jules815

Our last cruise on Meraviglia in the YC we were in the most forward cabin on deck 16 and never heard a thing from the lounge or from anywhere. I'd have no issues booking again. In fact, there was a door at the end of the hallway leading right into the lounge that was very convenient. 

10 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

We left San Juan at 4 pm, but not without a bit of drama. The Captain blew the ship's horn at around 3:30 as we were missing 4 passengers. Leaving at 4;00 pm does not mean "all aboard" at 4 pm. Knew something was up when a hue and cry arose from the ship as the runners were spotted. We opened our balcony door to witness the sprinters running a dash to the closing gangway. 

Did they make it??

Last night I was watching yet another YouTube video about cruising and this time it was one where they were docked in Cozumel, except (just as I was noticing, the vlogger mentioned it too) it was a completely different pier than what we've been docked at for all our years of cruising. It didn't have the enclosed "mall like" shopping area that you'd have to cut thru to get a cab. You just walked off the pier and were in town. Is this the pier that Seascape docks at all the time?

9 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Arrived to San Juan this morning at 9 am. Escorted off the ship (elevator overrides was turned off, had to be grouped with the general population). Walked over to CVS and bought some bags of chocolates to compliment the kilo I purchased at the Venchi Kiosk. Surprisingly, the bags for sale of Kitkats and Dove chocolate were actually cheaper on board at the duty free shop and they were both more than Venchi chocolate. Walked back and got right back on the ship to enjoy an empty luxury super yacht called the MSC Seascape.

Enjoy the empty ship! Was just reading your posts out loud to my DH and we realized it's been a while since we've been to SJ. 2018 maybe? Probably the port we're looking forward to the most on our next cruise, which means we'll do a walk around town and be back on board for lunch in the YC.

4 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Yes, on the 15th!

So excited for you!!  Seascape?

6 hours ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Not hardly!  lol We've been married nearly 29 years.

When are you sailing?  Soon, right?

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Just asked Arthur if he will be on in September. Said I had a friend and great admirer of his that can not wait to see him in September. Yes was his answer. 

Fantastic!  Thank you!

21 minutes ago, jules815 said:

Just checked my Rakuten alerts, and MSC is 4% back today!

 

 

IHG Hotels (Holiday Inn, InterContinental, etc.) is currently 9% back. (We managed to get 10% back from IHG while staying at the InterContinental in Miami in 2021.)

Hilton is at 2.5%

Checked Marriott and Hyatt and looks like nothing with them at the moment.

Just checked my Rakuten alerts, and MSC is 4% back today!

6 hours ago, TequilaJane said:

I use Rakuten all the time and end up with at least $300 a year in cash back. Here is my referral link that will get you a $30 bonus. I also get the bonus as well.

https://www.rakuten.com/r/MARKOL14?eeid=45830

 

I do too! I try to tell friends about it all the time and they're either confused or think it costs them something. Total no brainer for me. I just ordered a cute pair of sandals the other day on Zappos for our upcoming cruise in September and got 10% back. Even some items on my online Walmart grocery order qualify. It adds up!

6 minutes ago, lovemycruisetoo said:

Just recently off Meraviglia and Maitre’d Raphael who is leaving around 7/16 said Arthur is replacing him. I think it is the Arthur mentioned because of the way he said it. We haven't met him though but will July. 

Lucky you then. We always seem to miss him. 

15 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Saw a family of 4 escorted out of the YC Restaurant last evening. How they snuck in and got past everyone as far as seating themselves at a table is beyond us.

INTERLOPERS!

58 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Well this never ever happened on any cruise we have ever been on in 50 years of cruising. It even shocked the staff in the YC Restaurant. At around 7:45 am while waiting for our breakfast to be brought to our table, I feel the light touch of a hand on my shoulder of an officer welcoming us to the Seascape. My reaction was to get his name for tipping at the end of the cruise. He went to each and every table (10) that had guests this first morning. Come to find out the officer was our new Captain Michele Tuvo. He was accompanied by the staff captain in the background. Soon after the maitre d' Arthur Javier also made the rounds and said how astonished the staff was that the Captain made such a grand gesture toward the YC guests. Another first for MSC.

Good morning!  What a nice gesture by the Captain.

Have heard so many wonderful things about maitre d' Arthur over the years. Would you be able to find out if he'll still be on board in September? We'll be on 9/10 - 24. Thanks!

Have a wonderful week (weeks?). We'll be on Seascape in September and can't wait.

Following along.

Not sure if any of you use Rakuten when you shop online, but I just noticed that MSC is currently at 2%. First time I've ever noticed them having it. Celebrity usually does. I may cancel an excursion and re-book for the rebate.

This would be great if you were adding something significant like a drinks packages, dining, or excursions. I honestly don't know if it would include the purchase price of a cruise, but that would be a nice one.

In case you're not familiar with it, here's a link.  https://www.cnbc.com/select/rakuten-review-2022-cash-back-earnings-perks-and-more/

On 6/3/2023 at 6:09 PM, Best Cat Mom said:

We loved their risotto and always ordered that as a third main dish to share. Don't be shy about asking for lobster or scallops to accompany your filet or maybe Oscar style. You're in YC. 🙂

We also order the risotto as a third main dish to share. It's so good.

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

There are bars and lounges all over the ship. For example,  there are 3 on the Lido deck. There are 2 or 3 on each of the decks where the MDR are located. 

 

HAL doesn't have a "concierge lounge". Are you talking about the Neptune Lounge?

 

We go wherever strikes us at the moment. 

Yes, Neptune Lounge!  In the past 48 hours I've asked about beer and bars on board. I promise we're not big boozers. Just enjoy having someone make me a cocktail on vacation!

Good to hear.  Are there any bars that specialize in champagne (sparkling wine) cocktails? We used to gravitate toward the champagne bar back in the day when we sailed with RC.

Looking at deck plans. It will be our first time sailing with HAL. I only really see a couple of bar options, not counting the clubs with evening entertainment.

Where do most people go for a pre-dinner cocktail? Ocean Bar? Is that considered part of the atrium? So used to looking at other cruise line deck plans where you can't walk 10 feet without another bar there. I understand there are drinks in the concierge lounge, but is it a limited menu like on RC ships or is it more like Celebrity? (pre-Retreat)

Just now, Haljo1935 said:

@jules815 I haven't been in a Neptune post Covid, so I can't comment on number of daily cabin service, but you can absolutely get turndown, ice and other services more than once/day - just let them know what you want.

Yes, just let them know what soft drinks and water you want, they'll be sure to have it in your fridge. You'll also have access to those and other drinks such as juice and tea along w/snacks in the Concierge Lounge.

Welcome to HAL - enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for your very helpful replies. Keep forgetting about the concierge lounge! Another place for my husband and I to wander to. 

I'd forgotten how much fun it is to be sailing with a new line. Lots to research.

Is your cabin serviced twice daily on HAL? 

Also, we're in a Neptune suite and it says our mini-bar is included. Does that mean they'll stock whatever we ask for (Coke, ginger ale and water). Do they ever include snacks in the mini-bar like MSC does in their Yacht Club?

Is it possible to purchase a pass for a day or is it for the entire cruise?

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I love club orange.  Not sure what you mean by intimate.  It’s a smaller room and the service and food easily beats the pinnacle.  The pinnacle for breakfast used to be an upscale experience with experienced waiters.  Now, it’s completely changed based on my last several visits.  They run around like chickens with their heads cut off accomplishing nothing. The mdr is generally packed depending on when you go with tons of noise. I don’t enjoy that.

I guess by intimate I meant smaller. Thanks for replying!

3 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

You can also go to the Lido Market Place or NY Deli & Pizza for breakfast.

Yes, knew about the Lido Marketplace and just learned that NY Deli has bagels, so another good option.

Those of you that have had breakfast and dinner in Club Orange, is it at least a pretty nice experience? Other than the extra menu option at dinner, is it more intimate, better service, etc.? What sets it apart from the MDR?

(Sorry, first time sailing with HAL, this is all new to us.)

3 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

The assigned dock won't be public until 2-3 weeks in advance. I assume "NSD" is some new abbreviation  for N. Statendam?

Thanks. 

NSD is something new to me. I learned it here in the past week since I started to visit the HAL board. Yes, N. Statendam. 

Neptune Suite on a Pinnacle class ship (NSD) next April. So breakfast for us (other than room service) in either the MDR or Club Orange then?