have they done away with....

[medfordgirl]

Ok, so I know that they no longer escort you to your suite. But have they also done away with the invitation only captains luncheon for the deluxe suite guests? On the Veendam a few years ago that lunch was the best meal we had all week. It was very special and different. I still have the menu.

[sail7seas]

DH and I have always been offered an escort to take us to Neptune Lounge or Lido. In yesterday's thread, what was noted is that if you board early, there may not be a number of white gloved stewards standing at the gangway as in the old days. It is the trade off for allowing us to board hours earlier. But, there are some stewards 'working the gangway'. The minute you board, it is possible the stewards are busy with a guest who arrived a minute before you and you might have to wait for one to return. If it is important to you, ask at the gangway if an escort is available to take you to Neptune. We are in the habit of saying No, Thank you. We don't need help having someone roll our carryon and 'we know the way'. :) Most of us have bags with wheels and unlike in the days when we dragged heavy bags on our shoulders, we don't need assistance. If you need it, ask for it. It will be provided.

And Yes...... there is still Suite Lunch. Some are held in Pinnacle, some are held in Crows Nest.

[grannynurse]

We boarded the Noordam at noon and were escorted to our suite on January 26th. I think this is a ship by ship thing. We've had the suite luncheon on every ship we've been on, and even on a 7 day Westerdam Alaska cruise.
Usually it's in the Crow's Nest on the last day at sea. On Zaandam it was in the PG. In our experience it's been a buffet, eclectic menu, but a buffet with drinks flowing. For a while there was a discussion on this board about the suite lunch being combined with the Mariner brunch/lunch when it was changed from the old Mariner party but we've never seen this happen. I don't think it's a protocol that is set in stone.
GN

[Copper10-8]

Ok, so I know that they no longer escort you to your suite. But have they also done away with the invitation only captains luncheon for the deluxe suite guests? On the Veendam a few years ago that lunch was the best meal we had all week. It was very special and different. I still have the menu.

As far as I know, they still have them scheduled. Btw, escorts are a hit and miss. We lucked out, I guess, and got one when boarding Eurodam in Rotterdam on 02 JUL

[sueclark]

On our last cruise - Zuiderdam transatlantic in March. I didn't appear that we were going to be escorted to our suites. Since we were traveling with friends that were new to HAL and I was anxious for them to get a good impression, I sort of flashed the Suite door card at the stewards and immediately we had two of them escorting our friends and us. Does it really matter? Yes and no. I am capable of finding my suite alone, but I choose HAL for the upscale, traditional sailing experience so I like the escort.

Our Suites lunch on that cruise was different than those of the past in that it was an Indonesian lunch in the Pinnacle restaurant. It was nice and very well done, but I prefer the old style in the crow's nest. I really missed the tub of caviar!

[bepsf]

Our suite luncheon on the Inaugural was in the Crow's Nest on one of the few sea days - it was a very elaborate buffet-style event with a great many choices, including caviar.

With very port-intensive itineraries, it's very difficult for the Hotel staff to schedule all the different events without there being some sort of overlap.

[sail7seas]

On our last cruise - Zuiderdam transatlantic in March. I didn't appear that we were going to be escorted to our suites. Since we were traveling with friends that were new to HAL and I was anxious for them to get a good impression, I sort of flashed the Suite door card at the stewards and immediately we had two of them escorting our friends and us. Does it really matter? Yes and no. I am capable of finding my suite alone, but I choose HAL for the upscale, traditional sailing experience so I like the escort.

Our Suites lunch on that cruise was different than those of the past in that it was an Indonesian lunch in the Pinnacle restaurant. It was nice and very well done, but I prefer the old style in the crow's nest. I really missed the tub of caviar!


Sue...... Nice to 'see' you. Haven't seen you around and am happy you're posting.

Lucky you.....I see you are booked for a glorious Prinsendam cruise.

[medfordgirl]

thank you everyone for your posts. I am looking forward to our suite lunch. and with any luck will have the escort to our room or neptune lounge. I would like the escort because I am usually carrying alot of stuff and I have a bad shoulder ( which I will take care of next year, don't want it to interfere with this cruise) I can leave most of the stuff in the lounge while we go have a bite to eat. Someone mentioned on another thread that the vista dining room is open for lunch on embarkation, can anyone confirm that?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

medfordgirl, actually we were surprised of how special the escort service was for our cruise on the Amsterdam last month. We have traveled to Alaska several times and in the past Suite Passengers did not even have priority embarkation but if you were there before boarding started they actually boarded Suite passengers before anyone else and had several steward waiting for us to give us white glove escort. It was actually very nice as well as the Suite Luncheon.

I have to admit it is sometimes hit and miss but I think they are really trying to bring it back once again.:)

[sueclark]

Hi Sail7,

I haven't been on the boards much lately but it's always fun to see old friends when I return. I sent you an email.

Sue

[gilew]

Hi Sail7,

I haven't been on the boards much lately but it's always fun to see old friends when I return. I sent you an email.

Sue
************************************************** ******
Hi Sue:
Hope all is well in Colorado.. Bob and I were on the Zuiderdam with you this past March...remember??

Barb and Bob from Florida

[Zyzygy]

during embarkation last week on Westerdam.

Other cruisers have indicated the same thing about the noon to 1:00 time limit on other ships. It is apparently a way to reduce the overflow in the Lido, but it is a much nicer way to settle in.

The embarkation lunch menu was slightly more limited than on other days of the cruise.

[medfordgirl]

during embarkation last week on Westerdam.

Other cruisers have indicated the same thing about the noon to 1:00 time limit on other ships. It is apparently a way to reduce the overflow in the Lido, but it is a much nicer way to settle in.

The embarkation lunch menu was slightly more limited than on other days of the cruise.

Bummer, since we will probably be there around 11am. Don't want to wait an hour for lunch. Especially since we will have been up since 5am and driving 4 hours. And we will be meeting other family members on board.

[sail7seas]

You won't find the dining room open for lunch at 11 on other days either. That's a bit early.

[sueclark]

************************************************** ******
Hi Sue:
Hope all is well in Colorado.. Bob and I were on the Zuiderdam with you this past March...remember??

Barb and Bob from Florida


I'm really beginning to feel guilty for not being on the board much lately. It is so much fun to meet old friends. I hope we can cruise again soon.

Sue

[Krazy Kruizers]

Westerdam

Suite lunch is on the first sea day in the Pinnacle.

We boarded the ship at 11:15 -- only excorted to the elevator.

Usually people aren't able to board the ship until around 11:15 - 11:30. So it isn't that long to wait for lunch at 12.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There are lots of snacks and cookies in the Neptune Lounge.

Nibble on something there while you are getting introduced to the concierge.

Then head down to the dining room.