Yes, you are allowed to buy alcohol and bring it back on the ship.  They generally do not let you take it back to your cabin.  They hold it and deliver it the night before we get back to San Diego.  On one of our Olivia cruises they did not say a word about our liquor.  We just took it back to the cabin and left it in the box.  Someone once gave us good advice about how to pack alcohol in a suitcase.  Buy some of those cheap swimmies that go on kids' arms, blow them up and put them around the bottle.  Works great!

There are some customs limitations as to how much you can bring back but I am really not sure what they are.  So check into that before you leave.

You are going to have a blast on your first Olivia cruise. 

Hey everyone!!   We are getting so excited about our first Olivia Cruise. This Thread has been very helpful, nice tips on the aspirin and sunscreen. We do have one more question about the beverages. Are you allowed to by alcohol at one of the ports to bring back home with you?

Have fun waiting around for October 4th, I know we are trying to.

Monique and Amber

Oh Deb, I am so sorry to hear of your loss!  Glad that you are sailing with us!

Stephany

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Hey Saskwomyn..... don't let this message board influence you too much.  Yes, some of us have cruised before and as a result we happen to know a few people... which we chat with.  If you go back to some of my earlier posts, you will see that I am chatting to everyone, giving directions, or hints, or information as I can.  I have been solo for over 5 years and I have not had a shortage of buddies.... solo or coupled.  The Olivia experience is incredible.... yes, you have to get to know other guests & you can mingle as much as you want & at times, you can just mellow out and have some time on your own.  I have a blend of the above experiences and I have never been dis-satisfied with an Olivia holiday.... on shore or on a ship! 

The solo program is incredible and you are also welcome to join any event that is going on that has couples partaking.  Relax & don't worry.... I am sure you will have a great time.  We were all "rookies" at one time!   See ya onboard.... Mary   

Yes they have bottled beer. I'm not a beer drinker, but I did see alot of different bottles. You can go on the Holland webiste under the menus (I think ) and it might tell you what brands they stock.

As far as the itinerary that will come out about the same time as the excursion list (30 days before). On it will tell you what the theme nights are so you can pack your funny hat or halloween costume. Some people go all out for the theme nights and others just show up. That's the best part about cruising with Olivia- you can be yourself and do as you please. As it gets closer the modirator will post the info about the theme nights.

When it comes to packing- put in everything you think you'll need and then take half of it out. You'll never wear it or need it. The one thing you want to make sure you have is medications and hygene stuff. It's very expensive on board to get asprin and sunscreen. Most of the time we were in shorts or swimsuits. If you eat in the dining room you might want to wear long pants or sun dresses, but it's really up to you. If you eat at the buffet you can wear what you want as long as your swimsuit is covered. We did the Penical grill last year and really dressed up in formal wear, but that was us. Others that ate there had on nice dresses or suits. The formal night wasn't all that organized last year. Mainly everyone dressed up for dinner and that was about it. They had been offering ballroom dance lessons and you could go to one of the bars and try your new moves.

Rhonda

They do have bottled beer, right?

 

So they do have a formal night?  We haven't been able to get much information about the itinerary onboard ship.  Any other info or activities on board - so we will know what to pack - will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I'm beginning to wonder if I made a good decision I've posted several x's on different posts with no direct responses . I went into the youngsters over 50 group and posted twice with no response. All the people posting are seeming to be couples . Sailing solo isn't sounding to great right now. The only thing I'm looking forward to are the concerts . initially i was really looking froward to meeting many different friendly womyn . Not for relationships but for friendships . however I don't get a sense of this from the posts . Alot of people seem to know each other already . I'm feeling a little lost.  This is not to Alaskagirl personally but rather a general post . didn't know how to just start a new one . Sorry Alaskagirl .

Spa Treatment: we did this cruise last year and were really looking forward to the massage. When you first get on the boat head to the spa area and pick your times. They fill up very quickly. For us we weren't impressed with the spa. It was extremly expensive. We spent over $400 for a one hour treatment and a facial. Don't get me wrong it was nice, but a little too spendy for us. We'll save our money and have a massage done in port where you can get a full body massage for $30 an hour.

I can't really speak to the drink prices, but I can warn you. When you get there you'll be given a ship credit card that you keep with you. Anytime you want something to drink you just give them your card. At the end of the cruise they'll give you your bill. Some gals were amazed at how much they had spent on drinks. If you're not a really drinker they have coffee and soda cards you can buy. You pay for X# of drinks in advance and they punch your card eat time your order one. We didn't use all of the card last time. The coffee shop on board doesn't have much selection so we didn't drink all of those.

As far as they activies go they will leave a flyer at your door each evening that details all the events and shows, what time and where. I didn't pay much attention last year and missed out on a bunch of fun times.

Hope this answers some of your questions. Keep them coming. As time gets closer there will be a bunch of questions asked about excursions, formal night, theme nights, and what to pack.

See you in Oct.

Rhonda & Dawna

Bonine also works wonders and doesn't make you drowsy like dramamine =)

Hi there! I'm sure you'll see a huge difference between your all-inclusive in Aruba and an Olivia trip. You'll never want to travel any other way!

Typical drink prices can vary. Usually the daily special is around $5, but the prices can increase a LOT from there. I'm not sure how much beer is on the cruises. I'm really not much of a beer drinker so someone else will have to field that one.

The spa services on the Holland American cruises are quite good. Got to admit, I prefer the spa treatments at the Club Med Resorts, but I have gotten some great massages on the cruises.

Yes, there are some activities scheduled late. But you will find that there are more "early" than "late" people. Or at least that has been our experience.

SOME people do get seasick on cruises. The conditions of the sea have a great deal to do with it. Most people who do get sick on a small boat generally don't have many problems on the bigger ships. The bigger the ship, the less you feel it move. Also, if you are prone to seasickness, stay to the lower levels of the ship. The higher above the water-line you go, the more you will feel it sway.

Hope this helps!

Deja

Hello Ladies !!!!  This is our first cruise and it will be our "honeymoon". We are joining the cermony in San Diego.  And to top it off my Birthday is on the 5th.  So lots of celebrating.  We are most looking forward to just being ourselfs.  Gina and i actually just got back from an all inclusive trip in ARUBA.  It was wonderful but all I could think about was how i wished i could hold hands and be ourselfs.  Some of the many questions we have include ....How much is a typical alcholic drink on the ship?  Have you tried any Spa services? and if so how much and were you happy with the service? Are there scheduled activities/shows/ open bars through the late night hours?  Do many people tend to get sea sick on a ship of that size?    OK....I will leave it at that...lol.  Thank you for any answers and comments you can provide.  We can't wait to met you all and have FUN !!

Hey Carla/Cheryl, this just gets better and better...I found some people with Motorcycles and now you guys! I'm from NW LA about 20 miles North of Shreveport/Bossier.  Guess I should go to the Where is Everyone From topic and say Hi and introduce myself. Glad to see you guys are on board!