goldsmip115

Jim, As always, I so enjoy you live from posts. I notice on this trip there are not as many reports from the suite and room service and Luminae dining. Maybe they are on your videos. I miss them. Just as Karen and I miss sailing with you. Trisg

Well, I’m at the cusp. My first cruise was the SS Norway in 1995. Now 36 cruises later….

I know that this suite has been reconfigured and has an updated layout and bathroom and all of that looks great. I notice that the verandah no longer has that wonderful inset with the sofa and table in front. That was wonderful for privacy. In addition, it looks like the hot tub on the verandah does not have as much of an inset as the prior pinnacle suite layout. When paying so much for this suite it would be nice to not have people waving from above. Does anyone have an actual picture facing the whirlpool tub on the verandah? The deck plan an pictures on the internet are not helpful. Thank you.

There is nothing like the PS on an M class ship IMHO. It spoils you for any other suite on the Celebrity line. I have not, yet, experienced the Iconic Suite but my 5 sailings in the PS on M class ships were all wonderful.

I’m dating myself, but the definition of a “private balcony” continues to get worse and worse as the ships evolve. Increasingly huge gaps at the top and bottom. Some of the ships have only frosted plexiglass. I remember many years ago sailing on the HAL Amsterdam in the PS. Total steel walls around the balcony. I’ve sailed many times in the M class PS and while the dividers are not great there is plenty of privacy to sit in your pj’s and sip morning coffee. I would love to see some premium or top suites that have a balcony that allows for more real separation/privacy from the adjacent suites. I’m not interested in hearing every word spoken by the next door passengers or listening to the passing of gas. Just saying….

Jim, Will you still have Anu as your wonderful butler?

Yes, that amazing chocolate sphere!

We were on the Constellation with him for 10 nights in November of 2021. We had the PS and George had the adjoining SS. He truly made the cruise very special!

Jim, A tip for you regarding Anu. He collects refrigerator magnets for his children so when he gets home he can share all of the places that he has been. Often he is not able to get off the ship. We bought magnets for him in port and gave them to him as a gift. He was so appreciative of that. Trish

Jim, Please tell Anu that we said hello from Trish and Karen. We sailed in the PS with him for 10 nights as I recall. He is a gem.

It makes me very sad to read from some future guests about the “resignation” that Butler service in a Sky Suite is gone. Many booked a SS with that expectation. I have been a very big fan of Celebrity and fortunate enough to only sail once in a RS and all other sailings in a PS. That said, with all of the cutbacks, even in Luminae, and the “supply chain issues” with the availability of sprits and wine I am reluctant to book another cruise with Celebrity. This year is the first time in many years that we do not have another Celebrity cruise booked.

Oh, lord…..I am truly old ! I remember every one of these things. My first 20 HAL photo albums each have a piece of the stationary and a postcard. When I was much younger I would cut out each and every item eaten at dinner and paste them into the photo album. Fine dining then, a mix of Olive Garden and Outback today…..at best.

It all depends upon what is important to you with respect to your cruise experience. It is just important that HAL cruisers understand the suite experience and what it does and does not provide.

Don’t expect anything like what you would experience on Celebrity with a trus dedicated dining room for suites only. The suite experience on HAL is very weak to say the least.

It would be helpful to see the letter that you sent to HAL and then their response. Can you share that with us?

It is so wonderful to see all of the concern and caring for Jim and lain! We had the great pleasure of meeting them on a recent Celebrity cruise. We shared a wonderful dinner with them in Luminae. What we wonderful evening!

Jim, You may be in the air now. I had the chicken dish that you ordered on a recent AA first class flight. The chicken breast was so dry, Gone are the days of even decent meals in first class. Safe travels.

Jim, if you have to overnight in Dallas, if you don’t want to be trapped at an airport hotel the ZaZa hotel is my go to place. I think you both would love it!

Jim, I’m so sorry. Not a great way to start a wonderful vacation. Can you go DFW to Miami? Trish

We just debarked the Nieuw Amsterdam earlier this month after 14 nights in the Pinnacle Suite. Never saw this sign anywhere in the pantry or either bathroom.

Currently on the Nieuw Amsterdam for 14 nights. Today is night 11. This is the worst wi-fi that I have ever experienced. Do not count on being able to do much of anything. Yes, I have the premium package.

You could not pay me to ever get on a free Carnival cruise.

How are the Azipods performing? Do you think this has impacted the stabilizers on the ship?

Thanks for that update. We have Tamarind booked for 6 nights, Pinnacle Grill booked for 4 nights and Canaletto for 4 nights. We may change it up depending upon how we find Pinnacle Grill. It used to be excellent. I remember the days of Sterling Beef. Loooong gone.

Bill and Mary Ann, I have followed your cruises and wonderful postings for many, many years. I so look forward to your daily postings when you are cruising. I am an avid cruiser but am not yet retired and cannot imagine a world cruise yet because of our four-legged kids. We have over 30 cruises under our belt, most on HAL. We started sailing on Celebrity and never looked back. Except we are sailing for two weeks starting on Sunday in the Pinnacle Suite on Nieuw Amsterdam. This is because of a charter sailing. My question is this. Each sailing that you take laments all of the changes and diminishment in service, amenities, food, etc. It seems that each cruise has more and more “disappointments.” While you always highlight the positive, what keeps you sailing on and loyal to HAL? I understand that you are top level cruisers and that entitles you to amenities but they too seem to be diminished. I’m curious about your loyalty and why given all of the cuts. Thanks.