Do you have cruise booked?

[elmorejj]

I know lots of you have cruises booked. How about sharing which cruise, itinerary, and dates.
We have two booked for Dec. Both Carib. one 7 day and then one 10 day Holiday cruise. These are BtoB. they are on the Zaandam. How about you......jean :)

[doone]

YES I DO JEAN, two of them, I can't wait. Zuiderdam March 12th, 7-days and Volendam March 20th 10-days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am never going to want to come back to work!!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

Statendam - 21 days - Oct 15 - Pan America

Westerdam - 14 days - Jan 9 and 16 - Caribbean

Volendam - 20 days - Feb 28 & Mar 10 - Caribbean

Veendam - 21 days - Oct 29 & Nov 12 - Caribbean

:)

[Orcrone]

:)

Statendam - 21 days - Oct 15 - Pan America

Westerdam - 14 days - Jan 9 and 16 - Caribbean

Volendam - 20 days - Feb 28 & Mar 10 - Caribbean

Veendam - 21 days - Oct 29 & Nov 12 - Caribbean

:)KK - 76 days??!!!!

I think you're just showing off.:D ;)

[Orcrone]

I've only been on two cruises in my life, but now I've actually got two booked.

As we live about 20 minutes from the Norfolk pier, DW and I decided to take the 10 day eastern Caribbean in October. Then about two weeks ago my mom decided to take my brother and me, along with the families on a 7 day eastern Caribbean on the Zuiderdam in March to celebrate her 75th birthday. So in eight months I'll double the number of cruises I've been on in my life. Plus, I've only been on 7 day cruises up to now, and this next one is 10 days long.

[cactuslady]

Prinsendam, Lisbon to Athens with 2 days in Rome and many interesting stops along the way. Sept. 20 to Oct. 3. 'Vegas Jim (jhannah) and several other CC'ers are going, too.

I finally finished reading the Eyewitness Travel Guide for Rome, and am ready to dig into the one for Greece. Only 6 weeks to go! :)

[bepsf]

The September 5, 2005 RSVP charter cruise to Alaska on the Oosterdam - been booked since mid-Feb this year...

[Sage]

We presently have three cruises booked.

Volendam 12/6/04 10 days

Ryndam 3/16/05 10 days

Veendam 11/26/05 14 days

I am so looking forward to meeting CC people on some of these cruises.:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Do I have a cruise Booked??? Boy DO I !!!!!! We are not quite up to KK but we do have 3 cruises booked and and toying with the idea of the New England cruise on the Maasdam next July. Who knows we may actually book that really soon. We are just excited that starting next year I get another week of vacation after 10 years.:p

[RevNeal]

Currently booked:

Zaandam -- 21 days - Sept 2004 - East-Bound Panama Canal
Veendam -- 14 days - Nov 2005 - Southern Caribbean

And, currently projecting to book (next week, if possible):

Oosterdam -- 7 days - Feb 2005 - Mexican Riveria

[jhannah]

Just one booked now ... the same sailing Cactuslady mentioined. If we enjoy the Prinsendam (which I think we surely will) we will book on board for next August's circle the British Isles cruise. We're also looking at something for next Spring, but haven't decided yet.

[OCruisers]

WHINE!!!! We only have one booked:

Veendam 14 Days January 15, 2005

Happily, we are planning to book ANOTHER for March of 2005 but haven't made a decision on the ship/cruise line yet. It's fun to look at everything! :D

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[richkat]

We're taking my inlaws on the Zuiderdam, 11/20/04, Eastern Caribbean, to celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary.

Hubby is working right now on booking the Westerdam for the Western Caribbean for 11/13/05.

--R&K

[allen.crawford]

We have two cruises booked:

December 6, 2004 Volendam 10 Days
February 26 2005 Costa Atlantica 7 Days western Caribbean

We live in Ottawa Canada so it isn't as convenient for us to get on the cruises - plus we both have careers other than cruising (rats!)

[sail7seas]

We are booked for Western Caribbean (about the 15th time we've done that route :) ) on Zuiderdam for October, and


Veendam 12 days in January.

We are in the process of booking for the end of March....either Volendam or back-to-backs on Westerdam.

[Sue's Mom]

Just the one, (sad face). Volendam, Nov. 26, Caribbean - was supposed to be Mexico - that's why we chose it! But we are really looking forward to it anyway, especially with all the news and tips from this message board.

[cruzbums]

Just one cruise booked at present.

We are booked for August 28, 2004 on the Oosterdam to Alaska.

We will be booking 2 cruises for 2005 when we get back.

[dakrewser]

Right as of this moment, only the 1/22/05 Oosterdam Mexican Riviera, but I'm always open for a good deal......:)

[FlorenceItaly]

Yes, I am booked:

Veendam - Aug 22 -Alaska - 7 days

Mariner of the Seas - Sept 19 - E. Carib. - 7 days(CC Group Cruise)

Rhapsody of the Seas - Oct 10 - W. Carib - 7 days

Majesty of the Seas - March 14, 2005 - Bahamas - 4 nights, combined with land vacation.

Mercury - April 17, 2005 - Pacific Coastal - 7 days

Caribbean Princess - Sept 17, 2005 - E. Carib. - 7 days(CC Group Cruise)

CONSIDERING: 10 day South Carib/Panama Canal with HAL late 2005 or early 2006.

Marie

[Roz]

One measly cruise booked...I'm on the Zaandam, Eastern Caribbean, Dec. 11-18. Complications with work, not enough money (!), a big land vacation in 2005, and elderly, sick parents are holding me back from booking another right now.

Trying to budget vacation days and money are the biggies. Oh how I admire you retirees who don't have to get "permission" from the boss.

Roz

[Broon]

We're booked on the MAASDAM Boston to Rotterdam July 05.

[Tvisitor]

Only the Oosterdam, 1/29/05, Mexican Riviera itinerary.

[Mrs B]

Two at the moment... Caribbean Princess 12/26/04 and Oosterdam Alaska July 2, 2005.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) Orcrone

Husband says "76" is the spirit.

Until something was mentioned a couple of days ago, a poll by revneal, I think, I didn't realize how many cruises (and days) we have booked through the end of 2005.

Besides there aren't any Olympics - it's a down year. Good time to cruise.

:D

[Sage]

Allen.Crawford,

Welcome to the December 6 sailing of the Volendam. I believe there are two others from the CC board going. We hope to see you onboard.

[elmorejj]

Oh I think its wonderful that so many folks have so many cruises booked! Krazy Kruisers..we are looking at the Oct. 29 th sailing on the Veendam. I`ve been holding off booking till I get on board the Zaandam, and hopefully there will be a cruise consultant on the Holiday sailing...got to get all of thr cabin credits I can!!!....jean :cool:

[twoatsea]

Elmorejj - are you on Zaandam 12/11-18? We are & I noticed that Roz is too!

KK - did you get a special deal for booking so many cruises/days?

DH & I are on Zaandam 11/6 also. Love that ship.

Just got back from Maasdam on 7/31.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) elmorejj

Hi Jean

We did a similar cruise on the Noordam out of Tampa a few years ago. Instead of Tortola we St Thomas.

Othewise, every other port is the same.

Hope you can book the cruise - would loe to meet you.

Yonnie and Joe

:)

[hotzej]

Only one at this time. 10/24/04 sailing of the "O" eastern, Went and booked an "S" suite. First time on HAL. 7 previous cruises. Getting ready to retire in a couple of years. Hope to catch up with you all then.

Bill

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) twoatsea

No, we didn't get any special discounts for booking so many cruises. In fact I keep checking to see if any of them have gone down in price. Instead they have all gone up.

Wishful thinking that HAL would give extra discounts on the back-to-backs.

:)

[lipoppop]

Veendam western Carib Dec 2004
Amsterdam Singapore to San Diego Nov 2005
but when the snows come and my TA sends the e-mail we will fill in the gap

[sail7seas]

Exalt Him..........Marie, by goodness, you sure have alot of cruises booked. Congratulations on having some wonderful cruising to look forward to.




KK...........Good for you!! I think it's great.

Until DH retires, it's only four or five cruises a year.

[redqueen]

Veendan - Jan 3, 2005. Can hardly wait.

[localady]

3 HAL cruises booked thru 2005, Panama Canal on the Rotterdam, Prinsendam in the Baltic and Veendamers in South Carib., with a solemn vow to DH, that there will be no more till 2006!!!:eek: I figure about 30 days on the sea per year is more than fair, we are so blessed!!:cool:

[CDRMark]

Yes! Our first cruise (non-grey, anyhow), 11/20/04 on the Maasdam. Your info has been invaluable. Thanks!
oops... 10 days E. Carib
MarkB

[jhannah]

Man! If I had as many cruises booked as some of youse guys, I'd never get anything done at work! ;) (Oh, hi, boss. I'll be right with ya'.)

I think it's great to have multiple cruises scheduled. The only way to minimize withdrawal symptoms!

[GrammyPL]

We have booked......

Prinsendam - 28 Day Amazon - Nov. 20, 2004

Volendam - 10 Eastfarer Carib - May 9, 2005

Veendam - 14 Day Southern Carib - Nov. 26, 2005

Thats it so far. Penny & Todd

[FlorenceItaly]

S7S - It's ridiculous....I need a support group, LOL,LOL.

Marie

[ryansmemom]

Yes, 2 cruises booked:

Statendam: December 6, 2004, Hawaii, 15 days

Veendam: November 26, 2005, Southern Caribbean, 14 days

Of course we are always open to filling in the gap between cruises especially with another family cruise.

Linda :)

[trustee55]

Hi!
We are booked on the October 20-30 Canada/New England cruises on the beautiful Rotterdam. We have taken a gamble on an outside guarantee through ***********.com.
We are REALLY looking forward to this itinerary, as most of the comments posted on the ports have been VERY positive.
And, on the plus side, DH and I have both won trips in contests that we are taking in September...a four-day all-expense-paid trip, staying at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City( Sept. 8 to 11) and a trip to Amsterdam staying at the Hotel RHO. We are adding a week on to the second trip to go to England to visit some of my DH's relatives.( Sept. 17-Oct. 1)

Best regards and Happy sailing

Carol Ann

[obriendan]

One cruise: Maasdam 18-day Rotterdam to Boston (with port calls in LeHarve, Cork, Dublin, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland) on 8/2/05.

[farkle]

Volendam - Sept. '04 - Alaska, Inside Passage....can't wait!! It's coming up soon.

Also, working on a surprise birthday cruise for hubby...Mexican Riviera, Feb. or March '05.

[SharonN]

2 booked but only 1 on HAL. We're doing an American Queen (Riverboat) cruise in Oct and then the Westerdam on Jan 23rd. We'll definitely do an Alaska cruise/tour in 2006 (for our 30th since that's what we did for the 10th and 20th) but it's too early to book that one. DH only gets 2 weeks vacation so that makes it tough to get more than 1 a year in.

[elmorejj]

2atsea, yes I`ll be on the Dec 11th cruise, also the Christmas cruise following it. Why not go over to the roll call board and check the thread we have there.
Trustee55, where in England will you be going?.....jean

[CaptData]

Maasdam 6-17 Nov 2005. Southern Caribbean.

[HeatherInFlorida]

http://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/frown.gif Until today, I never thought a cruise a year was so bad! We have one cruise booked on the Oosterdam for the Eastern Caribbean on 11/7/04. I am looking over all the cruises you all have booked and I am stupified!!! http://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/smile.gif If that's even a word!! How do you do it? Where do you get the time? Never mind all the $$$? And this is supposed to be a bad economy??? Hmmmmmm.....

I think the little old green eyed monster is showinghttp://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif . Boo hoo, poor me!

[FlorenceItaly]

Heather - I do not currently work outside the home, so I have the time, for now :).

My dh retired in November from the federal government, and now is working in the private sector...thus we have two incomes. I drive a 12 year old car, we rarely go out, and are very frugal, and I am not a shopper. Really, the cruising is my only indulgence. I have told myself I need to slow down in 2006.

Marie

[Golfgrl1911]

1st cruise was a two night one on the Regal Empress last Sept. Couldn't wait until I was able to do a REAL cruise! So we are traveling on the Zuiderdam September 25th!! (anyone else) This is a dream come true for me!! I'm certain that it won't be our last either! 49 days & 23 hours and counting!! How's that for being excited!!!!! Chef Nancy:D

[jhannah]

Us too, Marie. We know we'll have to trim back one of these days. Who knows what economic, health or other issues will come up later to prevent us from seeing what we've wanted to see and do all our lives. As Mark Twain said, 20 years from now you'll be more disappointed in the things you didn't do than the things you did do.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Marie, you don't owe me an explanation! Now I feel badly! I'm just terribly jealous. Many are able to cruise once a month or so and I am simply amazed:) . My husband is still working (he was supposed to retire 5 years ago, but we all know what happened to the market and that's where all our retirement $$$ are), he gets 3 weeks off but we go North to see the grandchildren and family stuff.

Our long term goal is 2 cruises a year. I honestly don't think I could even keep track of all the cruises all of you folks are taking! But I love to hear about them so keep those reviews coming:D

[FlorenceItaly]

Oh, I didn't feel like I did...just sharing like friends do :). Don't feel badly, as my reply was not intended to make you feel bad, like I said, just friends sharing.

I know what you mean about not much vacation time. My husband use to have 6-8 weeks a year, and now he has about 1 1/2 weeks a year with this new job. Of all my upcoming cruises, he will only be on 2 with me...in Oct, he and I, and in March a family one. We have a 16 year old, so my husband will probably work another 10 years, and I will probably re-enter the workforce when ds goes off to college.

Marie

[iluvcruzin]

Wow Marie.. you are my kind of cruiser. Lots of variety on different ships. Some day I hope to have such a nice booked list.

What's next..

HAL Maasdam 10/30/2004 10-night Eastern Carribean (sailing with my daughter)
Princess Sun 02/27/2005 10-night Exotic Carribean (sailing with my best friend)
RCCL Mariner of the Seas 10/16/2005 7-night Eastern Carribean (sailing with my Honey)

I'm thinking about one for May 2005 but it's just in the thinking stage..

[cruisinjudy]

Only five booked right now. :D
Westerdam Mediterranean Sept 04 12 days
Infinity Hawaii Dec 04 15 days
Ryndam Mexico March 05 10 Days
Constellation Transatlantic Sep 05 13 Days
Veendam S. Caribbean Nov 05 14 Days
I could be wrong on some of those cruise lengths, but only by a day one way or the other.

[bobpatj]

We've got two wonderful cruises booked on the Amsterdam:
South America, Rio to Santiago - Jan. 25, 2005
Asia/Pacific, Singapore to San Diego - Nov. 6, 2005

[Lois R]

Hi:) Heather...I was thinking the same thing as you.....so don't feel bad....I have one booked...sailing next month.......
After that nothing else booked:( ...not sure what I am going to do...maybe that is why I feel a bit green too:rolleyes: ....that is really an ugly color...but I guess sometimes human nature is a strange bird.
Marie, I am glad for you too....and for all those who can cruise, cruise, cruise...
I know I shouldn't whine...this HAL cruise will be my 3rd this year:D ...so, I should be very greatful......and I am, I truely am......but....it seems weird not to have anything on the Horizon!!!
Maybe that is why I need to get more excited about this cruise...cause I have nothing down the road!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Marie, good for you!!! You're going on your own! I'm for that. I wonder if I could do that. Have to give it some thought and ask DH how he'd feel about it. Hmmmm.....

Lois, you've only;) been on 3 this year???? boo hoo hoo!:( :D

[saltydog28]

Marie-I know you said you couldn't go on the Nov.26 '05 because of your son's b-day.
....Did you ask your son if he would mind?- You need something for Nov. '05 on HAL.

Lois- Do you mean Horizon, as far as you can see or, Horizon, the cruiseship?
.......Do you find much difference between the two lines?

Take care,
Pat.

[tankerjo2]

Ryndam 12/11/04 Mexico

And the wife's employer is crying the blues about giving her time off to take it.

It's a real pain one one half is retired and the other has 6 years to go.

[Lois R]

Saltydog..this will be my first time on HAL...so I cannot compare yet.

Heather..I said I am grateful...I promise:)

[FlorenceItaly]

Oh, Pat...don't tempt me!! I just don't have the heart to be gone for his 18th birthday. I would feel bad, and I DO think he would mind, even though he would probably say he wouldn't....My family already thinks I am ridiculously obssessed, and I am....I think my dh would think I need to be home for his b-day, and I do....I want to...if it weren't for that...I would be there! My dh and I were talking over dinner, and I think maybe I am through for 2005 with the 3 already booked....but who knows, LOL :), there may be one more ;).

Marie

[FlorenceItaly]

Lois - Btw, I am still realllllllllllllllly wanting to go to Bermuda! :). Dh has no interest in Bermuda so that will definitely be a solo cruise for me.

Marie

[Lovebirds]

Two booked right now.

10/15/04 Fascination 3night

1/13/2005 Prinsendam World Cruise 112 night

When we get back from that one we'll decide whether we like long cruises or a bunch of shorter ones.

[Lois R]

Marie:) I want still want to do Bermuda as well!!! Its quite expensive solo though.....!

[FlorenceItaly]

Yes, I don't know if I can swing solo, but I PROMISE I would be a good roomie......You could do your thing, I do my thing, and if we want to come together at times, so beit, if not, no hard feelings...just something to keep in the back of your mind :).

Marie

[Lois R]

Okie dokie:)....you have so many booked already though! When did you want to sail to Bermuda?

[FlorenceItaly]

Maybe June 2005...I think someone asked one time when the best time to go was and June was most favored, have you heard? What did you find when looking into it?

Marie

[iluvcruzin]

Me too.. I want to go to Bermuda! I was going to go on the Horizon but switched to the Maasdam instead. Maybe an option for May or June.. Odds are it will be a Solo trip for me as you can see from my list above I have to "find" people to travel with me.

[FlorenceItaly]

Maureen - Maybe we could all work something out. We'll have to stay in touch :).

Marie

[MISSYLOU]

Hi everyone:

We currently have three booked, Galaxy B2B in Oct (14 days), Veendam Nov 05 (14 days), Summit Hawaii March 06.

Hubby and I get 6 weeks plus off each year so we can go three times a year. We are less than 3 years from retiring and decided not to wait until we retire to enjoy what we love. Too many friends are not living long enough to retire. They saved up plenty of cash for retirement and now it is being left to the kids. We are not exactly frugal but we don't spend a lot on entertainment between vacations and neither of us is a clothes horse. Except for cruise clothes of course.:) And of course booking cruises for the distant future allows more time to pay for them.

So we are spending some of our savings to cruise now. And spending our children's inheritence. Must say I feel like we have been pretty indulgent in ourselves with what we have spent on cruises. But we sure made our share of sacifices when we were young and raising a family. Hubby has had heart bypass surgery and I have a thyroid disease which has affected my eyes and my immune system. So we have changed some of our priorities to be able to cruise. Need to get new carpet and would like to finish the basement but I'd much prefer to cruise. Like to think we are investing in some wonderful vacations and memories for us. Afterall, we're worth it. We'll leave the kids a lot of beautiful cruise photos.:D

[Southbound]

We're booked on the 14-day 12/22 holiday sailing of the Rotterdam. It will be our first Panama Canal experience and are really looking forward to it. Booked it way back in early January and it was such a l-o-o-n-g way off, we snuck in a 7-day on the Oosterdam in March to lessen the risk of withdrawal symptoms:D while we're waiting December to arrive.

[Bill S]

Only one in the hopper at the moment: Statendam, Nov 20: 16 day r/t to Hawaii out of San Diego.


We are seriously looking at a Baltic cruise next summer either on Prinsendam or Rotterdam. Time will tell!

[cruzlover56]

Southbound

I am looking at Oosterdam March 19. Which week were you booked for?
This will be our first Pacific cruise. Being west coasters it will be nice not to have to fly across the country

[Lois R]

Good morning Marie:) I can't remember how we originally picked September LOL
but we did..remember I was going with a girlfriend...I think we just decided we had open vacation time and we booked 9 months ahead....when I returned from my Jan CENTURY cruise...we booked the Horizon..of course, now that is cancelled and Z is on for me.

If you are serious.......then I will talk to my TA...and see what prices we can get for summer time:D

[FlorenceItaly]

Lois - yes, I am serious. Go ahead and see what your TA can do for us :).
Thanks!

Marie

[Krazy Kruizers]

:) HeatherInFlorida

We are also retired. So we have the time to cruise. Right now we are in relatively good health. Even though husband has had a stroke and a heart attack, we are still fortunate to be able to travel. Who knows how long we will be able to keep traveling?? For all we know something could happen in the next few months that might change our lives and cruising.

You talk about the $$$ some of us are spending. Well, we don't have any children, neither of us has any brothers or sisters, parents are all gone - so - no relatives. Therefore we can spend our money the way we want to and we don't have to worry about the economy.

:)

[Randyk47]

I feel inadequate.....only one cruise booked and that's Galaxy out of Galveston in March for a 12 day Panama Canal cruise. We're giving the "dark side" (aka Celebrity) a try since we can drive to this cruise for a change. :o Would love to see HAL move a ship to Galveston though, that would be fantastic.

[jazzsea]

October 20 - 30, 2004 Rotterdam Canada/New England

January 5 - 15, 2005 Rotterdam Panama Canal

March, 2005 Wind Star (haven't booked it yet)

July 16 - Maasdam Boston - Rotterdam - Boston 35 days

We're also looking at MSC Lirica but haven't chosen a date.

[Lois R]

Hi Randy:) don't feel inadequate...I am going next month..nothing else booked

Carol:) hi to you as well, this is just an FYI...my dad and his lady friend went on the Lirica earlier this year....and they are very easy to please...but it was one of their worst cruises to date.
Of course, we all have different likes and dislikes..but when my dad is unhappy its got to be pretty bad. They are flexible folks LOL
The food was not very good.....the quailty as well as the limited choices on the menu. After the 2nd evening...they stuck with fish...as the beef was not good...

They went to the Panama Canal and I think the avg age of the pax were mid 70s...there was a bit of an uproar about seating......75% wanted main seating... that is really impossible..there some very unhappy pax throughout the week.
Dad had spoken with one of the Restaurant Managers and even he was a bit "flakey"..might be an appropriate word........he asked my father why "so many people want to eat early"...well, if you are a manager, you would think you would know your demographic.....older pax usually like main seating(I know that doesn't apply to EVERYONE) but in general it would probably be true. The Line is European so lots of people eat later but it didn't go over to well on their cruise.
Oh the entertainment and itinerary was good though...they both enjoyed that part of the week....but overall on a 1-10 scale...they probably rated it 4.5 to 5.5....

Anyway....I realize you and I don't know each other but I just thought I would post this...let you know what type of experience some one close to me had on their sailing!

[Navy_Chief]

Rotterdam - MED - August 30th, 04

HAL/CCL/PCL Jun - Dec '06 New Eng/Can or Carrib (window too far out):rolleyes:

[Randyk47]

Wow Lois, you of all people, I would have expected a whole list. :) Truth is my wife about stroked out when I booked our March cruise 4 days after we returned from our Oosterdam cruise. Historically our problem has been that we research and get all excited about possibilities and then get overcome by events and never book and go on the vacation. I decided the only way we'd break this was to book ahead of time and then just make it happen. However, since we both still work it's difficult to plan more than one major vacation a year. Have to sandwich visits to and from family since we're spread all over the map.

[Roboat]

Suzanne and I are booked on the Z 10/16 Western C. along with my brother and his wife. This will be our first veranda cabin.

So nice to have a cruise to look forward to!

[HeatherInFlorida]

KK, I hope you don't think I was being judgemental in any way! I was just envious. I wouldn't want to be away for quite as much time as some of you (I'm a "nester":) ), but I would love to be able to cruise 2 to 3 times a year. So I was just envious of you all having the time and the $$$ to do it, that's all. I hope no one took me wrong on that:D

Maybe June 2005...I think someone asked one time when the best time to go was and June was most favored, have you heard? What did you find when looking into it?MarieMarie & Lois: You must go to Bermuda. I've cruised there twice and I've stayed on the island 3 other times for up to 2 weeks. It is a magnificent island unlike any other. You will see no poverty anywhere. You can rent mopeds or bikes and go all over the island. Heavenly. The ship docks both in St. Georges and Hamilton and the wonderful thing about Hamilton is the ship is right on Front Street with all its fabulous stores. Again, unlike any other port in the Caribbean. Just remember it starts to get very hot in June and July. Depending on how hot you want it, I might recommend end of May into June (but check on rainfall). The Fall is nice, too. I was even there in February and November and both were wonderful, but not beach weather. Great for touring.

But it's a must on your schedule. However, no matter how I may rave about it, the next on your list has to be Bora Bora which is absolutely our favorite island in the world. When you come away from Bora Bora you are never really quite the same again:)

[allen.crawford]

Sage,

Thanks, We just added an avatar. This picture was taken on our last cruise. We both had fallen asleep on the top deck and so are a bit on the "burnt" side.

We have had fabulous good fortune with the weather on our previous cruises, so here is hoping it will continue!

[FlorenceItaly]

I am ready for Bermuda...Lois, you pick a date, contact your TA, and just tell me who to call to give my credit card info to :).

Marie

[Southbound]

CRUZLOVER56 -- Our Oosterdam trip was 2/29-3/7/04. HAL was running a very enticing special for "S" suites and we couldn't resist.

[MBeamTX]

I feel inadequate.....only one cruise booked and that's Galaxy out of Galveston in March for a 12 day Panama Canal cruise. We're giving the "dark side" (aka Celebrity) a try since we can drive to this cruise for a change. :o Would love to see HAL move a ship to Galveston though, that would be fantastic.Randy, we thought about trying that intinerary out of Galveston, since I live in Austin and my parents could stay with me either before or after the cruise. But I couldn't get very enthused about the Galaxy for some reason. I didn't like the stateroom options in comparison to Holland America. I'll be interested to hear your impressions on the ship, the port and the intinerary after you've sailed.

We ended up booking a 14-day full Panama Canal cruise, a repositioning intinerary from San Juan to San Diego on Serenade of the Seas next April 23. The rate I was able to find from a specific online agency was just too tempting to pass up. It has the added bonus of departing on my parents' 50th wedding anniversary! I know that RCI tends to attract more families and children than we prefer, but I don't expect that will be so much of an issue for a 14-day cruise.

We are also booked on Westerdam in December, with a group of 9 of us going. It's double the fun having 2 planned! But also double the stress on the credit card. :eek:

Happy cruising,
Susan

[Sage]

Allen.Crawford,

You look great. Isn't that how everyone looks after a cruise? We too are hoping for good weather, and I'm sure that we will all have a great time. I don't know about you, but we are ready to go and are just counting the days.

[BCEagle78]

Volendam - Nov 26 - 10 Days Eastern Caribbean

In the planning stages:
2005 - Europe??? Jun 8... Rotterdam... too early for us to know if we can swing it...

Paul and Debbi

[wild_rose]

Only booked the Westerdam B2B for February 2005.
But, then, we come from Canada, and we can't ever get 2 weeks for less
than $10.000 CAD. It's the truth; we've tried for years, and dare
anyone to do better!

[Randyk47]

MBeam - Celebrity and Galaxy wouldn't be our first choice under normal circumstances but we booked an RS for 12 days...somewhat comparable to an S suite on S class HAL...for $1,800 less than the best price I could get for the Rotterdam for 10 days and that was before the airfare. I just couldn't let that slide by. Do have some concerns about the age of the Galaxy and the fact, at least right now, that she's not gone to refit lately. Oh well....we'll be cruising!!! Next trip in planning is the Med!!! :D

[Sinbad37]

It is interisting to see the future plans of our fellow CC members.

??????Why not a special list for "new sign - ons"

Ship----Dates---Destination ---

ARE YOU ON OUR SHIP? :confused:

lOOKING FOR YOU!

Ginny & Ed

[Sage]

Allen.Crawford,

We are also on the roll call board if you would like to come and join us there. We are planning an informal meeting after lifeboat drill, and we are open to other times as well.

[Bill HaHa]

Ryndam...March 6, 2005. 10 days to Mexican rivierra/Sea of cortez. The only one for now.

[cruisingangel]

We are booked on the Zuiderdam in June 2005. Western Caribbean.:)

[cruisinjudy]

Bill HaHa, see you on board.

[localady]

BillS-

My DH and I will be on the Prinsendam on July 26th 2005, roundtrip Amsterdam. Maybe you and your DW could consider this one. It's a fabulous itinerary and I have heard that sailing the Kiel Canal is spectacular and I don't think the larger ships transit that Canal. DH and I are quite excited, sure would be great to have some CC'ers join us!!:cool:

[Cruising Illini]

OCruiser -- Have several booked and especially Jan 15 - Tampa. Are you in the suites by any chance??Would see you in the Neptune if you are. Cruising Illini living in FL.

[MBeamTX]

MBeam - Celebrity and Galaxy wouldn't be our first choice under normal circumstances but we booked an RS for 12 days...somewhat comparable to an S suite on S class HAL...for $1,800 less than the best price I could get for the Rotterdam for 10 days and that was before the airfare. I just couldn't let that slide by. Do have some concerns about the age of the Galaxy and the fact, at least right now, that she's not gone to refit lately. Oh well....we'll be cruising!!! Next trip in planning is the Med!!! :DRandy, I know what you mean about the Rotterdam pricing! We'd love to have booked her, since all of our cruises have been on HAL, but the Canal prices are very much out of sync with other cruise lines. We booked an owner's suite on Serenade of the Seas, which seems quite comparable to a suite on HAL's S-class ships (and bigger than the suites on the Vista class). It was $1650 less per person for the 14-day complete Canal transit on RCI than the 10-day partial transit on Rotterdam. And forget about comparisons to HAL's 14-day or longer repositioning cruises.

I also learned that you can use airline miles and award certificates on "open-jaw" itineraries, so our airfare to San Juan and back from San Diego is covered. That made the Serenade cruise a no-brainer, really.

I'd love to see a HAL ship based in Galveston or New Orleans, too. But I'm afraid, based on the evidence of their Panama Canal and New England intineraries, that HAL would price it at sky-high levels because of the relatively limited options out of Texas. It'll be interesting to see what happens, though.

And as you say - you'll be cruising, so Galaxy will do just fine!

Happy cruising,
Susan

[terrascape]

We are booked on the Maasdam 11 day out of Norfolk on Nov. 9. Am also looking at the 9 day, Maasdam Norfolk-Montreal cruise in May 2005. Too far away to commit yet.

[Randyk47]

Susan - Our problem with our air miles has been that we typically cruise in the Spring to celebrate our anniversary and my birthday (21 March) and that falls in the spring break weeks. Most airlines, particularly those flying to Florida, block out those weeks for frequent flyer miles exchange or double the miles required to overcome the black out. The easy answer would be to move our cruise dates but, in addition to the already stated reasons, it also matches with our business cycle so we both can get away from work. Not sure the dream of a Med cruise will work out that way and that's really being planned as my retirement "gift". Whether we go HAL or Celebrity to the Med, or pick a completely different line, might be influenced by our upcoming Galaxy cruise.

As to the Rotterdam pricing....and HAL's Panama Canal pricing in general....it is interesting that they seem to be substantially higher than other lines. I can't say I've spent hours looking at other comparative cruises but your comment confirms at least my analysis for the Panama Canal. Wonder why HAL is so out of sync on their Panama Canal itineraries? Of course, they must be filling the ships or they'd respond accordingly.

I'd think (hope?) that if Galveston or even New Orleans based cruises become popular then HAL would tap into the market. Of course, at least for Galveston, HAL's parent company through Carnival does have an established presence with the Elation sailing out of Galveston on a regular basis.

[Lois R]

:) Hi Randy.....good morning.....you said you would have expected me to have a "whole list"...of pending cruises?....I WISH........

We all have diffferent lifestyles and incomes......You have different family members, different locations, etc....

In my case, I sail solo.....and yes, I work LOL...I do get (thankfully) a good amount of vacation time......been at the same job almost 14 years.
Anyway...I digress, for me....it is the finances that I have to be concerned about.....I cannot (the way I am) book cruises without having the $$ to back it up.
I mean, sure, I could charge everything and take the rest of my life to pay it off......but that is not me. We solo cruisers have to pay out the ear LOL....(don't get me started). HAL offers very VERY competitve pricing for singles. So here I am........

And I don't know what is up next.......I know I always get a refund back from Uncle Sam......that normally helps me pay for one cruise.

I do know what cruises I would like to do......so I have a mental list...but nothing booked!

[Randyk47]

Lois, you're just one of my favorites here. Seems like you've always got some exciting cruise planned or just back from one. :) Always appreciate your insight and experience so I just figured you were booked through the next couple of years. :D

[Lois R]

:) :o Thank you...for those kind words......

When I get back from the Z....I know I am going to feel very VERY weird....I do normally have ONE booked ahead of time.....in this case I don't:( .........
So...when I return home.....lets see how long it takes me to find something:D .....Sept...Oct...Nov.... LOL I am sure I will find one sooner, rather than later ( I HOPE)!

[RevNeal]

Lois,

Here's a suggestion. Book the Veendam's 14 day cruise Nov/Dec 2005. :) A large group of us from CC are going to be aboard her. :) I know that's a long way off, but ... hey ... you can always cruise a couple of times between now and then too.

The prices on that Veendam cruise are VERY good ... even with a single supplement!

[Lois R]

Hi Rev:) thank you for that suggestion.....but I can't book a 2 weeker. Money and work don't allow it..you should see what my desk looks like after being away for only a week:( .

And I am a strange one I guess;) I prefer to spread out my vacations...if I do a 2 week cruise (but I can't) but IF I could..then I would only be able to afford 1 other cruise LOL... did that make a bit of sense?:confused:
Oh...And I don't want to commit to HAL (yet)....I will know better about it after my cruise:)

[Tatka]

As my signature says I have 2:

Zuiderdam August 21st
X Mercury April 17 Pacific Coastal

This year I had 2 cruises but from now on I will have only 1 a year as my vacation is only 2 weeks a year and we still love going to Europe once in 2 years. (Belgium,Germany,France,Holland and so on) I also haven't visited many wonderful places in US yet like Grand Canyon etc.

[ekerr19]

We are booked on the final voyage of the Noordam, 11/3/04 and have just booked the Volendam, 3/20/05 last week!

This will finally put me over 100 days on HAL! I can't wait to check out the Volendam.

[Bill S]

localady: the July 26 Prinsendam cruise is the one we are looking at - hopefully we can book that one in the near future. The itinerary looks very interesting-I will let you know if we can swing it.

[RevNeal]

And I am a strange one I guess I prefer to spread out my vacations...if I do a 2 week cruise (but I can't) but IF I could..then I would only be able to afford 1 other cruise LOL... did that make a bit of sense?

I suppose it makes some sense. I understand when work schedules make it difficult to take two weeks at a time. I'm not sure what you mean about the money issue, though ... this 14 day cruise on the Veendam is, essentially, the price of a 7-day cruise.

[Lois R]

Hi Rev:) thanks for the input about the pricing...I figured a 2 weeker is much more $$$....I learn something new every day on here:D but again, its just too difficult for me to take 2 weeks off in a row:eek:

[LizB1]

Unfortunately, I can't boast of having five cruises booked for the near future, but at least we are booked for the 35-day Maasdam cruise next July from Boston. That will add a few more days to my already 1029 days on HAL...for which I receive nothing more than a "welcome back" when I embark one of the "dam" ships.

[localady]

BillS-

Sure hope you and yours can swing it! Be lovely to have you on board!!!!:cool:

[sail7seas]

Unfortunately, I can't boast of having five cruises booked for the near future, but at least we are booked for the 35-day Maasdam cruise next July from Boston. That will add a few more days to my already 1029 days on HAL...for which I receive nothing more than a "welcome back" when I embark one of the "dam" ships.

That is sure to be a wonderful cruise, Liz. Hope you have "another" fabulous HAL cruise on Maasdam.

Our "reward" for returning again and again, as do you, is to see the people we are so fond of. To see old friends and to make new HAL friends. It's almost impossible for us to think of going anywhere but HAL at this point. We'd feel so "out of place" on a ship other than a "dam" one.

[FlorenceItaly]

Unfortunately, I can't boast of having five cruises booked for the near future, but at least we are booked for the 35-day Maasdam cruise next July from Boston. That will add a few more days to my already 1029 days on HAL...for which I receive nothing more than a "welcome back" when I embark one of the "dam" ships.

Liz - This would be a dream cruise for me! I look forward to your review upon your return. Yes, I do have multiple cruises coming up, but I am sorry if it appeared like it was boasting...as that was not my intention. A question was asked, I responded. You know, none of us on the board really knows what one another's life circumstances are....not that I need to explain, but I just recently have realized how precious life is, and that we must live it to the fullest.

Marie

[LizB1]

Marie...I agree with you that life is precious and we all must live it to our fullest. Now that I have the big "C" again I feel fortunate to have booked our one cruise for next year and think it's great for everyone who has booked several for the future...one never knows!! Do it now!!!!

[FlorenceItaly]

Liz - I am sorry to hear of your illness...unfortunately, you certainly can relate to my words more than most. I am so sorry. I am glad you have your time on the Maasdam to look forward to...thank you for your encouraging words to us all to DO IT NOW! You are a very special lady.

Marie

[DFD1]

Volendam 11/26/04, and in the process of booking with HAL for sometime in September to see if "last minute fares" exist....somehow, I doubt it.

[idiebabe]

We have the following booked:

Carnival Legend - CTN 10/04
Carnival Imagination - (Western Carib) 11/04 (Special Country Group Cruise)
Zuiderdam (Eastern Carib) - 4/05
Zaandam (Panama Canal) - 10/05