Mini Bar in the "S" Suites on Zuiderdam?

[LMHSRN]

Are the mini bars in the "S" suites complimentary on the Zuiderdam or is there a charge for what you consume?

Does the Neptune lounge serve free adult beverages? Just what is the Neptune lounge for? Is it just a private place to relax?

What perks are there to justify a $600.00 per person increase over the "SS" mini suites?

I know the balconies are larger, you get free dry cleaning/pressing and flowers on the first formal night....Anything else special to justify the increase in cost?


Any info would be greatly appreciared

Thanks

[cruznon]

Neptune Lounge is a lovely spot to relax. There's always munchies, tea, coffee, lattes, expresso, juices available. Concierge service, welcome cocktail reception, Capt's luncheon, early tender service, early debarkation at end of the cruise. (DON"T underestimate the free pressing, laundry and dry cleaning!)
When you check in at the ship terminal, suite passengers have a separate check in---no waiting in line.
(I guess the $600 difference is worth for some--perhaps not for others.)
You do pay for what you consume in the mini bar.

[Sierrachik]

Are the mini bars in the "S" suites complimentary on the Zuiderdam or is there a charge for what you consume?

Does the Neptune lounge serve free adult beverages? Just what is the Neptune lounge for? Is it just a private place to relax?

What perks are there to justify a $600.00 per person increase over the "SS" mini suites?

I know the balconies are larger, you get free dry cleaning/pressing and flowers on the first formal night....Anything else special to justify the increase in cost?


Any info would be greatly appreciared

Thanks

Last year on our Zui cruise we were in an S category, the price difference was only $200 and by going into the S category we got a $50 shipboard credit changing the net effect to $150pp more, definitely worth it. This time the difference was nearly $600pp and not worth the difference. We took an SS this time and will buy the laundry package.

I think for us the "spread" between an S and an SS would be about $200pp, after that we would book an SS. The laundry, the priority embarkation and prioryt tendering were the only things of real value to us. We did enjoy the Neptune lounge but not enough to pay an additional $1000-1200 for it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The mini bar in the "S" category is not free. There will be a card in your cabin indicating the price of all alcohol bottles (50 ml) and the price of water coke, etc.

There are no "adult" beverages in the Neptune Lounge.

[FoxyTerrier]

For us it's all about the extra room in the cabin and on the balcony. We are a family of 3 so the extra room is really nice. When our son is off in college we might feel differently.

Joni

[Sierrachik]

For us it's all about the extra room in the cabin and on the balcony. We are a family of 3 so the extra room is really nice. When our son is off in college we might feel differently.

Joni

Yes, I agree...if my son went with us, I would definitely take an S category if we sharing a cabin.

[calm_seas]

For us, the S category has been more than worth the extra money on any of the HAL ships -- especially on the larger ships, or at popular cruise times (spring break, school holidays, etc). In addition to the perks mentioned above, the concierge in the Neptune does almost everything the front desk (purser's office) does downstairs... except you don't stand in line. This includes cashing travelers checks, stamps, and returning forms requested by front desk. On one particular cruise, HAL had to cancel the second part of our B2B because of a cruise cancellation for the ship, and I was ever so grateful for our wonderful concierge!

As for the minibar --- read the prices first, then decide if the item is worth it to you.

[dakrewser]

Does the Neptune lounge serve free adult beverages? Just what is the Neptune lounge for? Is it just a private place to relax?


THe beverages in the Neptune are complimentary and since I don't believe in feeding Cappuccino to children you could say that there were adult beverages. If, on the other hand, you meant alcoholic beverages then, no, they aren't served in the Neptune which is a quiet place of refuge from the bustling crowd and the bingo announcements. The delightful concierges are there to fulfill your (legal) desires. There's convivial conversation with other (usually well travelled) passengers. Add to that the (much) larger cabin, the free laundry, the priority tendering and embarkation and it's certainly worth a premium.

What premium we're willing to pay, though, would depend on how much time we intend to spend on the ship (compared to time off the ship in ports). It's always worth $25/pp/pd extra, seldom worth $60/pp/pd.

[grannynurse]

For most of the longer cruises we take on HAL, the price for an "S" would be out of line for us. But for the 11 day New Years and this summer's 7-day NE/Canada we got fabulous prices for a real suite.
Mostly we take "A" for the transatlantics and European trips.
I know we're spoiled now, but we'll live with it, there's no way we'll give up cruising if we can't afford a suite; it's grand though, WOW!
GN