jelayne Posted September 21, 2023 #26 Share Posted September 21, 2023 1 hour ago, deliver42 said: When I was on the Equinox pre covid, it was a perk for Concierge. Often been invited to sail in/out for suites and have also been to them for E+ and AQ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miched Posted September 21, 2023 #27 Share Posted September 21, 2023 Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation? Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate the area until it was over. Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted September 21, 2023 #28 Share Posted September 21, 2023 4 minutes ago, miched said: Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation? Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate the area until it was over. Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 Yes we did about 7-8 years ago. It was from one of the S class ships. Helicopter did not land on the helipad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gold1953 Posted September 21, 2023 #29 Share Posted September 21, 2023 8 minutes ago, jelayne said: Often been invited to sail in/out for suites and have also been to them for E+ and AQ Us as well but in Dec. we were invited and think it must have been for B2B There was only half a ship of people though. Got it for AQ in Jan. and Elite plus in Feb.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CTSandy Posted September 21, 2023 #30 Share Posted September 21, 2023 I have gotten invited on every cruise - never sure whether it’s because of cabin (sailed aqua, concierge, and veranda), loyalty status or casino status. I have never been on a sailing before where they charged for sailaway from a port. I did ask some of the people I chatted with if they did the for fee sailaway and no one had or knew if it was different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islabahia Posted September 21, 2023 #31 Share Posted September 21, 2023 We have been invited to sailaway on the helipad several times. For us it was a one and done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted September 21, 2023 #32 Share Posted September 21, 2023 Since the restart we have attended sail aways on the helipad from various ports and also was on the helipad for a sail into Nassau on a Reflection B2B in November 2021. As I understand it, invitations vary as to who gets invited but there is at least one at cruise, weather conditions permitting, for Retreat/Suite Guest and I believe CC members have one as well. On our last sailining, Millennium,, it was a combination of Retreat and Concierge iirc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare NutsAboutGolf Posted September 21, 2023 #33 Share Posted September 21, 2023 Usually sail AQ, often invited to sail away but we rarely go to them. Have never noticed them checking your seapass card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnm6217 Posted September 21, 2023 #34 Share Posted September 21, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gold1953 Posted September 21, 2023 #35 Share Posted September 21, 2023 1 hour ago, tnm6217 said: and there are always people in flip flops in line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Virgo Posted September 21, 2023 #36 Share Posted September 21, 2023 on both our January and April/May cruises, they were checking footwear and we saw people in flip flops be told no until they changed their sandals. Surprised at how many cant read 😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jelayne Posted September 21, 2023 #37 Share Posted September 21, 2023 53 minutes ago, gold1953 said: and there are always people in flip flops in line Our last sail away in May the Officer escorting us to the helipad was vigilant and anyone who did not have closed toe shoes was turned away. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drakes2 Posted September 21, 2023 #38 Share Posted September 21, 2023 2 hours ago, gold1953 said: and there are always people in flip flops in line Always and they are welcomed onto the helipad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix_dream Posted September 21, 2023 #39 Share Posted September 21, 2023 21 hours ago, CTSandy said: I was on the Summit August 30, 2023 New England/Canada cruise. I was invited to the sailaway from Prince Edward Island. I have done many of the sailaways and skipped it, but was surprised to see they offered sailaway from Quebec for $79 pp. Apparently some ports are more desirable for a sailaway and can generate revenue. $79 for a sailaway!?!? That is just plain crazy. I don't care what the port is I would never pay to do that. It's not that great to begin with. We've done it, but often skip invites as it's more comfortable on our balcony or an outside deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHEZMARYLOU Posted September 21, 2023 #40 Share Posted September 21, 2023 2 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said: $79 for a sailaway!?!? That is just plain crazy. I don't care what the port is I would never pay to do that. It's not that great to begin with. We've done it, but often skip invites as it's more comfortable on our balcony or an outside deck. We wouldn't pay for it either but if they are charging $79 I would expect a buffet and martinis from the martini bar at minimum. Not just cheap sparkling wine and mimosas. 😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix_dream Posted September 21, 2023 #41 Share Posted September 21, 2023 15 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said: We wouldn't pay for it either but if they are charging $79 I would expect a buffet and martinis from the martini bar at minimum. Not just cheap sparkling wine and mimosas. 😁 For sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gold1953 Posted September 21, 2023 #42 Share Posted September 21, 2023 26 minutes ago, drakes2 said: Always and they are welcomed onto the helipad We have seen them be turned away 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DaKahuna Posted September 22, 2023 #43 Share Posted September 22, 2023 1 hour ago, drakes2 said: Always and they are welcomed onto the helipad Every time we have gone to the helipad post COVID closings there has been a crew member there sending back anyone not in closed toed shoes, this included open toe flats and sandals as well as flip flops. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrk2cruise Posted September 22, 2023 #44 Share Posted September 22, 2023 11 hours ago, miched said: Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation? Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate the area until it was over. Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 We were on Millennium Panama Canal cruise (was supposed to be Infinity but a 2 cruise ship swap). We were sailing from Aruba to FLL and had a medical emergency. Sailed several hours to get close enough to Jamacia get within helicopter range. Helicopter flew around the ship and landed on the helipad. Evidently the patient wasn't stable enough so the helicopter shutdown, evidently the patient passed away. About an hour later the helicopter spun up and took off. It was the Jamaican coast guard. I believe the S and E class aren't big enough to land and it's really a hoist area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexmiller Posted September 22, 2023 #45 Share Posted September 22, 2023 I am befuddled about the helipad sailaway experience now becoming an event you pay for! I am guessing though that the invitation only sailaways will still exist (I sure hope so, selfishly!) - ie, Elite Plus and Zenith, Suite, Aqua and Concierge, but that this is an opportunity for those who would not have status to be invited, to still have the sailaway experience. The sailaway experience is now presumably another chance for the line to collect some revenue, like charging for the behind the scenes tours, the art tours on the Edge Class ships, etc.....I won't bring up the failed chocolate chip cookie money grab, lol! But I guess I understand the point, considering the trend of increasing costs, searches for new revenue streams......as long as the invitation only sailaways still exist 😅as honestly, we love them! Some of my favorite photos are of the two of us on the helipad with the bridge above us and absolutely no one else in the photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drakes2 Posted September 22, 2023 #46 Share Posted September 22, 2023 14 hours ago, DaKahuna said: Every time we have gone to the helipad post COVID closings there has been a crew member there sending back anyone not in closed toed shoes, this included open toe flats and sandals as well as flip flops. Last September 2022 I had a concierge SV and received an invite to the helipad sail away. It annoyed me when I saw people wearing Sandals flip flops etc in attendance as I specifically brought my runners for this reason only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMcruise Posted September 22, 2023 #47 Share Posted September 22, 2023 (edited) On 9/21/2023 at 7:42 AM, miched said: Has anyone ever seen them use the helipad for an evacuation? Every time there was one it was always from a top deck. They would isolate the area until it was over. Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅 4 years ago after leaving New Zealand about 5 hours out to sea - a crew member had to be evacuated. It was very interesting watching the New Zealand Coast Guard Helicopter circle the ship and then land on the helipad. The crew member was quickly loaded and it took off. They never shut the blades off and was only landed for a very short time. We were on the Solstice and watched from the Spa lounge in the front of the ship. Yes - they kept the area isolated and had to take down some wires and other stuff. Very efficiently done. Edited September 22, 2023 by JLMcruise more info 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oceangoer2 Posted September 22, 2023 #48 Share Posted September 22, 2023 I hope posters aren't misled and expecting the helipad experience because of their cabin or captains club class...in the past, the helipad was an invitation, not necessarily to all concierge, elite, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfkcruiser Posted September 22, 2023 #49 Share Posted September 22, 2023 Best helipad experience was sailing into Tracey Arm. Conditions were exceptional but a bit cold - we were told it was unusual to sail as far in as we did. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doghog Posted September 22, 2023 #50 Share Posted September 22, 2023 (edited) We've been invited to the helipad on our September 2019 and September 2022 Summit cruises cruising up the Saint Lawrence river heading to Quebec. Great views. Our invites for both cruises were signed by the CC concierge. Edited September 22, 2023 by doghog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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