First time cruise

[ljrw]

Hi! I've read with much interest many of these threads with questions by people on their first cruise, and the helpful replies that many offer.

We are sailing on the Oosterdam in October. We have a S suite (Rotterdam deck, S7132). We have lots of questions, but I'd like to start with a few that I haven't seen covered in other threads.

1. I understand laundry service is provided for PS and S suites. Does it work just like a hotel, where you put your clothes in a laundry bag for pickup in the morning and they are returned in the afternoon? Is there any limit to how many times you can have your clothes laundered?

2. Are the bathrooms equipped with soap, shampoo, shaving cream, etc.? In other words, should be expect the bathroom equivalent of a hotel in the US or do we need to plan on bringing everything?

3. On the last day of the cruise, we have a 10 AM flight to catch. The ship will have presumably docked at the port overnight. What is the earliest time we can leave the ship in the morning? Our travel agent told us it might be tight, but if we can leave the ship by 7 AM we should be OK. We're wondering if anyone else had tight flight connections at the end of a cruise and how it worked out.

4. I know that HAL charges for beverages (sodas and the like). But do they charge for every beverage? I'm assuming if one wants water they drink bottled water; is that charged for just like sodas? What about coffee? Or hot tea? Or iced tea? Are these charged by the cup or the carafe?

I know we have lots of other questions, but we'll try to figure most things out for ourselves! But if you can help with these, we would very much appreciate it.

-L

 

[Bruce]

L,

Not sure I can answer all your questions, but will take a stab at those I can. I have never sailed a Vista Class, so I am making an assumption that things are the same as other HAL ships. Maybe Sail can jump in on this.

1. Laundry Dry Cleaning....for some reason I want to say it was next day service, I could be wrong maybe same day. Put it in the bag, delivered next afternoon. No limit, use it as often as you like.

2. Bathrooms have all the amenities, however, I do not recall seeing shaving cream. Hair dryers are typical ship dryers, don't expect lots of power, might want to consider bringing your own.

3. Not knowing your itinerary, I am not sure about that being docked overnight, usually you come in that morning, and making a 1000 flight sure seems pretty tight to me.

4.Coffee, tea, some other drinks by the glass, juices etc, are always available in the Lido Café. Also if you are an S or PS passenger the Neptune Lounge will have some beverages avail. My Wife always uses the large bottles of water they put in your bar, it seems they cost about 2.50 or so. Not sure about regular size bottles of water. Cokes etc.... you pay.

 

[ShipMaven]

Let me add just a bit to Bruce's comprehensive reply.

1) Regarding laundry/pressing/dry cleaning, usually, if you hand over your articles by 9:00am and request same day service, they can be returned by 5:00pm that day. My suggestion, however, is to not wait until you need same day service. As Bruce stated, your items will be returned by the next afternoon.

2) What is your debarkation port? I seriously doubt you can make a 10:00am flight anywhere. Even if the ship does overnight, Customs and Immigration may not be available until the morning of debarkation - you and your luggage cannot get off the ship without having gone through Customs and Immigration, settling your onboard account, etc.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

[sail7seas]

In addition to the above excellent responses, I would add that if you require same day return of your laundry/dry cleaning, be sure to check the box "express service" located at the top of the laundry form. HAND it to your steward prior to 9 A.M....you will find him working in one suite or another with the door open in the general area of your cabin. If you bring it to his attention you need it back same day, that may help assure that happens.

I agree with Maven re: a 10 A.M. flight. It is hard to imagine you can be at the airport from any port in Europe (or FLL if you are cruising OSDM out of FLL) . Most especially if you are cruising in Europe,. You will not be off the ship earlier enough to clear Customs/Immigration, get your luggage, transfer to the airport (which in Europe can be quite distant) and still be checking in the two hours (minimum) required for International Flights.

I strongly suggest you rethink your air reservations.

 

[ljrw]

Many thanks for the responses.

Regarding our return flights, the cruise is Rome-Venice leaving on October 26th. The ship docks in Venice on November 6th. Passengers have the entire day to explore Venice. The actual termination date of the cruise, however, is November 7th. I had assumed, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that all immigration formalities take place when the ship docks (in this case on the 6th). Furthermore, it is our understanding that in situations like this (where the ship docks a day ahead of the actual termination date) that all shipboard accounts can be settled the night before (in this case on the 6th for disembarkation on the 7th).

Our flight isn't until 10AM on the 7th. I'm told (and again, if someone knows better, please let me know!) that the travel time from the Venice docks to the airport by water taxi is about 30 minutes. If one leaves the ship by 7:30AM I would think it would be possible to make a 10AM flight.

I could be wrong about all this. I cannot change our return flights, so if necessary, I'm guessing we can disembark on the 6th when the ship docks, settle our accounts, and simply not return. We can then stay in a hotel in Venice for one night.

Thanks again for all the advice.

-L

 

[Bruce]

L,
I cannot help you as far as Immigration and Customs procedures and when they do them. Usually they are done the day of departure, but, with your coming in the day before, it is possible they clear everything that night. Why I would do, is to get in touch with HAL and confirm those dates and times for procedures,,, I still think you are pushing it for a 1000 flight.... it may just be me, but I don't understand why a TA would put you in that position.

I wish it was me on that cruise.... enjoy.

 

[ANSAlberg]

Re- Your #2 question on Shampoo etc - There will be that in your bathroom - But I always take my own from home, and I go to Target/ Safeway/Walmart etc - any place where they have SAMPLE sizes and take those INSTEAD of large size stuff! The deoderant is approx. 1/3 the size of a full size. So easily packed in a small kit! Some other take-alongs. Small sewing kit; You might loose a button or a hook/eye - Also cotton swabs and Q-tips for ears. A small [ Target has them] First-Aid kit. A night-light - We JUST returned from a TransAtlantic NORTHERN route on the Rotterdam and the sun set several nights at near midnight -So our Steward closes the curtains REALLY tight! A nightlight [ or two] helps. BTW -We will be on the cruise AFTER yours- Venice to Lisbon/Lisbon -Florida! Good luck!!!!!!!! Anneusa:CO