HoneyGV

I would LOVE for HAL to bring back cruises out of Cocoa Beach, FL

We had the Neptune aft wrap to go through the Panama Canal and can’t say enough about it. The space on the deck was incredible! Along with the above perks, we just loved the Neptune Lounge. It was so nice to go in and sit with a few snacks that were always fresh. And having the assist of the Neptune staff make making reservations so easy. They were able to book excursions without waiting in line, get the exact Pinnacle dinner reservations we wanted. We even got a private appointment with the Future Cruise Consultant off her hours so we wouldn’t have to wait outside her office for an appointment. And don’t forget the ability to have a quiet, relaxed breakfast in the Pinnacle. You can get used to the pampering very fast. We decided to splurge and do another Neptune for the 21 day Cuba and Caribbean in 2019

 

 

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One of my favorite things going through the Canal is going to breakfast that morning in the Pinnacle and watch the DR get darker and darker going through the locks. Also the Panama Canal Rolls served that day!:)

No, OP said: "jeans with multiple holes in them, a T-shirt and a ball cap".

Perhaps IF they WEAR the ball cap at the table, they MAY be asked to remove it?

Thanks for your mention of my post on this thread. I totally agree with cruisemom42. Unfortunately we are living in a time where society is "dumming down". There is little regard for what I believe is common acceptable behavior and dress. To many people believe they should be able to wear what they want when and where they want. They are lazy, crass, and care only about themselves. Very unfortunate!! I know some of these people. They are my wife's relatives. They would come to a funeral or a wedding wearing sweat shirts and ball caps, and be wearing the ball caps indoors as well.

dmg1956

One thing I cannot tolerate, no matter where people are dining, on a ship or otherwise are men who wear caps at the dinner table. I don't care if they come in "NEKKED", I HATE ball caps at the dinner table. :(

nicely put OldSalt -- thanks -- 25 years is a very long time until it passes -

there is a reason there are many cruise lines -- I don't like the floating cities either - HAL is our favorite for many reasons

I sail on HAL because I get a very relaxing cruise and have NEVER had loud mouthed drunks bouncing off the walls of the corridors at 3am! Oh, how I love being in my late sixties. :)

We have never ever booked a cruise just 18 days from the sail date . (Actually 14 days

because they gave us a four day hold) . We took a FF guarantee , the lowest $ full Ocean View .

Today just 3 days after payment we got our assigned cabin . It's still OV but it is as good an OV

as there is on the Veendam , mid-ship on the Main deck sandwiched between 2 other cabin decks .

I am very pleased !:)

Good for you! Enjoy your cruise and congrats!

Host Walt has been very patient with all of the vaping posts ;)

I think vaping is pertinent to HAL's smoking policies.

The sad thing about electronic cigarettes is that they are being used to hook kids on smoking. Why else do they add fruity flavors? It is a huge concern in my town with so many vape shops opening up.

I think it's the responsibilty to educate and control what their kids do. That being said, if I had a kid who hung around other kids who smoke tobacco...I'd rather them vape.

I believe E-cigs...like tobacco products and alcohol products should be controlled when it comes to ALL of those things.

I wonder if folks who complain about E-cigs are as harsh about legal weed in places where it's legal?

HAL's current policy is that "Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas." The extent to which the policy is enforced probably varies.

 

The policy itself is somewhat strange, in that it permits vaping in designated smoking locations outside, but doesn't allow vaping in any inside public areas, including those areas where smoking itself is allowed. As a result, your can smoke cigarettes while playing in the casino, but you can't vape.

 

I'm no supporter of vaping or smoking, and would be happy to see both gone from the ships entirely, but if HAL is going to allow it, they should at least develop policy based on a bit of common sense.

I've been vaping in the Neptune Lounge with the permission of the staff and even in the MDR...the most that has happened is people want to learn more about them. I explain the process to them, educate them and I've not had ANYONE complain on ANY cruise I've been on and I cruise at least 3 or 4 times a year on 11 and 14 day cruises.

I know there will be some folks who have something to say about it, but.....once MOST naysayers have it explained to them...they are positive toward it. I've found that the ones who are REALLY interested are smokers...and as long as I can convert tobacco smokers into vapers...the less complaints there will be about folks who smoke on their balconies.

I am highly allergic to strong perfumes, but....there are no rules about it...so like everyone else who has a problem with "scents"...I just have to deal with it or move.

I can't believe that the smoking issue has now turned so much into the vaping issue. I've tried the e-cigs, and they really don't seem to emit enough to bother anyone. Smell isn't an issue, is it??? If someone vapes on a balcony, is that ruining it for others on nearby balconies?? I GET that smoking drifts and is an big annoyance for people (although we are among the considerate who wouldn't smoke if our neighbours are out on their balcony. But vaping? Seriously? is it that you people can't stand the thought of anyone doing anything they might enjoy? How about you let it go on that one issue, recognizing that yes, the vapor might not be totally pollution free, but for heaven's sake, think about what you're inhaling in regard to the ship's own pollution and let some people who are trying to quit smoking in favor or vaping have their enjoyment. Good grief.

I agree with you. Anyone who says they can get 2nd hand "smoke" from E-cigs would have to have their noses and mouths about a half inch from mine and even at that.

Other than the uninformed opinions of folks who just want to complain about ANYTHING, including vaping....it's not an issue to people who actually have researched vaping.

If I have a cabin neighbor who complains or makes ignorant remarks about me vaping on my balcony or stateroom or in the casino where smoking is permitted...I'll just ask them if they would be happier if I just go back to tobacco for the rest of the voyage. :D

I vape in the Neptune and have NEVER been told not to...I vape in the casino...even when smoking tobacco is not permitted on "NON" smoking nights....I've done it with the permission of the Neptune concierge and the casino host. I have NEVER vaped if told not to. Oh, I've also vaped in the MDR. The MOST that has happened is people are all for it after being educated on the matter. As I've said before.

I have seen several posts from people making silly statements about it who don't know ANYTHING about it. They THINK they know about it, but from what's been demonstrated in their posts....prove otherwise.

For every single article that's been published, there has never been ONE article telling just WHICH brand of E-cig has been tested and failed.

I WILL advise ANYONE who WANTS to switch from tobacco to E-cigs that it's not wise to buy any brand of E-cig or E-liquid from China. Stay with products made in the USA and there's NO problem.

I've read articles that claim that E-cigs have blown up in a person's face....wonder why they NEVER tell us which brand of E-cig has done this?

People have no problem announcing which model of vehicle has faulty parts to alert the masses of problems. Why so vague and so many untruths about vaping and E-cigs?

I've read that someone stated in a post that it's the "concoction" of e-liquid that gives out enormous volumes of "smoke".....it's not the concoction...it's the vehicle that the person is using to vape. Those E-cig tanks...are called MODS.

People who use the E-cigs that LOOK like cigarettes with a light on the end are mostly a thing of the past and were the rave several years ago when E-cigs first came out. MOST folks who vape now....don't use them...They can't be recharged and are disposable...once a person pays $10 for them and gets a few hundred "puffs", they are useless and must be thrown away because they can't be recharged and filled with one's own E-liquid. The light from them is NOT a laser light and has NO effect on ANYONE's eyes.

I will advise any person who is thinking of giving up tobacco for vaping and is not SURE if they are ready to get into vaping to buy one and try it. When I was on the Zuiderdam on my last cruise they were being sold in the Sundry Shop on the ship...and sold out quickly.

The problem with those "beginner" vapes is that they don't have much to offer in the way of flavors or nicotine levels or ZERO levels. E-cigs come in many varieties, E-liquid comes in hundreds of flavors, and several strengths of nicotine or NO nicotine if one is REALLY trying to get off the nicotine.

For the folks who are afraid of formaldehyde....MOST people use formaldehyde in their everyday lives and think nothing of it. It's in makeup, food, clothing, building materials and several other areas. To single out the trace of it in an E-cig...and ONLY in ONE kind of E-liquid is silly, IMO.

Don't believe me?

http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/search?tbl=TblChemicals&queryx=50-00-0

One of the nicest people I ever met on a HAL cruise was someone who I later (much later, as in a couple of years) found out always - but always - cruises in a Neptune Suite. Those that do (usually) seldom feel the need to mention it. That was actually my very first HAL cruise, and I bet she never realised how helpful she was to me. She is still on this board, and I admire her enormously. A woman of few words but a huge heart. And no, no one has ever asked me what kind of of cabin I have!

I didn't say anyone asked me what kind of cabin I have...I said that I've been asked what my cabin was like and someone else asked what deck we were on.

I never give ANY personal information to strangers and I don't announce or tell anyone what kind of cabin I have.

On Celebrity now in a Sky Suite (same size as Signature Suite on HAL) with access to Luminae. In my opinion, the meals in Luminae have been better than any of the meals that we have eaten in HAL, RCL or Celebrity specialty restaurants. Even though this suite is smaller than HAL's Neptune Suite (our preferred cabin on HAL) and we don't have access to Michael's Club from a Sky Suite, we won't be going back to HAL even if they change their smoking policy (which is why we started sailing other lines). We do have a butler who checks in with us at least 3-4 times per day. Who needs a concierge? The butler does it all. I will share more when I return from this cruise.

I've cruised Celebrity several times..in suites and found that the butler just gets in the way. That's one thing I like about HAL...no butler.

I think that's a bit harsh. I never experienced any guests flaunt their suite status in many HAL cruises in which I had a plain vanilla cabin.

IMO, it's a matter of priorities. Some people like to spend their money on dinners out, movies, land vacations, new cars and big TV sets.

Those aren't my priorities....cruising in comfort and if there's some luxury IS my priority.

I don't feel I'm less than anyone sailing in the PH. They pay for their luxury too.

It is sad and pathetic that some people feel like they have to purchase superior social status, and rub it everyone else's face during the cruise.

 

I have enough confidence in myself to have dinner with everyone else.

 

igraf

I get an awkward feeingl" when I'm in the MDR and tablemates start asking what our cabin is like and which deck it's on and such.

I don't come off as being pretentious or rub anything in anyone's face during the cruise. I always get a table for 4 or a deuce at times. So, it's USUALLY not a problem. BUT, everytime I used to sit at a table with more than 6 people someone ALWAYS wanted to discuss accomodations.

The one thing I like about suite sailing is having the Neptune to hang out in...everyone there is in the same boat!

buh bye!!

Huh??? :confused::confused::confused:

I think some of you are going way over the top with respect to this "class" issue. This isn't an entirely different section of the ship, as you would find in First Class or Business Class on an airplane or train, this is a dining room. And, if someone thought being on a modern day cruise ship made them feel like being on "Titanic" then you obviously don't know what the "class" system was about in those days--same thing as today--it had EVERYTHING to do with MONEY. I would also encourage some of you to reevaluate your self-esteem, but that is a whole 'nother topic.

 

How do you feel about there being a First Class on airplanes or trains? How do you feel about "club" floors in some hotels? Do they make you feel you're unworthy? Are you belittled by those? Give me a break. No one is forcing anyone on X to use Luminae exclusively, everyone on the ship has just as much access to the MDR as does everyone else on the ship. It's all about money, folks, and has nothing to do with "class." A small part of capitalism is paying more for a little bit better product. There is a big difference in price between a new Cadillac and a new Toyota. If you prefer the Toyota and everything that goes with it, good for you, but some of us prefer the Cadillac and everything that goes with it.

AMEN!!! You stated it brilliantly.

Thanks.

I have mixed feelings about it.

 

Being one who sails in Suites, I'm not sure I like having breakfast and dinner in a 'secluded' space.

 

I cruise to relax and enjoy the ship and the "pampering". We don't go out to dinner much or bars or spend money on lots of entertainment, and we're not "shopaholics" who have to have new clothes all the time.

We budget so we CAN cruise in luxury. There are times when I never leave the Rotterdam deck except to have breakfast at the Pinnicle and dinner their or in our suite. We pay dearly for the Neptune suite and PH.

I don't care about exploring the "islands" or going to the beaches or shopping. Been there done that.

The ONE luxury I have is to cruise in Suite class 3 or for times a year.

Most of the people I talk to say they don't care about what cabin they get as they don't spend any time there except to sleep. WE DO spend time in our room and on our balcony. I am just happy to have someone else make my bed, do my dishes, clean the room, do the laundry and just let me relax in my little "castle" on the sea.

As if HAL's dining room staff isn't already spread thin enough? :eek: To take more stewards away to staff an exclusive dining room for suite passengers would only make it worse.

True, there would be passengers leaving the dining room, too, but I don't believe for one minute that the staffing/passenger ratio would be the same.

 

Coverage in the dining room, when stewards are out sick would be more difficult, too.

 

If it's good enough for Celebrity, let those who like this system sail Celebrity. It's not good enough for HAL.

HAL/Carnival has big profits...maybe they'll hire more people?

The "class system" already exists on HAL and every other cruise line. The Pinnacle restaurant is reserved only for suite passengers for breakfast, and the Neptune Lounge is only accessible for suite passengers. The retreat cabanas are only accessible if you pay for premium price. The posts above indicate that they are aware of it but don't consider it s "class system" which would cause them not to sail HAL?

 

Stating that one wouldn't cruise a particular cruise line because of lack of access to one area is a little over the top.

HAL as with everyone and everything else...one gets what one pays for...and why shouldn't one?

When folks pay 15 to 20K for a 2 week cruise for 2...they should get something for their money.

The dining for suite only guests is something that prevents us from booking a cruise on Celebrity. We dislike the idea of creating a class system. We feel that no matter what type of cabin we choose to sail in, we should be able to dine in any restaurant we choose. Our money is just as good as that of someone in a suite. HAL, don't start a class system, please.

I think HAL has their own way of "separating" the classes. Have you noticed the color of the keycards? Do you think one color gets "faster" service than the other?

Just wondering if you partake of a meal in this grand and glorious setting, and you have tea do you have to stick your pinkie out?

I think the pinkie thing is just a reflex. :D

I was sure I had read e-cigarettes emit formaldehyde and sure enough the following link confirms that. To say those of us standing on our verandah next to some using their e-cigarette is perfectly safe doesn't seem to be verified by all. I don't think HAL should permit them in any public space where cigarette smoking is not permitted. We can avoid indoor spaces with people using them if we know where that is.

 

http://ecigarette-research.com/web/index.php/2013-04-07-09-50-07/2014/162-nyt-formald

 

I know that article and there are TWO types of E-liquids...ONE of them (PG) is the one the article tries desperately to show as harmful. The other one..which I use is vegetable based (VG).

The article starts out saying how harmful it is, but then goes on to backtrack their claim.

I, myself, only use VG liquid that I make, and the liquid goes nowhere NEAR the levels it takes to equal levels akin to tobacco. It's in your link.

From what I've read...in Colorado they now have a liquid form of pot (THC) that can be vaped as well, but not in Florida yet.

People always have something to complain about...don't they? :confused:

So just the stateroom in addition to the other allowed areas. I'm glad to hear that, as that vapour is really annoying. Last but one cruise, a couple decided to stroll through the shops area on the ship puffing away on electronic cigarettes. At the time I thought the staff did nothing about it, but (it was a longish cruise) I never saw them do it again.:D

Water vapor is annoying to you?? How so?

Again, that's not possible unless the vaping liquid is 100% water.

 

 

 

Vegetable just means "plant" as opposed to "animal" or "mineral". Doesn't say anything about whether it's harmful or not. Since you make it, you could just say what goes into it.

 

Dissipation doesn't mean it goes away, it simply means the condensate evaporates into the air. When I use my inhaler, I exhale into a cloth, or in a pinch into my sleeve because most of the medication settles in my lungs, but not all of it. This in spite of the fact that looking at me you couldn't see anything I was exhaling. It's still there and I have no intent to medicate anybody else. Again, if it is just water and nicotine, it's probably not a problem for me, but it could still be a problem for someone who is nicotine sensitive.

I've already said I don't use nicotine. Besides nicotine isn't what nonsmokers inhale from second hand smoke. The nicotine is ingested by the user.

The only way another person could be "nicotine" sensitive is if they ingest nicotine into their bloodstream.

Caffeine is more addictive to more people than nicotine...according to research.

If you are exhaling your meds after you've inhaled them, then perhaps you're inhaling more than you need to and your lungs are either not absorbing your meds or you're wasting them by inhaling too much?

Is memory loss a a side effect of too much vaping? :D

No, a few years ago, I bought the E-cigs, but kept on smoking. Then last year I quit tobacco totally and now totally vape.;)