maxxboy

Over the years I've read way too many times on CC about problems with a maiden voyage. The above comments are not unusual. There is also a chance the departure date of the maiden voyage could be delayed. That said, if you want to be on a ship's maiden voyage just so you can you did it, then go for it!

Looking at the deck plans I'm trying to figure out what the blank space is next to the Owner's Suite 9184. Also, anyone here have any recent photos of the cabin?

I agree with the OP. We were on the Nieuw Amsterdam docked in Key West next to a Carnival ship. The jumbotron was extremely loud playing episodes of I love Lucy. It was very annoying.

Although we usually don't purchase much jewelry on board or in port, when we do its a nice reminder each time you put it on of where you got it and the wonderful vacation we had. Not if it was a bargain or not.

That said, several cruises ago my partner bought a Burberry watch on board. Have no idea if it was a good deal or not, but when it was time to replace the battery I took it to the Burberry store near us. They had ever seen that model before and said it was very unique. I told them where we got it and they said you will find Burberry items sold on ships (and other destinations) that you will not see in stores. That may apply to other brands as well.

Several months ago I read a review (think it was on Princess) and the reviewer said in order to save money he and his wife slept in their car the night before, and it was his wife's birthday, too!

As far as the ship is concerned, you can bring as many pieces of luggage you do or don't want to bring. Flying is different. Usually one checked piece per person and there is usually a charge if a piece weighs over 50 pounds.

This is a silly waste of our time post. :mad:

Especially when the OP admits that he is lazy about looking it up him or herself.

I am sure that every cruiseline has a class of ship with aft wraparound balcony suites.

Click your mouse a few times on a cruise planning site and find out for yourself.

 

JMHO

You sound like a fun person to be around. NOT!

I agree with RCI Radiance class ships. We had Junior suite 1100 (port side) on the Radiance and it was great. On the starboard side it is a Grand Suite (1600) but it is my understanding JS 1100 has the larger balcony.

 

Halloween in the French Quarter was very lively.

 

We used to live about 3 hours away from NOLA. We had been several times and always loved it. Then one year we decided to go during Halloween. The French Quarter was wall to wall people and yes, very lively. If its like that during Halloween, no telling what its like during Mardi Gras, of which we have never dared to find out!

My partner and I have been on the Eurodam and we enjoyed it quite a lot. The ship was stunning. Beautiful interior design, good food and service. We were at your age when we went and felt quite comfortable. There were very few kids (this was the week before Christmas). We had a Neptune Suite with access to the Neptune (concierge) lounge, which was nice. We never had to go down to guest services as the concierge could take care of anything we needed. We also had a Retreat Cabana (we rented one of the two larger family cabanas) and we were treated like royalty. I don't think we'll ever go without one again!

We did not attend any shows nor did we use any of the spa/gym facilities. We did have dinner at the specialty restaurants - Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind and enjoyed both meals. MDR was also good with no complaints.

We would go back on the Eurodam in a heartbeat!

You can't go wrong with either family cabana. I would take either one without question. Both have good air circulation.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'm still torn - can't seem to justify in my mind the cost differential ($299 vs. $449) for that one extra person. Any input on which specific cabana? I know there are only 2 family ones - is one better than the other? Also, which "regular" cabanas are better as far as breeze, location, size, etc. I tried finding a layout of the Retreat on the Eurodam but could only find one for the Noordam which I know is different. Thanks again :-)

If you are travelling on a tight budget (which I don't recommend) and that extra $150.00 means that much, then book a regular size cabana. You will get two loungers and a table with two chairs. I would recommend one that faces the pool below for the best breeze. If you do go with a family cabana you'll get four loungers (which also can be converted into two big loungers) a table with four chairs, and more room two walk around. Both family cabanas are on the ends so you get a much better view, too.

We book the regular size cabanas and often travel with 3 people. Since we don't spend all of our time in the cabana, there was no problem with 3 of us using it. We did not get 'extra' chocolate covered strawberries etc., just shared what we were given.

There are 2 loungers and 2 chairs, so enough room for everyone to sit for a while.

I don't think you have to book the family cabana.

I guess it depends on your comfort level. We book a family cabana for just the two of us as the regular size seems to small, too cubical.

Personally I think more than two people in a "regular" size cabana would be too crowded. I've seen 3 and 4 people in them before and wonder how could that be comfortable for everyone.

We've stopped in San Juan several times and always enjoy it. Last time we did a Segway tour and it was a lot of fun.

If RCI would allow passengers to carry on one bottle pp of liquor, or at least offer bottled liquor for in room use, I would imagine security wouldn't have to spend as much time looking for contraband, and the crew on board wouldn't have to staff the naughty room as much. I'm sure its because of profit for RCI.

Each time we've had a retreat cabana (seven days each cruise) we tipped the two attendants $25 each.

Uber from Hobby to the Port is around $35. But, it's a small car and can't carry all that much luggage or many passengers. Taxi's run about $80-85. Have a good time!

Uber also has towncars and SUV's.

The "no flaming" policy is new for 2014 based on insurance issues according to our Pinnacle Grill waiter on Ms Westerdam july 2014. I miss the Steak Diane!!!!

And I will miss the bananas foster! I wonder if they can prepare it in the kitchen and then bring to the table?

Real flames--or LED "flames"? ;)

Yes, real fire.

On our Holland America cruise last year we had bananas foster flambe prepared tableside in one of the speciality restaurants. Also saw them prepare cherries jubilee.

We've only had Retreat cabanas on the Eurodam and NA, but one day on the NA I walked by the Lido cabanas and noticed a family had two rented side by side and it was open between the two. That said, unless you are wanting to be by the pool and all the action, I would suggest a Family Retreat Cabana. It comes with four loungers and a table for four, nice quiet atmosphere and it isn't hot and stuffy like the Lido cabanas.

We are in a family cabana so is that the best of both worlds?

You bet!

This is funny...the same old discussion/assumptions made on other cruise line boards in years past. If they ban balcony smoking, the public smoking areas will become unbearable smoke pits that overwhelm everyone and everything around them. Blah, blah, blah.

 

I saw this on Celebrity. I saw this on Princess. I saw this on RCI. Yet, it all turned out to be untrue.

Since RCI has banned balcony smoking, I have noticed several posts complaining about smoke being more prevalent in the casino and public areas. Even complaints from those who's balconies were above a designated outdoor smoking areas where the smoke drifted up.

We did the Segway tour in San Juan and really enjoyed it. Afterwards we had time to stroll around and do some shopping before heading back to the ship.

I would never put HAL's afternoon tea and "fancy" in the same sentence. It's a fend-for-yourself grab at a buffet affair from the start.

My only experiences with high tea was on the Eurodam in 2008 and on the Golden Princess in 2002. If my memory is correct, on the Eurodam I went to what was called the Royal Dutch high tea which was a buffet which sounds like you experienced, and yes, it was just a line to a buffet and fend-for-yourself. I have not attended "regular" high tea or the Indonesian tea. On Princess, we were seated and waiters wearing white gloves would come to your table on offer all kinds of small tasty sandwiches (cucumber was a favorite), scones, and what not. And of course, a large selection of teas were presented and served. Very nice, if not "fancy" feeling.

On the Nieuw Amsterdam our Cabana Club attendants insisted they get anything we want from the Lido if we didn't want something off the Cabana menu. They always offered with a smile and were happy to do so. That said, I don't know if they would be able to get something from the MDR itself. We never asked as the Lido had so much to offer.