Questions about the Holiday

[jplewis]

We are considering a small family reunion cruise on the Holiday out of Mobile, Al because it's: close, convenient and cheap. Can anyone that has sailed on her please give me some opinions. I realize it is an older ship but other wise how about it. We are age group 50's - 60's and all love cruising.

Thanks for any info.

Patsy

[MS QUEEN]

Hey Patsy.....I love the Holiday and will hate to see her leave New Orleans. I've sailed on her several times and would do it again in a heartbeat. She is an older ship, but her service/staff is WONDERFUL. The crew are so nice and their service is far and above what I received on the Conquest 2 times. If you have any specific questions I can try to answer them, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Holiday...she has a special place in the Queen's heart!

[Cotton]

Queenie!!! Where've you been, girl? Did you get married? Tell. Tell.

..........

Patsy -

Ok, as far as the Holiday, I also love her! She is my favorite ship of all I've sailed on. Since my last cruise on her, she's been drydocked for repairs and renovations. I understand the cabins are SO much nicer now - and I didn't see anything wrong before! New duvets, carpets, etc. The staff is about the nicest I've seen on any ship - always smiling. The food in the dining room is wonderful, and I have all three meals every day in there. Have never had anything from the Lido Deck buffet - except on boarding day. Since the Holiday is smaller than the newer ships, she has a cozier atmosphere, I think, and it's very easy to learn your way around her. I think you and your family would LOVE the Holiday. (My adult son is going on her Nov.8 for his very first cruise - 'cause Mama told him it would be great.):D

[jplewis]

So nice to have answers so quickly from fellow Mississippians. One question I do have is about dining. I know a lot of the ships have gone to 4 dining times and in back of the Carnival brochure that's all they mention. But for some reason I don't think the Holiday does that. Do either of you know about that? We did a Celebrity cruise out of Jacksonville ,Fla in the spring and had 8:30 seating and that was too late . We usually do 8:00 which is great.

Thanks, Patsy

[Cotton]

Where in MS are you?:) I'm excited about the Holiday relocating to Mobile, as it's about the same distance for me as N.O.

 

The Holiday has two dining rooms, Four Winds and Seven Seas. Early dining times are 5:45 and 6:15. Late dining times are 8:00 and 8:30.

 

Just a little more info: The shows in the Tropicana Lounge are 8:00 for Early diners, and 10:30 for Late diners. I think the two production shows are really quite good. One is "SHOUT!" and the other is "Fuego del Caribe". Don't miss either!

[spence731cruise]

Dang there are alot of people from Miss.I am.Well,for the Holiday it was great,but the only thing most people complain about is how old it is.

[Cotton]

Actually, at the present time, the Holiday is the OLDEST ship in Carnival's fleet. I cruised on some others that have been retired, sold, junked, whatever. You'd never know the Holiday was so old, tho, because they keep her lookin' spiffy!:)

[jplewis]

We are in Hattiesburg, so we are like you, Cotton, althought Mobile might be a little closer. I'm sure it won't be as hectic parking ,etc.

If they have two dining rooms they probably are doing the 4 seatings for dinner.

We have done two cruises in Europe on the Noordam which is Holland America's oldest ship and it was fine. I think as long as you are prepared what to expect and go with the right attitude you'll have fun. We are mainly doing this as a way for cousins to get together. Everyone can do their own thing "together or alone".

Let me know anything else you think of.

Patsy

[MS QUEEN]

Yes Cotton...the Queen is a happily married woman now and hoping to get some pics posted tonight and tomorrow!! Life is goooood, my friend

[Cotton]

We are in Hattiesburg,

I have many friends in H'burg, and my children are USM alum.

 

If they have two dining rooms they probably are doing the 4 seatings for dinner.

Yes, that's what I said.

Let me know anything else you think of.

If you have anything specific, just ask.:)

[Cotton]

Queenie, start a new thread with your pics, so everybody can see that the QUEEN is back!

[waterbound]

I would personally recommend Holiday... This was the last ship we went on in April and we thoroughly enjoyed her. We have been on a few of the newer bigger ships and then we have been on a few of the smaller older ships and yes the newer bigger ones are more glamorous and glitzy, but the service on the Holiday cant be beat! Everyone was wonderful and made for a memorable trip..

[bonniemari]

I love the Holiday. I have been on the Holiday 4 times. We have been on some of the newer Carnival ships-but I still enjoy the Holiday as much (if not more) than the new Mega Ships. I am sorry to see her leaving New Orleans also. I usually take one of my kids (adults children now) cause my hubby got tired of going on the Holiday-so now I have to drag (yeah right-mom pays) one of the kids with me.

 

Cotton we will be in Gulfport new week. We always spend the 2nd week of August in Gulfport. Can't wait to eat at Verzyles (sp?) Chappy's for Sunday brunch, Mary Mahoney's and Toucans. We always eat at the same places when we go (this will be our 9th year). Last year we got to go to Bam on the Beach w/Emeril-that was a neat experience.

[Cotton]

Hi Bonnie. Glad you enjoy Gulfport so much - wow, nine years! Yes, Vrazel's is always a good choice. Chappy's - John Chapman is a friend of mine; tell him Cotton sez hey! (However, there are three of us "Cotton"s down here.):D I don't go to Mahoney's much since Mary died (many years ago), but it continues to be traditional for a lotta folks. Toucans - good authentic food, great margaritas!

If you want a really good N'awlins style po-boy, go to Pirate's Cove. There's one on the beach toward Pass Christian and another on Hwy.49 N. in Orange Grove. BEST this side of N.O.

 

Y'all have fun! Hope you have wonderful weather while you're here.:)

[bonniemari]

The fried green tomatoes at Chappy's are the best-I dream about them. I bought their cookbook several years ago-but for the life of me I can't make them taste like Chappy's.

 

I will have to try the Po-Boys-sounds great.

 

Did you get to see the Conquest when she was in Gulfport last year? We missed seeing the ship-I think it went back to New Orleans before we got there. But I will get to see the Conquest again up close on our Oct 3 cruise.

 

Also my youngest sister is a USM alumni also.

[Cotton]

Yep, looked longingly at the Conquest many times when she was here. My house is beachfront, not far from 'downtown', and I could see her from my porch. Beautiful sight! (We're making progress on our dock - lotsa money being put toward making it 'cruise ship worthy'...state funds included.) We'll see......? Would be nice to see something besides banana & pineapple boats coming in.:rolleyes:

Oh, you can't miss Pirate's Cove. Their building are bright yellow! I have one of their po-boys at least once a week. My fave is the drippy roast beef, but the fried oyster and fried shrimp are scrumptious! Hmmm, maybe I'll run down and pick up one - it's almost dinner time!:D

[jplewis]

A couple more questions since ya'll are so nice. Are the rooms fairly quiet or can you hear your neighbor more than you would like. I usually take a small fan to drown out nose - just wondered if I need to of them.

Also, my husband and I have been taking ballroom dancing because we always enjoy the free classes on board ships. Are there any lounges that have that type music or oldies but good type? We'd love either one.

Cotton, there is another place we go for po boys in that same area. Can't think of the name but it is in a building with a Subway on one side. The fried shimp fall off the plate.

Thank for info.

Patsy

[Cotton]

I have found the cabins to be pretty 'soundproof', altho only one cruise, my neighbors got into fight and I heard arguing for about an hour.:eek: That was the only time I've heard anything.

Dancing. Hmmmm. I know they had an 'Austin Powers' dance class in the Tropicana Lounge (main lounge) a coupla times, but I don't recall seeing any ballroom dancing mentioned in the Capers...sorry.

'Lil Rays ! (The original po-boy shop on the coast - originated in the early 70s in Bay St. Louis, but there are several all along the coast now.)

[osbeach]

Holiday Review 7/17/04-07/22/04

Posted by: osbeach (Explore, Dream, Discover...)

Date: July 25, 2004 03:18PM

 

 

My husband's family (group of 27) cruised on the Holiday 7/17/04-07/2204 (out of New Orleans).

 

Since our travel agent completed the Fun Pass for us, all we had to do was get in the right line. We arrived around 11:30 am. The line moved quickly but we had to sit in an area for a little while before we could board. There were several security checks, then photo and finally getting onboard. I would say it altogether it took about an hour.

 

All but 4 of us had never cruised before. We were pleasantly surprised!

Since we had cruised on RCI's Voyager of the Seas, we thought we would not like it.

 

The cabins are roomier than we expected and for the money and knowing that the ship is small and old, it was nice.

 

Service was good and the food in the Four Winds, was great.

Pituck and Olga (waiters) were great. Pituck entertained the children and doted on them like they were his own.

 

The beds were really comfortable and the down comforters made you want to stay in bed all day. We were on the Riviera deck (4) and did notice some smell around the midship elevators, but it was brief and we didn't notice it down the hall or near our cabins. We were able to put luggage under the beds and the closets were more than ample.

 

Lenny Halliday(from Liverpool,England) was the Cruise Director. He had a few jokes(he likes to call the S&S card, the "drink & sink card) and was pretty entertaining. Our entertainment was a juggler and a ventriloquist. They were both good.

 

There was something for everyone to do. Some played bingo, some did the casino and some even had a family spades tournament in the Bus Stop area.

The only thing I noticed is that some of the clubs/bars are not used. Doc Holliday's was always empty. The Reflections Disco was used during the day by Camp Carnival and then briefly at night by the Teens. The Tahiti Lounge was a great karoke bar. Rick's Cafe was a good piano bar. The Arcade was small and dark and you had to go thru Doc Holliday's to enter.

 

Getting off ship was smooth. Carnival now has a "self-assist" plan where you can carry ALL your own luggage and be the first group off ship without having to wait on your color tag being called. My husband's parents were riding with us so we did the color tag system. We were the first group called after the self-assist group. We were in our Suburban and on our way at 9:30am!

 

We had a great time and the first-timers said they would love to cruise again. We will probably step up to the Sensation next time before we take the big step to the Conquest.

 

If anyone has questions or need info, I'll try to help.

 

Email me at osbeach@cableone.net

 

Brenda