Oosterdam April 16, 2005

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txfab

Guest
Hi folks,

We will be heading out to sea on this cruise also. We booked this cruise just this past week. This will be our first time on Holland America and our first time to sail along the West coast. I booked this cuise through a group called Aquafest.

We are flying into San Diego that morning; so if anybody has advise on how to get to the port let us know. We will probably just get a taxi....three years ago, in San Francisco, we took a hotel bus from the airport to our hotel. When we left, the hotel arranged for a limo (probably the driver was the owner too) back to the airport which turned out to be the same price as the bus.

Hope to meet others on this cruise.

txfab
 
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Nap

Guest
Hi txfab.
I'm flying in the same morning too. The ride over to the ship from the airport is very short and I've usually taken a cab. I've found that some cab drivers don't like the short trip because of the small fare.
Where are you flying in from?
 
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txfab

Guest
Good afternoon Nap;


As of this moment I have not booked the flight. I am gambling on getting a better rate.....if it works out we will fly in on American West (changing in Vegas) or our second option is on Frontier (changing in Denver). Even in April a freak snow storm could delay us leaving Denver. Both flights should arrive just before 11A.M. which will give us time to board and eat lunch.

We live in Fort Worth and will be leaving out of DFW. Because we live only 20 miles from DFW my plan is to to have someone drop us off and pick us up at this end.

I will call Holland as the time get closer to see if we can just get on their shuttle from the airport. If you or anybody else reading this knows if we can do that let me know too.

Because, I just booked this we have a garanteed inside cabin. I am hoping we don't get the runt of the litter. We will know our assigned cabin just 10 days before we set sail.

So Nap, where are you flying in from and; what time do you arrive? If things work out maybe we will meet at the airport.

Have a good day,

txFAB
 
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Nap

Guest
Hi again txFAB,
I'm just flying in from Tucson, AZ. My flight arrives at 11:45 AM.
I have a guarantee also. I just received my travel documents from the TA yesterday and according to her, won't be assigned a cabin until a few days prior to sailing.
 
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txfab

Guest
Hi Nap,

We booked a direct flight to San Diego on American that arrives at 8:48am. We paid the extra for a direct flight instead of taking a risk on a connecting flight.

Did you request a guaranteed cabin or was that just what they had at the time of booking like us? If you have sailed with Holland before is this common practice? I ask because our sailing in October on RCCL we already have our assigned cabin.

When we went on NCL Sea we had a great travel agent and just before sailing we were up-graded like 6 levels without ever asking. We all can wish but the chances of that happening again would be slim.

I have not looked at any excursions for this trip....the groups flyer mentioned an optional group shore excursion so I thought I would email the agent to find out more. I don't even know the number of people booked with this agents group.

Six weeks and counting.

txfab
 
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Nap

Guest
Hi,
This is the second time I've booked a guarantee. The last time I booked an S suite guarantee and and I figured I couldn't go wrong.
This time I booked a balcony cabin guarantee and I hope it turn out as good as the last time. The rates have been lower and this time they offered the promotion of a 7 category upgrade.
I've found that I can go to their website and into the 'book excursions' area. I've entered my booking number and when I'm assigned a cabin, the cabin number will appear on the 'book excursions' information area of the screen. I've learned my cabin number several days before my TA calls to tell me the assigned cabin number.
I think you did the right thing by taking a direct flight from Texas. It makes more sense to me to KNOW that you'll get there on time.
I'm traveling solo as I did the last time I cruised to Mexico.
Getting off the plane and over to the dock and onto the ship has always been very smooth. With being able to board anytime after 11 AM, there's a feeling of not having to rush.
Liz
 
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thom

Guest
myself and two friends are on this cruise, i've seen a couple of you on the other site. i'll see you on board
thom
 
T

txfab

Guest
Hi Nap and thom,

I am just counting down the days. I have my suitcases out and sitting in my bedroom. Although, I end up packing the late the night before.....wishing that I had not waited.

I will be glad to get away from managing people at work and taking care of my disabled mother.

Hope you'all have a good week.
txfab ( Andy)
 
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thom

Guest
txfab, i thought nobody was going to write to me. thank you! i, like you have suitcase out but nowhere near ready to pack. tried on tux it still fits! this is my first cruise, still not sure what to expect? am very nervous!
i have read on the board some people do not have assigned cabins? are you one of them? i don't know how this works, i made reservations through a ta to make sure i got what i wanted. am i wrong in doing this?
i take it you have been on many. so much to ask so little time to find out everything

again thanks for writing to me.
thom
 
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thom

Guest
txfab, i thought nobody was going to write to me. thank you! i, like you have suitcase out but nowhere near ready to pack. tried on tux it still fits! this is my first cruise, still not sure what to expect? am very nervous!
i have read on the board some people do not have assigned cabins? are you one of them? i don't know how this works, i made reservations through a ta to make sure i got what i wanted. am i wrong in doing this?
i take it you have been on many. so much to ask so little time to find out everything

again thanks for writing to me.
thom
 
T

thom

Guest
txfab, i thought nobody was going to write to me. thank you! i, like you have suitcase out but nowhere near ready to pack. tried on tux it still fits! this is my first cruise, still not sure what to expect? am very nervous!
i have read on the board some people do not have assigned cabins? are you one of them? i don't know how this works, i made reservations through a ta to make sure i got what i wanted. am i wrong in doing this?
i take it you have been on many. so much to ask so little time to find out everything

again thanks for writing to me.
thom
 
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Nap

Guest
Hi,
I don't have an assigned cabin either. I like to be surprised for some strange reason.
I haven't gotten out my suitcase yet. I like to travel light and plan to take mostly comfortable clothes. The climate where I live is just like that of Mexico.
I think the weather will be great...I read that it'll be in the 80s.
Thom...I think I responded to your personal e-mail, but I'm not too familiar with this board and the response may have disappeared.
Which dinner seatings do you other posters have? I learned from my last Mexican cruise that the second seating suits me best. I like to stay as long as I can in port and don't feel pressured to return to the ship for an early dinner. But this is my own personal choice. Most people like the early dinner seatings.
See you all on board!!
 
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txfab

Guest
Good afternoon folks,

I think going through a travel agent is the best way to book a cruise. I have searched website after website to find the best deals but in my opinion web dealers are no better than anyone else.

We mostly have gone with groups who opt for 2nd sitting for the very reason to allow time in each port. Our table is usually one of the last to leave..... thom if you signed up for early dinner an equal number of people perfer it also because you then have time to go see the shows.

We checked with Holland again today and was told that we still have not been assigned a cabin....could be as late as boarding time.

We signed up late with this group we are with and because of the price we are paying (lowest rate they had) we will get only left-overs.

Now Nap knows that she will be happy with her's because she has what she wants or possibly being upgraded to an even better catagory. (If I may speak for Nap)

From the moment I stepped on a ship 2 years ago I fell in love with cruising. Thom I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I am not an experienced cruiser but if you have any questions just email me

andybar10@hotmail.com
 
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thom

Guest
Dear Nap you did, i'm not too easy with the board either, i wrote you a message back. please read it and write back. to tell me what you think of the idea. and any questions you might have.
 
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thom

Guest
hi txfab,i looked through docs and i have main seating dinner is this early or late?
 
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