sfocruiser

52 minutes ago, kazu said:

  But, it’s going to get confusing.  It sounds like it’s only on the surcharge items on the menus so if no surcharge items are ordered then you still need to tip?

I think its the specialty charge and any supplemental charges. but agree is muddy at best

"a new Service Charge (Restaurant) of 18% will be added to all specialty restaurant cover charges and all supplemental charge "

The biggest change, at least for us is the 18% charge at specialty restaurants.     HAL also doesn't disclose how this 18% is handled for Mariner discounts or comped dinners.

In the past we would always leave a cash tip at the Pinnacle, Tamarind, etc., now with the addition of a mandatory service charge dinner tips could now rise to 30% or more,  which means those cash tips will probably reduce and the ultimate person negatively impacted is the server

1 hour ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Maybe that will be the end of people jumping the line so that "Can I just get a piece of bacon?" and sticking their contaminated plate over the counter.

agree 100%.  I for one will not miss self serve anything. 

9 minutes ago, JeffElizabeth said:

Great news! We will be on the new Rotterdam in October in France, Ireland, and the UK, fully vaccinated two weeks ago. 

We are in the same boat (pun intended) we are just on the TA segment.    A lot can change in 6 months but I’ll take a bit of good news anyday

Maybe this will get HAL off the dime 

1 hour ago, vaderladyl21 said:

We are talking  about vaccines that had been around for decades not about a new h just come out. Not the same.

Sorry it's exactly the same.   If you want to board a ship traveling to these countries then the cruise line will require a vaccine.   Its your choice to vaccinate and travel or not cruise to these countries.   Its has nothing to do with the "age" of the vaccine it has everything to do with unacceptable risk either to you or to the countries you desire to visit

22 minutes ago, Laminator said:

I see a scenario where vaccines may be required on HAL but not on Carnival. There is still plenty of time for this is to play out. Let's wait and see what they do. 

yea  Maybe Mr. Donald slipped up and was really talking specifically about Carnival Cruise Line.    As Seabourn, P&O, Princess(UK), Cunard(UK) are all requiring 100% vaccination during their limited re-start

On 4/18/2021 at 8:22 AM, RuthC said:

Totally agree. He could not only tell you where the best pub in the port was, but who was tending bar the day you were in port! (ok, maybe a slight exaggeration. maybe)

We had some of out best HAL experiences with Frank and the Prinsendam .     I have fond memories of him with his "FiloFax" which had an amazing amount of info on every port. and as Ruth points out always had a suggestion for Lunch or a local cocktail in every port

23 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

What is your plan to return to cruising safely?  It doesn't sound like you believe in any of the main accepted strategies to end the pandemic.

+1    If the poster insist on their cruise travel experience to be 100% back to pre-covid days then you probably wont be on a ship anytime soon

35 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

I just don't get your 2 cents post here .Perhaps you can enlighten me  or perhaps you should read my other posts  to have a clearer understanding   .Just let me know  what bothers you ?

bsecase your posts relating you getting vaccinated are a litany of issues most of your own making

Its too far to drive

I cant wait in line

I only want J&J

The poor are getting my shots

In spite of some very helpful posters who are trying to assist you, your responses have trended to the negative.  

Maybe given this is Easter take a moment and count your blessings that you have options for vaccinations and you have community of users who have reached out to help

6 hours ago, kazu said:

 

On our cruise, the Crow’s Nest was packed every night and the servers were very busy serving drinks.  There was lots of bar revenue from what I could see and we were there every night but one.

 

 

Our experience as well.  Completely packed.

Reminded me of the crowds in the Prinsendam Crows next.   There was Piano Player cant remember his name who seemed always to be on board and had a loyal post dinner following.  Maybe Eddie?

14 hours ago, kazu said:

Oh I’m very positive.  We were on in March. - April 2017 and believe me it was rocking and rolling.  For whatever reason, HAL decided to remove it.  It was shortly after our cruise IIRC.

 

I did a live thread at the time and raved about the group. They were fantastic.  We were there every night but one.

We were on the Rotterdam in Sept-17 and BB King were in the Crows Nest,  was the place to be after dinner always packed.

46 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

As cold as it is this weekend I would gladly just float around.

+1 its 5 today in Denver.   Sea days are looking pretty nice (and warm) about now

On 2/7/2021 at 3:23 PM, rkacruiser said:

My North Cape Cruise (Midnight Sun type of itinerary) in June was one of my most memorable ones and ranks as #1 on my cruise experiences.  Sailing on the new Rotterdam would add to the reason I would choose that cruise.

 

+1   We did the north cape and Svalbard on the Pdam and is easily one of our top three cruises. 

On 12/26/2020 at 8:20 AM, Tampa Girl said:

 

There may not be enough tables and chairs in two seatings, but you can't ignore the number of people that the Lido or the specialty restaurants can feed.

Remember based on what the other ships now sailing are doing that the passenger capacity will likely be lower so the NS might sail with 1,300 instead of 2,600

54 minutes ago, PoolSlider said:

We booked the V+V BOGO for a Europe cruise with 1 person in the inside cabin. If only 1 person, will they add hotel services charges for 2 (double occupancy room type) or just charge for the actual 1 person in the room? I forgot to ask on the call. 
 

Thank you.

We booked the TA in October on the Rotterdam and the "free" inside double cabin is booked as a single.    The only charge was for port charges and taxes for a single person not doubled.   So for a single in an inside cabin for 14 days the cost was $175

2 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

This started out as a civil and logical discussion of an important topic. The majority of participants are continuing in that manner. 

But it’s become time to add to the ignore list again.

doing the same maybe that will reduce the noise and get this thread back on track

IATA is developing a COVID APP to collect and standardize test results and vaccinations.   Due out Q1 2021 for Apple and 4/2021 for Android

A good first step in getting standardization for flying and possibly boarding on ships.

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/11/27/covid-19-travel-airlines-hope-new-digital-health-passport-app-will-revive-international-travel/

27 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

But a handful of CC posters is a small sample of the cruise universe which I find amazing as they don’t know what the experience will be.

 I think the experience would be akin to a TA,  many days at sea.   I took a 7 day RCI cruise on the Allure where I never left the ship.   Had a blast.    Also took the NS inaugural TA with 8 days at sea and was never bored.

But you are correct that folks who are used to a traditional itinerary with only a few sea days might be disappointed,  or get cabin fever  😉

OP, Thanks for the post and the links!  Great pictures and commentary!  

I realize the need for the ceremony's participants to have masks available.  I would have preferred that the participants be photographed as they participated in the ceremony without their masks.  

 

Photos from the ceremony. In situations where they were in close proximity they wore masks. As it should be

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1 hour ago, iancal said:

 

'She who must be obeyed' and me.

Rumpole lives!

A blast from the past Prinsendam 2007 which inaugural port?

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Here's our story: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5584/
 
We are waiting to hear if Croisi intends to change any protocols because of this. 

How About

• Boston
• Bar Harbor
• Day at sea
• St. Pierre and Miquelon
• Day at Sea
• Portland
• Newport
• Boston

2 hours ago, Lido - Lanai said:

My thoughts exactly..... what in the world does one's mariner status have to do with waiting for an elevator!

I think there was talk of having dedicated Elevators for 4* and 5*  and for President's Club having their own Humphrey Manlift  :^)