Java Cafes replaced -- FACT OR FICTION???

[Cruising Illini]

Have read sometime ago that the Java cafe will be replaced with a type of sidewalk cafe and coffees, etc. will have a charge. Anyone know the facts?? Crystal has quite nice cafes but no charge involved -- can be used for light snacks most of the day starting with breakfast, etc. Many will miss the coffee and cookies I am sure.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Vista ships already have the Windstar Cafes which do charge for coffees.

Evetually all ships are to have this type of cafe. You can get pasteries there as well if you buy a coffee (free then).

[KBC]

The Windstar coffees are first class and are only a nominal charge. I especially enjoyed the iced coffee with a warm pecan pastry.... yummy

[stllex88]

What is a nominal charge?

[bepsf]

...'bout half the price of Starbucks.

And they use Torrefazione Italia Coffee - WAY better than Starbucks...

[mmacdcc]

Is there a charge for that? Not cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, espressos, iced coffees, etc., but regular coffee. Not that I don't like the others (and will definitely drink them), but my husband and I drink a lot of coffee. A LOT of coffee. I'm happy with either coffee or tea, during the day, but I really want my coffee in the morning.

I expect to pay for alcohol, soda, and specialty coffees. Do I have to pay for EVERYTHING that we drink? That's going to add up real fast...

[Charliesmom]

I don't think they are charging for coffee in the Lido or from room service - just at the Windstar Cafe. I think a lot of customers would complain if coffee everywhere became a separate, chargeable, item.

Roberta

[Esme]

Is there a charge for that? Not cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, espressos, iced coffees, etc., but regular coffee. Not that I don't like the others (and will definitely drink them), but my husband and I drink a lot of coffee. A LOT of coffee. I'm happy with either coffee or tea, during the day, but I really want my coffee in the morning.

I expect to pay for alcohol, soda, and specialty coffees. Do I have to pay for EVERYTHING that we drink? That's going to add up real fast...



No they don't charge for regular coffee in the Lido. Now, I don't know if they charge for regular coffee in the Windstar Cafe but I'll find out in a couple of months. :) At the present time only the Vista ships and the Ryndam, when she comes out of drydock, have the Windstar Cafes. No charge for coffee from room service.

[garydm]

Agree with Cruising Illini-The Bistro on Crystal ships is outstanding. Wonderful pastries and whatever specialty coffee you want-no extra charge for any of it and the coffee is served to your table. It is a wonderful area to sit and relax and meet up with new friends. And, before I am reminded, yes, Crystal cruises can cost more.

The staff in the Bistro were also very pleasant and helpful. I have often found the staff in Java cafes disinterested and acting like they are doing you a favor to pour some coffee.

Gary

[KBC]

Dear MMACDCC

As far as I recall from the Westerdam, regular coffee isn't served in the Windstar, just specialities.

Katie. :)

[KAN]

Charges for a cup of coffee!?!?!?! I heard next that HAL is going to start charging for all food items consumed. Can you imagine being on a cruise with a bunch of people who have to pay to eat. I can see the headlines now...."There was a riot on a Holland America cruise ship started by a bunch of hungry passengers....."

Seriously though. I have always appreciated the Java cafe and enjoyed having my complementary coffee and a pastry/cookie or two there. It's a shame to see it disappear. But, it seems like Holland America is trying to come up with ways to create extra profit (passengers being forced to purchase liquor for their stateroom via room service (or hide it in a very sturdy flask.. :-> ), removing the self-service laundries so passengers have to pay for laundry service, alternative restaurants that charge an extra fee, etc, etc). I guess as pricing gets more competitive, we can simply expect to pay for more things while onboard. What a shame. My DH said just today he would rather pay more for the cruise and have it be truly "inclusive" and not get nickle and dimed to death onboard. Unfortunately, I guess he and I are in the minority.

We have really enjoyed each of my HAL cruises, but their recent changes have convinced us to try other "premium" and "luxury" cruise lines to see what other experiences are out there. (P.S. we are dual income, no kids, 30-somethings who bring large groups of people on HAL cruses every year....so I would imagine we qualify as the "youngsters" that HAL is trying to attract with their new Vista class ships and all of the "improvements" HAL has made.....here's my note to HAL....it's not working!!!).

Happy Travels Everyone.

KAN

[dakrewser]

I guess as pricing gets more competitive, we can simply expect to pay for more things while onboard. What a shame. My DH said just today he would rather pay more for the cruise and have it be truly "inclusive" and not get nickle and dimed to death onboard. Unfortunately, I guess he and I are in the minority.

Unfortunately, most people only look at the cost of the cruise itself. That's unfortunate, but I do expect it will change as cruise lines find that the people they are attracting aren't going to spend the "nickle and dime" for the "extra" services.

[saltydog28]

I have a question-I usually get a cappuccino after dinner in the dining room, and there has never been a charge. Do the vista class ships charge for this?-In the dining room-.
Thanks,
Pat.

[dakrewser]

I have a question-I usually get a cappuccino after dinner in the dining room, and there has never been a charge. Do the vista class ships charge for this?-In the dining room-.
Thanks,
Pat.
No, there's no charge for your Cappuccino in the DR...

[Jana]

>>A LOT of coffee. I'm happy with either coffee or tea, during the day, but I really want my coffee in the morning. <<

Me too, a LOT of coffee!

Here's what you do. When you get your room service coffee, keep and rinse out the thermos. When you want more coffee in your cabin, go up to the Lido cafe. On top of the coffee machine is a bent pipe thingy that fits on the nozzle of the coffee maker; slip it on, fill the thermos (the thermos doesn't fit under the coffee nozzle, you have to use the pipe thing) take it off, put it back on top, voila, you have a full thermos of fresh coffee.

LIFE SAVER!

[jturner901]

We used to wander by during the day and have a few of the delicious chocolate chip cookies. I guess that will be out now. Oh well.

[gizmo]

We used to wander by during the day and have a few of the delicious chocolate chip cookies. I guess that will be out now. Oh well.
The cookies are always available around the ice cream bar.

[localady]

No, there's no charge for your Cappuccino in the DR...
Not yet.

This part of the SOE program really gets me angry. HAL is making the cruise experience better by nickle and diming us??:eek: It is my guess that once the program is in place, cappuccinos in the DR will also be "for charge" also.:rolleyes:

[gizmo]

Not yet.

This part of the SOE program really gets me angry. HAL is making the cruise experience better by nickle and diming us??:eek: It is my guess that once the program is in place, cappuccinos in the DR will also be "for charge" also.:rolleyes:
This bugs me too. As long as people are willing to pay for it, they will continue with the additional charge and probably add more things to charge for. If the new cafe sat empty cruise after cruise, Hal might rethink the entire thing.

As far as charging for cappuccino in the dining room I can see it coming too.

[jturner901]

The cookies are always available around the ice cream bar.
If I recall correctly, the cookies at the Java Cafe, were different than the ice cream bar option. Were they not more "premium" flavoured? Maybe they just tasted that way because they were only out for a couple hours per day at the Java.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Here's what you do. When you get your room service coffee, keep and rinse out the thermos. When you want more coffee in your cabin, go up to the Lido cafe. On top of the coffee machine is a bent pipe thingy that fits on the nozzle of the coffee maker; slip it on, fill the thermos (the thermos doesn't fit under the coffee nozzle, you have to use the pipe thing) take it off, put it back on top, voila, you have a full thermos of fresh coffee. LIFE SAVER!Now THIS is valuable information:D . I can't tell you how I love these little hints that I would NEVER know without people like Jana around. Thank you, Jana! I'm not kidding. DH and I nearly die for our coffee every morning and knowing about this pipe thingie is the kind of info they ought to put in "Know Before You Go".

[marybeach]

Let your cabin steward know that you want to keep the thermos. Ours always has it wisked away. I try to save some rolls and jelly and fruit from breakfast room service for SO , because of his diabetes. Sometimes that is cleared away also. And, if you are mechanically impaired, just keep refilling mugs and pouring them into the thermos, I guess.

[Jana]

Oh, Mary is right, I forgot to say that I rinse the thermos and put it in the closet before the steward comes in.

Heather, I don't think this comes under "common knowledge," I am not sure they want us to know about it :-) BUT... necessity is the mother of invention, and my coffee is a necessity, so I got creative.

I often travel alone and I often spend a lot of time in my cabin. Room service sends me coffee for one, so less than half a pot full, which isn't enough. On the other hand, they are just plastic thermos jugs and don't keep the coffee hot so a full pot is kind of a waste. In any event, this method works for me, better than calling room service every time I want more coffee.

Jana

[HeatherInFlorida]

Jana, that's why these little secrets are so great. It's the "little" things that count;) .

Actually you've given me an idea! I've always brought little thermal mugs with tops, but now I'm thinking I'll bring my own thermal carafe!!! Since we drive to the pier, why not?

Us "addicts" have to stick together:D