One day cruises, what can I expect?

[CaledonHockley]

Can anyone tell me what the ship atmosphere is like on these cruises? I'm assuming there won't be anything formal. Will the spa be open? I've done an internet search and can't find very much info. But I seem to recall somebody once saying that HAL treats one night cruisers no different than anyone else and that every part of the ship will be in operation. Thanks for any input.

[DFD1]

Personally, I think it's a bad way to gain an accurate impression of any cruise line. There is simply not enought time to sense what life on board the ship for a longer period of time would be.

 

As for what is open, I would expect the spa, casino and most other venues in the ship to be operating. One could probably get a pretty good impression of the ship itself, it's decor, layout, etc.

 

I doubt that one night cruise passengers are intentionally slighted, but I also doubt they will leave knowing much about what that cruise line is really about.

 

This is my opinion only.

[Kween Karen]

On my last cruise (Panama Canal Ft Lauderdale to Seattle) many passengers boarded in Vancouver for the 1 night sail to Seattle. Nothing changed on the ship except the atmosphere of passengers........this tended to be a much younger, heavily partying crowd. All of a sudden everything felt more crowded......I think because these new folks were making the MOST of their one night......I don't think they slept!!

[navybankerteacher]

Hardly worth the effort - getting to the cruise terminal, going through check in, waiting in line to get off -- you would spend more time coming and going than "cruising" - you would not get a real taste of the ship or the line. Better to save upfor at least a three or four day cruise.

[brucory]

The one day cruises are usually when a ship is moving into position for its next sailing season. On HAL, most of these are at the end or start of other voyages. So, not everyone is only there for one night. Some might be finishing a very long trip while others are just starting.

 

We have done a one night cruise before and found it an excellent way to get into position before our next cruise, with an extended stay in Seattle. It saved us having to hire a car and drive from Vancouver.

 

It was a wonderful way to get a taste of the ship and see all over it. You have the chance to explore the ship as you normally would and 3 wonderful meals are included, as well as a show, etc, which for $59 per person (I think thats what they start at), is not a bad way to get a taste of HAL.

 

Ignore the naigh sayers. This is a great deal and makes for a wonderful night out!!!

 

:D:D:D

[Harry1954]

Makes me think of Daytona Beach during Spring Break in my college years - each night was a one-night stand and really seemed dull looking back - great for a few hours but no depth. No time to smell the roses and savor the moment. Cruising is much more of a delight to short-change that way IMHO.

harry

[kryos]

On my last cruise (Panama Canal Ft Lauderdale to Seattle) many passengers boarded in Vancouver for the 1 night sail to Seattle. Nothing changed on the ship except the atmosphere of passengers........this tended to be a much younger, heavily partying crowd. All of a sudden everything felt more crowded......I think because these new folks were making the MOST of their one night......I don't think they slept!!

I don't blame them for not sleeping! They only have one night onboard, so they want to make the most of it.

 

I also think a lot of these one night cruises are populated primarily by travel agents. HAL tends to give these away to high producing agents as a sort of "incentive." They get their cabins for free, but probably not their onboard bill. HAL makes plenty off of them in that one day ... in the casino, the bars and the spa. They don't really need the cabin revenue. :) Travel agents can be a really "party hardy" crowd.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Susie51]

One night cruises don't interest me because of the hassle of getting on the ship and then getting off less than 24 hours later.

[cruisequeen10]

On a lot of these 1 day cruises the casino is not open, because they are cruising close to land and are not able to have the casino open.

[luvcruisn']

I went on a one night cruise, Vancouver to Seattle, several years ago. There was a bus arranged to bring us back to Vancouver either the day we arrived in Seattle or the following day if we wanted to stay overnight in Seattle. There was a group of about 10 of us. We hired a limo to take us to the pier in Vancouver, checked in early, had lunch, dinner, and breakfast on board. We got dressed up for dinner, and saw the show. We did stay up fairly late, mostly just having coffee and talking. The ship was populated with lots of groups like ours. We had a fabulous time. I don't remember if the casino or shops were open, but they may have been after we sailed away from Vancouver.

[CaledonHockley]

I did go ahead and book it. I'm going to be in Vancouver anyway and have to get back to Seattle somehow. The deluxe suite price was 337, which is way lower than a 5 star in Vancouver and the normal 600 per night I've seen on 7 day sailings.

 

I also think that any night on a ship is better than none at all. I've previously been on two 7 day sailings with HAL and know what to expect, so I would not need to waste precious time running around sampling everything. Besides, the newbies don't know that the best thing about HAL is in their stateroom: those heavenly beds that beat out any hotel room bed!

 

I'm sure if I cruised 3 or 4 times per year like many people here, one night on a ship would not be worth it at all. But I haven't had a chance to cruise in over two years and lines or no lines, it will definitely be a treat!