BearInStPete

I concur with the other responders about layering, as weather can be highly variable. However, I will say that you are a great situation to buy extra clothing as needed either on the ship or in ports. You will be at the end of season, and both HAL and the ports will be clearing out their clothing. So you could take a chance and pack an reasonable amount of clothing and supplement as you go. Only drawback is you will have to shop, but that could be a bonus!

I'm not sure what combination of information they may use for assignments these days, but in any cruise-line's system, they have your age, past cruise history, cabin category and wether traveling alone, marital status, etc. So likely some combination of these. With today's privacy concerns that is likely it.

I would say that most HAL cruisers (not a knock against other lines at all) are fairly gregarious and well-traveled so they are very likely to be interesting table mates for at least one meal.

On my first cruise on Carnival in the mid-eighties, booking information that I recall giving my travel agent included occupational background and recreational interests/hobbies in addition to the above information - was supposedly used to assist in table assignments. But in those days you got a full listing of the names and home cities of your fellow passengers - more innocent times and only 600+ pax or so in 1984. But I remember table assignments being eerily spot on in terms of matches.

I would be cautious about over-generalizing that "All" cruise lines and ship excursions are overpriced. The excursion buyer should avail themselves of all the tools to research and evaluate excursions from the cruise-line and from independents. On a recent Alaska cruise, the shore excursions offered through the ship were priced essentially the same as those you could book independently. Ship-purchased excursions do have the advantage of being managed by the Line so any deviations are automatically taken into consideration for you. There are many outstanding independents that offer full protection from deviations as well but it is another layer(s) of complexity the traveler has to manage themselves (multiple vendors, deviation policies, contact methods, etc.). Best advice is know before you go and plan accordingly, and have reasonable contingency plans should a deviation occur.

I wouldn't hesitate to inquire of the Maitre'd to see if other solo travelers might be looking for table mates. Also, if there are many solo travelers and/or singles the CD may arrange a gathering as an ice breaker that I would make a point to attend.

Main dining room is open to 1-Star+ Mariners Noon-ish to 2-ish depending upon the ship.

Lots of opinions on this subject - at the end of the day your experiences and expectations may differ. Keep the CC forums and reviews in perspective, extremes & inflammatory commentary are generally outliers. Try to read in-between the lines and consider the commentator's cruise pedigree as well in evaluating responses.

Carnival to HAL in Port Everglades is at worst across the street, but more likely around the corner. I'm sure a Porter would be happy to take your bags for you with less hassle than a taxi. If on princess or RCI it could be across the port.

It's doubtful you will have any issues at all. If you are a light sleeper and easily awakened a rule of thumb is avoid a cabin underneath a public space or near an elevator lobby. I have had to actually pay attention to hear any noise from above in my deck 8 cabins. I often book GTY cabins and get great values without issues, but I am not a light sleeper.

Don't forget the spa specials on the HMC day as well. Living near the beach in FL, HMC is not as big a draw for us, so I spend 1/2 the time on the ship and a few hours walking around and taking pictures on HMC depending upon my mood. It's your vacation enjoy it as you like.

On the Vista and Signature class Ships the Northern Lights disco is open late - as the dailies put it until close. How late the ship parties depends upon your fellow passengers. I have seen 2 and 3 am evenings with a younger Caribbean crowd. My recent cruise to Alaska on the Oosterdam was an older crowd and excursion intensive ports had the ship quiet at midnight. So be cautious about commentary that all HAL passengers are old and the ship is quiet by 10, longer sailings on the smaller ships maybe. Caribbean on the larger ships can be very active.

Worthwhile tour with a smaller group. Boats on the whale watching portion are smaller and designed to be quick to sighted whales. With fewer passengers you are less likely to be shot blocked as well.

We had a corner suite in Alaska, we heard a occasional chair drag, but it was not obtrusive. If you are a light sleeper it might be an issue. Ship happens, and it was not bothersome to us. Under the buffet you will have carpet overhead so should be even less of an issue.

Southern, especially the ABC islands.

Explore 4 is a booking incentive which they withdraw at any time. I suspect your cruise was selling well so they discontinued the offer.

. John Hopkins Glacier, GBNP 9/5/14

. Denali, from within Denali National Park 9/914.

Both are iPhone shots, still sorting 15k of DSLR shots.

John Hopkins Glacier is only accessible by ship after 9/1, a bonus. Denali "glitter gulch" area shuts down for the season around 9/15. You can be more susceptible to stormy weather later in September. As others mentioned, daylight hours are not extended like July and early August. Black bear viewing may be less as the salmon runs come to their natural end beginning mid September. I was just on a cruise and land tour 8/31-9/14 and we had phenomenal weather with full mountain visibility in Denali. But that is more fortuitous than the dates.

There is also an open observation area on deck 9 in front of the gym as well.

There is a check for cabin keys w/random check of photo IDs to gain access to port area in some of the Alaska port areas and the normal cabin key, metal detector and X-ray to board ship.

It would be possible to fly it on SW if there was a reasonably scheduled flight, the airport is adjacent to Port Everglades, flight time to Tampa is < 1 hour, and allow a 30 minute transit from TIA to the pier in tampa. Airfares have been running as cheap as about $80 one way with advance purchase, and SW has no bag fees. Also SW frequency is enough there are probably at least two flights that would allow you to make it to Tampa to board a cruise.

Diane Fast will be on the Westy 9/28 through 12/6.

No - I didn't know about it. Where can I find it? :)

Just search for holland America line on Facebook. On HAL's wall there will be a spot to search for our cruise. It has not been very active (like on here), but somewhat easier to get messages.

John

Awesome - we're on the same deck - 8005. I may take you up on that! We're doing the double Denali tour.

Triple plus Fairbanks for us, so I'm sure we will be seeing you around quite a bit. Are you on the FB roll-call as well?

Hi BearInStPete - we'll be on the ship with you! My first HAL cruise and I'm very excited and know it will be fabulous!

Hi Kimbanite, say Hi on the ship if you like, unless we get changed will be in 8147. Message away if you need any pointers on HAL. Should be a great cruise.

John

PS I did go and read the less than three star reviews and there was commentary that did not makes sense, like the smallest cabins of any line, and value proposition to Disney HAL was overpriced, and citing a couple of recipe interpretations that the reviewer thought were wrong, I would not say the commentary holds water. The reviewer must have been comparing Caribbean sailing prices to Alaska, I did a few comparisons of HAL rates to DCL for similar sailings in AK, DCL was close to double HALs per diems for the same class of cabin. I'm untfazed by their commentary.

I would not worry one bit, especially at this point, you can't cancel and recover your investment. Reality is if there were credible and systemic problems the CC boards would light up. I have not personally read the reviews you are referring to, but if overly strong language (e.g., food was horrible, service terrible, etc) without a bone-fide commentary I would discount the review greatly. I'm on in two weeks so we are in the same boat.