Msrigby

She can “buy” rounds for the other two cruisers. WIN/WIN. 

While I haven’t cruised since 2020, in the past, I was able to have a bottle of any spirit they serve on board delivered to my stateroom.  I just called ship services and was billed the ship price.  This is not the duty free price.  If it is important to you to have a specific spirit, it is worth the call.  

7 hours ago, Crew News said:

While reviewing the availability of beverages for my next two cruises, I noticed some significant changes:

• Heineken beer package was deleted.
• Spirits for staterooms are reduced to choices of only one brand of vodka, one gin, one rum, one bourbon, and two scotches.
• Whiskeys and liquors for staterooms have been deleted.
• Prices of some wines and spirits are significantly higher.

Beverage Menus

Check out the 2020 roll call. We had excellent participation and a number of independent excursions.  You should get loads of ideas for planning. Enjoy this cruise. It is outstanding.

You can purchase “casino chips” online and pay with gift cards. Upon boarding you will receive a notice of purchase. Bring that to the casino cage and you will receive cash. 

Regarding the Musem.  When we visited six years ago, they refused payment in krone. They would only take USD.  We passed.  Otherwise the visit was great, if a bit chilly when the fog rolled in.

Just a thought perhaps you could donate the OBC to the crew gratuity/appreciation fund?

3 hours ago, NMCruiser123 said:

I’m still here!  Just hard to come up with new material in my 225 square foot universe day after day.  As you’ve probably seen on another thread,  we were denied from tendering at Half Moon Cay today due to our COVID load.  Rotterdam appeared to be successful though and we had some nice views of her this morning.  We are now making our way slowly towards Florida.  Interestingly, I just got a letter under my door.  HAL is crediting my shipboard account $200 for not being able to attend any of my shore excursions I had booked with my “Have it All” fare.  Of course not redeemable for cash so I’ll step off the ship tomorrow with a couple hundred dollars credit vanishing into thin air, but what can ya do.  I can only stuff myself with so much steak and lobster.

 

Medical will drop off a letter tomorrow with 1). My positive test results 2) Verification of my 10 days in quarantine (should I decide to pursue a refund with the insurance company, but I’ll probably just opt for the automatic FCC) and 3) a letter of recovery, should there be an issue with testing for my Eurodam cruise in 3 weeks.

 

I also worked out details for disembarkation tomorrow.  My flight is at 11:30 AM so they are planning to escort me off in full PPE and chemical spray at 7:30 AM.  They also told me they will come to my cabin today and take a picture of my passport so that I don’t have to interact with customs officials tomorrow.  I’ve never heard of that happening.  Otherwise, I’m packing up, drinking wine, and feeling like a prisoner on his last day before parole! 

Just a thought.  Perhaps you could donate the unused OBC to the crew fund or the HAL charity ?  Better than it going back into corporate .   Stay safe

Yes.  Unless they changed vendors they have da Vinci regular and sugar free.  My favorite is sf Irish cream

14 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

On the Zaandam's South America/Antarctica cruise a couple of years ago, Argentine currency was not available.  Nor, could I purchase any from my bank before I left home.

Argentine currency is only available in Argentina.  Take care in the amount you purchase The exchange booth in terminal will not buy back and other countries do not accept the money.  We had to spend down our money in port shop.  Worked out ok as my partner got a neat if overpriced cap.  We also passed on remaining small amount to fellow travelers to find goodies.

Call ships services. If they serve it on board you can press order for delivery to room on embarkation.  

I am just off Rotterdam as well and wi FI was fine. Had premium plan. One device at a time shared with my cabin mate. No issues at all. 

1 hour ago, iflyrc5 said:

I am wondering where they will put the mini-fridge in the cabin and will it take up the one plug available in the inside and ocean view cabins.  On our recent Rotterdam cruise during a turn around day I noticed a couple of these being hauled down the passageway so yes they are available.

I sailed on the Rotterdam in a lanai this October and requested a mini fridge. Also had it on a lanai on the Veendam.   Although the fridge uses one plug, you are given a mulit-plug power strip. As a result, we did not have to bring our own and got additional plugs.which were very welcome.  The fridge was placed under the desk and did not interfere with anything.  

We received 2 offers in 2 days for a 14 day trip on Rotterdam. Upsell lanai to Neptune for $899  pp and club orange for $25 pp per day.  Passed on both. Had booked after final pay and happy with this price point and location.  Extra Neptune and orange perks of no interest for us.  Upsell seemed high.  On another cruise we were offered aft corner Neptune for total of $600 which we grabbed.  We just book at price and location we are happy with and do not anticipate upsell.  Of course we monitor sales and pricing and have gotten repricing several times.

An easier way is to purchase casino chips pre cruise.  You receive a voucher in your room. Present this voucher at the casino cage for cash. You can use the $ any way you wish, slots, gaming tables.  I think it’s listed under indulgences, collector gifts. Just tuck away the cash in your safe and use it all in one sitting or over the course of your cruise, or not. 

2 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

If you buy a tour or PG dinner in advance, it does count toward the bonus. But if, as you suggest, CO is considered an upsell then I guess it wouldn't count. 

 

FYI you get spend credit for upsells and anything else you purchase prior to embarkation. HAL is very generous with spend credit.

We got the special treat on gala nights when we had a Neptune. They were fabulous. I never eat the other bland chocolates. Why waste the calories on inferior chocolate?  I’d rather buy something while in port and savor it throughout the cruise. 

Just a suggestion, don’t sweat the small stuff.  Life’s too short. Be happy you are cruising!

I think they are also going to add Lincoln center across from coffee counter. VOLENDAM may also get some room upgrades as she is replacing pdam for grand SA voyage. 

Unless you have a non refundable deposit you can refare more than once. After final payment, you can request an adjustment. HAL has always given us something. Once it was a very reasonable upsell to a Neptune aft wrap suite. I had been watching that room for months hoping for an offer. The one they gave us was better than I had hoped for. This was after a prior price drop. The only one I didn’t get was when I booked a flash sale. However the price was good and I secured an aft balcony.  I was still a happy camper. 

Go for it. Even a few dollars is nice to have. By the way, I deal with a HAL PCC

I’ve purchased them twice.  The ship florists create the bouquets.  They are very nice.  They lasted about a week to ten days. Keep in mind that some rooms have limited space. You can preorder and may be able to purchase while on board. I’ve done both. 

I am not a fan of towel animals. Frankly they creep me out. Often the towels are reused and seem dirty. I have politely informed my room stewards that we don’t need them or not to bother with us. This doesn’t seem to work so I put up with it for our journeys from 7 to 29 days. 

We are about to embark on a grand journey and the thought of facing 70+ animals is not appealing. I probably should just ignore it but somehow can’t. Any suggestions?

We also don’t eat the pillow  chocolates and just pile them up until we have enough to spell out greetings and messages to the stewards. Am I alone?

SBG you can get cans of soda from all bars, lido and mdr.  Cans in mini bar and room service are not included.  You can also ask the server for more than one can at a time and bring them to the room.  I usually ask the room steward to remove the mini bar items upon boarding.  Thus, I can keep my own stash separate and avoid any complications.  Once. I was charged for all items but quickly straightened this our with a call to guest services. Cheers

You can order specific brands pre-cruise via ship services.  If it is sold on the ship It will be in your room when you board. This is what we used to do before Grey Goose was added to the indulgences catalogue.  Upon boarding, we usually have a good luck shot,  then explore the ship.  CHEERS 🎉 

No worries. With SBP, you can get unopened cans of soda and bottled water to bring back to room.  We usually asked for two at a time and could keep a supply in our room.  You should have a fridge or cooler if you have a veranda or above cabin. If not you can arrange to rent one at $2 a day through ship services.  Depending on the configuration of your room, it may be a tight squeeze. Alternatively, ask the steward for a wine bucket which s/he will keep filled with ice for your entire cruise.  

I usually ask that they have the fridge emptied of all mini bar items so not to confuse my stash with the ones stocked by the ship.

i never brought beer back from bars, but it is my understanding that you can get unopened bottles at the bars as well.  I assume if they think you are trying to get around the no sharing rules, they may not accommodate this. 

Bottoms up!

Nope