MisterMatthew

Hi everyone. Hope each and everyone of you is doing well. It has been several days since I've been on the board. Well, anyhow, I've selected a cruise for my casino "comp". And it is Alaska, 7 days, on the Eurodam. My sailing will begin in 29 years. Okay, that is not true. It just feels that it won't sail until then!! I am going in May. ---- Matthew

Last time I sailed was APR of this year. I opted for the soda-pop package. It was $8 / day. I purchased it on embarkation day, aboard the Zuidy. This is still an available option? -----Matthew

All of you, thank you for the feedback thus far! On the cruise (panama canal) on Zaandam, it shows that you only get 5 hours in Puerto Vallarta. Sigh, that is one of my favorite ports in my "early" cruising career. Hmm. In addition, I am looking (forgive me, I'm talking to myself LOL) at the fact that there are a LOT of sea days. Thank you for reminding me of that, AFNavigator. Sea days are okay. But, I kind of like a better balance of Port Days. You can get a lot "done" on the ship on a Port Day when you don't go ashore. I kind of liked that on my SeaOfCortez sailing. Hmm. Double hmmm. --- Matthew

Oh. Oh boy.

A question, that I forgot to ask, is that of Spring Break. I searched online to get an idea of spring break dates -- and, search results were pretty mixed. Do the HAL cruises often get Spring Breakers? My guess (and, I could be wrong) is that it would be a low number. That's figuring in the idea that HAL is for the more "mature" customer. But, otherwise -- do SpringBreakers select specific sailings MORE SO than "other sailings"? Thank you again. ---- Matthew

Oh my gosh. I have seen that bet. I talk to the crew. And, the BOYS tell me... "eh, it might hit once a day" :)

Hi. Yes, I am familiar with the Zuiderdam. It was the ship I was on (this last April). My offer does not have any Zuiderdam sailings. Thanks my friend.

SEA-42 That I did not know. Thank you for the information. When I called the cruise consultant at HAL, last week (to get a feel for taxes). I was quoted (for 7 Day Mex Riviera SD, CALIF-->SD, CALIF) was $180.30. I will certainly have to keep that in mind. ---Matthew

Hi there... Well, to be clear, this offer awarded to me is for my choice of ONE SAILING. Not a round-tripper. But, 35 days does seem like a nice idea.

Sherry, way to go. Perhaps I will see you onboard. :) ---Matthew

Hi Mary!! Good to know. Yeah, the Panama Canal intrigues me. Oh, I called my HAL cruise consultant -- the same person I used back in April -- and he did say "yes, you can choose your cabin number... and a small upcharge will occur". That is what I did on Zuidy, and I chose a "large interior" as opposed to an "interior". So, that was that. I do need to decide pretty soon. ---Matthew

0106 I think you are right... and thank you (and others) for clearing up the confusion. And, furnishing me with the term "full transit". :) ----Matthew

I considered that as well. But -- if I sailed out of SAN DIEGO, then a hotel would not be needed (in S.D. nor FORT LAUD). I would fly in the morning of the cruise. I can get a 73 minute flight that gets me into SAN DIEGO at 8:55am ... and I would have almost 7 hours to get to the ship. Which is, 1.6 miles away. I am looking at both options, trust me. And, I never even thought about gaining the hours ea day!!! Thanks friend. ---Matthew

Good afternoon. I am catching up to all of the great replies (at this moment), he he. ----Matthew

DWC Hello. I appreciate the good information. I am, yes, the kind of person who has an appreciation for the Modern Marvels -- so, seeing the Panama Canal is on my list. ----Matthew

Fun N The Son You make a good point, being a west-coastie.. those embarkation cities should be considered. :) ---Matthew

CRYSTAL SPIN... Hi, thank you for the reply... and the suggestions for a cabin location. My "work" is Lyft & Uber. So, I can go, when I want to go. That is a "plus" in my column. :) I did not think about humidity. Living here in the Mojave desert, it's not an issue. So, will keep that in mind. ----Matthew

VSWAN... Hi there. Yeah, I can see where living (where you do) would have a person lean towards a warmer getaway! :) I live in Las Vegas. So, when, people come here in JAN, FEB.. they will sometimes bring golf clubs. --Matthew

BuilderBo... All of the destinations sound interesting to me. But, then again, I am not well-traveled... lol. The cruise that I took (in April of this year) was the first time I left the United States. Do appreciate the reply. ----Matthew

RSLINKY... Thank you for the reply... yes, one day I do want to get to Europe. And, will consider a cruise "to there" .. or one that be takes place "there". :) ---Matthew

No, it is up to me cover the cost of airfare. --- Matthew

Hello everyone. Greetings from Las Vegas. I have not been on the board, too much, as of late. But, always fun to read the posts on here. And, of course, a wonderful MEDIUM for obtaining information. Background: Have been on only one cruise in my life -- it was HAL Zuiderdam, in April of this year. Went to Sea of Cortez. Okay, so the good folks at Boyd Gaming have awarded with me a cruise of my choice. Which will let me choose (from about 40) sailings. I will get an inside stateroom. Just pay the taxes. Choices are Alaska, Baltic, Atlantic Coast -- Nova Scotia, Caribbean, Panama Canal, and I think one other. Some are 5 day, some are 7, 10, 14, 16. I am open to ideas, thoughts, opinions on these cruises. As for now, I am leaning pretty heavily on one of the Panamal Canal cruises -- 2nd choice would be one of the Caribbean cruises. The Caribbean sailings are: TROPICAL, WESTERN, EASTERN, and SOUTHERN. I am not completely sure if one of those is better than the others. Here are some questions... 1) What does the term "Sunfarer" mean? I have noticed that some panama canal cruises have THAT word attached. 2) Some of the Panama Canal cruises "look like" they get (near???) the Panama Canal. Umm, I'm lost. Seeing the little map and itinerary on HAL website, are slightly confusing. But, I'm somewhat of a novice. 3) The sailings I am looking at, and leaning towards, are on Zaandam. Any thoughts on the ship? Any deck that is one to "avoid". My main concern is noise level. I am okay with an inside cabin. I had one on the Zuidy, and it was just fine. I am free to upgrade to outside, or even verandah. But, obviously comes at an increased cost. 4) The sailings offered to me (for Panama Canal) are JAN, 2023 - APRIL, 2023. And, they go from SD, CALIF to FT LAUD ... or... FT LAUD to SD, CALIF. Some of the sailings have Columbia and Nicaragua as ports. I am a, somewhat, untraveled fella... so, I have no idea of these are nice places, or magical, or just so-so. 5) Sailing the Panama Canal in FEB, MAR, or APR.. is the weather okay? I have a few more questions. But, I just wanted to touch base with you good folks. And, as they say, GET THE SKINNY. ---- Matthew

I did the sea of cortez cruise... It offered ports of: Cabo Loretto Puerto V La Paz Mazatlan I was ESPECIALLY happy that it had the "overnight" in Puerto V. ---matthew

This is a good topic. I had more to eat on my HAL cruise then I would have back home. There are a lot of reasons for it. 1) I'm on vacation. 2) It let me try dishes that I have never tried before. 3) My line of work is RideShare driving... and, often my meals are quick & not of the most healthy "sort". Cruising, I have learned, is very much about relaxation. So, spending 75 minutes in the LIDO, or 90 minutes in the MDR is normal to me. Not rushed. Savor the food. Getting back to the original question... 3 meals a day... I would say YES, I did have 3 meals. The DIVE IN burgers were a great lunch item. And, breakfast, I would totally load up on fruit. I don't keep much fruit (at all) in my home. So, having fresh berries and pineapple is a treat for me. I would say that having 3 big meals a day was an optimum choice. Especially when it came time to turn in for the night. That "beyond full" feeling is kind of bad. ----MisterMatthew

I enjoyed the PANNEKOEKEN, in the main dining room. If you do not know it is the pancake with apples and bacon inside. German? Really good!