Shih-tzu

Yes, you can check for groups on any cruise line you want. This website was posted on this thread awhile back, but here it is again.

 

http://themecruisefinder.com/index.html

 

Choose "advanced search" and on the next page keep the "all categories" option and then put in either the name of the ship or just the name of the cruiseline in the search field.

Thank you silvercruiser - appreciate the link :-)

As far as CC as a forum for that type listing, I have not seen a similar on-going thread on the other cruise line forums - only here on HAL. And I also echo the the thanks of others to Carol for her persistence and patience in maintaining that list here.

Yes - thank you to Carol..... I don't have a problem with groups, but if it seems like it's affecting the enjoyment of other passengers....then I do (doesn't matter what the group is.....)

Sorry that this happened to you.

That Group was listed on the dry docks, charter thread at this link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2354486&highlight=dry+docks

Does anyone know if there's a similar listing for other cruise lines?

That would be helpful for those of us that are "pigeon-holed" into certain vacation dates.....

Thanks for adding to the review.....my Saturday morning ( with coffee in had sitting outside at my patio table) is now complete......will check back later for updates. Loving it.

Colour of water is so beautiful.

Reading this. I have never been on these ships but just curious where people would/should go to play cards or board games? I can understand not in restaurants proper especially during meal times.. I see where some here say not on the Lido, not in the atruims but is there somewhere for a group to meet and do this without taking place bar or cafe space?

I don't recall anywhere on any ship I've been on..... although I haven't played cards or a game. I have sat and read though. I would think unless someone had a suite of some type there would't be room in a cabin for 2 or 3 couples or a family to be able to sit and play cards/games.

Maybe this is what people have alluded to when they say the ships are putting in more cabins, bars etc which is leaving less public spaces?

Addendum: I do recall a friend mentioning there was a card room on one ship she was on but only if you were an adult that played Bridge..????

We were on Spencer's land and sea tour in April 2016 and it was a fantastic day! 10 out of 10. I highly recommend Spencer and would definitely use him again if we are fortunate enough to return to St. Lucia one day.

Did this Land, Sea and Beach tour in February and I have to agree!!! The issue that the others here had mentioned must have been a very unusual glitch. We enjoyed it and out of all our excursion on that cruise, this is the one we have the fondest and most vivid memories of.

We even had a long conversation with Spencer that day -he showed us some of their local coins which look very much like Canadian ones on the front -I didn't know it until he told us that our mint actually makes their money.

All the employees ( including Spencer's daughter) were all so personable and knowledgeable of their beloved island. I know if I'm ever fortunate enough to get to St Lucia again, I will be booking one of his tours.

Oh..and don't forget they drive on the opposite side of the road than in US and Canada. For the first part of the land tour I was getting really nervous that Spencer was turned around talking to us instead of keeping his eyes on those narrow roads. We had a really big laugh over that.....once we realized he was in the passenger seat and someone else was driving......

I did the Southern Caribbean in Feb. The have since changed the ship but the ports were interesting. (Listed in my signature block below). There's also cruises that go to Aruba and Curaco..... Another poster did mention the Liberty and we enjoyed that ship but I believe it's out of Galveston right now.

We also enjoyed the 7 day HAL cruise from Boston to Bermuda last may. Small ship but it's basically your floating hotel from Monday noon until Thursday noon. ( one and 1/2 sea days each way). This was a girls trip and we felt very safe in Bermuda no matter where we went. No pushy street vendors, etc. I think the size of the ship and passenger capacity made for a friendly atmosphere.

No matter what you choose, it will be the company that you're with that will make the fun. Hope you enjoy and can't wait to see what you finally decide on.

Thanks for taking us along Copper.

 

Being from Eastern Canada, that cruise receives very little attention from us when booking (been there so many times) but we do like to hear about how that part of our country is perceived by visitors. ;)

 

Who is the piano player at the Mix on this cruise?

Enjoying the review. I am from the Canadian Maritime so much like "taxmantoo" this isn't an itinerary I would book but also interested in how our piece of the planet is perceived.

Of course from my signature block you can see where I do sail on the Veendam out of Boston.......but to somewhere with palm trees.....

And isn't Cows ice cream to die for?

Some say she's small or old but I loved the ambience on the Veendam....and the fewer number of passengers. If Putu is still a steward on deck 5 aft starboard, say hi to him...he was wonderful.

I bought one at the Red Frog in February. I believe the OP was correct that it was $14.00 for mug and lid. There was no mention of a discount anywhere....(and I'm not quite sure what the DOD is....)

May depend on the bank, may depend on the card itself.

I think there are different banking/card implications depending on the country of issue. Here in Canada if we use our VISA or MC and it asks for a PIN, it does not mean cash advance (unless you are using an ATM to get cash as opposed to paying for a purchase). The PIN is in lieu of a signature. My card requires a PIN, but I believe once a transaction is over a certain amount, signature is also required....but not sure if that's a card rule, or a merchant's rule....I've had it happen twice but I don't use my card a lot..... (and Walmart won't take VISA in Canada very, very shortly)

Loving the photos......

Wishing I was at Horseshoe Bay (again). Not fussy on the jellyfish thing tho - wonder if that's just a certain time of year. I never thought to look for something like that....

Sorry about the weather - that's the 1st thing I though of when I woke up Saturday morning.....what a wet day for those coming into port on the Sunshine. (it's not always like this tho......)

The cruise lines insist that privacy rules do not allow them to disclose groups.

Oh, I knew that.....what I meant was it should be a regulation or something that they have to, or if they choose not to, then they are required to pay compensation to other pax who are greatly inconvenienced. (however I suppose they know that their other bookings might slide).

The knitting, quilting groups etc are not a problem....but when an entire sitting of a dining room is off limits, several venues during the day can't be enjoyed by anyone except the exclusive group, and other passengers are treated with disdain as if they have the plague for drinking what's available, then there's a problem.

I'm sure that special accommodation for such groups has been pre-arranged by their agencies through the cruise companies, and in those cases then I think it's their (cruise lines) moral obligation to notify fellow shipmates (i.e. their dining times won't be honoured, areas of the ship will not be accessible, etc.)

There should be a "disclosure clause" or something that when ships have groups that pax that aren't part of the group are either notified on booking ( or notified if group books after their booking and given an option to change/opt out) .

That having been said, I travelled with a group of 90 on a cruise.....except for having one of the clubs for a meet and greet for about an hour and getting our group photo taken in the main lobby/atrium that was it for group activities.

The lengths that this group required for special treatment though was over the top in my opinion as it did infringe on other passengers enjoyment of the cruise.

I would have been very disappointed has I been on this cruise. I am not one to consider compensation over a lot of things as some do here, but I most certainly believe that this case DOES warrant it. Complimentary cruise comes to mind,,...Maybe ships/lines would be more willing to disclose groups if it became an issue,

Thanks for the link provided in Post 2 (?) Groups don't bother me but I'll be keeping an eye out for what appear to be "religious" cruises that could affect a sailing to the extent this one did.

Shih-tzu, it would be fabulous to be on the same cruise as you again. And Topsham as well [who was indeed on our Bermuda sailing last year and is such a wonderful conversationalist!].

That's would be fab.....I either missed Topsham or was speaking to him and didn't realize it. Of course the crutches slowed me down the first 5 days so I missed the Roll Call, etc.....

Hello David,

 

All well.

 

I have heard nothing about VEENDAM. I fear one or two of the old ship will go when the STATENDAM is ready.

 

You better keep your fingers crossed for a cruise to Bda in 2017!

 

Stephen

David - I was thinking the same thing. Loved the fact that the VEENDAM could get right into Hamilton and although I love Bermuda, I'm not so sure I would want to be out at King's Wharf with the larger ships and crowds. I also liked the ambience on that ship - not overly large and the crowd was so friendly. Wouldn't it be interesting if we ended up on the same cruise again? TOPSHAM - I believe you were on the same cruise as well - but only know that from something that you had posted......

If you leave Saint John around 9 and go directly to St Martin's you will see the tide at close to high tide. Do the Parkway and 3 hours later the tide will be 1/2 way out and you will be able to see a definite difference.....stop and have lunch at the restaurant and take a stroll on the sea bed....... relax by the Bay..... You will also get to drive through a covered bridge...... (I was brought up 1/2 way between Saint John and St Martin's) Another indicator of the tide....take note of the pitch of the gangway leaving and re-entering the ship....or even if you use a different deck....there probably is quite a difference.

I might consider under the following:

A. Senior who booked in advance but due to a recent health issue needs to be closer to elevators or travelling companions in another area for assistance for conditions that weren't an issue during original booking;

B. Someone requires a mobility device that current room configuration won't work (Again a development since booking the cruise)

C. The cruise line made an error that separated parents from children to enable proper supervision.

But.........

Not a cabin in a very noisy area (above or below a nightclub)

Can anyone please verify that the tap water onboard DOES contain chlorine and SALT as some have posted...?? For years (of NCL cruising) I have been trying to pin down the cause of my swelling issues . I had eliminated almost all salt from my food while cruising and that was not the answer...PS--onboard I do drink A LOT of "tap" water...so now I am really wondering...:confused:

The desalination process on ships removes the salt to the level where it can't be tasted. Have you noticed that on ships that your soap, shampoo etc is a lot more "sudsier"? That's because of the salt content in the water......think of home water softeners/conditioners that require salt. This was explained to me by a navy ship's engineer when I remarked on day at work about my "cruise ankles".

Made logical and scientific sense to me.

Enjoying.....looking at this cruise maybe next year - unless I get really lucky and can do the repositioning cruise in the fall when Dawn goes back to NOLA

UBER is technically not a registered taxi company ( or the individual cars/drivers aren't ) As a result they are not considered an official means of public transportation.....so if in an accident not sure if your insurances ( travel or regular) would cover you. My employer has advised us until such time as it becomes a legally recognized public form of transportation we are not to use it. ( and I work for a government department)

Although cheaper, wouldn't want to see anyone get caught in legal technicalities......

In all my years of going out to restaurants, I've never seen anyone bring their own soda into an establishment. I'm a Coke drinker, but if they serve Pepsi, I either drink Pepsi or something else. I do this in restaurants and I do it on NCL.

You could be right. In our province it is against the health departments rules to bring food or drink from outside and establishment into another. I had a partially consumed can of iced tea one time and they took the time to nicely explain that it was against the government rules. One reason I do remember was related to sources of food poisoning/cross contamination. It made sense.

I prefer the Veendam as she docks right in downtown Hamilton. Just a block or two from the central bus station and ferries. You can buy a 2 or 3 day pass for unlimited use. By being more central it's a shorter trip to the various attractions.

So far I prefer Bermuda over most places I've visited.....it is clean, no hassle to buy things. It's a bit more expensive but remember your sleeping accommodations and meals if you choose are already paid for.

We arrived at Monday noon and didn't leave until Thursday noon as as an OP said, you can come and go as you please.

I could understand if water was not readily available on board (I fill reusable containers at the dispensers in the buffet), but it is, and I also ask for a pitcher of water and iced tea daily to be in my stateroom and keep it in the mini fridge. I'm not diabetic, but like to have water in my cabin.

My mistake maybe. I was under the impression that you couldn't use your own refillable containers at the buffet due to health reasons......Maybe it was for another cruise line or maybe someone's opinion. As long as I don't end up with "cruise ankles" then all is good. Thanks for the tip on that :)