NEW MEMBER - NEW TO cruisecritic.com - NEW TO EVERYTHING! :-)

[appaloosa]

Bonjour from CANADA!

 

Hello everyone, I'm a newbie here, new to cruising, and new to cruisecritic.com. There's a first time for everything, as they say - and here is my first post!

 

After a week and a half of careful online research, price comparison shopping, comparing various cruise lines and their offerings, stateroom comparisons, reading various critiques on this web site, and finally talking to a wonderful cruise specialist, I finally settled on Royal Caribbean as our first ever cruise for me and mom.

 

So what clinched it for me?

 

Well, I had it narrowed down to two choices: RCL or Holland America. Initially, RCL intimidated me a little bit, especially after reading THIS[/url]:

"Royal Caribbean International is known for adventure on a grand scale. Guests are active travelers who are looking for new experiences and a wide array of choices for the whole family. From the exciting destinations to the unique onboard activities like rock climbing..."

Keywords: "adventure," "active travelers," "rock climbing," etc. Yikes! Both my mom & I are laid back & casual, so when I read this, my first thought was er.., no - this is not for us!

 

Then I went to look at Holland America, and read THIS. On board they'll discover ships that are elegantly decorated with fine art and nautical antiques, superb dining, service that is second to none and beautifully appointed staterooms."[/size]

Keywords: "elegant," "art," "antiques," "beautifully appointed staterooms" ? Ahh! Now this sounds more like our style! Then I went to check price for a balcony stateroom (HA calls them "verandahs"), and *YIKES* the price per person was DOUBLE what RCL was asking!

 

So back to the RCL website I went. And, after further consultation with my wonderful cruise specialist, my mom & I booked with RCL!

 

I think I got a good deal on price, stateroom and overall anemities. We got a stateroom on deck 9, close to the library (no one ever goes to the library! So we're guaranteed to have a quiet floor, right?;) ); in fact, I think I got lucky!

 

So all in all, even though the trip is a little less than a year away, Mom and I are looking forward to our first cruise ever!

 

And, we'll be sailing on my birthday! What better way to celebrate someone's 50th! :)

 

Cheers and happy sailing!

~app

[megr1125]

Welcome, congrats on booking and all...but we aren't allowed to post specific travel agent/cruise info on cruise critic so the post may get zapped...

 

 

however, what ship?? what itinerary??

 

 

On our RC crusies, we are almost always on deck 9..the way the ship is laid out you are near the library but not really...hard to describe, the cabins are down a hallway, so it's quiet..

the library s a nice place to sit though......

 

 

again, welcome and let us know what else we can do to help....when are you sailing???

 

oops silly me, i didn't see your countdown clock!! slap

[megr1125]

Looks like you are doing Alaska next year on Serenade??? We did that on her too!! We were on deck 10 under the windjammer...noisy. But on all our others we were on deck 9-very quiet....

 

if you follow the link below i have pictures from Serenade last year......beautiful ship!

 

hey, looks like you are from someplace around montreal??? that would be one of my favorite places...we go at least once a year! yum!

[appaloosa]

...we aren't allowed to post specific travel agent/cruise info on cruise critic so the post may get zapped...[/quote]Yikes! :( Ok.. well, I *did* mention I was a newbie, so don't hold that against me ;)

 

however, what ship?? what itinerary??.......when are you sailing???

It's in my signature!

 

oops silly me, i didn't see your countdown clock!! slap

There you go;)

 

Cheers,

~app

[appaloosa]

Looks like you are doing Alaska next year on Serenade???

Yes, exactly!

 

if you follow the link below i have pictures from Serenade last year......beautiful ship!

Megr, I looked through your webshots album, and your photos give me pretty good idea of what to expect. Thanks for sharing!:)

 

hey, looks like you are from someplace around montreal??? that would be one of my favorite places...we go at least once a year!

You found me!:) Yes, Montreal is a wonderful city, n'est-ce-pas? Great restaurants, wonderful ambience, panache, flair and style; not to mention the French flavour. They don't call us the "Paris of North America" for nothing!;) We love having Americans come up and spend their big $$$ here;)

 

cheers!

~app

[megr1125]

i know you're new..just didn't want the board monitors to zap you!!

 

 

my grandmom was french canadian but the only words i know in french are bon jour, merci, croissant, tourtiere (sp-sorry), viande fume (that's probably wrong too!) and, in montreal, gare central so i can eat the last 3 things!! (almost never have a bad meal up there anyway, i just love the train station and that premiere moisson place!!)

 

 

LOL.

 

we usually go to the Springhill Suites in Old Montreal..usually in winter with lots of ice so walking down the teeny hill is a mess! I hate cold but i will head north in the winter!! weird i know.....

[megr1125]

spend big bucks huh?? i liked canada better when the exchange rate was like 1.50 CDN for each of my USD. the 1.10 or whatever now stinks...and we can't get the tax back anymore....sheesh,there goes my duty free shopping!

[JanineM]

Welcome to CC! You'll find many, many Canadians here ... I'm an expat myself ~ originally from Calgary.

 

Cabins on cruise ships are generally very quiet. We have actually been ruined by cruising - I can't stay in a hotel room anymore because the hallways are so LOUD!

 

Enjoy your planning and your cruise!

[KC_fn]

appaloosa, Regarding "adventure", "active", etc. I have one word: ppffff! :p

 

I mean, I guess you can do all that stuff, but I'm also laid back (OK, lazy), and I found RCI Mariner to be a great place to relax.

[clackey]

appaloosa, Regarding "adventure", "active", etc. I have one word: ppffff! :p

 

I mean, I guess you can do all that stuff, but I'm also laid back (OK, lazy), and I found RCI Mariner to be a great place to relax.

Ppfff is right. we sailed RCCL once and it was the most sedate trip that we have had. You don't HAVE to climb the rock wall, be active or do anything if you don't want to.

[appaloosa]

... the only words i know in french are bon jour, merci, croissant, tourtiere (sp-sorry), viande fume (that's probably wrong too!) and, in montreal, gare central ...

Well, let's see: you've got your hello's and thankyou's covered, and you've got food covered - What else is there to know?!! ;)

 

... we usually go to the Springhill Suites in Old Montreal..

Now, I've lived in Mtl all my life, and I'm quite familiar with many of the hotels in the downtown area - but on this one you've got me! I've never heard of the "Springhill Suites." Old Montreal is very popular with the tourists, though :)

 

Cheers!

~app

[appaloosa]

appaloosa, Regarding "adventure", "active", etc. I have one word: ppffff! :p ... I'm also laid back (OK, lazy)...

Ppfff is right. we sailed RCCL once and it was the most sedate trip that we have had. You don't HAVE to climb the rock wall, be active or do anything if you don't want to.

@KC_fn & clackey: I'm with you guys on that one.;) I never was much for being a gym rat, or up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-for-my-morning-fitness-run, or playing dressup with fancy clothes, jewellery, etc; but I do love exploring and discovering new things - all at my own pace (translation=leisurely) of course;)

 

Thanks for the tips!

Cheers,

~app

[appaloosa]

appaloosa, Regarding "adventure", "active", etc. I have one word: ppffff! :p ... I'm also laid back (OK, lazy)...

Ppfff is right. we sailed RCCL once and it was the most sedate trip that we have had. You don't HAVE to climb the rock wall, be active or do anything if you don't want to.

@KC_fn & clackey: I'm with you guys on that one.;) I never was much for being a gym rat, or up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-for-my-morning-fitness-run, or playing dressup with fancy clothes, jewellery, etc; but I do love exploring and discovering new things - all at my own pace (translation=leisurely) of course;)

Thanks for the tips!

Cheers,

~app

[laginog]

Hi, Appaloosa!!!

 

You will love RCCL!!! You can do what you want...and not do what you don't!! We are real "laid back" and not very adventurous too so...no rock climbing or skating for us!! And...I hate to dress up...even dress slacks for me on formal night!! I will be sailing on the Serenade to Hawaii (15 nights!!) next month with my hubby and my Mom so....I will be trying her out for you. And....I will also be celebrating my 50th next year (in August)...and my Mom her 70th so....she and I are thinking about doing another one together in January on the Caribbean Princess (we've done 2 now with just the 2 of us). My hubby will only do one cruise a year! What's the matter with him??!! Anyway, you will love RCCL so don't worry and have a great time!!!

[megr1125]

Well, let's see: you've got your hello's and thankyou's covered, and you've got food covered - What else is there to know?!! ;)

 

Now, I've lived in Mtl all my life, and I'm quite familiar with many of the hotels in the downtown area - but on this one you've got me! I've never heard of the "Springhill Suites." Old Montreal is very popular with the tourists, though :)

 

Cheers!

~app

 

 

The SHS is on St Jean Baptiste...up the street (oops, Rue) from the Keg and 4-ish blocks from Notre Dame. There's a little restaurant there too, hmm, Auberge St Gabriel or something....haven't eaten there but it smells yummy!

 

Sometimes we do the Marriott Chateau Champlain but the rooms are bigger at the SHS.

 

au revoir!

[celbercrz333]

App, great that you made a choice and you're happy with it. I turned 50 earlier this year, so you are in good company. Not only that hubby and I went to Niagra Falls, ONT and had a blast. It was nice to visit your country. We went up to Niagra on the Lake and bought some ice wine. Anyway, I have a feeling that you will like cruising so much that you will be hooked. Lots of people make arrangements for their next cruise while on a cruise. Let us know how you like it once you come home from it. --Jo Oh... some words of wisdom--wear good shoes. You will do A LOT of walking both on the ship and getting on the ship from the port building.

[KC_fn]

 

@KC_fn & clackey: I'm with you guys on that one.;) I never was much for being a gym rat, or up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-for-my-morning-fitness-run, or playing dressup with fancy clothes, jewellery, etc; but I do love exploring and discovering new things - all at my own pace (translation=leisurely) of course;)

Thanks for the tips!

Cheers,

~app

 

RCI does have formal night, so it's not QUITE paradise! :p But like everything else, that's optional, and there are plenty of other places to have dinner besides the dining room.

[appaloosa]

... i liked canada better when the exchange rate was like 1.50 CDN for each of my USD. the 1.10 or whatever now stinks...and we can't get the tax back anymore....sheesh,there goes my duty free shopping!

HaHa! I know how you feel..;) For years Canadians were stuck with a huge tab on the currency conversion rates when travelling in the U.S. It's about time our dollar got its' due! ;)

 

I've always felt the Canadian dollar was long under-valued, and it's nice to see it almost at par after so many years. FWIW, I think our two currencies should be merged - like what they did over in Europe = one common currency. It's *so* convenient not to worry about exchange rates, or changing currency every time you enter a neighbouring country. I love the Euro!!

 

~app

[appaloosa]

@laginog:

You can do what you want...and not do what you don't!!

Thanks lag:) I thought as much, but it's nice to read of other people's experiences and perspectives.

I will be sailing on the Serenade ....next month ...so....I will be trying her out for you...

Great! Let me know what you think, and share your overall impression of the ship and her clientele! ;)

 

@KC_fn:

RCI does have formal night ...

I'll be sure to stay away from those...;)

 

Thanks all!

~app

[megr1125]

HaHa! I know how you feel..;) For years Canadians were stuck with a huge tab on the currency conversion rates when travelling in the U.S. It's about time our dollar got its' due! ;)

 

I've always felt the Canadian dollar was long under-valued, and it's nice to see it almost at par after so many years. FWIW, I think our two currencies should be merged - like what they did over in Europe = one common currency. It's *so* convenient not to worry about exchange rates, or changing currency every time you enter a neighbouring country. I love the Euro!!

 

~app

 

 

hahahahaha!! Yeah right. Not that I wold care much,, but your money weighs too much!!! $10 in loonies or twoonies can give you a backache! But the paper stuff is pretty--i like the hockey scene on the $5 (i think that's what it is!)

 

Formal night might be a good choice to try one of the alternative places....actually, when we were on Adventure we wound up in the Windjammer the 1st formal night since I was having a reaction to my allergy shot...the food was better at dinner and they had dimmed the lights to make it more dinner-like!