First Time Cruisers - Advice Needed SMALL UPDATE POST 39

[Erica Ladd]

I have cruised many times and we ALWAYS fly in the day before. Too much can happen to book a flight the day of the cruise.

This is a nice cruise. https://www.princess.com/search-cruise/details/?voyageCode=Y304&fareType=BESTVALUE. I have done it three times. The Sky Princess is a beautiful ship. Princess offers “Princess Plus”, which includes the drink package, WiFi and Crew Appreciation (Gratuities). FYI - Princess Cays is a private island in the Bahamas. In other words, a day at the beach.

Thanks! Love specific suggestions. I’ll check it out!

 

[JLTraveling]

r.e. - bold If excursion is booked through the Cruise Line the ship WILL WAIT for your return should the tour be delayed, not necessarily so if privately booked.

That's very true. But the only time we've ever come remotely close to being left was our own fault--we got a little too comfortable in a bar and lost track of time. We ran onto the ship, a couple ran on behind us, and they closed the gangway. IME, the private tour operators are VERY conscious of time...after all, if word got out that they delayed passengers, who then had to meet the ship at the next port at their own expense, that would be the end of their business.

 

[Erica Ladd]

Looking at the Rotterdam Holland American. Anyone ever been on it? And what do these little pluses on the diagram mean? Is there a way to tell which rooms have a partially obstructed views? That’s one thing I want is a great view from the verandah!

 

[kymom99]

It could mean adjoining rooms but I’m not sure

 

[kymom99]

https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/ships/pdf-files/na.pdf

Key

 

[izzy]

Looking at the Rotterdam Holland American. Anyone ever been on it? And what do these little pluses on the diagram mean? Is there a way to tell which rooms have a partially obstructed views? That’s one thing I want is a great view from the verandah!

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Connecting rooms. Avoid those if possible because sometimes you can really hear what’s going on in the other room thru the connecting door.

Forgot to add - I like a cabin that is mid ship (less motion) and that has cabins above and below me. I don’t want to be hearing deck chairs or galley carts above me. Also make sure that you are high enough to avoid having the lifeboats directly below you. On the Rotterdam I’d pick deck 6 or 7.

If you really want to go on Holland America, there is a website called halfacts.com where people post pictures of their cabins and comment on things like noise factors. Here is the link that should take you to the Pinnacle class ships, which includes the Rotterdam.

https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/

 

[Erica Ladd]

Thanks for the links! I was looking at a spa verandah which looks like I are all on deck 10 - I guess that’s pretty high up but maybe too high? Where do they usually keep lifeboats? I guess there is no way to definitely tell if the view is partially obstructed except to look at reviews? Lots to learn!!!

ETA- what exactly do they mean by partially obstructed view? Obstructed by what? Does it vary?

 

[kymom99]

If you look at the link I posted, it shows what is on each deck so you can see where the lifeboats are. You should be able to find the diagram for your particular ship.

 

[izzy]

Thanks for the links! I was looking at a spa verandah which looks like I are all on deck 10 - I guess that’s pretty high up but maybe too high? Where do they usually keep lifeboats? I guess there is no way to definitely tell if the view is partially obstructed except to look at reviews? Lots to learn!!!

ETA- what exactly do they mean by partially obstructed view? Obstructed by what? Does it vary?

Ack, I apologize! The deck plan I was looking at was one of the older Rotterdam’s, not the newest one!

I personally wouldn’t chose deck 10 but only because I’m prone to motion sickness. You’re going to feel more motion when you’re on one of the higher decks. For me I’d go for a midship cabin on deck 6, especially for your first cruise so that you can test your sea legs.

Partially obstructed means you aren’t going to have a full view of the ocean, possibly straight out or just below you. For example, those midship cabins on deck 4 are partially obstructed because of the lifeboats.

If you are truly interested in a HAL ship, I would highly recommend that you go to cruisecritic.com and visit the boards there, in particular the HAL one. Lots of great people there who sail those ships extensively. I’ve only been on HAL 5 times, and most of those cruises were 15 years ago.

You also might want to find a good travel agent who knows a lot about the cruise industry. They can be invaluable in helping you pick the right cruise for you.

One good thing - planning a cruise is no where as difficult as planning a Disney trip these days!

 

[Travel60]

Your time frame and travel restrictions pretty much limit you to the Caribbean. (I would avoid Bahamas). Generally those cruises are Eastern, Western or Southern. Look at the itineraries and see what you might like.

FWIW We enjoy smaller ships (Ponant or Tauck....~200 passengers). Just find the service better, excursions easier. I didn't look to see what they have in winter. They don't have the waterslides and all that but are wonderful for a special occasion.

 

[Travel60]

Looking at the Rotterdam Holland American. Anyone ever been on it? And what do these little pluses on the diagram mean? Is there a way to tell which rooms have a partially obstructed views? That’s one thing I want is a great view from the verandah!

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I just got off 2 weeks around Norway on the new Rotterdam. It is beautiful -very glitzy, dressier than Disney and most of the kid-centric cruise lines. No shorts allowed at dinner and most people dress up a bit beyond that - collared shirts for men, pant outfits or dresses for women. No baggy t-shirts with cartoon characters on them. Caribbean could be different but check if that matters to you. When we were on her, the entertainment was pretty lacking. In second week we found a Mo-Town group that was good but that was about it.

 

[Erica Ladd]

I just got off 2 weeks around Norway on the new Rotterdam. It is beautiful -very glitzy, dressier than Disney and most of the kid-centric cruise lines. No shorts allowed at dinner and most people dress up a bit beyond that - collared shirts for men, pant outfits or dresses for women. No baggy t-shirts with cartoon characters on them. Caribbean could be different but check if that matters to you. When we were on her, the entertainment was pretty lacking. In second week we found a Mo-Town group that was good but that was about it.

So this has now become a big concern for me as DH is not the best dresser. I mean I don’t even think her OWNS more than 2 pair of plain khaki shorts and his collared polos are over a decade old! He doesn’t need to dress up for work but since CoVid he rarely goes into work so nothing in the nice casual has been updated. Not to mention he doesn’t care much for dressing up, but would fit one formal night. Maybe we should look at more cash cruises? But I still want upscale amenities and experiences!!!

ETA - personally I’d think it would be a ton of fun to get a little more ‘fixed up’ during the day and get fancy once or twice but I do want DH to relax and have fun. It’s his trip too after all!

 

[kymom99]

So this has now become a big concern for me as DH is not the best dresser. I mean I don’t even think her OWNS more than 2 pair of plain khaki shorts and his collared polos are over a decade old! He doesn’t need to dress up for work but since CoVid he rarely goes into work so nothing in the nice casual has been updated. Not to mention he doesn’t care much for dressing up, but would fit one formal night. Maybe we should look at more cash cruises? But I still want upscale amenities and experiences!!!

ETA - personally I’d think it would be a ton of fun to get a little more ‘fixed up’ during the day and get fancy once or twice but I do want DH to relax and have fun. It’s his trip too after all!

Buy him one pair of dress pants and a couple shirts. Compromise by telling him you can eat at the buffet half the evenings.

 

[izzy]

So this has now become a big concern for me as DH is not the best dresser. I mean I don’t even think her OWNS more than 2 pair of plain khaki shorts and his collared polos are over a decade old! He doesn’t need to dress up for work but since CoVid he rarely goes into work so nothing in the nice casual has been updated. Not to mention he doesn’t care much for dressing up, but would fit one formal night. Maybe we should look at more cash cruises? But I still want upscale amenities and experiences!!!

ETA - personally I’d think it would be a ton of fun to get a little more ‘fixed up’ during the day and get fancy once or twice but I do want DH to relax and have fun. It’s his trip too after all!

If you don’t want to dress up on the “gala nights“ (usually 2 per a seven night cruise) you could always eat in the Lido Market for dinner on those nights. I think even on the other 5 nights you probably wouldn’t be able to wear shorts in the main dining room, though.

Holland America does tend to attract a slightly older demographic. That doesn’t bother me (I’m 59 but was the youngest in my extended family, so I’m used to being around older people) but if you’re wanting later evening entertainment, you might want to consider other cruise lines. As Travel60 noted, Holland America’s entertainment is lacking.

 

[mjkacmom]

So this has now become a big concern for me as DH is not the best dresser. I mean I don’t even think her OWNS more than 2 pair of plain khaki shorts and his collared polos are over a decade old! He doesn’t need to dress up for work but since CoVid he rarely goes into work so nothing in the nice casual has been updated. Not to mention he doesn’t care much for dressing up, but would fit one formal night. Maybe we should look at more cash cruises? But I still want upscale amenities and experiences!!!

ETA - personally I’d think it would be a ton of fun to get a little more ‘fixed up’ during the day and get fancy once or twice but I do want DH to relax and have fun. It’s his trip too after all!

I never cruised until 15 years ago, we like NCL because it’s casual, only a couple of restaurants requiring pants (jeans will do). No set dining times, no formal nights, go eat when you want, no need to sit with strangers. I believe RCCL and carnival are pretty casual too. Try and find a bigger ship, less movement.

 

[rigs32]

I'd suggest you also spend time watching youtube videos/reviews of the ships you're considering. A ship can be beautiful and stop and the perfect ports for you, but still be disappointing if you don't enjoy the culture of the ship. Videos made by people who seems to enjoy the same sorts of things you do can help narrow things down.

Don't bother with a short cruise if you want a romantic experience. Shorter cruises on non-Disney ships has a reputation for being focused on partying.

I see a lot of recommendations for HAL, but I wouldn't choose that line and I'm in my mid-40s, because it has a reputation of being for an older demographic. I went on a Celebrity cruise a few years back and there was virtually no nightlife. Thankfully, we were with a group of friends and had a good time. I would choose NCL/RCCL or Princess if extended family was going. I'm currently booked on MSC in their Yacht Club (a ship within a ship luxury experience) to see what that's like.

A few recommendations:
Book a pass to the thermal spa on your ship, if that's your thing. You get extra relaxation options in an adults only area that's also much less chaotic than the pool deck.
If you want an adults only pool area, not all ships have them. Make sure the one you choose does, if that's your thing.
If you're planning on a drink package and a balcony, know that room service drinks are not covered by the packages. If you choose a cabin near the stairs/elevator, it will be easy enough to pop out to grab another round. You can see on the deck plans what is near your cabin.

 

[Erica Ladd]

Are there any celebrity sites that people post pics of their cabins? Or any recommendations on how to decide on a cabin if there are only 3 cabins left in concierge category on 3 different decks? Would someone at celebrity helpline have that kind of information? Sorry but I keep jumping from cruise line to cruise line the more I research!!!

 

[mrs. magoo]

We have done 2 cruises one a 3 night and this past August a 4 night both with Royal Caribbean on the same boat. We have decided that 5 days would be our max and we were not fans of the days at sea. The boat seemed so crowded on those days. We had a blast but just prefer stopping places more often. We had the deluxe drink package and my children took full advantage of it. We just ate in the dining room and had incredible servers. My #1 piece of advice would be that you can eat breakfast and lunch in the dining room and not at the buffet. I was only in the buffet once during the 4 days. I loved breakfast in the dining room so nice and calm.

 

[mjkacmom]

Are there any celebrity sites that people post pics of their cabins? Or any recommendations on how to decide on a cabin if there are only 3 cabins left in concierge category on 3 different decks? Would someone at celebrity helpline have that kind of information? Sorry but I keep jumping from cruise line to cruise line the more I research!!!

You need to go on cruise critic, all of the lines have message boards and your questions should be answered quickly. There are also reviews on specific ships.

 

[antmaril]

FYI — If you get the Smithsonian channel, they are airing “Mighty Cruise Ships” tonight at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) featuring the Sky Princess. Might be interesting for you.