brucory

Thanks to those that responded. Very helppful.

An alternate option is a mid to late afternoon flight - What is the latest they will be letting us get off the ship after an overnight?

I have bad memories of loud speakers coming on at 0630 telling everyone it's time to get off on previous cruises on some lines and not sure if thats how AZAMARA does things now? 

We have a cruise booked on Azamara in September which finishes with an overnight stop in Lisbon. 

The ship arrives at 1pm on the 2nd last day.

Looking for some thoughts on what time might be the earliest to leave the ship on the final day as looking at early flights from Lisbon.

Would consider wheeling off our own luggage if it helps. 

Any assistance much appreciated. 🙂 

If you are travelling as 2 people in the same cabin, can only 1 of you choose the upgrade? (Other person does not drink alcohol)....

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

A bit shocked about the use of life jackets in this way...

I don't think anyone should be messing with the lifesaving emergency equipment, even if it does help a swollen ankle!

Those things are not made as bed raisers - Sorry.....

:confused::confused::confused:

Fabulous to see your pics...

Anything on those HAL plates looks good to me, but you certainly did it all justice with your pics...

YUM!!!!

:):):)

Just an update for this thread. We were in Halifax a few weeks ago and organised a car through Hertz. Their little office is in a building just out the front of the cruise terminal on the main road. It is not a standard rental car office, just a little desk inside a building. We had an excellent experience. The car was brand new, lovely staff, and very very convenient. Highly recommend this for anyone looking for a rental vehicle while on a cruise stop!!! Much closer than any other rental car company too!

:):):)

We were on May 16-23.

True the ship was in code red for the whole cruise and the staff worked harder than ever.

The ship is a bit older, but she is sturdy and well built. HAL chose quality fittings to start with and as they have been going along and these still seemed in good nick. The crew were always maintaining things and we liked the quirkiness of a well kept 23 year old ship.

We had not been on HAL for 5 years. After hearing all the comments on here about changes etc, we were pleasantly surprised. We had a fabulous experience. The crew were amazing, friendly and helpful. Aside from alcohol policies, we didn't feel things were that different for us - we may use different amenities etc than other guests, but we loved it and would definitely go back.

Go with an open mind and you will enjoy her!

:):):)

Fabulous news! Have a ripper time and enjoy that beautiful balcony!!!!

:):):)

That wine card no longer exists!

It was stopped about 5 years ago. Now there are other options and packages and there is heaps of info about them on this forum!

:):):)

We just got off this morning!

According to a couple of the staff, there were only 2 guests with illness. The code red was apparently being lifted for the next cruise...

Hope it all stays clean and happy!

:):):)

Hi Alberta Quilter,

I have just managed to catch up on your blog which I thoroughly enjoyed. I was so sorry to read of your illness.

We are on the ship at the moment and up until today in Sydney, the ship has been a healthy one. That was up until this morning. We had noticed the "hazmat teams" in some ship areas last night and this morning the captain came on the PA to inform that there were indeed some new cases of illness. He sounded furious as at least one of the ill people had not disclosed their illness for a day and been wandering around the ship. His message was very clear that after having been on two ill sailings and all of the hard work the crew have done and the effort in super sanitising the ship in Montreal, they did not want the illness to continue.

Like you were, we are being so careful with everything we touch. Im amazed though at the amount of people who touch buttons, handrails, common furniture, put keycards in their mouths, etc. I really hope that this illness does not continue onto future sailings and that it can be nipped in the bud.

Again, thanks for your Live from thread....

:):):)

For our Maasdam cruise leaving tomorrow - May 16, we did not receive an assignment until a couple of days ago - May 13. We had booked a BC guarantee and expressed some interest to our agent in upsell opportunities to an S cabin. HAL offered an upsell 3 days out which we took and we were assigned an SA cabin immediately. It was the last available as far as I know....

It was a relief to finally get an allocation after checking daily for the last few weeks....

:):):)

Oh no Alberta Quilter!!!

Sorry to hear the code red is back...

Feeling for you all, especially those who are sick...

I have been glued to your interesting reports - thanks so much for all your interesting knowledge sharing...

:):):)

Your blog is wonderful! Thanks for sharing the link... I feel like I have been on your cruise and am now even more excited about boarding the Maasdam next Saturday!

:):):)

We are on the Maasdam right now; so very happy with the cruise overall. The ship is in beautiful condition, at least it seems that to us; we noticed immediately how nice everything looked. Food is outstanding to our taste; have hear many people comment that they prefer it to the Pinnacle this cruise.

 

Dining room is really great; getting out in about a half hour from breakfast if we want out; dinner is running about an hour. We are table for 2 which does make it faster. The whole room is so calm and has such a good feel to it; staff is very fast; the whole atmosphere is delightful. Dining stewards have mentioned how well everything is running.

 

You do need to know that we have had a few days of Code Red; no one knows where this has come from as it came about too long after FLL to be that; these ports have not been a problem all season. Apparently the control is good as of today; no new cases recently but they might sanitize in FLL before next cruise; I have no idea on that from any official source.

 

I would not hesitate to recommend the ship. Must do this quickly; minutes are ticking! Internet has seemed much better this cruise than recently.

This update is so positive and makes the maasdam sound very inviting... Thanks Spinner2... Looking forward to boarding her in a few weeks after reading your comments!

:):):)

Fantastic - will be looking forward to following your trip, particularly hearing about the menus, state of the ship, shows etc if you will be including in your Life from thread...

We will be on the following sailing and looking forward to seeing the Maasdam..

Have a great cruise!!!

:):):)

Delighted to see the Maasdam still has laundry facilities...

Quick question - do these rooms have iron/ironing boards?

:):):)

Looks great!!!

Love the showers in the new bathrooms - hope they do that for all the HAL ships!!!

:):):)

Thanks for the responses.

We have organised a car through Budget and will request they pick us up from the pier.

I'll try and come back with an update after the trip with how it went and if there are any preferred options for cruisers.

:):):)

HI there,

Seeking some advise from others who have used rental cars in PEI. We would like to self drive.

Is there a rental car company that is close to the pier or that is favoured by cruisers?

We would like to drive around for the day and see the island.

Any advice appreciated..

:):):)

Thanks all for the updates and feedback...

I really appreciate the upbeat tone... Clearly, a lot of fun can still be had with the right attitude...

:):):)

HI there all,

After 5.5 years, we are coming back for another HAL cruise. We have been on other lines in the interim but looking forward to another DAM cruise!

For regular HAL cruisers, has there been big changes that we will notice? What should we be prepared for?

We will be on the Maasdam :D

:):):)

HI all,

We have an upcoming cruise finishing in Boston. We would like to see some sights in Boston before collecting a rental car late in the day and driving elsewhere in MA.

Wondering if there is anywhere convenient to safely leave luggage for 6 hours or so which is easy to get to from the pier and easy to get back to and collect with a rental car? It will be a Saturday - any advice appreciated,

Thanks

:):):)

Hi all,

We are looking at an Oceania Marina cruise and can't decide between the normal verandah and the concierge verandah, though we like the idea of being up higher on the ship, which seems to been one of the benefits.

While most of the other benefits don't really phase us, there is a mention of discounted internet. Does anyone know what those discounts are? We are looking at an 11 night cruise, and usually can't live without internet (tragic I know)

Any info would be much appreciated.

:):):)

This video may help you to decide on the cruise....we loved it.

 

Volendam Northern Explorer cruise Japan-Vancouver May 2011.

 

It is a bit bumpy on the Bering sea though.

 

Regards

 

bellair

Thanks for sharing your video! We have often thought about doing this cruise, particularly when there have been more ports in Alaska added as has happened in the past. I'd wondered what the Russian ports would be like, so enjoyed seeing through your lens... :D:D:D