where to eat on embarkation day

[tkgcruise]

We had planned on going to the MDR to eat lunch after we boarded. This is our 1st HAL cruise, but had read that we had the option to not eat the buffet. We wanted to relax with a slow lunch, but read in another post that there will be a Mariners lunch so we will not be allowed in the MDR. We will be leaving on the Oosterdam on the 18th this month and are trying to get a game plan as we are meeting another couple on the ship.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

[catl331]

Before the current Mariner program began the Embarkation Brunch, the Vista ships allowed everyone to eat in the MDR on embarkation day, but didn't "advertise" that. After the new Mariner pgm started, several Vistas continued letting everybody in, by just not checking cards. I don't know if O'dam allows this or not, but you have nothing to lose by trying. :) If they say no, play dumb and go to the Lido!

Or, if you don't want try that, just eat in the Lido after the "rooms are ready" announcement has been made around 1:30. It will be pretty empty!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just go to the main dining room between Noon and 1:30 and ask to be seated for lunch.

No one checked any ID cards on our last cruises.

[tkgcruise]

Thanks I think we will just go and see what happens!

[taxmantoo]

Thanks I think we will just go and see what happens!

Even though it is your 1st HAL cruise, the rules still aplly to you :eek: and you should observe them.

Your alternative to the buffet may be the Terrace Grill besides the Lido Pool.

[Typhoon1]

MDR lunch on embarkation day is quite limited, I would recommend the Lido.

[seagarsmoker]

Try the Terrace Grill. The food is very good and seating is excellent.

[tkgcruise]

So is it reserved or not? I can not find it any place other than here - and many threads recommended it and stated nothing about a reserved luncheon - looking for facts not just thoughts. If it is closed, of course we would not just crash it - that is what I am asking - 1st HAL or not, there seems to be some information missing - first no breakfast in PG and now no lunch in MDR - just looking for the facts!

[Travalot]

I think you are getting different responses because everyone has different experiences on different ships... some non-mariners happen upon the dining room open and have no trouble being seated while other 2-star mariners get sent away because they aren't 4-star! Given the disparate attitudes on various ships, it seems like showing up at the MDR and seeing what they say is a reasonable choice and not "crashing." JMO

[igraf]

The embarkation lunch is such a hassle that we just skipped it altogether on our last cruise. We boarded after 2pm, went right through check in with very short lines and our room was ready right away. Believe me, this is a much nicer way to embark and there will be PLENTY of food later on.....

igraf

[Frog&Quackie]

So is it reserved or not? I can not find it any place other than here - and many threads recommended it and stated nothing about a reserved luncheon - looking for facts not just thoughts. If it is closed, of course we would not just crash it - that is what I am asking - 1st HAL or not, there seems to be some information missing - first no breakfast in PG and now no lunch in MDR - just looking for the facts!


From HAL's web site - hope this helps ...

Star Mariner
Every guest that joins us for any Holland America Line cruise returns as a Star Mariner. It’s our way of saying Welcome Back, and you’ll start feeling the special treatment as soon as you come aboard. Star Mariners receive:
[

Welcome Back Embarkation Lunch in the dining room (from 12:00pm to 1:30pm) as well as a complimentary Mariner Champagne Brunch
A special collectible gift presented to you on board
A free subscription to the print or digital* version of Mariner magazine
Offers to special sailings hosted by a representative of the Mariner Society
Special offers on select sailings
A 50% cruise fare discount on the 3rd/4th guest staying in your stateroom on select sailings (http://media.hollandamerica.com/pdf/MarinerSociety_SelectSailingList.pdf).

[cruisecrasy]

We had planned on going to the MDR to eat lunch after we boarded. This is our 1st HAL cruise, but had read that we had the option to not eat the buffet. We wanted to relax with a slow lunch, but read in another post that there will be a Mariners lunch so we will not be allowed in the MDR. We will be leaving on the Oosterdam on the 18th this month and are trying to get a game plan as we are meeting another couple on the ship.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks

If u have cruised Princess/Carnival or any other cruise company under the Carnival 'banner' then u wld qualify as a 1* star Mariner with HAL and be eligible to eat at the MDRs Mariners Embarkation Lunch. :)

Hope u have a wonderful cruise..:)

[Jade13]

Even though it is your 1st HAL cruise, the rules still aplly to you :eek: and you should observe them.

Your alternative to the buffet may be the Terrace Grill besides the Lido Pool.

Just want to mention if they have been on another Carnival line such as Princess or Carnival etc. they will be a one star Mariner.

[taxmantoo]

Just want to mention if they have been on another Carnival line such as Princess or Carnival etc. they will be a one star Mariner.

Maybe...maybe not...not always that easy!

[BaltiGator]

The embarkation lunch is such a hassle that we just skipped it altogether on our last cruise. We boarded after 2pm, went right through check in with very short lines and our room was ready right away. Believe me, this is a much nicer way to embark and there will be PLENTY of food later on...

We've never tried that before, but it does make a lot of sense.

[Florida to Alaska]

If u have cruised Princess/Carnival or any other cruise company under the Carnival 'banner' then u wld qualify as a 1* star Mariner with HAL and be eligible to eat at the MDRs Mariners Embarkation Lunch. :)

Hope u have a wonderful cruise..:)

How do you get days credited from Carnival?

Thanks!

[ramidon1]

Just back from our first HAL cruise last week. Before we cruised, I did register on the HAL site for the Mariner program and when we boarded, we were given an invitation for the luncheon in the MDR. It was a nice relaxing start to the vacation versus the buffet scene. We have cruised Carnival in the past so probably that is why we received the status.

[Florida to Alaska]

If u have cruised Princess/Carnival or any other cruise company under the Carnival 'banner' then u wld qualify as a 1* star Mariner with HAL and be eligible to eat at the MDRs Mariners Embarkation Lunch. :)

Hope u have a wonderful cruise..:)

How do you get days credited from Carnival?

Thanks!

[fjb3cpa]

Just want to mention if they have been on another Carnival line such as Princess or Carnival etc. they will be a one star Mariner.


If this indeed is the case, and I do not doubt that it is, this inquiring mind wants to know if anyone has any insight into this question.

On any given Holland American cruise, just what % of the passengers onboard are returning customers and therefore entitled to Mariner Society status. I would imagine a fairly high percentage of those onboard are returning passengers, due to the loyalty of past HAL cruisers and due to the perception that perhaps HAL is not the real venue for first time cruisers.

Would anyone care to venture a guess or have any first hand information as to what this number may be?

[jtl513]

On any given Holland American cruise, just what % of the passengers onboard are returning customers and therefore entitled to Mariner Society status.

Would anyone care to venture a guess or have any first hand information as to what this number may be?On our cruises longer than 7 days we have had CDs or Captains mention numbers in the 60% to 65% range. On 7 day cruises I expect it runs shorter, and on Grand Voyages higher.

[kcteach12]

I went to the HAL site to look at my Mariner status and it shows 0 credits. I sailed 2 years ago on Princess. Does it not count for Mariner status?

[jtl513]

I went to the HAL site to look at my Mariner status and it shows 0 credits. I sailed 2 years ago on Princess. Does it not count for Mariner status?Apparently it qualifies you as a 1* Mariner, but the days/credits are not reciprocal.

[Travalot]

I did some Internet research because I was curious about the issue of reciprocity and it seems that you can get "repeat cruise rates" if you have sailed with another line under Carnival and you get level one Mariner status [some people have gotten pins with their cruise docs in the days when that used to happen :) ], but you don't get any other type of credit for other lines.

I am interested in any other clarifications people have. I can see that once you are in the system as a Mariner, you would automatically be invited to functions.

jtl513's comments on the number of repeat passengers coincides to our observations. It certainly doesn't feel like an exclusive club!

[KirkNC]

I did not even know you could get lunch in the MDR on embarkation day....when did this start? Is this the new Mariner deal? It appears they are not longer having the Mariner luncheon, does this replace it?

Kirk

[traveler51]

I recently inquired if days sailed on other Carnival Corp. ships could be counted toward increasing my Mariner status.
The Mariner Society responded with the following:

"Thank you for your continued correspondence with Holland America Line. Unfortunately, your past cruises on other cruise lines, including those within the Worlds Leading Cruise Line family cannot be merged together with your Holland America Line cruise history. Each line within WLCL has their own loyalty program that is independent of each other. Only Holland America Line cruises will show on your cruise history profile under your Mariner number.

We have attached a copy of your cruise history for your review. We hope this brings back fond memories of past sailings onboard Holland America Line.

If we can be of additional assistance please contact us. Holland America Line looks forward to welcoming you on board again in July."

Hope this adds something to the discussion in terms of clarification.

[cruisecrasy]

How do you get days credited from Carnival?

Thanks!

Hope that will help clear up the 1* status dilemma. Open a HAL 'My Acct' or if u have one, call HAL, make your request & give them the details..Beg & plead for the 1* status and just maybe u will prevail..:)

Have a friend, who when she sailed with me last fall, got her acct upgraded from 0* to a 1* because, while never having sailed with HAL, she was a 3 'timer' on Princess & a 1 timer on Carnival.

Seems contrary to what HALs offical policy is (Traveler51s post) but its being done anyway..so there may be hope :)

Happy cruisin' all!

[room010]

Have a relaxing lunch ashore and check in a little later (around 3pm) because the Lido is a ZOO and you can usually go straight to your cabin which will be ready by then. Just because the embarkation lunch on board is "free" doesn't mean it's an enjoyable experience :eek:

[jtl513]

On our cruises longer than 7 days we have had CDs or Captains mention numbers in the 60% to 65% range. On 7 day cruises I expect it runs shorter, and on Grand Voyages higher.On Captain Albert's latest blog (on board the Prinsendam) he says: "We had the mariners luncheon (two sittings as the whole ship is a mariner here), " That may not be literally true, but mostly anyway. :)

I did not even know you could get lunch in the MDR on embarkation day....when did this start? Is this the new Mariner deal? It appears they are not longer having the Mariner luncheon, does this replace it?

KirkIt started for all ships last Oct or so with the introduction of the new Mariner's program, but Vistas were doing it as early as 12/07 when were on the Zuiderdam. They are still having the Mariner's Brunches, and the Embarkation brunch is additional.

[pms4104]

Hope that will help clear up the 1* status dilemma. Open a HAL 'My Acct' or if u have one, call HAL, make your request & give them the details..Beg & plead for the 1* status and just maybe u will prevail..:)

Have a friend, who when she sailed with me last fall, got her acct upgraded from 0* to a 1* because, while never having sailed with HAL, she was a 3 'timer' on Princess & a 1 timer on Carnival.

Seems contrary to what HALs offical policy is (Traveler51s post) but its being done anyway..so there may be hope :)

Happy cruisin' all!
Not contrary to HAL's policy at all ... the one-star status for those who have sailed on any other Carnival Corp line is clearly defined in the Terms and Conditions area of the Mariner Benefits portion of HAL's site. While those who have sailed on other lines are granted one-star status, the number of days on those other lines will not be credited toward any subsequent Mariner level.

[cruisecrasy]

Not contrary to HAL's policy at all ... the one-star status for those who have sailed on any other Carnival Corp line is clearly defined in the Terms and Conditions area of the Mariner Benefits portion of HAL's site. While those who have sailed on other lines are granted one-star status, the number of days on those other lines will not be credited toward any subsequent Mariner level.

However, Traveler51s post quoting the offical Mariners Policy is a bit confusing 'cause it seems to imply that it isn't policy..

That said, I still suggest anyone with 1 or more Carnival Co cruise(s) under their belt and wanting a *, get in touch with HAL and request same..

Best of luck! :)

[pms4104]

However, Traveler51s post quoting the offical Mariners Policy is a bit confusing 'cause it seems to imply that it isn't policy..

That said, I still suggest anyone with 1 or more Carnival Co cruise(s) under their belt and wanting a *, get in touch with HAL and request same..

Best of luck! :)
Yep, the wording of the response from HAL reads funny ... mentions merging days sailed vs. each line's loyalty program, but doesn't address the one-star status. Guessing the people who write these responses address only the question posed ... seems they don't expound any further than necessary.