New to HAL

[sueb]

I have several question re: HAL
A Little Hx. ..we are experiences cruises with princess, rccl, ncl and even carnival (a long time ago) . We are looking at the Christmas week Westerdam 8/night sailing leaving 12/26. Did the RCCL Jewel 8/night last year and loved the extra day.
My questions...this is a VERY expensive week to Cruise (particulary with this ship) and I'm trying to justify the cost..
In your experience...what are the insentives HAL offers (free cat upgrades, discount 3ed and 4th passengers etc). For eg. NCL has "sail of all sails ". If anyone has sailed during this holiday time-frame any experience in pricing that may happen would help. Right now there are not discounts or insentives of any kind.
A quick room service question...do all cabins provide what appears to be an expanded type menu. We have found, over the years that even rccl and princess have cut their selection way down. Specifically do they offer things like hot sandwiched, shrimp coctail. Can you order the morning of debarkation?
Thanks for your help , cruise critic is such a great place..have met many a friend on this board!
Sue

[peaches from georgia]

We are looking at the Christmas week Westerdam 8/night sailing leaving 12/26. ... My questions...this is a VERY expensive week to Cruise ... In your experience...what are the insentives HAL offers (free cat upgrades, discount 3ed and 4th passengers etc)..... Right now there are not discounts or insentives of any kind.
Sue
The reason it is a VERY expensive week is because it is a VERY popular week to cruise, especially for families- kids out of school, family celebrating the holiday season, etc.

Prices of everything are always based on supply and demand. HAL has no reason to offer much in the way of incentives such as upgrades or discounts when demand is high. They can fill the ship without incentives, so why should they lose money? You'll find much more in the way of incentives if you cruise during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas- a much less popular time than Christmas/New Years weeks.

[elmorejj]

HAL has a very good selection in the room service menu. Full b`fast can be ordered, hot and cold sandwiches and hot meals for dinner, also shrimp cocktail. You may order from the DR menu during the first 30 minutes the DR is open at dinner time............jean :cool:

[soccerfootballmom]

You may order from the DR menu during the first 30 minutes the DR is open at dinner time............jean :cool:

WoW!! Really? That's so good to know...thanx :) (Although our tablemates may not agree since they might not see us as much...we might order room service more often now since we have a verandah cabin ;))

[sueb]

Thanks! Is room service available the morning you return back to port?

[grannynurse]

The daily news bulletin said "NO", but my DH ordered without knowing (reading) and got a full breakfast.
I guess if you don't ask you don't get.

We've had hot sandwiches and many meals from room service. IMO HAL has many room service options, and they will provide some things that are not on the menu in the stateroom book if you ask.
GN

[CDRMark]

Did it on arrival in Norfolk 11/30. Was not prohibited. Both breakfast and the ship arrived early, so we ate while watching tie up and offloading. Fun!
Cheers
MarkB

[RuthC]

I always order room service breakfast for the last morning; it's makes that last-minute packing so much easier. Pack something, sip coffee, take a bite of food, repeat. :D

As far as considering HAL, I notice you mention prices and want to know about some practical matters, but I would suggest you consider also what style of cruiseline best suits you.
Do you want a quiet, traditional experience? Lots of action? How much space per person?
Do you want to eat at a specific time with the same tablemates? Or dine when/with whom you want?
How do you want to spend your ship-board time? Find a spot to curl up with a book? Pool games? Team Trivia? Do you want to close the disco at 4:00 A.M.? Or stroll empty decks at midnight? Call it a night at 10:00 P.M.?

There's a few cruiselines that will meet most of your desires, and a few that won't. Pick with that in mind.

[Sinbad37]

Ruth c - Well said!