goldsmip115

Oh, lord…..I am truly old !  I remember every one of these things.  My first 20 HAL photo albums each have a piece of the stationary and a postcard.  When I was much younger I would cut out each and every item eaten at dinner and paste them into the photo album. Fine dining then, a mix of Olive Garden and Outback today…..at best.  

It all depends upon what is important to you with respect to your cruise experience. It is just important that HAL cruisers understand the suite experience and what it does and does not provide.

Don’t expect anything like what you would experience on Celebrity with a trus dedicated dining room for suites only.  The suite experience on HAL is very weak to say the least.

It would be helpful to see the letter that you sent to HAL and then their response. Can you share that with us?

It is so wonderful to see all of the concern and caring for Jim and lain!  We had the great pleasure of meeting them on a recent Celebrity cruise.  We shared a wonderful dinner with them in Luminae.  What we wonderful evening!

Jim,

You may be in the air now.  I had the chicken dish that you ordered on a recent AA first class flight. The chicken breast was so dry,  Gone  are the days of even decent meals in first class.  Safe travels.

Jim,

if you have to overnight in Dallas, if you don’t want to be trapped at an airport hotel the ZaZa hotel is my go to place.  I think you both would love it!

Jim,

I’m so sorry. Not a great way to start a wonderful vacation.  Can you go DFW to Miami?  Trish

We just debarked the Nieuw Amsterdam earlier this month after 14 nights in the Pinnacle Suite. Never saw this sign anywhere in the pantry or either bathroom.

Currently on the Nieuw Amsterdam for 14 nights. Today is night 11. This is the worst wi-fi that I have ever experienced.  Do not count on being able to do much of anything.  Yes, I have the premium package.

You could not pay me to ever get on a free Carnival cruise.  

How are the Azipods performing?  Do you think this has impacted the stabilizers on the ship?

Thanks for that update. We have Tamarind booked for 6 nights, Pinnacle Grill booked for 4 nights and Canaletto for 4 nights.  We may change it up depending upon how we find Pinnacle Grill. It used to be excellent. I remember the days of Sterling Beef.  Loooong gone.

Bill and Mary Ann,

I have followed your cruises and wonderful postings for many, many years.  I so look forward to your daily postings when you are cruising.  I am an avid cruiser but am not yet retired and cannot imagine a world cruise yet because of our four-legged kids.  We have over 30 cruises under our belt, most on HAL.  We started sailing on Celebrity and never looked back.  Except we are sailing for two weeks starting on Sunday in the Pinnacle Suite on Nieuw Amsterdam.  This is because of a charter sailing.

My question is this.  Each sailing that you take laments all of the changes and diminishment in service, amenities, food, etc.  It seems that each cruise has more and more “disappointments.” While you always highlight the positive, what keeps you sailing on and loyal to HAL?  I understand that you are top level cruisers and that entitles you to amenities but they too seem to be diminished.  I’m curious about your loyalty and why given all of the cuts.  Thanks.

I am anxious to hear about your experiences as we board on Sunday for two weeks.  It’s disconcerting to hear about the poor internet connection.

Gede is no longer sailing. He is at home with his family. We email one another occasionally. He is the best of the best!

Video of the suite:

OMG, will we ever miss that huge aft facing deck!  That and the 2 full baths….. and all of the other retreat amenities.  

Thank you, Jim_lain,

if time permits I will also post the costs that I have had to pay in advance of this cruise that are all included on Celebrity.  Stay tuned.  I recall that it is nearly $4,000 for the two weeks, all of which would have been included in a RS or a PS on Celebrity.

We did a 10 night cruise on Celebrity last May from San Diego to Vancouver.  There were no issues with our overnight stop in SFO.  I recall that we left May 4th of 2022

By way of background, I will become 5 star mariner on HAL on my upcoming 14 night back to back cruise.  Most of my HAL cruising is because of charters and I have only sailed in Neptune or Pinnacle Suites.  In 2013 I booked a cruise in the Penthouse suite on the Summit out of Bayonne to Bermuda.  I never looked back!  I have only sailed in Penthouse Suites on the M class ships and have 9 cruises with Celebrity.  I have absolutely loved each cruise and especially the wonderful crew!  My last cruise with Celebrity was last May on Millenium in the PS.   
 

I am absolutely not interested in getting any nasty or snarky comments about my sailings in suites.  What I wonder is if anyone is interested in a comparison of the 2 top suites.  I am only going back to HAL because it is a back to back charter on the NA.  Otherwise I would not. I already know that there is no comparison with respect to the amenities and service and included items on HAL suites vs Celebrity suites.  However, I have noted a very valid concern about the skyrocketing prices of Celebrity suites.  As I look to book future the prices are staggering and there seems to be significant cuts in various areas.

I sail a week from Sunday for 14 nights. 

Was luggage direct available?  On the Nieuw Amsterdam for two weeks beginning 02/19. It is such a great service.  I have my fingers crossed.

Happy Cruiser 6143,

Why were you eating at the buffet?  Was Luminae not acceptable or a problem?  I recall that you only sail in the top suites.

Awesome. Thank you so much.

Love the service. Cruise for two weeks on Nieuw Amsterdam out of FLL next month.