Viesczy
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Posts posted by Viesczy
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It'll vary based on the layout of the boats and where your cabin is in proximity.
Here's a passel of pics as example, assume & accept you're going to get the "worst" and if you don't BONUS!!
I never minded the "obstructed" view balconies nor the cove balconies. The ability to go outside and not being confined is what matters more to me.
Have a great time!
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This is crazy talk. This is like saying that Celebrity, Princess, RCL, Norwegian, Oceania, Holland America, Carnival and the like are more the same than they are different. Of Course, they are ships that sail on the ocean. If one cruises enough, the same differences are what make the difference between lines. Not that they are more the same than they are different.
I assure anyone that RCL and Princess are not the same at all in terms of cruising differences.
Enjoy a Princess cruise and see if you like it.
Walt: 46 day countdown.
Repeating above as it is fact.
Princess and RCCL are worlds apart with regard to presented product. If you need something high energy to do at all times, Princess isn't for you. If you like a chance to do chillax the day away, then Princess (or HA or Celebrity) is for you.
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Hi, I don't know about other's dining experiences with the table for just 2, but my husband and I are seated so close to the 2 top to the left and right of us, we might as well just have had a table for 4.
Just a heads up:).
^ Quoting above as it is the truth! You will be closer to the next table than NJ is to PA.
The reason why the tablecloths were taken away was so they could move the tables for 2 closer together! :D;)
But as others have said, talk to the maitre-d' soon as you're on the ship, just don't expect a "private" table.
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If the MD decided to not enforce something, where's the rub? It was the MD's decision.
But yay, another dress code thread about the chosen threads someone used to cover themselves. Just what was needed!
Personally, I love formal nights. My suits are sharp, cut to fit myself so to showcase my attention to diet and fitness, but I'm not going to begrudge someone not dressing up. I mean, why? The quality of clothing doesn't indicate the quality of person said clothing is covering.
Honestly, I've met far nice people at Shaw's near Buxton ME than many of the well heeled in the greater NYC/Philly/DC area.
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Non-smoker here... I'm sorry for my fellow cruisers that prefer HAL and who smoke.
Personally I find smoking just foul, but my personal preference doesn't give me the right to limit the rights of others.
Before someone whips out some stats about how dangerous smoking can be... pump the brakes and use a critical mind.
If smoking was as dangerous as purported there would've been amazing population declines in Asia and most European countries that border the Med. If you've ever been there, seemingly everyone smokes and they're not suffering any from declining populations due to cancer deaths.
I've never once been on a balcony and been smoked out by my neighbors while the ship was sailing. There's been folks curing meats next to us too!
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You'll have a great time!
CCL negative rep is as incorrect as HAL's "God's waiting room" rep.
We always look to CCL when we want to something short and "regular".
We look to HAL & Princess when we want to d something longer (9+ days) and more "exotic".
The "worst" thing is that most CCL ships have a good 800 more pax on them as compared to the largest HAL ships, but honestly it doesn't feel "crowded" to me.
Again, you're going to have a great time!
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Thankya OP! Sounds interesting/promising.
About the Library. I always have w me what I want to read either in book or file form, so I can see why HAL is going to use the space for something else.
I guess on a longer cruise, like something that is a ture 20 day + w a lot of sea days it would be tough to for a non reader user to pack those books, but how many ships are dedicated for 3 straight weeks (not a B2B)?
Even on the Westie for a month back in the Fall of '12 hitting Hawaii and the SP I didn't hit the library once (I muled King's Dark Tower series). Karen got 2 books from there, but that's it and there were a BUNCH of sea days on that.
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Fixed dining options always seem to clash with what wanted to do when we still wanted to eat in the MDR. Plus there's the dread of who are we getting stuck with, or in my case who is getting stuck w me! :D;)
FWIW typically all we want to do at night results in just a lido run, eat them victuals quick and get the night's festivities done.
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I am thinking about the Los Angeles to Hawaii to Bora Bora cruise 28 days!! Thats a lot of sea days I have traveled a lot in Atlantic but this will be my first Pacific cruise It is this Oct and next Oct only Lokking for advice from a fellow Pacific cruiser Thanks
We've done this cruise (on HAL and had to cancel last year's on Princess due to a new job for Karen and she not having enough PTO days) and it is a GREAT cruise to see a remote part of the world.
The greatest thing is the South Pacific islands look the way you think a tropical island should look (as compared to the Caribbean, which just look like "home" surrounded by a warm ocean). As you get near the islands and they're in view they have a primordial look to them, like a T-Rex will be shuffling about just inside the tree line, or you're going to hear King Kong HOLLER.
Hawaii has a little of the Caribbean effect (home surrounded by warm water) but not so much as to jade you. You have that tropical feel and first world amenities that we're used to in any major US city.
A definite must do!
We are DEFINITELY doing it again, hopefully sooner than later (in less than 5 years if PTO works out w Karen). Now I might have a new gig and not have the # PTO until the 5 year mark so it might be a little later... but DEFINITELY do this cruise while you're young enough/able bodied enough to really enjoy it.
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I just tried to book a Christmas cruise for our family of 4. I got as far as the payment page when an error message popped up, saying no children aged 13-17 allowed. I called Princess to find that indeed, the cruise had reached its limit of teenagers. The rep. told me that Princess tries to keep an older demographic and they could not allow me to book my 16 year old son, although my 10 year old was fine. I guess we will try another line. My kids were so excited to sail the Royal. Merry Christmas Princess!
It makes sens from all PoVs really.
Since Princess caters to an older demographic (no slights meant/intended) everything is geared to that demo, get too many outside the target and it is a rotten time for all parties - the line, the older folks and the younger folks.
The elders will be all "what is this, the prom" and have a sour time if there were no limits.
The youngsters will be all "what is this, a mortuary" and have a sour time if there were no limits.
Princess will be all "everyone's miserable" if there were no limits.
While on an individual level it is a disappointment (as it is for the OP) at first glance, I wouldn't take the girls on any vacation that didn't gear activities towards them and have enough facilities to handle the # of participants for said activities. Just a waste of money as few things are as trying to be around as a sullen teen! Gawd, they lose their brains if the their toothbrush is facing the wrong way! ;):D
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If I had only 1 cruise to do and be done?
The Tales of the South Pacific would be my choice HAL cruise. The greatest month of my life (in straight days I mean not total days as that would be a GRIM existence!) was the time on the Westy back in the fall of '!2 doing the 30 day HI/South Pacific, the Tales cruise hits all the places I loved and adds a few more! HOOK ME UP!!!
If it wasn't going to be on HAL, it would be Princess' variant that hits the SP/HI area that leaves from Sidney. Same basic areas (with a 14 day flight to/from... or so it would feel).
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We prefer both HAL and PCL for longer relaxation vacations. I prefer HAL a little more where as Karen prefers PCL a little more.
Both have a similar demographic (talking about cruises in excess of 10 days) and will be quieter at night than other lines.
If you like a little to do at night, PCL does have more going on. You can always catch the movie showing on Movies Under The Stars (they typically have 2 showings) if you're not feeling the comedian/ventriloquist/juggler in the theater. That's what Karen likes and edges PCL over HAL in her mind.
The 2 greatest months of our lives were spent on HAL & PC and when it comes down to once the "where" is agreed upon, then it is the compromise of the on "who" we'll be spending the time "where".
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We look to HAL for our longer vacations when we want to do something a little less ordinary and relax while doing the little less ordinary.
HAL's food is quality, the service is great, and the ships are well branded.
If we're planning 10 days or more and just want to enjoy ourselves w each other, HAL/Princess/Celebrity are the places we look. I prefer HAL whereas Karen prefers the little more on board life of Princy.
Shorter cruises, they're typically w CCL/NCL/RCL as those are fast/fun getaways and those lines offer a more upbeat option.
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If you're not sailing around Easter, the "tons" of spring break folks won't be "tons". Even if you are sailing on/through/over Easter if the cruise is longer than a week you'll see far less than tons.
That said, if I were to pick between the Dream and the Dawn (both of which are fine boats) I would do the Dream just for all it has to offer. Yes both CCL and NCL have their strengths/weaknesses, but IMO the Dream's strengths are greater than the Dawn's strength.
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Variety is the spice of life! 13 straight vacations of the same product would've driven me to insanity too!
We typically never book more than 2 or 3 in a row on the same line so we don't get bored with the product offered.
NCL is a great line, haven't been on them in a few years but they are on the short list of who we look to vacation with when planning our time.
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Aft balconies have their charmers/admirers w the larger balcony and such.
Personally, I am not one of those as the vibration rattles me just too much.
Regardless of my opinion, you're on a cruise and that's not a bad thing!
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Interesting video!
When I saw the thread, I was sure it was going to be what we'd build... so I'm a little sad.
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People should quit complaining about noise and bring a white noise machine or white noise App for their IPhone . Makes all the difference.
Sent from my iPad using Forums
I hate that term "white noise" as the generators aren't making "white noise". If you've heard that, you'd not want to constantly hear it. They really generate "pink noise", but nonetheless a set of earplugs is an easy fix too and work wonders if the OP is worried about late night/early morning noises.
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The designers didn't think this through very well it seems.
^Agreed. It is a sad state that those who design many things have no actual experience prior to their design nor using their design after it being implemented.
As far as the OP's situation.... yeesh that'll put you on the ground w tears welling in your eyes! EEK!
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Accept that you'll get the worst cabin in the category. Anything else will be great.
Quoting Sadie for truth.
Find the cabin you believe is the WORST, prepare for/accept that as your room and if it isn't... BONUS!
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Cooking classes and exciting are farther apart than the Moon and the Earth.
A fire during said cooking classes, that's exciting! :D
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Note I am 45 & Karen is 49, but in no ways in bed by 10 types.
You'll have a great time in port, but don't expect the life you'd get on NCL/CCL.
Yes there will be some spots that have some "life", but said life most likely will be you, the other couples under 50 (there will be some) and the crew.
If you really want a hopping night life and on a 10+ day cruise on HAL... I'm not sure you're going to get it.
When we book vacations, when we want a chillax on board time getting us from port to port (where we concentrate our fun) we look to HAL & Princess (as I feel they off a comparable product) but when we want excitement in all aspects of a cruise (typically shorter cruises too) we look to NCL/CCL and only will hit HAL/PCL to see if there's some sort of deal too good to pass.
In no ways am I "down" on HAL, they offer a great product!! Just understand the product. Like buying a vehicle, if you had 3 kids and you needed a vehicle to go about your life w said chickabiddies, you'd not buy a 2 seat convertible. Or if you need to haul horses, the convo will not be your choice but that convertible isn't a bad vehicle, just not best suited for your wants/needs.
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Thankya! We sail in like 6 weeks!
BTW does CCL own The Intern & The Martian? We saw those in March when on the Caribbean Princess and I'd swear I've seen them on the list for CCL since then too.
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Typically we hit the MDR only once or twice a cruise (2 if it is longer than 10 days) as it just doesn't always fit into the plans.
Like we want to do A,B & C and the time in the MDR would preclude 1 or 2 of those things, lido time for a fast meal.
Food is tasty there.
Dream Meet and Mingle
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted
Honestly, after our first cruise I couldn't care less about meeting the folks running the ship
Let's be honest, we're on a floating bus with a hotel & diner.
I wouldn't ask a bus driver the minutia of the busing company when his job is only to get said vehicle from point A to point B to point C, a local hotel manager about how they manage the hotel, or the head cook at a local restaurant how they make their bisque at home, why would I do it on a ship?
About the service, I prefer the 1 a day. I'm not slovenly, can easily make the bed (I've done it every day of my life since I was 5) and hate trying to coordinate not being in someone's way while they're getting paid a slave's wages to do what I've done for 40 years. Honestly, they could simply set clean towels on the bathroom counter & be done with our cabin.