meizee

The conversion of cruise credits to cruise points in 2011 counted all credits as 7 points and added a fudge factor.

That makes sense. Thank you!

I just signed up my parents and I to C&A, but I notice that I have 7 points for my 7-day 2014 Allure cruise while my parents have 8 points each for their 3-day 1996 Viking Serenade cruise. I have never cruised with my parents, so there is no possibility of accumulation. How did this happen?

Also, do you think it is possible RCI will offer special rates on Pacific NW cruises for C&A?

Well this is really embarrassing. This whole time I've posted about the Statendam when I should have said Westerdam. I guess this is what happens with lack of sleep :D I don't know how Statendam got into this post- they're not even the same class.

Anyhow, I understand there is plenty of dismay for Statendam, but if your opinion differs for Westerdam, I'd like to hear it. I get the impression that overall HAL is a line for seniors.

Hello, my family and I are planning to take our first cruise together in late April or early May. Money is a factor, but we do not want to spend it on a trip that bores us. I'm 17 and my brother is 13. Our choices are NCL Pearl and HAL Statendam. We are also aware of similar Princess and RCI cruises, but they are much more expensive.

NCL Pearl in an Interior has been our choice for a while (in fact, we made a deposit already with OBC). We see that this 15 deck ship offers a rock climbing wall, a water slide, a bowling alley, brighter decor, and younger demographics. This 5-day cruise also includes San Francisco.

HAL Statendam in an Oceanview is the most recent option we discovered. This 4-day cruise is substantially cheaper than NCL Pearl. It seems to be more traditional, but we fear there will be a great lack of teens in the Loft. This is a smaller ship with 10 decks, but I think I could enjoy this cruise despite my experience on the Allure OTS.

What would you choose? This family cruise is mainly for my brother and me, especially my brother who has never cruised before. I can get along with people of all ages, but my brother is not as mature. Our family likes to stay up late and sleep in. We're willing to cancel our NCL cruise if HAL is better.

Other factors include food quality, stateroom quality, nightlife, activities, virgin drinks/mocktails, and entertainment. Itineraries are not a factor, and we prefer not to spend on indulgences (spa, drink packages, restaurants).

Forgive me for intruding on this conversation, 9 years later. I found this topic while googling "Azure Seas" as this was the last ship my parents boarded for a cruise, around December 1996. I'm quite curious, for I was born 9 months after their trip to Ensenada. :D Nonetheless, it's a shame I will not be able to sail the ship.