First time in HAL suite

[cruzmaven]

Just got my cabin assignment and was upgraded from SZ guarantee to SA suite! :eek: Very excited about that.

 

So now, as a first timer on HAL and first time in the rarified air of a Deluxe Veranda Suite, what should I be expecting and what suite benefits should I not miss out on?

 

Usually in a first time experience I try to keep my expectations low but with this assignment I have to say my expectations are pretty high. Is service at this level really better than what I would expect to get in the regular peon cabin I'm used to?

[twinkletoes4445]

You are SO lucky!!! And you are in for a treat. :)

 

You'll have the use of the Neptune Lounge. It's a place to grab a snack, or drink (no alcohol). There's also chairs and sofas, and a TV. The concierge (there are 2) is here and they will assist you with anything you need...you'll never go to the front desk. They cash your traveler's checks, make dinner reservations, reserve excursions for you...and many other things. We used the NL and the concierge service a lot more than we thought we would.

 

NL hours...(from our cruise)

 

Port Days-7:00 am - 8:30 pm

Sea Days-7:30 am - 8:30 pm

 

Food Service

Continental breakfast 7:00 am - 11:00 am

Midday snacks 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Afternoon tea 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cold hors d'oeuvres 5:00 pm - 8:15 pm

[twinkletoes4445]

Other amenities...

 

Separate check-in line at pier

Priority disembarkatin and embarkation

Priority tendering

King size bed

Boutineer (sp) and corsage for first formal night

Use of the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast

Binoculars and umbrella for your use

Free laundry and dry cleaning

Free bottle of champagne

 

I'm sure there are other things...but be prepared for a wonderful experience! The cabin is amazing. It's large enough to actually enjoy. The balcony is also nice. There's a couple of chairs with ottomans and a table with chairs.

[PathfinderEss]

Golly gee whiz, an up grade to an SA on your very first Hal cruise, your really going to be spoiled now. Wow, are you lucky, congratulations, and have a great cruise......maybe you should think about buying a lotto ticket, lol.............

[sue1898]

One of my favorites...free laundry and pressing which makes for much lighter packing! Enjoy your suite experience.

[cruiservictor]

We had an SA on the Rotterdam last month. When we arrived at the pier in Rotterdam (coincidentally), there must have been 800 people sitting in a big room, waiting for their group to be called so they could board. We were assigned to group 17 and they had just called 8. But we found the suite line and were onboard in 5 minutes. I told my wife that itself was worth the price of the suite.

[Susie51]

Congratulations!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Congratulations on that wonderful upgrade:)

Yes, you will be a bit spoiled;) But you will enjoy Alaska even more.

Breakfast in the Pinnacle is nice. Also while it is not a Suite Perk we always enjoy lunch in the Pinnacle the day we go to Glacier Bay. It makes for a nice break between glaciers.

If you check in before 11 AM at the pier they should be still taking Suite Passengers on first and taking them up to the Neptune Lounge and explaining what amenities you have.

 

Bon Voyage!!!

[dvanlinge]

Do you have to checkin before 11am to get the escort and talk of amenities?

[MrsMuir]

Special escort? Booked in a suite, we were the first passengers to check in for Ryndam in San Diego last year, and we made our own way up to the Lido. I wouldn't have known of some of the amenities except that we had been in a suite once before, and I learned alot about them on this board.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Do you have to checkin before 11am to get the escort and talk of amenities?

That I cannot answer. We got there about 10:50 and checked in and they escorted us away from where everyone else was waiting. Now this was in Seattle for the Amsterdam. Not sure they are doing this in other embarkation ports. This was definitely a first for us. It will be interesting to see if they will be doing this in San Diego.

[medfordgirl]

uh oh, I feel sorry for you. On our cruise on HAL we were in an SA suite and from the moment we got to port they made us feel like royalty. We walked in and showed our ticket and got the "oh please come this way" and what was this way...it was a line of 2 where as the other line had about 200. then when we boarded we showed our key and immediately a white gloved valet took our bags and escorted us to the Neptune lounge, it was only up hill from there. So, why do I feel sorry, because once you go deluxe, you never go back. I know because our upcoming cruise on Westerdam is again in a deluxe, told my DH I wouldn't have it any other way. And when I am happy, he is happy;)

[JimVrhovac]

Welcome to the suite life.

 

Rmember one thing....

 

"NEVER PUT A WOMAN IN A CABIN YOU DO NOT PLAN ON PURCHASING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?"

 

One of the nicest things is to have dinner served to you on the balcony or share the experience with a couple you meet on the cruise...

 

Ruth & Jim

[twinkletoes4445]

On our cruise on HAL we were in an SA suite and from the moment we got to port they made us feel like royalty. So, why do I feel sorry, because once you go deluxe, you never go back.

 

And for us, it was quite a shocker once we got home to find out that we really weren't Royalty after all. lol Hubby and I both agreed that it was really hard to come back to the "real" world after our HAL cruise. :)

 

And you are so right...once you go deluxe, you never go back.

[twinkletoes4445]

Rmember one thing....

 

"NEVER PUT A WOMAN IN A CABIN YOU DO NOT PLAN ON PURCHASING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?"

 

Hubby will appreciate this comment. That's funny. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Congratulations on getting upgraded to am SA -- you will definitely be spoiled!!

You will also get personalized stationary -- if you need extra sheets -- one of the concierges will be glad to print more for you.

[mamma0233]

Our first trip with HAL last year we were upgraded to a deluxe suite...I am now spoiled for life! Pinnacle Grill for breakfast every morning, iced tea from the Neptune all day, those fantastic little snacks and sweets there and the loveliest concierges ever! Couldn't swing it this year so we will be in "just" a balcony cabin on the Ryndam in Oct. Hope I can "suck it up" and survive being a "commoner" again! HA Oh well it IS HAL!

[twinkletoes4445]

we will be in "just" a balcony cabin on the Ryndam in Oct. Hope I can "suck it up" and survive being a "commoner" again! HA Oh well it IS HAL!

 

LOL...That's cute. :)

 

I love all the amenities that come with the deluxe suite, but when we were out and about on the ship we were always treated like royalty. It's all about service on HAL. :)

[PathfinderEss]

Welcome to the suite life.

 

Rmember one thing....

 

"NEVER PUT A WOMAN IN A CABIN YOU DO NOT PLAN ON PURCHASING THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?"

 

Ruth & Jim

 

Jim there has been lots of things broached on these boards but you have just said the truest statement of all time, you are so right.......my DH has mention many times to lots of people, the worse thing he every did was put me into a suite, because I'm not happy with anything less.....and an unhappy wife make for an very unhappy hubby.........thanks Jim, loved your philosophy.

[JimVrhovac]

Years ago got a great deal on the Penthouse for a 7 day cruise.

 

She has never let me live it down. The worst thing I ever did with a cruise and it comes back to haunt me every time we book a cruise.

 

As you note we are frequent flyers and she always gets a suite but that is not enough. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

Jim (without Ruth)

[cruzmaven]

Thank you all for the responses.

 

I'm looking forward to being spoiled on this cruise. If exposure to the "suite" life means I'm not going to be happy unless I book suites from here on, so be it. :D

[Bill HaHa]

We are in a suite on our 10-12-08 cruise to Mexico Sea of Cortez on the Ryndam....To mamma0233. When do you sail? We had a suite last October on the Oosterdam... It was great.