oldbluff

38 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

Thanks for your experience! I was going to ping you bc I thought I remembered you having recent info on this. 

 

I am *counting* on 3x sailing days on upcoming B2B. Otherwise (OH NO) I'll have to find another cruise to make up the 12 or so points that we'll be short for 4*.

We're with ya! These B2B's are pushing us (finally) to 4*.

Just now, oaktreerb said:

Your mariner points in the past have included a suite bonus and a spending bonus.  I don’t think it has changed.  The limit would be on the spending bonus.

Correct. We still get the base number of nights sailed, doubled for a suite. The question is the spending bonus points now that many of us get the Have It All, which increases our cruise fare, vs. getting the beverage package, internet, etc as onboard purchases which feed into the spending bonus Mariner points. 
 

We are onboard Konsingdam now for a delightful B2B2B between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I asked about this at Guest Services and was told HIA does not contribute to spending bonus points. However our week ending 12/3 had 7 bonus Mariner points even though our onboard spend was roughly $950. The HIA had to contribute or we would have only gotten 3-4 extra days, depending on a round up.

Long term, with HIA being part of cruise fare, I do expect it to be excluded. There could be a transition period where it currently adds significantly to the spending bonus. For someone looking to maximize Mariner points, HIA still looks good for now. If the policy changes, it may make sense to go back to purchasing the pieces separately so they all count. 

8 hours ago, smiledr said:

How many dressy nights were there? and on what nights?  Did people dress in "formal wear" or more of a step up from smart casual?

Two dressy nights on the 7 night sailings. First and next to last sea days.

We were on the same cruise and saw a fair number of tuxes/suits/sport coats with ties/dress shirts with ties. Not the majority but enough to mark the occasion. 

6 minutes ago, Tongiejayhawk said:

We leave this week for a 7 night cruise. This is our first time cruising with the ship decorated for Christmas. Do they allow door decorations on the entire door - meaning we wanted to have the door covered in wrapping paper to look like a present? Also, do they have carolers roaming the common areas singing? Do they have special Christmas musical performances? Any other differences for the weeks preceding Christmas?

We are on Koningsdam now and have seen entire cabin doors decorated for Christmas.

There are some decorations around the ship, especially in the Atrium on decks 1-3. The only singers I have heard outside of the Music Walk performers are the bartenders and patrons at the Ocean Bar, spontaneously breaking into song and Hip Hip Hooray cheers. 😎

On 12/7/2022 at 8:29 PM, LMaxwell said:

Was this published or a special promo?  

 

Thanks for the tips everyone, I'll look at boarding day for a sign up 

There was a sign advertising the 2-for-1 beers for the sail away event at the Seaview pool. No sign at the bars. Just happy passengers when they were given two instead of the one that was ordered. Have not seen a promotion.

Yes, thank you Naismith, for anecdotes from your return to cruising.

2 hours ago, Trapper44 said:

I will give you credit if you ate the whole thing! I have tried twice but never could finish that last bit. Maybe if I only had the burger and only half the fries. Enjoyed both!! Best burger I have ever had.

I usually eat half of it. Then remove the top bun and eat the rest with fork and knife. It is a big sandwich.

4 hours ago, bdd123 said:

Well...  it is my wife's 60th birthday and she has had a pretty horrible disease for five years.

Live everyday as it were your last and live in the now.  Now is not the time for her to be in a small room as we will have rollator and wheelchair.

I have NO PROBLEM spending the money and all other luxury accommodations really did not have all the services of a ship.  So... ship and suite it was! 

This is our third trip on HAL (all we have cruised on).  We did an aft suite with Neptune Lounge 20 years ago and bought my parents the inside cabin across the hall.  HAL ended up giving them neptune suite access, doubt that happens much anymore, but it did not surprise me one bit.  My dad was a real character.

73 days to go!

Good for both of you! I hope your cruise is an extraordinary experience. 

My DW and I attended a Mixology event this week on Konsingdam at the Ocean Bar. The $15 fee gets you four cocktails to make and drink plus a whole lot of fun. All 8 bar seats plus four people standing. Much audience participation. It occurs twice per week on KDam. Highly recommended.

For me, this falls into the low cost/high value options which include Pinnacle Grill lunch on sea days and unlimited laundry. 
 

Also, we have had 2 for 1 beers anytime at multiple bars this week and last on Konsingdam.

Yes, Pinnacle Grill is open for lunch 12-1pm on sea days only.

Reservations are made onboard in person, i.e. not using the Navigator app.

1 hour ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

I'm pretty sure that's spelled "Bouquet", first name Hyacinth, the lady of the house! I happen to have a pic of her 

 

 

 

Love "Keeping Up Appearances". Poor Onslow.

Good to hear you enjoyed yourself. We board tomorrow and anticipate good times and lots of new acquaintances.

We received our check-in times for our 26-Nov. and 03-Dec Konsingdam sailings very late Saturday night two weeks before the Saturdays we board.

If you are looking for check-in times for a Saturday 10-Dec sailing, I expect you will get them close to midnight tomorrow night.

On 11/19/2022 at 7:19 PM, oaktreerb said:

I’m pretty sure they do.  They have a limited menu.  Some items will be from the HAL kitchens, like the raisin buns which are also available in other breakfast venues.

The raisin buns are a big favorite off ours. Great way to begin the day with coffee.

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

@lstrongI know you'll be happy to hear this news.  It came right from the captain (i got it second hand from reliable sources) we will be docking in puerto vallarta :).

Yea!

54 minutes ago, lstrong said:

Thank you so much Ruth!  

Gotta love Ruth. She provides such good info. Definitely a sweetheart.

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I hope someone will let you know.  It's a big deal to me as well.  I haven't been able to use my shorex credit.  I had the same shorex booked in mazatlan both weeks.  Both have been canceled as far as I can see.  Trying to get information on some things is like pulling teeth.  I've been given incorrect info more than once. The water

On  the entire ship was off part of last night.  No advance notice or no explanation.  Some crew couldn't even have a shower first thing today.  I tried to find out info on taking another shorex and the guy couldn't have cared less. I'd be surprised if you are able to get info on the tender.  I'm still waiting for info on reporting to authorities tomorrow.  Called said I would get it.  When?

What Mazatlan shore excursion was cancelled, if you don’t mind me asking. We have several booked there beginning with the 26-Nov sailing. Thanks!

7 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Actually I forgot I went to the pinnacle for lunch yesterday. That one went into the books with the discount properly 

We love lunch at the Pinnacle. Best bargain after unlimited laundry.

3 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

To dock, or to anchor and tender, that's the question 😉

 

You might wonder what or who decides where a cruise ship goes in any particular port around the globe. This depends on a number of factors. First of all the cruise company makes a booking, normally two years in advance. The earlier you are, the better chance you have to get in. Then it comes to docking or anchoring (when both options are available)

 

If a ship uses the port as a turn over/turnaround port (i.e. disembarking and embarking guests) that ship will dock at the passenger terminal. For a normal day call, so not a/an disembarkation/embarkation day, she could be assigned to another dock besides the one with the cruise terminal. If the ship is on a normal day call, then the assigned location depends on the following factors:
 

1. Length of available dock
2. Number of guests on board
3. Arrival and departure time
4. Frequency of calling. (a 7-day ship takes precedence over a 10-day ship here)
5. Draft of the ship and the ships length.
6. Harbor fees (some ports go on tonnage, some on ships length, some on number of guests on board)
7. What does not fit in, will have to anchor and tender.

 

Based on the above criteria the harbor master, especially in a busy port, will decide 24 hours before the arrival where the ship will go. If there is only one cruise ship calling during the day, then she will get the prime/numero uno spot in the harbor. If there are multiple ships, see above

 

Now in addition, it's not unheard of for a ship that is initially tendering, to move into the harbor and dock, after a berth becomes available, i.e. after a ship previously at that berth, takes off for open sea

As usual, excellent information. Thanks.

2 hours ago, Wakepatrol said:

$89.50

Is that before or after the 18% service charge? 😎

1 hour ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

I checked several of the cruise schedule sites and only was able to find the K-dam, Bliss and Panorama in PV today. Having said that, FloridaGal50 received info that there was a fourth, smaller, all-white cruise ship that departed PV earlier in the day. That one just doesn't show up in the scheduled so perhaps it was the "Flying Dutchman" 

 

I like it. Perhaps that is Johnny Depp at the mast.

3 hours ago, Wayfairers said:

 

We are good either way…..we are good at creating our own party if they don’t have an official one.  

I concur. That way you are never lacking for a good time.

8 minutes ago, dwc13 said:

 

Isn't $2B allegedly missing from FTX?

 

Oops, too soon? 😜

Never too soon. House of cards. Along with NFT’s.

2 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Kinda wondering who the 3rd ship is..........Map only shows Norwegian Bliss (1,094 feet in length) at Muelle No. 1, and Carnival Panorama (1,059 feet in length) at Muelle No. 3 in port today. Could be that K-dam, at 983 feet, is too long for Muelle No. 2 with those two biggies on either side. No space for maneuvering/parking unless she has one of those "self-parking" thingies on her bridge............    

I may have misspoke as I did not check for today. I was looking at the 30-Nov visit and the couple of following weeks, as I will be there then. Those three weeks have four ships in port. It looks like 23-Nov, the next time Koningsdam is at PV, there are three ships.

On 11/9/2022 at 6:50 PM, crystalspin said:

I have never had SBP and NOT rec'd the additional points up to the number of days of the cruise. Since the beverage package in the HIA is the SBP, I was hoping that would also prove the same. Several people including @VMax1700have said it seems to be true. 

 

When it was just the SBP I calculated that they were giving credit not just for the drinks we had at full price, but for the limit of 15 @$11! I can't swear to this but it is HARD to spend $300/day even with two people in relaxed vacation mode!

 

So if this continues to be the practice, you will surely reach your star! I'm counting on getting the triple points for days/spending/suite on our B2B!

I hope the HIA fee does count toward Mariner points, as the SBP did. We are doing several B2B’s in a Vista Suite the next couple of months to finally get to 4*. And to hang with the fine folk on those sailings, of course. Always a good time to make new friends. 🤓