Gunther1

A most definite improvement!  I don’t care which variety has been left on our bed….I love them all .

Yes, I agree that a two dollar difference most definitely would be a factor in my  decision 😏.

20 hours ago, loveapug said:

We just used it yesterday for the first time while disembarking from the Westerdam. It worked out really well. Our line in TSA however, took approximately 45 minutes. So glad others on cruise critic mentioned that the TSA lines could be long so we arrived very early to the airport.

I recommend checking out “spot saver” at the Port of Seattle website….its a free reservation system for going through the TSA area…saves a LOT of time.

17 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Why not let your cabin stewards do this?

 

I am sure any inconsistencies are supply related. 

 

Why does it matter?

(1) Because they are overworked and it’s no skin off of my back to do it.  I figure it’s the kind thing to do.

(2) Why does it matter ?  Because I’m curious as to how people are charged….as each fridge (at least in my case) always has different items and amounts.  I highly doubt that those  employees that actually charge a room have a list of the individual contents of each room/fridge.

Feel free to not follow this thread…and kindly do not reply unless you have a direct answer to my original question….thanks and take care. !!!!!!

We have all noticed that the fridge mini-bar contents wildly vary.  
 

Personally, rather than  wait for the room attendants to clear it, I always take a picture of it, clear it out ( and store in a drawer), and then replace (in the same positions) as the picture I took on embarkation day.

I have NEVER been charged for any mini-bar items…..and have quite a few HAL cruises under my belt.

My question: any idea how charged from the mini-bar are determined ?  As the contents and number of containers vary from cruise to cruise, I’m at a loss how it’s determined.

Edited to apologize for blank picture..…tried to insert picture of most recent contents, but having no luck.

One a 7 day cruise, if one has the Have It All package, would something purchased on day eight ( debarkation day) be included ?

In a word, yes.  

We had to go on a cross-country road trip in March and April of 2000…….at one town, we bought gas for $1.10 a gallon.  

Simple supply and demand :(.  It’s the American Way 😉.

1 hour ago, oakridger said:

I’m also very sensitive to loud public music but so far here on the Zuiderdam I haven’t noticed any obtrusive music at all other than at the Seaview Pool during sail away. Pleasantly surprised that I can read or chat indoors and not have to yell!!      ~Nancy 

I don’t mind quiet  music…..as long as I have the option of not hearing it.  As far as I know, there is no public space on any damn ship where that option exists :(. It’s everywhere.

51 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Impossible, actually, so HAL shouldn't even try. Let those of us who want peace & quiet have that, while those who want music use earbuds. 
Other than my cabin, the only place I have been able to find the sounds of silence is sitting on a deck chair on the promenade. The Pinnacle class ships doesn't even offer that. 😒

Unfortunately, RuthC is correct….even the dry sauna has it.

I just thought of a great idea….on my next cruise, I’ll use the “Let us know” feature too ask if there are any indoor public areas that do not have piped in music…..and see how they respond. 

31 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

 

Just walk into guest services and report the smoking, guest services will come and resolve the issue.  You can only smoke in designated areas, HAL doesn't need to specifically post any area as non-smoking.  It's been my experience that anyone smoking on the Promenade deck is well aware that they are not supposed to be smoking there.

By the time I reported, they notified security, and they would go out there, the offender would be gone :(. 

I do a fair amount of walking on the Promenade deck….average about 5 miles a day (which is 15 laps) and cruise a lot.  Just saying this to let you know that I am out there a LOT.

One thing that has always baffled me is the lack of “no smoking” signs out there, and  on a daily basis, I come across at least one person smoking or vaping.  It’s usually in the later hours of the day.

I have continually mentioned this in my after-cruise feedback….and never get a response, but hope springs eternal.

On 4/18/2024 at 7:59 AM, albingirl said:

I always thought it was strange that they leave key cards outside your stateroom door.  First of all, that is your key card for drinks and other very important things that matter.  Casino isn't open but you could charge a boatload of drinks on that card.  Never mind, just thinking of mischief and mayhem.

To use your key card in the casino, you have to enter your birthdate and month to get funds, so that wouldn’t be an issue.

Drinks, on the other hand, could be charged.

Sea days = heaven to me.  I can slowly walk miles and miles on the promenade deck…..with occasional stops for naps on the same :). 

Currently on the Eurodam…this was in our mailbox last night.

is this new …..or have I never noticed it in the daily deluge of paper we get ?

Edit: apologies for the last picture being upside down.  Despite multiple attempts, I can’t post it correctly. 

1 hour ago, jdvmd said:

Carnival ships I believe as well as some Princess and a few Holland Americas.

No HAL ships have it anymore.

Their IT department will get right on it 😏.

On 3/23/2024 at 10:55 AM, cavecreekguy said:

I think that works out to $42.57/day. It's up to you if it's "worth it." I'm someone who spends time in my cabin, so a balcony for that price is a bargain and totally worth it to me.

 

You can hold out hoping for a lower upsell offer but it may not happen.

For the mathematical geeks among us, that comes to $.88 extra  an hour  per person for a verandah.  If you only count 16 waking hours, it comes to $1.33 an hour.  Personally, I’d say that’s worth it, but I’m not you :).

I absolutely detest dynamic pricing.  It’s now spreading to restaurants.

I read somewhere else that they can be requested at the Dive-in?  Is that correct, or is he hallucinating?

If correct, I’m one happy man.

I see that this room is directly next to the glass elevators…..and from experience , I know that the riders of said elevator have a direct view into the balcony for this stateroom.

Any suggestions for how this passive prying could be mitigated….short of placing the balcony chairs as close to the wall that is next to the elevator as possible ?

8 minutes ago, retird said:

The 28 days involves two cruises. A 7 and a 21 day.   It is only the 7 day that is fully sold.  The 21 day still has lots of ov and Balcony cabins available.   Did you book it as B to B.  If so did you ask for a paid upgrade for the second leg.   Currently it is not available for booking as one 28 day cruise.   That is quite common with HAL.   I currently have a 25 day one booked that was earlier sold as a 39 day.   The first 14 days sold, but the 25 day still has cabins.  I had a guarantee and was assigned 20 days out and got an upgrade three days later.  So there is always hope

We booked it as one 28 day cruise…….

6 minutes ago, retird said:

If its the NA leaving on Apr 6, there are still high end cabins available so if ov, veranda move up, it might create a domino effect

It’s the Eurodam on Apr 6

We embark on a 28 day cruise out of FLL in 13 days.  As I always do, we book a guaranteed  interior room and roll the dice, hoping for a paid upgrade.  It has worked well over 90% of the HAL cruises we’ve been on.  

Looks like the dice went against us this time.  I’ve been calling the paid upgrade number (888 628-8107) daily for the past two weeks…..and had no luck. I’ve received no emails offering one, but experience has taught me that it’s worth it to call.

The last time I called (yesterday, Friday), we were told that the ship is 100% balanced and there will most likely not be any option to get a paid upgrade.  We can live with that.  We will still be on a cruise :).

My question: If that is in fact true, why don’t we have a room assignment yet ?  The optimist in me is hoping that they are still offering some upgrades.  

Is my logic incorrect ?  

Does anybody know if the Indian or vegetarian  menu in the MDR has to be requested the day before wanting it ?

On our last voyage, we got different answers from different people in there.

7 hours ago, cruiser man 60 said:

Is there an explanation of how mariners points are awarded and what levels mean

Google is your friend 😏.