prescottbob
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Posts posted by prescottbob
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I don't work for HAL, so I cannot speak for their markup or service.
But it is common practice to have an average markup on certain categories of beverages (some higher and some lower than the average).
Champagne is a completely different conversation, as most cruise passengers only drink it if it is free. Champagne sales in the cruise industry are near zero - at any price point.
Equating price to service quality is a great concept - but I rarely see it very well demonstrated in practice.
Starbucks has one of the highest markups on coffee in the business.
They charge you $32 per gallon for so-so coffee that you could make at home for a few pennies - and they don't give you any service at all. You have to wait in a long line to pay the extortion fee.
And they give you a Styrofoam cup?
What's that all about?
At those prices you should get Inari China - and a kiss.
The Hilton Hawaiian Village beverage vending machines now sell you a 12 ounce can of Coca Cola for $3.25. No glass, no ice, no napkin, no straw, no lime slice, no smile.
That's about a 1200% markup.
Service quality?
You are lucky to find a machine even working.
I fly Asian airlines exclusively because they provide far greater quality and much better service at fares that are much lower than the American carriers.
So much for equating price and service quality..................
Ahoy Bruce!
Thank you for your reasoned & thoughtful replies. It explains a lot.
Logic (profitability-wise) would then lead one to conclude that HAL should encourage everyone to bring aboard a case (plus 1 "freebie" bottle) of wine at embarkation and pay the $18 corkage fee per bottle ($18 X 12 = $216).
Thus the $216 would pretty much be 95% pure profit for the cruise line (exempting 5% for the actual corkage & labels that would need to be placed on the bottles at embarkation). It was also reduce transportation costs, warehousing, etc.
Hmmm....'food', as it were, for thought.
Be well. I enjoy your posts.
Bob:)
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Hey listen, if we can get 266 people to kick in 500K each, we can own this thing.
Maybe we could steal Copper 10-8 from HAL for head of security!
Wonder what it costs to fill it up at the pump?:D
A cruise ship is like a marriage.
It's not the initial cost, it's the upkeep. ;)
Happy V day to one and all.
Bob:)
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Ahoy!
I'm sure you know this but for other good folks there is a diabled cruise forum available on CC:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=190
Be Well & Good Health!
Bob
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I too have to deal with longer cruises and hoping that HAL changes the wine policy. I can cope with some choices but it gets a bit tedious after 30 days. Totally get where you are coming from.
I am sorry if I misunderstood your question.
The cab was available to purchase in the on line purchases and still is as I checked for our next cruise. It was decent according to DH but I didn't see it on any wine listing in the MDR, PG or elsewhere. We called to get more from room service and it wasn't available so I'm not sure if it is limited, only available if pre-ordered or what the scoop is.
I suspect it is best to pre-order this. At the worst, if you didn't care for it, I am quite sure you could return the unopened bottles and get a full refund.
Sorry I couldn't help more.
Good health and enjoy your voyages:)
Thanks so much for your reply.
I Googled Chef Rudy's wine and found the following site:
http://www.thewoodhousewineestates.com/product/2007-Dussek-Cabernet-Sauvignon/
I don't know if it's the same wine but its looks fine to me.
I ordered a case (hey it's a 28 day cruise) for room consumption. We also enjoy bringing aboard wine from ports but the South Pacific itinerary (unlike others) will not provide many opportunites.
We have the Expore4 marketing package for this trip, aka drink card, and I we often order the various MDR wine packages (Navigator & Admiral) so I don't think dehydration will be setting in anytime soon during the cruise.
I'll try to get back to the CC board and give my thoughts regarding the "new & improved" wine policy and, of course, Che Rudy's selections!
Be well and cruise well.
Bob
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Ahoy!
Out of the five I'd probably select 453. The cabin is amidships (which the place to be in rough weather), stairs aren't all that far away & the biggest selling point for me, a big bathtub (not your typical RV/marine tub found on other ships).
We've stayed in 484 (aft: can be noisy with anchor chains & such on port days) and 464 (our favorite and a bit less noisy). I don't recall any noise above us since the next deck up is the main deck followed by the lower promenade.
Regardless of which cabin you select there will be some noise on port days as mentioned. But heck, that part of the cruising / sailing fun!
Have yourselves a wonderful cruise. I think you'll really enjoy the Elegant Explorer.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)
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Just an FYI.
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/05/10/crewmember-confessions-real-stupid-cruise-questions/
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)
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Gracias!
I guess I'm trying to deal with a longer cruise with the 'new and improved' HAL wine policy. We often purchased local wines in ports and brought a few bottles aboard at embarkation for room use & would bring the local wines to the MDR to enjoy & happly pay the corkage fees (gosh, once it was a big deal when it was $5 and then 'jumped' to $10).
We've also purchased various MDR wine packages (Navigator & Admiral) over the years, have paid corkage fees for the aforementioned 'bring aboard' wines and have used alcoholic beverage cards (that's been sometime ago) to just purchase a glass of vino for one of those slow nights of cruising.
I was interested in the Cab you mentioned for cabin use.
Thanks so much & be well.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Thank you for your recent post regarding the Chef's selection on HAL's indulgences site.
Would you say the Cab is better the, say, the reds available in the package deals (the Navigator or Admiral 5 / 7 bottle)?
We've done the Navigator packages over the years and have enjoyed the Mariner discounts. However, as you well know, the discounts don't apply to the single bottles.
Price-wise the Cab seems reasonable to me but like yourself we're not too fussy with wines at dinner time.
We're pretty much 'red drinkers' (Merlots, Cabernet, Sirah's, etc.) folks.
Thanks again and be well (BTW, the Prinsendam is also our favorite HAL vessel).
Bob
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Our high level credit card also offers travel insurance but when I compard it line by line to a CSA policy there were significant shortfalls on the CC program. We went, and always, have gone with CSA regardless. Sure there are some overlap but the travel policy provides for so much more.
Bingo!
We used to use TravelGuard. The past two cruises we've used CSA (through Squaremouth). Superior coverage at very reasonable rates when compared to other with much less coverage.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Ahoy!
As mentioned, check out insure my trip and I'd also checkout squaremouth dot com. The prices are pretty much the same for various policies but I foind the squaremouth a tad easier to navigate.
I also might add, be sure to calculate a policy with everyone in your group (e.g. just the two of you?) and also do individual policies to check pricing.
On our upcoming April cruise is was $30 per person cheaper (there's three of us, ages 63, 63 and 31) purchasing three seperate policies versus one group policy. Go figure.
Best of luck & be well.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Ahoy!
I don't know if you'd consider an independent tour but we had a wonderful time several years ago with the Shasa (sp?) folks (limited at the time to 12 folks) that was a sail, snorkel & dare I say, "suds" tour.
Pier pickup, lunch, libations, & drop off were inclusive for $75 per person at the time (2008). I'm sure if they're still providing snorkel tours that the prices are higher.
Just 'food' for thought.
If you go to the Picasa sight below my signature methinks you can scroll down to the 2008 Amazon cruise page and find the Barbados pix with the Shasa folks.
In any event, good luck & be well.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Wednesday, January 22 - Day 19
At Sea en route to Pitcairn Island
“Been there, done that” is an expression that I’d rather not ever hear again. Yesterday at Easter Island, I could have strangled anyone who said it. OK, today’s going to be a bit of a rant, so hang in there.
Shortly after we married, I was hired as a secretary at a travel agency while we both finished college. I guess that’s where the “bug” hit, since we could do things like sail from San Francisco to Honolulu on the Lurline for $50.00 each, stay at a hotel for free, go on free tours, but only afford two meals a day because we were, basically, starving students. Go figure.
In the years after that, we began venturing out even farther, primarily to Europe, where we’ve traveled many, many times, the most recent being last fall. However, no matter how many times we’ve been to a place, we always find something new and exciting to see or do. We’d probably been to Paris 20 times before we got around to visiting the catacombs (which I highly recommend) and there are still way too many things we’ve yet to see and do there. I think that applies to anywhere we’ve traveled.
Now to hear people who’ve been to a place once (or twice or three times) say that they don’t have to bother going ashore because “been there . . . “ is something that raises our hackles. We’d been to Easter Island in 2012 and seen the major moai sites, but this time we saw even more, including returning to the same sites but seeing them differently. Since James was our guide, we learned far more about the people, the history and the culture of the island as well as the problems they face. If we were on a cruise which stopped here again, we would certainly go ashore and try to learn more, perhaps by spending time in the town, which we haven’t done before, or spending time at Anakena Beach, where we could meet and talk with some of the local folks. There is always something new to do.
This is not to say that most passengers had this attitude; on the contrary, the vast majority were thrilled to be on Easter Island - either for the first time or yet again. It seemed to be high on most people’s “bucket list” and we heard over and over how thrilled people were to be there, especially since the sea and the weather were so cooperative The ones that bug us are a small minority, but a very annoying one. Even the crew members who are able to get off take the time to walk to the town (not too far) to see the moai standing there.
Many of the people with the above attitude are also the ones who have ports they really dislike because of one of the following reasons: it’s dirty, the food isn’t what I’m used to,
they dress “funny,” they practice a strange religion, there’s no air conditioning, etc., etc., etc. There are so many things to be learned and to be seen in any port or travel destination and anyone who doesn’t understand that is missing out on a great deal. We really like to try the local food, and on four world cruises, we have yet to have any negative results from our culinary adventures. I think that the best way to see a place, either on a sea or land trip is to read about it in advance and then make a list of the places you want to see and/or the things you want to do. Sometimes we don’t take our own pre-planning advice on this bit, but then we usually hire a taxi and ask the driver to take us to interesting places.
The day after tomorrow we call at Pitcairn Island, home of the Bounty descendants, but instead of us going ashore, they will paddle out, climb rope ladders to board the ship, and then set up a market selling their famous honey, jewelry, tee-shirts and so on. We’d love to go ashore there, but apparently the only way to do so is to be a passenger on one of the small freighters that call there regularly with supplies. Even though Pitcairn is probably the most exotic of our destinations, there are still people on board who sound fairly bored with it. I guess they’ve already got the tee-shirt, so who needs to stop there again, right?
Great post!
I agree, most folks seem not to appreciate the moment &, how fortunate they are to be where they are.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Be well.
Bob
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I would also suggest packing a Duck Dynasty beanie to wear for those moments when you rather 'be by yourself'.
http://www.amazon.com/Duck-Commander-Reversible-Hunting-Stocking/dp/B008LFYP7K/ref=pd_sim_sg_5/
Have a Great Cruise!
Bob Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Isn't the Explorations Cafe the only place to get specialty coffee?
Hello!
I think I read on the Bill & Mary World Cruise posting that the HAL folks were now charging for cappachino & express in the MDR. I would then assume that the Explore 4 / beverage package card could be used in that venue.
I could be wrong. But if you could use the beverage card for a glass of house vino then I would think you could use it also for 'specialty' coffee drink in the MDR.
Be well.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Spoke to HAL and found that it does not cap at $50 per day. It is 15 drinks max at $7.00 or less per person per day.
The promo material was confusing as it said "$50 per day value". Evidently they were referring to the cost of the Signature Beverage card if purchased.
This is from my confirmation email from HAL:
Your booking includes our Explore 4 offer:
- Signature Beverage Package (applicable to the cruise portion of Land + Sea
Journeys) for guests 1 and 2. Signature Beverage Package has a daily limit
of 15 beverages. Signature Beverage Package excludes beverages priced over
$7.00.
Hello!
We got the same message on the recent Explore4 promotion. My TA told me that guest 1 & 2 both get a $50 beverage card each (alcohol & non-alcoholic beverages) daily (or reloaded I guess) for a max limit of $100 / cabin / day.
Likewise, my daughter got the same deal booking an interior cabin, i.e. a $50 daily beverage card.
I viewed the beverage package deal on the HAL 'indulgences site' the other day and the cost for a 28 day cruise, in our case, would be approx.$1400 each, which breaks down to $50 cost / day per person for $50 / day for beverages per person. No big savings of any sort if I understand it right for this particular offering.
Also, the 15 max. drink per day is also interesting if based on one person. Now, assuming one individual could consume 15 drinks @ 6-12 ounces / drink which equals a total daily consumption of 90-180 oz equals approx. 3-6 liters / quarts of fluids / day.
I for one would certainly need to know that there would be no plumbing problems or closures of the the public restrooms.
From our Roll Call board I understand that the good folks from Australia, etc. are being offered an even higher purchase costs for the Signature Package. Perhaps the exchange rate causes this problemo (excuse my Spanish lingo).
I agree with the previous posting, the various HAL marketing offering & packages can indeed be confusing.
Thankfully, for us we'll be at sea soon and all will be well once again.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Just an FYI. Keep your calendar clear for 2016.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)
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You must be aware of the Copper.
Trust me, did you hear a strange sound while walking the deck? Is it a man or sea beast or just the ship yawing?
Believe me, it's Copper walking the deck.
Thank you John (seriously).
Perhaps sometime our paths will cross.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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Our Rotterdam cruise for christmas has become rather eventful. My husband and I had arranged to depart the cruise in Lisbon due to work commitments but that couldn't happen due to the weather and so we are still on the ship.
HAL are dropping us off in Southampton tomorrow so from there we can get a train home weather permitting. We have been given lots of free internet usage which we desperately needed as my Hubby was supposed to be on a film shoot yesterday and that took some explaining to his boss!
Overall We've had a great time with a few ups and downs but nothing we couldn't deal with. I was just glad to be able to get away from christmas at home.
Good for you!
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
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...information but I'll go ahead and post it none-the-less.
We did the reverse, i.e. land touring after a cruise (it was a 22 day Prinsendam TA/Med).
I had arranged for our 'cottage' hotel to have us picked up in Civitavecchiahve at the end of the cruise. It was a private car and costwise was approx. 50 Euros (this was in 2007).
The 'hotel' was actually 4-5 apartments across the street from the Bank of Italy Depository (sort of like the Italian version of Fort Knox) with the Colossium & university just a few blocks away. The rate for the apartment at the time (kitchen, LR & Bdrm) was 65 Euros / night.
I can tell you that the three nights we stayed were wonderful. The local eateries were great and everything (all the sites pretty much) were within walking distance.
We spent a day at the Vatican and used the city bus from our digs. You really don't want to drive in Rome (parking is non existant).
Without getting into too much detail we went out to the airport to rent a car and toured Umbria,Tuscany and Elba Island for another week, staying at B&B's & seeing sites that I had researched. It was a blast!
I guess the bottom line is this: If you like doing research and customizing your tour (and saving some money) do your research through the CC Port boards, the Trip Advisor site and various independent sites on the internet.
If you have no wish to spend the time doing the research then utilizing your TA or a local Italian agency you might find on the internet for a hotel arrangements /land tours may be a viable option.
Utilizing the cruise ship to make your pre or post cruise arrangements would certainly not be my 'cup of tea' but everyone has their 'comfort levels'.
We just prefer staying away (as best we can) from the touristy hotels & big bus tours when travelling. It's just us and nothing wrong in doing so.
Regardless, have yourself a wonderful cruise & good luck.
Bon Voyage & good Health!
Bob
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Cufflinks and studs, of course!
Oldie: 2007 post.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)
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I recently stumbled into my Able and Cadet Mariner certificates. Somewhere I have a Grand Mariner that I remember receiving on Noordam 3. I also remember some sort of medallion but not sure what it was for.
Sailed a lot on HAL ships until 1987- we all know what happened in 1988.
We took a break from cruising until this year as vacations were spent in our "second home" Key West. We did one Acapulco to Seattle in 1995 on Statendam for a break and now have decided to return to at least annual cruises.
Evidently the pre- Carnival cruises don't count as only our 1995 cruise on Statendam shows on Mariner Account.
So, we started over and on our first night on board in May we hit 2 star and likely will hit 3 on our next.
Have some fabulous memories from the "old days" though.
Ahoy!
You shouldn't really have any problem getting any credits for earlier cruises. As mentioned, just contact the Mariner Society by phone or email.
I got 14 days of credit for a 14 day Caribbean cruise I took as a child aboard the Statendam in 1958. Good luck.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)
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Ahoy!
Unbiased? Hmm...
I found the article apolitical regardless of sourcing.
Be well.
Bon Voayge & Good Health!
Bob
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We are thinking of cruising to the Caribbean this next year. Do you have a favorite island in the Caribbean, and if so, why do you like visiting this island? What ship on the HAL did you cruise on?
Ahoy!
We've enjoyed visiting the Caribbean on HAL on several trips.
However, if you'd like to experience the smaller islands with a smaller ship I'd recommend the Star Clipper Line for the full experience (primarily full sail, minimal motoring).
In answer to your question, the islands, regardless of port calls & berthing times, are all great. You will not be disappointed.
Have a great cruise.
Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob
buying wine package after boarding ship - questions
in Holland America Line
Posted
Not that I'm aware of.
In fact, the wine folks in the MDR have always led me to believe that the gratuity thing (or perhaps some sort of credit for them for the sale) works out better for them if the package is bought on board versus pre-purchasing.
If memory serves me correctly, the same sort of thing happened with the old beverage cards that are no longer available.
In any event, not to worry. They should have a wine table set up at embarkation by the Lido pool for package sign-ups (unless things have changed).
You should be able to have a taste of any wine available at that time, at various tasting venues or just ask your wine steward for a sample of a particular wine (unless things have changed).
Best of luck & enjoy your cruise!
Be well.
Bob