Mermen

On 2/20/2024 at 8:53 PM, kwokpot said:

On another Celebrity Social media forum someone posted a photo of a bottle of Decoy wine and a lovely personalized note that was left in their cabin welcoming them back on Celebrity. I asked if they knew why they received it and they were a bit coy and didn't answer the question. They're in Aquaclass and it wasn't from the casino. Do other people receive Welcome back gifts from Celebrity? I can honestly say we've never received anything that wasn't from the casino department. Just curious. 

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. 

9 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Our last three cruises we were in aqua class and were always given our stateroom key holder and tote.  My question, did we get these items because we were elite members or because we were in aqua class?  Saturday we booked the Beyond, ABC islands which the only choice we had was to take an Oceanview guarantee (or a suite for 15k), just to get on the ship we chose the guarantee.  Would we be provided the stateroom key holders having an Oceanview?  Also, sometimes we were given one and other times two, are we allowed to get one each (there are two of us in the cabins and we found these quite useful, only we cannot find them in our house)?

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. 

On 2/14/2024 at 1:16 AM, keesar said:

Blu will be your assigned dining room.  If you want to have a meal in the MDR, speak to the maitre d' and arrangements will be made for that evening.

On 2/13/2024 at 11:19 PM, Lost in Italy said:

Considering booking Aqua Class on upcoming Constellation cruise.  We enjoy late fixed time dinner in MDR. IF we choose Aqua, can we choose/book fixed late dining in the MDR and still enjoy Blu when we choose? 
 

 

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. 

On 3/10/2023 at 7:09 PM, pd7277 said:

 

@gerelmx No, it was updated on January 25, 2023 (less than two months ago) and covers every submission except for the last seven (7).  If you open the spreadsheet from the link on the first page of this thread, you will see it says:

 

 

 

 

@librarylady19 Carolyn did move on.  I took her place in 2019.  Converting all the cabin categories is on the to-do list.  Maybe over the summer. 

 

Thank you for the time you spent running the spreadsheet.

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! 💜

49 minutes ago, SwissMyst said:

Speaking of good food  on this cruise, first time I have seen on the Navigator MDR dinner menu a special featured “Crew Meal of the Day” option. Tonight it is Korean Candied Fried Chicken.

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

On 8/18/2023 at 11:28 PM, Catlover54 said:

Mermen, I am just curious:  did you get your name from the band Mermen (DH and I have all their albums) , or was it otherwise inspired? 🙂

 

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. 😊

On 8/17/2023 at 5:02 PM, kazu said:

OP - Pinnacle Grill breakfast on the non Club Orange dining room ships is very nice.  I would nearly rate it higher than CO overall ( there had been one unpleasant experience but it is a drop in the bucket).

 

It is very nice and with lovely sea views in most of them (not the R class ships IIRC)

 

What ship are you sailing on? Hope I didn’t miss it in the reading.
 

You won’t be charged for fresh squeezed oj in the Pinnacle nor the specialty coffees (sans alcohol).

 

As to upgrading the beverage package?  Take a hard look on board.  You might just want to pay the difference if it is a drink or two.  those with HIA are now having a harder time upgrading but with just paying the difference, it’s not a biggee to me.  Mind you, I drink white wine and there are no superior offerings that fit the Elite package that I have seen so far.  But, if you want to do it, do NOT have a drink - head to a bar and ask to upgrade.  If you partake, you will have no success.

 

Hope this helps a bit 🤞 

 

 

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. 

55 minutes ago, casaloma said:

Yes, we took the Westerdam to Alaska in June.  It was our first Holland America cruise and I too had read the reviews and was worried.  I did a little write up about our experiences, but they were all positive except for nitpicks about the portion size at time and a less than stellar vocalist in the Billboard lounge.  But these are really nothing in the big scheme of things.  The ship was clean, our cabin was kept in order, we had plenty to eat, and we were on the ocean amid beautiful scenery.  Our next cruise is on another ship (Island Princess) which also has terrible reviews but based on my Westerdam experience I'm not going to worry about it at all.  

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. 

On 7/25/2023 at 3:55 PM, Mestizaqueen said:

We purchased a dining package.  Once onboard, do you go to the actual specialty restaurant that you want to make the reservation?  Or is there a central podium that we can go to?

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! 

On 7/5/2023 at 3:32 PM, hbsurfcitycruiser said:

I always bring a box or two of mini moo creamers with me. It's the small single serving room temp creamers. Never ever had a problem. Makes the complimentary coffee taste so much better.

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!  

On 6/15/2023 at 3:59 AM, mtncruzr2 said:

Recently on the NA. There were forms at the beverage area in the Neptune Lounge.  The form is a list of each beverage and the price. You print your name and cabin number, check off the item you take and leave the form.  If the price is more than the HIA allowance the overage is automatically charged to your stateroom account. 

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! 

On 6/1/2023 at 3:46 PM, SargassoPirate said:

We/I have carried wipes for years.  We used to get some sidelong glances when we'd get on a plane and wipe down the armrests, seatbelt buckles, and tray tables.  In hotels/ships we would wipe down the light switches, the remote, and door handles.

 

Since 2020 we are mainstream.

 

But, we don't get sick and haven't for years.

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! 😀

On 3/30/2023 at 9:54 AM, gvre said:

We booked a Penthouse Suite on Emerald  April 5th 2024 for the Total Eclipse of the Sun.

We like that fact we can order any of the meals they are serving in the dinning rooms and have it delivered to our suite

The problem is there isn’t a dinning table to eat it on except on the balcony.

Do you think they would bring us a folding table or any thoughts on this experience.

Thanks

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! ☺️