Opinions on a Neptune Suite

[Indianadaytripper]

3 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

I am going to inject some humor (humour for you Brits) into the topic since it is a slow day :).  Once upon a time we were on the Prinsendam for a Grand Cruise and about 75% of the passengers were 4-5 Stars.  We had a few tender ports and the CD suspended tender priority because it would have been a fiasco.  But they did allow the 4-5 Star Mariners to get first shot at the tender tickets.  At the first port a few ladies (who made it clear they were very entitled because of their 5 Star Status) came to the lounge very early and got some #1 Tender tickets.  They managed to get on the tender without ever turning in their tickets (nobody was paying close attention).  At the next tender port they did not get up early because they still had #1 tender tickets :(.  But a few other 5 Star Mariners got wind of the scheme and quietly mentioned it to the CD.  At the next tender port (while those ladies were likely in their cabins putting on their make-up) they started giving out tender tickets in reverse order.  When they started calling the tender numbers they started at the highest end and those ladies found themselves waiting a few hours for the last tender :).  This was a popular happy hour topic but we never again saw any of those ladies at happy hour :).

 

Hank

P.S.  For the record I have no problem with 4-5 Star Mariners and am myself a 5 Star.

That handout system has been about the same on the last couple of WC. You really don’t know from tender port to the next, what it’s gonna be. At check in in Ft. Lauderdale the 4/5 star line is 3 times that of the other. No problem on our part, just part of cruising.

[LewiLewi]

We also enjoy a NS, but we have had some bad experiences on R class ships. The NS are below the Lido deck, and certain areas are noisier than others. One NS was below the clean up area above, and we heard carts and banging till wee hours of the morning. The newer ships generally have the NS below another passenger deck. A much better arrangement.

[Hlitner]

31 minutes ago, Indianadaytripper said:

That handout system has been about the same on the last couple of WC. You really don’t know from tender port to the next, what it’s gonna be. At check in in Ft. Lauderdale the 4/5 star line is 3 times that of the other. No problem on our part, just part of cruising.

Like I said it is a slow day so another real HAL tale.  On that same cruise, when we arrived at the terminal for embarkation there was a very long "priority" line for 4/5 Star Mariners.  The staff in the terminal looked at our boarding documents and pointed to the 4/5 Star Line which we joined.  I then noticed that the regular line was nearly empty (because everyone was in the priority line) so I motioned to DW and we ducked under the rope and got in the very short regular line.  Within a minute we were directed to one of the check-in clerks and were soon on our way to the ship.  As we walked past the slowly moving 4-5 Star line we heard a loud conversation between a couple where one was suggesting they get in the shorter line and the other loudly responding "I worked hard to get in this line and I am not moving to the regular line."    

 

A few years ago I posted here on CC that I would write a book about "Strategies for Queue Avoidance."  For some reason it seems to be human nature that folks get in the longest line while ignoring much shorter line options.  We see this at buffets, on cruise ships, airports, etc.  I have this personality defect where I tend to look for the shortest line...even if it means walking a few extra yards.  We also cruise a lot of Princess and many of their ships have 3 MDRs....one of which is dedicated to fixed dining while the other two are open sitting.   It is very common to see the early fixed diners lining up 15-20 minutes early (we are talking around 5pm) to be among the first into their fixed seating MDR.  These folks all have assigned tables and the waiters do not generally take orders until the entire table has arrived.   And yet there are some folks who will wait in that silly line just so they can get into the dining room first....and then find themselves waiting for others.   Go figure.  On Princess they also have a free wine tasting (on a sea day) for Elites and it is always popular.  Folks will line up for at least 30 minutes to be among the first in the assigned dining room where they have that tasting.  There are plenty of tables and seats and no real advantage to any of the seating.  So some of those folks wait 30 minutes, get into the dining room, find a seat (they are not reserved) and then wait another 15 minutes while others are coming into the room.  We will usually be sitting outside (there is usually a nearby coffee cafe) sipping some coffee and watching that long line.  Once the line is gone we simply walk in, sit down and enjoy the tasting.   Some of those folks have wasted 45-60 min of their day just waiting when there is really no reason.  I don't get it!

 

Hank

[rkacruiser]

8 hours ago, Hlitner said:

As we walked past the slowly moving 4-5 Star line we heard a loud conversation between a couple where one was suggesting they get in the shorter line and the other loudly responding "I worked hard to get in this line and I am not moving to the regular line."    

 

I have heard such comments as well.

 

As a 5 Star Mariner, I am uncomfortable in using my "perk" of priority tender embarkation.  I used it once.  The comments that I heard as I was escorted to the front of the line were enough that I don't ever want to hear them or have any of my fellow guests think of them again.  There are many who know not what they don't know about a cruise line's loyalty program.  

 

I see little reason to rush ashore at most ports.  Whether I am the first or the last off my ship, the port will still be there and anything that I want to see/do will probably be available as well.  

[KanCruise]

On 2/11/2021 at 6:01 PM, Suslor said:

We on the other hand like midship and book as close to the lounge as we can! Different strokes for different folks, especially on a 48 day cruise 🤩

Midship is my pick because I have a tendency to get seasick.

[Mary229]

10 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I have heard such comments as well.

 

As a 5 Star Mariner, I am uncomfortable in using my "perk" of priority tender embarkation.  I used it once.  The comments that I heard as I was escorted to the front of the line were enough that I don't ever want to hear them or have any of my fellow guests think of them again.  There are many who know not what they don't know about a cruise line's loyalty program.  

 

I see little reason to rush ashore at most ports.  Whether I am the first or the last off my ship, the port will still be there and anything that I want to see/do will probably be available as well.  

I am not a 5 star Mariner but I am an early bird and never had an issue.  Once or twice I had to wait for one or two tenders but the delay was always tolerable.  For all that is said about the age of HAL Mariners they are not early risers in my experience 

[Hlitner]

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I am not a 5 star Mariner but I am an early bird and never had an issue.  Once or twice I had to wait for one or two tenders but the delay was always tolerable.  For all that is said about the age of HAL Mariners they are not early risers in my experience 

So here is what we have seen in many ports.  The ship drops anchor about 7am and the tenders start soon thereafter.   The early birds get on the first few tenders and are ashore by 8am.    Meanwhile we wake up around 8, have breakfast, go back to our cabin to get our stuff, and head out by 9 to get in the queue to tender ashore.  We get ashore around 10 and notice that many of the "early birds" are already returning to the ship saying things like "nothing is open."  We get ashore by 10:30 and everything is open :).

 

There are certainly times when we want to be among the early birds...especially if we plan on catching an early train to some other town or if we have reserved a rental car for the day.  Those are the times when we sometimes take advantage of our priority status but mostly we are content to go with the flow.

 

As to fellow HAL Mariners, we agree that most are not early risers and they are certainly are not night owls either.  Many of these folks are in their cabins by 9:30pm not to be seen again for at least 12 hours :).  Suffice it to say that we seldom have trouble getting a decent seat at the piano bar (when they had a piano bar) at 10pm :).  And for the record I am in my 70s and have often been among the younger passengers on some of our wonderful HAL cruises.

 

Hank

[Mary229]

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

like "nothing is open."  We get ashore by 10:30 and everything is open :).

I am a morning hiker so everything I need is open!  I save the afternoon for human-built structures😁.  I usually am first off and last on unless DH says enough.  Last cruise the gangway cruise remarked "It must be time to go ashore, "Mary" is here."

 

I want to add that some of my most memorable urban hikes were through the early morning fog as the stall vendors and shop keepers readied for a busy day.  It is quiet and cordial

Edited February 13, 2021 by Mary229

[rkacruiser]

20 hours ago, Hlitner said:

So here is what we have seen in many ports.  The ship drops anchor about 7am and the tenders start soon thereafter.   The early birds get on the first few tenders and are ashore by 8am.    Meanwhile we wake up around 8, have breakfast, go back to our cabin to get our stuff, and head out by 9 to get in the queue to tender ashore.  We get ashore around 10 and notice that many of the "early birds" are already returning to the ship saying things like "nothing is open."  We get ashore by 10:30 and everything is open :).

 

There are certainly times when we want to be among the early birds...especially if we plan on catching an early train to some other town or if we have reserved a rental car for the day.  Those are the times when we sometimes take advantage of our priority status but mostly we are content to go with the flow.

 

That describes my experiences regarding "priority tendering" perfectly.  I often get ashore as the line begins to form for those who are ready to tender back to the ship.  

[IPB4IGO]

We took an upsell to a Neptune Suite on one cruise. We loved the extra room, the coffee maker in the room, the self-serve espresso machine and snacks in the lounge, and the helpful staff in the lounge.

 

I wouldn't count free laundry as a significant perk. We always get the same package for $7/day anyway, and if you're paying over $500 per day for a cabin a $7 perk isn't much of reward.

[Mary229]

1 minute ago, IPB4IGO said:

the coffee maker

I have never decided to buy a Neptune suite but I sure wish HAL would give us coffee pots in all staterooms.  Heck, I would pay a fee for a coffee pot, just not a Neptune fee

[Roz]

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I have never decided to buy a Neptune suite but I sure wish HAL would give us coffee pots in all staterooms.  Heck, I would pay a fee for a coffee pot, just not a Neptune fee

 

That would be a nice perk (pun intended). ☕

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I have never decided to buy a Neptune suite but I sure wish HAL would give us coffee pots in all staterooms.  Heck, I would pay a fee for a coffee pot, just not a Neptune fee

 

4 hours ago, Roz said:

 

That would be a nice perk (pun intended). ☕

 

I must not be as much of a coffee drinker as you two are.  I'd prefer to call Room Service if I wanted a pot of coffee with real half and half (or maybe milk, certainly not cream) and not whatever the in-room creamer supplied might be.  

[Mary229]

10 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

  I'd prefer to call Room Service if I wanted a pot of coffee with real half and half

John always has a cup of cream in the fridge from the lido the night before.  I don't like the HAL ship coffee. If I had a pot I would bring my favorite blend.   RCCL has a coffee pot rental.

I guess I will write HAL with another one of my little suggestions.

[whogo]

I suggest you check the price of some luxury line itineraries before you decide on an expensive suite on a standard cruise line.

[crusinbanjo]

1 hour ago, whogo said:

I suggest you check the price of some luxury line itineraries before you decide on an expensive suite on a standard cruise line.

That is certainly an option, as the price of a Neptune is sometimes similar to a veranda on a lux line, but there are differences.  The Neptune gives you significantly more space, and you are a premium passenger that gets a little better service and extra perks, the Neptune Lounge, etc.  When you book a veranda on a Lux line, you get a standard, (small), cabin and are just another passenger.  The service for a lux line veranda pax is upscale, but not to the level of a suite passenger, or a Neptune Passenger. Unless you buy a suite on the lux line......  .....Then the service really ramps up, but then that is a lot more expensive than a Neptune Suite.  

 

Mrs Banjo and I always choose the IT first, the ship second and then decide the level of service we can afford on that ship.  If we are sailing HAL, it is almost always a Neptune suite.  On the Luz lines, (Seabourn, Regent, Silversea, etc), we could go either way depending on the costs and length of the cruise.   

[whogo]

3 hours ago, crusinbanjo said:

The Neptune gives you significantly more space, and you are a premium passenger that gets a little better service and extra perks, the Neptune Lounge, etc.  When you book a veranda on a Lux line, you get a standard, (small), cabin and are just another passenger.  The service for a lux line veranda pax is upscale, but not to the level of a suite passenger, or a Neptune Passenger.

I sailed Seabourn Quest and know of no perks for Penthouse passengers that did not extend to me in a standard verandah cabin. I could order any drink I wanted any time I wanted, caviar and accompaniments any time I wanted, all included in the cruise price. I was forever turning down a drink. No priority tendering, but we never needed it with only 450 passengers, never stood in a line.

 

I remember seeing photos of Neptune Suite passengers on a Prinsendam kitchen tour, apparently done so crew knew who rated bowing and scraping. Seems like all the crew on Seabourn knew our names. Only downside for Seabourn penthouse suite cruisers is that there is little to lord over other cruisers.

[BobbiSox]

On 2/14/2021 at 8:15 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

 

I must not be as much of a coffee drinker as you two are.  I'd prefer to call Room Service if I wanted a pot of coffee with real half and half (or maybe milk, certainly not cream) and not whatever the in-room creamer supplied might be.  

I also would stash a cup of cream in my fridge for the morning coffee. HAL uses half and half. I find the coffee on HAL the worst I've ever had anywhere. . It's ALWAYS too weak for me. I would love it if I could bring my little four-cup Mr. Coffee and my own 100% Columbian Arabica,  but that's a no-no. Coffee is much better at the coffee bar, and I don't mind paying for good coffee, so that's what I do now. It's half price anyway, one of my 4-star perks.  

 

[StLouisCruisers]

11 hours ago, whogo said:

I sailed Seabourn Quest and know of no perks for Penthouse passengers that did not extend to me in a standard verandah cabin. I could order any drink I wanted any time I wanted, caviar and accompaniments any time I wanted, all included in the cruise price. I was forever turning down a drink. No priority tendering, but we never needed it with only 450 passengers, never stood in a line.

 

I remember seeing photos of Neptune Suite passengers on a Prinsendam kitchen tour, apparently done so crew knew who rated bowing and scraping. Seems like all the crew on Seabourn knew our names. Only downside for Seabourn penthouse suite cruisers is that there is little to lord over other cruisers.

 

+1

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

My favorite thing about a Neptune Suite is the size of the veranda. Excellent viewing of scenery while in Alaska or going through the Panama Canal. 

[crusinbanjo]

12 hours ago, whogo said:

I sailed Seabourn Quest and know of no perks for Penthouse passengers that did not extend to me in a standard verandah cabin. I could order any drink I wanted any time I wanted, caviar and accompaniments any time I wanted, all included in the cruise price. I was forever turning down a drink. No priority tendering, but we never needed it with only 450 passengers, never stood in a line.

 

I remember seeing photos of Neptune Suite passengers on a Prinsendam kitchen tour, apparently done so crew knew who rated bowing and scraping. Seems like all the crew on Seabourn knew our names. Only downside for Seabourn penthouse suite cruisers is that there is little to lord over other cruisers.

Many times the perks are subtle, particularly on the Lux Lines, but they are there.   We have been on both ends of the spectrum on HAL and the Lux Lines, everything from ocean view to the largest suites. On one Occasion, we were traveling with friends on a particular Lux Line.  They bought a suite, we bought a Veranda.  This really highlighted the difference in experiences for us.  I'm not saying that any of it was bad, quite the contrary, but in my experience, there is a big difference when you buy a suite vs a veranda on all of the cruise lines.  IMHO of course

Edited February 17, 2021 by crusinbanjo
punctuation

[cbr663]

The most appreciated perk for us with the NS is the larger washroom and larger balcony.  We really enjoy breakfast on the balcony and the larger balcony with a proper sized dining table made it all the more worthwhile.

 

It will be interesting to see how HAL will change the Neptune Lounge post COVID.  The current buffet serve yourself style will certainly need to be changed.  The lounges themselves tend to be quite small and with even a couple of cruisers in there it can become quite congested.  And, when we booked a NS to try, we found the concierges all tended to speak really low which required that people stand quite close to each other.  Perhaps COVID will prompt a completely new and much improved lounge.  We can only hope.

[zelker]

12 minutes ago, cbr663 said:

It will be interesting to see how HAL will change the Neptune Lounge post COVID.  The current buffet serve yourself style will certainly need to be changed.  The lounges themselves tend to be quite small and with even a couple of cruisers in there it can become quite congested.  And, when we booked a NS to try, we found the concierges all tended to speak really low which required that people stand quite close to each other.  Perhaps COVID will prompt a completely new and much improved lounge.  We can only hope.

 

We were in a Neptune on Eurodam for 30 days in in February/March 2020 as the Covid nightmare unfolded.  It was business as usual for the first segment from FLL to San Diego but as we headed to Hawaii, things all over the ship started to change (no longer self-serve in the Lido, public restroom doors propped open, manned hand sanitizer stations, not even salt and pepper shakers or butter or bread left on the table in the MDR).  The change to the Neptune Lounge was that the doors were all propped open throughout the day and the food/beverage area was roped off with one or two of the PG servers standing behind the rope and preparing your plate, coffee, puupuu's, sweets, fruit, etc. and then handing it to you so nobody was allowed to touch anything food-related on their own.  We disembarked on March 18th in San Diego thankfully as a "well ship" without hold-ups, got to a basically ghost town airport, flew to Denver, and have been home ever since.  I envision these kinds of measures will exist going forward until they feel like the worst of COVID is behind us and/or require everyone who's on a ship has been vaccinated.  But honestly, so many of these measures were very welcomed by us and we'd be happy if they'd continue things like having the Lido and Neptune Lounge as not being self-serve ... suspect it would help keep the "ship upper respiratory crud" and Noro at bay.

[ScottC4746]

On 2/10/2021 at 4:07 PM, KanCruise said:

Hello fellow CC's!

DH and I are considering a Neptune Suite for the first time hopefully in 2022.  Tell me the perks you like.  

We sure don't have a crystal ball but I would like to get your thinking on what could change due to the virus...... such as in the Neptune Lounge?

Do you believe there will still be coffee and snacks there?   And any other fun tips for us?

 

Thanks!

First the the priority boarding and the extra room in the stateroom plus the bathroom you need a roadmap in.  It was nice having all those windows and oversize verandah.  We had one on the Eurodam and it was an aft/wrap.  The nice side is a much bigger veranda, the downside is it felt the room was smaller and we felt it was nosier than a midship, which we are doing our first midship next year on the Oosterdam so we will see.  Who knows what the future will bring with the lounge though.  Perhaps they will staff someone to handle the food and drinks.

 

[Wavelet]

I have a question regarding Neptune suites on the 35 day Hawaii/Tahiti cruise. The price of these cabins seem extraordinarily high compared to other suites/cruises. A Neptune suite lists at approx $24,000. A Signature suite on the same cruise is approx $12,000. On a 31 day SA cruise a Neptune suite is approx $12,000 and Signature suite on same cruise is approx $9,000. It seems like a big difference for cruises approx the same length, or even between Signature and Neptune suites on same cruise. I’m new to HAL so I hope someone can explain it to me. TIA.