cruzin4us

It sounds like there is a LOT of speculation on this thread.   After the investigation is complete, then everyone can chime in on the conduct of the Captain.   There still is the "innocent until proven guilty" at least where I live.   If the captain is at fault then he will be punished I'm sure.  In the meantime, don't presume he is guilty of anything until the investigation is complete.   It serves no purpose.

one word....YUP

Slightly off topic, but do they serve lunch at the Dive too on embarkation day?

35 minutes ago, JRG said:

 

Why don't you use the CC search function to answer your question?

 

Its always a good to search before you post!

 

 

Many times I get frustrated with the search function.   Sometimes I can find what I want, other times not.   If you don't like someone's question, please move on without the sarcasm....it's really not necessary or helpful.

I guess I wasn't clear in my original post.   Many of us newbies don't have OBC, so just (for fun) I'm trying to figure out how you can cruise on the cheap.  Purchasing OBC in advance doesn't count.   But by avoiding alcohol, the casino, bingo, specialty dining, spa visits, photos, etc, you can cruise cheaply.   I always have good intentions of having a zero balance (with the exception gratuities), but that never happens.   I envy those that have "self control" and can cruise without purchasing the extras.   Maybe if I cruised more often I wouldn't splurge on some of the unnecessary items (such as lobster in the Pinnacle Grill). 

I always tell my husband we will do a "cheap cruise" meaning we will book an inside cabin.   Then, I find myself upgrading to a balcony, then I end up with an aft cabin.  Pretty soon I've made dining reservations at the Specialty Dining, then I end up buying lobster and pretty soon I've taken advantage of the port day spa specials.  The bottom line is I have no self control when I cruise.   

My bill always tends to be around $1,000 even though I have every intention of it being around $200.  First time cruisers are usually shell shocked by their final bill because I don't think they realize there is a charge for many items.   Such as specialty coffees, water when getting off the ship, etc.   

My intent of this post was just a way to show how you can get by cruising cheaply if you avoid certain things.   

🙏

2 minutes ago, OVgirl said:

 

Regardless of how angry this addition makes passengers, will those who normally have ordered extra entrees in the past continue to order and pay the extra fee or will it make you think twice about ordering an extra entree?

Nope, I wouldn't pay for what I feel is only "fair" food in the MDR.  I will cough up the extra $ and eat in the Tamarind/Pinnacle Grill or even Canalleto where they actually give you a decent size portion.

I'm not a first time cruiser, but I thought it would be fun to see how much (I mean little) your bill is at the end of a 7 day cruise?   Mine is ALWAYS more than I expect, but I'm sure many of you have challenged yourself to keep your bill at a minimum.   I envy those that can book an inside cabin, and virtually only have gratuities to pay for.    What's your lowest bill?

22 minutes ago, Hawaiidan said:

You know...I think your on to something.  And think, each evening your saving $10 !!!    Thats $70 a week !!!.    Maybe the ship just stays tied up too....and you can call Grub Hub and have your choice of local restaurants deliver to your cabin !!!!   

Ha.....but it's really $70 x 2 = $140  

I've been looking at some pictures (live on Eurodam) and the portions have gotten so small, HAL is forcing you to order another entree.     Even the crab cakes are the size of the cherry tomatoes....my DH was laughing at them!

Seriously, who cares if someone orders another meal?  The food police need to quit worrying about what others do and just worry about themselves.  A lot of HAL passengers are on the older side of 50 and probably don't eat as much as those that are more physically active.   If you don't want to order a second entree, more power to you.  For instance I don't complain that you ride the elevator and don't take the stairs.   Everyone is on vacation and should  be able to enjoy themselves as long as it doesn't infringe on someone else.   My eating and 2nd entree in no way effects any of you, so quit judging me/us that choose to eat an additional entree.   

The reduction of food waste is a farce and we all know it.  It's about the mighty dollar and HAL wants to see if they can get away with charging $10 without people putting up a fuss. 

For that matter, cruising in general is a waste of fuel, etc.  So if you are really concerned about waste, then don't cruise. 

33 minutes ago, J4NEC said:

I don’t understand why there is all this indignation.  Who would dream of ordering two main courses? 

My husband and will many times order an additional main course such as the pasta and we will split it along with whatever main dish we have ordered....this is not unreasonable IMO.  Another example is we may each order a steak and want to split a shrimp dish (or salad).   We do it all the time and don't waste the food.

On 3/18/2019 at 5:43 PM, jargey3000 said:

thanks. something to consider...

another question: what's the procedure for paying the corkage fee on extra bottles?

do you lug them on board with you in your carry-on....? where & when do you pay the corkage fee? anyone done it lately? how does it work?

We always bring our wine on board.   I like Zinfandel and it's hard to get a good bottle on board....not to mention the price they charge for what I can barely drink.  I ran to Costco yesterday and got 4 different Zins ranging from $10.99 to $18.00 a bottle.  I bought what I like and will gladly cough up the $18 corkage fee.   Last time we were on NA, they ran out of the wine my folks liked (2 different types) and then they were stuck drinking something that was not so great (they bought one of the wine packages).   

I fill one (sometimes 2, depending on the length of the cruise) wheeled carry ons with wine.  As soon as you get thru Security, there should be a table with a crew member that will take your wine from you so you don't need to lug it on board.  Easy peasy.    I wrap each bottle in bubble wrap (don't tape the bubble wrap because you will need to unwrap them).   It's worth the effort IMO to carry on your wine.

2 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Using your numbers, I come to a different conclusion. $1000/day times 365 days = $365,000 additional pure profit for HAL for each ship every year.

$365,000 x 15 ships = $5,475,000.   Well, that answers the question....trial my ass

I got to thinking about this (again...).   I decided to do some math and my estimates may be off, but I thought this would be a good start anyway.   Let's say 100 people order an extra entree in one night.   That's 100 x $10 = $1,000.   So, on a seven day cruise that would be $1,000 x 7 = $7,000.   Ok, that sounds like a lot of money so let's take this one step farther.   There are 1052 rooms on Eurodam, so let's take that $7,000 and divide it by 1052 which equates to $6.65 per cabin. 

To think this has an impact on cruise prices doesn't make sense.  Even if I was way off on my estimate of how many people would order an extra entree it still doesn't pencil out on keeping cabin prices any less expensive.    Even if 500 people ordered an extra entree it would be 500 x $10 =$5,000 per day.  $5,000 x 7 = $40,000.   Making that $38.02 per cabin.   

As far as the food waste.   I think as long as people cruise unfortunately there will be food wastage.  Whether it is in the Lido, the MDR, the Dive, or any of the Specialty Dining rooms.....Maybe a few reminders in fine print stating something like "Please consider before you order as HAL is making a concerted effort to reduce waste thus helping the environment....yada yada".    Sometimes people just need to be educated (and some will never be educated).    Kind of the same technique like the signs in your bathroom regarding using your towels more than once.

5 hours ago, doone said:

I was just on the Koningsdam, ate at the Pinnacle itch their new menu, not impressed at all, quality and service has gone downhill over the years.  I would never pay to eat here.....

Wow, that's too bad.  My mom said the service and quality were topnotch and they eat out a lot.   

On 3/15/2019 at 6:42 PM, SilvertoGold said:

Great!  Could you ask her if the Pinnacle lunch menu has changed? And Canaletto's dinner menu?

 

Hope she is having a good time on the Eurodam!

 

 

I asked her about both.....She said the Pinnacle lunch menu is still the same.   Tamarind and Canaletto's menu's have not changed either.

39 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

What are these items?

She didn't tell me what the middle one was, but she said the first one was seared jumbo scallops and the 3rd was short ribs.    I'm taking a guess on the middle one, maybe crab cakes????   She also had the mushroom soup and she said it was delicious but she forgot to take a picture.

I'm a big fan of the Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind.   I eat at one of the Specialty dining rooms every night and forgo the MDR altogether.  I'd rather take a lesser cabin choice and pay for the dining....sure to get some flack here, but that's what I enjoy.    I love the intimacy and the service.  It's whatever floats your boat....no pun intended.   I'm a foodie and enjoy everything about the Pinnacle 

Here is what my mom sent.  She said everything was delicious. 

She said she will take photos....hopefully they will be clear.   I will ask about the lunch and other Specialty restaurants

My mom just text me (currently she's on Eurodam) and said "Today they are changing the dinner menu in the Pinnacle Grill.  New additions and old things.  Menu looks nice and so glad they did it".

I'm asking her to send me pictures of the menu

8 hours ago, nhsails said:

Thanks all. Bruce, my apologies. In a cast and typing with 1 finger in wrong hand.....NA it will be. Ended up flipping a coin👍

If you read the 2019 Cruiser's Choice awards, NA is listed in the top 10 of almost all categories......You made a good choice.  I sail on her in a couple of weeks (again)

2 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

Environmentalists target the "all you can eat" cruise passenger mentality:

 

It’s tougher nowadays for cruise ships to bypass law,” said Raymond Scattone, an environmental studies professor at Florida International University. “Say a cruise ship spills waste in the ocean. There are now GPS systems on them, so the government can keep track.”

 

“So more cruise ships are more protective of what they do. Cruise ships store the waste and take it to disposal facilities on shore,” Scattone said. “It’s a lot better than it used to be and most cruise ships are following law and regulations.

 

“However, food waste is a big issue that still needs to be under control in cruise ships,” he said. “Most cruise ships have all-you-can-eat buffets.”

I get that but why don't they compost it?   I don't throw any food away at home except the bones....and I only do that because the coyotes get into my compost pile.   I know this probably sounds like a stupid post, but I'm serious.

I got to thinking about this thread today and kept wondering why people as so upset with those of us who order more than one entree.   Do I get upset because some of those passengers are in a Neptune Suites?   They could just as easily stay in a regular room as to not "waste" so much space on a cruise ship.   Bottom line is, I don't judge them, why judge me?.....Just food for thought without an extra charge 

Thanks for the great pics.....making me excited for my upcoming cruise!