baffles

Just a quick follow up. My TA was able to get a very good reduced deposit, plus a big

OBC for certain reasons. Glad to have the credit but it will be gone with the new daily 

crew appreciation rate and the 31 day cruise time frame.

Looking forward to this bucket list check off.............baffles

Thanks for all the inputs!

25 minutes ago, 2Oldpeopleinlove said:

This is one reason we book onboard….reduced and fully refundable deposits up to date of final payment.

That's what Exlondoner said earlier. We'll see what my agent can do, and what Bluemarble

said about getting 10% deposit with his agent. I have some fuel for the fire now.......

If all else fails we are booked on the Queen Elizabeth in September for Alaska out of Vancouver.

These are the last Cunard cruise out of Vancouver for 2024.........Seattle next season!!!!

Thanks, baffles

Thanks all for the input on possible reduced deposits. I am seeing my AAA travel agent

on Monday and we'll see what she can come up with. The deposit, just looking at Cunard's web site, and doing a make up cruise, the deposit is $3020.00.........This cruise is next July and is

a 31day deal.

Will let you know what I find. If it is a non refundable deposit then that's a no go for that.

Always get refundable deposit, and very good cancellation insurance. Both a must.

Thanks, baffles

Does QM2 ever have reduced deposits on there cruises, and if so generally when?

Thanks, Baffles...............

10 hours ago, SightCRR said:

Most likely never again. We enjoyed the ones we went on but those days are gone. Spending lots of money to fly then cruising as we get older most likely won't happen. sightcrr

SightCRR. I agree with you. We've done almost 40 cruises in the past 20 years and had to cancel 3 this year.

Too many variables for us, and like Doubt It said we're not getting stuck on board because you can't get back

into a certain port.......

So for those of you who will continue to cruise have fun................we're done.  baffles

Half way to Southampton on the QM2, and the start of a 5 week trip including a cruise around

the Isles, 8 days in Salisbury, UK and back on the QM2................baffles

We were just off the Koningsdam three weeks ago for a short Caribbean cruise to get out

of Ohio's cold weather. Cruise was great as always, but we will not be back to Koningsdam

for future cruises. Just did not have the traditional feel that we are used to with Holland.

Received our 100 day award this trip, so Holland cruises are a favorite. We did spend 28 days

on Nieuw Amsterdam last year doing Alaska and then repositioning to Ft Lauderdale. Great

cruise and for us had the traditional Holland flavor we enjoy.

So moving UP Hollands new ship ladder beyond Nieuw Amsterdam will not fit us.

I'm sure there are cruisers out there that will like the newer ships, but Holland still has enough

traditional ones for us to cruise.......................baffles

I drink a Buckler's at evening meals, and the wine steward can find it. Be specific

at the ships bars because I've been told many times they don't have it. I think just

too lazy to find what you asked for.

And as far as O'Douls ,dishwater was a BIG compliment. I was surprised to see on

a Europe trip how many great non alcoholic beers they have............USA not so

much.............baffles

What night is the best for PG?

Just off the Oosterdam, and we did 7 out of the 10 nights there. Booked when we got on the ship. GREAT staff and food…………….baffles:D

We also just disembarked this cruise and would agree that we met some nice folks as well and though this was my 50th cruise since 1978 and 10th overall with HAL, it exceeded our expectations and overall I think things are improved in the last couple years rather than cut back or dumbed down.

 

A few observations and comments on topics that get a lot of discussion:

 

Condition of the ship - Even though she is due for drydock in the Spring, very good condition overall. The only real wear in evidence was the top step on some flights of stairs. Plumbing and HVAC in our cabin worked flawlessly.

 

Demographic - Certainly a largely senior crowd, but many more younger people than I have seen previously on HAL, a few families and some starting in their 20's increasing through 30's, 40's and 50's. (I am 56 for the record)

 

The Band - Not great, but not bad, four pieces and a singer. The bigger issue was the extremely limited performance times in the Ocean Bar, one night only 5-6 PM, one night completely dark. That's right, zero music for cocktails. Toward the end of the cruise back to almost normal fortunately.

 

Adagio - Two 30-something males performing 19th and 20th century classical at a level of skill and complexity never expected on a cruise. Fabulous and a packed house nightly.

 

BB King - a real game changer for HAL entertainment. Great high energy shows three times most nights. The volume was fine for us.

 

Sandwiches in the Lido - Four varying choices of premade daily, plus a full selection of breads and ingredients to request custom made to your liking. The premade are in baskets without refrigeration, but as I have said before if they are out 4 hours or less this complies with the Health Code.

 

MDR - asked for and received table for 2, late seating - 8:00 PM, no 7 PM middle seating as had been rumored. Food very good to excellent as was the service. The new menus not an issue for me either way as "Always Available" still was always available even though not labled as such. International Night has been replaced by Dining with the Culinary Council for the last night, sadly it remains the weakest night of the cruise.

 

Pinnacle - Two excellent lunches beautifully served and presented.

 

Canaletto - Agree with many here who prefer the prior menu, OK but not great.

 

Overall a great cruise, eagerly anticipating NIEUW AMSTERDAM next up Jan. 31st.

Yes to all the above. This was our fourth trip for these ports. Noordam for the previous ones.

We did the Pinnacle for seven of the ten nights and such a treat. Staff truly GREAT.

This was our seventh Holland cruise out of thirty total since 2000. Holland, Princess, and Celebrity have the right " stuff " for a great time.

Just finished picking excursions for next August for Alaska. Looking forward to a smaller Holland ship in the Massdam.

baffles:D

1601 was super...............baffles:D

On our resent visit to Barbados, Livingstone our driver, suggested Huntes Gardens as opposed to the other garden over by Bathsheba. Did that one several years ago.

This is spectacular and is built down in a giant sink hole on an old sugar cane plantation. Just unbeliveable how beautiful it is.............Check it out, and if your looking for great local food, get to the Round House on the East coast by Bathsheba. Simply fantastic local food and ocean views. baffles:D