Observations from the Poop Deck Nieuw Amsterdam

[Hllb]

25 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

This is our view from the Retreat cabana of Amber Cove, DR. Complimentary liter bottle of water. Find there are still many questions on FB about complimentary water. Even with a beverage package of 15 drinks or cans of water, one will be charged for any use of the mini bar. One must collect (after 11 am) up to 15 cans/day at the Neptune Lounge or any bar on the ship. One will find on embarkation day one glass liter bottle of water complimentary from the Captain and one bottle of complimentary Champagne (suite cabin). Everything else is a charge and one must always submit ones key card (except in the Neptune Lounge where one is asked to fill out a form with what is taken). Find this process for suite guests a bit old fashion. MSC Yacht Club all drinks in the YC are complimentary up to a certain price point, and all the complimentary bottled water one can drink, no limit).

This is only for Neptune Suites and above, correct? No complimentary water for Signature Suites?

[morpheusofthesea]

4 minutes ago, Hllb said:

This is only for Neptune Suites and above, correct? No complimentary water for Signature Suites?

? perhaps someone else would be kind enough to answer your question. We can only answer from personal experience and we haven't been on Hal for 30 years.

[morpheusofthesea]

It is so easy to over look and take for granted some seeming insignificant things but they add up to a more enjoyable time while on board any cruise ship. 

1- E muster drill

2- Cabins open embarkation day to drop off carryons

3- Walk-in showers (not tub/shower combos)

4- Dedicated restaurant that does not take 2 hours for dinner to arrive

5- No non-suite Pinnacle/Zenith passengers taking up valuable real estate

6- Cabin cleaning twice per day with extra towels

7-  Bottled water included

8-  A butler that is not far and are most accommodating

9- A generally working elevator override key card 

10- A shorter distance between decks from cabin to dedicated restaurant

11- a gated community setting

12- 'Cushioned' lounge chairs'

13-  Clean private island with no bugs climbing onto beach furniture

14- Dedicated restaurant open port day 

15- Reserved seating in theatre for all performances                                    

 

Just off the top of my head

[morpheusofthesea]

 Here is a 13 second video of Third Avenue West. An Argentinian, Brazilian and Canadian.

[morpheusofthesea]

Went to Neptune Lounge for a couple of cans of water. They were out of stock. Concierge said she would have them delivered to the cabin. Got to cabin and room steward came right over and told us that he stocked the mini bar/fridge with water. We said we just wanted the "complimentary" water. HE repeated to us that ALL non alcoholic beverages in the minibar/fridge are COMPLIMENTARY. We said, "not according to the concierges in the Neptune Lounge". Still waiting to hear ?

[81Zoomie]

21 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Went to Neptune Lounge for a couple of cans of water. They were out of stock. Concierge said she would have them delivered to the cabin. Got to cabin and room steward came right over and told us that he stocked the mini bar/fridge with water. We said we just wanted the "complimentary" water. HE repeated to us that ALL non alcoholic beverages in the minibar/fridge are COMPLIMENTARY. We said, "not according to the concierges in the Neptune Lounge". Still waiting to hear ?

We are still trying to decipher how to get a can of water with a screw top.  The pop top cans don’t really lend themselves to portability once open.

[YourWorldWithBill]

2 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Went to Neptune Lounge for a couple of cans of water. They were out of stock. Concierge said she would have them delivered to the cabin. Got to cabin and room steward came right over and told us that he stocked the mini bar/fridge with water. We said we just wanted the "complimentary" water. HE repeated to us that ALL non alcoholic beverages in the minibar/fridge are COMPLIMENTARY. We said, "not according to the concierges in the Neptune Lounge". Still waiting to hear ?

I'm pretty sure the steward is wrong about that. We were told that any non-alcoholic drinks, including the water cans, are part of a drink package or cost.

And for @81Zoomie, I never found any bottled or canned water other than the pop-top cans.

[morpheusofthesea]

18 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

We were told that any non-alcoholic drinks, including the water cans, are part of a drink package or cost.

What is most confusing is that this category cabin is supposed to come with perks like a beverage package, wifi. Sure we have option to pay for upgrading these packages. Perhaps with the change over to Carnival management? So far checking our account we have only been charged $110 upgrading on wifi for the week.

[81Zoomie]

1 hour ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

I'm pretty sure the steward is wrong about that. We were told that any non-alcoholic drinks, including the water cans, are part of a drink package or cost.

And for @81Zoomie, I never found any bottled or canned water other than the pop-top cans.

We broke the code on the aluminum screw top water bottles.  They are indeed on board.  The screw top cans are not included in ANY beverage package according to a bartender in the Explorer’s Lounge.  You can buy them for $6.15 🙄. Only the pop top cans are included in the beverage packages.  It’s a bit silly from my perspective.  If you buy one and refill it from the tap, its costs HAL less in recycling and beverage costs than one after another of the pop top cans.  Would love to hear the corporate rationale on this decision.

[YourWorldWithBill]

12 minutes ago, 81Zoomie said:

We broke the code on the aluminum screw top water bottles.  They are indeed on board.  The screw top cans are not included in ANY beverage package according to a bartender in the Explorer’s Lounge.  You can buy them for $6.15 🙄. Only the pop top cans are included in the beverage packages.  It’s a bit silly from my perspective.  If you buy one and refill it from the tap, its costs HAL less in recycling and beverage costs than one after another of the pop top cans.  Would love to hear the corporate rationale on this decision.

After reading this, I remember that was the case. You're right, ridiculous. 

[BobbiSox]

I have found the drink packages to be very confusing. I'm considering a cruise-line that does 'all inclusive'. Trying to buy excursions, and dinners, and packages for alcohol and soft drinks takes the fun out of the planning. I don't want to think that much. 

[electro]

On 3/21/2023 at 5:16 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

This 19 second video of BB Kings took 20 minutes to upload.

IMG_2788.MOV

That looks more like theatre seating, not a nice lounge to have a drink and enjoy the music. 😟

[morpheusofthesea]

Here are some observations midway through this cruise.

   The Retreat deck with the 14 cabanas is great. Quiet. Lots of service. Will book again. On par with Celebrity Retreat and MSC Yacht Club  though those cannot be reserved (except MSC OS and RS are complimentary).

    The comedian had another show tonight and it was a repeat of last nights show. Appears that management is on top of things. Too many were turned away at last nights 2 shows that this popular venue was extended for those that missed it. His next 2 different acts will be extended for a third as well the following night.

   Just a guess....that in order to attract some 'headline' guest performers the cruise line must entice these prima donnas by promising them the Mainstage Theatre venue, whether they can fill the venue or not. That being said the female vocalist was good in her own right. Just feel many of the songs they choose to do are not as popular as they think. This is true for Celebrity and MSC guest performers as well.

   Perhaps the most unexpected pleasure we have had so far has been the MDR. The food has been to our liking. The Maitre D', Nino, has been the best we have ever experienced on any cruise ship. When we get home we will be waiting for HAL to open up the rest of 2024 to book the Statendam or the Rotterdam (or both).

[oakridger]

15 hours ago, Hllb said:

This is only for Neptune Suites and above, correct? No complimentary water for Signature Suites?

 

No included water in Signature Suites except what comes from the tap.  I drank it every day!

 

~Nancy

[morpheusofthesea]

22 hours ago, Hllb said:

This is only for Neptune Suites and above, correct? No complimentary water for Signature Suites?

Went to Neptune Lounge this morning to ask concierge about the suite minibar/fridge. Today, both the room steward and the concierges are in sync. All non alcoholic beverages are complimentary even the liter bottles of water.

[morpheusofthesea]

Today we are docked along with the Mardi Gras, again, at Grand Turk. Just a walk off the pier to the mile long beach. No high rise buildings in sight. CD says this beach and pool are complimentary to use and this is the largest "Margaritaville" in the Caribbean.

[canadianbear]

27 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Went to Neptune Lounge this morning to ask concierge about the suite minibar/fridge. Today, both the room steward and the concierges are in sync. All non alcoholic beverages are complimentary even the liter bottles of water.

Well that is new and happy to hear!

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Well that is new and happy to hear!

I get the feeling these rules change cruise to cruise.

[canadianbear]

11 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I get the feeling these rules change cruise to cruise.

Just watch your bill.   

[YourWorldWithBill]

13 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

I get the feeling these rules change cruise to cruise.

Yep; I'm waiting to see if the same water rules will apply on the Rotterdam in May.

[morpheusofthesea]

Looking out from our veranda is the view of the Mardi Gras just a stones throw away. (Which is not so nice). But up on the Retreat deck we chose a cabana on the opposite side of the ship from our cabin. Thus a beautiful view of the island. 

  The view of this island is very reminiscent of our view of MSC's Ocean Cay. At the moment it is raining but we are still comfortable within the enclosed roofed cabana. The Retreat attendants offer to bring lunch to the cabana from Dive-in burgers, pizza, anything from the Lido, or the room service menu. 

[morpheusofthesea]

There is a very nice Promenade deck that circles the entire ship. One walks this deck underneath the massive lifeboats hanging inches above ones heads. The deck is wide enough in spots to offer old wooden slated deck chairs with cushions like cruising years gone by. Port days certain sections are roped off for maintenance, but on sea days the entire deck is open for strolling.

[morpheusofthesea]

This evening we had our first chance to visit the Lido buffet which we oftentimes enjoyed on the Celebrity ships. Only the entrees were served. Everything else was self serve. Felt the selection was rather limited compared to other cruise lines. Especially the desserts. Looking forward to the Dutch Cafes on the NS and Rotterdam. HAL’s answer to Celebrity’s Cafe Al Bacio. Every day Cafe Al Bacio had 12 to 16 different complimentary desserts (the only thing I miss about Celebrity).

[morpheusofthesea]

This evening there was a change in entertainment. The dance troupe had an injury during rehearsal so the show was canceled and the piano duo was put on Main Stage Theatre instead. We opted to sit through 2 shows of the comedian and remain seated to see the Orange Party with the BB King Band. Found the comedian missed a couple of jokes and added a few in the second show. CD Kimberly is a real 'firecracker'. So full of energy from 6 am until late night. Noticed she was on the pier greeting and talking to every guest that got off the ship in Grand Turk that wanted to say hello. There were no greetings from any staff on the pier from Carnival Mardi Gras. At the Orange Party she started everyone dancing by pulling them on the dance floor.

[Andi Land]

9 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

There is a very nice Promenade deck that circles the entire ship. One walks this deck underneath the massive lifeboats hanging inches above ones heads. The deck is wide enough in spots to offer old wooden slated deck chairs with cushions like cruising years gone by. Port days certain sections are roped off for maintenance, but on sea days the entire deck is open for strolling.

The promenade deck is one of my favorite features of HAL. I like to go out and just walk at a leisurely pace with the breeze blowing all around. It’s lovely!