Psee

Hi,

We have used the HAL website to pre-purchase indulgence packages, wine, and dinner packages for our cruise. The charges have been applied to our Mariner's daily $300/day point balance. When I spoke to an agent a few days ago he said any pre-purchase items would not be included in this balance.

I've read several threads that say pre-purchase items are included so wondering if the policy has changed.

Thanks!:)

Hi,

We are cruising on our first HAL ship with a Tamarind and would like to know if anyone has any recommendations for good entrees and/or other courses for this venue. We have sailed Westerdam & Noordam several times and really enjoy Pinnacle but would like to enjoy this new dining experience.:)

(We're also doing a post-cruise stay at the Westin Beach Resort FLL so any recommendations for dining venues near the hotel are much appreciated.)

Thank you!:cool:

Less than three months ago I saw ship officers smoking on the promenade deck of the Prinsendam. Less than three months ago the metal ash cans were still on the railings and I saw a crew member carry one away to be emptied. Talk about sending mixed messages to passengers. There was no way I was going to complain to security or the front desk about what ship officers were doing but I noted it on my end of cruise survey. My guess is the smoking cans are still there.

We're returning from our Westerdam cruise on 11-15-14 at Port Everglades (with 4 other ships) and have a 3:25PM flight out of FLL. We've had this situation before and have tried:

A. Cabbing to the airport with luggage and cabbing to Los Olas and back to the airport to kill some time.

B. Using Luggage Direct ($40) and cabbing to Los Olas then on to the airport.

We're thinking this time we could use the HAL FLL Land & Sea Excursion which takes our luggage (and us) for a bus/paddle boat tour without the cost of the cab rides and Luggage Direct charges. The apparent cost is less but didn't know if this tour OK.

A second option would be to use the Water Taxi but again it would require Luggage direct and cabbing to Hilton Marina and back to the airport.

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated!! :)

I think that's a decent price. May I ask when your cruise is? I'm hoping the upsell fairy pays me a visit.

11-08-14 Eastern Caribbean. I told my agent to counter the offer but they said it was just announced today so they wanted to see how it goes before accepting counter offers. :cool:

Just wondering if this is a good deal. The SY guarantee is $935 so the upgrade would total $1335. The HAL website is showing $2099 for SC so it sounds like a great deal but I've read the additional square footage is the only major upgrade. The extra money could be spent for Hydro spa, Pinnacle, etc.. :)

Just off the Noordam NICE! :)

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/05xx2qtaeu13na9/YBRuZ53s40/1

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/05xx2qtaeu13na9/IdewNuIL9W/0

I spent a lot of time on the observation deck taking pictures and never saw more than one or two of the cabanas being used. The stairs directly in front of the cabanas were always closed but not locked so you could just open the gate and walk up. (No attendants around most of the time.)

I never saw any mention of the area on any of the daily planners or other literature delivered to our cabin. Maybe I didn't know where to look but thought it would have been promoted more.

Definitely a nice area to relax on sea days....

Just off the Noordam NICE! :)

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/05xx2qtaeu13na9/YBRuZ53s40/1

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/05xx2qtaeu13na9/IdewNuIL9W/0

Here's the Ultimate Cooler in it's "Signature Catalina" glass.;)

 

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/cpebmw/album/576460762317689916/photo/294928803155691288/115

Wow, thanks crusdiva! (Btw, very nice cruise pics!) :)

Libbey Catalina Photo

What's Catalina?

I was wondering that too... :confused:

Appears it's a brand of glassware called 'Libbey Catalina'. Basically just a tall bar glass (12 oz).

Guess I'll have to double the recipe for my 24 oz big gulp. :)

Got a response today from Princess:

Thank you for contacting us. Please find attached the recipe you requested for the Ultimate Cooler drink served onboard.

ULTIMATE COOLER

12 oz SIGNATURE CATALINA

1 ½ oz GREY GOOSE

1 oz WATER- MELON SYRUP

1 oz PASSION FRUIT PUREE

CRANBERRY JUICE

SHAKE WITH ICE

STRAIN OVER ICE

TOP WITH CRANBERRY JUICE

LEMON WHEEL

:cool: :cool:

Thanks donna5, cranberry juice was the missing ingredient! :cool: We tried OJ as well as peach schnapps but it tasted more like a sex on the beach at that point. The bartender at the aft pool bar used mango nectar instead of watermelon syrup so that could also make a difference.

Thanks for the form link crusdiva (I'll post the recipe as soon as I get a response from Princess in case anyone's interested). :)

We discovered this cocktail on our Sun cruise last month and now trying to replicate it at home. I know the main ingredients are Grey Goose vodka, mango juice, and passion fruit juice, but there seems to be something missing. Just wondering if anyone knows the recipe or has access to the main Princess bar menu since the ingredients are listed.

Btw, searched the net and didn't find any cocktails by the name "Ultimate Cooler" so it's probably just a Princess thing.

Thanks! :)

I've played the rate game for several years with as many agents and now prefer to use an established agent with a live person at the other end of the phone to not only give me a competitive rate but mainly personal service in the event of changes to our cruising plans. Have had everything from onboard credits to wine, coupon books, etc., and still prefer a good price without the onboard perks.

Of course a note or small token in the cabin is always a nice touch! :)