cruz chic

I see that the Gala night's menu has more items than what we had on the Eurodam in October.

On our cruises, the "available items everyday" were not available.

 

I think it's because Dave is on a longer cruise. I bet the 7 days cruises still have the same mediocre choices.

Are you certain of this, or do you have to actually spend the OBC to earn Mariner credit?

 

If not, you could easily earn more Mariner Days - buying the OBC and get it refunded after your cruise.

 

I'm pretty sure you are correct. You must buy things.

The Pdam is very pricey and even more so for their Suites both Mini and Full. Some people either can't afford to do the Ship and their Itineraries in a Suite, etc. and will book an Inside or Window. Not all smokers book balconies and many Smokers book Non-Balcony rooms even on the less expensive Ships just as Non-smokers do! Decisions for the majority are based on dollars (what they can afford and/or if they don't think the extra money is worth it to them even if they can afford it). Port Intensive Itineraries and the climate of the Itinerary also factors in for some.

 

I don't know anyone who books a room or won't book a room based on Balcony Smoking. I read about some of you here saying it but reality for the majority is dollars (especially with the Prinsendam).

 

I really wish people would not use the terminology "mini suite" when referring to Hal. I'm not aware of Hal using this terminology on any of their ships. It would be like going to the princess forum and calling mini suites signature suites. I guess you haven't read this thread if you think no one books a balcony so they can smoke. Surely you don't believe that. Read post 3074 they are leaving ncl for Hal because they can smoke.

[quote name='jtl513'][FONT="Tahoma"][SIZE="3"]Would you work for a company that, after 5 or 10 years of your loyal service, pays you the same as the guy hired last week as your assistant? I wouldn't for very long, and I doubt they would either.
[/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

How would you know what people were getting paid? I had no idea what any of my colleagues on my team made. The only thing I knew was that I was the highest paid on our team. I had no idea how everyone else fell below me. The only time salaries that are made public are in city or govt jobs ( in Calgary ).

We had a Verandah Spa on Ryndam last year. There was an iPod docking station, yoga mats & a special "water feature" or something. Never figured out what that was. There was a teak mat in the bathroom under the sink. Not sure if that was the water feature or not. I thought these cabins were less expensive than the other Verandah cabins.

 

Maybe on the smaller ships they are but not on the vista or signature class. I'm not sure the vista class has them before someone points out my error.

Hal should refund everything if you cancel. I just don't care to keep track of it.

I think the theory is ( by the cruiselines)that higher is better.

I do not purchase OBC myself, but I can understand if others do - its a personal choice and no big deal one way or the other IMO.

 

I have been very LUCKY lately in finding OBC deals, but it really varies by cruise and of course the deals HAL is running. I do try to pass on deals that I find to others here on the board and I learn from others about deals (last week I found a promotion of up to $500 OBC but my cruise did not qualify - others were able to get it though!). We all need to help each other out!

 

Absolutely. I'm tempted to put a hold on a cruise in October for Mexico. There is obc attached to it as far as I can tell. That said, I have a koningsdam cruise booked for November. It's going to be an either one or the other or nothing so I hate to tie up cruises I may not be able to take.

Now-a-days you do not get any significant interest on your money for such a short period, so why not pay it ahead.

 

As to over withholding on federal or state taxes, I often do this to avoid potential under witholding penalties, which can be expensive and quite a hassle to deal with. Each person's situation is different, so do not judge.

 

I'd rather leave it in my personal account in case I have to cancel the cruise. If I take cash or travellers cheques I can spend it precruise otherwise it's tied up with Hal. Hey, I thought you are the king of getting free obc from Hal :D? I'm jealous not being critical.

Pineapple jalepeno margarita (on location) that sounds interesting. I'm going to have to remember that one for my cruise.

It strikes me that pre-paying OBC's is much like over over withholding for federal taxes. Why let someone else use your money?

 

I agree. If I'm going to do anything ahead it would be to put money in my usd account. Different people, different ways of doing things. I'm seriously not going to get bent if someone does something differently than I do.

Thx for the update.

[quote name='1of4']<snip>

Following this line of thinking, do people who sit at large tables in the dining room tip more because they are more work for the wait staff? I wouldn't think so.[/QUOTE]

I don't have an opinion as to tipping extra for a quad cabin but I'm afraid I don't understand this comment at all. In open dining Hal loves to put you at a larger table unless you are opposed to it. Generally I don't know anyone else at the table or I may know a few people. These folks are not generally travelling with me so I'm not choosing to be at that table. Why would I tip extra for strangers. It's really apples and oranges, isn't it?

Dave,

Would love to see if you can scan and post the Canaletto menu. We haven't been to the restaurant in the last couple of cruises and we understand there has been some changes in the menu items.

 

Also, when you come back into Ft. Lauderdale on 2-8-16 we would love to have information on how the "zero down" process is handled for those staying on for the next segment. The time it takes and locations for those "in transit" passengers. This request is only if you are not doing any type of excursion on that day but are staying on board. Thanks.

Rick

 

Hi Rick,

 

I know you didn't ask me but I've done a few b2b the last one being in October. If you do not wish to go ashore usually what happens is that you meet in the vista lounge around 9:30 or 10. You are held there until the ship zeros out which is around an hour or so in my experience. Then they scan your cards out. This process can change an you may have to get off the ship.

The shorex sounds like something I would like. Thx for the update.

Looks good. Thx for the video.

[quote name='doublebzz']I guess I don't understand why if more money is collected because there are more guests in the room, the room stewards don't have a larger piece of the pie to share. I do know, when the subject came up with discussion I've had with hotel staff, they told me they prefer a fully booked ship. The only thing that's obvious to me is the condescending tone some posters use on these boards.[/QUOTE]

Yes, of course they prefer a full ship. I've noticed this condescending comment from you often. Is everyone condescending in your opinion, or is it people that you don't like or agree with?

Thx for the update and the excellent pictures.

We took an upsell on our Panama cruise from Boston to San Diego and it was wonderful as we had booked an OV. We appreciated the balcony for many room service breakfasts. In addition to the stationery, they included the concierge, slippers for each of us, having the refrigerator (which was a great advantage since we bring our Pepsi with us), umbrella and binoculars.

 

Cruz chic--We were on a Bermuda cruise last May and had the personalized stationery.

 

I'm not overly surprised at the stationery. I took a last minute upsell and some of the things that were to be in my room were missing. The front desk was totally useless on that cruise until I found a gentleman named Gabrielle. I didn't bother asking him about that as I was glad to have a functioning toilet and a/c.

How did Customs delay boarding? You don't go through Customs to board the ship. Do you mean delayed people getting off the previous cruise? There are occasional delays- CDC/USCG inspections when a ship returns to the US from a season outside the US is a common one. But the policy and goal is to start boarding at or about 11:30, worldwide.

 

I think it's pretty clear that's what the poster meant. I doubt if anyone thinks you go thru customs getting on the ship :rolleyes:.

Right. They are the equivalent of the Signature Suites on the newest 6 ships where you get just personalized stationery and a telephone concierge - and not even binoculars and umbrella. But you do get double Mariner credits with the Vista Suite. :D

 

I did not get personalized stationery on the Veendam in May. I don't know if they have done away with it.

[quote name='CowPrincess']I still don't understand that, kazu. They are paying HSC, that is the only obligation they have. To be honest, I still don't understand why anyone would suggest that the # of pax in the cabin might/could/should influence the decision about whether extra tipping is or is not warranted.

I hope someone can enlighten me.[/QUOTE]

I've seen it suggested that solos are lucky to not pay double the hsc. Never mind that the room rate it generally double. I've also seen it suggested that solos tip extra to their room stewards.

[quote name='Hlitner']Now you have me confused. This is not an issue of US vs Canadian dollars! If you need to purchase a US product you will probably have to deal with conversion issue, but it has nothing to do with Europe, Asia, Africa, etc. You can jump on an Air Canada flight to Europe (no US dollars involved) and convert your Canadian Dollars to Euros, Norwegian Krone, etc. None of this involves the US conversion rate. That being said, the HAL staff are paid in US Dollars (this is contractual) and if you decide to "stiff" them because of your own currency woes they are the losers. On the other hand, you could simply book a Canadian Cruise line (with Canadian Dollars) that pays their staff in Canadian Dollars. Of course you would first have to find such a vehicle.

When DW and I rented an apartment in Paris (at a time when the Euro was about $1.45 for a US Dollar) we had to simply "suck it up" and pay for our apartment (and everything else in France) in Euros. We did not complain or whine...but simply understood that if we wanted to go to France we had to pay that price. It is now the same for Canadians. We do have some terrific Canadian friends who were quick to tell us when the Canadian dollar was at par with the US Dollar. These same folks are silent these days. But when the Canadian Dollar recovers (and this will happen at some point in the future) I am sure we will hear about the wonderful Canadian Dollar.

I am not knocking Canadians or the "Loonie." This is just a matter of the international currency market which is almost as crazy as the oil market. But why should the crew on HAL suffer because of the Canadian currency.

Hank[/QUOTE]

Where did the op say that they were stiffing the crew?

Wow, those are great dolphin pics!

Enlighten me please...why should a cabin of 4 people feel obligated to tip extra more than a cabin with 2?

 

1of4 will pay HSC for 4 just as a couple will pay for 2,. The extra people are certainly being "paid for". And 1of4 keeps a very tidy cabin:)

 

To quote you "bad hair day"? It seems that we always hear other opinions are welcome. Doesn't seem like it.

 

The op should do what feels right to her.

 

Happy cruising.