redbanshee

On 3/10/2024 at 1:45 PM, Roz said:

 

Oh no!  Please tell me that's not true about my beloved lemon 🍋 drop. 

Sorry"…..Extra $1plus gratuity

51 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Food is so darn subjective and here we have cuisine in all price ranges.  Many of my favorite places (we eat out over 60 times during the winter months) are not open for lunch.  For relatively inexpensive basic Mexican food, the Sea Monkey (owned by the same person who owned the well known Cheeky Monkey) is popular with cruisers and they have tables right on the sand (Los Muertos Beach).  If you keep walking south along the beach you will find lots of restaurants (all safe) at many price points.  Further down the beach Cuates y Cuetes (well known for its live webcam) also has inexpensive basic Mexican.  For high end (and pricier) food there is La Palapa.  You can always look at menus before you sit.  Just beware that quite a few places only accept cash (Pesos or US Dollars) so, if you want to use a credit card make sure it is OK before you start ordering.

 

Hank

Thanks so much Hank! Your info is invaluable…..live PV and excited to be back after so many years…if only for the day 🤗 cheers!

I agree with the musical comments. Used to love Mike McCabe as the one man piano guy getting the crowds singing. Live music by the pool and in the crows nest (usually a guitarist), adagio strings. The ocean bar also had the HAL cats and was often going strong after dinner.  Is it me or does HAL even have a band that can back performers in the world stage anymore? I usually enjoy BB King but the last cruise it felt like the catalogue was small and each song lasted for far too long. The two person piano show had no chemistry at all. Still I love HAL and will be back on board soon 🤗

23 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

The bus is $10 pesos and they now have electronic boxes where you put the money in a slot.  Drivers do not make change and generally do not accept dollars.  No comment on PiPis other than it’s more popular with short term visitors then the ex pat community.

 

Hank

Do you have any gem you would recommend for Mexican? we have three stops in Mexico so perhaps I will invest in some pesos for the trip 🤗

9 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Did that walk, this morning, and thought about your post :).  If you are docked at Pier 1, it will be the longest walk (of the 3 piers).  Once you cross the bridge you still have a ways to go.  The main street into Marina Vallarta is marked by a traffic light and a large whale-fountain in the middle of the street.  You will pass another street (before that main street) which I do not think gets you into the heart of the marina, so my advice is not to be tempted and think you might find a short-cut.  The mile walk will get you to the port entrance, but depending where you go inside that area you can easily tack on another 1/2 mile.  

 

One interesting development in that large marina area is that the tall El Faro Lighthouse (110 feet high) apparently has a new restaurant at the top (I assume one would need reservations).  We do not know anyone who has actually dined in that place, but the view must be spectacular.  I think it is called El Faro /36 Restaurant.  Friends have told us they plan to give it a try (in the future).

 

Hank

Thanks so much ….I remember that lighthouse from when I stayed in the marina in the 90’s (lol). We are also thinking about a restaurant downtown called Pipi’s (heard the bus is .50cents USD per person into Centro from just outside the cruise port) still some to,e to plan but you’ve been super helpful. Might be nice to see the Malecon ….it’s been a while 😊

20 hours ago, jenp123 said:

Just did it last week.  $20 on the way there and $15 on the way back 

Thanks so much….we may walk there and cab back to the port 🤗

15 hours ago, Hlitner said:

It is about a mile (depending on which pier you are docked) to inside the Marina (past Plaza Neptuno).  We have never taken a taxi for this route (I actually walk it a few days a week) but the taxi fare (we are talking the normal taxis outside the port) should cost no more than $100 (Pesos).  It is quite walkable if you can handle a good mile.  You leave the port, turn left at the sidewalk that runs along the main road (this shows as Rte 200 on Google Maps), and start walking.  You will walk past the Naval/Marine Base, over a small bridge, and then past the Naval Hospital.  Just keep going until you run out of sidewalk and you will come to a small outdoor strip shopping center.  Just past the last store you will turn left into the Marina Area.  There are quite a few restaurants in the Marina  (we never eat out there since we live in town).  If you have a working Smartphone you can simply put one of the restaurants in one of the map programs and follow the route. 

 

Hank 

Great news and thanks you so much for this! Can totally walk a mile no problem. I had not known the bridge had a sidewalk 🤗

Hi all we are in PV in April and thought it might be fun to have dinner in the marina. Anyone know cab fares for that outing? I see it is not walkable from google maps. 
Thanks!

On 2/13/2024 at 3:00 AM, TV Dad said:

I am a 3-star Mariner cruiser, about to take my 9th HAL cruise in May. I got the Elite drinks package  "included" as part of my cruise purchase. My wife will still find a way to crave a drink (usually champagne) that is not included. First world problems.

 

However, my biggest gripe is the upcharges in specialty restaurants. Pinnacle Grill, is already an upcharge restaurant. Then they upcharge again for many of the menu items! Canaletto also upcharges for lobster. 

 

Ah yes….the good old days of surf and turf on gala nights are long gone and now land and sea only. Lobster an extra charge everywhere. I did hear you get four tails for $25 in the main dining room (not sure it is true) but I do believe it should not be an up charge in the pinnacle for those who want it.

6 hours ago, esimon said:

Isn’t it wonderful and I find it amazing that this is the biggest thing you have to fuss over lol only in a first world country.

Right?!?!….for me I guess if this is my biggest problem I am pretty darned lucky 🤗😊

17 minutes ago, acct1975 said:

I'll be on the Neiuw Amsterdamn for a 7 day Alaskan cruise. I'm leaning towards Tamarind. I've done plenty of steakhouses and Tamarind sound so different. Though the Pinnacle would be a nice safe choice

I think I agree with you …Tamarind is amazing and if you like a pre dinner cocktail the Tamarind Bar is a lovely place with amazing views.

i like the red curry chicken but so many tasty options 

On 2/7/2024 at 11:10 AM, acct1975 said:

thank you everyone! Gives me more time to decide what restaurant to choose 🙂 

MY I ask what ship you are on…I’m sure many would love to help out with recommendations 😊

On 2/6/2024 at 7:38 PM, Charlene1985 said:

The red curry chicken is phenomenal. 

On 2/7/2024 at 10:00 AM, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

We all need to stop talking about this it is not fair for whoever is not on a ship that does not have   it 😀😀😀

Agree 100%😊

6 hours ago, USN59-79 said:

Looking at the bar menus, I was surprised at how few drinks were available for $11. or less; less than 10%.  Also, the menus are not very useful.  Do they really only sell 5 or 6 different mixed drinks in the various bars?  What is the point of a menu if you don't list the available drinks?  I have never bought HIA, and it looks like I won't in the future.  Our next cruise is on Seabourn, where they charge more up front for the cruise fare, but don't nickel and dime you for the drinks.  In fact, most are free.

Ray

For me the biggest shock is a Pina Colada is no longer included for $11. Has to be one of the most popular warm weather beverages….or….maybe that’s the point. .50 cents per drink will add up nicely for HAL. Also up goes the price on the evening martinis. I have SBP for my April cruise …Don’t t get me wrong if I want either one I’ll pay but historically the SBP limit would increase along with the drink prices on these favorites. I guess they reached their breaking point.

one good tip…don’t buy a mimosa with your SBP …get a full glass of bubbles and make your own with lido breakfast orange juice 😂

I feel very fortunate that last year on an Alaska cruise we were upgraded from inside cabin to veranda….completely free🤗

3 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

He works at the cruise terminal and posts helpful replies to threads here. A colleague of his also does.

Thanks! 

18 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, if you are expecting HAL to provide a wheelchair for your use during the cruise,  you may be disappointed. There are vendors who you can rent from but you need to set that up in advance.

 

Last time we boarded in SD there was a lady who needed wheelchair assistance and she had to wait for a chair for boarding became available. Have you considered a rollator, that she could sit on in case there is a wait?

I think I have to agree with you. Christine Kestaloo (social influencer and HAL cruiser just posted about mobility rentals and I believe she got the device in San Diego. HOPEFULLY you can see the link. Special Needs at Sea

Cheers

18 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Neptune Suite guests are among the many sailing who are offered "priority".  

For example the Koningsdam sailings may have: 

 

President's Club = 6

5 Star                 = 140

4 Star                 = 443

Hotel to ship       = 113

Airport to ship     = 218

Neptune Suites   =  40

 

That is more than 1/3 of those who are embarking!

 

And it is not an unusual event any more. The ships are larger and many are used to the 'good old days' when most of the fleet were 1,200-1,350 at full capacity.

 

David

 

 

 

Just curious how you found the count…I find it very interesting info and would love to know for my Panama Cruise . Also are you missing Club Orange in the count? I think they get priority too.

11 hours ago, Shalandara said:

There have been other posts/comments on that elsewhere on these boards.

In summary, from my memory of those, these included:
Making a lot of accessibility improvements to doors, locations of loungers in spa, etc

Adding paper towel dispensers to public bathrooms

New lido tables and chairs

New carpets….BB King is now the Rolling Stone Lounge 

3 hours ago, Cruiz'nBaers said:

I’m just curious, can you choose to have your favorite mixed drink made with rail liquor to keep the cost at or below the the  $11.  I like lemon drop martinis and make them at home using Smirnoff vodka, they taste pretty good to me. 

I believe I saw on a previous thread that you will just get a $12 lemon drop made with Smirnoff but don’t quote me. There has been a lot of chatter about the minimum price for SBP. Some say it will increase to $12 as it has historically kept up with price increases. However perhaps they have reached their cutoff point and prefer to upsell the EBP and “pay the difference deal” 

Only time will tell🤗

On 1/15/2024 at 12:16 PM, Prada Cowboy said:

Menu and iclusion of each package look good to me (better then Celebrity)! My question is and I hope I can get an answer, if you have had the 15 drinks, can you charge more to your account for the regular price or are you cut off after that?

As long as you are not presenting as obnoxious and fall down drunk your on board account will be charged. Don’t rely on your bartender to let you know if you are over limit. 

On 1/9/2024 at 9:07 PM, Crew News said:

If you book Specialty Restaurants online at full price and wish to use non-refundable OBC, Guest Services can return your prepaid Specialty Restaurant payments to your refundable OBC.  Guest Services is not able to cancel reservations only refund payments.  When you go to the Specialty Restaurant at your reserved time for dinner, the charge will be to your non-refundable OBC.

Hi Crews News

We plan to do this on our April cruise as we have large non refundable OBC

So I am clear:

Step 1) go to Guest Services and ask them to refund all of our specialty restaurant pre-payments to our card (we have six for our three week cruise)

Step 2) show up at the restaurant at our assigned time (as reservation is still active) and they charge the meal to our room and the non-refundable credit is used up first. Question: if we are four star will they automatically charge 50%? 

As always thanks ! 

If Lemon Drops are $12 now, can I assume all martinis are now $12

ie espresso martinis and coral drops? And what about ceasars (for us Canadians) or Bloody Mary’s

29 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Wait a bit and try again.  If not fixed, click on the feedback button on the left side of the screen.  I have had excellent luck in getting anything fixed in a few hours after using feedback.

Agree…this has happened to me a couple of time recently. They are making a lot of upgrades to the website I think 🤔 

15 hours ago, Guinness1000 said:

There was the Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge. They played various music and people seemed to like dancing to it.  🙂

I wonder if you could tell us if they did a refresh/any changes to the Explorers Lounge. On our Alaska cruise in May it seemed like an underutilized venue since the Lincoln Center stage left