SacDr Posted December 24, 2004 #1 Share Posted December 24, 2004 This is a brief review of the cruise. We have been on the ship three cruises and took this cruise to relax. We have been to Hawaii several times in the past. Embarkation was lousy with an hour and a half wait in line thanks to the Port officials. I would get to the ship about two rather than noon if I did it over again. The ship. We were very pleased with the condition of the ship. She has been well maintained for eleven years. A little wear on the furniture, a little rust on the equiptment, but nothing major. The new matresses and linens were great. We were in 201. No problems with air conditioning. We were told 156 had a problem for a couple of days. She goes in for overhaul in April 2005. Service. Our service was better than ever, no problems with cabin or dining people. Amir and A.J. were outstanding. We were at table 47, first main. The trip. The first three days were less than great, with clouds, rain, high winds and seas to thirteen feet. Lots of people lost interest and there were a lot of vacant spaces at the tables. We don't have that problem, so we thought the ship rode fairly well. From day four on, the weather was all one could desire until we came back to SAN. We were seated with fellow CCers as per prior arrangement, so we had a great time with great people. Made the dinners go very well. I can't comment on the excursions since didn't take any. There was some grousing about the tender service at Kona when one tender was broken. Entertainment. Not top class. The singers and dancers were quite good, but the rest were spotty. The enhancement lecturers were not too good except to Peter McGougle. This is not a cruise if one doesn't like sea days, the chance of rough weather and a long way from easy communication. We knew of one person who really was unhappy and bored by the trip. As a result, his complaints could have spoiled the trip for others. Pinnacle Grill. Good food, overpriced, lousy service. $35 for a $7 dollar bottle of wine. Would not do it again. Food. Good, but we felt it dimished in flavor and quality as we got further along in the cruise. Maybe we were spoiled. Would we do it again. Absolutely. For us it was great fun. Comment,questions, ribald remarks? Bear in mind, this only our opinion Sacdr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted December 24, 2004 #2 Share Posted December 24, 2004 Was that tender #8? It broke down on our cruise - Oct. Can't believe that they still hadn't got it fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1cruiselvr Posted December 24, 2004 #3 Share Posted December 24, 2004 Hi Ben. Glad to hear you made it home okay. It was a pleasure meeting you and Sue. Hope to cross travelling paths again someday. Happy Sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1cruiselvr Posted December 24, 2004 #4 Share Posted December 24, 2004 Someone posted a request for this information and since I just unpacked our daily programs from this trip, here it is: Cruise Director: Doug Dunnell; Chief Officer: Andrew Pedder; Captain: Maurits Groothuis; Hotel Mgr: Frits Gehner. Happy Sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryansmemom Posted December 25, 2004 #5 Share Posted December 25, 2004 Hi all It is so good to be back. I agree with everything Ben said. I will be adding my two cents as soon as I am less jetlagged and can get it all organized in my mind. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garydm Posted December 25, 2004 #6 Share Posted December 25, 2004 Curious about your delayed embarkation due to port officials, as we leave on Statendam on February 19. I don't recall seeing any port officials on embarkation from San Diego when we departed December 14 on another line. Can you elaborate on the problem please so we can plan a realistic arrival time? Thanks. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SacDr Posted December 25, 2004 Author #7 Share Posted December 25, 2004 The Statendam was late arriving in SAN and a Celebrity Independence was also loadind. The SAN Port Authorities would only allow a few passengers at a time to go to the HAL tents to drop baggage and sign in. Result, long lines hauling luggage and waiting. The Quality Inn van would not take us into the loading area so we we stuck in a long line outside the pier. Took about an hour and a half to drop baggage and the process. We got to the port area about 11:30. If we had arrived about 2:30, there would have been no wait. Sacdr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincus Posted December 25, 2004 #8 Share Posted December 25, 2004 Someone posted a request for this information and since I just unpacked our daily programs from this trip, here it is:Cruise Director: Doug Dunnell; Chief Officer: Andrew Pedder; Captain: Maurits Groothuis; Hotel Mgr: Frits Gehner. Happy Sailing! Thanks...glad you had a good cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1cruiselvr Posted December 25, 2004 #9 Share Posted December 25, 2004 We arrived at 2:30pm and embarked without a problem - no lines at all. Our driver was able to drop us off and we walked right up to the checkin desk. I would suggest arriving after 2pm if you want to miss the crowds and lines. We were on the ship 10 minutes after arriving. HAPPY SAILING! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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