syesmar

So the specialty restaurants have had a recent price increase? That’s unfortunate if so.

I’m very happy to hear they rolled that back! Thanks for the info @cruisemom42

I missed the info on that. Was that in the MDR or specialty restaurants? How many can currently be ordered?

@USN59-79 Here’s an old Thread with many of the abbreviations:

Thanks. Are you saying there was no Priority Line at check-in?

I have a funny story (at least to me:>) about tea time at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria. It was 2007 and we spent time in BC prior to our very first cruise. We had heard so many good things so we wanted to go (I even had a coupon so how could I resist!). We had been warned it was a hearty meal so we decided to go later in the afternoon so the Tea would be both our lunch and dinner. We had been told it was all-you-can-eat and our server told us that he would be happy to refill items as needed. We “cleaned house” so to speak of the first Tea Tier as we hadn’t eaten in 7 hours and were extremely hungry. When the server returned later, my husband said, “we’ll take another one!” The server then dramatically proceeded to gasp, grab his chest in disbelief and took a step back. We then realized we had committed a faux pas. The server said he would be happy to bring items one at a time but he couldn’t bring out another tray all at once. So we ordered our seconds one by one. We still get a good laugh when we think about that day at the Empress. Although the cost was considerably less then than it is now it was a splurge for us and we quickly realized the value in cruising, as back during those years, HAL’s Royal Dutch Tea was excellent and actually comparable to what we experienced that day at the Empress. Fun times!

In these circumstances, does HAL honor the original amount of days for Mariner Cruise Day Credits? I know the number of credits received can be a factor for some when choosing a sailing.

I know the subject matter is about having a phone ONboard, but I did want to give input, as others have, about how helpful a working phone can be during a cruise. We took many cruises and seemingly did just fine without an international plan for years (although we’d usually scramble to find a strong enough wifi signal when in port so we could check an email or pay a bill, etc.). Then we did a land-based trip for a month or so in a country where we had lived as students and realized the value of having a working phone with internet. Compared to the past, we had so much more freedom, information at our fingertips, live “real time” traffic maps when driving, and the ability to call and confirm logistics info like opening hours, etc. It was so efficient and made traveling so much easier that we said we’d never travel internationally again without some sort of phone plan. Our next cruise, we purchased an inexpensive sim card/plan from Amazon and we were so glad we did. (We weren’t able to make calls or have internet access aboard the ship while out to sea, but while on or near land and when the ship was docked). I’ve been able to book last-minute car rentals when original plans changed, make calls, and get notified when our flight was canceled due to weather [if I didn’t have internet, I would have been caught off guard at the airport and not known the airline was planning to put us on separate flights home (somehow there was a glitch with our frequent flyer tickets and our records got separated from one another). The calls and texts from the airline came through in the wee hours as the ship was arriving in port for disembarkation. Knowing this, I was able to have a list of available back ups when I arrived at the airport and it worked out to our satisfaction (the airline’s phones were down but ordinarily I would’ve been able to handle it all over the phone as I had done on the aforementioned land-based trip when that return flight, too, got cancelled). Just wanted to share my personal experience of how having some sort of plan has greatly benefited our travels, been a real timesaver on numerous occasions and given us more tools for additional spontaneity.

I am so glad to hear and see this! Loved the Indonesian Tea Times!

For whatever it’s worth, the HAL “Know Before You Go” page still says this under “Dining Venues,” sub-section “Other Delightful Dining Options”: Classic High Tea once per cruise. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html I also miss the Royal Dutch Teas and Indonesian Teas! Do they still do the Cupcake Teas?

@Clummus On which ship are you sailing?

@mattR There have been a number of changes with HAL over 19 years. Some have been mentioned here and here and here. Just thought I’d pass the threads along in case you wanted to read more. Happy Planning!

Thanks for the info. I would be willing to walk it to visit again if other transportation wasn’t available. I think there were 2 bus options when we visited and it was easy to navigate.

@Hlitner We took a bus there from Monaco a few years back and from one of the stops connected with another bus to Villa Ephrussi. It was one of my favorite days ever. I’m not exactly sure where tender passengers would be dropped off; do you have an idea of how far the walk might be to Villa Ephrussi from the tender drop off?

Not trying to go off topic, but since it’s related: I know passengers may order room service off the MDR menu during dinner hours (I have done this countless times without issue). If a passenger wanted to order room service during lunch hours on a day when the MDR is open, are we able to order from the MDR menu on those days? Just curious about that.

@Lakesregion In the Lido, the Bread Board section should have a variety of sandwiches, plus the Homestead section might offer a slider. It’s not hot, but I love the Club Sandwich from the In-Room Dining menu. Highly recommend (with a slice of the chocolate cake for dessert)!

@Thetideishigh2021 We have the same issue with Amazon Music, etc., when we’re in the mountains and lose a signal. As the post above indicates, along with your own experience, if you have music already downloaded and aren’t reliant on streaming, then it makes for easier playback.

I have memories of being on the Prinsendam in 2009 and being asked our cabin number when we arrived for dinner on the several times we ate in The Lido. We had tablecloths, placed our order at the counter and it was brought to our table by a server.

We had several excellent Cruise Directors in the past who made the Game Shows, Marriage Game, etc., hilarious and very entertaining. For those memorable ones, it was standing room only.

According to the “Know Before You Go,” under Shipboard Meals, it says “In addition to breakfast, lunch and a multi-course dinner, you can enjoy afternoon tea, hearty salads, comfort classics, global cuisine, an ice cream bar, hot hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hours, and the traditional late-night snack.…” https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html So HAL is advertising the hors d’oeuvres as still available, difficult-to-find though they may be. On my last sailing (pre-pandemic), I had to request them. I have heard of others more recently getting them on request.

See this Thread:

Does the Spa still do their giveaways on Embarkation Day? (I actually won a few prizes over the years!) If I would attend, I always received offers during the sailing via flyers to my room.

While I have never booked transfers at the time of booking, when I used travel agents, they always would ask me if I wanted to include transfers. But I have never been told that if I were to cancel, what the penalties would be. Good to know!

I looked at an Explorer itinerary. For your US ports, when we visited we had a signal with Verizon. ymmv.

That’s interesting, thanks for sharing! In the past, the Mariner Society told me if you’re within 3 days of the next star and your cruise is 21 days or longer, you can call and request the early upgrade to receive the benefits for the duration of the cruise. It has to go through an approval process. It’s good to hear they may be able to do this on 14 day sailings. I look forward to hearing how quickly they are able to expedite your case! Happy Sailing!