albingirl

You aren't a newbie on HAL. You can find these prices on their website, in case you are interested. Also, all dining is clearly subjective. Opinions are interesting, but I take it all with a grain of salt.

To the OP, yes, things can come down. They can also, more than likely, go up. There you have it. Economics 101.

I think the best perk of all is the laundry when you turn 4 star. My chief beef is the priority embarkation and so on for club orange. I am ok with the room upgrades and nice restaurant but that should be it. Lumping them in with 4 and 5 star people is unfair to those who have spend gazzilions of years and dollars to achieve that status. Of course, I've been on long cruises where just about every one was 4 star and up, but the club orange really should not have priority tendering and embarkation for instance.

This topic tends to raise the blood pressure. I used to see HAL's library books used for this purpose....just to hog the chairs. I'm at the point where I am inclined to do a broad sweep ot the arm over belongings that sit for a period of time on an unused chair. It's rude to claim these chairs as your own personal property. I just sailed on NCL, and they have an area that they call the Waterfront which has plenty of couches and chairs. I'd see people napping across the whole couch, insuring that no one sat on the chairs in that semi-circle. One person hogging an area meant to seat six. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

I like to call it as I see it. Better late than never.

Rather demeaning don't you think?

Oh stop. She's right.

Not to mention, how embarrassing for the cruise passengers!

I love how, in Italy, they bring a bowl of chips to go with your wine or beer. Well, that makes us stay longer. The salt makes us thirsty for another round!

We usually avoid the lido, but when I wander in there, off hours, I never see any difficulty for seating. But, it's the off hours. I'm usually perusing the sweets, and generally walking away, terrified of the calories but interested in the offerings. It's always torture. I can't help myself lol.

One more thing, don't book a cabin next to any white space. Could be crew's kitchen or some sort of working area. You will hear lots of dishes crashing and noise, as all the dishes from room service end up there first. It goes on all day.

I'll be very happy to follow along, probably wishing I was aboard! Bon Voyage!

Yes, I agree with your comment about hopping on a cruise without spending some time in the area you've arrived. I cannot imagine jumping on a cruise without a few days, at least, in a foreign city to immerse myself in the whole culture, eating, dining, and so on. My transatlantics have been very long cruises, so that may be the difference that I am talking about. I'm not working so I have the luxury of such long trips occasionally.

For what it's worth, and I'm sure not much, we find the transatlantics to feel the least crowded of all. I know they don't sail full sometimes, but it's a totally different vibe. Seasoned travelers who are intent on seeing as much of the world as they can, and resting in between. That's us!

We sailed the NS 2x, one year apart from each sailing, too. We noticed the drink prices went up, but more importantly, the passenger load doubled from the pandemic times. You could really feel the difference, particularly in finding seats in the shade. We didn't have too much difficulty waiting for dinner since we were lucky enough to have club orange. Which now appears to be in big demand. Of course.

Yes, "keeping four chairs all day, whether they are occupied or not" is completely being a hog. I see rows like that and think that gee, I paid for this cruise, too. What gives.

The apply sunscreen offering made me laugh. How ridiculous.

No. But you can always hope.

The funny thing about the have it all package on NCL is that you don't get much in the way of credit toward excursions but. You have unlimited drinks, and the drink package works on their private island. No need to bring your wallet. I saw people drinking painkillers at 8 in the morning. Having a smashing good time.

One woman, elderly, barked at me when I told her she didn't have the right to hold the chair for over an hour while she went off and had lunch. She said, "what do you want, for me to eat faster?" Nasty woman.

We are very happy for the option. There is no sly morality intended....I think people should let it rip. And be happy about it all. I know I am.

Nah. I was just kidding. But, I admit that I love the ones who do a self check here and tell us all how many drinks they consume in a day with the drink package. I would be in jail if I drank like that at home haha.

This posting made me laugh. I wish someone would come on and admit they just like to get loaded lol.

I know there is no "wow" factor to my home cooking, but it keeps me alive and sometimes is tasty and something to enjoy at the end of the day. That's how I see cruise food. A chance to sit down and partake a meal in the company of others. It can be a fine experience if a person isn't too pickey. Half the enjoyment of a meal is the company shared.

Not to mention hard feelings. Gonna see these people again somewhere on the ship. Best to let it go.