Amazing luck, now some questions

[shorton]

Our first cruise turned out to be amazing. :) We were on the Amsterdam on its four-day Pacific Northwest cruise last week. The last night of the cruise was blackout bingo. One prize. Seven-day Caribbean cruise for two. Somehow we won (we're still in shock!). So, now we have 18 months to take the next cruise. Our tentative date is Feb. 2006 because we hear that humidity is very low that time of year. Torn about whether we should splurge and get an S cabin. The HAL info sheet tells us we have a minimum category outside cabin. Any advice? Also, would eastern or western route be better? I'm sure both are wonderful.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Are you restricted to one ship? Or is there a choice?

We love both the eastern ans western itineraries. You hvae to look over both schedules and decide what you like to do the most. Relax, shop, snorkle - all those things play a part in deciding what cruise to take.

You also need to find out how much HAL is going to charge per person to upgrade from an outside cabin to a S. That will determine how much you want to spend.

We always do suites and love them.

[Krazy Kruizers]

shorton

Sorry - forgot - CONGRATULATIONS!

That's marvelous that you won a free Caribbean cruise for 2.

[Orcrone]

Shorton,


Congratulations. That is one heck of a first post for CC. I agree with KK. You'll have to find out the price diff and decide if it's worth it. Also, I assume you'll have to do the upgrade through HAL (as opposed to through a TA). The price diff between an outside and a suite with HAL might be a bit more than the diff if booking though a TA.

[Slinkiecat]

Congratulations, Shorton!! I can't imagine a nicer prize to win (well, maybe the money such a cruise would cost, but still, that is amazing!

Whichever route you take, you can't go wrong, and likely you'll take the other half later anyway. I would at least upgrade to a balcony, if not a suite.

Slinkie

[Randyk47]

Shorton - Congratulations! What a fantastic win! It's hard to pick between a eastern and western route. I would only slightly favor the eastern, particularly if you've never been in that part of the Caribbean before. Lovely islands with familar names and great people. Of course, the same could be said for the western section also. Hard choice but luckily you really can't make a wrong choice. :)

[localady]

Congrats to you!!!:D

The only thing I'd suggest is that you book an itinerary with Half Moon Cay in it, regardless of the eastern or western itinerary. IMHO, HMC is not to be missed and the best part of the cruise!:) :cool:

[shorton]

The prize sheet from HAL states that it is for a minimum category outside cabin. We get to choose the actual cruise. We have to take the cruise within 18 months. Interestingly, it states that a TA is to call the number on the sheet to redeem. We've never used a TA before, had always seemed simpler just to deal direct with company. Suppose we could still do that. Half Moon Cay does sound wonderful. Also, I notice that the newer Vista ships are in the Caribbean. Would be fun to be on an even newer ship. Assume I should just watch the HAL Web site for when they post the Feb. 2006 schedule. And then quickly find something (figuring a possible upgrade would be at its cheapest).

[Ziggy7]

The prize sheet from HAL states that it is for a minimum category outside cabin. We get to choose the actual cruise. We have to take the cruise within 18 months. Interestingly, it states that a TA is to call the number on the sheet to redeem. We've never used a TA before, had always seemed simpler just to deal direct with company. Suppose we could still do that. Half Moon Cay does sound wonderful. Also, I notice that the newer Vista ships are in the Caribbean. Would be fun to be on an even newer ship. Assume I should just watch the HAL Web site for when they post the Feb. 2006 schedule. And then quickly find something (figuring a possible upgrade would be at its cheapest).

Congratulations, Shorton!! Yes you can still just book thru HAL but it doesnt cost you anything to use a TA, also its kinda nice have a face to go and talk to if necessary about your new cruise and see where your cabin location choices are before you choose. I too would at least upgrade to a balcony cabin, I think you have to pay port charges and taxes but those will be minimum to the cost for a free cruise :) We were on the Zuiderdam last Aug. and fell in love with that ship! Vista class is a very large size ship but we loved it! Which ever HAL ship you choose I'm sure you will love it just the same, HAL is a good cruise line :)

[ger_77]

Congratulations! It is nice to win a cruise (we've won 2 in our lives - neither through bingo), and it's wonderful to be able to upgrade ... all you're paying for is the upgrade not the initial cost of the cruise. Whenever you decide to go, enjoy it for all it's worth!


Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[dakrewser]

Congrats!


We prefer the western or Southern Caribbean to the Eastern, but a lot depends on what you like to do. Western allows more historical touring, Southerrn has more different cultures to experience. But really, you won't go wrong no matter which you pick.

[Peggy Sue]

What exciting news from your first cruise! Agree half moon cay is a must see..just beautiful and such a relaxing beach day!! have fun selecting your cruise!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Peggy Sue

[imsulin]

Wow! On my first cruise, (The Looooove Booooat) all I did was get a teriffic hangover! Congratulations! My own personal preference is Eastern. Just don't forget to include HMC!! (And you're right about booking a Caribbean cruise in February....wonderful weather!)

[pollux]

congratulations, I won that cruise a couple of years ago. Went to the private Island and Western Carib. Booked with TA could only choose from cabin 713 and 715. Those cabins have portholes. Went on the Maasdam but could have choosen any ship. You will pay the port taxes and your own airfare. I took 2 weeks got to Fl a week earlier and rented a car spend 7 days sightseeing then the cruise great trip.I don't know if you can upgrade, I did not I am happy anywhere on any ship.

[Host Walt]

Congratulations, Shorton!! Yes you can still just book thru HAL but it doesnt cost you anything to use a TA, also its kinda nice have a face to go and talk to if necessary about your new cruise and see where your cabin location choices are before you choose. I too would at least upgrade to a balcony cabin, I think you have to pay port charges and taxes but those will be minimum to the cost for a free cruise :) We were on the Zuiderdam last Aug. and fell in love with that ship! Vista class is a very large size ship but we loved it! Which ever HAL ship you choose I'm sure you will love it just the same, HAL is a good cruise line :)
I strongly agree with Ziggy7. Absolutely use a Travel Agent. It's free and he/she can really assist you in getting just what you want; cruise destination, cabin, transportation to the ship, etc.

[shorton]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! We were told when we won the cruise that we could upgrade. I assume I should sign up as soon as the Feb. 2006 HAL schedule is posted. An S or SS suite sounds incredible. I know it's probably way more than the two of us need, but how often would we have a chance to do this? I will definitely go through a TA. Would love to be able to know exactly what cabin we are able to get. We have never taken a vacation in Feb. so this will really be something to look forward to. Stan :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Wow!:) Congratulations! How exciting! I think if this happened to me I would be in sheer heaven and would definitely upgrade to a suite. You're not really relagated to February, though, unless that's your preference. All winter months are lovely ... late November, December, January, February ... even March. So check them all out and see what you like best.

Also, decide whether you want to travel with or without a lot of kids on board. February is a big family vacation month (because of all the school vacations) and often a bit more expensive for that reason.

Whatever you decide, you will have an amazing time.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Congratulations on your win shorton. What a way to really get you hooked on cruising. I won our first cruise on RCL for a 5 days cruise. We did the Western Caribbean. I think because that was our first I prefer the Western Caribbean but we did HAL for the Eastern Caribbean and prefer HAL. I agree with what others say that it is a must to get to Half Moon Cay. Either one I am sure it will be great. As far as upgrading of course go for what you can afford but using the Lisa way of thinking," Let's see the basic price of the cruise is free and I would be paying for a vacation that year, why not go for the Suite:p "

Either way Congratulations it is always good to have a cruise in the future.