Skysurfr

Just returned from GC on a cruise.

We had our own gear and did Eden rock. It was GREAT.

We experienced a strong current, so pay attention and go into the current first and drift back as you tire out.

Exit the tenders and turn right... follow the road 300 yards to the dive shop. Access is free via their swimming pool style ladder. Watch out, there sea urchins in the rocks at the foot of the ladder.

Again...not a place for total beginner or weak swimmers.

You can easily snorkel and then stroll the town for a bit and no taxi needed.

The shop rents lockers or you can just leave stuff on the picnic benches. AYOR

I'd be very happy to come back here.

If you are EXPERIENCED and have your own gear, you can walk to the far end of the beach and find some nice water along the rock shore. Enter at the last area of sand you come to without doing any climbing. Swim along the rocky shore.

This is the opposite end of the beach from where the tenders drop off. Facing the water.... go to the right and just keep walking. It's also very peaceful at the far end. 15 minutes walk. Bring water etc. There are no facilities.

This is for EXPERIENCED snorkelers who are comfortable on their own and can be responsible for themselves.

We had a dive flag and got pretty close to the end of the point. We were chased back by the Lifeguard Patrol boat, in a friendly way.

We had flat water and vis was unlimited. Pay attention to current and tide.

Again...AT YOUR OWN RISK.

I'd go again if I returned.

I saw lots of folks with mobility issues.

The tenders are Island based, not lifeboats. You'll walk on and off more easily.

If you're on wheels then you'll be on the paths. I think they also have puffy tire chairs for rolling on the sand.

Hi,

I was on the same cruise and will agree with the entire review.

I will add:

They did have Le Cirque and it was fantastic. We were told that it was the "last Le Cirque", but not sure if that means last for me or for that ship on that cruise. If you search my posts, I posted the new Sel de Mer menus which will soon replace Le Cirque.

I did a comparison of the Lido Buffet and the MDR Menu. It seems everything on the MDR menu was also available at the buffet. Then there were more options at the Lido that were not on the MDR menus. Also, at the Lido...if you see it ...eat it! Some items are only once per week. This was especially true at the Asian food counter. Don't miss a chance to try some authentic Indonesian or Curries.

Also, in the MDR...If I didn't ask for a quiet table or a window we were immediately stuck between the kitchen door and 2 server stations. Clank cling crash....went the dishes and silverware. When I remembered to ask we were seated in a more pleasant area.

We did a Neptune Suite and it was very nice.

Didn't do the drink packages and found the prices of drinks to be reasonable. We also brought an additional 7 bottles aboard and paid corkage at our meals. (we lived local and drove to the port)

My other cruises have been Regent, SilverSea and Seadream....so the bar was set high. I enjoyed my HAL experience. The occasional waits and tender crowds weren't terrible. The ship was very nice. BB King's was great.

Tamarind- So many raved about this restaurant, I expected more. I think if you are used to a strip mall chop suey takeout place, then Tamarind is amazing. However, if you're from a large city or used to nicer Asian restaurants, then it won't seem as special. The upcharge wasn't much but then again... should there really be any upcharge?

Pinacle- Good stuff here. I really enjoyed the lamb chops. A table mate had a strip steak that was underwhelming. The fillet or lamb chops seemed to be the way to go. Still very good food and excellent service.

Le Cirque- Excellent all around. Tip: order the Chateau for two people with the same "doneness"....then you get a whole roast split between you.

Shows- Good stuff. It's a ship not Broadway....I was entertained.

Americas Test Kitchen- This was a fun way to spend an hour. Im looking forward to trying the recipes at home. Tip to HAL- When you do a dessert recipe ... make enough in advance to give everyone in the crowd a sample. This is how you make the most wonderful brownies....but you're not allowed to taste them! Then again... thats just like the tv show. :-P

Drink Specials- Pay attention to the daily program. There's specials like $4 wine tastings, 2 for 1 etc.

All in all , I'd go again.

Did you catch Purple Rain the last night on the 25th? WoW is right.

Another recent change:

The Neptune Lounge has an honor bar that is now INCLUDED in the Sig / Elite Beverage packages.

Prices on these self mixed drinks were under the $8 limit.

Half Moon Cay and the Mini-Bar are still excluded.

I just had a NS on the Nieuw Amsterdam. The lounge was a nice perk.

I enjoyed the coffee, water and juices. The little snacks were nice too.

It seemed perfectly acceptable to load up a plate of snacks and take them to your room / balcony.

The Honor Bar in the lounge is now included in the drink package. This is a recent change. You mix your own drink and fill out your own charge slip.

Other perks...

You'll have a Nespresso style coffee maker in the room. Delicious.

If you ask you can have both hot and cold app's delivered to the room in the evening. We did

6pm for three people, as we usually had a guest or two stopping by as well. The hot apps were usually fried shrimp, chicken, or fish with a dipping sauce.

Tons of storage is available.

Learn how to connect your phone or iPad to the BOSE speaker. The TV is huge and great quality.

There was no problem getting dinner reservations via the concierge.

Priority Tendering- Just keep asking at the tender area.

Priority Check-In on day 1- Just start asking when you show up. As soon as I asked we were whisked out of the check-in line and directed to the front.

Cons- The room was a little noisy. The walls and ceiling creaked with anything more than flat seas. Also, secure any clothing hangers in the closets as they tend to "clank". The free standing shower was kind of tiny and we found it easier to just use the bath tub shower.

Just brought 10 bottles aboard between three of us in Ft. Lauderdale. The wine table located just inside the security / x-ray check-point wasn't manned, so we just checked-in and went aboard. We were charged $18 (including the service charge) per bottle when we took a bottle to a dinning venue. The Sommeliers graciously opened, decanted if we asked, and poured our wine.

Many people were commenting that the wines were not nice under $8 per glass, that being the limit for qualifying for being covered by a beverage package. Also that decent wines were $12+ per glass.

They offered to store our unfinished bottles for consumption at the next meal.

Of course I asked.."What's an unfinished bottle?" :-P

I would byob again.

https://goo.gl/photos/6FLQtgMHCa1sR12R9

I hope that works. Sorry they are a bit dark.

I was told we were the first to see the new menu.

Enjoy.

Sel De Mar Menus

Edited- Menu's ended up un-readable in a size accepted by the message board.

:cool:

Just off the NA. I think we may have enjoyed the last Le cirque....and we did really enjoy the dinner.

I have photo's of the new menu and will post them here ASAP. It's a nice menu that I think will be attractive to a wider base of customers.

I was speaking of an opportunity for HAL to show off the Neptune perks etc...I'm not a sales person.....I'm a user! :-)

Smooth Sailing!

Non-Paying? We paid more for his private room than we would have with him stuffed into our room.

I get it, there are those who would abuse the system trying to get something for nothing.

Inviting another couple to join you in the Neptune lounge or for breakfast might also be a good way to show off the perks of a suite. Perhaps if the person paying has at least 1 Neptune suite and is paying for another room as well, they should allow the guests of both rooms?

It's such a thinly veiled attempt to make something special that it's laughable. The only real perk I see is a bit more privacy and avoidance of the masses. No complimentary alcohol in the lounge. The breakfast has the same menu in both the MDR and the Grill. Any Private Cocktail Parties will be a skip for us now. We would never leave our friend alone in a bar, while we went off to a party.

Everyone is looking for a different cruise experience and I understand that you "can't please all of the people all of the time".

Comparing the All Inclusive Lines along with the NCL Haven to the Neptune stuff isn't even... well... it isn't even on the same boat! :-P

I am in a similar situation- 2 of us in a Neptune. 1 friend paid double for a better private balcony room rather than sleep on our fold out. On the fold out he would get Neptune Perks...in his own room he doesn't.

I was told by HALafter we booked- He could check in and checkout with us. He could get priority tendering with us. Pinnacle Breakfast- Probably not but perhaps. Neptune Lounge- Not. Dinner Reservations with us are no problem.

Definitely a different experience than on our other cruises.

I understand that bringing a gaggle of friends would ruin the others experience, however one solo traveller on the same reservation?

Of the passengers that only use Carry On's, are they the one's that sit across from from me in a "beer ad" t-shirt on a Gala Night. ?? Maybe it's my imagination !

No, they are the ones who arrive at embarkation in a suit and tie, because it's much easier to wear than pack. :D

This is our first "Big boat" cruise and I've been warned about long wait times etc.

I also see that I can get my beer t-shirts....errrrr...suits etc laundered and pressed for free. ;p

Seriously, my worry is being able to leave the ship on the last day quickly.

Thanks very much.

Off was more of a concern than carrying on....

I'm of the same opinion...it's nice to unpack early and be done with it.

It's also nice to just walk off.

Thanks for the replies!

Are people allowed to bring their own luggage to their room?

2 of us have 2x airline carryon roller bags and 1 XL rolling bag.

We easily manage these bags by ourselves.

Seems much easier to walk on the first day, and walk off the last day and not deal with porters, baggage checking / claim etc.

Thanks.

If you're in a suite, what upgrade were you hoping for?

Is this the 19th Charter?