Repositioning on Zuiderdam lv 22 April

[iflyrc5]

This will be our 5th Cruise - 3rd with HAL (been on current and previous Rotterdam). Our previous longest cruise with HAL has been 7 days and we did 10 days around Hawaii with NCL in 2005. This one is 20 days. Other than issues associated with laundry - what are the do's and don'ts - recommendations, etc...... for a 20 day cruise??? We have a guarranttee VF but no cabin assigned yet.

Also - would like others experience on going through the Panama Canal.

We have shore excursions booked through HAL except for Cabo San Lucas - any good excrusion recommendations or places to see???

Thanks

[mim100]

Hello ifly....we're on the same cruise...have you joined our roll call thread yet?

This will be our first cruise so I'll leave it to the more veteran cruisers to give you some tips on longer cruises and on Panama cruises

As for Cabo San Lucas, there's tons of stuff....have you been to the Ports of Call board? check under Mexican Riviera...you'll be amazed at how much information there is...

Happy cruising !

[SweetP2]

Hello iflyrc5. We are on the same cruise (Zuiderdam?), 2nd cruise for me, 1st for the rest of the group (of 4). Make sure you join the roll call.

I, too am interested to hear from the experienced HAL cruisers with regard to your post.

As well, I'm curious to hear what to expect with weather, from anyone that has been on a similar repositioning during the same time of year...anyone out there that has repositioned FLL to VANC during the April/May timeframe, what is the weather like? Should we expect ROUGH conditions like other recent cruises?

Loads of excursions. Some of us have listed what we are signed up for on the roll call...and agree with MIM100, check out the Ports of Call under Mexican Riveria etc... for lots of good feedback.

[sungoddess]

Hi there,

From my experience, and I have done at least 10 repo cruises, the time when we saw the roughest seas was when we were cruising up the Pacific Coast. Usually, from LA to YVR is the roughest, although, a few times, it was as smooth as glass.

Transiting the Panama Canal is great, but be forewarned, it is a LONG day. Make sure to wear lots of sunscreen and drink lots of water.

You will probably have a Black and White Officers Ball on this cruise, so make sure to pack for that.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[SweetP2]

Hi there,

From my experience, and I have done at least 10 repo cruises, the time when we saw the roughest seas was when we were cruising up the Pacific Coast. Usually, from LA to YVR is the roughest, although, a few times, it was as smooth as glass.

Transiting the Panama Canal is great, but be forewarned, it is a LONG day. Make sure to wear lots of sunscreen and drink lots of water.

You will probably have a Black and White Officers Ball on this cruise, so make sure to pack for that.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hello Sungoddess. Thank you for sharing your repo experiences..wow, 10 repos...you must enjoy them! The rough seas on the Pacific coast leg is consistent with other reports.

It isn't a rainy time of the year (generally) on this cruise (April/May), is it? Also, first time I've heard of a Black/White Officers Ball, please explain what this entails?

[Krazy Kruizers]

You will enjoy going through the Panama Canal and watching the mules work. You will want to be up early - very interesting going through the locks. besides sunscreen, you might consider a hat. It can get very hot and humid as you go through.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Black and White Ball -- usually held on a formal night. Usually held in the Crow's Nest and starts around 10 or 10:30. Anyone can go. The officers will be there dressed in their white uniforms. Gentlemen wear dark suits or tuxedo's and ladies wear something black and white. Lot of dancing. Great time to meet the officers.

[zentmrs]

Thanks for the info on the cruise - sounds like we will definitely enjoy it. And appreciate the heads-up about the Black and White Ball. That sound really fun and I'll make sure I pack accordingly! :cool:

I'm still trying to figure out what to pack etc. It is our first cruise, so we're not quite sure what to expect. Mostly I just expect FUN!

We can't wait to get cruising!