oakridger

The MDR "should" be open on embarkation day from noon to 1pm. Short hours. ~Nancy

For some reason the Surf Internet Plan isn't listed under my planner but maybe because I got the Premium included with the Early Booking Have It All plan.

Water packages are found in the "Manage My Cruise" under Beverages. I never buy water. $$$$ Tap is fine for me!

If you have already booked, the internet prices will be under the "Manage My Cruise" section on the website. You can book excursions, specialty dining and other purchases of wine/spirits, gifts etc there. The water package for the cabin is there as well as internet and beverage packages.

That rash decision was reversed pretty quickly after many people let HAL know it was a terrible policy to exclude the Neptune Honor Bar from the beverage packages. OP stated that the packages both can now be used at the Neptune honor bar.....as it should be!!! ~Nancy

Under "See Details" it lists the inclusions.....(yet a different version than I've seen before, but that's not the OPs question.)

I just picked a random cruise to check. It's there. Under the Best Value Cruise-Have it All choice. Are you not seeing it this way on your computer @DaveOKC?

On those occasions I have ordered a double (strawberry margarita!!) they just counted it as two drinks from my beverage package. 🙂 @firsttimer1971 makes a good point to keep an eye on your shipboard charges because several people on here have gotten incorrect charges and had to get them removed. It hasn't happened to me but it's a good idea to check your account. ~Nancy

Yes, the same picture with the bears which changes to other pictures slowly. I tried to do a screen shot but it didn't work.

Yes. Beer and water cans also. Just ask them to not open it. If using the beverage package they usually will only give two drinks at a time. ~Nancy

My last ones were like this:

Hi and welcome to Cruise Critic @Clummus! HAL was giving out a large bag to each cabin, as of last November anyway. It's a good size to bring stuff to the pool/spa or even off ship to the beach. Can anyone on board now let us know if the bags are still being given out to everyone? Thanks, ~Nancy

Of course! It becomes the Labour Day Sale in Canada and the Labor Day Sale in the USA!! 😉

I've had a lot of success getting meat in the Lido from the "Carvery" hot section area such as roast turkey, pork roast, chicken or prime rib and making a sandwich from that on some good rolls. Zaandam has that section doesn't it? Do they have the Panini Press like the other ships? ~Nancy

Food should be served the proper temperature though. Canaletto galley is right next to the restaurant on the ships I have been on. Is it also on Zaandam? @Blackduck59 states that the food was not as hot as it should have been. Food temperature in the Lido on Rotterdam last November was a big minus for me. The food actually tasted good, but so many of the hot dishes were barely over room temperature. I said something to the pasta station server about it, but he just looked at me and didn't seem to understand. I did mention it on my survey and also on the App in "Tell Us" but saw no improvement. It's a shame to serve good food at the wrong temperature. ~Nancy

@minidonuts85 I have had Hinano and liked it but not Tabu beer. Did you prefer one over the other? Thank you very much for posting your real time experience in Moorea! ~Nancy

This YouTube video shows at 3:46 minutes two usb and two US plugs on both sides of the bed in a Star Ocean View cabin on the Star Breeze. The older model cabins don't have them. You need to book the new Star Ocean View or Star Balcony to get the plugs by the bed. ~Nancy

@Denise T I agree with your comments about Nieuw Amsterdam but had to laugh about your comment about her being a "smaller ship"!!! I love NA but I would not call her smaller! 😉 (Yes, NA is smaller than the Pinnacle ships and of course all the really huge 5000 passenger ships out there) ~Nancy

I feel the same about Pre-tipping. Maybe it works that way on other lines but in all my HAL cruises I honestly think that I get excellent service from all the crew (other than a few very rare duds) and I have never tipped at the beginning of the cruise! They remember my drink and my name and are always friendly. Yes, I do give extra gratuities at the end to those who are even more special! (plus notes to management on the APP in real time about the super stars) To me tipping cash per drink is not necessary in addition to the already charged 18% and feels like a lesser onboard experience. I have never experienced poor service for not pre-tipping. Everyone does what feels right to them. This feels right to me, and my service has been really great!! ~Nancy

Oh yes, you do "look that much alike" !! Is your sister on this cruise too? ~Nancy

Our CC blogger Pete @The-Inside-Cabin said this just on Monday regarding room service waiters: "I have asked 3 officers on recent cruises, including the Hotel GM, and they all assured me that room service people are included in the tip pool. "I do not believe they get any additional "tip pool" for this but volunteer in the hopes of additional tips" This is also correct. People volunteer because they know many people will give extra tips." Room service waiters are in the tip pool, but you are welcome to tip them extra. People on ships, like me when I worked, do so for money and to do a good job. ~Nancy ~Nancy

I was wondering when you would pop up again and today's the lucky day! Have a blast! ~Nancy

I stayed there last November pre MIA flight the next day after Port Everglades debarkation. I too just wanted to get there and chill and go to bed early. It was clean and easy. Shuttle to the airport in the morning. No restaurant recommendations because I just had McDonald's from across the street! ~Nancy

I'm going to Haarlam the last week in May 2024. Do any of you fellow CCers have any suggestions for there? ~Nancy

Yep, that's what happened to me!!! ~Nancy