Can I Still Hang Here?

[diann744]

Hi All,

I just booked on another line (boo; hiss) and have been lurking on their boards and they're really scary. I know that my heart is with HAL and that this is a one time deviation.

I always get more into the boards when I have a trip on the string but I've decided I can't lurk on those boards anymore because I'm just filling my head with negativity.

So, is it OK if I lurk here, even though my next jaunt is with another?

I know I can't ask specific questions but is there a rule against cross-pollinating?

Diann

[Cruisin' Ron VA]

I have only sailed HAL once and will again in the future.

In the mean time I still drop in now and then to check on things.

If you have such reservations about your other cruise line then perhaps you should reconsider?

:confused:

[diann744]

My reservations are less about the cruise line than the cruise line message board folks. There seems to be a lot of class things going on. If you wear the wrong tie, if your dress is an inch too short, etc.

One poor newbie asked about bingo and was completely reemed. I felt bad. I mean, they offer it, so why ridicule the man/woman for asking about it?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi All,

I just booked on another line (boo; hiss) and have been lurking on their boards and they're really scary. I know that my heart is with HAL and that this is a one time deviation.

I always get more into the boards when I have a trip on the string but I've decided I can't lurk on those boards anymore because I'm just filling my head with negativity.

So, is it OK if I lurk here, even though my next jaunt is with another?

I know I can't ask specific questions but is there a rule against cross-pollinating?




Diann

Of course you can come here - read - post - ask questions.

How else are you going to learn about a cruise line if you don't ask questions?

[Charliesmom]

Diann,

You don't have to accept flaming if you don't want to, so I would not worry about lurking here. We travel on both Princess and HAL (and have even sailed on Carnival). If someone wants to be nasty - that's THEIR problem, not yours.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission".

Welcome to the HAL board. There are LOTS of nice folks here - Krazy Kruisers and Sail7Seas and RevNeal and RuthC are just a few. I have never met them in person, but they are always helpful and always full of information.

Enjoy!

Roberta

[Lurker1]

Hi All,

So, is it OK if I lurk here, even though my next jaunt is with another?

Diann

Feel free to Lurk all you want! (Notice my nic . . .:D )

[Boytjie]

My reservations are less about the cruise line than the cruise line message board folks. There seems to be a lot of class things going on. If you wear the wrong tie, if your dress is an inch too short, etc.

One poor newbie asked about bingo and was completely reemed. I felt bad. I mean, they offer it, so why ridicule the man/woman for asking about it?

Of course you can hang out here and no need to just lurk, you can post too. :) I have posted on the Cunard boards and haven't sailed with them, but may some day.

[GmaPajama]

Not only can you hang here, but we'll give you a nice Bon Voyage no matter what line you're sailing on. Post your cruise to this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=801469 and join the fun!

[CJcruzer]

As you can see by my countdown clock, my next sailing is not with HAL - but I still check the HAL boards daily!

Do not be intimidated by the posts on your sailing/cruiseline board - don't forget that this is just a small percentage/handful of people on your cruise - not everyone who sails belongs to Cruise Critics! (Did I just say really say that!:eek:)


There will always be people who get caught up in the details - just go and enjoy the cruise and the experience!!

[sail7seas]

You're kidding right? :D

:confused: Why could you not go to any CC Board you wished to lurk at, read, ask questions.....whatever? :)
Cruise whichever line/ships you want. Visit whichever Boards you want.

[sail7seas]

sorry.....double

[Lakookoo]

Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to confess I'd love to know which line's board this was, where the nitpickers reign supreme! Wouldn't you hate to think that this kind of attitude might actually prevail amongst that line's fans? What if you sailed with them, and you wore the wrong school tie to dinner! Quelle horreur!

Me personally, I like to believe that HAL offers a touch of class without a whole lot of snobbery :D

[GmaPajama]

As a HAL devotee, I rarely look at the other boards. When I do, however, I find that I have little in common with most of the posters. Here, with my HAL PALS, I could spend hours every day. But, sadly, if I did that this time of year I would end up harvesting weeds instead of tomatoes. ;)

[RuthC]

Of course you can come to the HAL board. And you don't have to keep it at "lurk", either. Feel free to post, ask questions, talk, answer, whatever! This isn't just a cruise facts board, it's a community of friends!
Welcome to the HAL board. There are LOTS of nice folks here - Krazy Kruisers and Sail7Seas and RevNeal and RuthC are just a few. I have never met them in person, but they are always helpful and always full of information.
What a nice thing to read, Roberta! :) Thank you so much for saying that.

[Sir PMP]

Hi All,

I just booked on another line (boo; hiss) and have been lurking on their boards and they're really scary. I know that my heart is with HAL and that this is a one time deviation.

I always get more into the boards when I have a trip on the string but I've decided I can't lurk on those boards anymore because I'm just filling my head with negativity.

So, is it OK if I lurk here, even though my next jaunt is with another?

I know I can't ask specific questions but is there a rule against cross-pollinating?

Diann
;)you may hang out here, as long as you behave yourself...

[SDHALFAN]

Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to confess I'd love to know which line's board this was, where the nitpickers reign supreme! Wouldn't you hate to think that this kind of attitude might actually prevail amongst that line's fans? What if you sailed with them, and you wore the wrong school tie to dinner! Quelle horreur!

Me personally, I like to believe that HAL offers a touch of class without a whole lot of snobbery :D

I have no idea which board the OP is referring to but it did remind me of one time I was thinking about trying another cruiseline (other than HAL that is). I posted, asking what their single-supplement charge is and was immediately reamed by some jerk who said that if I am so cheap that I have to ask then I don't belong in their exalted presence (my words, not his: although he left no doubt that that was what he meant:rolleyes: ). Now, to be perfectly fair many, many regulars on that board came to my defense and pretty much called him a jerk also.

Now, here's the kicker: on another thread on that board the same jerk had the nerve to say, in response to a post, that no-one loves a bargain more than he does. Okay, so I'm cheap and he simply loves a bargain?:eek:

Valerie:D

p.s. It was not Cunard but it does start with a "C": and no, I'm not talking about Carnival (wink)!

[Susie51]

I post on several cruise line forums, but I agree HAL boards have a lot of nice regular posters. I'm so happy I have a cruise booked on the Oosterdam for Dec. 13, 2008.

Currently I am part of a Carnival Roll Call and we have several friendly posters. I had cruised on Maasdam for Canada/New England. That itinerary is fantastic, but this time I wanted to go to Portland, ME to visit the lighthouse with my sister. I'll be able to sail out of NY harbor past the S o L which was another priority on my list of things to see or do on a cruise. Another first is visiting St. John's, NB.

Anticipating cruising with HAL again is so exciting. When DH decided to go on another cruise he told me to only look at HAL cruises. He didn't want to fly to the port, so the Oosterdam was just what we wanted. Dec.'s cruise isn't itinerary based, but rather a preference for HAL!

Keep posting, OP.

[sail7seas]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Charliesmom
Welcome to the HAL board. There are LOTS of nice folks here - Krazy Kruisers and Sail7Seas and RevNeal and RuthC are just a few. I have never met them in person, but they are always helpful and always full of information.


Thank you, Roberta. That's very nice of you to say. :)


Diann.........

You know you have all of our attention :D and we're waiting to 'hear'...... Where should we be sure to avoid?

You always have us here at CC /HAL to 'talk cruising'. ;)

[RuthC]

Diann.........

You know you have all of our attention :D and we're waiting to 'hear'...... Where should we be sure to avoid?


Avoid? Heck, I want to head on over and post! :D

[sail7seas]

Ruth..... :D :D You got a point!

[TCF]

I don't want to sound nasty, but I have to agree with the OP!

We have cruised three other lines, and will have our first cruise with HAL in September, so we have some experience with other boards.

This board is the only one I have gone to where I expect to have a worthwhile discussion with other folks about cruising on HAL without being criticized, or belittled, for my questions or responses.

Answers are sincere and helpful from people who really care that I get the right information the first time. And people like RevNeal,(just as an example because there are a dozen others too), who take considerable time to provide detailed, well thought, and well presented answers in a friendly manner!

When I come to this board and ask really stupid questions I usually get really smart answers in return!!!

I think some of the regular posters here should go to other boards just to look at what the level of discussion and debate the OP is, I suspect, speaking of...like my all-time favourite, "....what is the maximum dimensions of the cooler on wheels full of beer that will go up the gangway in the Port of Miami...and can expect the Room Stewart, (and yes I do know I spelled it wrong), to ice the cooler down every day?" Trust me you'll find it.

Our cruise with HAL in September is our, "once in a life-time", cruise...and trust me again when I say...the people on this board are helping to insure that we have just that! And they don't even know us! That says it all about all of you!

Just my thoughts.

[alonzo14]

Avoid? Heck, I want to head on over and post! :D

You go girl!!!

I have cruised with other lines and I do occasionally post on other boards too. Once, some time ago I asked a question on the Princess and HAL boards. I got no response from Princess people but some very nice responses from the HAL people.

[Jade13]

I understand what the OP is speaking about, although I am not sure which line.

I went on a Celebrity cruise in February and did a detailed review which basically to sum it up gave the cruise an overall 4 out of 5 (which I actually think is high). I have the cruise to value a 5+ (cruise was a deal for a concierge class stateroom) and said the room steward, beverage and waiters all received the highest excellent marks as well as a very pretty and clean ship. We did not think the food was very good but stated we do not pick cruises based on the food. The cruise was lacking in a lot of things ("dumbed down" was a term used by the board moderator) apparently because it was a 5 night (no mid-night buffet, no BBQ and invites to galley and stage tours and formal tea are for Elite passengers with many cruises). I thought the pre-cruise customer service was poor. In the end I said I would recommend the cruise as a good value.

Well, I was attacked for not giving Celebrity a perfect review!

[diann744]

I think a lot of people assumed I was a newbie to the Hal boards and understandably so, I lurk much more than I post. But in truth, I’ve been a Hal addict for 4 years now.

I credit my HAL success to the advice of the veterans, more than I can name here without going back and pulling up old posts. You know who you are, and I thank each and every one of you. I’ve gotten sterling advice, warnings that have kept me from shaming myself, warnings that I ignored and shamed myself anyway, a lot of laughs and a feeling of belonging from my HAL board friends.

I just booked an “Ocean Liner,” not a cruise ship, which I think will be marvelous. But I’d rather ooze about it with you guys than them; I’m already feeling a bit outclassed and I’d prefer to focus on the positive rather than worrying about whether I’ll be underdressed if my skirt doesn’t cover the top of my shoes.

So, any specific cruise line questions will go to the “other” board but any "happy dancing" will be done here.

As I’ve said before, I am married to HAL; this is cheating but I believe it’s a one time thing so I’m hoping I’ll be forgiven.

(For anyone following a previous post, I found my red pin!)

Thanks,

Diann

[sail7seas]

I don't want to sound nasty, but I have to agree with the OP!

We have cruised three other lines, and will have our first cruise with HAL in September, so we have some experience with other boards.

This board is the only one I have gone to where I expect to have a worthwhile discussion with other folks about cruising on HAL without being criticized, or belittled, for my questions or responses.

Answers are sincere and helpful from people who really care that I get the right information the first time. And people like RevNeal,(just as an example because there are a dozen others too), who take considerable time to provide detailed, well thought, and well presented answers in a friendly manner!

When I come to this board and ask really stupid questions I usually get really smart answers in return!!!

I think some of the regular posters here should go to other boards just to look at what the level of discussion and debate the OP is, I suspect, speaking of...like my all-time favourite, "....what is the maximum dimensions of the cooler on wheels full of beer that will go up the gangway in the Port of Miami...and can expect the Room Stewart, (and yes I do know I spelled it wrong), to ice the cooler down every day?" Trust me you'll find it.

Our cruise with HAL in September is our, "once in a life-time", cruise...and trust me again when I say...the people on this board are helping to insure that we have just that! And they don't even know us! That says it all about all of you!

Just my thoughts.



TCF : What a nice post. Great to read. :)

[Teresa Price]

Hi, it wasn't the company with the ships named after queens was it?
I [blush at the shame of it] was unfaithful with them this year! Loved the cruise and the cruise critics gang we met with but the board was obsessed with [not] wearing shorts in the dining room [I'm talking breakfast and lunch here]. I even told DH he wasn't to!!!! He did of course and wasn't taken to task by the dress code police - tee hee!

I sometimes lurk in Regent even though they are just too expensive for us these days.
cheers Teresa

[navybankerteacher]

Too many people talk about HAL and then, in the same paragraph, mention something about an "...other cruise line...". Frankly, there is no OTHER cruise line. True, there are ship operators who will bring you from here to there (and usually even get you back); but, if you have CRUISED with HAL, you will find it difficult to apply the same verb to your experience with one of those ship operators.

PS: I must confess that I am sailing NCL Boston to Bermuda in August; but only for the destination. Perhaps next year, when NCL abandons their sailings to St. Georges because they have only mega-ships which cannot clear the cut, HAL will consider sending dear old Maasdam or one of her lovely sisters to fill the void.

[diann744]

Thank you everyone, for continuing to make me feel welcome, even in light of my planned infidelity.

After 50 days on HAL – and I found the silly red pin I thought I’d lost and mourned for – the next trip was chosen because of destination. The evil twin and I, along with the long-suffering BIL, are due in London for our aunt’s 90th birthday party. Since London is more of a “family” destination for us, we looked for ways to make the trip an adventure as well.

The concept of cruising, excuse me – crossing, (that would get me slapped on some boards) to London seemed to raise the bar from family reunion to “once in a lifetime experience.” Considering the price, it should be. Actually, it needs to be!

In all fairness, I should have said earlier that not all I encountered on the other board considered themselves kings and “Queens,” just more than I was comfortable with. Several people seemed quite friendly and uninterested in diving into everyone else’s business.

More, however, appeared to frequent the boards simply to try to weed out the undesirables -- the ones who might dare to own a pair of jeans or who don’t know their ballgowns from formals. Apparently, wearing a white dinner while cruising the Baltics is an offense punishable by lynching. (Who knew?)

Don’t get me wrong, I like to dress up. I’m not planning to dust off my formal flip flops, the evil twin isn’t shopping for her formal halter top and BIL isn’t rinsing out his formal wife-beater. But still, I’m nervous about the level of sophistication these folks seem so strict about. After all we’ve come through and all we’ve achieved, we’re still just a couple of girls from Flushing who are thrilled to be able to cruise at all.

In any case, we’ve got three months to worry about clothes, and we’ll do our very best to meet every dress code. We’ve always felt appropriately dressed on HAL. I just realized that some of the posts about clothing on that board were giving me butterflies in my stomach, and not the “ooh, I just booked a cruise and I’m so happy” kind.

Speaking of which – redirect – do any ladies out there have any suggestions on formal attire on the cheap? We’re looking at discount sales, rentals, trades, etc. With three formal nights and two semi-formals on a six day crossing, $300 dresses are out of the question.

Thanks to all my HAL PALS,

Diann

[tgetz]

Don't know where you live, but have you tried resale shops? I live in Houston so we have quite a few and i often find even St. John formal wear in one shop i like to frequent.

[airlink diva]

I read and post on other boards alot. I found some good info and advice from people on other boards.
I admit that on one board, you have alot of photos with the reviews and it's really fun to view them. I really like the ones from first time cruisers and their reactions to being on a cruiseship!
You do also have those who talk down to those who ask a simple question. Yes, that question was answer three weeks ago, but if someone just found this website and want info, that's what the boards are for, to exchange infomation and ideas.
What I find funny on alot of the boards are the reviews from hell from posters with only one or two posting.
I often would post even when I was in the planning stages of a cruise and didn't have on book yet. This is one of my fave websites and I visit it everyday if possible.
Everyone insight is worth something!!
Happy sailing!!
Second time around and my 40th birthday cruise on the
MAASDAM!!
10/24/08-11/07/08

[Bramcruiser]

Diann:

I believe I know which line you are talking about and don't let them get to you. I thought the same thing too and then realized that the experience on travelling their ships and the regular folks I met on board are nothing like the image projected by the ones who think they know everything and feel class is all important. Believe me - a dark suit is perfectly acceptable on formal nights in lieu of a tux. I made some real good friends that I have kept in touch with over there so you do find good people everywhere. You'll enjoy yourself and you'll meet some nice people hopefully.

Still, HAL is another of my favs (I find the two comparable is some ways) and I have booked myself here for next year. Yet, I still consider myself an outsider here as I just don't know the crowd as much but that will change as the year goes by I would believe.

Feel free to lurk anywhere you want.

David

[DKNYC]

Duann

Well I have been on all of the current "Queens" and I think that if you are fine on a HAL formal night you will be OK on a Queen. I have even worn jeans on a couple of Queens. Heck, I am FROM Queens , Flushing in fact! I have met some of the most wonderful people on them and consider some of them friends. I actually hate dressing up but love the tradition and history etc. So i do what I have to do to look presentable and I have not been made to walk the plank yet.:) Although now I will probably get thrown overboard:eek: Don't stress yourself you will probably never see these people again anyway
I got some nice clothes at Nordstrom Rack very reasonable prices.
Denise

[Marmarjudy]

Thank you everyone, for continuing to make me feel welcome, even in light of my planned infidelity.

After 50 days on HAL – and I found the silly red pin I thought I’d lost and mourned for – the next trip was chosen because of destination. The evil twin and I, along with the long-suffering BIL, are due in London for our aunt’s 90th birthday party. Since London is more of a “family” destination for us, we looked for ways to make the trip an adventure as well.

The concept of cruising, excuse me – crossing, (that would get me slapped on some boards) to London seemed to raise the bar from family reunion to “once in a lifetime experience.” Considering the price, it should be. Actually, it needs to be!

In all fairness, I should have said earlier that not all I encountered on the other board considered themselves kings and “Queens,” just more than I was comfortable with. Several people seemed quite friendly and uninterested in diving into everyone else’s business.

More, however, appeared to frequent the boards simply to try to weed out the undesirables -- the ones who might dare to own a pair of jeans or who don’t know their ballgowns from formals. Apparently, wearing a white dinner while cruising the Baltics is an offense punishable by lynching. (Who knew?)

Don’t get me wrong, I like to dress up. I’m not planning to dust off my formal flip flops, the evil twin isn’t shopping for her formal halter top and BIL isn’t rinsing out his formal wife-beater. But still, I’m nervous about the level of sophistication these folks seem so strict about. After all we’ve come through and all we’ve achieved, we’re still just a couple of girls from Flushing who are thrilled to be able to cruise at all.

In any case, we’ve got three months to worry about clothes, and we’ll do our very best to meet every dress code. We’ve always felt appropriately dressed on HAL. I just realized that some of the posts about clothing on that board were giving me butterflies in my stomach, and not the “ooh, I just booked a cruise and I’m so happy” kind.

Speaking of which – redirect – do any ladies out there have any suggestions on formal attire on the cheap? We’re looking at discount sales, rentals, trades, etc. With three formal nights and two semi-formals on a six day crossing, $300 dresses are out of the question.

Thanks to all my HAL PALS,

Diann

Diann,

We got home yesterday from the June 26th "crossing." I, too, stressed about the dress code and got somewhat put off by the attitude and the fashion police on that "other" board. Since a "crossing" would be my dream come true after 25+ cruises, I decided to just go with the flow and be myself. My husband wore his tux, but I just wore my silky black slacks and regular cruise tops and I never felt out of place. A guy is fine with a suit on formal night...in the minority, but fine. For the semi formal nights I wore regular black slacks with nice blouses. A guy is fine on those nights in a sport coat and tie. Daytime attire is anything goes.

Not sure if you are able to change your cruise at this point, but I would recommend a west bound crossing instead of the east bound. East bound you will have 23 hour days (turn the clocks ahead an hour 5 of the 6 nights.) We were west bound so had 25 hour days 5 of the 6 nights...very nice.

There were less than 800 Americans on our cruise, oops, I mean "crossing." The majority were Brits, with other Europeans as well. It was very chilly (pack accordingly) and the overall passenger age was older. We are young at heart 60 and felt VERY young. We had a lot of fun looking at some of the get ups....there is formal and then there is playing dress up and looking ridiculous. Many looked like they pulled something out of their aunt's attic.

We were disappointed in the service and food, only because our expectations were too high: Cunard is supposed to be the best (as the prices reflect) but, in our opinion, it was not as good as our January cruise on the Westerdam.

My advice: don't worry about the fashion police and don't spend an extra penney on anything that you won't wear again. It's not necessary.

It truly was my dream come true, the North Atlantic crossing, especially when it was totally foggy outside...I felt like I was in a cacoon in the middle of the ocean. It was a total escape and trip of a lifetime. The ship is wonderful.

But we are looking forward to HAL in January. Cunard was not worth the upcharge, in my opinion.

Let me know if you have any questions, and RELAX!

Judy

[Teresa Price]

Diann,
ha you were talking about the the board I thought you were! You will, in spite of some of the posters on their board, find some great people on board. But, never refer to her as a 'cruise ship' always an ocean liner !! Bless. I did like the comfort of the ship as in the way she rode the weather. Didn't like the size - bit large for us. Also people of all nationalities onboard - so very interesting people to meet.
cheers Teresa