hbsurfcitycruiser

On 3/2/2024 at 11:29 AM, nycfa said:

Grand Turk is easy to just walk off the ship and have a beach day. No excursion needed.  Margaritaville is right there or you can walk down the beach to Jack's Shack.  

100% accurate. We will be at Jack's Shack 🙂

On 2/2/2023 at 10:17 AM, crewsweeper said:

Someone asked awhile back if Starbucks was open and if they had coffee cups.

Yes!

 

Oh wow! And this is on Grand Turk?? 🙂

On 2/19/2024 at 12:34 PM, BTromboneFrack said:

I always do the ribeye, but I am comfortably full about half way through it, so I take it back to the room, wrap it in foil, and put it in the fridge.  To keep the fridge a bit colder, we put the ice bucket with ice in the fridge.   That ribeye at 2:30 in the morning on our balcony is amazing!!!

 

I have figured out a great leftover steak hack when traveling. At the end of your dinner thinly slice up your leftover steak. Save one or two of the yummy rolls from your bread basket. Make a mini steak sandwich (or two). Throw that in a doggy bag. Take that back to your room, throw in the fridge. That way when you are ready to snack, it's good to go! 

Thank you so much for this exceptional review! And super impressive photos!! We had taken a little Carnival break but will be on this ship in April and you have really addressed any concerns I had 🙂

@KaiBlue we just booked our hotel yesterday, decided we needed 2 nights. So we will fly in Saturday the 13th. Plus flights on Saturday are cheaper for us than Sunday. So it's win-win! 🙂 Getting so excited!!

Okay, deposit has been placed! 🙂 Happy to join you all! 😎 My name is Kelli and my husband is Isaac. We will be flying in from Southern California. First time to NY!

I have a courtesy hold on this sailing. The itinerary looks fantastic. I absolutely love HMC. Just need to chat with hubby and proceed with the deposit this evening.

My only worry is I haven't sailed on Carnival since 2015. The news in the last year showed some rowdy behaviors and fights. But given the timing and length of this cruise... I think that may alleviate a few of my worries. Everyone in the roll call here seems really nice too 🙂

On 10/29/2023 at 5:35 PM, BSR said:

I have a lot OBC to spend so I'm thinking of trying Rudi's for the first time. Any recommendations?

I love the foie gras and the lamb is outstanding.

We will be on the Koningsdam right after Thanksgiving and I see it when I look at dining reservations. It's called Morimoto by Sea. $64.90 USD. 

I love my PCC but my goodness he is sooooooooooo busy. We basically only email because we can never find a free time that agrees with both of our schedules.

On 7/30/2023 at 6:35 PM, gizmodog said:

Just got off her in June and I loved her. The ship was clean the service good, and the staff were great. Food was way better than celebrity. Only complaint the buffet is so crowded it’s sometimes impossible to find a table. Enjoy!

1000% accurate! We took her in Feb/Mar and the accuracy of this comment is spot on!

16 hours ago, cruisn71 said:

The Spiced Pork Belly (when executed just right) and the Chile Releno in the MDR are two favourites.

 

Also getting a waffle from the waffle station in the Lido and taking it to the eggs benedict station and having the benedict built on top of the waffle.

We love the chile relleno too! It was such a pleasant surprise!

18 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

I enjoyed the Crispy Duck in Tamarind.  Otherwise, I enjoyed putting together my own salad using the salad bar, fish or chicken from the grill, and some of the little side salads.  That is what makes the Lido my go-to for meals.  

Same. At lunch the lido salad with the seared ahi is my absolute go to. I try to catch up on my veggie consumption with that one bowl 🙂

On 6/30/2023 at 4:53 PM, Mary229 said:

Thanks for the review.  I will be sailing the Westerdam to Alaska next year and it is good to hear a better review.  When I had the French toast it was banana bread dipped in egg and fried like French toast - I didn’t particularly like it. 

We were just on the Westerdam for 14 days in Feb/Mar and it was fantastic. Staff A+ 🙂

The Foie Gras De Canard Au Cassis from Rudi's Sel de Mer.

I always bring a box or two of mini moo creamers with me. It's the small single serving room temp creamers. Never ever had a problem. Makes the complimentary coffee taste so much better.

Medano, 100%. 

Cabo and PV are awesome. Acapulco... I wouldn't stray far from the ship. 

Personally Rudi's would be my choice. But I love both restaurants. If I were you I would look over both menus. Pinnacle leans more towards traditional steakhouse options which are awesome. I love Rudi's but I am huge French food fan and a seafood fan. 

It's lovely! 

2 hours ago, ACorgan said:

When I booked mine, the PCC suggested bringing a printout of your original email offer, so that there’s no confusion/miscommunication regarding the amount of free play 

100% agree. Had an issue and wish I had screenshot'd or printed the emails out.

On 5/2/2023 at 8:58 AM, Colorado Klutch said:

 

I will board Koningsdam for my first cruise ever on Saturday. I too am looking forward to the Dutch factor. 

Such a beautiful ship! And the crew is the best! Enjoy!!

I prefer more port days. Because those that wish to relax can always stay on board if they want and can skip the port. There's usually less wind on those days compared to sea days so often times the pool is more pleasant to use. If someone suffers from sea sickness there's less rocking of the ship they have to deal with. If you forgot something it's typically more affordable to hop in to a store on land versus buying from the HAL gift shop. Most ports have free wifi nearby. Stuff like that 😎

On 4/30/2023 at 11:39 AM, POA1 said:

We were thinking Escargot (DW), Crab Bisque (Me) and then sharing the duck liver pâté and beef tartare to share.  I didn't hold out any special hopes for true fois gras when I saw the words "duck liver" in the description.

It's my favorite appetizer on HAL. I think you will really enjoy it!

(And I do not think it is canned)

1 hour ago, Cruiz'nBaers said:

I think it all depends on the ship.  We cruised with family several years ago on the Westerdam and needed a table for 8, it was not a problem.  If I go as a group, I like to sit together at one table, if not, it still feels like 2 separate tables and groups, not as a single party.  My experience and opinion.

Agreed, we were on the Westerdam last month there were at minimum two areas that could accommodate a large group.