suite entertaining ?

[merryecho]

When we have booked suites on other lines we have hosted small parties in our room, with no charge other than a healthy tip to the room steward. For example, on NCL we had 8 (non-suite) guests for a bithday brunch on the day we cruised glacier bay. I had asked for sandwiches, but there was also a very nice buffet including cheeses, fruits, chips etc. It was especially nice as on NCL suites all sodas and drinks are also included at no charge..
I know the drinks are not free, but does HAL provide a similar food service?

[digby]

I had an aft "S" Class suite on the Westerdam in May and had several 'sail away' parties on our huge deck. Food was delivered with no problem and no extra costs.

[merryecho]

Thanks Digby. I never thought of a sail away party the first day, but that sounds like a great idea!

[sail7seas]

You can also have hors d'ouerves delivered for a cocktail party if you wish.

[Candy]

Suite pax can have the concierge plan and order the refreshments for you, and print and deliver your personalized invitations.. As I understand it, all hors d'oeuvres and drink setups are free, but you must pay for the alcohol and tip the help.

You can also have hors d'ouerves delivered for a cocktail party if you wish.

[merryecho]

Drink setups are free? I thought this would come under the same heading as sodas, which you have to pay for.

[Cruising Illini]

Merry -- Each ship has it's own rules re. free hors d'oeuvres. On some of the original Statendam Class many limit to a serving for 6 people - one tray of hot and one tray of cold. The 6 will serve 8 or 10 -- a great plenty. Have never heard of free set-ups, we usually bring wine on board and have a supply of diet drinks in our refrig. (in a full size suite) because we empty the ref. into a cabinet and bring our own soft drinks for cabin use only. I usually have plenty of glasses in the suite but need to ask for plates and napkins. Some ships don't provide good wine openers so I take one along to make sure we have a good one. I ALWAYS leave an envelope for our cabin steward with an extra tip for cleaning up our dishes and of course we tip the staff that deliver the appetizers. The Neptune concierge will take care of all of these details for you -- I usually order the food about 15 min. early in case they are running late.
Speaking of tipping -- sorry -- we DO tip the concierge for her assistance at the end of the cruise. They have all been delightful and will do anything asked of them.

[ekerr19]

We paid for our drink set-up and that was it - the rest was ordered through room service. Btw- along with drink set-up, we also paid for our soft drinks (canned) ..

All the food was complimentary - we asked for a few special items and they obliged us.

I hope this helps.

[dewhit6959]

Does the HAL on board food/beverage manager handle the details of a in suite cocktail party and present you the bill or does this need to be taken care of thru ship services prior to sail away? Also, do they offer a flat rate fee for bar services and alcohol/set ups by the hour like many hotels have for private business cocktails after meetings?

[Krazy Kruizers]

The concierge takes care of ordering whatever appetizers and anything else you want. He/She can make out inivitations.

You pay for an entire bottle of alcohol. So if you order 3 or 4 different bottles like vodka, gin, scotoch, rum, etc., you pay for the entire bottle whether or not the bottle is completely used.

You'll sign a bill for the alcohol and the concierge will make certain that it is handed over to accounting at the front office.

[viennacruiser]

This sounds like a fun way to do sail away...I just hope I get some CC responses on my Roll call posting !!
Nancy

[GirlInADaydream]

when you say ssuite, i am assuming you mean s and ps right?

[merryecho]

Uh oh, just picked up our tickets from the TA (AAA). She mentioned that she was arranging a sail away 'thank you' party in the anniversary couple's suite. I said I had thought about doing that- wasn't it just a matter of requesting it from the concierge? She said no- there is a new policy. Guest services told her suite (S) passengers may now order hor doervres, etc., for two people only! (not sure if this means 2 guests, for a total of 4, or just the 2 suite occupants.) . More than that will be charged for.
Also, I emailed to ask about how the no host bar works in the room. The reply was that the room is stocked with airline style small bottles of liqour, and various mixers and sodas. I guess this means that if you want a scotch and soda, you pay for a little bottle of scotch and a can of soda.
I haven't even boarded the ship yet, and I am already pretty sure this will be my last HAL cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

merryecho

You say this may be your last HAL cruise - and you haven't even taken the cruise yet?

What is wrong that you have already made this decision?

[merryecho]

Krazy- I really hate being nickel and dimed when I paid full book price for a suite. Now, to entertain a few friends, I am supposed to buy drinks for them at $5-6 each, and pay to have a few appetizers. On a 10 day cruise this will add up. Hal has tightened his belt too far for me to feel comfortable.

[doone]

Merryecho, that's nothing new with the bar set up. As far as I know, we have always had to pay for anything we used on the cabin bar, including suites.

[peaches from georgia]

NO mass market line that I know of provides complimentary liquor, or sodas for that matter, in the cabin mini-bar. If you want that you are going to have to pay much more for your basic cruise. No cruiseline is giving anything away, they just differ on how you pay for what you get. :D

Merryecho- Your first post sounds as if NCL is providing free alcoholic drinks in the suites for a party. Is that true? :confused:

[merryecho]

Peaches- NCL provided 3 large bottles of the liquor of your choice at the beginning of the cruise, and all the soda and mixers you wanted, refreshed daily or as needed (suites and penthouse only). No charge. I guess I am spoiled, as our last cruises have been Seadream and Silversea, which provided anything, anywhere, anytime, and Windstar, which had free sodas and allowed passengers to bring on board any alcohol they wished.
I just spoke to guest services, who confirmed that if I want to entertain ANY non-suite passengers in our room, there will be a charge for food for them. A 12 piece hor doeuvre plate is $14.00
She also told me the small bottles of liquor are $5 each, and mixer is $1.50 for a small can.
We chose the cruise because we are joining friends who picked it, but all in all, between tips and charges, I think the 'luxury lines' will turn out to be moneysavers for us.

[doone]

I think you will enjoy HAL if you enjoyed NCL. I sailed NCL and was not impressed by them and never returned.

[Fit Heart]

I tend to not say much on these boards, but I find it very sad that someone has the attitude that they are not going to like their cruise even before they go. I believe that if YOU believe you won't enjoy the cruise, then you probably won't. Perhaps you purchased travel insurance and could find a way to get out of the cruise and book one on Silverseas. I'm not sure why anyone would consciously want to go through an experience they already know is going to be bad. I have never sailed HAL, but will be on the Zuiderdam in an S Cabin on December 4, 2004. I have read the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to this ship and HAL. I'm looking forward to the cruise more than ever, because I have read so many opinions from so many people passionate about cruising. My one other cruising experience got me hooked, but it's been a couple of years since I've had the pleasure. I am looking forward to sharing a suite with someone I care about, and I'm not so worried about what I will have to pay for and what I'm not charged for. The experience of being with someone you love, the chance to meet wonderfully passionate people and most importantly to relax and enjoy "being in the moment." Life is short, so I say relax, mingle and "be" with someone you love. Sorry for the long winded post...I guess that makes up for me not saying much up to this point.

[doone]

Fit Heart, going with that type of attitude, you can't help but have a wonderful time. Don't sweat the small stuff, be happy your on a cruise and a beautiful person to share it with. I look forward to reading your review upon your return as I will sail the Zuiderdam in March, first time on the Vista Style ship. I have also read the good, bad and ugly of this ship, but sailing with 5 friends, we're going to have a good time no matter what. So far in over 20 years of sailing, never had a bad cruise yet and I don't suspect I ever will!!!!!

[JohnR49er]

Fit Heart and Doone,
Great attitudes, can I share some of that half-full lemonade glass you have?:D :D :D

[sail7seas]

FitHeart......That was a post worth waiting for. :) Thank you for it.


We shall be on Zuiderdam next week (for our fifth cruise on that ship). I shall be with the man I love (my husband of 35 years) and a dear friend with whom we have cruised before. I am eager to cross that gangway and enjoy another great HAL cruise. I do not expect everything to be perfect. As a matter of fact, I am sure it will not be. As long as everyone stays safe and well, we will have a wonderful time I am sure.

[merryecho]

Fit- sorry, didn't realize this was the pollyanna board, thought it was OK to discuss legitimate issues. Yes, I too will have a wonderful time on board, with ones I love, but based on what I have learned here, next cruise I will probably choose to do that on another line.

[dakrewser]

Fit- sorry, didn't realize this was the pollyanna board, thought it was OK to discuss legitimate issues. Yes, I too will have a wonderful time on board, with ones I love, but based on what I have learned here, next cruise I will probably choose to do that on another line.
Why not wait until you can base it on actual experience?

[dewhit6959]

I thank all for their excellent information on in suite entertaining. However, I have another couple of questions to ask that still pertain to the original question. In the case of a small sailaway planned for the early evening after the boat drills, would the invitations be hand delivered or would this be best handled before the day. Also, how are suites equiped with regards to music? Is there a cd player already there or does the dvd do double duty, and are the speakers built into the ceiling or are they through a television? Also, would the concierge be able to arrange a bartender and his tools to be on station for our get together?

[vjb223]

I don't know when you are sailing but I would cruise with you guys in a heartbeat. I like the way you think. vjb

Sorry I do not have answer for you bartender question, ship services with HA may help you .

[doone]

JohnR49er, you certainly may share, thanks for the nice compliment.

[doone]

Merryecho, I know you will have a good time if you go with an open mind, not the attitude of this is the last time on this line, before you even experience it. Your not being fair to not only yourself, but the others you are sailing with as well. Put on a happy face and have a wonderful time.

[Fit Heart]

Merryecho,

I guess if I'm going to be accused of anything on these boards, being a "Pollyanna" isn't so bad. I'm not sure when that term Pollyanna became such a negatived term to people, but I will accept your labeling me that without concern. Of course you have the right to express your opinions here, as we all do. My comments on this particular post were simply to say that each of us has our own experiences and challenges in life and we are responsible for how we choose to handle them. You certainly have choices when it comes to cruising/future cruising on HAL. I was just saying that I'd hope you choose to approach your upcoming cruise on HAL with an open mind and enjoy the company of your traveling companions and the guests you will meet on the ship, despite the challenges of HAL. I was glad to hear in your response that you intended to do just that. Happy Sailing, Merryecho. I'll be anxious to read your review. Regards, Pollyanna aka Fit Heart

[sail7seas]

For you to hope for a bartender at your sailaway party, you really should get to the Neptune Lounge ASAP to arrange it. Embarkation Day is so hectic and lifeboat drill so close to sail away can make it difficult to have a smoothly run party when depending upon arrangements made on the fly so to speak.


It would be quite stressful IMO for the Concierge to be able at a moment's notice to drop all her responsibilities to all her guests to prepare invitations and have them delivered within such a short span of time when so many others have so many requests of her. All Suite guests are requesting their credit cards be processed; Spa Appointments be made; Salon Appointments; Reservations to Pinnacle; Special Requests for articles they require in the cabins; Shore Excursions; Sooooo many special requests.

For a party in your suite requiring bartender etc, I would plan it for a time other than sailaway and have a much better chance of it being smoothly arranged and handled. I have seen them arrange and set up and run grea parties in guests' suites. I would not expect that as possible on Embarkation Day......especially if you are not among the first persons aboard.

[merryecho]

Can we spell patronizing? For pity sake- I made a simple comment that I think HAL is nickle and diming suite passengers compared to other lines I have traveled. I don't care for that, so I will probably choose one of the other lines next time. Does that mean I am not capable of thoroughly enjoying myself on the cruise? NO. I am sure you are a wonderful person, fitheart, but just because I think $6 a drink is a lot to pay in my room, that does not mean I am not a wonderful person too, with an excellent attitude and a happy outlook.
Maybe HAL will be so fantastic it will be the line I choose to use forever, but based on what I have read here so far, it sounds like some of the lines policies are not a good fit for me. So shoot me.
In conclusion, some on this board seems to jump on any chance to criticize (yes fitheart, your post is quite critical, even when wreathed in smiles) people, for their comments directed at the cruise line.

[JohnR49er]

Cruise boards are like Basball.
Even when you hit a home run, only half the fans will be happy............

[Roadguy]

Merry,
No, I can't spell pattronsing!!!:)
And while some may jump to criticise, I don't(TOO LAZY).;)
I guess Hal doesn't mind "nickel and dimin" suite passengers because We have more of them.
I don't understand, complainin about prices and cruisin on Lines that don't fit You ??...
Happy Sailin!!

[dakrewser]

Can we spell patronizing? Patronizing? I can not only spell it, I can define it. Patronizing is coming here to the HAL forum and telling us, in effect, that we're all idiots for sailing with the line. You base this not, strangely enough, on personal experience (since you've never sailed with the line) but on some odd perception you have that a cruise line should provide, gratis, the wherewithall for you to entertain (lavishly, if possible) your friends and acquaintances "on the cheap".

"But Crystal or SilverSea would do it for me," you say and that's true. They would also charge you twice as much for your cabin. It takes a lot of $6 drinks to make up that difference.

The amenities are available on most lines, it's simply a question of paying for them wholesale (in a higher cruise fare) or retail (at the point of purchase).

Now about your implication that we're all a bunch of bozos from the bush who wouldn't know an amenity if it fall off the shelf and hit us.....

-dave

[snowman]

Peaches I can see you have never been in suite on Princess, go over there and check them out, you will find that they have a free mini-bar set up for their suite pax, also NCl, Seabourn etc. !!!! And the list goes on.

[sail7seas]

Peaches I can see you have never been in suite on Princess, go over there and check them out, you will find that they have a free mini-bar set up for their suite pax, also NCl, Seabourn etc. !!!! And the list goes on.
Snowman.....We sailed back-to-backs on Sun Class largest, biggest most costly suite. All we got was the free mini-bar single, one time set up as an amenity from Princess. We GOT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE. NOTHING...NADA....ZILCH.....ZERO......Is that what you are touting as superior to HAL (which most folks acknowledge offer the BEST amenities among it's class for Suite pax).? Their idea of amenities was to hand out a single pool towel that we had to lug with us to the pool and be sure to return to our steward or we would pay for it. :( If it was wet and a mess and we wanted a fresh one during the day.....tough!!!

I'll applaud HAL's Suite Amenities every day of the week over Princess'.

[dewhit6959]

Dear Seven,

You are exactly right in your advice. I was not thinking about all the other things and persons the concierge would be attending to. I do believe we will schedule our little gathering for the next afternoon at sea when everyone is settled and it won't be a slapdash affair. Many Thanks.

[sail7seas]

DEWHIT......


I am so happy you took my message in the vein I intended. I worried a bit after I wrote it that you would think I was preaching at you about loading up the Concierge or something. Of course, she is there to do these things for us.

BUT I don't want you to be disappointed and have a half-done, poorly arranged party when you could have a great one.

The next day is PERFECT and I think you all will be more relaxed then the rushed, tiring embarkation day and you'll enjoy it tons more. I hope so.

Hope you have a wonderful party.....and great cruise.

[Cruising Jake]

Princess does provide a one-time mini-bar set up. It is nice, but there were not many other suite perks. Just this past winter they modified their suite perks to almost match HAL. Obviously they realized that HAL had something good to offer.

[Roadwork]

Princess has a very extensive list of amentities, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, free internet, priority boarding and tendering, in cabin afternoon tea, canapes, complimetery mini bar which is a one time set up (about 8 of those small bottles of booze, a few beers and sodas), corsage, flower arrangement in cabin, private portrait sitting, personal shore excursion revervations, nicer towels,robes and slippers.

[snowman]

AMEN, but I guess the true test will be in a few weeks when the "Snowman"' sails with HAL in suite, hi to all my fans here on HAL, I will not be signing autographs on my Zu cruise.

[Cruising Illini]

AGAIN == don't rely on what ship's services tells you from the head office. We have ALWAYS been told that the party freebies are strictly up to the approval of the head of food services or hotel manager and will vary from ship to ship. One time I was only allowed 4 freebie servings but I just bought some nuts, cheese, etc. in port and had a great plenty to go with the wine and soft drinks I had already taken on board. We do this more for the gathering of friends and really don't want to eat too much just before dinner. If we had late dinner I wouldn't mind the extra cost because in the overall picture -- it really is pretty minor -- better than the price of photos.

[sail7seas]

Princess has a very extensive list of amentities, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, free internet, priority boarding and tendering, in cabin afternoon tea, canapes, complimetery mini bar which is a one time set up (about 8 of those small bottles of booze, a few beers and sodas), corsage, flower arrangement in cabin, private portrait sitting, personal shore excursion revervations, nicer towels,robes and slippers.

Good to hear they finally decided to "sell" suite pax something more than just a larger room. Too little; too late for us, though. We sailed with them about 5 times and have no plans to sail with them again.

[JDee]

Princess has a very extensive list of amentities, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, free internet, priority boarding and tendering, in cabin afternoon tea, canapes, complimetery mini bar which is a one time set up (about 8 of those small bottles of booze, a few beers and sodas), corsage, flower arrangement in cabin, private portrait sitting, personal shore excursion revervations, nicer towels,robes and slippers.

Many of the mention amentities are available depending on the number of prior cruises taken. Just dumped the latest mailing offers so can't post how many prior cruises one must have for any specific goodie....sorry bout that....

I do recall many cruises required for free internet.... ten?? fifteen??