rower52
April 12th, 2010, 08:43 PM
This is a short version of our Mexican Riviera cruise 4/3-4/10.
I can't compete with the thorough review that Copper 10-8 did. That man knows everything and everyone and I have learned so much from his input on this board. But thought I'd put in my two cents too--a different prespective from a not as experienced cruiser--and a much lazier one.
We arrived at the terminal about 12:15 Saturday and were on board by 12:30. HAL knows it's stuff when it comes to getting you on board easily and with no hassle. Friendly folks that seem to share in your joy of cruising.
After a quick stop in the Neptune lounge, we went to the Spa to set up appointments for 2 formal night hair fixes(Katie does a nice job by the way) and one massage. We had pre-purchased the couples Thermal spa week and got our cards marked to show that. A very nice tour of the spa facilities followed.
The Lido was so crowded we found a nice table out on deck and I foraged for sandwiches while my DH held down the fort ordering adult beverages.
Rooms were ready about 1:25 and we found our fabulous suite soon after. We had the aft corner on the Rotterdam deck (7151) and loved every aspect of it. In fact, between the beautiful deck and the Thermal Suite, we (sheepishly reporting here) never got off the ship until it returned to SAN. Our room attendents, Andi and Rudi were beyond description. They deserved a +25 but the scale only goes to 9.
We ate 5 nights in the main dining room, late service, table for two, with amazing service from Bobby and Arul. Only one meal was less than stellar--the 2nd formal night steak and lobster was just okay. Other than that, all food was very-good to 5-Star each course. Two nights in the Pinnicle that were both lovely--food and service top notch.
Two in-room breakfasts and the rest we collected from the Neptune. Cereal and beautiful fresh berries kept the start of the day healthy. Pretty much downhill healthy-wise for the rest of each day. Lunches mostly from the pool BBQ area and two on the deck from room service.
The Thermal spa was such a treat. The first sea day was crowded as expected and the front desk staff sometimes a wee bit overwhelmed, but oh boy, on port days it was all ours. We went all three port days between 10:30-11:00 ish and stayed (alone, no one but attendents checking towel status, really no one) until 12 or later. It was bliss. The hot chairs followed by the hydro pool. Wow!
Then we'd drag ourselves to the upper deck for lunch, sun, and cocktails, before returning to our own little piece of paradise for big giant deck-time: book reading, sun, and pretending this would last forever.
Never made it to the Lido. Never made it to a show. Never got any ice cream. Too darn busy, I guess. We would have nightly cocktails in the Ocean Bar before dinner which we loved. Met a very nice couple who were on our schedule and would chat while Henry and Venus anticipated our every need. What amazing service and attention to detail--these two were amazing.
We did make a nightly $20 donation to the casino--one night that kept us there an hour, most nights 5 to 10 minutes.
Loved the string quartet we would pass and stop an listen to each evening.
Alot of kids were on this cruise--didn't see one of them that wasn't well-behaved. Loved watching the teenagers on formal nights. Gangly, sweet, and lovely--many dressed to kill.
Didn't see any hellish dress code violations. There probably were some, but we were too self-involved to notice. Didn't see the shirtless guy mentioned in another review.
Missed meeting Copper 10-8. We didn't have a meet and greet and he wasn't on our roll call. I would have liked to thank him in person for all the great posts I've followed for so long. Also wanted to meet some people from our roll call but wasn't sure how much to search out people on their vacations. Didn't know how much they would feel stalked. So we went our own way and loved it all.
2nd time on HAL. Tracked down the Cruise consultants at 6:40 the last night to beg them to take our on board cruise deposits for next time. Don't know exactly when that will be, but I'm ready now.
Debra
I can't compete with the thorough review that Copper 10-8 did. That man knows everything and everyone and I have learned so much from his input on this board. But thought I'd put in my two cents too--a different prespective from a not as experienced cruiser--and a much lazier one.
We arrived at the terminal about 12:15 Saturday and were on board by 12:30. HAL knows it's stuff when it comes to getting you on board easily and with no hassle. Friendly folks that seem to share in your joy of cruising.
After a quick stop in the Neptune lounge, we went to the Spa to set up appointments for 2 formal night hair fixes(Katie does a nice job by the way) and one massage. We had pre-purchased the couples Thermal spa week and got our cards marked to show that. A very nice tour of the spa facilities followed.
The Lido was so crowded we found a nice table out on deck and I foraged for sandwiches while my DH held down the fort ordering adult beverages.
Rooms were ready about 1:25 and we found our fabulous suite soon after. We had the aft corner on the Rotterdam deck (7151) and loved every aspect of it. In fact, between the beautiful deck and the Thermal Suite, we (sheepishly reporting here) never got off the ship until it returned to SAN. Our room attendents, Andi and Rudi were beyond description. They deserved a +25 but the scale only goes to 9.
We ate 5 nights in the main dining room, late service, table for two, with amazing service from Bobby and Arul. Only one meal was less than stellar--the 2nd formal night steak and lobster was just okay. Other than that, all food was very-good to 5-Star each course. Two nights in the Pinnicle that were both lovely--food and service top notch.
Two in-room breakfasts and the rest we collected from the Neptune. Cereal and beautiful fresh berries kept the start of the day healthy. Pretty much downhill healthy-wise for the rest of each day. Lunches mostly from the pool BBQ area and two on the deck from room service.
The Thermal spa was such a treat. The first sea day was crowded as expected and the front desk staff sometimes a wee bit overwhelmed, but oh boy, on port days it was all ours. We went all three port days between 10:30-11:00 ish and stayed (alone, no one but attendents checking towel status, really no one) until 12 or later. It was bliss. The hot chairs followed by the hydro pool. Wow!
Then we'd drag ourselves to the upper deck for lunch, sun, and cocktails, before returning to our own little piece of paradise for big giant deck-time: book reading, sun, and pretending this would last forever.
Never made it to the Lido. Never made it to a show. Never got any ice cream. Too darn busy, I guess. We would have nightly cocktails in the Ocean Bar before dinner which we loved. Met a very nice couple who were on our schedule and would chat while Henry and Venus anticipated our every need. What amazing service and attention to detail--these two were amazing.
We did make a nightly $20 donation to the casino--one night that kept us there an hour, most nights 5 to 10 minutes.
Loved the string quartet we would pass and stop an listen to each evening.
Alot of kids were on this cruise--didn't see one of them that wasn't well-behaved. Loved watching the teenagers on formal nights. Gangly, sweet, and lovely--many dressed to kill.
Didn't see any hellish dress code violations. There probably were some, but we were too self-involved to notice. Didn't see the shirtless guy mentioned in another review.
Missed meeting Copper 10-8. We didn't have a meet and greet and he wasn't on our roll call. I would have liked to thank him in person for all the great posts I've followed for so long. Also wanted to meet some people from our roll call but wasn't sure how much to search out people on their vacations. Didn't know how much they would feel stalked. So we went our own way and loved it all.
2nd time on HAL. Tracked down the Cruise consultants at 6:40 the last night to beg them to take our on board cruise deposits for next time. Don't know exactly when that will be, but I'm ready now.
Debra