KroozNut

While I tend to agree that HAL cruisers are generally 'better behaved' than most other lines, the chair/lounger hogging problem is one that doesn't discriminate between lines. Your idea of paying to reserve a lounger has merit, but among the HAL crowd, it likely would be considered just another 'nickel and dime' tactic by the line (another hot topic). 🙂

Okay, admittedly, the 'endemic since cruising began' reference was a bit hyperbolic. But I do believe that most long term cruisers will agree that the chair/lounger hogging problem has been around for a long time, and unfortunately, the cruise lines have not managed to find a workable solution to solve it yet.

I'll comment only on the lounger hogging question, as it's ALWAYS a hot button topic here on the HAL boards. Chair hogging on cruise ships is endemic, and has been since cruising began. I don't believe the problem varies much from ship to ship, or even from cruise line to cruise line. But as I mentioned, this is a hot topic, and I'm sure you will hear a variety of opinions on the subject.

With that itinerary, I would say your two 'dressy nights' would be (1) the sea day after HMC, and (2) your first sea day after Aruba. Your itinerary is very similar to our Caribbean sailing in March, and that is what we're expecting for our 2 dressy nights.

Like my mom used to say, 'you can put lipstick on a pig'.. 😄

Would need more info (like itinerary) to give you a better answer on the formal nights, and you won't know for sure until you get onboard. But in general, they typically are on the first sea day near the beginning of the cruise, and a sea day returning from the cruise. They are usually not on a port day, unless the particular itinerary warrants it. Yes, they typically have an 'early' and a 'late' show in the main show room to accommodate the fixed dining times in the MDR.

Ships of the same class (i.e., 'sister ships') generally do have the same design and layout, including cabins.

Is that with butter, or southern white sausage gravy? 🤔

Is NS always at T26? This would narrow down the possibilities significantly for me..

Probably not the best choice of words.. 🤨

We have found that simply verbally letting our table mates and servers know the night before, that we'll be absent the following night (dining at a specialty restaurant) is adequate notification.

An important distinction (as you mentioned) is that the notion/opinion of whether a cabin category is 'better' is often different between HAL and the person purchasing the cabin.

And your point is..?

In a good way?

I think I already said that..

Okay.. do you have a point here?

Okay..?

Crazy!

Here you go... (image is actual size)

We can't wait to try the Rustic Lasagna on our next sailing. We're actually looking forward to that more than whether or not lobster is served on the cruise. 🙂

Wonder what happened to the OP. I was really looking forward to how this saga turned out. Did she bail?

Hopefully so Hank, as we'd hate to see you go!

Perhaps so, but that concept just seems so counterintuitive, considering the brand reputation that HAL had over the years as more of the 'refined' or 'upscale' brand of the CCL family. I guess they're slowly losing that long-standing reputation, especially in recent years..

Very true.. It is difficult to rationalize why HAL does not offer certain menu items or amenities (without up charge) that its parent company CCL does without the up charge.

Curious as to what is holding you back from cruising now?