Advice Needed for 1st time on HAL

B

Buster

Guest
Hi There
My husband and I (both mid 30's) are sailing on the Zuiderdam on May 17th to
Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Half Moon Cay.
We've got some questions for anyone who has any advice or tips.

* What type of clothing and how much should we bring. i.e. light sweaters, how many swimsuits, etc.

*Any recommended or not recommended excursions.
we were thinking about the Mayan Ruins, Stingray snorkel trip, Parasailing in Half Moon Cay, Ernest Hemingway house in Key West

*I've been reading that tips aren't required... If we do tip who do we tip and how much?

*Can you bring any beverages on board? (wine, soda, bottle water)

* Any recommended or not recommended shows on the ship

Please e-mail me personally with any advice.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

mrobbin1@tampabay.rr.com

Thanks everyone
May-Lin Robbins
 
S

SueClark

Guest
May-Lin,
Your questions are the same as most first timers. Read the boards here a bit and try some of the others: Cruise Critic and Cruise Mates are also good.

Packing - Lay out everything you think you need - then remove half and you'll be about right.

Tipping - although not required is heavily suggested, follow the guidlines for any other ship. You'll find the service on HAL will deserve good tipping.

HAL does allow you to bring beverages for consumption in your stateroom.

Shore excursions - we don't do many so you'll have to get other advise on this one.

Sue
 
S

Spender Nui

Guest
Figure on 2 formal nights - tux or dark suit for man and whatever the woman would wear to compliment it.

Figure on 2 informal nights - jacket for the man, tie not necessary and whatever the woman would wear to compliment it.

Take at least 2 swimsuits.

Other than that casual clothing, shorts (not for dinner) and golf shirts. casual slacks for casual nights.

We don't do a lot of excursions anymore but the Mayan Ruins and Xcaret are well worth the time (we did them but not on a cruise - I don't know if cruise timing will allow both).

Half Moon Cay is a wonderful beach. We only relax there so i can't help with parasailing. I think whatever you do it may be a highlight of your trip.

Tipping is never required on HAL or anywhere else - and the "not required" HAL propoganda is just that. I think you'll find the crewmembers serviong you deserve to be rewarded. We always tip to industry standards and then usually a little bit more. Also remember that other lines add 15% to you bar/wine bill while HAL does not. Be sure to reward these people too.

Our last HAL sailing was in November and they still allowed you to bring whatever beverages aboard that you wanted.

Shows depend on your likes and dislikes. We find most of the entertainment is worth seeing unless you'd rather do some of the other things that will happening at the same time.

En joy your cruise.
 
L

lamayboy

Guest
About beverages........if you plan on bringing any Liquer, I suggest you don't!!!!!

We found, thank god, that HAL is like the only line among the big 8, to let you buy duty free liquer on the ship and take it to your room, most hold it till the end of the cruise.

We bought a liter of Stoli for $9.00 and kept in our cabin for our pleasure for the cruise!!!

Also, although HAL say's tipping is not required, and I have heard many folks say this is a problem, we encountered no problem, except that we TIP'd the dining staff CASH every night, the bar kids every night, and our steward we left an envelope saying thank you with CASH in it every night before we left for dinner. A problem? I think if most cruise lines were this way everyone would be happier!! I feel we got superior service becasue we tipped all the time! Instead of having tips added to your account at the end of the cruise.....so impersonal! Trust me, we gave $5 to the waiter, and $5 to semalier(we like our wine with dinner) $2 to the Assistant Waiter, and $5 to the steward on a daily basis, we also tipped $1 a drink to all bar staff. Except for the bar staff, add it up and it is less that the added to your account tips (per person, total traveling with 2) that other lines add to your account and you never even get the best service for doing it!!! So Tip in cash and say thank you and your cruise on HAL will be great, don't tip and I am sure it will be just as fine.

By the way go to Half moon early, cause once 1:00 pm rolls around the heat is obnoxious!

Check our gallery, in the old gallery as MAASDAM 9/22 EAST!

Have a great time
 
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