Florida_gal_50

Yes the advantage will be more than the non refundable and less than the hia. My life is just too unpredictable so unless it's past final I will not do a non refundable. When you are on the ship you can buy future cruise deposits. I think there is various denominations but I'm not sure. For my cruise I usually only need to use one $100 deposit to hold it until final. If you don't use them after 4 years they are refundable.

This is what is a little frustrating. I like some of the drinks hal had on their menu a few years back. No one seems to know. Even if you tell them what's in it it's iffy in my experience. A couple years back they used to make the best bloody Caesars. Now it's a crapshoot. I like it spicy, without a ton of ice with olives and no celery and a salted rim. That used to be pretty much standard, now it's rare even when I say exactly how I want it. Every single drink tastes different.

I'm sorry I don't understand the question. I use a future cruise deposit of $100 to hold my cruise. I purchase these on board and my cruises are usually 14 days or less. I suspect I'm not answering your question properly.

Everyone's check out time is 11 at a hotel. At every hotel I've ever stayed at they will keep your bags for you and let you enjoy the property. That said, usually 4 stars and above can check in at any time. You have to be prepared to wait just in case.

Yes, it does just as a refundable hotel costs more. There are 3 prices, the non refundable, an advantage fare, and the hia fare. You can't see the advantage fare online, a ta or pcc needs to get that for you. It's s deep dark secret.

I don’t think they would get a mark against them. Hal seems to keep pretty much anyone on. There was a server in the pinnacle on the koningsdam that was easily one of the worst servers I’ve seen in my life. I refused to go back there after the experience and talked to the manager about it. I had heard he had a ton of complaints. The next cruise he was he was on the ship on a brand new contract. I happened to be talking to another crew member not related to the food service dept and they knew all about this dude and how many complaints he’d had. If you don’t speak up in my mind things will never change. Even if you do they may not but you have nothing to lose in my mind.

What did they say when you asked them why you weren’t getting the same server? On hal, on every cruise I’ve been on the early part of dining seems to be overrun with people. When people start lining up an hour before the mdr opens it’s not surprising. If they are letting people in quicker with out a reservation maybe that would be a better way to go. Also when you get on the ship sometimes there is a possibility to switch to fixed.

They must be giving you mine or it varies by ship. I always ask for them and about 50 percent of the time it actually happens.

They don’t. I have to specifically ask for them otherwise it comes without. Seems to me the person you quoted wanted them.

I agree on the disorganization. I noticed that in the pinnacle as well, even at night. I don’t notice that in the other specialty restaurants. It’s been my personal experience on hal unless you specifically ask to have the same table and or servers on hal it won’t automatically happen. I think 90 minutes for dinner is a better expectation. It seems to take them a while to get over to your table. Then the kitchen speed plays into that. It’s not a matter of leaving time for people to socialize. It’s a matter of feeding a lot of people in a short time period. Logistics.

I tend to over tip. I rarely go to the dining room anymore because it’s to packed, loud and chaotic to me. I don’t want to sit with others anymore. If I had ok service I wouldn’t tip. They are included in the daily crew incentive so it’s not like they are getting stiffed. If the service was exceptional that is different. That said, I was in a Neptune suite my last cruise. That’s not usual for me. I ate breakfast almost every morning in the pinnacle. Even though the service was just ok and the food lukewarm I did leave an envelope with the hostess to split amongst the servers because there was several different servers.

Why would you be baffled by that? I’m actually surprised that you could reserve for a time like that. Usually it’s either 5 or 5:15 or after 8. I see people so impatient to leave to catch the show like it’s a Broadway show that can’t be missed. I don’t think Cruisemom was talking about people with special diets more like people that want milk the minute they get there, or a veggie platter, or special type of bun (not talking gluten free). I’m the same way. I’m not a special request person. Maybe reserving at 5 or 5:15 would work better as the show is important.

I would imagine an internet free cruise would have little appeal. Looking for internet on shore even less. This is 2023 not 1923.

Hal also has a 12 day Caribbean (a partial Panama really) listed for the 7th as well. I’d be interested in that but you click on it and it takes you nowhere. It’s been like that for months.

Yeah, it's really odd. I remember they had the same thing last year.

Koningsdam.

Good reason not to buy refundable. When I've seen non refundable it's always noted that you need to buy insurance at that time. I'm not sure why it would be assumed thst non refundable really means refundable.

It can, if it's a refundable fare. The devil is in the details.

In a Neptune suite there is plenty of room to eat. There is that big, long counter space that faces the window and balcony. There is also a table on the balcony. It’s not adjustable but neither is my table at home. A balcony room is more of a challenge. I don’t dress formally in my room 😛.

Yes, that it exactly.

Ok so it was probably non refundable. That makes a difference I’m assuming.

Absolutely. Sometimes I take it out on my balcony to eat.

Was this a non refundable fare that you booked? Usually extra items that you book on top of the cruise are immediately refunded. I’m thinking things like specialty dining.

Thanks for another great and informative thread. I enjoyed it. It’s so rude when they make you leave 😛.

Yup, although not to the same extent this has happened to me twice. I’ve booked a cabana several times. There is one person in guest services or whatever it’s called when you phone. She doesn’t get it. She charged me twice one time and the wrong week (I don’t even know how that is possible) the second time. Of course the debits all go through but the credits have to go through a different department 🙄. It took months to resolve in the first situation. I will not deal with this person again because she can’t do anything right. The credits always come out less because of the exchange.