Kona921

 

my underline

 

 

It's good to keep in mind when 'understanding' suite cut backs that there are a number of us who book far in advance and are paying premium pricing.

 

We are not 'okay' with severe suite cutbacks because of HAL's pattern of cheap upsells and free upgrades.

 

It is easy to think everyone in those "SA" and "S" cabins and other Neptune Suite categories have deeply discounted rates. That is not the case.

 

Agree 100%

For what it's worth, Travel Weekly (a travel industry publication) still has HAL in the premium category. (google: travel weekly cruises, then click on the "Browse by Line and Ship" link.) They categorize all the lines into Luxury, Premium, Mainstream, Expedition, Specialty and River.

Thank you for providing a proof source RJ2002. When I started cruising in 1997 HAL was touted as 5star and it felt that way. I am sure a 4star mariner would agree to that. In all of these years of cruising my behavior as well as my expectations have remained the same. I wore gowns in 1997, I wear gowns today.

Bob just basically confirmed what I had said. He says how he remembers gowns and tuxedos being the norm. Has his behavior/attitude changed or remained the same?

My parents took us on our first cruise to expose us to the finer things in life. My Dad meant for us to aspire to a level where we would be able to enjoy a vacation experience that went beyond shorts and t shirts. It worked.

Its sad to see that experience diminished and then to say "sign of the times". News flash....WE are the times. WE create the environment. I can't control what others do but it the dress code says X then I follow X.

I will be among the <10% on the NA next week; with no attitude at all for those who choose to enjoy the cruise's formal nights more casually. In fact the couples we are traveling with will most definitely not be in tux or gown. Even on smart casual nights I will be in jacket and tie. Late dining is just a little more special for us when we dress a little out of the ordinary.

 

Dennis

That goes for us as well. If I want to have A 5 star experience then I have a responsibility to do my part to create it. The staff dress is elevated as should ours.

It's funny/sad to hear about cutbacks when veteran cruisers can't even be bothered to dress a couple times per week. Then you advise new cruisers about how no one dresses anymore....but hey be sure to take away Another thing that made HAL stand apart from the others....then complain that the standards and service are in decline...

BTW--ever think that maybe the service in the MDR is slow because many that used to work the MDR now have to work in the Lido?

I'll be on the Caribbean Princess in March. I know I can get my nails done on the ship, but do they have any make-up artist? I'm not good with that stuff and would like to get my makeup done if its a service offered. I haven't seen any info on this.

 

 

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I plan on having my make up done on my upcoming cruise as well. I am sorry some folks have trouble focusing on the question.

Answer: of course the spa can apply your make up for you. Your hair too if you like. Just use your voice. If you see him/her going a little overboard say something right away. You are the customer after all.

I wear everyday make up but I don't really get the blending thing either. Nor have I mastered the smoky eye. I want to dazzle my husband not just the usual in a fancy dress. This is part of cruising fun for me. A tux and a gown...a great meal...some wine...some dancing....Heaven!

I do agree with doing a Nordstrom or Sephora run prior to the trip for some quality product.

Enjoy your trip. It will be here before you know it...how exciting!

The average corkage fee at a restaurant is about $20. It's often less in wine country where most diners bring their own bottles. It's often higher in big cities. It's $85 at Jean Georges in Manhattan and $90 at Per Se. The latter two allow a 2 bottle maximum for their corkage fee.

 

Corkage is a way for restaurants to recover the lost profit from wine sales but also helps defray the service cost, glassware, etc.

 

We bring wine with us and expect to pay the fee. We try to make sure that we never bring wines that are on the restaurant's list.

Same here POA1.

In fact many restaurants will not allow you to bring a wine that appears on their list. This is about CHOICE, not trying to get one over HAL.

I thought we weren't "whining about wine" anymore...

Here's morning coffee out on the verandah, from a recent cruise. Yes, I'm such a fan of verandah dining that I bring a little (42 inches square) tablecloth. And send it with our clothes to the laundry when needed. But really, for a cruise in warm weather, with a beautiful sea early in the morning, isn't the table inviting? Complete with the morning paper, at least an abbreviated version of it.(Of course the cloth comes in when we do; the wind would take it away in a minute!)

 

Now you all know, if you didn't already. I'm a nut!:p

 

I am not alone! :)

:)

Oh for God's sake get with the times

 

 

Its 2014 , as soon as you have a threeway you get exclusive rights to the word lifestyle :) *LOL*

Now, THAT was funny!

We usually take a red and a white for dinner each night. On formal nights, we throw in a Champagne as well. (We travel with other people, so it's not two people on three bottles.) We like to mix it up and I try to pick both new, interesting wines and some old favorites.

 

Here's our group's list for the cruise at the end of the month. I apologize if you are behind us at the wine check in, but we'll give HAL a hard copy to expedite things. :)

 

• A to Z Pinot Noir, 2011, Red, Pinot Noir, Oregon
  
• Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Uco Valley Reserve, 2011, Red, Malbec, Argentina / Mendoza
  
• Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes, 2011, Red, Garnacha and Cariñena, Spain / Catalan
  
• Argyle Extended Tirage, 2001, Sparkling, Chardonnay / Pinot Noir, Oregon / Willamette Valley
  
• Bodega Norton Malbec Reserve, 2010, Red, Malbec, Argentina / Mendoza
  
• Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling Evergreen, 2012, White, Riesling, Washington / Columbia Valley
  
• Chateau du Retout Haut Medoc, 2010, Red, Bordeaux, France / Bordeaux
  
• Chateau Ormes de Pez St Estephe, 2010, Red, Bordeaux, France / Bordeaux
  
• Chateau Ste Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Horse Heaven Vineyard, 2012, White, Sauvignon Blanc, Washington / Horse Heaven Hills
  
• D'Arenberg Marsanne Viognier Hermit Crab, 2010, White, Viogner / Meritage, Australia / McClaren Vale
  
• Goats do Roam White, 2011, White, Viogner / Meritage, South Africa / Western Cape
  
• Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape, 2006, Red, Rhone, France / Southern Rhone
  
• Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top, NV, Sparkling, Champagne, France / Champagne
  
• Hogue, 2011, White, Gewurztraminer, Washington / Columbia Valley
  
• JJ Vincent Pouilly Fuisse Marie Antoinette, 2011, White, White Burgundy, France / Burgundy
  
• Ken Wright, Savoya, 2010, Red, Pinot Noir, Oregon / Yamhill-Carlton District
  
• Lopez de Heredia Gravonia Crianza Blanco, 2003, White, Rioja, Spain / La Rioja
  
• Mollydooker 2 Left Feet Shiraz Cabernet Merlot, 2012, Red, Shiraz / Meritage, Australia / McClaren Vale
  
• Montaudon Grande Rose Brut , NV, Sparkling, Champagne, France / Champagne
  
• Produttori del Barbaresco, 2008, Red, Barbaresco, Italy / Piedmont
  
• Taittenger Domaine Carneros Brut, 2009, Sparkling, Napa, France / Champagne
  
• Terredora Di Paolo Greco di Tufo, 2012, White, Greco, Italy / Campania
  
• Txakoli Txomin Extaniz, 2011, White, Txakoli (Hondarrabi Zuri), Spain / Basque
  
• Villa Antinori Toscana Red, 2010, Red, Sangiovese / Meritage, Italy / Tuscany
  

Two Left feet is a great one...sounds like you and your group will be well set for delicious food AND special wine!!!

My husband and I tend to prefer California wines but have on occasion strayed....we recently had a Rex Hill Pinot Noir...very nice

We will bring

Dariush Chardonnay

Dariush Cabernet

Molly Dooker Enchanted Path

Golden Eye Pinot Noir

Denner Zinfandel

And??

I am sure you could just email the mariner society...very quick response from them. If you create an on line acct with HAL you will see your status along with all of the cruises and the days/credits earned for each.

3 Star Mariner on HAL

And it sounds less steak house and more "we don't know where we wanted to go with this".

 

If a change is being made make it special.....

 

Just my impression, haven't tried it yet.

Can't wait to enjoy it myself!thanks!

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Maybe I'm being a bit slow here, but if I pay corkage at embarkation or at a port of call, can I then take that bottle to the MDR, or must I pay another corkage at the MDR?

Pay corkage one time. :). In the past folks would try to avoid corkage by bringing a filled wine glass into the MDR...NOW the playing field is level....not so fair to those of us who did follow the rules but hey...at least we got a compromise. I can definitely live with that!

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Now it's time for the guy who does not want to pay corkage who's going to consume it in his cabin.

 

Plus all the Publix wine sommelier's will now have to pay $20 for two buck chuck

 

Trust me it's far from over

I think wake patrol was jokingly saying that with $18 corkage 2 buck chuck is now $20...double whammy as 2buck chuck is now like $4 :)

Wakepatrol sadly you are probably right....but without something to complain about what would some folks do?

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Just boarded the Oosterdam at noon on 2/2/14 in Sydney, Australia, and was greeted with the following signage:

 

 

Alcoholic Beverages

 

 

Guests may not bring beer, boxed wine, other liquors or spirits on board. Any such beverages found in luggage will be removed and returned at the end of the voyage.

 

 

Each guest 21 years and older may bring one bottle of wine or champagne on board in their carry on luggage at the start of the cruise. Each additional bottle is subject to an $18 corkage fee.

 

 

Yahoo! Calmer heads have prevailed, at least for now. Each bottle in the subsequent case was recorded as to vintner, type, and year. A sticker was then applied to the bottle to indicate that corkage had been paid. Same process was applied to the original freebie, just a different color sticker.

 

 

Happy, happy, joy, joy!

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Yippie! Thank you for the good news!

3 Star Mariner on HAL

I can only speak to my own experience with my recent booking. I booked directly on the HAL website but I kept searching and wound up booking with "a big box store" and received the same price but an additional 685 in obc...Sold! My advice would be to make sure you are getting the exact same room for a lower price...I would run a quote requesting the same room number to be sure...

We have done the canal 2x the first was a 10 day and the second was 15 days...HEAVEN. My only other advice would be to recognize that ports in places like Costa Rica and Guatemala will require excursions to truly see the country....prepare for long days but so worth it....the ports themselves offer nothing and really are not indicative of daily living for most folks.

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Great news! Thank you for sharing!

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Although the promised suite perk matching Corsage and Boutonniere may be a giveaway!

True true....although I have fond memories of galavanting all over Martinique in search of corsages for the ladies in my party to wear for formal night...I bet we really messed with some folks! Haha!

3 Star Mariner on HAL

We had the PH on the Zuiderdam & Oosterdam and SA's every other cruise. It never occurred to me to think that I should be "Butt In Line Guy." Maybe I'll get "I'm Kind of a Big Deal - Ask about my gold key card." embroidered on the back of my tuxedo jacket. (I have broad shoulders.) :D

Yes, go subtle with the embroidery...so much classier than the old card on the lanyard hanging around your neck look...although I am sure the gold will look fabulous with your tux :)

3 Star Mariner on HAL

I was in the penthouse last year. I never occurred to me to think I was more special then everyone else. I stood in line like everyone else. I'm sorry but tis attitude seems to be a bit much.

I was thinking the same thing. I thought at first it was a joke...what would I wear my room card like a badge? Hello my name is so and so I am in a suite.....

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Enjoy! Love cruising the canal! Since its just us I will share my secret...we had the thermal suite pass which gave us fantastic views of the locks on transit day in a quiet setting away from the crowds...shhh don't tell anyone. :)

3 Star Mariner on HAL

Great review, thank you! We will sail on the Noordam later this year :)

3 Star Mariner on HAL

I don't think it is complete unless it has been changed........

 

We often order L'Ecole Cab and don't see it on the menu.

Also Silverado.......

 

No Cloudy Bay Sauv. Blanc

No Villa Maria

 

I would not be surprised. He said it was subject to change etc...

Silverado is listed on the MDR wine list. Cloudy Bay on the Cirque menu.

We are from California so we overall we are missing wines from our favorite vintners but we are excited to try some of the pinots and syrahs from OR and WA.

3 Star Mariner on HAL

What I got from guest relations today. Fantastic customer service :)

J. RIESLING CHAT. ST. MICHELLE

DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE BRUT

CHARDONNAY CHATEAU ST. MICHELLE

CHARDONNAY COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATE

CAB SAUV COLUMBIA CREST GRAND ESTATE

MERLOT GRAND ESTATE COLUMBIA CREST

SAUV BLANC CH ST MICHELLE HORSE HEAVEN

CHARDONNAY CH ST MICHELLE CANOE RIDGE

RIESLING EROICA CH ST MICHELLE

MERLOT CHAT STE MICHELLE CANOE RIDGE

SOKOL BLOSSER PINOT NOIR, OR

CHAT STE MICHELLE COLD CREEK CABERNET SAUV

CHESTER KIDDER MERITAGE

SEQUEL SYRAH

SAGGI RED BLEND

PIROUETTE RED BLEND

LEONETTI CABERNET SAUVIGNON

LEONETTI MELOT

Darighe

KENNEDY SHAH RESERVE

MERLOT NORTHSTAR

RED COL SOLARE, MERITAGE

3 Star Mariner on HAL

My daughter was married in October but because she is a teacher she and her husband have to postpone their honeymoon til the summer, after school is out. They have both sailed HAL and Princess (preferring HAL), and they have booked a 12 night cruise of the Baltics on the Eurodam in July. When she told her co-worker who is also a part-time travel agent of her plans, this lady was horrified, telling my daughter "why did you book HAL, you'll hate it: they are only for old people." My daughter put her straight, saying she loves HAL. Makes you wonder how many people are negatively affected by ill-informed travel agents.:rolleyes:

Funny! The same thing happened to me back in 1998. I had only cruised HAL 2x and the TA said try Celebrity it's just as nice as HAL but will be a younger demographic....Huge mistake....since then it's been HAL all the way...

I love being considered one of the youngsters on the ship...it makes up for being considered old by my staff here at home :)

3 Star Mariner on HAL