benchmarklearning
April 7th, 2006, 10:47 PM
Finally have the time to write a little about our wonderful FIRST cruise. This may take multiple entrys. Overall everything exceeded our expectations with only 2 snafus which I will briefly talk about later. Background - we are in late 40s, mid 50s and this was our first cruise - and we took DW's father. We were in 7132, aft corner on the Rotterdam deck. DFIL was in an inside cabin.
Embarkation - almost flawless; arrived a little after 11:00, dropped the luggage and parked across the street. Took a bicycle rickshaw back to the terminal (my own little $5 treat to start vacation). Since we were deluxe verandah suite we had priority - but we weren't in the computer! Remembering the tragic circumstances of one person I read on the CC board I instantly broke into a cold sweat. But, after about 10 minutes and a call to Seattle everything was fine. Everyone was very cordial and reassuring despite my pacing and biting of fingernails. By 11:30 we were on board. Dropped our luggage in the Neptune and off to explore the ship and eat lunch at the Lido.
Cabin - Fantastic; of course the room was a little smaller than the other deluxe verandahs but the verandah seemed the size of a football field. Since we spent a lot of time outside it was great. Really liked the side section for views. Yes, people can look down on you but the side offers privacy. Verandah furniture was super. No problems at all with the cabin and i loved the extras - especially the binoculars! Our cabin steward, Celo, was the best - remembered our names and took very good care of us. There is no room on the desk because of the TV, which will change after the upgrades coming in October. I liked it because I couldn't take my computer out so no early morning work! The verandah will be somewhat smaller after drydock in October since they will be adding a few cabins.
Dining - We ate in the Vista 4 nights and Pinnacle 3 nights. Loved them both. I especially loved the cold fruit soups in the Vista and the steaks in the Pinnacle. We had a table for 2 and we were quite happy with it. Our waiter - Andreas - was great. The timing of everything was perfect and the food could not have been better. Lobster night was great, especially if you got the surf and turf. Two nights the service in the Pinnacle was superb with the waiters keeping us in stitches. The 3rd night was a bit tense, I think our waiter was just tired and he could not speak English very well. the fact that I could get both the chocolate volcano AND the creme brulee made the whole trip worthwhile. We ate 3 breakfasts in the Vista which was very nice and not crowded. The Lido breakfasts were good as well, especially the eggs benedict; although it was a bit crowded, not with lines, just not a lot of tables free. We ordered room service coffee every morning for 7:00 and it was delivered right at 7:00 each day.
Spa - on the plus side, we signed up for the thermal suite and used it every day. Very much worth the added money. The heated ceramic lounge chairs overlooking the ocean bring instant naptime. Neither the chairs or the hydropool were ever crowded. On the negative side, although the massages were very good they need to stop pushing products. This was very disappointing and could certainly lead to trouble for people who "can't say no." I managed to get out with a $55 bottle of stuff for my sore muscles, but it could have been a LOT worse.
Cabo - Beautiful place. Took a water taxi to the rocks and just relaxed on the boat. Walked around the town a bit but nothing too strenuous.
Mazatlan - walked the beach and went to the shopping area. At one point I counted 7 tour buses in the shopping area from the Oosterdam.
Puerto Vallerto - Did the Los Veranos canopy tour and it was great. I have a touch of vertigo but it did not bother me at all. I could have done it all day. But, it is a bit of a ride on their truck from their office - fine going there, great views, etc. but on the way back you are tired, thirsty and ready to get back to the ship. Would have loved more time in PV.
On the second sea day Mr. Deering met with the Cruise Critics - he spent over an hour just talking with us and answering questions. Great guy. As an aside, to tell you how "customer focused" he is, we went to the front desk on the last sea day and there was a line (maybe 7,8 people). He went to the back of the line and started asking people if he could help them. We saw him everywhere and he was always top notch.
We renewed our vows, along with 4 other couples. Captain Mercer was great - funny, yet kept the atmosphere appropriate. I would recommend this for everyone!
Bar service was always great, but surprisingly there was never a crowd; often we were the only ones in a bar having a nightcap.
There were a number of kids on this trip (172, I think), probably due to spring break. All but a couple were very well mannered. Average age was probably mid-50s.
The entertainment was so-so - I can't remember the two shows we went to - one was a juggler which was OK. The last night was John Davidson, which we saw part of and it was really good. I'm not a big fan of his but he really put his heart into it.
Bottom line - Great first cruise and we are hooked! Can't wait till the next one - maybe we can practice our juggling and get a job on HAL. Everyone on the crew was fantastic - superb service with a smile.
One final note (with a big thank you to shore services) - since we drove we immediately left San Diego and headed to Vegas (our halfway point). When I went to unload the car I found that we had left one suitcase (of the many) in the terminal in SD. Yikes! Finally found the right person who had it right next to her (she had already called our home and left a msg). They shipped it out Monday and we recieved today (Friday) and even though we gave them a CC number - still no charge has shown up.
We are sold on HAL, Mr. Deering, and Captain Mercer (and the Los Veranos canopy tour). :) :) :)
Embarkation - almost flawless; arrived a little after 11:00, dropped the luggage and parked across the street. Took a bicycle rickshaw back to the terminal (my own little $5 treat to start vacation). Since we were deluxe verandah suite we had priority - but we weren't in the computer! Remembering the tragic circumstances of one person I read on the CC board I instantly broke into a cold sweat. But, after about 10 minutes and a call to Seattle everything was fine. Everyone was very cordial and reassuring despite my pacing and biting of fingernails. By 11:30 we were on board. Dropped our luggage in the Neptune and off to explore the ship and eat lunch at the Lido.
Cabin - Fantastic; of course the room was a little smaller than the other deluxe verandahs but the verandah seemed the size of a football field. Since we spent a lot of time outside it was great. Really liked the side section for views. Yes, people can look down on you but the side offers privacy. Verandah furniture was super. No problems at all with the cabin and i loved the extras - especially the binoculars! Our cabin steward, Celo, was the best - remembered our names and took very good care of us. There is no room on the desk because of the TV, which will change after the upgrades coming in October. I liked it because I couldn't take my computer out so no early morning work! The verandah will be somewhat smaller after drydock in October since they will be adding a few cabins.
Dining - We ate in the Vista 4 nights and Pinnacle 3 nights. Loved them both. I especially loved the cold fruit soups in the Vista and the steaks in the Pinnacle. We had a table for 2 and we were quite happy with it. Our waiter - Andreas - was great. The timing of everything was perfect and the food could not have been better. Lobster night was great, especially if you got the surf and turf. Two nights the service in the Pinnacle was superb with the waiters keeping us in stitches. The 3rd night was a bit tense, I think our waiter was just tired and he could not speak English very well. the fact that I could get both the chocolate volcano AND the creme brulee made the whole trip worthwhile. We ate 3 breakfasts in the Vista which was very nice and not crowded. The Lido breakfasts were good as well, especially the eggs benedict; although it was a bit crowded, not with lines, just not a lot of tables free. We ordered room service coffee every morning for 7:00 and it was delivered right at 7:00 each day.
Spa - on the plus side, we signed up for the thermal suite and used it every day. Very much worth the added money. The heated ceramic lounge chairs overlooking the ocean bring instant naptime. Neither the chairs or the hydropool were ever crowded. On the negative side, although the massages were very good they need to stop pushing products. This was very disappointing and could certainly lead to trouble for people who "can't say no." I managed to get out with a $55 bottle of stuff for my sore muscles, but it could have been a LOT worse.
Cabo - Beautiful place. Took a water taxi to the rocks and just relaxed on the boat. Walked around the town a bit but nothing too strenuous.
Mazatlan - walked the beach and went to the shopping area. At one point I counted 7 tour buses in the shopping area from the Oosterdam.
Puerto Vallerto - Did the Los Veranos canopy tour and it was great. I have a touch of vertigo but it did not bother me at all. I could have done it all day. But, it is a bit of a ride on their truck from their office - fine going there, great views, etc. but on the way back you are tired, thirsty and ready to get back to the ship. Would have loved more time in PV.
On the second sea day Mr. Deering met with the Cruise Critics - he spent over an hour just talking with us and answering questions. Great guy. As an aside, to tell you how "customer focused" he is, we went to the front desk on the last sea day and there was a line (maybe 7,8 people). He went to the back of the line and started asking people if he could help them. We saw him everywhere and he was always top notch.
We renewed our vows, along with 4 other couples. Captain Mercer was great - funny, yet kept the atmosphere appropriate. I would recommend this for everyone!
Bar service was always great, but surprisingly there was never a crowd; often we were the only ones in a bar having a nightcap.
There were a number of kids on this trip (172, I think), probably due to spring break. All but a couple were very well mannered. Average age was probably mid-50s.
The entertainment was so-so - I can't remember the two shows we went to - one was a juggler which was OK. The last night was John Davidson, which we saw part of and it was really good. I'm not a big fan of his but he really put his heart into it.
Bottom line - Great first cruise and we are hooked! Can't wait till the next one - maybe we can practice our juggling and get a job on HAL. Everyone on the crew was fantastic - superb service with a smile.
One final note (with a big thank you to shore services) - since we drove we immediately left San Diego and headed to Vegas (our halfway point). When I went to unload the car I found that we had left one suitcase (of the many) in the terminal in SD. Yikes! Finally found the right person who had it right next to her (she had already called our home and left a msg). They shipped it out Monday and we recieved today (Friday) and even though we gave them a CC number - still no charge has shown up.
We are sold on HAL, Mr. Deering, and Captain Mercer (and the Los Veranos canopy tour). :) :) :)