Mermen

Hi Kwokpot, we’ve been on a cruise or 2 before with you and yours. I responded to a similar thread earlier on CC; there seem to be inconsistencies within X. We’re Elite Plus and on this cruise we’re currently on, in a Sky Suite. We did not receive the previous Captains Club gifts or tokens: fresh fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries, or offer of fruit or canopes, fresh flowers on arrival, a welcome letter or call from CC, envelope with the discounts, stationary (though we never used in the past)…we did receive a key holder though. Last cruise, same cabin type and status but felt the appreciation for receiving what we always had based on our number of cruises. My subjective opinion is that X is cutting back and just not consistent with the welcome back gifts.

We are wondering the same somewhat; I looked on this site to investigate. My subjective answer is that X does what it wants. We are Elite Plus Captains Club and on the cruise we currently are on, Sky Suite. We received key holders this go-around, but no fresh fruit, tote bag, flowers on arrival, envelope or acknowledgment of the discounts, canopies…but last cruise, same suite but no key holders; however, we received props for being Captains Club members. Cruises when we were in AQ, received these items. Usually, or in the past Captains Club communicated clearly about the nice additional items b/c of being Elite, or whatever CC status.

To answer the poster’s question, keesar covered it completely. I remember once when we were in Blu, wanted a lobster dish that was on the MDR menu. We were told to see the MDR Maitre’D. What we enjoy about dining in Luminal is that if we see something on the MDR menu, it’s served without a problem! Doesn’t happen often as we enjoy this venue most, but sometimes you have a craving for what is on offer elsewhere. 😊

If you’re a Captains Club member, you may receive special onboard credits.

Thank you for the clarification! I have been using this list (a labor of love actually) for years and am grateful for all those who contributed and have kept it up! Thank you! 💜

Thank you for posting, that’s really cool! Did you try? I imagine it’s spicy, hot and sweet. Fun concept.

HaHa, nope just a fluke as my husband and I love cruising and the sea. I used to moderate another cruise board and my screen name was Triton! I’ve never heard of the band Mermen but we started listening and like them. 😊

Thank you, will look forward to breakfast in Pinnacle. We did miss the ocean views in Club Orange. Good advice on Elite package wine…I only saw that Chateau St Michelle was offered in some venues on the Elite menu which was the only white I think I would enjoy but happy to pay more depending on the selection. We’ll stick with our basic package. We are sailing on the MS Westerdam.

Thanks very much! Yes we enjoyed Club Orange on the Rotterdam but see that Westerdam does not have the venue. Appreciate the advice on the menu and paying the up charge for better wine as we will drink more than cocktails.

Agree with you. Ready your earlier posts off the Westerdam and enjoyed it.

Hi nextariel (love your screen name!), We are also elite + with Celebrity, love this cruise line. We enjoy HAL too and are getting ready for our 3rd Holland America cruise. I did not read through posted responses to your question, so apologies for any duplication. A few of our personal and subjective thoughts: Prefer HAL Neptune Suite to =X= Sky Suite or AQ Cabin Prefer X Suite service level to HAL’s Neptune and Suite class service Prefer X service level (guest service, front desk, room service and dining) Definitely enjoy Luminae suite dining (menu and venue) over HAL Club Orange HAL spa service (thalassotherapy, sauna and massage) excels X (less buy up pressure) Not big on buffets but prefer that HAL serves their guests, limiting germs Enjoy specialty dining menu on both lines but HAL up charges more items X seems to be younger and more demographically diverse HAL cruisers may be more mature, international and enjoy different itineraries HAL seems more “old charm” and has promenade decks! Entertainment is hit/miss on both but HAL’s World stage is amazing Definitely not bar flys 🤣 but have found HAL’s bar service unfriendly in a couple venues HAL has king sized beds in their suites, which X does not! Huge win as I’m 6’7” HAL laundry service much better than X (lots of wire hangers!) 😉 HAL does have more children on summer cruises, as does X though X may have more children in off / shoulder season cruising Happy to share more, feel free to message us! Good luck on your future cruise!

Northwest Washington State - were about 140 miles south of Vancouver, BC. One day of humid rain last week but now are in a 5-day “heat advisory warning”. Our high is 87 but supposed to drop Friday. Some trees are beginning to turn yellow…

We sailed the Rotterdam last summer in a Neptune and loved the service and Club Orange, with our suite perks. Thanks in advance to the HAL cruisers who may be able to answer a couple of questions regarding our upcoming cruise in 6-weeks: 1) Understanding there is not a separate venue for Club Orange 😔, how was the service in the dining room? Are there a good selection for 2-top tables? Is the beverage service fairly efficient or should we grab cocktails / wine on our way in? 2) Is there an enhanced in-room dining menu for Neptune guests? 3) Do suite guests pay the up charge for Dive in or other meals delivered to your cabin? 4) We have the middle-of-the-road beverage package but would like to upgrade to the premier for the wine selection. Best to do this once onboard? 5) Other advice / tips? 😊Thanks very much for your knowledge sharing!

Wayfairers, thank you for posting this question. Last night I began reading Cruise Critic reviews on the Westerdam, as we too will be sailing her in just a few weeks, and was getting more disappointed by the negative reviews…some seemed pretty subjective and harsh. We can deal with and appreciate older ships; I seriously don’t expect “new” on a vessel who has been on the sea for a couple of decades. We don’t need events to keep us busy, but enjoy the quiet and relaxed setting. Great service is everything though.

I recall us going to the specialty dining table the day we boarded, where the beverage table and other add-ons are, from a past cruise. We have also reserved at the venue itself.

Like most others who have responded, we also did not experience over-crowding in Club Orange on the Rotterdam last year. Walking from our Neptune suite downstairs to Club Orange, would always pass the extremely long line of hungry guests waiting to be seated in the MDR. I was grateful for our dining venue…but am a little nervous now about Club Orange being in the MDR on our next Westerdam cruise.

For our upcoming cruise in February 2024, we are putting together and purchasing excursions and dining package, etc. Celebrity offers various quantities for nights in their specialty dining venues. We know that on board, Captains Club will offer a reduced package as well, so need to book that later. But if we were to purchase, say a 4 night specialty dining package online , are we currently able to select what restaurants we want (for example 2 Tuscan and 2 La Petite Chef or 3 of 1 and 1 of another) now or once onboard? A few years ago we purchased a package and we’re not able to pick and choose at first because the venues had different prices, then. We were being forced to go to a restaurant, Murano I think, that was a higher price than the restaurant we wanted to go to and the manager was having a fit about us wanting to go to the lower priced option. She eventually permitted it but acted as if she personally had to pay for us and move a mountain. Thanks in advance for any answers!

What a great idea. Last year on the Rotterdam I asked for cream for my coffee and was given skimmed milk, lol. I asked the server in Orange to please bring me half&half if they didn’t have cream, and she brought me whole milk! I never could find cream but your idea is great. Our market sells the mini moos and they’re great for stabilized cream!

Hi All, Hubs and I are on this sailing from Seattle crossing to Tokyo. We live NW of Seattle, so an easy cruise for us - excited for more than a few Sea Days and looking forward to some down time!

Exactly. We were on the Rotterdam last July and the drinks within our package were covered up to the maximum drink allowable in the Neptune Lounge. We never paid additional.

Thank you from us too. Enjoyed your thoughts on your trip.

Thank you so much for your live posting. We really enjoyed going through your cruise with you and all of the pictures were icing on the cake! We are going to be on the Westerdam on October 1, from Seattle to Tokyo. We are also in a SA Neptune suite. We are not familiar with Club orange in the main dining room, and we’re wondering if you had any thoughts on this? We were previously on Rotterdam and had a separate club orange dining room. Did you find the service or menu different? Was there a particular side or portion of the dining room that was carved out for suite or club orange guests? Thank you again for everything! Safe travels home.

Thank you so much for the posting and pictures!

Yep, same with us! We were bringing travel disinfectant wipes on airlines, cruise lines and hotel rooms before covid too. We don’t get funny looks anymore, post 2020. I could really care less if we do - working in hospitals and clinics has taught me about infection prevention! Like others, we bring wipes, ziplocks and our own thermoses we can use for coffee or water! Love the other ideas for blue painters tape and WD40! 😀

I think they would if it were possible, or not too much out of their way, and it can’t hurt to ask. You bring up an interesting question though. Wouldn’t it be nice if ship food attendants offered their dining / delivery trolly as a pop out table like some hotels do? I guess there would be a lot going up and down the small hallways! I agree with another poster to not underestimate the coffee table in a penthouse. That’s what we’ll do in September. When we previously sailed on the Diamond in a PH they were efficient at making our coffee table into a dining table…we really enjoyed it! It could be cozy if you bundled up outside in your balcony too! ☺️