Hey everyone....

These questions came up earlier from new cruisers and just wanted to share what I found out. I actually got a brochure from Holland America Guest Services that details packages and specials (including the drink cards below) and would be happy to send via email.

You can bring up to a case of bottled water onto the ship.

You can bring snacks onto the ship also (they didn't say a limit or qty).

Soda/pop drink card: cost $20.70 (good for 20 sodas).

Coffee card: Explorations Cafe Coffee Card cost $29.90 (good for 10 coffee beverages).

Wine card: House pouring wine cost $41.40 (good for 10 glasses, red, white, rose, sparkling)        

Cocktail card: Signature cocktails cost $64.69 (good for 10 cocktails) doesn't list what a "signature cocktail" is.  

Have a good week...

marisa

Yeloc:

Send me an email.  We'll have to get together for a drink!

Steph

I read somewhere that there is a solos gathering either the first or second night on the ship where people can 'meet and greet', see the solo faces...which I think is good idea. Part of me feels a little bit weird now that this trip is being branded the "wedding cruise" (I booked a couple of months prior to that) but the main things still stand: a trip in the sun, free from the "worries of home", meeting new people, awesome entertainment and cutting loose on the dance floor!  Yahoo!

PS - there are a couple of you I have been trying to return emails (thru Olivia messages) and my emails are received blank (with no content)...for some reason this site constantly runs a script that interferes with my Mac Safari browser program and sends blank responses...sorry about that, guess we'll have to chat on the ship!

HA is Holland America.  Sorry about that!

Wow, so many questions! 

mkhoo:  I would check with Olivia on the noon vs. midnight question in Puerta Vallarta just be be sure.  You may have to wait on the phone but you can leave your number and they will call you back.  Great advice from alaskagirl about making sure your money is refundable as things can happen such as weather, etc (We once had an excursion where both motors blew on the catamaran so we got no further than the docks.  Since we booked through HA, everything was refunded with no problem).

tgray:  sounds like the ceremony is at the Hard Rock the night before with a champagne toast during the cruise.  The excursions really vary in price.  You can go on the holland america site and look at the excursions.  Because of the times we are in port, all excursions will be offered but you can get an idea.  The things we have done in the past with Olivia have varied from $70 per person to $200 per person per excursion.  Massages and spa services on board can be expensive but very much worth the fee.  We each had a massage and I think the total was about $300.  Check on the HA website to see if they have a price list.

yeloc:  We have never had a coffee pot in the room.  They are very cautious about fires on board.  But you can pretty much get coffee 24/7 on the Lido deck.  No irons in the rooms either.  As for the cooler, never seen one.  Email HA and they will let you know.  They do allow you to bring wine on board.  I have seen people carting a case of soda on the ship.  Not sure if it made it through but ask HA.  If not, you can get a soda card ahead of time (when you book your excursions).  You prepay and your sodas are a little cheaper that way.

You will get all of your trip info about a month before the cruise.  It will have everything you need to review your excursions and book them.  They will also tell you the date and time you can book.  Don't delay....they sell out early!

Hope that helps!

Steph

WOW! So many questions, but 1st  I am Heather and my finance Tiff(any) are planning this trip for our wedding,honeymoon and just overall get away. This is our 1st everything! 1st flight and cruise. Olivia seems to have EVERYTHING we are looking for.

We plan on booking everything next week but need more info on exactly what all we need to book and have paid for in advance.

So far I have the trip w/ Olivia , the flights and Hard Rock  .

Are we actually having the ceremony at Hard Rock? Or on the ship? 

How much are the extras we aren't thinking about? Like excursions, massages?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

 Thanks so much and can't wait to meet everyone in October!

You're on the right page with the times. Make sure you are back on board when it's time to leave or you'll be left behind and will have to find your own way back to the ship at the next port. Last year we had to do the ports in a different order than the schedule because of weather so make sure your local company will accomodate a change. I'd hate to see you lose all that money. This happened to serveral gals last year. That's the good thing about booking with Olivia. They will take care of changing all the excursions and making sure you don't lose any money if there is a change. I'm so looking forward to getting off this island to enjoy the fun in the sun. See you in October.

Rhonda & Dawna

Hi Mary!

My gf, Edna and I will be on board the Mexican Riviera Cruise this October and we're planning our excursions. We'd like to go with a local company and we've narrowed down what we'd like to do. So, here's the question: It says on the itinerary that we'll be in Puerto Vallarta from 8am to 12am. Does that mean the ship leaves at 12 midnight and we have 16 hours in PV? Thanks for your help!

 -Mag