ZGSCL Live from the Koningsdam: November 14th 7 day Mexican Rivera

[zgscl]

1 minute ago, Vict0riann said:

This was our spaghetti al' astice on Eurodam.  It was delicious, and I think it had crab as well as lobster, but perhaps I am forgetting.  It was weeks ago, now!

 

Thanks for sharing this, it actually looks good! 

[zgscl]

I did not get off in Cabo but enjoyed getting some pictures from the ship. Beautiful (hot day) and we shared the port with Norwegian Bliss which has a couple of HAL regulars aboard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, this art piece is in my hallway. I don't know why but my mind always goes to a rude hand gesture instead of guitar when walking past it 😆

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, zgscl said:

Music Walk has been really fantastic. Maybe @Florida_gal_50 can comment on the MDR? I have not been and don't think I will be going as I am doing all specialty dining and Club Orange this trip. 

I’ve only been in the mdr for lunch once, that’s it.  I had some calamari and cod for the main.  The waiter asked if it was ok to bring them both at once.  That isn’t cool.  The cod had a tough long 

piece going through it.  My opinion is not great about the mdr.

 

I went to sel de mer tonight.  It was excellent.  I had the seafood tower, sea bream and apple tart.

 

I’m having all sorts of trouble with cc tonight.  Hopefully this comes out ok.

 

[zgscl]

A couple other quick notes. 
 

1) ocean bar - I have been told it is temporary and to reduce crowding in the casino.

 

2) I mentioned the lack of mariner credit for prepaid reservations to the Neptune Concierge. They said they would send an email and have it taken care of for my upcoming reservations. Will keep an eye on my folio for the credit. 
 

3) my other billing has basically been correct. I went to the spa and went line by line with them and it is all correct. The spa system was down the first two days of the cruise and everything was happening by the paper slips so I was skeptical it would post right, but it seems to have. 
I do have one minibar charge for $7.44. All I have had was one can of soda as well as the complimentary water acqua panna so I’m wondering if I might have been charged for that. Perhaps that was not actually complimentary. Usually in a Neptune suite there is one with the tag like normal and then a separate one with the sparkling wine that says with our compliments. 

[zgscl]

4 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’ve only been in the mdr for lunch once, that’s it.  I had some calamari and cod for the main.  The waiter asked if it was ok to bring them both at once.  That isn’t cool.  The cod had a tough long 

piece going through it.  My opinion is not great about the mdr.

 

I went to sel de mer tonight.  It was excellent.  I had the seafood tower, sea bream and apple tart.

 

I’m having all sorts of trouble with cc tonight.  Hopefully this comes out ok.

 

Thank you for this!! Yikes on the MDR. I was going to do lunch on Friday. I think I will stick with Pinnacle or cabana service. 
 

I am so glad you said that about Sel de Mer. I am planning to go tomorrow but was having second thoughts due to some negative things I’ve heard onboard. I will stick with it and see how it goes. 
 

Despite a gigantic dinner in Tamarind I decided to have a second dinner in club orange to give their dinner service another try. 

[zgscl]

6 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m having all sorts of trouble with cc tonight.  Hopefully this comes out ok.

Cc is working well on my laptop but not well at all on my phone. This afternoon I posted a number or replies to comments. Totally gone. Went into cyber space. Now seems to be working (I think) 

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, zgscl said:

For Breakfast Monday I got my first taste of Club Orange. I have to say that I am very impressed by the service. After my first meal there every server, bartender and the host and hostess knew me by name.  

 

I have read a lot about Club Orange not having windows. While it is true that the restaurant is in the interior of the ship, the windows have sections that are frosted and unfrosted so you can actually see well out the side of the vessel regardless of if you are sitting on the outside or in the middle of the room. It also lets lots of natural light in. 

 

Breakfast was cooked to order by the C.O. chef and it was by far the hottest and freshest breakfast I have had on HAL complete with everyone's favorite McDonald's hash browns. 

 

 

 

 

I really enjoy club orange.  The service has been spot on this week.  Last week it wasn’t as good.  They are very good with names for sure.  Food has been hot and perfectly cooked.  I need to start saying bad things so people won’t go and drive the price up 😛.

[canadianbear]

@zgscl  that photo of art in your hallway-if you hadn’t  said anything I wouldn’t have noticed but now can’t get past it, lol!
 

I’ve been following our regulars that are on the Bliss and her photos of food look delicious.  Of course her suite isn’t shabby either 😁

 

CC on my iPhone is still a mess.  If I leave then come back I have to clear my cache and sign back in-so frustrating & been going on way too long.  They need new IT people.

 

 

[Florida_gal_50]

26 minutes ago, zgscl said:

Thank you for this!! Yikes on the MDR. I was going to do lunch on Friday. I think I will stick with Pinnacle or cabana service. 
 

I am so glad you said that about Sel de Mer. I am planning to go tomorrow but was having second thoughts due to some negative things I’ve heard onboard. I will stick with it and see how it goes. 
 

Despite a gigantic dinner in Tamarind I decided to have a second dinner in club orange to give their dinner service another try. 

I had second thoughts too about going.  It was really worth it.  The chef even came out to see how everyone was enjoying the food.  Young guy too.  Was chatting with some nice people as well so that was enjoyable.  I’m glad I went.

[canadianbear]

10 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I really enjoy club orange.  The service has been spot on this week.  Last week it wasn’t as good.  They are very good with names for sure.  Food has been hot and perfectly cooked.  I need to start saying bad things so people won’t go and drive the price up 😛.

Happy to hear it’s been better this week for you in Club Orange.   Should always be like that but lots of hiccups still I guess.  

[boze9999]

On 11/14/2021 at 8:52 AM, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

We used to staple unit we found these waterproof reusable tag holders .

 

 

 

They are THE best - They stay attached and last a lifetime - and they're so inexpensive on Amazon!

 

[zgscl]

18 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

@zgscl  that photo of art in your hallway-if you hadn’t  said anything I wouldn’t have noticed but now can’t get past it, lol!
 

I’ve been following our regulars that are on the Bliss and her photos of food look delicious.  Of course her suite isn’t shabby either 😁

 

CC on my iPhone is still a mess.  If I leave then come back I have to clear my cache and sign back in-so frustrating & been going on way too long.  They need new IT people.

 

 

I think I looked at the top part first and now I cannot unsee it! I chuckle every time I walk down that hallway which is a lot because it leads to my cabin. 
 

it’s great to hear our regulars are having a good time though I wish they were with us! Good to know it is possible to have fun somewhere other than HAL. 

Phone seems to be working at the moment. Fingers crossed 

[zgscl]

11 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

Happy to hear it’s been better this week for you in Club Orange.   Should always be like that but lots of hiccups still I guess.  

I will say service across every department has been fantastic. I know @Florida_gal_50mentioned the Pinnacle hostess but I actually had a positive experience both times. Great example of HAL’s inconsistencies. You will have a drastically different cruise from anyone else onboard. They really should get it right every time especially in the premium areas they charge extra for. That is of course how you get people to keep conning back to pay more. 

[zgscl]

11 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

Happy to hear it’s been better this week for you in Club Orange.   Should always be like that but lots of hiccups still I guess.  

I will say service across every department has been fantastic. I know @Florida_gal_50mentioned the Pinnacle hostess but I actually had a positive experience both times. Great example of HAL’s inconsistencies. You will have a drastically different cruise from anyone else onboard. They really should get it right every time especially in the premium areas they charge extra for. That is of course how you get people to keep conning back to pay more. 

[zgscl]

On 11/16/2021 at 12:54 PM, cruisin'mama said:

If possible, could you see if a bottle of  Sheridans is still being sold onboard? My dog sitter always wants me to bring her home a bottle! 🤪 Thanks!!

They have Sheridan's onboard and there is currently a 2 for $60 special. 

[zgscl]

31 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I had second thoughts too about going.  It was really worth it.  The chef even came out to see how everyone was enjoying the food.  Young guy too.  Was chatting with some nice people as well so that was enjoyable.  I’m glad I went.

Every meal I have had at Pinnacle Grill the chef has come out to talk to everyone which I thought was a nice touch. I wish they did that at Canaletto, I would have shown them my pictures. 

[cruisin'mama]

6 minutes ago, zgscl said:

They have Sheridan's onboard and there is currently a 2 for $60 special. 

Thank you so much for checking!! Now I know I will have a happy dog sitter!

Enjoy the rest of your cruise, I’m really enjoying following along!

[cruise kitty]

2 hours ago, zgscl said:

Sorry if I was unclear. There is a 15 drink per day limit. You do get unlimited access to the Coca Cola freestyle machines which are controlled by using a special cup. If you get your sodas here it does not count against your limit, but if you get sodas from a bar then it does. 

Bleh, on the drink package thread, corporate clearly stated that elite includes unlimited non alcohol drinks...  going to have to find a way to get paper water cartons to bring, as we drink a lot of water.  

[leerathje]

2 hours ago, zgscl said:

I did not get off in Cabo but enjoyed getting some pictures from the ship. Beautiful (hot day) and we shared the port with Norwegian Bliss which has a couple of HAL regulars aboard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, this art piece is in my hallway. I don't know why but my mind always goes to a rude hand gesture instead of guitar when walking past it 😆

 

Do you think it's actually a metronome?

 

L.

 

[zgscl]

1 hour ago, cruise kitty said:

Bleh, on the drink package thread, corporate clearly stated that elite includes unlimited non alcohol drinks...  going to have to find a way to get paper water cartons to bring, as we drink a lot of water.  

That is good to know, the terms do not specify any exemption one way or the other. I will see if I can get an answer from a bartender as far as what they are actually doing onboard. If corporate policy is unlimited non-alcoholic then in theory that should be what they are doing. I need to try harder to cross the limit to find out if a charge appears. 

[zgscl]

41 minutes ago, leerathje said:

 

Do you think it's actually a metronome?

 

L.

 

That could be, all I can see is a hand!

[cruise kitty]

1 hour ago, zgscl said:

That is good to know, the terms do not specify any exemption one way or the other. I will see if I can get an answer from a bartender as far as what they are actually doing onboard. If corporate policy is unlimited non-alcoholic then in theory that should be what they are doing. I need to try harder to cross the limit to find out if a charge appears. 

here's a link to the post with the email stating elite includes unlimited non alcohol drinks:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2799169-updated-drink-package-information/?do=findComment&comment=61960530

 

[Florida_gal_50]

8 hours ago, zgscl said:

I will say service across every department has been fantastic. I know @Florida_gal_50mentioned the Pinnacle hostess but I actually had a positive experience both times. Great example of HAL’s inconsistencies. You will have a drastically different cruise from anyone else onboard. They really should get it right every time especially in the premium areas they charge extra for. That is of course how you get people to keep conning back to pay more. 

Just to clarify it’s not like she is rude or miserable, she’s just very cold.  I also asked if she would check if my wine would be carried over to this cruise since I had 2 booking numbers and different rooms.  She didn’t do it after she said she would.  I finally got an answer from the wine steward at the time in the pinnacle. The hostesses are so warm in club orange and Canaletto it’s just such a stark difference.

[waASPCrusier]

9 hours ago, zgscl said:

As it was so hot I thought it was a good day to try a chocolate milk shake and the cabana attendants were only too happy to bring me one (charged to the beverage package). I thought it was pretty good! And perfect for this weather. 

 

 

 

From what menu/location did you order this ?  I don't recall a milk shake option in the past, but now I am intrigued 😁

 

 

 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

10 hours ago, zgscl said:

A couple other quick notes. 
 

 

 

2) I mentioned the lack of mariner credit for prepaid reservations to the Neptune Concierge. They said they would send an email and have it taken care of for my upcoming reservations. Will keep an eye on my folio for the credit. 
 

 

 

I hope you have better luck with the Concierge on sorting out the lack of credit on prepaid reservations than I did this fall on the NA. He said it was taken care of and it wasn't which is why I had to deal directly with the Mariner Society after I returned home to get the credit.

 

Please advise if your issues were taken care of as I will be on this ship in February and don't want to have to deal with what should be an easy accounting issue for HAL. Thanks.