doublebzz

I was assigned VQ 11003 on October Nieuw Amsterdam transatlantic. The spa cabins are standard verandah rooms but the balcony is about half size. Some folks like the location close to the spa/gym and crow's nest. I found this area of the ship to be very private and quiet. My disappointment was the term "spa" cabin implies some interrelationship with the spa. In fact, the room attaches no special perks other than proximity to the spa.

My Guess is they made need to come down on their price a weee bit ;)

 

Do you think they would accept $1,500 cash?

As a 5* Mariner, I get two dinners in the Pinnacle, per cruise, with no charge.

While on a 1-week cruise last year I invited a friend to join me, expecting that I would use my included dinners for both of us. I was very surprised to find a charge for his dinner on my bill. This was the only time I have ever tried to use my benefit to apply to another person, so was not sure how it would work.

 

Since he is a 4* Mariner, the appropriate discount was applied, however.

 

This is a little bit of a different situation. I'm cruising Sunday and will ask point blank what the policy is and report back.

Half Moon Cay is sitting on the beach, taking a swim, water sports and a bar-b-q lunch. Its nice if you enjoy any of these activities otherwise she might want to stay aboard, particularly if the weather is not pleasant.

I also think smokers should have their own area away from everyone else but I don't think it needs to be ventilated. Most smokers think that secondhand smoke is not a problem so why pay for a ventilation system to get rid of it. If they had their own area they could recycle their smoke with each other and not effect the non addicted.

 

To quote Kazu above: "I'm totally shocked by this statement."

If they wanted to, they would have done it long ago, since recreational marijuana is legal in The Netherlands, their flag State.

 

Of all the recommendations by the anti-smoking crowd on this thread, this compromise seems the most reasonable. While not eliminating second hand smoke altogether, those inhaling the marijuana smoke on their verandas would probably find their anxieties eased substantially.

Oh yes, BUT IT IS STILL ON-GOING. There is BIG MONEY in it, or it would be curbed. But then ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is right up there too.

 

You CANNOT win a war if you don't do all out battle. They have managed in just a few decades to cut cigarette smokers from 80% of the population to 17%, surely if they wanted to end the drug war, they could.

 

Look at Colorado, since January 1st, the STATE has made over 21 million dollars in the sale of marijuana. ARE THEY GOING TO STOP IT ANYTIME SOON :confused: DON'T THINK SO.

 

Happy travels to all!

 

Agree. So when is HAL going to start selling marijuana; at least in international waters?

Five Star Mariners get two free Pinnacle dinners.

 

Any dinners over the two are discounted 50%.

 

 

What if you are treating two other guests who are not 4-start Mariners; do I get 50% off the entire bill or are the guests charged separately, or what?

[quote name='sail7seas'][B] Judging by the billions of dollars we have spent for decades, I think there is very much a war on drugs. Heroin, cocoaine, crack, marijuana in most states, ecstasy, and whatever else they pour into their mouths and veins are all illegal. There IS a WAR on Drugs.

Surely you've heard of some of this?


[/B][/QUOTE]

I think its a war we are very much losing. In San Francisco, just to cite one inane example, pharmacies are prohibited from selling tobacco products but every other store on Market Street is selling "medicinal marijuana.

[quote name='jtl513']This reminds me of the lawn watering restrictions we have in our town - twice a week only, odd numbered houses on different days from even numbered, before 9:00 am or after 4:00 pm. It isn't enforced, and is totally ignored by half the town. Your proposal would meet a similar fate.[/QUOTE]

Interesting. I thought it was only down here in Miami where the law was for the other person to obey.

I am replying so you can test responses.

I wish HAL would adopt the no smoking on the balconies/verandahs.[/quote

 

I wish for peace in the world.

Don't know. On my next cruise and I'LL bring some magnets and let you know.

My understanding is that HAL offers military discounts to service members on active duty. Other cruise lines also offer discounts to military retirees. In my over 200 days sailing with HAL, only once did I run into an active duty service member so this perk is really a farce.

For the moment, may I play an armchair director for Your Cuba Cruise. The cruise itself is turning out to be an international success by virtue of the critiques and comments. Why then has the ship not been filled to capacity? Even with the generous two for one offer there will be some vacancies on our cruise. One need but look at the difficulty of air travel to both embarkation points. Lower fares have vanished and those remaining are of a 10 or more hour duration involving third countries. Those Charter flights being offered encompass holiday vacations in Cuba prior to the cruise, which not everyone has the time, interest or authority to book. Should this cruise be repeated next winter and we know of no one who does not want that to occur, it should also be offered in some form of a package that includes air fare. We sincerely hope something like that can be accomplished.

 

I agree with on you on the high air fares. Even from Miami, during high season, fares to the Caribbean were astronomical and resulted in our cancelling a cruise we were looking forward to. At the same time, this cruise company will have difficulty filling cabins without access to the U.S. market.

I would definitely do it. A huge value. Separately it would be $29 for Pinnacle, 20 for Tamarid, and $10 for Canaletto. Saving $9 with package.

 

Enjoy your first HAL cruise. We loved our first in December and going back in a couple weeks. You will have a great time. Things are much more laid back and the service is really the best for the price in the cruise market.

 

If you purchase this package, do you know if also get the appropriate Mariner discount?

This is really subjective but I would purchase individually. Canaletto is no better than MDR. The real bargain is Tamarind and worth every penny of the surcharge. Their lunches are also great dim sum and are complimentary. If you like steaks, Pinnacle is far better than anything you would get in the MDR.

Yes. They should be thought of as chillers more than a fridge, but all cabins have one on the E-dam.

 

Every cabin on the Prinsendam, Vista ships, and Signature ships have a fridge in every cabin.

The balcony cabins have a fridge on the S- & R-class ships. Inside and outside cabins can rent one for $2.00 per day.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm searching for a mini-bar menu but have come up empty - I'm sure there is a link somewhere but can't find it.

I'd much rather be in the city. Quite frankly the cruise terminals are pretty close to town....really close actually.....and in between the terminals and the airport is, at least to my one trip through that area, mostly light industrial. Not much to be gained by not going into town.

 

As a part-time Barcelonian, you are correct. There are some suburbs between downtown and the airport but there is really no reason to stay there. Downtown offers the most convenient and inexpensive way to get to the airport either by the "aerobus" from Plaza Cataluna or Renfe train from Sants. Passieg de Gracia or Estacion Franca. If your need to be close to the airport is predicated on catching an early morning flight, then there some hotels within a 10 minute cab ride from the airport.

What cabin category are you in?

Not all cabins on the Volendam have mini refrigerators.

 

Does the Eurodam have fridges in all categories?

There are many hotels in the vicinity of Plaza Cataluna where the airport shuttle runs very frequently.

I'm an American citizen but would love to do this cruise. Are you sure it's kosher if I board/depart in Jamaica?

 

The following quoted from a recent article in the N.Y. Times:

 

"Embargo-Flouting

 

This is not a method that we recommend. Hundreds of Americans — maybe thousands — go to Cuba every year by flying through a third country, usually the Bahamas, Mexico or Canada. Cuban immigration officials, eager to welcome visitors and their dollars, rarely if ever stamp American passports, so it is possible to have an unrestricted visit. But it’s not a wise idea. While traveling to Cuba is not itself illegal, the moment you buy your first drink, you’ve broken the law. Paying for anything at all means that you’ve violated the embargo and risk fines of up to $250,000. And if you lie to United States customs officials to hide your trip to Cuba upon re-entry, you will be violating a whole different set of federal laws that have nothing to do with the embargo. Tourists are rarely penalized for violating the embargo — the Obama administration has focused its enforcement efforts on businesses — but those bold or dumb enough to try to smuggle home a few Cuban cigars shouldn’t expect to get away without a hassle and some serious legal bills."

Can't answer you question directly but nobody is going to stop you from having your parents join you for the embarkation lunch.

I love the animals and wish they would do more!

 

You need to buy yourself a furby.

How does the Pride ride in the seas? My wife is prone to seasickness and never been on a ship smaller than Sojourn.