Have it All now Excluded from Honor Bar in Neptune Lounge

[Laminator]

4 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Are they though?  I know people love to rationalize Hal’s behaviour.  If you are drinking triples and marking them down that seems like a pretty shady person.  The concierge is in their most of the time.  Don’t you think they would see that? 

There are times when there is only one concierge in there and 4 pax waiting to see him/her. You could pretty much put a whole bottle in your purse and they would not notice. I actually believe it has more to do with the lack of a proper POS system in the Neptune Lounge. 

[Florida_gal_50]

5 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

Do you really think that, as cheap as HAL is on perks etc., that they would be giving away "free" cruises if they weren't making a profit on them? That doesn't make any sense.

What?  Someone is getting a $10000 cruise for just port tax.  Please explain to me how hal is making money on that.  I can hardly wait but I’m guessing I’ll be hearing crickets.

[Florida_gal_50]

6 minutes ago, Laminator said:

There are times when there is only one concierge in there and 4 pax waiting to see him/her. You could pretty much put a whole bottle in your purse and they would not notice. I actually believe it has more to do with the lack of a proper POS system in the Neptune Lounge. 

Just think how cheap liquor is for hal.  If you are sneaking a bottle out of the lounge you’ve got bigger problems.  

[Sea42]

4 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

What?  Someone is getting a $10000 cruise for just port tax.  Please explain to me how hal is making money on that.  I can hardly wait but I’m guessing I’ll be hearing crickets.

Just a guess but I would "bet" they're spending that in the casino. HAL is not giving those cruises away out of the goodness of their heart!

There were some good giveaways at the startup to entice people back to cruising but those offers are gone now.

[Laminator]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Just think how cheap liquor is for hal.  If you are sneaking a bottle out of the lounge you’ve got bigger problems.  

No argument from me there. But I can assure you there are those people!

[Florida_gal_50]

11 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

Just a guess but I would "bet" they're spending that in the casino. HAL is not giving those cruises away out of the goodness of their heart!

There were some good giveaways at the startup to entice people back to cruising but those offers are gone now.

Nope.  There was a long thread the other day.  It may still be active.  It was all about people that didn’t spend a red cent in the casino getting free cruises.  I’m not talking about the start up.  The $10,000 cruise is an Amazon cruise leaving next February.  If I get an offer like that I’ll be retiring just to take them up on that.  Guess my employer won’t have to worry about that.

 

Here is a link to the thread I’m talking about 

 

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Florida_gal_50

[Florida_gal_50]

3 minutes ago, Laminator said:

No argument from me there. But I can assure you there are those people!

It’s hard to believe that people could do that but there is always one 🙄.

[Sea42]

13 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Nope.  There was a long thread the other day.  It may still be active.  It was all about people that didn’t spend a red cent in the casino getting free cruises.  I’m not talking about the start up.  The $10,000 cruise is an Amazon cruise leaving next February.  If I get an offer like that I’ll be retiring just to take them up on that.  Guess my employer won’t have to worry about that.

 

Here is a link to the thread I’m talking about 

 

 

Interesting. I still think this is not just random kindness on HAL's part.

[Florida_gal_50]

5 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

Interesting. I still think this is not just random kindness on HAL's part.

Probably not but it’s super annoying to me.  I’ve wanted to do that Amazon cruise for years and years but no way will I ever pay $10 k to hal after seeing that.  It’s not just that one person either.  I’ve read somewhere else on this board that someone got the same “deeply discounted” cruise. 

[Eaglecw]

We are going on the Westerdam on Sunday and have the HIA package, and we are staying in a Neptune suite. I’ll check it out the Neptune lounge and try to report back. I personally think it's BS. 

[REOVA]

2 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

 

I love staying in a Neptune Suite.  That would be my only comment on that.

While they are larger suites (except they shrunk on newer ships) and you have a "personal" concierge to assist with some things and a small "lounge" (which has declined in offerings), it doesn't compare to some other lines "suite experience" at less cost than Neptune Suite. The lounge used to be a place where the concierge would ask you if you wanted a drink and pour (if they weren't busy) so I would think HAL would classify the area as a service "bar" and they don't charge extra at any other bars on the ship (unless it's over the $ or specialty drink). I did read this happening on other media but thought it was just another inconsistent enforcement that one ship did over another. HAL needs to do a top down training program for all hospitality crew to get everyone consistent on packages, plans, billing and ship rules. 

[Copper10-8]

 

To the barricades!

 

[cbr663]

1 hour ago, Laminator said:

There are times when there is only one concierge in there and 4 pax waiting to see him/her. You could pretty much put a whole bottle in your purse and they would not notice. I actually believe it has more to do with the lack of a proper POS system in the Neptune Lounge. 

 

That wouldn't be a very smart move.  As an enclosed public area the NL does have security cameras.  I would also expect that there is most likely a panic button of some sort that the concierge can access should the need arise.

[Laminator]

39 minutes ago, cbr663 said:

 

That wouldn't be a very smart move.  As an enclosed public area the NL does have security cameras.  I would also expect that there is most likely a panic button of some sort that the concierge can access should the need arise.

Panic Button?...LOL...We need the SWAT team to respond to the Neptune Lounge immediately. Mr. Jones from cabin number 7115 just stole 3/4's of a bottle of vodka. 

[Domer81mpc]

2 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Probably not but it’s super annoying to me.  I’ve wanted to do that Amazon cruise for years and years but no way will I ever pay $10 k to hal after seeing that.  It’s not just that one person either.  I’ve read somewhere else on this board that someone got the same “deeply discounted” cruise. 

Annoyed t the good fortune oe luck of other HAL cruisers?!?  WOW.

[OlsSalt]

24 minutes ago, Domer81mpc said:

Annoyed t the good fortune oe luck of other HAL cruisers?!?  WOW.

 

Not really. How about just not liking being asked to subsidize the "free good fortune" of others, when they brag they did nothing that let the casino earn back that "free gift"?

 

I think that was the point that was being made.  Someone has to make up those "free costs", when there is no actual return on that investment.

 

However, this does seem to be a closed system arrangement within the casino franchise - it must work for them, and for HAL. Few to no loss leaders for either party can survive this current cruise world economic climate today. 

 

[Laminator]

13 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

 

Not really. How about just not liking being asked to subsidize the "free good fortune" of others, when they brag they did nothing that let the casino earn back that "free gift"?

 

I think that was the point that was being made.  Someone has to make up those "free costs", when there is no actual return on that investment.

 

However, this does seem to be a closed system arrangement within the casino franchise - it must work for them, and for HAL. Few to no loss leaders for either party can survive this current cruise world economic climate today. 

 

This has been discussed ad nauseum. Carnival Casino Division pays HAL for the cabins. This is why it takes anywhere from 2 days and sometimes up to 2-1/2 weeks for a casino booking to be confirmed. HAL has to receive the remainder of the fare from the casino division. From what I can tell from my numerous casino bookings it does appear the casino division receives a 20 to 25 percent discount on the published website rates. I think this all has to do with creative accounting. Although the ships are flagged in another country the casino division is located in Miami which would subject them to US taxes. 

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, cbr663 said:

 

....................As an enclosed public area the NL does have security cameras.  I would also expect that there is most likely a panic button of some sort that the concierge can access should the need arise.

 

Just curious! Where do you get your information from?

[oakridger]

21 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Just curious! Where do you get your information from?

 

Maybe we could ask a security officer if there are cameras in the Neptune Lounge??  Hmmmmmm....

🤔

[Copper10-8]

50 minutes ago, oakridger said:

 

Maybe we could ask a security officer if there are cameras in the Neptune Lounge??  Hmmmmmm....

🤔

 

What a maahvelous idea!

[Mosaic]

There are cameras in the Neptune Lounge, Also, when HIA first started (and for a couple years), the Neptune bar was EXCLUDED period from that package.  Then and certainly until now, it WAS included.  So, is this new info or old???

[mtncruzr2]

Recently on the NA. There were forms at the beverage area in the Neptune Lounge.  The form is a list of each beverage and the price. You print your name and cabin number, check off the item you take and leave the form.  If the price is more than the HIA allowance the overage is automatically charged to your stateroom account. 

[Florida_gal_50]

8 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

 

Not really. How about just not liking being asked to subsidize the "free good fortune" of others, when they brag they did nothing that let the casino earn back that "free gift"?

 

I think that was the point that was being made.  Someone has to make up those "free costs", when there is no actual return on that investment.

 

However, this does seem to be a closed system arrangement within the casino franchise - it must work for them, and for HAL. Few to no loss leaders for either party can survive this current cruise world economic climate today. 

 

Yes, that exactly it.  It’s very simple if you care to think about it for 2 seconds instead of making it about something that it isn’t.  It’s not the casino fares that I’m talking about.  It’s the freebies out of the blue.

[Florida_gal_50]

7 hours ago, Laminator said:

This has been discussed ad nauseum. Carnival Casino Division pays HAL for the cabins. This is why it takes anywhere from 2 days and sometimes up to 2-1/2 weeks for a casino booking to be confirmed. HAL has to receive the remainder of the fare from the casino division. From what I can tell from my numerous casino bookings it does appear the casino division receives a 20 to 25 percent discount on the published website rates. I think this all has to do with creative accounting. Although the ships are flagged in another country the casino division is located in Miami which would subject them to US taxes. 

Is the casino division also picking up the fare of those who never step foot in a casino as well?   That seems to be conveniently glossed over here.

[BermudaBound2014]

12 hours ago, Eaglecw said:

We are going on the Westerdam on Sunday and have the HIA package, and we are staying in a Neptune suite. I’ll check it out the Neptune lounge and try to report back. I personally think it's BS. 

 

 

Thank you for reporting back. The 'new' policy is being reported from the Noordam.

 

It will be interesting to see if this ends up being enforced consistently fleet wide.