mathed101

2 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

Great location.  Congrats.

Thanks but I actually didn't take that first cabin! 😏 I opted to take one further towards the aft and on the starboard side of the ship. I am so happy to be able to get that one!!

3 hours ago, cbr663 said:

For us the great feature of the Neptune was the large balcony.  For me, I am on a cruise when I am having breakfast on my balcony and the larger balcony of a Neptune makes it an even better experience.  HAL does an amazing room service breakfast and I encourage you to consider having breakfast on your balcony every morning.  Just check out this current thread and you will see pics of breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill and Room Service and for me, the PG pales in comparison.  And yes, I am a fan of a great breakfast. lol.

 

Best of luck.  The upgrade offer is a wonderful way for you to try it out and see if it is something that you would like to have always.  A common consensus is once you have a Neptune Suite you will always want one but this wasn't at all how we felt after sailing in one.  Different strokes, different folks.  

Thank you! We love to eat breakfast on our balcony and try to do it every day that we can onboard! I am sure that we will like sailing in a NS this trip as it is a special occasion for us. We want to cruise more and our budget just won't allow us to book NS straight up so we will look for upsells if necessary but we are pretty happy with a balcony as that is our must have.

13 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Offer may be available, but the best located cabins likely will be gone.

The first cabin I was offered was across from the Neptune Lounge so IDK if that is a best location or not? 

2 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

My question is:  was the offer still available when you called back?  Generally you have to jump on the offer as soon as you get it, before it’s either sold out or they move onto another customer. 

The email was sent at 12:38 pm and I saw it at 12:45 pm. I called at 2:38 pm and was on hold for about 20 minutes. While I was on hold I was on HAL's website looking at what SA cabins were still available.  There were still the same 10 suites on deck 7, that were available when I checked the night before, so I thought that was a good sign. It does make me wonder about the whole upsell process, especially since it was only a few days until sail date.

The rep was ready to go with room offers as soon as I gave her my booking number. It was a quick and easy process and I think I waited on hold longer than it took to make a decision and pay for it! She only offered me that non adjoining suites at first until I asked her about one of them. She said it was available but most people don't really want them if there are others that are not adjoining so she offers those first. I took one that was not adjoining.

I just checked again and there are still 6 Neptune Suites available on deck 7 and 2 on deck 6. All of the Signature Suites are sold out.

30 minutes ago, WannaSea said:

Perk #1, assigned boarding was 11am first available. Perk #2 luggage tags changed to "Priority". Got there about 10:45, ushered to priority waiting room within 10 minutes. Boarding started about 11:15, preceded only by wheelchair assist people. After stepping on board we were alerted room wasn't ready yet so just went to Lido aft for an adult beverage then lunch in MDR (anyone can go but not many know it's available) which started at noon. When we got to the room, steward was waiting to say hi, luggage was in spacious room, complementary sparkling wine was on ice. First class. Balcony is large with 2 chairs & footstools and a table with 4 chairs for alfresco dining. Sorry can't post photos right now maybe later.

I just printed our luggage tags and they do say Priority on them so hopefully they will get to our room faster than the average. Our boarding pass still has a later time to board at 12:20 so I hope we will be able to still make it to the MDR for lunch. 

1 hour ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

The room size and verandah were very nice, but we are okay with smaller size. The bathroom and closet space, however, were wonderful. We couldn't even use all the closet space, and two sinks in the large bathroom were nice.

I watched a youtube video tour of a NA Neptune suite from a travel agent and I just couldn't believe the amount of closet space! The guy who gives the tour happens to be 6'6" tall and when he said he could fit in the shower I was hooked! My husband is 6'5" so this will be so nice for him. The dual sinks and the size of the bathroom looks awesome as does the vanity space, which will be great for me!

We aren't too far from the lounge so I think that will be a big plus, but we will definitely have to put some time in walking around the ship!

2 hours ago, WannaSea said:

I am currently enjoying my Neptune balcony  on Eurodam having taken the upsell from V to SB @ $599. Like you, getting an experience beyond the normal budget. At terminal had to mention we had priority embarkation (twice) to make sure we got in the upstairs (first boarding) seating area. (No big crowds so no big lines so they were just moving everyone in the same direction.) Once on board it's been all good. Room and perks are excellent. No regrets whatsoever! Bon voyage!

 I am so happy for you!! Thanks for the info...I cannot wait to enjoy our balcony! We love balconies!! 

What time did you get to the port? Was it before your assigned check-in time listed on your boarding pass?

28 minutes ago, REOVA said:

It can be, especially disembarkment day but don't let that discourage you.

 

No. Your key card will be gold so that is your tender ticket when you show it getting off. 

There is a specific line/entry for Neptune and Club Orange members (to right of hostess) so less waiting. Seats are reserved usually by the windows in the MDR. 

Never did High Tea in suite (or on ship) as we usually would sit in lounge and meet new people (when not active on ship or on balcony). There is high tea and snacks there but I've heard mixed reviews on high tea in general. 

Thank you for answering my questions! I am taking notes!!

18 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

We took an upsell on the Zaandam (where the Vista Suites are the lowest class with a balcony) in 2014 and did NOT get the additional 14 points... but we did have a lovely cabin for three adults! 

We are going to try the Zaandam for the New England cruise in September. We have an OV partial obstruction like we did on the Volendam in 2019. The Vista Suite was very nice on the Volendam and we hope to make our 3rd Hal cruise in one as well if we get an upsell offer again. Fingers crossed!!

23 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I think you were lucky.  I’ve done many an upsell aka upgrade and have never gotten double points.  They have had this disclaimer on the upsells for as long as I remember. 

Totally lucky! Plus the luckiest and best part for us was the huge balcony of the Vista HC suite on the aft starboard side! 

44 minutes ago, REOVA said:

Day one go to Lounge and meet your 2  concierge members. They will work effortlessly to make your cruise wonderful, booking excursions, dinners, ordering any special items to room (need a power strip, ask for one). If you do need to go to excursion desk or guest services, there is a separate Club Orange line you can use. The lounge has beverages (teas, soda, juice, alcohol) breakfast, lunch and snack items (mostly fruit, finger foods, etc to tyed you over until meal time). Enjoy snacks and drinks with other passengers or keep to yourselves in your cabin, no problem. As a Neptune guest you get priority boarding, tender, breakfast in PInnacle grill, priority seating/dining, Espresso machine in cabin, bose blue tooth speaker in room (if you have music downloaded on phone, etc. extra Orange Club menu item in MDR, disembarkment is anytime within early and late times. You will be spoiled...but if you need something just ask concierge.  Enjoy. 

Wow, thanks for all of that - everything sounds wonderful!! We could use some spoiling!  We will definitely go to the lounge on day one and meet the concierge members! 

I didn't remember about the breakfast in Pinnacle grill so that will be a nice. Is it crowded?

The priority boarding and tendering sound great, do I need to ask for a ticket or something?

What does priority seating/dining actually mean? 

I thought I read about High Tea in the suite, is that still an option?

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

I think that is good reasoning and a reasonable decision. I do not know what choice I would have made!

 

I should have pointed out earlier: coming from a Verandah booking, you will not get the double Mariner points for the upsell. Not to be a downer! but just don't expect them.

Thank you for pointing that out. It was definitely stated in the offer. What is interesting to me is that the first cruise we went on Hal was in 2019 and we upgrade from an OV on the Volendam to a Handicap Vista Suite and received the double Mariner points. Things have changed!

Thanks so all of you for your opinions, they really helped me with the decision! 

I decided to go with the Neptune suite! 

Since the price of the suite $3199 pp is out of our normal range the upgrade allows to try it without the full expense. Our cabin was $1169 with HIA and crew appreciation so I think we did pretty good!

I only have three days to learn all about the Neptune. I have checked HAL's website and I will do some searching on CC. If anyone wants to tell me about any and all things that they like about the Neptune suite life, please do!! 🙂

That is a good question! We have thought about that too but since this cruise was originally booked in 2019 for March 2020 we had FCC to use so it didn't cross our minds at that time. So much has happened since then that it's difficult to say. Thanks for your input!!

2 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I would enjoy the double wide balcony more than I would enjoy the extra room in the Signature Suite.  Now, the Neptune is a different story…all the perks!

Agreed! The Neptune seems to be the only option because we chose that room for the balcony!

Thanks for all the replies!!

We are just a one star. The blank space next to it is a stairwell for the staff and reports of little to no noise for the cabin.  

My husband and I are on the NA sailing this Sunday, December 4th in stateroom 4168 which has the double sized balcony and is a VB category.

The offer we received today is as follows for a 7 day cruise:

Neptune $499 pp or Signature $199 pp.

What do you think about this offer? What would you do and why?

Thanks for your input! 

Just to update, I emailed my request at 1:08 pm today and I received a reply at 1:34 pm today that the shipboard credit was applied to my booking.  Nice!!

Many thanks to all of you who provided information that helped me get this task accomplished.

5 hours ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

You can not save the Beverage Cards to be used on another cruise.

 

You can not use the cards on HMC.

 

If you don't use the cards -- you may get the money refunded to be used as shipboard credit BUT since they were a gift from HAL I doubt that you will get it credited back to your credit card.

Thank you for this information!

I think we will try to exchange them on the first day for OBC at guest services since we will have the SBP.  That seems like the best choice as we will be able to pay the gratuities from the account and maybe order drinks at HMC too so none of it will get wasted!

Hello All!

Just some questions about the Beverage Cards we received from a HAL pricing specialist that are not part of a promotional fare.  We will be getting the cards in our stateroom on embarkation day. 

Questions:

If we don't use the cards during the trip, can we use them on another cruise?

If we buy the SBP and don't need the cards, but cannot save them to use on another cruise, can we exchange them for OBC ?  

If we were given the cards by a HAL employee and don't use the cards, will the amount be credited back to our onboard account or refunded in any way or is it a use it or lose proposition?

Can we use the Beverage Cards on HMC?

Thanks for your assistance!

In Skagway we rented a jeep and did a self guided tour from the rental place.  They had an iPad with numbered tracks to play to listen to (the narrator is your tour guide) as you drove.  We drove all the way up to Lewes Lake, which is a little bit farther than Emerald Lake), stopping along the way, at our leisure, to take pictures.  We stopped at a suspension bridge for a snack and rest spot and Carcross for lunch.  The scenery is absolutely incredible and the narrated tour was perfect.  We could start and stop or replay the tracks as needed.  It was ideal and fun to rent a purple jeep for the day.

It was a great day for a sail away!  So much to see that we never have seen before...very exciting!   

Still learning about posting these pics...here they are!

Here's a few from Vancouver....

She's on TripAdvisor and you can google Jayleens alaska to find her website and contact information.

Jayleen's Alaska gets my vote. We were picked up right by the ship and taken to a Bay about 5 miles from Mendenhall Glacier. We had an awesome time on June 21st.  She only takes out 6 people on her boat.  We saw several whales, eagles flying and fighting over fish, glaciers and sea lions.  It was a lovely day weather wise.  After our tour we were dropped off at Mendenhall Glacier.  We called a taxi ahead of time to pick us up and transport us back to the ship.