N.S. 12/19 4 nt.

[cruisewiththekids]

I am looking at this 4 nt sailing. I know it is the first sailing upon reaching the US and that it is not scheduled to depart until 11 PM. I understand there will probably be lots of travel agents on board as well and that some folks recommend avoiding these kinds of sailings. I'm really most interested in visiting HMC on a short itinerary that isn't Carnival. But what disruptions do you think passengers will encounter on this sailing?

 

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[RuthC]

But what disruptions do you think passengers will encounter on this sailing?

First, boarding will be seriously delayed. Every US Government agency that has any jurisdiction over the ships will be making an appearance. They will be searching every nook & cranny to be sure it (and the crew) pass inspection.

Then, a good deal of time likely will be necessary for provisioning.

 

If there are travel agents, they will be given tours, presentations, and parties during the cruise. Some areas will be closed off from mere paying passengers.

 

If there are Seattle big-wigs on board (I don't know if there will be), expect the food to be up a several notches over the customary offerings. But also expect that the ship's schedule will be adjusted to accommodate them. If they are still chatting away at the dinner table, the show will be held for them to get there, leaving the paying passengers to sit and wait.

Again, areas will be closed off for private parties.

[catl331]

We did the 3 or 4 nighter "pre-season" first-from-FLL on the Eurodam in 2008 and the Koningsdam in 2016. It seemed to us that there were many more TA's and VIP's and party-hearty types on the E than on the K. On the E on the first day/evening we did see several groups being escorted around with visitor badges, but none on the K.

For the K we were told that our deck would be boarding at 2:00, so we dropped our bags off around 11:00 and went to lunch downtown to kill some time. We had been told that we could request a text message when boarding began, and that came around 12:30. By the time we got back to the port and parked and got to the check-in desk around 1:15 the waiting room was pretty much empty, with no-one in the priority check-in line and just 6 or so people in the non-priority line. After a fast check-in we went directly aboard. I'm pretty sure that either the CDC or USCG inspections were not both done on that day, but rather one of them was postponed until after the ship returned to FLL.

We dined one night each in the MDR, Tamarind, Sel de Mer, and Canaletto, and none was crowded. (We eat early.) The first night service in the MDR was a little slow. We had a Gala night on the last night, and we think that was because Orlando Ashford and other VIPs were aboard. We didn't go to any shows in the World Stage and can't report on that, but all-in-all it was not much different than any other short cruise, with no noticeable impact from TA's or VIP's.

There is a 3-nt "Girls Getaway" on the N.S. 1/30 to 2/2 that is currently sold out, but if you watch that one space might open up, so you could satisfy your wish to see HMC on a short HAL cruise other than the initial one.

Edited July 28, 2018 by catl331

[cruisewiththekids]

I was told by HAL that boarding will start at 1 PM. Is that later than normal?

 

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[Fouremco]

I was told by HAL that boarding will start at 1 PM. Is that later than normal?

 

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Yes, but not atypical for a first cruise following a TA.

[rkacruiser]

I was told by HAL that boarding will start at 1 PM. Is that later than normal?

 

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Yes, embarkation normally starts at or about 11:30 A. M.

[catl331]

I was told by HAL that boarding will start at 1 PM. Is that later than normal?

It depends. HAL has long used 1:00 as the "standard" time printed on most Boarding Passes. However, for a ship arriving in the US after having been away for several months (or always, in the case of a new ship) inspections by the CDC and USCG and possibly other authorities will force boarding to be delayed. In addition, some HAL ships are trying a method of staggered boarding times by deck. Since you are asking about the N.S. first time in the US, it's quite possible that your boarding will actually start at 1:00 ... but as I explained in post #3, they told us 2:00 and it actually started about 12:30. Edited July 28, 2018 by catl331

[Nymich]

This cruise doesn't leave until 11 pm but they will boarding at 1. That seems very early

[catl331]

This cruise doesn't leave until 11 pm but they will boarding at 1. That seems very early

We've been on a few cruises that left the embarkation port around 22:00 to 23:00. Even with a late departure, the muster drill is generally done before dinner, around 16:00, so everyone has to be on-board by then. Generally I think most people don't want to board late. They've had to check out of their hotels before Noon, and have no interest in doing something in a port they've been to several times before ...

[Arubababe52]

I just booked this cruise and my PCC told me that she’s going on the ship Dec2 for 3 days from Venice to Rome. This cruise is only Holland America employees, Princess, etc. she told me ship is full. She also thinks there will be some kind of christening happening in Ft. Lauderdale.

[Blue Eyes]

I, too, have looked at this cruise to celebrate my 70th birthday while on board. I admit I have reservations about a "first" cruise, but it looks like the ship will have already done several trips before this short cruise. Guess I better make up my mind if I want to go....

[catl331]

... but it looks like the ship will have already done several trips before this short cruise.

Just one with paying passengers, an 18-day from Rome.

[1ANGELCAT]

Just one with paying passengers, an 18-day from Rome.

 

 

 

It’s 14 days from Rome.

 

 

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