marsha1340

We are taking the New York Times Broadway cruise on the Queen Mary 2 in October. We've requested a "protected balcony" cabin and were told the cabins held for the NYT are aft. Would that be okay as far as rough seas, or would a mid-ship balcony cabin be better? And, if you've been o the QM@, what was your experience.
We are considering taking a February HAL Eurodam cruise RT Ft. Lauderdale including the Panama Canal. I would like to hear from anyone who has taken this cruise as to your experience.

jacketwatch

Mid ship is always better in terms of rough seas than aft though aft is better than forward.

The lower and more mid ship the cabin is the better in terms of feeling motion from rough seas.

As for the PC we did a full transit on the Island Princess and I do heartily recommend it though I can't comment on the Eurodam.

There is usually a historian on board lecturing so learn about the history of the PC. Its amazing. A PC cruise is a must for cruisers IMHO.

mlgb

I can't comment on Eurodam although do like HAL in general.They tend to have good food and service in the MDRs, at least in the smaller ships..

fmpden

We have been on the Eurodam at least three times. Very nice and comfortable ship. We will be on the Eurodam in Jan doing the same trip you are considering. Second time for us on that route. Be advised that the ship does not go through the Panama Canal. Goes through three locks and enters the Gatun Lake on the east side, anchors for a part of the day and then exits out the three locks to Colon. When we originally did that route three or four years ago, we thought we would see more of the canal so we did not opt for any of the excursions. But basically all we saw we the east locks and the big lake. This time we will take an excursion to Panama City and to see the operations of the cancel.

We are very please with the level of service, especially the food, and take a couple of cruises to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale each winter. This year we will do the Eurodam for 11 days, return to Fort Lauderdale in the am, take an Urber to a laundry, return that PM to another ship for two more weeks in the Caribbean. We have learned over the years that it is far cheaper to take cruises out of Ft. Lauderdale and than to rent a condo near the beach.

We are not big fans of balconies (or at least paying for a balcony) so we play a game with HAL called guaranteed room. They have a program that you can book a room category (for us, it is always outside, obstructed view - least expensive outside room) but not a specific room. Then HAL guarantees a room at that level or something higher if your category sells out. We have been always been upgrade by at least three or four levels and it is generally to a balcony. Once made it to a small suite. The chief drawback -- for some people -- is that you often do not know your room assignment until you check-in at the ship. We have never been disappointed with our room.

In all of our Caribbean trip we have never experienced any really bad weather other than heavy winds from time to time. If your concern is for seasickness then the most stable rooms are in the middle on the lowest level. But for the most part the Caribbean is pretty calm.