Neptune Suite - How perky are the perks?

[Steve_Red_Dog]

My wife & I really enjoyed the Neptune perks the one and only time we booked that level cabin. Breakfast at the Pinnacle was my favorite, but my wife favored the ability to get snacks in the lounge as her stomach operates on a different clock than my military trained stomach.

 

However, for an Alaskan cruise I believe you'll regret not bringing two pairs of good quality compact binos. The best part of an Alaskan cruise, IMO, are the sights you'll see as you slowly cruise the inside passage and visit the glaciers. The HAL binos are large & heavy, and sharing is not fun.

[sail7seas]

Absolutely plan a pair of binoculars for everyone.

We used the "SA" cabin set and we brought one of our own so at all times we could both look at what we wanted. :) Alaska is one place you don't want to be passing them back and forth. You would miss so much, IMO.

 

 

[saintbernardlover]

Thanks, we bought a good pair of travel binocs last year so we will bring it. And a small light weight umbrella.

[sail7seas]

Sounds like you'll be all set. :)

Enjoy.

[saintbernardlover]

One more question. For some reason, HAl has me tagged as a one star Mariner. Not sure why since we have never sailed on HAL before. So do you think DH and I will be able to eat lunch in the MDR on embarkation day.? (as I mentioned before, Lido Buffet style is not my friend)

[Linda&Vern]

One more question. For some reason, HAl has me tagged as a one star Mariner. Not sure why since we have never sailed on HAL before. So do you think DH and I will be able to eat lunch in the MDR on embarkation day.? (as I mentioned before, Lido Buffet style is not my friend)

;) If it was me ... I would drive my scooter to the MDR, say you would like to be seated for lunch. They will ask your cabin # and will see that you are in a Neptune Suite. (I think that may give you an edge.) They will show you where you may park your ride. If you need to drive to a table, they will drive your scooter away until you are ready to leave (don't worry, they love doing that). Unless there is a special event going on in the MDR and there is absolutely no room, I can't imagine they would say no. (BTW, go to the lower level MDR, not the upper level for lunch.) I know exactly what you mean about Buffet's not being doable for anyone on a scooter. I avoided it completely. Also remember that if your spouse is not around and you want lunch, the Room Service menu is very nice for lunch in your cabin.

[saintbernardlover]

Thanks Linda, DH loves a good buffet, but I am hoping to persuade him to avoid the cattle call in the Lido on Embarkation day. BTW, is room service available on Embarkation day?

[Boatdrill]

Is the Champaigne in the Neptune Lounge on embarkation the only free cocktail they offer?

 

The "only" free cocktail ? Are you expecting more ? :)

Edited May 18, 2013 by Boatdrill

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks Linda, DH loves a good buffet, but I am hoping to persuade him to avoid the cattle call in the Lido on Embarkation day. BTW, is room service available on Embarkation day?

 

Yes & No -- the workers are trying to get luggage to the cabins and get everything ready for the cruise.

A few people have tried getting room service --a couple ofpeople waited a couple of hours for their food.

And remember that nothing can be delivered during Life Boat drill.

[RuthC]

One more question. For some reason, HAl has me tagged as a one star Mariner. Not sure why since we have never sailed on HAL before.

Have you ever sailed on any ship in the Carnival Corporation family? That would grant you 1* status, with zero credit days.

 

If you ever absolutely have to go to the Lido for lunch, remember service is until 2:00 PM most days, and until muster drill starts on embarkation day. If you go later, the crowds have thinned and its much easier to deal with.

Since you're in a scooter, you should be able to get assistance with your dishes, even when the stewards are terribly busy. HAL promised assistance to those in need when they took away the trays. Don't hesitate to insist on it.

[Oceanwench]

DH and I have stayed in an aft HC suite aboard Westerdam twice.

He requires a roll-in shower, he cannot step up into the bathroom either.

Love the location, although after staying in an SA on Nieuw Amsterdam, a stone's throw from the Neptune, we were spoiled!

 

We have sometimes gotten our laundry back the same day they picked it up. If not, it is back in the cabin early the next day.

 

We ate breakfast in Pinnacle the first time we cruised in a suite, but not after that. While we like the peaceful setting and quiet, the food never seemed to be hot.

DH rather sleep in and get room service, and I like going up to the Lido for breakfast with the early risers. Also like having a hot omelet!

 

DH does not do well with buffets either, as it is difficult with a wheelchair. The Lido is usually crowded, making finding a HC accessible table difficult.

 

On our last cruise we went to the Neptune Lounge several days at lunchtime for some fruit and finger sandwiches. Ate a lot less than we would have in the Lido!

Edited May 18, 2013 by Oceanwench

[saintbernardlover]

Bump:)

[tapdancemom]

We have an SY suite. Will we be able to have breakfast in the Pinnacle?

[RuthC]

We have an SY suite. Will we be able to have breakfast in the Pinnacle?

Your category does not qualify for Pinnacle breakfast. Only Pinnacle and Neptune suites (penthouse, PH, S, SA, SB, SC) do.

[tangerinebunny]

Last week our embarkation sparkling wine wasn't advertised, but it was on a tray in the lounge.

 

The Oosterdam Neptune Lounge snacks were the best we've ever been offered; we ended up skipping some lunches and just 'grazing' there.

[EagleRocker]

One more question. For some reason, HAl has me tagged as a one star Mariner. Not sure why since we have never sailed on HAL before. So do you think DH and I will be able to eat lunch in the MDR on embarkation day.? (as I mentioned before, Lido Buffet style is not my friend)

 

For what it is worth, just back from the 5/11-5/18 Alaska trip on the Zuiderdam. We had a Neptune Suite (we have one prior HAL cruise so are one star) and my parents and sister (no prior HAL cruises so zero stars) had verandah rooms. We went to the MDR around 12:45 on embarkation day, asked politely if we could have lunch as a group, and were readily escorted to a table for lunch without any issue or comment as to star level or room type. The MDR was basically empty and lunch was a peaceful experience.

 

Also, on our cruise, the Pinnacle Grill breakfast was not open on the first full (at sea) day.

 

I will chime in and say that we love the Neptune Suite perks, especially the dedicated (and oh so sweet and helpful) concierges, the Neptune Lounge coffee machine (brought an insulated travel mug and took double cappuccinos back to the room/balcony) and food (ate there several times for breakfast and took a couple plates of snacks back to the balcony to enjoy on sailaway), and the prompt laundry/dry cleaning services (always got our clothes back within 24 hours and our clothes were treated well).

[saintbernardlover]

Thanks Eagle for the helpful info.

[alwaysfrantic]

I had an SC. Do you have one of the wrap around corner cabins? BEST. VERANDAH. EVER.

 

The food in the Neptune didn't seem so "perky" to me.....there is food everywhere all the time, so to me that doesn't really elevate the benefit. The coffee in the morning was great. Loved it.

 

We had a bottle of champagne in our cabin on arrival. It was from the captain and hotel manager. Not sure if it was because in a Neptune suite or some other reason. Nice though for sure.

 

Laundry was great. We sent things out all the time. Early in the cruise the items came the next day. Mid cruise they got busier and it took a little longer. Not sure if I ever did not get something returned, but did get someone else's pants once. I tried to call the Neptune concierge but no one ever answered the phone (that happened several times) so I just took them to the cabin number on the tag myself.

 

It was nice to bypass the line waiting to board the ship and walk right on.

 

The priority disembarkation at ports would be a great perk. It only was available to us once though. But, just showing the ID and getting off first was nice. Others had gotten up to get their Number 1 or Number 2 etc cards.

[aquashores]

For what it is worth, just back from the 5/11-5/18 Alaska trip on the Zuiderdam. We had a Neptune Suite (we have one prior HAL cruise so are one star) and my parents and sister (no prior HAL cruises so zero stars) had verandah rooms. We went to the MDR around 12:45 on embarkation day, asked politely if we could have lunch as a group, and were readily escorted to a table for lunch without any issue or comment as to star level or room type. The MDR was basically empty and lunch was a peaceful experience.

 

 

I will be staying in Neptune Suite (SC), I've never sailed HAL before. Am I permitted to dine in the MDR at lunch on embarkation day or is it reserved for repeat guests? I don't eat a big lunch , so perhaps the lounge would also have something to eat?

thanks

[saintbernardlover]

I was wondering what the appropriate tip for the Neptune Lounge Concierge would be. Is there more than one concierge?

[sail7seas]

For what it is worth, just back from the 5/11-5/18 Alaska trip on the Zuiderdam. We had a Neptune Suite (we have one prior HAL cruise so are one star) and my parents and sister (no prior HAL cruises so zero stars) had verandah rooms. We went to the MDR around 12:45 on embarkation day, asked politely if we could have lunch as a group, and were readily escorted to a table for lunch without any issue or comment as to star level or room type. The MDR was basically empty and lunch was a peaceful experience.

 

 

I will be staying in Neptune Suite (SC), I've never sailed HAL before. Am I permitted to dine in the MDR at lunch on embarkation day or is it reserved for repeat guests? I don't eat a big lunch , so perhaps the lounge would also have something to eat?

thanks

 

 

If you have ever sailed any of the Carnival Family of Ships, you are a One Star Mariner and can have Mariner Embarkation Lunch in MDR. (Carnival, Princess, Seabourn, HAL, Costa, Cunard are all Carnival Family.)

 

[EagleRocker]

 

 

If you have ever sailed any of the Carnival Family of Ships, you are a One Star Mariner and can have Mariner Embarkation Lunch in MDR. (Carnival, Princess, Seabourn, HAL, Costa, Cunard are all Carnival Family.)

 

 

I didn't know if they let our group of five (including 3 zero star mariners, so to speak) eat in the MDR because (1) we were in a suite and one star and they decided to be nice and let the other three sit with us, or (2) it was very empty, it was a bit late, and they were just being nice. Either way, they were very pleasant about it and simply showed us to a table without any issue (not that we would have created one and would have just thanked them and left had they said no). You can always ask politely if you are unsure whether or not you are allowed to have lunch in the MDR on embarkation day and the worst is that they will tell you sorry, not today.

[saintbernardlover]

I enjoy hearing about everyone's experience.

[Typhoon1]

I was wondering what the appropriate tip for the Neptune Lounge Concierge would be. Is there more than one concierge?

 

Twenty to twenty five. Depending on how much you have used the services offered.

[travelgurllfromKT]

I have 2 cabins reserved on HAL Westerdam in June. My husband and I have a Neptune Suite but my daughters are across from us in an inside cabin. Will they be able to board at the same time as us since we are sailing as a family? Also, will they be allowed in the Neptune Lounge with us? We have never sailed with HAL before but I know the other lines allow us to be together.

Thanks!

Kippie