Explore4 for US and Canada Officially Starts Monday July 18th

[Cheekyrn1]

We have a Far East cruise scheduled for January 2018. The explore 4 is available. Unfortunately this offer raises our fare 800$. Not worth it particularly since we only drink maybe 2 glasses of wine each daily.

[DaveOKC]

Appreciate your thoughts. I've considered those things and it still doesn't make sense.

 

Our last two cruises, including one our Westy, we averaged less than $300 for all beverages of all types. We might have one cocktail each per day. Wife likes the coffee in the Neptune Lounge. I'm happy with the coffee in the Lido. We don't do bottled water. We will bring six bottles of wine onboard. The beverage package won't help us there. I guess we're just cheap.

 

We drive to the port. Our son is almost fifty, he can handle anything that comes up back home. Texts are very cheap. We're retired. Just no need for internet.

 

BTW, check your math: it's $189 for two people, seven days, in a suite.

 

Now, we're planning to do an Oosterdam in 2017. Have to see what the fares are for that.

 

You are correct on the math - thats what I get for trying to do it in my head like I used to be able to in my younger days!

[RocketMan275]

You are correct on the math - thats what I get for trying to do it in my head like I used to be able to in my younger days!

 

My CruiseCriticFriend, bad news. It gets worse. I'll be 70 in a few days.

[axelskater]

I called this evening after seeing these threads and asked this package to be added to my Alaska reservation.

 

It did not change my price, and we received a signature drinks package, gratuities and a 200.00 internet package. We are both young enough to still work full time and need that internet.

[Molson99]

Bummer, bummer, bummer. Last cruise we got explore 4 for a minimal increase in the cruise price. I have been waiting to book when they had it, and it increases the cruise price $500pp. Way, way too much. Darn. No deal at all.

[RocketMan275]

You are correct on the math - thats what I get for trying to do it in my head like I used to be able to in my younger days!

 

Dave: Quick question; how wide is a Neptune Suite on an R Class, ie, Rotterdam? By wide I mean fore to aft measurement of the balcony. Not the depth from the rail to the wall. Trying to figure out how far a specific suite is from the Neptune Lounge.

[DaveOKC]

Dave: Quick question; how wide is a Neptune Suite on an R Class, ie, Rotterdam? By wide I mean fore to aft measurement of the balcony. Not the depth from the rail to the wall. Trying to figure out how far a specific suite is from the Neptune Lounge.

 

I really do not know exactly. I am pretty sure each Neptune cabin on the R and S class ships are exactly twice as wide as a regular cabin on these ships (can tell by looking at the side view ship photos) if that helps any.

 

The Rotterdam does have more Neptune cabins it seems than the other R and S ships and it looks like it could be a fairly long walk if you were in one of the far aft ones.

[RocketMan275]

I really do not know exactly. I am pretty sure each Neptune cabin on the R and S class ships are exactly twice as wide as a regular cabin on these ships (can tell by looking at the side view ship photos) if that helps any.

 

The Rotterdam does have more Neptune cabins it seems than the other R and S ships and it looks like it could be a fairly long walk if you were in one of the far aft ones.

 

Twice as wide? That would be about 18 feet right?

Looking at one of the further aft Neptunes, a SB which is right by the stairs. Noise issues? $200PP cheaper.

 

If the 18 feet is right, then it would be about 150-180 feet to the Neptune which is doable. Plus it would be an easy up to the Lido.

[sprockie]

Our January 2017 Caribbean on the Eurodam went down 66 dollars and we now have Explore 4! LOVE the Explore 4 - I wish they offered it 365 days per year.

[Taters]

They raised the price of my Koningsdam Baltic cruise by $272 per person and added the Explore 4. This is a 14 day cruise with lots of port stops and I will probably be too exhausted to drink much. My husband doesn't drink at all. We are passing on this promotion. If the price comes down, we may rethink it.

[DaveOKC]

Twice as wide? That would be about 18 feet right?

Looking at one of the further aft Neptunes, a SB which is right by the stairs. Noise issues? $200PP cheaper.

 

If the 18 feet is right, then it would be about 150-180 feet to the Neptune which is doable. Plus it would be an easy up to the Lido.

 

Your guess of 18 feet sounds about right to me.

 

A couple of thoughts on your SB. First, these cabins are all the same size, etc as an SA. These all used to be S cabins until a couple of years ago when HAL came up with this marketing concept of having a couple of suite cabins in a lower category so that they could offer them at a lower advertised price. Also, most of the time the SBs are offered only as guarantees, so that when you want a specific cabin you have to pay more to get it (smart idea).

 

Second, the cabin you have is under the Lido buffet dining area, which is carpeted. Thus you likely will not hear noises from above. If you picked an SA cabin under the main pool area, you likely will hear chair scrapping noises from above especially when the crew is moving the chairs around (this may or may not be important to you).

 

Third, your cabin is fairly close to the aft stairs and elevators, which is nice for access.

 

Personally, I would mark my reservation "do not upgrade" so that I did not end up in a noisier location, even it is closer to the Neptune Lounge (but again, you may feel different about this).

Hope this helps.

Edited July 19, 2016 by DaveOKC

[RocketMan275]

Your guess of 18 feet sounds about right to me.

 

A couple of thoughts on your SB. First, these cabins are all the same size, etc as an SA. These all used to be S cabins until a couple of years ago when HAL came up with this marketing concept of having a couple of suite cabins in a lower category so that they could offer them at a lower advertised price. Also, most of the time the SBs are offered only as guarantees, so that when you want a specific cabin you have to pay more to get it (smart idea).

 

Second, the cabin you have is under the Lido buffet dining area, which is carpeted. Thus you likely will not hear noises from above. If you picked an SA cabin under the main pool area, you likely will hear chair scrapping noises from above especially when the crew is moving the chairs around (this may or may not be important to you).

 

Third, your cabin is fairly close to the aft stairs and elevators, which is nice for access.

 

Personally, I would mark my reservation "do not upgrade" so that I did not end up in a noisier location, even it is closer to the Neptune Lounge (but again, you may feel different about this).

Hope this helps.

 

Appreciate your response.

 

PCC just called. Booked one of the SB without the X4. Just could not justify the $500 PP difference.

I had the option of booking as a SB guarantee at the same price but did not want to chance the upgrade which would only have moved me a bit closer to the Neptune Lounge. Marked the booking "No Upgrade".

Edited July 19, 2016 by RocketMan275

[Gr8daze]

They raised the price of my Koningsdam Baltic cruise by $272 per person and added the Explore 4. This is a 14 day cruise with lots of port stops and I will probably be too exhausted to drink much. My husband doesn't drink at all. We are passing on this promotion. If the price comes down, we may rethink it.

 

We just booked the same cruise, but it was not more expensive once our PCC applied the "casino discount." She also gave us $200 in OBC so we made out. We do like to indulge (but no way we'd drink 15 a day).

 

So here is my day in my head - workout in the morning, coffee from explorers lounge, bloody marys by the pool, martinis before dinner, wine by the glass at dinner, after dinner cordial or another martini, dancing and drinks before bed. So 10 on a BIG day. LOL!

 

I know we could have gotten the casino discount anyway, but it will be nice not to worry about the bar bill and internet minutes!

[KAKcruiser]

I haven't been on the Rotterdam for years but usually book a Neptune Suite near the Neptune Lounge and don't remember being bothered with noise. But, category SB is exactly the same as SA so if you can save money, why not? The walk is not that far, certainly not as far as the vista class ships. The Neptune Suites on the Rotterdam are also wider than the vista class ships so they are really nice.

[RocketMan275]

I haven't been on the Rotterdam for years but usually book a Neptune Suite near the Neptune Lounge and don't remember being bothered with noise. But, category SB is exactly the same as SA so if you can save money, why not? The walk is not that far, certainly not as far as the vista class ships. The Neptune Suites on the Rotterdam are also wider than the vista class ships so they are really nice.

 

That's reassuring.

We saved $200 PP by booking the SB.

Wife and I usually walk 3 to 4 miles a day at home so I think we'll be fine. I was more concerned about being right by the stairs but DaveOKC and the PCC both agreed that souldn't be an issue.

 

You still having issues finding the 17/18 caribbean?

Edited July 19, 2016 by RocketMan275

[sambamama]

Just rebooked my 22 night November 2017 South Pacific cruise. It added $285 to the price (right now I am sailing solo.) I don't drink much, but figured with the length of the cruise and being way out there, it was easier to buy it and use it for bottled water, soda, non alcoholic drinks and a couple of drinks a day.

[DaveOKC]

That's reassuring.

We saved $200 PP by booking the SB.

Wife and I usually walk 3 to 4 miles a day at home so I think we'll be fine. I was more concerned about being right by the stairs but DaveOKC and the PCC both agreed that souldn't be an issue.

 

You still having issues finding the 17/18 caribbean?

 

If you look closely at the deck plan, you will see that the cabins aft of yours are directed to the elevators and stairwell, not past your cabin (like in almost every other HAL ship). That should help reduce the foot traffic past your cabin. Plus, the cabins just forward of you are Neptunes, which means fewer of them than on another deck.

 

I think you will like this location. Access to the Lido deck is only one level away, plus the elevators give you quick access to all other decks.

Edited July 19, 2016 by DaveOKC

[KAKcruiser]

I have now been able to access the 2017-18 Caribbean schedule. But, I am disappointed that both the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam will only be doing 7 day cruises. Almost all 10 day or longer cruises are on the Koningsdam and Veendam. (Zuiderdam continues the 10 and 11 day cruises to the Panama Canal.)

[RocketMan275]

If you look closely at the deck plan, you will see that the cabins aft of yours are directed to the elevators and stairwell, not past your cabin (like in almost every other HAL ship). That should help reduce the foot traffic past your cabin. Plus, the cabins just forward of you are Neptunes, which means fewer of them than on another deck.

 

I think you will like this location. Access to the Lido deck is only one level away, plus the elevators give you quick access to all other decks.

 

Thanks, I think it will work well too.

[kazu]

I haven't been on the Rotterdam for years but usually book a Neptune Suite near the Neptune Lounge and don't remember being bothered with noise. But, category SB is exactly the same as SA so if you can save money, why not? The walk is not that far, certainly not as far as the vista class ships. The Neptune Suites on the Rotterdam are also wider than the vista class ships so they are really nice.

 

 

Just to add to the Rotterdam discussion, we just recently had a cabin added to the website not allowed to be named but according to the HALcruisers info posted there, there were huge noise issues with cabins close (across and in that area)from the Neptune Lounge. HUGE - like sleeping cabins needed.

 

I think the SB was a good choice. I actually moved my cabin as I do not like being across from the Neptune to be under the Canaletto literally a day before the noise issue was submitted.

[RocketMan275]

Just to add to the Rotterdam discussion, we just recently had a cabin added to the website not allowed to be named but according to the HALcruisers info posted there, there were huge noise issues with cabins close (across and in that area)from the Neptune Lounge. HUGE - like sleeping cabins needed.

 

I think the SB was a good choice. I actually moved my cabin as I do not like being across from the Neptune to be under the Canaletto literally a day before the noise issue was submitted.

 

Makes me think. I've booked an SA almost across from the Lounge on Oosterdam. It's 7062 which is really on one of the aft corners of the lounge, if that makes sense. Wondering if I should move further aft. There is at least one SB open. Would save a few hundred.

[kazu]

Makes me think. I've booked an SA almost across from the Lounge on Oosterdam. It's 7062 which is really on one of the aft corners of the lounge, if that makes sense. Wondering if I should move further aft. There is at least one SB open. Would save a few hundred.

 

Oosterdam is a Vista. No issues above with that ship to the best of my knowledge. Nothing wrong with and SB though although my SB on the Oosterdam was a tad smaller than the SA, but my verandah was bigger. I liked the layout too.

[81Zoomie]

Called my TA just to make sure I did the math correctly. She confirmed that the total value of the Explore 4 for 2 people on my 7 day Kdam cruise is $681. The cost to upgrade to the package is $840 per person. Needless to say we will not be paying $1680 for a $681 "free" benefit. It's good to hear that it worked out well on some cruises!

[Chocolate Rose]

I'm wondering if I'm missing something. I just called the big box store that we booked our cruise through and they called Hal. For $380 more we would get the Explore4 including the $200 internet credit and paid gratuities.

It seems like Explore4 would just about pay for itself with just the gratuities. I need to check out the specifics of the beverage package as I don't drink pop (sugar or sugar-free), juice or coffee. I would drink water and wine. My travel partner drinks it all. We can keep our existing booking.

 

Is there something I'm missing and need to be aware of before we decide to do this?

[roboref]

We were hoping to get Explore4 when we booked the 36 day trans-Pacific, but it only applied to the 29 day segment that ends in Hawaii. It was $200 more per person for the 29 day cruise versus the 36 day cruise plus the added costs of flights from Hawaii. So we went ahead and booked the 36 day trip without Explore 4.