My question is - what are the 'responsibilities' of a cruise ships 'Godmother'?

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Originally posted by Green:
what are the 'responsibilities' of a cruise ships 'Godmother'?

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Originally posted by Cruiseny:

Smashing the champagne for one thing .

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Originally posted by thulewx:
I can't wait to go on it - I'm scheduled for 3 weeks in Feb-March, next year. Also can't wait to see some REAL photos of it and reviews, after launching

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[ 10-29-2002: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

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Originally posted by topgun:
Horrors lurk on this new vessel. I am reliably informed that they have removed the passenger self laundering facilities.

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Ugh... The laundry issue ...

I would say that it's a bit cheap of them to leave it off, BUT I do not want to bring up that issue here.

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Originally posted by topgun:
Horrors lurk on this new vessel.
I am reliably informed that they have removed the passenger self laundering facilities.
The Casino however remains.

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It's true - I've most carefully scanned the deck plans - NO PASSENGER LAUNDRIES!

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Originally posted by Dolphins:
Question: What are the responsibilities of a cruise ship grandmother?
Answer: If the cruise line goes bankrupt, she is responsible for providing for the ship and crew.

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Originally posted by thulewx:
Me, too!
15th-8 March. First week on Rotterdam (7029) deck inside, then 2 weeks in 7046 outside - so stoked and ready - I'll be the one in the kilt on formal night.
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We booked late - on guarantee for a BB - who knows we may get really lucky!

Coupla ?'s:

Is it a dumb idea to book a cruise on a ship that'll by then have been in service for 5 weeks? Are they likely to have everyone working as a team and the details settled?

Is a category BB (or B, AA or A) considered a suite re: services offered - the little lounge, the laundry, early disembarkation? I booked through the web site which refers to 'em as mini-suites, I've seen 'em listed elsewhere as "deluxe verandah." I ask as Amex offers a 2 category upgrade on cabins but a $300 onboard credit for
suites.

Has anyone else booked through HAL directly? Is customer service OK? I actually preferred the web experience to the bubble head I got on the phone for the reliability of the answers she offered... says the BB qualifies as a suite; Amex (Plat Travel) says, "unh unh, no way." Who knows?

Is it possible/advisable to make an 11:15 AM flight from FLL upon disembarkation? I know the airport's close to the cruise piers. Our choices are then or 7:15 PM for a nonstop home (I won't go any other way in the winter if I can help it) and don't feel like killing a day when we want to get home...

Can anyone contrast/compare what to expect onboard (anything: service, passenger mix, ambiance, freebies, etc.) vs Cunard, Crystal or Celebrity? I know it'll be better than the NORWAY...

Is the food as mediocre/bland as I've been led to expect? I know it'll be better than the NORWAY...

The inevitable booze on board question: how fussy is HAL re a quart of Stoli and a couple of bottles of my favorite (pre-dinner) Merlot in the luggage? Does the wine list hold any surprises, good or bad?

All opinions, observations, rants and so on welcomed.

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Is a category BB (or B, AA or A) considered a suite re: services offered - the little lounge, the laundry, early disembarkation? I booked through the web site which refers to 'em as mini-suites, I've seen 'em listed elsewhere as "deluxe verandah

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No - they are not Suites. If you will look at the brochure the S and SS are listed as "Deluxe Suites" and the A,AA,B,BB are listed as "Deluxe Verandah's, which I take means just that - verandah cabins, (like the A's & B's) on the other ships. The Suites are the only ones with the amenities.

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Has anyone else booked through HAL directly?

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Yes, I have, but then I had the booking transferred to my TA. The gal in Reservations, we very helpful.

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Is it possible/advisable to make an 11:15 AM flight from FLL upon disembarkation?

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You are taking a chance! First - there is no guarantee that you are going to be off the ship by 8am or even 9am. Depends on Immigration and Customs. Second - it took me over an hour standing in the line-up to go through Security the last time I went through FLL airport last Feb. They were searching practically everyone - men, women, old people (who were grumbling the loudest about being searched) and children! Men were being made to take off their belts, others were asked to remove their shoes - it was not a fun time.
It's up to you but I wouldn't take the chance of missing my flight.

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The inevitable booze on board question: how fussy is HAL re a quart of Stoli and a couple of bottles of my favorite (pre-dinner)

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Yes, you can take booze on board, just don't take your drinks into the bars - have a nice pre-dinner drink on your verandah. Can't tell you what their wine list is like as I am never the one to order it - hubby used to do that.

OH NO, the laundry thing again!

Your reliable source must be the Queen of the Laundermat!

For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about there is another internet site that had a thread or two on this subject. It got very interesting to say the least. The Queen of the Laundermat stated she was very "passionate" on this subject.

You MIGHT make that 11:15 flight. My flight this Dec. is also an 11:15 but is on a Wed. Weekends are worse since there are many more cruise ships in port, but I have made it on weekends also. Last Dec. and March, I made this flight but we were first off the ship. It appeared we were the first ship to disembark last Dec. and that can make a big difference. Later on in the airport the lines to go through security were terrible. SOMETIMES airline personal are walking the lines and will pull people if their flight time is getting close. I have seen this, but cannot guarantee this always happens.

I have made this flight many times, but you must except the fact that you CAN MISS IT and be prepared to shell out more $$ to get another flight and possibly even have to spend the night in FLL. Airlines are now charging for standby if you miss your flight. I think it is in the area of $100 per person.

When people do not show up for immigration there can be major holdups. Every now and then I read about people being held up for hours because of this problem. There is no telling what time you will be off the ship.

Go to the front desk on the ship and tell them you have to be off in the first group. They should take your cabin number etc. but will probably make no promises, but they will probabaly accomodate you. You will receive a letter or early number on your card. Go to the area where you will disembark and wait there. This way you will not waste any time waiting on clogged elevators. Make sure you bags have something on them so you can find them easier. Do not use pink ribbons. There are tons of black bags with pink ribbons. Go for bright yellow or lime green and put enough on so they really stand out. You can even mix the colors.