Marithol

On 2/22/2019 at 5:24 AM, ottahand7 said:

When we dined in the Pinnacle a couple of nights ago on the Rotterdam our waiter Jerry informed us new menu for the Pinnacle is coming in March.  I had read that it was happening mid-February but no change yet.   No matter what someone's ox will probably be gored.  The halibut?  the steak tartare?   Kurobota pork chops?  Lobster bisque?  Cioppino?  It is always difficult to change a menu where everyone is familiar with.   I am hoping that they add some veal again.  I am sure it will be posted on CC as soon as it breaks.   Our dinner pics.  I must note our second dinner the house peeled carrots was the "baby carrots" nuggets like we get at the grocery.   

Those meals look terrible. And very old fashioned, like a 70,s menu. 

On 1/23/2019 at 8:57 AM, Classiccruiser777 said:

We’re about to cruise on the Eurodam and we like Asian food. Does the Tamarind Restaurant facilitate gluten free diets? The reason I ask is that most varieties of soy and teriyaki sauces contain wheat (which contains gluten). I’d love to hear from anyone who is in the same boat that has eaten there.

Tamari is gluten free soy sauce. I’m sure they will have that. 

I don’t know what the TUI model is but if it means simply adding a bit into everyone’s fare so that a decent wage is paid, I’m in agreement. 

1 hour ago, anniegb said:

 

Just off a Zaandam cruise and Americans were lining up to remove gratuities.  Go figure as they say.  I overheard one passenger stating that the service was excellent but the rate of gratuities is simply too high.  GSC staff did not blink.

 

Annie

I don’t like that either! Americans know that is expected and the standard of service will suffer if They are paid poverty wages and customers all opt out. If I have NOT already prepaid, I would happily pay as I want the staff to be happy in their jobs as this will result on a better experience for everyone. 

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

I'm guessing that the $370 is port taxes.

It can't be HSC if there are two of you and you are on a 21 day cruise.  It would be more than that.

 

The question is though if HSC is included in your cruise fare and not part of the fees?  Assuming you can book directly with HAL, I'd tell your TA you need an answer in writing from HAL and ask them to reach out to HAL to get the right answer - otherwise, please transfer the booking to Holland America Line.  (I'm guessing your TA does not have any perks for you?).

I have already paid in full. No perks... and we seem to have paid a premium price by going through an agent anyway. But I certainly don’t want to pay twice, but don’t want to disadvantage staff either and find the fact that service staff are reliant on tips or extra charges to the customer quite shocking really. 

What info do you need to put? Name, ship, cabin number? 

17 hours ago, ellieanne said:

 

I usually book my cruises in the US and pay for them with my US credit card. But I book my flights, hotels, and travel insurance with my local Australian travel agent. My Australian travel agent always mentions that the HSC is NOT included in the US price. The last time I was in the agent's office there was a couple booking the cruise right after mine. We were comparing things. The agent specifically told the couple that their HSC was included in the price (because by law it has to be) so they could (and should) opt-out of the HSC onboard as it has already been paid. But then the agent told me that I could opt-out, but because the cruise was booked int he US, the HSC was not included in the fare and would not be double paid the way the Australian couple's would be if they didn't opt-out on board.

I would definitely urge the Original Poster to check with whomever s/he made the booking to determine if the HSC was included in the booking. It should also be disclosed in the booking paperwork. And if the HSC was included in the fare, it is perfectly acceptable to opt-out on board. In that case, the crew will NOT be stiffed. I specifically asked about that, both with my Australian travel agent and once on board. It is recorded that the HSC was already paid if the cruise was booked & paid for in Australia, so the crew does not have to report cash tips the way they would with a US-booked/paid cruise.

OK.  I booked and paid in Australia. The agent did mention the HSC and also said it could be refunded if we wished. She did not mention whether it had been included in our cost, and on my invoice it says only that some fees and charges of @$@l!n@about $370 is included, but does not specify what the fee is. If I have already paid it I will opt out, but if it’s not, I don’t want to make the crew go without an essential part of their pay. My agent is a bit hopeless, she couldn’t give correct advice on a visa for Turkey either. It is a 21 day at sea cruise.

On 11/27/2018 at 8:56 AM, Stratheden said:

The Australian Consultant does not have to tell them about the HSC nor is it added to the advertised price unless it is part of a HAL promotion.  We have one cruise coming up without the HSC included and one with it included so it really is the same as in the US.

 

Some TA's may inform a new cruiser about the HSC and may tell them that it can be removed as it is something that is completely unknown over here.  We simply do not tip and we do not have HSC's nor Resort Fees.  Here it is illegal to advertise a product that is not fully inclusive of everything, including tax.  

I guess as we are purchasing a US product from a US company it is different as far as cruising is concerned, although our prices are different from yours. 

 

PS.  We never remove the HSC and we tip extra because we have travelled a lot and know that it is the accepted thing to do in the US.

 

PPS. Please stop telling Australians that they are "stiffing" the crew.  New cruisers assume that the crew are paid a decent wage like everyone in Australia is paid and unless they read Cruise Critic they wouldn't know any better. 

Exactly. We assume the workers are paid sufficiently by the cruise company, and not that part of their wage will come from the customers who have already paid for the cruise itself. Tips in Australia are rare, and given to individuals who the customer feels has gone above and beyond in their service. 

At these prices I think I’ll be skipping alcohol altogether. Translated into AU$ it’s very expensive! 

Thanks for the advice ! 

Hi, our cruise is stopping at Gibraltar, which means monkeys! I don’t intend to get close to them, but sometimes they have their own agenda. Are others sopping at this port getting a rabies vaccination?