sevenseasnomad

Spent the money for CO on NS during New Year's cruise.  We were on the ship the previous week for Christmas with fixed early dining in the MDR.  I was extremely disappointed in the service in CO.  The first night, we waited over 25 minutes for someone to take our order.  During the other nights, it didn't get any better.  Service was okay in the mornings at breakfast. 

The service in the MDR, on the other hand, was fabulous.  We had a table for two, and our waiter greeted us each night as we arrived and took our orders within a few minutes of our being seated.  He understood that we already knew what we wanted, and he acted accordingly.  In CO, we indicated to the maître d' that we didn't need a menu because we were ready to order.  Even after we said that, he'd hand us the menus, telling us that someone would be with us "in a moment."  That moment extended to 15-25 minutes every night.  Mentioning it after the first night brought no relief.  I was extremely disappointed in the service because we read about how efficient it was.

The breakfast, however, was hands down the best we've ever had on any ship.  We were totally spoiled by the delicious food, all of it prepared to order.  All of it, even the little potato cakes, were freshly cooked as we watched.  I wouldn't, however, pay for CO again.  Waiting to be served for that long a time when we were sometimes one of three couples in the room is simply not acceptable when we're paying extra for the privilege.  

OP, I can only say that you won't know if this option works well for you unless you try it yourself.  As others have said, though, you're on a ship which doesn't have a dedicated restaurant for CO, a big drawback, IMO.

They do a great job, and we've discovered that some of those stewards stay with HAL year-in year-out.  We've been pleasantly surprised to find that we sometimes have the same stewards from previous cruises.  Don't know if this is the luck of the draw or if they are assigned to the same cabins during their contracts because we tend to repeatedly book our "favorite" cabin on each ship.  This past Christmas, our steward introduced himself and then reminded us that he'd served us the previous Christmas.  What a nice surprise!  Returning to a HAL ship is coming home in more ways than one.

Only slightly wider.  Nothing like Deck 4 balconies on the Pinnacle Class which are probably 6 feet wider, at least that was our experience.  Of course, it also meant that once we stepped out from the overhang, passengers on the decks above us could view our balcony, so no real privacy in this extra space if that's important to you.

We used SPB and had a fabulous two-day tour in and around St. Petersburg.  A grueling pace, but so memorable and worthwhile.  Our guide was a history professor at a university who really knew how to keep us enthralled.  We bypassed all the lines, so we got in the various museums and palaces quickly, leaving us more time to see the sites. 

My husband and I had tickets to go to the Mariinsky Ballet the evening of our first day in St. Petersburg.  This stop was outside the tour, and we purchased the tickets online.  The van dropped us off at the theater and came back to pick us up at 10:30 when the performance ended to return us to the ship, all at no extra cost.  We tipped the driver like crazy, and we thought this was service above and beyond.  BTW, we arranged this extra service before we left home.  If you're thinking of doing something like this, I highly recommend it.  The ballet was awe-inspiring.  DH balked at the high price tag but was so glad we went as this company is one of the premier troupes in the world.  Yes, they sometimes tour in the United States, but seeing the dancers in their "home" was a real treat.

We also toured with SPB in Berlin and Stockholm and received the same wonderful service and never worried about their getting us back to the ship on time.  A company doesn't build a good reputation by failing to return passengers to a ship in a timely manner.  I would not hesitate to book with SPB again.  If I return to Europe, SPB would definitely be my first choice as a tour guide in the many ports they now service.  Hope this helps calm your fears.  Enjoy.

Yeah, tried looking at the map and these old eyes wouldn't focus that well.  Thanks for the information.

A friend and I want to arrive in Boston a few days prior to our New England/Canada cruise to take advantage of the Hop-on Hop-off trolley.  She has leg problems and can't walk longer than a half mile.  My question is: What hotels (prefer Marriott) are on or near trolley stops?  I contacted the trolley directly and asked this question several months ago; however, they failed to answer, except to send me weekly emails about their trolleys in other cities.  Not much help for the information I asked for.  Can someone here answer the question?  Thanks.

Sitting here at hotel, revving to embark NS tomorrow.  We've already met several other HAL passengers at the hotel.  Almost everyone staying here (Hyatt House) is on some cruise ship leaving tomorrow.  Weather is terrible: wind and rain.  More predicted for tomorrow.  Ugh.  First time we've had rain at embarkation.  I packed our rain gear,  LL Bean waterproof pants and jackets, so we won't get wet; however, I hope the weather miraculously improves.

We wont' be at sail-away as I understand we'll already be at dinner; however, we WILL have a wave on Dec. 29 sailing (if it isn't raining that day too) and we'll hold the yellow Happy New Year sign.  Anticipating a wonderful cruise.  See all of you on the flip side of 2019 as it slides into 2020.  

Great Christmas gift for all these passengers.  These last few days had to be nerve-racking.  So, to all who sail on Saturday, relax and have a wonderful, fabulous voyage.  😎

23 hours ago, Juju1126 said:

Very appreciative of the info you’ve shared. My daughter and I are coming aboard 12/22. Wondering about The Retreat? Worth the money? Plenty of other locations onboard to catch some sun (without the upcharge)? Thanks! 

You also get two stewards who wait on you hand and foot, even bringing all your meals to you from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  We only rent a cabana if we're in an inside/outside category cabin.  If we have a balcony, we don't bother.  Our last time renting, we got the family cabana on Oosterdam, a huge space, much larger than the family cabanas on NS.  However, the stewards are the real draw here.  Best service I've ever received.  If you're thinking of a cabana, buy before leaving home, as they sell out and all of them may already be taken.  

Have you checked out our Roll Call for the 12/22 sailing?  Please do so.  We're mulling over when and where to meet, but I don't think we've made it an official Meet and Greet, just something very informal.

4 minutes ago, Crew News said:

 

I will gather whatever info  I can.  It would interesting to know how much of their refund they had to surrender to accept the move to NS.

And if they were downgraded or upgraded in cabin category.  All around, it was a bad situation, but HAL did attempt to "do right" by the passengers, IMO.  Of course, nothing can make up for the vacation they anticipated for months and now missed, at least for the majority of them.  Very sad.

Crew, the toots were awesome this afternoon.  Did you hear them?  I largely give you credit, since you wrote a note to the captain, right?  Anticipating doing the same on our cruise.

Thank you for your great review and amazing pictures.  Since we're boarding next Sunday, I'll study your menus etc. this week and begin to savor the culinary delights awaiting us.

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

I’ve found the same on longer cruises too - especially if they are doing itineraries in Europe or exotic itineraries.  Only difference is I saw a few tuxedos versus quite a few. 😉 
 

But OP is doing Caribbean and while I don’t do cruises there often, my experience is that they are often more casual than what we experienced on the longer cruises 😉 

 

In any case HAL’s dress code makes it easy to adhere to Gala night.  No one is out of place as long as they are dressed to the minimum standard.

Well said, especially the last paragraph.  OP indicated cruising in November.  You should be fine with a blazer and nice slacks. 

If doing a Christmas/New Year's cruise, you see more tuxedos and dark suits.  My son loves wearing his tux.  Due to his job, he can only cruise during the holidays, so he makes it festive and wears his tux.  His choice.  We normally drive to Port Everglades, which means we can pack a little heavier.  Were we flying, no way would I take my formal gown, and I doubt that he'd take his tux with all its accoutrements.  He would bring his blazer and some nice dress slacks.

2 hours ago, Crew News said:

Our departure is delayed by one hour so that some of the Nieuw Amsterdam passengers can take our empty staterooms and salvage their vacations.

If nothing else, they'll have a "story" to tell when they return home.  I'm glad NS and K could accommodate some of them.  Crew, how did HAL determine which passengers would come aboard either ship or which would return home?  Is this information anyone in authority would be willing to share?  Really curious.  

12 hours ago, Crew News said:

 

That is how the Environmental Officer explained it to our tour.  They will buy in bulk and put into small reusable containers for passenger use. 

Well, okay, then.  This is acceptable.  I was envisioning all of us sharing a pot of jam or a bottle of syrup, which would have been less than sanitary IMO.

So glad you enjoyed your time aboard the O.  Thank you for your great review.  I enjoyed hearing about the comparisons between HAL and other lines with whom you've cruised.  

You sound like me, a perfectionist when it comes to the written word.  Since I teach English (Language Arts as they designate that subject now), I feel every noun, verb with its tenses, adverb, and adjective must be perfectly selected and, of course, punctuated correctly.  Most posters don't care; they want the information or the answer to their question with no criticism of improper English.  I suppose that's as it should be.  LOL.

We can thank a CC member onboard right now for all those toots.  He requested them in a note to the captain.  This new captain accommodated.  Excellent show.

Poor NA looks so lonely sitting there as she did last night at 2:00 a.m.

Now, it's NS's turn.  Go, Beauty, go.  Safe voyage to all.

Me too.  Nice.  Which dam ship is leaving first?

Oops, sorry.  Looks like the K sitting there.  We're on NS.  Still, I don't want the K to be damaged either.

Just now, St Pete Cruiser said:

Royal is leaving, guess she got tired of waiting for HAL to move.  that is a bit close.

Too close for comfort by our view, but I'll bet they have plenty of room from their view.  LOL.  They better not hit that dam ship because we board her next Sunday.

Thanks, rjbean4.  Glad that some passengers will get their cruise, but feel badly for those who return home with a "vacation that wasn't."  Life happens; ships can have problems.  Better to be safe than stranded out at sea for days.  Still, how very upsetting for many people today.  We all arrive at a cruise port with such high anticipation that has been building for months, in most cases, and to be let down in this manner has to be a huge disappointment.

I suppose I always assume the ship will sail.  Now, I know differently.  Don't know why I never considered this can happen to any ship, and cruise line.  Hope everyone who must travel home has a safe journey.

Why that late for NS and K?  Anyone know?

At least her captain is tooting.