KroozNut

Gosh, I've never had an issue finding solitude on a HAL ship when I wanted it. To each their own I suppose..

Then they'll be waiting a VERY long time, because 'this thing' will NEVER be 'over completely'.

Wondering why you didn't get a larger table, say 6-8 top, so you could meet some new people?

I would need more information. Sounds like a statement that needs to provide a source, otherwise should be dismissed as hearsay or unsubstantiated rumor.

Page 1 of the booking confirmation for our upcoming cruise. Confirmed dining arrangements noted at the end: Below are the details for your 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise. We look forward to welcoming you on board soon! CRUISE CONFIRMATION Booking #: XXXXXX Statement Date: Sep 30, 2022 Booking Status: Active PAYMENT SCHEDULE Currency: U.S. Dollars Deposit Due: Paid Final Payment Due Date: CRUISE DETAILS Embark Date: Ship: Nieuw Statendam Voyage: From Port: Fort Lauderdale To Port: Fort Lauderdale Duration: 7 Category: L Stateroom: Bed Requested: Queen Bed Dining: Confirmed Early, Request Table for 6

You did what?! 🤣

Kinda like the guy who orders a Big Mac with extra cheese, super-sized fries, and a diet soda..

Agree... well said.👍

Hmmmmm, just looked at the MDR dinner menu in my Navigator app, and did not see hide nor hair of any 'Rustic home-made lasagne'.. I hope it shows when we sail in March because I'd like to try it. Sounds delicious!

Don't worry about the food. Depending on who is talking, it's either sub-par or it's the best afloat today. Our personal opinion is that it's top notch. We haven't personally sailed X, so, can't really compare. But a good friend of ours who has sailed X and HAL told us he thinks they're about equal; with HAL better at some things, and X at others. Bottom line is that you shouldn't be disappointed with HAL's food..

Did they say what?

Sorry.... it's true! 😒

It's all in how one chooses to look at a particular situation. I'm sure everyone's heard of the 'self-fulfilling prophecy', whereby if one convinces themself that something is going to be bad, or annoy them, there is a 100% chance that it will. Either the glass is half full , or it's half empty..

'There are failures' is a very broad-brushed statement, and 100% subjective. Of course your opinion of a failure is likely another's opinion of a good experience.

Does anyone care? Really..

Don't do it!

NO!! It was a crappy option then, and still is!

TBH, I would not be envying that! 😉

I think you've already set yourselves up for disappointment on your upcoming Westy cruise, based on your very detailed (and I would agree accurate) account of how the HAL experience has declined over the past few years. If you're expecting to "be wowed" by your experience, based on "the HAL you used to know and love", you will quickly see that sadly, HAL no longer delivers that experience.

We're also a fan of the Sauv Blanc, and being white wine lovers, we also enjoy their Pinot Grigio. 🙂

Hey, nothing wrong with two buck chuck! <hiccup> 🥴😜

I was puzzled by that reference as well, but deduced it to be a reference to "Dr. Thunder". Never heard of it though.. 🤷‍♂️

A cruise friend of mine sent me this email she received from CCL, where she is Diamond level in their loyalty program (not that it matters in this context). But I thought it fit into our discussion here... sound familiar? November 2, 2022 Dear Carnival Guests, We have all experienced the impact of inflation, higher fuel prices and supply chain challenges. The food supply chain challenges have been further complicated by global politics and a myriad of laws regarding how we source products and how crops and animals are farmed and handled. At Carnival, we have worked very hard to minimize the impact on our guests, committed to our promise to make Carnival the most memorable, fun, and best value vacation option on land or at sea. We have reached a point with our food costs, however, where we must take some modest but specific actions, which we know most of you have done yourselves, whether with your dining out patterns or shopping to stock the refrigerator or pantry. Food is part of the fun on a Carnival cruise, and we have no intention of changing that. We have amazing complimentary dining options across the fleet. Many of our guests never spend anything on food once they get on board, and yet they never have to eat the same thing twice if they choose not to. Our specialty dining restaurants expand that variety and allow our guests to treat themselves to fine dining options at less than what they would pay for a comparable shoreside experience. All that will continue. But we ask for your understanding as we implement the following changes which will take effect immediately on sailings departing as of November 7, 2022. DINING Steakhouse prices across the fleet will increase to US$48, per person (from current US$42, per person). In addition, per person prices at specialty dining restaurants on specific ships, i.e., Rudi’s Seagrill and Bonsai Teppanyaki, will also increase. These changes reflect the higher costs we must pay for these fine menu items. For sailings departing through December 31, 2022 – Specialty dining reservations paid in advance of the sailing will be charged the current price. Reservations made on board will be subject to the new prices. For sailings January 1, 2023 and onward – Specialty dining reservations already paid as of today’s date will be honored at the current rate. You can reserve and pre-pay for your specialty dining on the “ManageMyBooking” tab on Carnival.com or the Carnival HUB App. (Please note that Steakhouse price adjustments are not applicable to Australian sailings.) In the main dining room, we will continue to offer lobster on itineraries of six days or more, but it will be moving to the second elegant evening (instead of the current offering on the first elegant night). The lobster isn’t going to swim away, we just ask that you wait for it further into your voyage. FOOD WASTE INITIATIVES Across our fleet, including sailings from Australia, we will be implementing initiatives to help minimize food waste, which include the following: Complimentary self-serve ice cream and frozen yogurt will be available from 11 am to 12 midnight (instead of 24/7). So, you can still have ice cream every day, multiple times a day, and as much as you want, but from lunch until a midnight snack. While ice cream for breakfast or at 2:00 am sounds like a great idea when you’re on vacation, the truth is that we are seeing lots of waste, and this is one of those times when we ask guests to join us in our efforts to reduce food waste in a way that will have a negligible impact on the overall vacation experience. In addition, we want you to enjoy your favorites and sample offerings you haven’t tried before while dining with us in the main dining room, but we encourage you to follow the golden rule of dining: take what you want but eat what you take. And remember, you can always ask for a half-portion if something looks too enticing to pass up. Guests may continue to order a second complimentary entrée if they choose; however, effective immediately, a third entrée will incur a US$5 charge (AU$7). Along these lines, we will continue to look closely at consumption habits and guest preferences so that we can meet our food waste reduction goals, while still offering you an abundance of delicious, high-quality casual and fine dining options. We want to make sure you are well fed and entertained as a guest on our ships, just as if you were a guest in our home. But we really hate to see food go to waste. If we see a menu item that is not popular or think of a better way to serve a food item that can reduce waste, we owe it to our planet to make the right change, while still assuring you plenty of food and tasty treats. We will continue to do our very best to make sure the Carnival dining experience is a key part of your memorable vacation, but we wanted to provide this update, so you understood how we are managing the many challenges we are facing and to thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to welcoming you aboard and meeting your every culinary whim and dining favorite! Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Christine Duffy President, Carnival Cruise Line

What is the difference between that and a Bloody Mary? Looks delicious by the way!

Really? Wow that sounds weird. We have never received an offer like that, and we sail fairly often, and have recently. Bring those offers on!