dshroyer

4 hours ago, WriterOnDeck said:

Just to clarify, your Mariner status doesn't seem to impact your assigned boarding time, as far as I can tell. But it may get you into a faster line once you get to check-in. Unless you are on a grand cruise when about 80% are 4* and 5 * Mariners, and then the non-priority line might be shorter.

 

Priority can be misleading. Another example: priority tendering gets you to a separate waiting area on the ship, where I've found we quickly get on a tender. But there is no priority for the return tender service -- everyone in the same line. I'm just pointing this out for those who might be surprised. I seldom am in a big hurry.

Yes, I just think it is misleading for HAL to say "priority boarding" when you are assigned to a group that is in the afternoon.  At MSC Diamond members board first, or anytime they get there.  That seems to me more like priority boarding.  This is priority boarding within your group, which doesn't really mean much to me.

2 hours ago, electro said:

have you joined the roll call for the cruise?

 

I have posted but not officially joined.  I may go do that now.

1 minute ago, curlerguy said:

We are on the Zaandam now and had a 1:20 boarding time in Montreal. We showed up shortly after noon and basically walked right on the ship.

Awesome.  that is about the time we were thinking.  Thank you.

We are on the same cruise.  We check out of our hotel at 10:00.  So an 11:00 AM time seems reasonable to me.  I get not getting there super early with the crowds. So much for "priority" boarding.

I agree with you. I would not wait that long.  That seems crazy.  Especially for such a small ship.

I noticed that the prices went from $50 to $55 with the crew appreciation.  If you wait until Black Friday they usually add the crew appreciation in for the $50 a day.  That is what we have secured.

But oil is going up, along with food, labor, etc.  So the prices increase do not surprise me that much.

We have just become 4 star which means "priority check in".  We just got our "time" to board the Zaandam and it is Group H at 1:20 PM.  I was expecting an earlier time since we are 4 star.  Does the 4 star priority boarding mean that you have priority boarding as long as you wait until 2 or 3 hours for the crowds to clear?

In the past these times have not really been enforced.  Has anyone out there boarded in Montreal of late and can let me know if people are turned away if they show up earlier?

The benefits for Diamond level no longer show the bottle of champagne and macaroons.  We were on the Divina, at a Diamond event and were told that they are going to add another level above Diamond.  Not sure what it would be called or how many points necessary.  Does this mean that they are pulling the champagne and macaroons so they can add it to the "new" higher level?  Has anyone heard anything about this?

When I got on the ship I told our cabin steward. He had it in the cabin after dinner. No charge.

You can buy buckets of beer at the daily happy hour. Almost half price. Take it to your room.

Thank you Morgsmom.  If we do not all match THEN we go to the dining room?

We have 3 couples going on a Carib cruise in October.  We have linked our reservations so we can dine together. On other cruise ships we first head to the dining room to confirm our reservations.  Is that the same procedure on the msc meraviglia?  

How do you find out what your dining time is?  

I just heard back from MSC.  Wow, that was quick.

Good day,

In response to your email, all passengers in the same cabin must have the drink package. As long as the party you are traveling with are not in the same cabin than they do not need to purchase a drink package and you may add them as your travel with to be seated together in the main dining room.

We look forward to welcoming you on board.

Kind regards,

MSC Existing reservations

We have friends that we are cruising with in October.  We are both "Fantastica".  Our reservations are linked on the web.

Question:  I have read that "linked reservations for dinner" mean that both couples need to have the same drink package?

Is that true?  If they do not have the package and we do is that an issue?  Seems crazy that it would be.  

Trying to decide if we want the "Have it all".  I do not want to book it only to find out that all of the shore excursions are full.  Is there any way to see what is still available without formally booking the cruise?

Thanks

The Pioneer Inn is where the tenders dock.  I would use that.

Be careful.  the customer tips look to be capped at 100 PP.  So only 6 days.  On a long cruise that does not amount to much

We have been on two cruises during Holloween.  Both times there were "parties" in the BB King lounge.  The crew members dress up.  Everyone has a great time.  About 25% of people were "in costume".

We are almost 4 star on HAL and almost Diamond on Royal.  We have not done any of the new Oasis class ships.  But since HAL ships are smaller (<3000) then it might be a fair comparison.

I echo a lot of what is said here.  I think HAL has better service.  The people are great.  I like the buffet better because they do not let the guests handle the food.  I think the main dining room has similar quality between the lines.  HAL is much less "party" and more "refined sailing".  But the entertainment on HAL is not good.  The newer ships that have BB Kings, Billboard, etc. are nice.  But the main shows are lacking.  

So if you want to be entertained then for sure Royal.  If you want a quieter more relaxed cruise than HAL.

We use both cruise lines because they are different and we are mainly interested in the itineraries.  We have found that HAL goes to more places than Royal.  And the cruises are longer, which is what we like.  Royal caters to more families and almost all of their cruises are 7 days or less.

we saw the same thing in January on the Koningsdam.  Our normal "go to " wines were priced outside of the package.  But I have heard that the SBP limit of $9 is being raised to $11 shortly.  They should have raised the package limit and the prices in tandem but they didn't.

right now you pay for the entire drink if you go over.  If you like nice wines it makes sense to upgrade to the Elite package where the limit is $15.  Although I heard that in a few weeks the SBP will include drinks up to $11.  This is because they are raising drink prices.  Happy sailing.

5 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

Thanks (finally) for the clarification from HAL corporate on this subject, and it is indeed good news. 

 

I suppose the one remaining question is (still) how the individual ships in the fleet will or will not follow this official guidance from Seattle.

 

I'm predicting continued confusion at the individual ship level, and therefore varied experiences from ship to ship... at least for a while.

Yes.  that could be correct.  But the person in charge of this is "new" and I have seen that he is already informing the "customer service reps" of the policy.  So I think within a month or so this will be common knowledge.  we shall see....

6 hours ago, Jareds_mommytoo said:

I tried to message you but cant for some reason. Do you think i could get a copy to bring with us? Please

I do not want to give out the guy's name because I do not want everyone on this board to be contacting him via email.  But if you look at the comments to the video I posted you will see that someone else verified the information.

Dave & Carroll's Travel Videos just got an email from the corporate office. They did confirm the information you were given

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line concerning your upcoming voyage on our ms Oosterdam ‪March 23, 2019‬. We have your booking number as   The following beverages are included in the price of your cruise fare: juice, milk, tea, and regular, or decaf drip coffee.  Specialty coffee drinks, cappuccinos, alcohol and soda are additional expenses that will be billed to your on board account.  

Our Signature Beverage Package is a convenient, affordable beverage package that allows guests to select from a variety of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails (including non-alcoholic), sodas, bottled water (sparkling 330ml or still 500ml) and coffee. Our Signature Beverage Package is limited to 15 drinks per day with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. This includes any beverage priced at $9.00 or lower menu price and does not include beverages in your mini-bar, in-room dining, chocolate seduction and on the Half Moon Cay. Details: ·        Limit 15 drinks per day. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. ·        Must be purchased for the full duration of the cruise. ·        Includes any beverage priced at $9.00 or lower menu price. ·        Excludes Mini Bar, In-Room Dining, Chocolate Seduction, & on Half Moon Cay. ·        All guests in stateroom who are 21 years old must purchase the package. ·        Available for purchase on Day1 & 2 of the voyage.   The Signature Beverage Package can be purchased pre-cruise at a rate of $51.69 per person per day ($44.95 + 15% service charge) or on board at a rate of $57.44 per person per day ($49.95 + 15% service charge). This must be purchased for the full duration of the voyage and all guests over the age of 21 years in the stateroom must purchase the package; this is available for purchase on days one and two of any respective voyage. ·        Available for purchase on Day1 & 2 of the voyage.   For further information or to make a beverage card purchase or our onboard liquor policy please go to ‪www.hollandamerica.com‬, under Already Booked click View All FAQs and then click on Alcohol or click the below link. https://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard%20Life&contentMenu=Onboard%20Policies&contentSubMenu=Can%20I%20Bring%20Alcoholic%20Beverages%20Onboard

I have a confirmation letter from corporate which states that non alcoholic beverages are NOT counted.

Here is a link to the video.  The letter is from the person responsible for the beverage packages fleet wide.

On 1/29/2019 at 5:29 AM, Nang said:

I queried two bar managers and the front desk on the Koningsdam in September and was told all drinks count to the 15 limit. I did not get any "excess" charges but did not count my drinks so I can only take their word.

I have found the policy differs from ship to ship.  On all other ships than Koningsdam, it is 15 alcoholic.  But on the K the bartenders said that once you hit 15 total beverages the POS system flags them.  So I would check with the beverage manager on the ship to confirm on the first day.  (that is if you think you will be near the 15 limit)

22 hours ago, jlocole said:

Do daily cabana rentals include a bottle of bubbly? 

The video shows the weekly rental on Eurodam got that and fruit daily.

we always got two glass of bubbly each.  Fruit, water and chocolate strawberries.  And yes that is also for just a daily rental.

although if it gets really windy they might cancel the champagne because nobody will be up there....