Is it worth upgrading to Neptune suite from Signature suite

[Sea42]

20 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

Normally no, but we are doing several days pre cruise in Athens and several aft cruise in Rome.  The first day they open up laundry we are sending them all through and the same on the last day of laundry.  This way we don't have to pack as much.

You can purchase the unlimited laundry package for about $10 per day.

I haven't sailed with HAL for about 3 years but at that time the Signature Suite included 3 bags of free laundry. So, between those options, "free" laundry was not a consideration for us.

[DaveOKC]

1 hour ago, Sea42 said:

You can purchase the unlimited laundry package for about $10 per day.

I haven't sailed with HAL for about 3 years but at that time the Signature Suite included 3 bags of free laundry. So, between those options, "free" laundry was not a consideration for us.

I have never seen "free" laundry in a Signature Suite??

[zelker]

4 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

I have never seen "free" laundry in a Signature Suite??

 

Ditto

[bennybear]

Me either! 

[Caribbean Chris]

On our last HAL cruise, we booked a Neptune suite on the Nieuw Statendam. Loved the ship & entertainment, received our bronze medal, enjoyed the new Club Orange service, and in general had a lovely anniversary trip.
 

The suite itself was nice enough although a Signature Suite on Zuiderdam was very similar in size and layout. 
 

But the Neptune Lounge staff really disappointed me. Without the boring details, we made just one simple, do-able request for assistance at the start of the trip. No results nor return contact. We stopped in for two more follow-ups, and finally were made a promise which never happened - with no regrets or explanation why.
 

We’ll be 4 star after our next cruise and will have free laundry, so any remaining incentive to book Neptune Suites regularly is evaporating. But I’m glad to hear that other people had better experiences with the lounge staff. 
 

[kazu]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

But the Neptune Lounge staff really disappointed me. Without the boring details, we made just one simple, do-able request for assistance at the start of the trip. No results nor return contact. We stopped in for two more follow-ups, and finally were made a promise which never happened - with no regrets or explanation why.
 

 

That’s a shame.  Generally speaking, I’ve found the concierges to be pretty good.  Some are superb and some not so.  When we’ve had some that weren’t not so great,  it was usually just one of the two, luckily so I would just wait until the other one was around.  LOL.

 

 

 

 

[Sea42]

21 hours ago, bennybear said:

Me either! 

 

On 1/29/2021 at 8:24 AM, zelker said:

 

Ditto

 

On 1/29/2021 at 8:19 AM, DaveOKC said:

I have never seen "free" laundry in a Signature Suite??

OMG! That's my mistake, it was on Oceania in their Concierge staterooms that we received the 3 free laundry bags. I'm very sorry for the misinformation!

[DaveOKC]

19 hours ago, kazu said:

 

That’s a shame.  Generally speaking, I’ve found the concierges to be pretty good.  Some are superb and some not so.  When we’ve had some that weren’t not so great,  it was usually just one of the two, luckily so I would just wait until the other one was around.  LOL.

 

 

 

 

As usual, I agree with kazu!   Some of the concierges are great and others real duds.  I try to pick my favorite ASAP and use them if at all possible.

[KroozNut]

On 1/29/2021 at 6:19 AM, DaveOKC said:

I have never seen "free" laundry in a Signature Suite??

 

Nothing is ever 'free' on a cruise. Loyalty perks have already been paid for many times over. 😉 And, of course this is not unique to HAL..

Edited January 30, 2021 by KroozNut

[Branbay]

Hello,

 

I just received an upgrade email from HAL to a Neptune Suite on the Eurodam.  $399 per person for an 11 day voyage, our cruise is 27 days out.  

[FlorenceItaly]

8 minutes ago, Branbay said:

Hello,

 

I just received an upgrade email from HAL to a Neptune Suite on the Eurodam.  $399 per person for an 11 day voyage, our cruise is 27 days out.  

Excellent do not wait, call NOW

[Branbay]

Sorry, I forgot to add this will our first sailing on HAL for my wife and I.  I did call and speak to an agent in regards to the upgrade, she gave me the suite locations and advised me the ships current capacity is 50%.  I asked her if the price offered is negotiable (I had to try, lol) and she advised me not a this time.  I think I'll stick with our Signature Suite.

 

[bennybear]

21 minutes ago, Branbay said:

Sorry, I forgot to add this will our first sailing on HAL for my wife and I.  I did call and speak to an agent in regards to the upgrade, she gave me the suite locations and advised me the ships current capacity is 50%.  I asked her if the price offered is negotiable (I had to try, lol) and she advised me not a this time.  I think I'll stick with our Signature Suite.

 

Honestly for that price I would go for it,  we had the opportunity only once and thoroughly enjoyed it!   We’ve had signatures several times and it’s not the same.  We absolutely loved the aft wrap  cabin with a massive balcony and special perks and treats! 

Edited February 10, 2022 by bennybear

[0106]

Omg, I would upgrade without a second thought!

[Branbay]

4 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Honestly for that price I would go for it,  we had the opportunity only once and thoroughly enjoyed it!   We’ve had signatures several times and it’s not the same.  We absolutely loved the aft wrap  cabin with a massive balcony and special perks and treats! 

Thanks bennybear, appreciate it! 

[Branbay]

2 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Omg, I would upgrade without a second thought!

Thank you 0106!

[DaveOKC]

41 minutes ago, Branbay said:

Hello,

 

I just received an upgrade email from HAL to a Neptune Suite on the Eurodam.  $399 per person for an 11 day voyage, our cruise is 27 days out.  

For that price for an 11 day cruise I would do it.  In the past I have paid from $200 to $300 for a 7 day cruise.  Be sure to ask if you can select your Neptune cabin (be prepared knowing which ones or at least areas that you would like)

[Branbay]

1 minute ago, DaveOKC said:

For that price for an 11 day cruise I would do it.  In the past I have paid from $200 to $300 for a 7 day cruise.  Be sure to ask if you can select your Neptune cabin (be prepared knowing which ones or at least areas that you would like)

Thanks DaveOKC, I asked for the locations of the cabins and they are more aft than I prefer, currently we are midship.  They did have one right next to the elevators but I don't know if that would mean a lot of foot traffic/noise.  

[DaveOKC]

2 hours ago, Branbay said:

Thanks DaveOKC, I asked for the locations of the cabins and they are more aft than I prefer, currently we are midship.  They did have one right next to the elevators but I don't know if that would mean a lot of foot traffic/noise.  

On the Eurodam and many of the HAL ships, the midship elevators include glass ones that are "outside" of the ship.  While they do provide a nice view for elevator passengers, this also allows them to see onto the balconies of the cabins next to them.  Most people (in the cabins) are not too happy with this, so likely this is why it is still available.  I do not think you would have any issue with foot traffic though, as I have been in the second cabin from the elevators and frankly like the location and never had a noise issue.  

Edited February 10, 2022 by DaveOKC

[Rockit]

That’s a good question. It really depends how you determine value for the  additional cost. For us, we have always enjoyed the aft Neptune Suite with the wraparound verandah. The view is incredible. Access to the lounge is nice if you are looking for a quiet place to hang out on occasion and access to the concierge. The other perks such as laundry are nice but can be purchased fairly reasonably. We typically go for the Neptune Suite on 10 day cruises and up. Try it, you may like it. 
Cheers, Rockit

[Branbay]

12 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

On the Eurodam and many of the HAL ships, the midship elevators include glass ones that are "outside" of the ship.  While they do provide a nice view for elevator passengers, this also allows them to see onto the balconies of the cabins next to them.  Most people (in the cabins) are not too happy with this, so likely this is why it is still available.  I do not think you would have any issue with foot traffic though, as I have been in the second cabin from the elevators and frankly like the location and never had a noise issue.  

Thanks Dave, appreciate you suggestions

[Branbay]

2 hours ago, Rockit said:

That’s a good question. It really depends how you determine value for the  additional cost. For us, we have always enjoyed the aft Neptune Suite with the wraparound verandah. The view is incredible. Access to the lounge is nice if you are looking for a quiet place to hang out on occasion and access to the concierge. The other perks such as laundry are nice but can be purchased fairly reasonably. We typically go for the Neptune Suite on 10 day cruises and up. Try it, you may like it. 
Cheers, Rockit

Thanks Rockit, appreciate your suggestions.  Love your profile picture, I worked with the Shuttle for many years at KSC.

[Tampa Girl]

On 1/21/2021 at 7:30 AM, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

They would be a big mistake for us . 

 

Why?

[Tampa Girl]

On 1/11/2021 at 11:29 AM, Djptcp said:

Out of 10 HAL cruises, we have sailed in Neptune Suites 5 times, a Vista Suite once and Verandahs the other four. We would say the Neptunes are definitely worth the extra cost. The extra space is wonderful and I love the separate vanity area for makeup and doing my hair. We try to get close to the Neptune Lounge as we enjoy the peace and quiet and the great food offerings during the day. The concierges are so helpful and order our dinners for us every night we decide to eat in the suites. Only one time we were very unhappy with a Neptune - we had to take a Guarantee Neptune in order to get a cheap casino rate and were stuck in one of the aft Neptunes on the Oosterdam. Hated the location as it was so far from everything, especially the Neptune Lounge, and I have some mobility issues of which the cabin inventory dept. was well aware. The suite was much smaller than the regular Neptunes with the same amount of furniture so we were always bumping into something. Never again will we book a Guarantee anything!

 

Agree wholeheartedly with this opinion.  For us, it is the Neptune Lounge and the wonderful concierge service.  However, on cruises less than 14 days, I would settle on a Signature Suite, which we have booked on the Zuiderdam for the 2024 WC.  The cost of a Neptune for 128 days was more than we wished to spend.  Nonetheless, as others have pointed out, there is always the chance of a paid upgrade, which, BTW we were offered when we were about to take a 10-day Zuiderdam cruise.  We turned that one down because we thought the Signature Suite was fine for a 10-day cruise.

[Hlitner]

We would have 2nd thoughts about upgrading :).  Our decision would be somewhat "price dependent" as that perks that go with a Neptune are really not much of a big deal (especially when compared with other cruise lines).  But we would also consider that for the cost of a Neptune (even when booked at a discounted upsell rate) is often more than booking a suite on a luxury line (such as Seabourn or Silverseas) where it is an entirely different cruise experience than on HAL.  I recently explained to friends that on Seabourn I can sit anywhere on the ship and order a nice set-up of Caviar and French Champagne for no extra charge.  If I tried to do this in a Neptune Suite I might hear something like "we do not have Caviar and that French Champagne will cost $25 per glass!"

 

I am not posting this to demean HAL (we are 5* so obviously like the line) but just toss out that there are alternatives to HAL that can give you a lot more value than what one gets in a Neptune Suite.

 

Hank