alyssamma

36 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

MSC charges through a bank in Paris or Switzerland so if your card charges a foreign transaction fee it won’t matter what the currency is. There are many cards out there that don’t charge this fee. If your card is through your bank chances are they offer one and there probably will not be an annual fee. I have about six cards that don’t charge a fee. EM

 

24 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I used a Citicard that doesn't waive the foreign transaction fee....but I didn't get charged a fee on the Meraviglia.

Yes, it seems - lol, like so many other MSC things, YMMV. Some US sailings get charged the fees and others don't. 

I think the best is to register a card that doesn't charge the fee, but if you don't have that, try to be lucky 🙂

13 hours ago, BoopTennis said:

I didn’t realize there were cakes at Intl Cafe that are normally charged for?

Yes, the huge ones at the bottom. Can't speak for all ships but on Sapphire there were always 3 - Red Velvet, Black Forest, and one I can't remember. They were like $4.50/slice.

15 hours ago, Leo-the-fox said:

@YourWorldWithBill

I always confused about the verandah stateroom categories as there are so many of them. Is VH(Partially obstructed view) being the lowest? what's the hightest one?  With CO, how high can you actually upgrade to from VH?

 

You can upgrade to the highest V. We have booked 3 VHs...twice we upgraded to VB (we like those better than VA) and once to an aft Verandah. So long as the cabin is a) in your same class, i.e., V* and b) available, you can pick it.

As others have said, the upgrade alone usually pays for CO and the other perks are just icing on the cake. Personally I love the separate dining room on the Pinnacle class ships. 

The process is, when you purchase CO they'll ask you what cabin you want. You tell them. Easy Peasy.

2 hours ago, eagletwo said:

We just got off the Sky Princess , 7 day cruise, and had no problem sharing a pizza at Alfredo’s. I would have contacted someone in guest services to handle this. 63 day cruise, you should have been treated better. 

Agreed. We had no problems getting a single pizza. Ditto for getting a single charcuterie board.

3 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

Yes, I am answering what the "old" policy was.  Some thought 24 hrs, some thought that it was already 48.  

LOL, yeah, I thought that was pretty obvious...but I guess to some it wasn't 🙂

1 hour ago, daydreamer16 said:

Agree with you & Trak, we would never eat a whole pizza each, at lunch or dinner. Such a dumb idea & we will be on the Grand for 22days & only 2 visits each but able to order 44 wacky sundaes!

So, interesting thing about the sundaes...you can customize them. Still huge, but you can ask to not get certain things or have other things added.

Also, the "huge" cakes at the international cafe that they charge for are "free" with the plus package (counts as one of your 2 free desserts).

20 hours ago, memoak said:

Be advised that if you are on a non Royal class ship your choices for casual dining and mostly for lunch not dinner

Yeah, I just got off the Sapphire and one of the two didn't open until 4:30pm (unless you want the sushi). Portions were huge...my wife and I actually made 4 meals out of them (i.e., each time we got one of our freebies and split it).

Personally, I think the charcuterie is the best as the pizza is only marginally better than what you can get for free, but regardless, they make a good dinner or - since you are on a cruise - pre-dinner "snack" 🙂

6 hours ago, Ski Mom 2 said:

New to Holland but not to cruising. We have booked the Eastern Caribbean departing on March 10 with friends.

 

Can someone explain to me what makes Holland different? More specifically I'm seeing folks comment about the Orange Party, Bar Hopping Party, Orange Club, cabanas and more but no real explanations about these. The more I research the more I don’t seem to find out what exactly these are.
 

I’m also a bit confused about the main dining room. We are listed as anytime dining but somewhere I read about early/late seating and trying to reserve a table. Is the dining room two levels and are each different?

 

Looking forward to our cruise and more knowledge about Holland! Thanks!!

I've cruised a few lines and imho what makes HAL stand out is the following:

1) Club Orange. Upgrading to highest available stateroom in your category makes it pay for itself. Throw in special seating for dining (and special room on ships like Nieuw Stadendam) and priority embarkation/tender and it's a no brainer.

2) Music venues. BB Kings and Rolling Stones are a little unique and fun.

3) Have It All. In an age where lines are downgrading AI packages (e.g., X just pulled grats from its) or don't have them at all (e.g., RCCL, CCL), it's nice to see a good package still exists. Furthermore, they always run specials to include the grats (these aren't always included), upgrade to top level wifi and drinks, etc. And they give shoreex credit and OBC too. Again, this isn't always, but the deals run so often it feels that way.

Besides that, the food is good, cabins are nice, etc. Other ships have these of course.

1 hour ago, RuthC said:

Let me get this straight---you have booked a VH, and HAL wants to 'upgrade' you to a VH for $398? To a different cabin in the same category??? 

I'll go with calling it 'extortion'. 'Ludicrous' also works. 

Yeah, at first I thought the OP was being sarcastic, but then they said they don't care about the view...so very confused now...

Just now, RedIguana said:

The lower tier on Princess is equal to the Premium on Celebrity. The tiers on HAL are more inline with Celebrity, but only a $5 a day difference, and at $60 for the upper tier is way below Celebrity's usual pricing. The AI/Have it all pricing is much more attractive on Princess and HAL, although it is not as inexpensive as it used to be.

This. I'm on my first Princess cruise right now and sailed my first HAL back in May. While X is my favorite line, their AI package is noticably worse (for the price) than Princess or HAL. One thing I really like about Princess, other than drinks like Grey Goose included in the bottom tier, is that there is only one class of wifi. So no useless wifi in the bottom tier. I'm.able to stream whatever I want, check on my cameras, etc...all.on the bottom AI tier.

And HAL also has club orange which is simply amazing and more than pays for itself with the room upgrade.

18 hours ago, downtheback said:

Did you skip the main dish?

Entree is the main dish. I'm guessing you are from a place where the entree is the appetizer.

So, a letter from the hotel GM was delivered to my room today, assuring me that they had taken steps to address my issues. I didn't think I could be more impressed, but I am.

For a first time Princess cruiser, they have knocked it out of the park. I would definitely consider this line over X for future cruises.

3 hours ago, 2 cruises a year said:

 

 My next comment would be about being interrupted while dining.  Not the time or place for any negativity, no matter how minor.  😉😉 

Wasn't an interruption at all. They came after the entree and before dessert was served.

As the guest services guy was talking, dessert came and he quickly finished up, noting our food had come.

I in NO way saw this as an interruption and was very impressed. Like @vwlmember I've filled out surveys...good and bad...on several.otther lines and NEVER received any response or acknowledgement.

This is my first Princess cruise and it makes me look.forward to my second.

On the 32 day Sapphire Princess. At the beginning of the cruise we got a survey. We don't really complain and nothing major was bothering us so we ignored it.

Then we got a second one. I decided to put two things in it. Again, if we didn't get the second survey I would have never complained, and it wasn't something that would make me say I'm not sailing Princess or anything like that. 

I had a bad interaction with a lady at guest services. The manager came out  settled my problem in under a minute, and it was forgotten. Also, I mentioned the food wasn't consistent. As an example, my wife and I had prime rib tonight and hers was the entire cow and mine was made for a child. There are also some quality issues with certain staples like the pizza... sometimes amazing and sometimes not so much.

Anyway, while eating today the MaitreD for the restaurant came over to talk to me about the food comment. Right behind him was the guest services head and he wanted to know what happened there.

I was blown away. I didn't expect the survey to be read, let alone acted on. They listened intently, and explained what they would do to prevent these things from happening again. And again  these weren't big issues for us at all 

Anyway, at least on this ship, they are listening and working to improve.

22 hours ago, CPCruisers said:

Regarding the showers on Deck 15- can these be used by all guests or only those who have a spa treatment?  Also, is there a Thermal Spa package offered on the Sapphire?  Thanks! Hope you are enjoying you cruise and thanks for all the info!

My understanding is they are for the gym (also? Only?) So anyone can use them.

18 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

While you wait for maintenance to fix the shower/sink temp...there are showers on Deck 15 near the exercise area and the beauty salon. BTW: they're nicer than the showers in the cabins.

Ty, lol, someone just told me that yesterday and even with normal water temp that is appealing as the shower is coffin sized.

Luckily maintenance fixed it a few hours after we reported it...now I feel stupid for waiting a day, lol

18 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

We've been the Sapphire many times. When we walk in the evening (or when the stairs are closed for the weather) we walk as far as we can, go in the furthest forward doors, go inside, walk to the other side and come back out. It works for us.

It seems to work for many...esp those that can't climb stairs. But I wanted to make it clear to people. Some, like myself, like the cardio, so if that is what you want you need to be aware of when it is closed.

So, two things I'd like to comment on since I've spent a little more time on this ship. I'd have to up my rating slightly for the staff...in general. I'd say there are 10% who I think are a little below average. We know them and avoid them now. The other 90% are far above average.

And for some the A/C has quit. We are lucky in that we still have it but the sink and shower water in our cabin is scalding hot (others have this problem too). Not ruining the cruise for us at all, but definitely annoying lol.

Oh, and a third thing...food. Beef is pretty much always excellent. Fish and chicken are very good. Pork and lamb we find to be subpar. Definitely like the IC...and you can customize your sandwiches which is a huge plus IMHO.

23 hours ago, Olinsky_Cruisers said:

I am on the Sapphire now and have an hdmi cable with me. How do you change the input on the tv?

 

Bottom center of the TV, underneath the edge, there is a toggle switch. Press it and you'll see a menu that allows you to select the input

On 11/12/2023 at 1:23 PM, RV Queen said:

We are also doing this itinerary April 2025.  We have an ocean view cabin booked, but wondering about ocean view cabins that are at the very front of deck 9 and 10.  It’s my understanding that they are actually balcony cabins but the balcony doors are locked on sea days. Have you come across anyone in those cabins that could tell you if the steward actually locked those doors?  Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have not unfortunately. There is a website that lists "cruise deck plans" and has pics and videos...have you tried looking there?

If I look there I don't see any OV on deck 9 but on deck 10 I  see a video of a premium OV at the front of the ship. They are on the balcony there.

On other lines these types of cabins are open when in port but closed otherwise 

On 11/12/2023 at 12:47 PM, Cairns Cruisers said:

Appreciate your feedback Alyssa, We are on Sapphire next September to Alaska. Have you tried the specialty restaurants and if so how were they?

We have not but we know several people who have tried the steak restaurant and they all said the food was really good.

Just now, MustangGT said:

Thanks for the info!  We sail round trip LA-Hawaii-South Pacific and our cabin is on Deck 10.  Good to know there are more machines on Deck 9.

I believe they are on every floor, but not at the same location. So for us, the one that is one deck down is closer than the one on our floor. Lol, one deck up might be even closer...we should look...

Just now, LadyBerard said:

I am.  We are on the 1/15/24 Silhouette cruise.

Ah, we are on the week before you...sailing 1/2...Enjoy your cruise!

8 hours ago, LadyBerard said:

Before getting slammed, please note, that I did post this on the Antigua board - with no results.  I am looking for people's experiences who have done this excursion.  I did read some reviews on trip advisor which mentioned lots of seasickness and also many wonderful experiences.  I am recalling an excursion I did years ago from St. Thomas to St. John on a catamaran when I felt very yucky the majority of the trip, I am a bit hesitant on keeping our reservation for this excursion for Antigua.  We will be in Antigua mid Jan. and I do plan on taking Bonine the night prior to the excursion and the morning of the excursion.  If you have done this excursion, would you please let me know if there were many people seasick.  Thank you to all who reply.

Are you taking this on the Silhouette? I think I'm on the same excursion 

Just now, Gaynors said:

What do you have planed for the south pacific ports?

On Moorea we are renting a roadster and driving around. On Papeete we hired a private driver. On Suva we have a tour through Viator that does a river cruise, waterfall  and local village. On Dravuni we are just walking around.

We are in Pago Pago on a Sunday so are thinking about doing a church but it will be very hot so not sure about that, lol. On Samoa we have another Viator tour that takes us to waterfalls and different spots on the island.