The CO on nonpinnacle class ships allows you to get into a separate line for open seating and have priority seating. If you have fixed dining there is no need for CO because you will have a fixed table and fixed dining time.
I have been wishing for a round trip Bermuda trip from Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity had one years ago that went to Bermuda and then Norfolk and Charleston. At least it would be something different.
If this is classified as a neptune suite, I don't know how you can get a club orange upgrade from a signature suite. However, maybe they are giving you an upsell from signature to neptune and club orange is included with neptune suites. If this is the case, I would try for an SA category. This SQ is far from the neptune lounge, the balcony is small and it might be rough in front.
Have you checked the balcony size on the VQ? Some of these cabins have smaller balconies. Even though the VQ is the most expensive, sometimes you might be better off with a V or Va.
I would be surprised if one or two nights weren't "dressy." Are you looking at the Navigator app? Many times they update with correct information after you board the ship.
It probably has a little extra space. Also, you would have a good forward view because of the angle of the balcony. I would definitely book that cabin.
This is a message for Ols Salt. In my opinion you should have had your money refunded for the retreat. If I were you, I would send a letter to HAL customer relations detailing your experience and asking for a refund. It would not matter to me that it was 5 months ago. Even if they are not agreeable, you at least would get the satisfaction that you tried. And you might be surprised at their response.
Wow. I have never experienced such an intense cleaning. They must really want to get the situation under control. They can't afford to have bad publicity.
Did you now put your MIL and children in one room and you and your husband in the other? You could still pay for the room by linking the two reservations together.
I could be wrong, but I think that only the first two people in the cabin are required to have the drink package if one has it. I don't think it is required for the third person.
Why don't you officially list MIL and kids in one cabin and you and your husband in the other. Also, the two cabins can be linked together in the reservation system.
I think that one person's experience will always be different from another. It depends on many factors. I have been on the same ship 6 months apart. On one sailing it was the best cruise ever and the other sailing it was the worse ever. Why? Maybe a change in management or something else? The best you can do is make an educated guess and go for it. Maybe it will work out and maybe it won't. This is life.
On the Rotterdam in March, the dinner special was prepared in Club Orange and everything else was brought from the main kitchen. For breakfast, I believe most things were prepared in Club Orange.