The "third times a charm" HCL cruise PTR About This Page:

[Kenny]

Well, you got a great price! This will be fun! I have wondered about the other cruise lines, and HCL was one we might be interested in.

Can't wait for more...

[dsteiny23]

Originally Posted by scdisneyfan

hahahahahaha.....You know you said that! dont deny it cause youre so mean to me! You are so my best disney girlfriend and a little brown nosing never hurts so I can bribe you into going to disney with me *LOL* I meant to tell you I saw this awesome planner yesterday at Target and thought of you...it was this mom planner...that thing was so awesome and I was a mom i'd totally have that thing!

Okay 2 things...First did you say Target...cause this Mom has waaaayy too much on her little calendar to keep track of. A Mom planner is right up my alley!! Thanks for thinking of me

And second...a balcony and all those awesome ports of call. I am so jealous , but in a good way of course . Can't wait to hear about the rest of the planning!!

[pamcarey]

Ooohh, that sounds like a great itinerary! And a brand new ship... how cool!

[pick7499]

What a great start!!! We too love to travel with dh's family.
I wish we could convince them to take a cruise....maybe in a few years!

I can't wait to hear more!

[chezp]

Looks like a great choice to me.

[wvugrrrl]

Just found your PTR, and I'm so excited! Now I get to pop in and leave comments for you!

So far everything looks awesome! DH and I want to cruise at some point, but we need to set aside some serious money for one - no tiny rooms for me! I can't wait to live vicariously through your vacation!

[amandal]

Ok, I knew you started, but finally came and read everything, cuz I've been super busy!! Everything sounds like it will be sooooo much fun. I can't believe it's only costing $2400, that sounds like a great price for 7 days. Melissa's (mestitch) TR has already convinced me to take a cruise, but I'm sure yours will put me over the edge. LOL.

[MyRapunzal]

Okay so I am sorry to took me so long to get over here!
I am so happy youve started your PTR! I can't wait to hear all about it!
I can not wait for our Bahamaian Honeymoon and can not wait to hear and see all about your trip! I want to cruise so bad but Rob is hesitant. I also have DCL on my to-do list!
Anyways, everything sounds great! Erics family sounds like fun and I think this is the first time Ive seen most of your pics from cruising! More please! lol!
Oh and I have a new cell number so I will text you with it soon and see if I can get my sister to send me the Disney ringtones so I can forward them to you!

[drabbito]

I love Cruising!!!!!! My DH and I got engaged on my first cruise then one year later took one for our Honeymoon and then a year after that we took one for our one year anniversary (no Disney cruises yet because of our family as well they cruise with us) I look forward to reading about your experience with Holland America

[shellybelly72]

great update

[mpwife153]

I'm so glad I found your PreTR.....sounds like a great start. Looking forward to hearing more!

[scdisneyfan]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sounds like a great ship and itinerary Crissy!!

Thanks! i really hope that we get a wonderful experience on this ship and cruise line!

Originally Posted by Kenny

Well, you got a great price! This will be fun! I have wondered about the other cruise lines, and HCL was one we might be interested in.

Can't wait for more...

I dont know how much disney cruises go for but Eric corrected me we spent 2600 not counting excurisions or parking or gas. But we are splitting the gas and parking with his family and they bought our excursions for us for christmas!!! But i really thought it was a great deal for all those ports!

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

Okay 2 things...First did you say Target...cause this Mom has waaaayy too much on her little calendar to keep track of. A Mom planner is right up my alley!! Thanks for thinking of me

And second...a balcony and all those awesome ports of call. I am so jealous , but in a good way of course . Can't wait to hear about the rest of the planning!!

YEP!!!! target, its the ONLY place to go right???? if you cant find them in the store i bet you can get it online!

The balcolny has me psyched! We've never been able to afford that before! So, i dont know what to expect but after reading kenny's cruise with his balconly i know we will it. I can send you postcards..... that might make you feel better!!

Originally Posted by pamcarey

Ooohh, that sounds like a great itinerary! And a brand new ship... how cool!

I know the new ship thing with the new ship smell has got me excited!!! weird stuff like that make me excited about vacation!

Originally Posted by pick7499

What a great start!!! We too love to travel with dh's family.
I wish we could convince them to take a cruise....maybe in a few years!

I can't wait to hear more!

THEY convinced US believe it or not! They are great people....they keep us company while we are on vacation and its nice to have someone else to talk to that you feel comfortable with!

Originally Posted by chezp

Looks like a great choice to me.

Thanks! More to come soon!

Originally Posted by wvugrrrl

Just found your PTR, and I'm so excited! Now I get to pop in and leave comments for you!

So far everything looks awesome! DH and I want to cruise at some point, but we need to set aside some serious money for one - no tiny rooms for me! I can't wait to live vicariously through your vacation!

Yay!!!! you found it! Welcome These rooms are reported to be larger, I will take pics so you can see. The shower are usually small but we have seen pics of this one in particular and they have a tub/shower in the balcolny rooms, so that means a little more room....I will have more soon!!!! Thanks for reading along!

Originally Posted by amandal

Ok, I knew you started, but finally came and read everything, cuz I've been super busy!! Everything sounds like it will be sooooo much fun. I can't believe it's only costing $2400, that sounds like a great price for 7 days. Melissa's (mestitch) TR has already convinced me to take a cruise, but I'm sure yours will put me over the edge. LOL.

I know her's really has me wanting to do the disney cruise. Thanks for coming over! I know you are such a busy girl but i totally understand!
I'll have more for you soon

Originally Posted by MyRapunzal

Okay so I am sorry to took me so long to get over here!
I am so happy youve started your PTR! I can't wait to hear all about it!
I can not wait for our Bahamaian Honeymoon and can not wait to hear and see all about your trip! I want to cruise so bad but Rob is hesitant. I also have DCL on my to-do list!
Anyways, everything sounds great! Erics family sounds like fun and I think this is the first time Ive seen most of your pics from cruising! More please! lol!
Oh and I have a new cell number so I will text you with it soon and see if I can get my sister to send me the Disney ringtones so I can forward them to you!

Do not apologize wedding planner!!!*LOL* I want to hear all about your honeymoon, i was thinking about doing something like that for ours when we finally get to that point.
I will try to put up more pics for you soon...maybe tonight
yayayayayayay disney ringtones! i'll be waiting! not so patiently though *LOL*

Originally Posted by drabbito

I love Cruising!!!!!! My DH and I got engaged on my first cruise then one year later took one for our Honeymoon and then a year after that we took one for our one year anniversary (no Disney cruises yet because of our family as well they cruise with us) I look forward to reading about your experience with Holland America

Thanks and welcome...i hope i can keep you interested and i hope i can help you decide if you ever wanted to do one on holland america! we are so totally hooked on cruises too like you guys! But disney cruise is my next want!!

Originally Posted by shellybelly72

great update

Thanks!!!

Originally Posted by mpwife153

I'm so glad I found your PreTR.....sounds like a great start. Looking forward to hearing more!

more to come soon...thanks for reading

[cburke]

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

So cool that you posted that today!! First of all....you DO NOT need to worry about losing an ounce! You look great. And how cool that you travel with his family every year. I love traveling with family (most of the time ) Can't wait to see what islands you'll be going to.

[drabbito]

Thanks and welcome...i hope i can keep you interested and i hope i can help you decide if you ever wanted to do one on holland america! we are so totally hooked on cruises too like you guys! But disney cruise is my next want!!

You already have me hooked to this PTR no worries there lol

I am trying to convince my group to do DCL next too

[scdisneyfan]

So, I didnt know what to talk about next since there is so much to tell. So, this is a rambling and "mix tape" of sorts of details to share!

After we booked the cruise it was at the first of August, I had my disney birthday trip coming up and somewhere i had to find 700 to pay on the cruise. This was my side of the payment DBF is good to me! I somehow managed to scrounge up the payment, and my trip was paid for by the first of September. DBF had two payments to make. He made his first payment in August when we booked which was the required down payment. The down payment was 250 plus our cruise insurance.
Now, we always buy cruise insurance through Travel Guard and NOT the cruise line. Its a bit cheaper and covers the same issues should anything happen. So, i think the total down payment was like 450 because we had to pay for Eric's parents insurance at the time. Ours was 75 and theirs was like 125.

So, when we went to make our down payment in August we had to tell them which room exactly that we preferred. Eric wanted a preferred room and a preferred location. He and his parents came up with some weird way of narrowing it down to the rooms they chose. First, we didnt want on the very front or back of the ship due to motion issues. So, they picked a little towards the middle. They wanted balcolnies and we wanted our rooms to where our balcolnies connected. So, we picked rooms that were side by side (not my choice of course )
We picked rooms on the Verandah Deck which is three floors below the Lido Deck and two above the decks with all the stores, bars, and main restuarant. We are on the left side of the ship so i dunno if that is port side or whatever but its left

We tried to choose a room where there were noise issues or anything like that.....
So, having chose this cruiseline and particular ship....going in we didnt know very much. The ship sailed its first date in July. We got as many books from the travel agent as possible and over the past 6 months we have learned quite a bit about the ship.
We have used their website and CruiseCritic .com (which i HIGHLY reccommend this website for anyone who is interested in cruising!!!).
Overtime we have read numerous personal reviews of the ship on Cruise Critic's website. All are mostly great reviews. Some are people just being picky, using the reviews we have decided our room so far seems to be a great location and the only complaints were mainly in the first in relation to a new ship with new staff working out the kinks.
Now, if there is a bad review its usually from someone with small children or people looking for a party ship. This ship does offer some amenties for children but not a ton like the disney ship and for those looking for a 24/7 party this ship is not the ship to take. I mean there always bars open and something to do but it seems to boast a more relaxed crowd. WE WILL SEE.....I will let you know what i think about that!

So, the room settled and learning some new things about our ship we have learned the dining process, the ports of call and excursions.

First up, EXCURSIONS.......
Everyone cruising knows you might want an excursion in a port of call or wander around aimlessly....whatever you want to do i guess.....
For us, the port of call is the most important part of deciding on a cruise. Some think that the boat is and they dont even get off the boat for the ports of call .

So, excursions. They can be booked through the website of the cruiseline. You get this list of things you can do on each island along with a price and difficulty level
We decided over christmas which excursions we would take. It was the only time all six of us could get together and make a decision.
So, first up is Turks and Caicos.....i just want to say that back in hurricane season these islands were hit and hit hard. The port had to be rebuilt and they are rebuilding Grand Turk as we speak. So, snorkling was out and anything historic was out. So, I threw a fit and wanted to do a beach day here because i'm a beach bum...i can sleep all day on the beach with no issues and have done it several times
Governer's Beach Break is our first excursion in Turks and Caicos. It just a ride to a beach with free rum punch and the beach for as long as you wish.
Should be fun!!

Next, San Juan Puerto Rico,
3.5 mile hike up into the El Yunque Rainforest (sp???) This was a mutal decision among everyone but eric's parents. We are all mostly athletic but they are not and this trail is designated difficult!! Eric and I are a bit worried about his parents but we havent said anything yet.....I am praying nothing goes wrong and if they need to stop they can. They are being great sports about this and seem very excited.
This is a 3.5 mile hike up a trail to an observation lookout with waterfalls along the way. I am so psyched about this!! ALTHOUGH, i will complain on the hike....its just something i do to make me feel better
Because we have all day in this port we are going to go on a historic walk after the hike to look at downtown and some old forts. So, this should be a fun day too!

Next, we have St. Thomas/St. John.
We choose to go over to St. John via ferry and do a beach tour....then back to st. thomas for shopping and paradise point on our own since weve been to St. Thomas before.
Last, is Half Moon Cay, This is HCL's private island in the Bahamas and I plan to sleep and swim and sleep some more here on the beach weather permitting *LOL*

We have two full days at sea and two formal nights on the cruise as well.
I found this intenerary because i always get it wrong
Feb 28 ,Sat Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- 5:00 pm
March 1st , Sun At Sea -- --
March 2nd , Mon Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands 7:00 am 3:00 pm
March 3rd, Tue San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:00 am 11:00 pm
March 4th, Wed St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 8:00 am 5:00 pm
March 5th, Thu At Sea -- --
March 6th, Fri Half Moon Cay 8:00 am 4:00 pm
march 7th, Sat Fort Lauderdale, Florida 7:00 am --

So, that decided and overwith, now comes learning about the ship amenties and buying stuff and getting packed for the cruise!

Here are some more pics of our last cruise in Feb/March of 2008

These are eric's cute little parents!!


here is the bahamas and it was very cloudy, windy and rainy that day...but gorgeous!


This was the atruim on the Carnvial Glory


This was the middle of the ship where the main pool and slide were located


So, there you guys go! I will post more later this week or weekend!!! Not much longer and still no packing has been done *LOL*