SFCanuck

I want to first thank everyone that posted very insightful pointers on what to expect. It really is all that, and more. I think the millennials call it, "off-the-chain". It certainly wasn't a dream! 🙂

This is the wrap around verandah.

I attended the Neptune lounge for the reception, sent a few things to be pressed for the upcoming gala evening, and enjoyed the Orange Club selection at dinner.

Plan on having breakfast at the Pinnacle tomorrow morning 😋

25 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

It's not fake. It's sparkling wine.

I actually like champagne, and have good and bad. But, if it's sparkling wine, I may ask them for a swap to a regular bottle of wine 🙂

2 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

Congratulations!  Here are the suite perqs to expect:  SUITE AMENITIES

I agree with @DaveOKC in that the room stewards are less likely to be aware of, or pay attention to, the amenities available when you are not near the lounge.  A word to the Concierges is always a way to improve service.

 

There will be a bottle of fake champagne in your stateroom upon arrival.  It is horrible.  You can ask the Concierge if you can trade it in for a bottle of red or white wine, or a non-alcoholic beverage.  Last week they said it wasn’t a problem but others have had different responses.

 

There was real champagne available in the lounge right after boarding our cruise last week.  It’s a good time to visit and ask questions.  There should be an evening reception invitation in your room.  If not, just ask the concierges.

 

Definitely take advantage of breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill each morning.

 

When boarding, make sure you let them know you are a Neptune Suite passenger in case they don’t notice.  You will be seated in a separate area to be among the first to board.  Have a wonderful trip!

 

Just a note of clarification:  The suite bonus is applicable if the advertised price for a suite is equal to or less than the original purchase price.  @SFCanuck, check the current pricing for your sailing on the HAL site and take a screen shot if you paid more than what is currently advertised.  We’ll let you know what to do next if it’s applicable.

Thank you for this. *printing this out to use as a checklist*. 

As I'm scheduled to board this time tomorrow, my specific cruise isn't listed on the HAL website anymore. Even the following week's cruise shows all categories sold out except Inside cabins. In all honesty, if all I end up receiving is a glass of champagne and have an outfit "pressed", I'll be a happy camper, no pun intended.

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

@SFCanuck

There are a few YouTube videos of corner Neptunes on Zuidy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0QPMVvdKeE  (just the balcony)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx1rsPm7wy4

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJqF84u7b8k

 

You can compare on deck plans to determine if the video is "like yours" or the mirror image.

The first one is the actual cabin I've been assigned, and the other two are opposite side, different decks 🙂

Thank you again.

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

@SFCanuck

You will not get the additional Suite Bonus Mariner point-per-day. Have to buy a suite at "rack rate" for that.

 

Someone can correct me, but I think the Zuiderdam does not have a separate Orange Club dining room but rather a roped-off area with assigned servers and the additional entree per dinner menu. Neptune guests are included in Orange Club automatically.

Thank you for this. I'm new to HAL and not familiar with these terms but will do some homework 🙂

6 minutes ago, twodjs said:

Do you mean Neptune Suite catagory, SB wrap-around at the back of the ship?

Yes, it's a corner suite/cabin.

I am due to embark on the September 14, 2022, 7 day Alaskan Inside Passage.

This is my first HAL cruise, which I booked in a confirmed VA category cabin. (Also traveling for the first time in the Covid-era).

Without any prompting from me, I've gone from a VA to an SY and just a couple hours ago, now an NS cabin.

From the limited search I did, it appears to be an aft wrap around balcony. Do I just enjoy the extra space, both inside and out, or does this include other perks?

If you've already downloaded the Navigator app, check Plan>Itinerary>Events. You should be able to see which bars have happy hours and times, by day.

On 8/14/2022 at 10:10 AM, -The-True-North- said:

What is the quickest example that can be submitted?

 

Please provide by email, fax or by mail your complete legal name, reservation/booking number, ship and sailing date, along with proof of ownership of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc

shares (for example, photocopy of shareholder proxy card, a dividend tax voucher or a current brokerage or nominee statement with your current mailing address and your brokerage account number blacked out) no later than 4 weeks prior to your sail date to your travel agent or to the cruise line you have selected below.

 

When would you get a proxy card?

I'm not sure I completely understand the question, but the easiest submission is probably a copy of your latest brokerage statement. A proxy card would need to be requested through your broker, but your statements are either mailed to you or available online.

BC

I was recently on the Glory (September 1-8), and visited these ports on September 4 (Belize) and 5 (Isla Roatan/Mahoganny Bay).  I booked excursions independently of Carnival for both locations.  The only concern I had was getting back to the ship on time, which in hindsight, was completely unfounded.

For point of reference, I did the cave tubing excursion (solo) through Butts Up! (Belize) and brought my 78 y/o mother to the Daniel Johnson Monkey and Sloth Hangout in Isla Roatan.  It was a definite highlight of her cruise.

13 hours ago, Doggielover68 said:

My family lives near the canadian border too and Canada doesn't require a passport. The islands in the Caribbean are not as simple. 

 

This is only true when crossing into Canada by land.

13 hours ago, bjfitz0703 said:

 

The "nurse" at the desk was something out of a movie.

 

Felt like a horror movie.

 

Had nightmares for days.  We couldn't stop talking about it all week.

 

Don't go there!

Just out of curiosity, is there a "nursing station" separate from the "infirmary" on Carnival ships?

I will be cruising on the Glory in a couple of weeks and will not be traveling with my blood pressure device. Not critical by any means, but wondering if there was a nursing station where I could check my blood pressure. Certainly don't need the bejesus scared out of me 😛

If it's near the Zig Zag bridge, I think it's Lu Bo Lang.

6 hours ago, young_k92 said:

I was hoping my husband, who spent most of his career as a bridge inspector for our small county, would get to experience going under the bridges, particularly the Bay Bridge. But, alas, I do think it will be dark. Bummer.

I believe this is the Key Bridge and Fort Carroll on embarkation day, October 21, 2017, just after 6pm local time.

On 6/3/2019 at 12:38 PM, SuiteTraveler said:

 

I bet your mother would love Brennan's ...  https://www.brennansneworleans.com/menus/dinner/

 

If you are looking for something less expensive, consider Eat New Orleans:  http://eatnola.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Nightwinter19.pdf. This restaurant is BYOB and you still need to make a reservation to eat there for dinner.  

 

Another less expensive option is https://frenchmarketrestaurant.com/menu/

 

Here is a great website with pre-planned walking tours you can take to see the sights of New Orleans or even create your own walking tour:  https://www.gpsmycity.com/gps-tour-guides/new-orleans-596.html

 

Thank you so much for this post.  Between the eating and the sight seeing recommendations, I'll have more than enough to do for the post cruise days.

21 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

If she is eligible for the DOU card (or you are), it will be tied to your folio and the card itself is just for show.  You can't use the "card" to get drinks.

Ok, thanks for the info 🙂

Which specific tour did you take, if I may ask. Was it the one that included zip-lining?

Been following this thread for information for a September cruise.  I apologize that I'm not familiar with some of the offer terminology but will try to provide some background.  I will be traveling with my mother on the upcoming cruise out of NOLA. We were both on one previous Carnival cruise (October 2017 - Pride). I'm the planner and was initally booking this cruise with a "returning cruiser" offer. My PVP booked using a "casino" offer that was in my mother's account (but not mine), which provides a DOU card for her, presumably not for me 🙂 . She doesn't drink alcohol, but I do.  Not really looking to break any rules, more just what to expect when on board.

Thanks for all the great info on this thread!

I am also cruising out of NOLA for the first time this September. I am flying into NOLA the day before departure and have a reservation at the Hilton Riverside. Post cruise, I have a reservation at the Hampton on Cardonlet for 2 nights.

I have been to NOLA a couple times for business and was shown the sights and food highlights as my work scheduled allowed (evenings and a random weekend).

This trip I am traveling with my mother (78 years old, mobile but slow), who has not been to NOLA previously.

Looking for some suggestions for self-guided walking tours, possibly good spots to exit from the trolley for a short stroll, resturant recommendations (I'll try anything pretty much, but Mom has a more limited range when it comes to cuisine in general -- other than a major sweet tooth, nothing too pricy, spicy or exotic).