Tom-n-Cheryl

I'm in my "early discovery" process of HAL. I'm a big chocolate chip cookie fan - assuming that it's something special. Are the cookies there (aside from the size) something not to miss (different than in the buffet)? Do they charge for them? Also - do they make milkshakes there (and are those included with a beverage package)? 🙂 THANKS

We've always booked direct with the cruise line (100+ cruises). Having said that, given the challenges I was having with the MSC website and their phone support (plus what I've read on the MSC boards), our three MSC sailings (one being a group cruise for my office) are through a TA. Tom

At the kiosks (having never used one on Carnival) do you just manually enter the gift card number and PIN, or do you swipe the card? My cards are all virtual, as I assume most are. Tom

Thanks. Yep, we were pretty much aware of that before we booked (sort of like, what does a suite on Carnival get you?) Which was one reasons we haven't booked Holland America over the last several years. But, just looking to expand our horizons at this point! They have some nice itineraries Tom

When should I expect to see specialty dining reservations open up? I just checked and, for our November sailing, it indicates: These items are unavailable for booking at this time. Please check back later. I can't tell you the last time we had dinner in the MDR - we tend to go the specialty route. Watching/reading some reviews, and looking forward to trying new places/dishes ! We really enjoyed Rudi's on the Mardi Gras (dining there perhaps 10 times over 3 sailings), so that's definitely on our list! Tom

Sadly, pretty much sounds like human modus operandi. 😔

We've experienced this prior to our sailings on NCL, Celebrity, and Royal - when in a certain level suite or higher. We booked a Neptune suite on the Rotterdam for later this year and I was wondering if they reach out to you prior to sailing to inquire about your preferences (desired drinks in the mini-bar, pillow preferences, dining reservations, etc). THANKS

I dug up a thread from last year where people said you could upgrade for $5/pp/pd, others who said it was $10, and still others who said the option was discontinued last spring. The $5/pp/pd makes the most sense, as that's the difference in the cost of the respective packages. Tom

I have not, but it's my understanding that you can do that (from what other CC'ers have posted regarding gift cards in past threads). Tom

We booked the Rotterdam 11-12-23 12-nt sailing. We picked up a deck 4 aft corner where the balcony looks rather similar (if not larger!) than deck 4 Spirit class (4228/4237). Thanksgiving in Key West (last day of cruise). Hard Rock, and Mattheessen's here we come. 🙂 Hop onboard !! Tom

I booked a 12 night sailing and selected the Have It All package. When I was searching dates I clicked on SEE DETAILS under the Have It All section, it returned the following info on the drink package: Premium Beverage PackageChoose from a large selection of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails, plus non-alcoholic options like sodas, specialty coffees and more – with service charges included. Available for 1st/2nd guest in stateroom. Then, when I the arrived at the section where I could select that extra cost option (about $700pp) it states the following: BEVERAGE PACKAGE Signature: wine, beer, cocktails, specialty coffee and soda. Plus, service charges are on us. All drinks up to $11. -------------------------------- So --- tell me... is there a difference between PREMIUM and SIGNATURE? What if a drink I'd like is over $11 Is there going to be an option somewhere (before sailing or after embarkation) where I can upgrade the package? And, regarding the internet - is there an option to upgrade to their highest tier? (the "Surf" does not sound like it would be very robust) One last thing (for this post, at least 😄 ), any place to get a milkshake onboard? Not that I'd have more than 1/cruise anyway! THANKS

There are some who like smaller ships, others who like larger ships, and then there's some who just like ships! In general, I enjoy larger ships w/more to do. I love the Oasis class and am looking forward to seeing what the Icon is all about. Granted, they're big time over charging for suites. Here's a shot a travel agent friend of mine took a couple of weeks ago as he was coming into Nassau on the (MSC) Meraviglia (and we were on the Mardi Gras). I thought the Mardi Gras was pretty large - until it was side by side with the Wonder. I would love to sail on both of those ships next to her (Wonder and Beyond). Tom

While there's plenty of dining options on the ship (Celebration), I'm just wondering what options we'd have on the island (not a dive, nor a Michelin star place - lol). Tom

Thanks 🙂 I'm guessing it's too much to hope for that they would have an offer anywhere onboard similar to that on Carnival (Steakhouse and Rudi's) where on the first night and first cruise elegant night you receive 50% off bottles of wine? On Carnival at this point a bottle of Dom is $240 - so getting that for $120 is quite the deal... Caymus Special @ $180 (for $90), etc... Tom

Currently there are aft corner suites available on decks 4 and 8. Can anyone compare/contrast these two (balcony size, room layout, location, etc..)? Last HAL cruise was the Statendam in 1966, so to say I know little about the Pinnacle class ships would be an understatement ! THANKS, Tom

I'll do that! Tom

Thanks for that info ! Interesting that they don't have a bottle of champagne (or similar!) in the cabin for embarkation. A "glass" often earns one an even lower quality champagne - same that they'd use with a Mimosa I'd guess. On our last Celebrity sailing one week (B2B) it was Veuve Clicquot and the next it was Perrier-Jouët. I was pleased with that. I think on Carnival a couple of weeks ago, we brought home the sparkling wine that was in our cabin. It will be gifted to someone eventually. 🙂 Tom

Why didn't they contact me about that !!! lol Time to search for info (the last time I did that was probably 3-5 years ago). Tom

And it's been over a decade since they were floating ideas for a pier in Belize. If it's a tender port, it's most likely a sea day for me 🙂 Tom

There's truth there - there's a new Carnival cruiser born every minute. Tom

Economically speaking - with current considerations - it's the best (only) path. It will put them at a disadvantage over the next few years, lacking that next flagship or new class of ship excitement/anticipation. It is what it is. Tom

Thanks 🙂

I'm considering a sailing on the Rotterdam - it's a nice 12 night, hitting a couple places we've not visited (including going through the canal locks and Cartagena). We're looking at a Neptune suite. We enjoy larger ships with more options (dining, activities, etc), and the Rotterdam comes in at just 99,xxx gross tons. From what I can tell, there's a suite lounge, but it's small and doesn't offer much (obviously, no dedicated suite restaurant). I expect, and accept, that with Carnival - but with other lines we sail with, they usually have more to offer. Is there anyone here who can comment on the Pinnacle class of ships with HAL from your firsthand experiences? I've sailed with HAL once, but was not quite 4 years old at the time and can't recall much at all, lol Tom

I see a series of new builds for some other lines, but Carnival is really in a status quo shuffle game (as they should be with their debt). Royal and NCL are just churning them out. Of course, several years ago I recall NCL took an option and cancelled 1 (or more?) ships due to economic pressures. Who knows if history could repeat itself or not... Royal Caribbean: ----------------------------------- NCL: Tom

I've used Hotspot Shield successfully on several ships. On both the Liberty and Celebrity Reflection, using a VPN actually increased the speeds I was getting (by up to 10x, over multiple days/test/conditions) - presumably by bypassing the ability of the ship system to throttle the bandwidth. I've documented that in a few posts. Having said that - such was not the case on the Mardi Gras a couple of weeks ago. I could use my VPN, but it was just a tad slower than without it. Tom