Lovecruisestoo

For anyone just returning from a Holland America cruise what were all the procedures regarding Covid?   How many times were you tested?  And what happened to those who tested positive?   And now with the requirement to have a negative test to return to the U.S.  do they provide tests/paperwork on board?   

On 8/15/2021 at 12:20 PM, VMax1700 said:

The Eurodam is underway!

First HAL Med sailing underway!

Do they test you frequently for Covid?   Are you required to go on HAL-sponsored shore excursions only?

Well 4-Star and 5- Star Mariners do not get to eat breakfast in the Pinnacle Grille unless they paid for a Neptune or Penthouse suite.   

We are 4-Star Mariners and we get a Neptune suite.    

4 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

You answered your own question.  They paid for the perks.

4* and 5* Mariners get a lot of the same perks too (embarkation, tendering, etc.).  they can also be in the cheapest cabin on the ship.  They’ve earned their status.

Those who take Club Orange are paying for it and accordingly, they are entitled to what they paid for.

 

It will have little effect on you unless you are on a Pinnacle class ship.  

 

Trust me, if there are enough 4 and 5* Mariners on a cruise, the privileges are diluted anyways since priority tendering and embarkation can become moot.  JMO

4 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

You answered your own question.  They paid for the perks.

4* and 5* Mariners get a lot of the same perks too (embarkation, tendering, etc.).  they can also be in the cheapest cabin on the ship.  They’ve earned their status.

Those who take Club Orange are paying for it and accordingly, they are entitled to what they paid for.

 

It will have little effect on you unless you are on a Pinnacle class ship.  

 

Trust me, if there are enough 4 and 5* Mariners on a cruise, the privileges are diluted anyways since priority tendering and embarkation can become moot.  JMO

To "Miss G" ... People could be in the cheapest cabin on the ship and pay for Club Orange ... not nearly as much as people paid for a Neptune or Penthouse suite.  So should they get the same perks?   No.

  I recently took a Queen Mary 2 cruise where all dining venues are based on what you paid for your cabin ... not "social strata" ... but what you paid.  Those paying the most dined in the best restaurant.   

To "Miss G" ... People could be in the cheapest cabin on the ship and pay for Club Orange ... not nearly as much as people paid for a Neptune or Penthouse suite.  So should they get the same perks?   No.

  I recently took a Queen Mary 2 cruise where all dining venues are based on what you paid for your cabin ... not "social strata" ... but what you paid.  Those paying the most dined in the best restaurant.   

4 hours ago, kazu said:

 

And they STILL do get breakfast in the Pinnacle on all of the S & R, Vista & Signature class ships.  It’s only the Pinnacle Class (Koningsdam and N Statendam) where there is a separate Club Orange room where they dine in Club Orange instead of the PG for breakfast.

Question:  So HAL is not changing the Pinnacle breakfast on the Nieuw Amsterdam?  Good to hear!  Love the Pinnacle.  We eat there every night.

Prior, ANYONE who paid for a Neptune Suite was offered breakfast in the Pinnacle ... a perk for paying hundreds of dollars more for a cabin.  If we're paying $8000 for a Neptune Suite it was something nice HAL did for us.    

Yes, whoever wrote the reply is correct.  The wonderful Pinnacle Grill is still there (yay!) and open for lunch and dinner on the Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam but suite guests now eat breakfast at Club Orange.    I'm always in a Neptune Suite so I, personally, hate this change.  Club Orange is not elegant like the Pinnacle and you're with a bunch of people who probably just paid for Club Orange.  In actuality, Club Orange is where the Culinary Arts Center restaurant was (which tanked).    Rumor has it they are going to offer Club Orange on all the ships ... don't know on the older ships if suite guests will still get to eat breakfast in the Pinnacle.

3 hours ago, Petunia1950 said:

Neptune suites do not pay extra.  They are included in Club Orange at no charge.  There are Pinnacle Grills on the ships, but no Pinnacle Grill breakfasts on Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam so Club Orange takes its place.  On all other ships, breakfast is still served in the Pinnacle Grill for Neptune and Pinnacle suite guests.  

On 10/25/2018 at 4:03 PM, rkacruiser said:

If this new "amenity" dilutes or replaces the 5 Star Mariner benefits,  I would be a voice in opposition to it.

It does not replace it (we are 4-star Mariners) but Neptune suites guests can no longer eat breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill on the three new ships.   I hate this!   We always get a suite and love this perk.  The Club Orange dining venue was not nearly as nice as the Pinnacle Grill .. more like a cafe.

On 9/23/2019 at 6:58 PM, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Yes, Neptune suites get CO. 

 

They have no choice!   No longer is breakfast served in the Pinnacle Grill for Neptune Suite guests.  A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT FOR SUITE GUESTS.     The Club Orange venue served a decent breakfast but was nothing out of the ordinary.  The location has huge glass windows where people are walking by.  The room service menu only has a few additions.  Hate this change.

On 10/25/2018 at 12:54 PM, VennDiagram said:

" Private dining venue for breakfast and dinner with expanded menu, Premium inroom
dining breakfast menu, "

 

Oh I like the sound of that!  Well worth the small upcharge.

Not worth it.

On 3/4/2019 at 3:26 PM, newbe4 said:

We were on the Nieuw Statendam last week in a Neptune Suite.  We LOVED Club Orange. We ate there for breakfast twice and dinner four times. I am working on posting an extensive review right now.  Enjoy the rest of your trip.

We DID NOT like Club Orange at all.  We pay extra money for a Neptune Suite and so enjoyed are breakfasts in the Pinnacle Grille.  This cafe is far inferior.   

On 3/4/2019 at 9:59 AM, puppycanducruise said:

Thanks for posting your comments.

Glad you are enjoying Club Orange.

I TOTALLY disagree.  As a Neptune Suite guest one of the nicest perks was having a quiet breakfast (just for suite guests) in the Pinnacle dining room.  Now we have to eat in Club Orange -- a very casual cafe built where another restaurant flopped.  And now others who pay for "Club Orange" are added to the mix.   As a 4-Star Mariner I am not pleased with this change.

On 10/25/2018 at 12:54 PM, VennDiagram said:

" Private dining venue for breakfast and dinner with expanded menu, Premium inroom
dining breakfast menu, "

 

Oh I like the sound of that!  Well worth the small upcharge.

The Club Orange dining venue is not that great.  

For those who have taken this cruise from Amsterdam ... how long does it take to leave the ship and get to the airport?  What is the earliest flight you could make?  

We will be on the QM2 to Canada/New England on September 8.  Will there be two themed balls?   Which ones?  How do I find out this information ... can't find it on Cunard's website.   Thanks!

My husband and I like the Pinnacle Grill best, followed by Sel de Mer and the Tamarind.   All charge extra but are worth it.  The Tamarind as of December is $25, not the $20 someone posted above.  Quite often prices go up in the new year but we will have to wait and see.   We haven't eaten in the regular dining room in the last five or six cruises.   We also plan to participate in Blend, where you blend your own Chateau St. Michelle wine and drink it at dinner.   Looking forward to this new ship!   She looks beautiful!

I don't think the Nieuw Amsterdam is getting the Dutch Cafe. It is in the Konningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. However, the Neptune Suites will be upgraded with new furniture, carpeting and a new bathroom. The other changes people mentioned are included as well.

Have never cruised with Celebrity but have sailed Koningsdam and look forward to your comparisons.

HAL ships are quieter and an older crowd (which is not a bad thing). Food in Celebrity is not quite as good as it once was (our trip to their Tuscan Grill was awful) and we (personally) hate Qzine (in fairness, some love it). Celebrity's french gourmet restaurant is the best .. now, however, it is only on the larger, newer ships. HAL's Pinnacle Grille is almost as good, and the Tamarind is very nice. The brand new Celebrity ships have loud music in the center of the ship and all the bars were so busy you could barely find a place to sit. Love the classical music venue on HAL. Moneywise, HAL saves you some. And their specialty restaurants are a lot cheaper. Like them both ... but we usually go on HAL.

I would bet that the culinary restaurant - not the venue with a stage for demonstrations and seating --- might be closing. Not many people were eating there. But, the Culinary Center was always busy with presentations. The Konninsdam has the Pinnacle, Sel de Mer, Tamarind and the Italian restaurant in the Lido (night only) for a charge, and, of course, the main dining room. To me .. extra charges are worth it.

Where can I find a list of balls scheduled for 2018? Is there always a black and white or a masquerade ball on a 7-night sail?

We ate at the Tuscan Grille on the Reflection and thought it was terrible. The steaks tasted like a very cheap cut of meat and my husband's side pasta was terrible. We tried it again and paid the surcharge for aged beef .. the steaks were a little better, but not great. Not worth the money. AND, this has replaced the Murano restaurant on all the smaller ships? And, we are not a fan at all of Qsine (our opinion, you may love it). No more crepe restaurant, either. Sad. So, if you want to eat in the Murano you have to book one of the newer, larger ships.

Totally miss the Normandie ... our favorite restaurant! Tried the Tuscan Grill on another ship and was not at all impressed. Hate Qzine, but that's just us. And we miss the crepe restaurant, too. We actually would eat in the Normandie almost every night ...what a wonderful restaurant with the best gourmet food at sea. Now that they have taken away the Normandie (or Murano) in all the Millenium class ships we will not be sailing on any of them.

Just checked dining options for our October cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam and SEL de Mer is listed in place of Le Cirque. Does anyone know what venue it will be in?

 

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In the Pinnacle Grill.