Full Cruise - Any tips?

[Emoliash]

We are going on a Xmas cruise and the ship is full. We are first time cruisers are there any tips or advice on how to make the most of the cruise when it will be crowded?

 

 

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[take us away]

Have patience - HAL does a great job with a full boat but still. There will be a lot of children so finding a quiet place may be a bit harder. The lines will be a bit longer. Try for off times for activities like getting off in a port and for dinner as usually the later the easier. Recommend the Christmas show as Santa comes and usually each child gets a prize - it is fun.

 

Have a great time!

[CruiserBruce]

The ship is full every time you cruise, or at least so close you can't tell the difference, based on double occupancy.

 

The only real difference might be there are more kids in the "extra occupancy"- the cabins rated for 3 or 4 people.

Edited December 7, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[xlxo]

Thoughts...

• check daily in the MORNING. On another cruise line, they shift passengers in the afternoon and evening. When I looked in the afternoon/evening the prices were higher and often said it was sold out. Then checking in the morning, low prices and availability.
  
• if one category is sold out.... you might need to get a inside or verandah cabin.
  
• do cruise lines have wait lists?
  
• are you calling the cruise lines directly?
  

Edited December 7, 2016 by xlxo

[just_cruising_along]

We are going on a Xmas cruise and the ship is full. We are first time cruisers are there any tips or advice on how to make the most of the cruise when it will be crowded?

 

Most likely all ships are full when they sail, so I agree with another poster who said HAL does a good job accommodating its passengers.

 

If you want to go to a specific show or other entertainment, it does not hurt to show up a tad early, so you get the seat you want.

 

However, if you don't have assigned seating for diner, it doesn't hurt to show up a tad later.

 

Do you have ports with tenders? If you are not on a tour and don't have a time crunch, don't be the first in line for the tenders.

 

You will have a great cruise, and after the first couple of days, you will see how things work and you will be able to adjust your activities accordingly.

 

Have a good time.

[doublebzz]

My only advice is start drinking scotch at breakfast; if a lot of kids, make double shots.

[POA1]

My only advice is start drinking scotch at breakfast; if a lot of kids, make double shots.

There's usually a lovely "build your own" bloody Mary bar in the Lido. Since you're building things, you get to refer to it as "arts and crafts."

[cb at sea]

Almost EVERY sailing is "full"....just because every cabin is sold doesn't mean there are the max. number of passengers....there are many more "berths" than passengers allowed!

[Lovely other]

Thoughts...

• check daily in the MORNING. On another cruise line, they shift passengers in the afternoon and evening. When I looked in the afternoon/evening the prices were higher and often said it was sold out. Then checking in the morning, low prices and availability.
  
• if one category is sold out.... you might need to get a inside or verandah cabin.
  
• do cruise lines have wait lists?
  
• are you calling the cruise lines directly?
  

 

I think you misread the gist of the original post ....

[xlxo]

Oops.... thanks for pointing that out.

 

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[Emoliash]

Thank you all for your tips. I have to confess I am travelling with my two kids! I have warned them any misbehaviour and the will be in Club Hal from sun up to sun down. However I will be relieved if there will be a few kids on board as I have read reviews where the number of children on a HAL cruise has barely made double figures.

 

 

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[Emoliash]

Another quick question - we are anytime dining, I understand I can make a same day reservation at the dining room for that evening?

 

 

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[doublebzz]

Another quick question - we are anytime dining, I understand I can make a same day reservation at the dining room for that evening?

 

 

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Yes, true. Reservations for the 6:30 to 7:30 time slots fill up pretty quickly. Usually, if you want to eat early or late, there is not much difficulty.

[CruiserBruce]

Yes, true. Reservations for the 6:30 to 7:30 time slots fill up pretty quickly. Usually, if you want to eat early or late, there is not much difficulty.

 

You can't make reservations during the peak hour- usually 6:15 to 7:15. You can make reservations up to 3 days in advance for the non-peak periods the dining room is open.

[doublebzz]

You can't make reservations during the peak hour- usually 6:15 to 7:15. You can make reservations up to 3 days in advance for the non-peak periods the dining room is open.

 

I never make reservations and always ask to share a table. We generally dine between 6:30 and 7:00 and never had a problem securing a table.

[iancal]

Avoid the Lido.

[doublebzz]

Avoid the Lido.

 

Probably good advice unless kids unable to tolerate sitting still for 1-2 hours in MDR.

[PatsyAnne]

Not knowing more about your family and what they like, I would say take each day as it comes, and know that sometimes you may have to wait a little. If you have picky eaters, then check out the Lido for the children some nights. Focus on the fun, and this will make great family memories.

 

 

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[Emoliash]

Thank you!

 

 

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[sail7seas]

Don't make more of a ' full' ship' than no big deal. Many ships are going out full or close to it thesd days. They can handle it.

[bd1958]

If you have the option, you might want to consider arriving at the cruise terminal later. If, for instance, boarding begins at 11am, I like arriving at around 2 (for a 4pm sailing) and just walking on the ship instead of arriving at the beginning and waiting an hour or two. Yes, you will miss lunch and some time on the boat, but you won't put yourself and the kids through a really uncomfortable wait.

 

BD

[serendipity1499]

As others have said most ships are full these days, but no big deal.. It will be wonderful having your first cruise with your family.. Enjoy it & be patient.. You never forget your first Cruise!

 

I wish we could cruise over the Holiday just to see all the little ones when Santa comes aboard on his sleigh & hands out his goodies..

 

The ship will announce it when Santa has been sighted.. Make sure your kids keep a good lookout for him..

 

Wishing you & yours a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year:):)...[

 

P.S. And o course hope you have a lovely first cruise! Take plenty of pics../SIZE]

Edited December 7, 2016 by serendipity1499

[ellieanne]

Thank you all for your tips. I have to confess I am travelling with my two kids! I have warned them any misbehaviour and the will be in Club Hal from sun up to sun down. However I will be relieved if there will be a few kids on board as I have read reviews where the number of children on a HAL cruise has barely made double figures.

 

I have to say, the Christmas cruise I was on had the worst behaved children/teenagers I have ever seen on a cruise. Children were running up and down the halls all the time, and darting around the dining room, imperiling the waiters, meals, and other passengers. A group of children went out early in the morning and was knocking on all the windows of the promenade deck cabins.

 

Teenagers had to be escorted from the bars nightly. I never saw their parents. And a group of teenagers decided the best thing to do would be carve their names on all the elevator button panels. i heard through the grapevine that those parents were charged for replacing the panels.

 

I understand that one or two children on their own are fine, but in a group, a mob mentality takes over and they do things they might not do otherwise. So even if some parents think their children are always perfect angels, in groups on a festive holiday cruise, things happen and then next thing, those same perfect angels are annoying everyone else.

[Emoliash]

Thanks again for advice and thoughts. We are all getting very excited.

 

 

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[tuolumne couple]

We are going on a Xmas cruise and the ship is full. We are first time cruisers are there any tips or advice on how to make the most of the cruise when it will be crowded?

 

 

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you never know the ratio. i kind of like a full ship and on our sailing there were only 22 kids. just ride with the tide, go with the flow, have a positive attitude and sail a happy ship. the experience is what you make it, not necessarily what you think it might end up being...i wish i was going on my first cruise all over again so i envy you. you will have a blast. take it one step at a time.