is a special dinner served rather than the regular Pinnacle dinner -- $49 per person. They are held once a week -- the evening of Grand Cayman and St Thomas.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Here is the menu for Chef's Rudi dinner:

 

 

 

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wines vary by ship and Cellar Master.