New to cruiseing

[lori645]

We are going on our honeymoon. We sail on march 17th, 2007 on the oosterdam. We need all the help we can get. Can we take wime and chapagne on board with us. How much. What do we bring, and what do we not have to bring. Do we get the little bottles of shampoo and conditioner or should I pack them. Help.

[jtl513]

Welcome to the HAL board! :)

 

You can bring as much wine and champagne as you can carry, but there will be a $10 corkage fee for any bottle you bring to the dining room. There's as much shampoo/conditioner/etc as you need. If you use it all, just ask the steward for more. They supply nice robes for your use. Just think of it as going to a nice hotel.

[noblepa]

You are allowed to bring pretty much any amount of wine or champaign aboard. If you take it to the dining room for dinner, there is a $15 corkage fee, although some have reported that their waiters or wine stewards did not collect it. You may not bring beer or spirits on board, either at embarkation or at ports of call. However, I have brought a bottle of Tequila that we bought in Puerta Vallarta back aboard and was never questioned about it. The published policy is that such bottles will be taken and returned on the final night of the cruise.

 

The larger problem is getting wine/champaign TO the ship. The TSA won't allow you to carry any liquid more than 3 oz. on board a plane. If you're driving to the port, or stop to buy it between the airport and the pier, you will be okay. You can pack it in your checked luggage, but this may very well result in overweight baggage charges. Not to mention the fact that it might break, ruining all your clothes.

 

The cruise line does provide soap, shampoo and such in the bathroom of your cabin. I don't know what brand they supply, so if you're picky about the brand, bring your own. There is also a hair dryer in the bathroom.

 

Be aware that you can not bring electrical appliances, like travel irons on board. They are considered a fire hazard. You can bring your own hair dryer, if you like, and an electric razor. Most HAL ships, except the Vista class (Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam) have self-serve laundries, if you need to iron something. There can be a line, especially on formal nights. The ship provides laundry service as well.

[grannynurse]

HAL furnishes Elemis products such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion and soaps. There are also shower caps and bathrobes and for suite guests, slippers. There are lots of hangers in the closets. Shoe shines are free, ask your room steward. There is a charge for laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing.

The beds are heavenly. There is a flat screen TV, You can get food and bar service in the room; room service food is included in cruise cost but alcohol is not free. Most rooms have a mini-fridge and a pay as you use (no-host) bar.

Be sure to take a cover-up, sweater or shawl as the dining room can be chilly, and bring a windbreaker or sweatshirt for nights on deck.

Congratulations and welcome to the HAL board.

GN

[seaisme]

We are going on our honeymoon. We sail on march 17th, 2007 on the oosterdam. We need all the help we can get. Can we take wime and chapagne on board with us. How much. What do we bring, and what do we not have to bring. Do we get the little bottles of shampoo and conditioner or should I pack them. Help.

recommend that you search boards for first-time cruisers...you will learn a lot by reading the boards. Or, hook up for an evening with someone who cruises (perhaps someone at work, your church, etc).

 

One thing first time cruisers tend to do is bring too many clothes. Look at your ports of call and days at sea. If you intend on doing water excursions at the ports of call, and spending a lot of time sunning during days at sea, you don't need that many "day casual" clothes. You will live in your swimsuit and will want a nice coverup that is appropriate for anywhere on the ship (I've found that a pair of terry shorts and a T work well). If you plan on doing a lot of land tours, you will need more day-casual clothes and VERY comfortable shoes. Dinner in the dining room will require formal wear for two nights (on HAL the ladies really dress), and the other nights are "resort wear" (nice capris set or nice sundress for you, and for your new Hubby, nice pair of slacks and shirt). Of course, there's always the option of spending time alone and having your dinner delivered to your cabin! But don't live in your cabin and rob other passengers of the pleasure of enjoying your special time with you! Last cruise our four table mates were two honeymoon couples, and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. (recommend not asking for a table for two...a good part of the cruise experience is meeting other people. It has always enhanced the enjoyment of the cruise for us). Enjoy...and read the Boards!

Cass