REOVA

We actually did have people stare walking buy (probably curiosity not knowing the venue) but we just stared back while eating😆. Didn't feel any different than sitting in a Cafe in Europe and people walking buy (at least on RDam, KDam is more glass/open). And yes much better than dining in Pinnacle Class MDR.

Was each cruise in different parts of the World? Was curious if the differences were ship location, ship size or passenger count. I find the "premium" wifi means nothing if there are more passengers or in drop spots. 😒

Haven't sailed NS yet but we loved Rotterdam CO restaurant. Very quiet, intimate and easy. On KDam we didn't try it but it looked more industrial and not as comfortable than RDam.

CO breakfast in Pinnacle Grill is similar to Neptune Suites benefits which we've done. It's a nice breakfast but same options each morning (you could probably ask for something unique) but I prefer the variety of Lido as I eat a large breakfast so ordering in the restaurant makes me feel gluttonous🤪.

I thought I read that a recent (6 mos ago) cruise had to test passengers onboard to enter a port (Mexico, Aust?) I may have dreamed that however I remember pre covid, we had to line up and walk past an infra red camera to take everyone's temp before a port, so I would say, in these dynamic times, anything is probable. Otherwise testing for HAL was pre embarkment but other lines (including parent corp) had to test before entering next port. Another line used to do the "spit in tube" testing daily instead of nasal swab. Hopefully we don't regress (like I have here 🙄). However, if you feel sick (or another passenger calls medical on you), expect a call that they will be coming to test.

We continue to wear masks on ships, in stores, at restaurants. But when eating is an issue if crowded. I am also Novid 🤞🤞 but DW got it on ship in July, we both quarantined. Fortunately (?) Ship ran out of rooms set aside so we stayed in our booked cabin (we always book a balcony now). Masks work as medical staff know for years. Difference is yours are thrown away each use and hands sanitize. Many people don't realize how often they touch hand to face, eyes, nose, etc thinking the mask doesn't work. And if their hands are not cleaned...viola. DW said she wouldn't report to Medical after our experience. 😁 Don't you need Dr test result for insurance claim?

The benefits depends on what Mariner level you are, what cabin you currently book and number of days itinerary. You pay upfront for whatever the per diem at that time. So if it's $50 per day for a 10 day cruise, you pay $500. For me, it's not worth it unless on Pinnacle Class ship as I don't like the MDR on the big ships. On other ships you eat in MDR with 1 extra selection offered on the menu so not beneficial to me. IMHO There may be benefits for others but they don't entice me or the cabins I usually book.

HAL's network does restrict VPNs and some commercial websites but you should be able to use those commercial sites. HOWEVER, remember on HAL's network any purchases or personal information entered may not always be secured. You may be safer using your phone protocol on shore.

As someone posted above, depends on how staff is feeling each time but it is a posted HAL policy. They probably expect an honor policy and if scanner doesn't catch you then you are expected to walk over to desk and "check in" with the corkage person. If you don't they follow up on CC posts and send you an invoice. 🤣

LoL. My DW (and I) were quarantined for 6 days and she says she will never do room service again 🤣 I guess it's ingrained now. The lounge has downgraded (repeated or deleted items) post covid but it depends on who is working as well as the passengers as we have met some great friends sitting around. Still nice to pop in and see what is going on. Yes. We go back and forth depending the itinerary, number of days and of course cost. Used to do it more with daughter. But we don't need the space now but every now and then it's nice.

Usually near a door or elevator is busy and noisy but Neptune Suites are set back and usually the bathroom and closet area buffers the noise. But you also don't have as many people using the Lounge as the elevator/stairwell. Plus access to Lounge is from both Port and Starboard sides so not all Suite guests will use your side. Jumping across the hall to grab fruit, yogurt, juice, etc will be nice. Just remember what times the Lounge opens and closes.

Ha. In theory. We were first to Port last month and bags first on empty luggage rack outside terminal. Didn't get bag to room until ship was moving 4 hours later. That was a 1 off but it happens. So much for priority luggage tag. 🤣 There will be bumps when traveling so just need to sail on. Would be nice to have tags scannable and tracked like airlines do. 🤔

Not unless the itinerary ports/countries require it or if someone checks "yes" on health questionnaire if they have symptoms...but who does that? 🙄

The non alcohol wines still have some alcohol unless they can capture all of the alcohol molecules in reverse osmosis process. They have the yeast and more sugar and most will have carbonation although I saw an oaked Cab "non alcohol" which would be interesting to taste and see in glass. And you are correct, they probably don't think demand is there but I know many who don't drink and don't like bubbles so maybe they should test (like having tasting to bring to passenger's attention). It would be an additional profit center for HAL for those that don't drink alcohol.

Whether you bring 1 bottle or 12, you pay $20 per bottle. I used to bring a case on longer cruises since I have so much wine in storage (per DW) but decided to just experience what they have on ship instead.

See if your TA can help. If they know you are booking they might expedite the FCC. See my older post below: For those waiting on FCC, my DW and I were quarantined in July (she positive, me negative 3 times during 6 day quarantine). My brother and his DW also were on same ship, she tested positive, he negative and also both quarantined for 6 days. They booked a future cruise onboard and when they got home, called their TA who got the FCC into their mariner account and applied to the booking. We all got letters for FCC and dates, etc etc. My wife and I heard crickets until we got onboard in October and I stood at Guest Services to get someone on phone and miraculously FCC appeared in my Mariner account. Once you are off a ship, it's impossible to get HAL'S attention. It appears that having someone (TA, onboard staff, etc) in your corner is required. I was told to email HAL to follow up on another issue we were not credited for. Since we've been off the ship,, HAL has been silent for that. If you have a TA or currently on a ship, might be worth following up and pressing. The good thing is because our FCC came late, we have a longer time before they expire so we can wait for things to hopefully get better organized. 🤞

It's a minor thing but a personal preference. HALs older ships had a streamline portside and starboard. The Signature Class ships began widening at the bow and stern so midship cabins inset. The Pinnacle Class ships added a "bulge" in the middle so they have 2 lines of insets on each side of ship. These are all VA verandas on deck 8 so if looking bow or stern, you see V cabins at the corners of the "bulge". Look at the difference of VE cabins that are more forward/aft and are not inset so you can see down the side (be cautious that different categories within Veranda have different size balconies - maybe 1 foot diff if that matters - and either solid or glass railings). Like I said its not a big deal. You still get a view of the water and partial angles right and left. Most people look straight out anyway. I don't think VA balconies on Deck 8 are deep since on our last cruise we could look up from deck 7 and people were looking down over into our balcony (we had deeper balcony in Neptune). Also on your cruise you would be under Lido pool and and Lido market which is noisy at night and morning as chairs and tables are dragged around. So if you could choose a different VA on, say deck 6 or 7 it may be better but my guess is they have cabins open on 8 they want to fill. Attached are deck plans to compare when booking. hal-deck-plans-020522.pdf

It can be, especially disembarkment day but don't let that discourage you. No. Your key card will be gold so that is your tender ticket when you show it getting off. There is a specific line/entry for Neptune and Club Orange members (to right of hostess) so less waiting. Seats are reserved usually by the windows in the MDR. Never did High Tea in suite (or on ship) as we usually would sit in lounge and meet new people (when not active on ship or on balcony). There is high tea and snacks there but I've heard mixed reviews on high tea in general.

The app won't have "dressy" nights listed until you board. But you can expect at least 1 sea day to be dressy (HAL won't give up photo opportunities 😉). Possibly 2 dressy nights but on short cruise maybe not.

Day one go to Lounge and meet your 2 concierge members. They will work effortlessly to make your cruise wonderful, booking excursions, dinners, ordering any special items to room (need a power strip, ask for one). If you do need to go to excursion desk or guest services, there is a separate Club Orange line you can use. The lounge has beverages (teas, soda, juice, alcohol) breakfast, lunch and snack items (mostly fruit, finger foods, etc to tyed you over until meal time). Enjoy snacks and drinks with other passengers or keep to yourselves in your cabin, no problem. As a Neptune guest you get priority boarding, tender, breakfast in PInnacle grill, priority seating/dining, Espresso machine in cabin, bose blue tooth speaker in room (if you have music downloaded on phone, etc. extra Orange Club menu item in MDR, disembarkment is anytime within early and late times. You will be spoiled...but if you need something just ask concierge. Enjoy.

Did 10+1 days in Carribean this month. Never had a problem but I have a relatively new (S10 - 2+ years so maybe not in phone years) and didn't have a problem doing video calls. DW has an ancient IPhone 6s and had problems. We use T Mob service (which is spotty at home) for what it's worth. I think specific problems occur with older phones and larger number of passengers using bandwidth so I imagine if I tried using it during lunch or other prime times, it may have been different. Of you're not looking for gaming speeds or VPN, you should be fine.

The other question would be where the Neptune suite is located. It's nicer on 7 deck with the lounge but you may be on a different deck if that matters to you.

Need more info: Are you 4 star yet? If not free laundry in Neptune. What is the blank space next to 4168? The balcony is great size but is there noise factor? The signature suite is almost similar size as Neptune but you won't have the Neptune Lounge and Concierge which is nice (used to be better lounge food pre covid). If you haven't booked a Neptune suite, why not try it. We used to travel Neptune but found we didn't need the space and SS is just as well (without the lounge 🙁). I would say try Neptune if you don't think you will ever get a chance although be careful you'll get spoiled.

If you mean a cabin on deck 3 aft (lower Prominade) you will be under MDR (deck 4 Prominade) which may or may not be noisy as crew sets up tables (at least its carpeted). I would be concerned about ship vibration at the stern. We had breakfast a few times in MDR and 2 times (at 2 different tables which mirrored each other across room) our water glasses vibrated the whole time. We didn't notice any other tables doing it so it may be exact spots over engines or something. I know people that sailed on sister ships and like the ability to walk out of deck 3 door to lower prominade walking deck. If you are asking about stern around deck 3/lower Prominade here is a photo overlooking the ship wake.

Yes. DW ordered soup, an appetizer and side (no entree) and was ok. Not sure how many apps you can order in place of entree but seems like they'd give more than 2....but then maybe not.