cruisePack842

I purchased Distinctive Dining packages for wife and I. Then went online to make a reservation for Pinnacle Grill, and it wanted to charge me. Didn't have a spot for indicating we have packages(so no charge). Maybe they charge you, then take it off once we're on board. I emailed HAL for clarification. We're already checked in, and have our boarding passes, so they can't use that excuse.

I have to say, their website is among the slowest, un-user-friendly I have ever come across. And it's been nearly a week, and still haven't heard back on my email.

I hope the cruise goes better.

I have not verified the drink prices online but here is a link to all of the current beverage menus from June 2017:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/hal-beverage-menus/

Ah, that seems updated enough for an August cruise. Thanks.

The HAL website may be a little slow on the maximum drink price of $8. It was raised to $9 a few months ago.

So the most recent drink menus posted online, are now incorrect?

Have they raised drink prices yet?

Wait. So we're not allowed to mention a particular website?

(I'm too lazy to check it out myself.)

A beverage card is just a prepaid card. Think Gift Card. It would be fine if you want the kids to be able to purchase beverages without having them charged to your room account.

That's good. I can just use it as needed, like on the cruise days, when I'm likely to have more cocktails charged against the package, and don't want sodas charged against my 15 limit.

As with all beverage packages, you will always have the folks who use it to the hilt, and then some, and others who don't. It all balances out in the end. HAL is hoping that the majority don't max-out their limits. But the break-even point of the regular SBP is about 6.5 drinks. After that level, you are drinking free. Enjoy !! The $25 card that gets you $50 is only for sodas.

You make a great point.

Disregarding gratuities, a Maker's rocks, my preferred drink, is $7.95. With a $44.95 pre-pay package price, that's 5 1/2 drinks for the breakeven. Very doable. That leaves 9 other drinks, from evening Bailey's and coffee, to morning mimosas, to bottles of water. Or more Maker's! Does that sound right? OTOH, I'm not sure I want to put my liver through all that, for 7 days. :confused: Committing to buying the package also depends on whether we do any part- or all-day shore excursions, which depends on the expected weather. Such a dilemma.

I'm guessing the beverage card is a separate card, since it is ideal for children? Does it also require that I pre-purchase the full 7 days?

So, if you have a package, and you have breakfast in your cabin, and include a pot of coffee, what is charged to your 15/day?

And, with no package, is there a charge for the coffee? Or juice and milk?

I'm beginning to think none of these packages or beverage cards are worth it, except maybe the beverage card for $25 that gets you $50 worth, but I don't know the "catch", if there is one.

The HAL website seems to leave out important details, on many of these things. Or maybe I'm making it more difficult than it really is. Just want to get the most value for my money.

Any bar or lounge - or ask your room steward.

Thanks

You can either keep track or ask your server. While that might not seem ideal, it seems to work fine - at least for us.

 

No one wants to hear, "Enjoy your lunch. You have three drinks left."

True, I wouldn't want to hear that.

I'm leaning towards not getting the SBP. Order a bottle for the room, and take advantage of the happy hours.

Can I walk up to any bar and get my glass filled with ice? Are there other places to get ice?

It is on your room key card, which you have to present whenever you order a beverage.

Thanks. How do I know how many I have left?

We're considering the SBP. Can someone explain how HAL(or I) keeps track of how many of the 15/day we've each been served? Is it on our receipts?

So I'm getting that, unless you buy a drink package, tipping the bartender directly is the only way they get tips.

Then if you have a package, does a receipt even need to be printed out? Maybe a receipt that just shows me how many drinks I have left on my package? Is 15 usual allotment, per person, per day?

There is no couch, no space for one. When you open the door, there will be a small table and one chair. Plus the stool at the vanity. EM

Thank you.

I paid just a few dollars more for this cabin, but it appears the only upgrade I got was that it will be nearly guaranteed quiet. End of passageway, cabins above and below. Also got $100 more OBC.

I think we'd be happy with it, but if an upsell is offered, we will probably jump on it. We'd like to be further aft, as well. We use a sound machine, so some noises won't bother us.

First cruise in 20 years. 2nd ever. It will be fun.

"obsession"? Whatever. You appear to be a lady, a Southern lady at that. I lived in the South, so I'll be a Gentleman and leave it there.

I ask because I may be offered an upgrade to an Obstructed view, later, so I want to know how much more I'm getting in size, and other amenities. It would also be nice to know how this particular rectangular cabin is configured. Will it have a chair, or a wraparound couch? And I'll check out cruisedeckplans.com.

Happy now?

Anyone stayed in this one? Is it larger than the standard inside?

Parallel to the passageway, door in the middle, like many others on 4,5,6 decks. Have not found any reviews, particular to this rectangular setup.

Any info and pictures are appreciated.

Anyone stayed in this one? Is it larger than the standard inside?

Parallel to the passageway, door in the middle, like many others on 4,5,6 decks. Have not found any reviews, particular to this rectangular setup.

Any info and pictures are appreciated.

That's great info. I wasn't sure how the tipping worked. I think HAL is 15%. Is everything else above the same with HAL, as far as who gets the daily gratuity, etc?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when I'm at the bar, I hand him my cruise card, and it gets charged to that? Would the drink package be embedded on it too?

No wristbands and no Jim Beam in the room.

 

 

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Uh oh, I thought JB was the designated bourbon HAL delivers. Is it something better?

So questions about the prepaid for the drink packages. Do you still tip when you get drinks? How does that work cause when you sign the receipt it has a line for you to write in a tip. If you don't tip you look an ass but they don't know you prepaid the tips.

I know last year when did the deluxe package it included the gratuity, however every time my husband got a drink he tipped. In the end I think we paid another $100+ in tips just for drinks. He was just getting whiskey on the rock - nothing fancy.

How does everyone else handle that?

Through your cruise card, does the bartender know you have a package, therefore shouldn't charged? Or is there a wrist band you wear?

I'm looking into a package on my up-coming HAL cruise. Leaning towards not getting one, having a bottle of Jim Beam delivered to our cabin, to off-set some of the bar expense.

If if you book through an agent (Expedia) that's where the offer will come from. Whether Expedia would bother to pass it on to you is another matter.

Thanks. Fingers crossed. If I were to do it over, I'd want an aft cabin, inside or outside.

Thanks. So would I get this offer from HAL or Expedia?

It will not be accessible any time that outside decks are closed (e.g. in rough weather). Any time that the foredeck is used (say for scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, or a Panama Canal Transit) then the forward decks are also open--but be aware that lots more people than just you know about them!

 

The deck six foredeck is an excellent spot for arrival in port and sailaway--and I have generally had very few fellow occupants for that.

 

For ordinary, run of the mill, sea days the deck will be open, but there is no protection from the wind, and since the ship is generating something in the vicinity of 18 knots of apparent wind just from her forward motion, it can get pretty wild out there if the true wind is coming from anywhere forward of the beam.

Excellent. Thanks!

We're booked in a 6th deck cabin, just steps from a wrap-around front-facing deck. It is just above the main observation deck, where most everyone else would congregate.

Seems this wrap-around would be ideal for us, for 180+ degree frontal views, without the crowd. Is this deck accessible 24/7?

I'm new to this upsell thingie. Just paid the remainder of our upcoming August cruise, through Expedia. Is there a chance they will try to upsell me, as the sailing gets closer? We have a K inside, now. $99pp seems a no-brainer, even for a totally obstructed.

We're booked in an HAL inside fore cabin, 6th deck, just steps from doors that open to a wrap-around observation deck. I remember reading a comment that these doors are locked, unless you are in Glacier Bay, for instance. We would like to be able to make drinks, then step out there for 180+ degree views, above the crowds on the main deck.

Can anyone offer any more information? Seems the doors would remain unlocked, for fire escape?