Cruise Junky

1 hour ago, alwaysfrantic said:

The 4th deck is MUCH deeper

Thank you. I found one picture it looks like very little coverage though and really open. Hubby likes shade.  

Hi. I’m currently on deck 7. Does anyone know the size difference between that and deck 4?  Any advantage, disadvantage?  Thank you.  VB not corner suites. 

1 hour ago, the penguins said:

X has lots of longer cruises just not from Florida. See Europe, Far East, Japan and the Pacific etc.

Having to join cruises together also has some advantages especially if you are Elite and above as the benefits start again on each sector. Also the Shareholder OBC can be higher.

I was being facetious after being bombarded with daily mail about their 4/5 day cruises.  I am a big Celebrity Fan but their itineraries aren’t that interesting anymore. Hard to string 2 together in Europe that offer anything new. No more lengthy Carribean.  So as much as I prefer X as a cruiseline, HAL has far better itineraries 

HAL has some very good lengthy itineraries. Celebrity would have to string together more than four days in the Caribbean to compete 🤷🏻‍♀️   

1 hour ago, Bimmer09 said:

 

 

Where do your 36 days begin and on which ship? I've enjoyed reading your reviews.

 

Norris

 

Transpacific. Sydney to Seattle. Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tahiti and Hawaii. Noordam. The cruise in question is the seven days after ours.  
 

we all have different wants in a vacation and if these ports float your boat then go for it. I was asked a question and I honestly answered.   

9 minutes ago, JeLy_Beanz said:

Is this not a good itinerary? Or maybe the excitement is just because it hasn't been done in decades? I'm contemplating booking it, but not sure it would be worth it. Besides the ports, would the views be worth it? 

I don’t want to throw a wet towel on anyone’s excitement as I don’t know what HAL is planning in the way of excursions but we are on the 36 day transpacific previous to the April 2026 sailing.  Let’s put it this way…you’d have to pay me to stay on for the next seven days.  

November I’m seeing 25% off drinks. Not enough to make me book.  

54 minutes ago, sun bum said:

If you would wear jeans to a 5 star restaurant at home, by all means ,wear them. Personally I would not. to each their own

Before I lmao I just want to confirm you’re comparing mass cruise ship dining to a 5 star restaurant?  
 

how did this tread get past post 2?   Jeans are clearly defined in the dress code online.  

50 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

This cruise has 3 foreign ports!  Ketchikan is the only US port outside of Seattle but a destination none the less!

Obviously. But not my question. The poster said Ketchikan was a requirement as a foreign port. So yes, your statement is correct but I have no idea what it has to do with what I posted.  

12 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said:

Thanks for the good wishes! 

I imagine Ketchikan is a requirement (foreign port) but although we have been there 3 times prior we are happy to visit again. It's a picturesque little town and I'm always armed to the teeth with cameras.

I saw some bears on one of our visits there...we visited the rainforest and I had my camcorder with me. I took 3 videos with bears.

I can never remember- did the guide say we should "keep quiet and don't move" or was it "run at them while shouting!" I guess I'll find out April 2026.

Haven't been in Ketchikan since 2016. We were on the Star Princess.

 

Doesn’t the cruise leave from Seattle?  How is Ketchikan the foreign port? 

This might be the first time ever I’ve seen someone excited about Prince Rupert and Nanaimo 😂😂

Yes, we just ran into that when booking for March, 2026.  Their loss, we decided to do the first leg as a land trip 🤷🏻‍♀️  Stupid games.   If looking at the B2B for 50 days only less desirable cabins were available 

Has anyone had any issue moving a NRD more than once?  I’ve moved mine once already and now have found a better itinerary on another line. Thanks. 

1 hour ago, Oceangoer2 said:

I've looked at Emerald but I thought they were small ship European river cruises?  Do they sail in the Caribbean or have larger ships?

They’re owned by Scenic Cruises.  They have multiple routes. 

On 2/27/2024 at 2:48 AM, david63 said:

They are pre-authorisations for any onboard spend that you have incurred that day once any OBC has been used. At the end of the cruise/sector the balance outstanding will be collected from your credit card and the pre-authorisations released. Depending on your bank those pre-authorisations will roll off anytime from one to 10 days.

 

This is standard practice for all Carnival brands.

That’s not correct. HAL takes a set amount per day PP at the beginning of the cruise.  
 

its now dropped, it used to be $60 pp pd

The day you board, Holland America Line places an initial hold on your credit or debit card for $30 per person per cruise day  Once you’ve spent the initial hold amount, we will authorize your card for the total of your onboard purchases to date plus an additional $30 per person per day for the remainder of your cruise. Please note that there may be multiple authorizations throughout your cruise, and that some banks may keep the hold in place for up to 30 days.

44 minutes ago, Port Power said:

My reasons are only from the perspective of a solo cruiser.
 

Cunard has excellent entertainment, musicians and lectures, and the food is very good. I also like to dress up. Nevertheless, as a solo traveller, the ships are too big.  I meet some people and enjoy a chat, but never see them again.  Cunard does not hold any solo gatherings.  At dinner there is a share table only if you arrive quite early.  QM2 last year, booked for 9 nights just to try this iconic ship, was the final straw.  Not for me.

Thank you. Appreciate the feedback.  

The Cunard itineraries are out for 2026. Queen Anne will be doing that route.  

On 3/2/2024 at 6:48 AM, Port Power said:

I definitely would not do a WC on Princess: boring and repetitive.  Nor Cunard.  I have had issues every time I have sailed with Cunard (and I’ve been on all three), for all their good entertainment and guest lecturers.  There is no need for anyone to defend either line, they are just not for me.

Can you share what you didn’t like about Cunard?  I’m eyeing their WC on QA. Thanks.  

Your budget is going to be a main driver but don’t forget to add everything in.  Are you going as a single?  Oceania Vista I believe has single cabins.  Budget and itinerary should help narrow it.   Do you want South America? Africa?  Antarctica?  Do you want dressy with Cunard? Or more laid back?  

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I have to say BA use to be a good airlines but has gone in the tanks.    Sometimes BA is the only choice and shocked by their charges.    I recently booked a flight LHR to Barcelona in full fare Business Class.   They charge to pick seats.      The only airline I've ever experience that hit Business class passengers with a fee to select seats.

I just booked the same flight 😂 I think I get off Equinox when you get on.  

Are you flying in British Airways by any chance?  They do charge to pick your seats even in PE. I agree though, I’d avoid cruise air like the plague. 

24 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

I like the older ships, so that wouldn't be a problem for me.  But as for "a lot of issues", that might be.  Could you specify?

 

LOL.  I don't know why HAL calls the balcony cabins "Vista Suites" .  From the looks of them on you tube, they are not suites at all.  and as far as I can see they have no suite benefits.  IMHO, it is misleading to call them "suites".
 

They’re definitely not suites but there’s a very large price difference between those and an OV.  Things like plumbing and AC issues and just lack of space would annoy me.  As much as I’m not a fan of Zuiderdam, I would have preferred that size.  

9 hours ago, islandwoman said:

What's the problem with the Volendam?

For me she’s too old and has had a lot of issues. There are also no regular balconies, you have to book a suite to get a balcony which increases the price.  

3 hours ago, Guinness1000 said:

I noticed HAL is doing their 2026 WC on the Volendam. Does anyone have any thoughts on that? We've been waiting to see what the itinerary would be, but I'm not sure my hubby would like 130 days on that ship. Zuiderdam too big to fill? 

Ugh. We wouldn’t consider that ship. We’re leaning towards Oceania Vista.  

What would the deposit be on the 120 day version? Am I correct in thinking it’s $3k for 2?  The 20% applies to the full voyage doesn’t it?