crusin'k

Not new to HAL, but do have a question. If we pre-purchase the internet package, do we both have to buy it. Hubby never uses internet, but I do.

Thanks for the recommendation. We, also, have been to Curacao many times but this sounds too good to pass up. We will be going March, 2024

Not new to HAL, but new to this issue. Hubby received a "Thank You For Cruising With Us" email (actually got 2 emails, one for each of our last 2 cruises). I did not get the same email (not sure why not). The email says an OBC up to $200 per person. We now booked an inside cabin on a 28 day cruise. So as I read the email, it would be a credit of $100 (inside cabin) for each of us (a total of $200 OBC for the cruise). My travel agent said no, it's automatically applied by HAL and we only got one $100 OBC. My question is, then why do they state "per person?" What am I missing? Has anyone else had this?

Our points now show under "cruise history" but do not yet appear in the total listed above that in the blue and grey banner where it lists total points and mariner status/star level. Fingers crossed it will soon appear there also

We are in the same situation - were on GSA&A and no points and not listed in our history. This is getting pretty ridiculous and when I read that they still have NO ETA of when this will get corrected, makes me wonder what is going on. Has anyone who completed a cruise this month (January) gotten their points awarded?

We're doing the Grand South America in October. What will the dress be like for that? What about if we eat in the Lido for some of the evening meals?

I thought the tips given when you get a drink are pooled among the bartenders/bar waiters. Thought I have seen them put them into a tip "jar" under the bar.

We do not have a beverage package. We just get 1-2 drinks per night during happy hour. Do you need to tip the bar waiter or is the tip included in the price of the drink?

I'm back with a final review of our Equinox b2b2b that began June 10 and ended July 2. You can check my earlier comments on this thread if you like. The final 2 legs had the "new menu" (the first had the "old" X menu). My observations/comments here are for the last 2 legs. On the 6-night leg, roast pork and cabbage was served 2 nights out of 6, penne pasta was served on 2 consecutive nights out of 6. On the 8-night leg, penne pasta was again served 2 nights and roast pork with cabbage was served 3 nights. Mushroom soup was an appetizer 2 consecutive nights, although they did add barley the second night. Many nights there was no beef entree except the former classic sirloin steak. Some nights had 3 meatless (? vegetarian) entrees out of 5. Gone were the pork chops, beef tournedos, short ribs, etc. At the start of the 3rd leg, I wrote a very lengthy and detailed letter and gave it to guest relations. I guess the information was given to our waiter because the next night, he told us that anything we wanted to special order, he would see to it that they prepared it. It seemed as if they were putting all responsibility on him to keep us satisfied. I explained to him that our comments to management had nothing to do with him or his service. We were never approached by any other crew member (maitre d', asst maitre d', MDR manager, etc) about the letter. There was a lot more, but I will leave it at that. GOOD NEWS - 2 days before the end of the cruise, both our waiter and the MDR hostess told us that they would be discontinuing the "new" menu, beginning with the next cruise. My earlier comments about dress (and sometimes lack thereof) were on even greater display as the cruises continued. We never say never. However, after being loyal X cruisers for over 25 years (with 21 cruises and over 190 days just since the restart after COVID), we are probably saying goodbye to Celebrity. And that makes us very sad!

Just FYI In looking at the app for our meals on this 8 night cruise- roast pork with cabbage is listed 3 nights, penne pasta 2 nights. And yes, the cheeseburger is still there.

You are right about dress changing rapidly. We did not see this on our b2b2b in Dec-Jan but have seen too much of it these past 2 weeks/ cruises On a brighter note, we are getting ready to set sail for the ABC's any minute now

I think you are exactly right. They probably look at us as a dwindling market. But I had hoped they could cover both markets. Probably a pipe dream at best

I'm sorry. Maybe it wasn't clear. Today is the first day of the last leg of our b2b2b (three cruises). We have already been aboard 14 days. An 8 day, then 6 day and now beginning another 8 day. To let you know how much we support Celebrity, we were aboard her on her first cruise post pandemic and have done over 25 cruises since then. PS the crew always has been, and continues to be, fantastic!

I have only read through the first 6 pages of this topic so I am not sure if my comments will be duplicates. I apologize if they are. Today is day 1 of our b2b2b cruise on Equinox and, unfortunately, it may be our last Celebrity cruise. We have been loyal X cruisers for over 24 years, Elite Plus and well on our way to Zenith. So it saddens me to say this. Many on this thread have stated that we shouldn't judge based upon last week's menus since it was only 6 nights. But let me give you some more observations. We have been on other Celebrity 6 night cruises and they had lobster. However, lobster isn't the only issue. In addition to other things already stated (shrimp cocktail only every other night, cheeseburger, etc) during this 6 night cruise we had Pasta/Penne Primavera 2 nights in a row and roast pork with cabbage both Wednesday and Friday. Several nights there was no beef entree unless you ordered the sirloin steak. Most nights had 2 of the 6 entrees as meatless (portobello mushroom, some kind of potato dish, etc). For us, it was not just about the lobster, but also all the other decreases in quality. And I know this is off the main topic and has been discussed to death. But shorts and flip-flops are now seen and apparently accepted throughout the MDR as well as no cover-up required over swimsuits and thong bikinis anywhere throughout the ship (although, thankfully, that hasn't made it to the MDR yet). I wish they would discontinue posting the recommended dress code outside the MDR and nightly in the stateroom newsletter if is not enforced. Sorry this was such a long post. I am waiting to get home so I can email "the powers that be" but I sadly feel, they won't care.

That very well may be true. I had the same issue, and my phone was just as old. Someone on Cruise Critic stated the phone had to be at least an Android 10 (I think that's what they said). The phone I had was only an Android 8. As soon as I got the new phone, I could download the HAL app with no problem. Only problem now is trying to learn all the new features of the phone!

We are doing the Grand SA and A cruise this October. I feel that paying for daily laundry will be very expensive so I am thinking about just doing a bag as needed. I have read great things about the quality and care of HAL laundry. My question is: can I put some items into multiple plastic bags and include instructions for each bag, ie cold wash, hang dry; cold wash, low heat; etc? I would then place these bags into the HAL laundry bag and send it out, Or will it be too confusing for the laundry employees?

Thank you. Will miss the wonderful cloth bags but, better than nothing!

It has been quite a while since we have sailed with Hal. Taking a cruise in a week. Can't wait! Does HAL give us any type of tote bag to take to the pool, etc. or should we plan on bringing one from home?

Thank you. Found it!

We are taking the Grand South America trip (73 days) in October. Any idea if the prices are any different since it is such a long cruise?

We are booked on the Zaandam for the Grand South America Cruise October 7, 2023. It has been a while since we have done a HAL cruise so I feel like we will have to learn "the ropes" all over again. The first question I have is we are scheduled for open dining. I have been reading that it is best to sign up for a time before we even board, but I am unable to find how to do that. Can it be done on the website, or can it only be done thru the app (I am unable to download the app on my phone. I get a message that it is not compatible with my phone)? Thanks for any help

I just tried downloading the Navigator app and it says "not compatible with this device." I have a TracFone (I know)! But I have downloaded the apps (using Google Play) for Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Princess with no problem. I wonder why not HAL?

Thank you so much. I will do that....

Thanks. Waffles also?????

Thanks for your responses re. charges for shrimp cocktail. Guess he won't be having any at that cost. Another quick question - DH also likes waffles with sugar-free syrup (he's diabetic) every morning for breakfast. Anyone know availability in Buffet or Dining Room?