SilvertoGold

Thanks, POA. Good, useful info and much appreciated. One question: the rotation you were watching was for the current cruise I gather. How does this work for the different lengths of HAL cruises? We have seen 7 day rotations for Alaska, but wondering how long the HAL rotations are and how they would fit into a 21 day cruise, for example.

Interesting that HAL is choosing Morimoto and not Sel for this new permanent restaurant on the N. Amsterdam. Having dined at both Tamarind many times (varying between B+ and C) and Sel several times (A and A+), we have concluded that HAL does not really excell at Asian cuisine.

Agree with your points about the Loyatly program in general.You are correct about now and before: many things have changed with HAL and much depends on the ship you are on. Also, it is obvious the Captains have imput into how much time they wish to spend on pax-related items, like the Mariner parties. (I feel for the Hotel General Managers having to deal with how to put together a gracious party!). On one ship we were on last year only awardees and Mariners with Platinum Medallions were invited to the Mariner Awards Party. To top that off, photos with the Captain and Hotel General Manager were offered only to Awardees: even Platinum with 700+ actual days won't necessarily get you an extra like that. However, the food and wine was very nice and plentiful, the bar staff were gracious, the Guest Relations Manager and the Mariner Rep were there and talked to many. Some pluses and minuses: the new HAL.

This will be a much-anticipated thread, Roy. Have a wonderful time and thanks for sharing your adventures, always a first-read each day for me.

Wonderful!! Bon Voyage, have a fantastic time on a lovely ship. Nice that you will play the what's for dinner game: a very innovative and fun idea!

Most ships have an hour of ballroom dancing to recorded music around 5 pm.

Platimum is an older program based only on days sailed on HAL. It is awarded for 700 pure days on HAL. (The Star program is a combination of days plus spending, to give you points.) Most ships' officers and crew are quite aware of their Platinum (and above) guests and treat them well. Some extras depending on the ship, but mostly very personalized service.

Even 5 star is't much of a big deal, but it does depend on the ship. We do like the rewards! As for onboard specifically: the Medallion Parties are the focus. I do think it depends on the high team members (Captain, Hotel Manager, Guest Relations Manager). They set the pace for the party (based on how much time and effort the Captain wishes to expend?). All our Medallions were recognized at the parties, but the Platinum was slightly a bigger deal for them. These stars and medallions are loyalty programs: it would be nice if the ships could pay a bit more attention. I guess the program is being thinned out - just too many recipients until the Platinum and President's Club level.

Marketing ploy! One and Two stars are often the ones offered these free cruises. Get them coming back to HAL with an offer like this! I don't remember seeing many 4 and 5 stars saying they get these offers and those who do seem to get them as "casino" offers. A good ploy on HAL's part: this mid-20s son is ready to start cruising by himself and/or with friends (all the better "with friends" from HAL's profit margin point of view). Grab him and get him back on HAL: when his parents aren't paying that means a whole new source of revenue for HAL (which isn't a mere third or fouth person rate). It must be HAL's point of view that if this infuriates longtime HAL cruisers (5 stars and Platinum), who would love one of these offers as an "extra "reward" for their loyalty, so be it.

Canaletto's Tiramisu and the MDR's Opera Cake are favs for us.

Possibly, but the need for air complicates things. What I would really like to see is a link to FlightEase to show the air pricing on the spot Thanks for posting. Have you had enough rain today here?

Indeed, what is that? All I can think of is Food and Beverage, which it can't be.

Did look at the TA, our air would be $1700 pp. Some nice pricing on several cruises, would be great if the air didn't push it into the stratosphere.

They do and it is one of the huge pluses cruising in Asia. Ports put on such show, dancers, drummers, bands. A country of very polite and friendly people where we have always felt safe and welcome.

I bet YOU would! I bet IT would!

Thanks for this review. We were on the 14 days before this one nighter and loved the ship. In such good shape and nicely updated (I make my comparsion with the Noordam). Great that you tried Tamarind, much better than the other Tamarinds we have dined in over the past 2 years.

Chef Bitta is the best! So nice of him to send up that lovely plate of goodies. Thaks for the photos! We have loved his Indian meals for many cruises, starting with the Westerdam and onward.

Well, wow!!! Great that you asked, fantastic what you got! Really happy for you both. Have a great view!

Not sure what is happening but the alternative sailing areas are really excellent. We had never seen either and were massively impressed! We would be happy to do them again, having seen Glacier Bay many times.

We have been wondering if you were able to snag an upgrade. That cabin forward of the Medical Center is not what I would expect for an assignement for a high Mariner like you! Things seem to have chnaged a lot after Covid in the way HAL handles guarentees! Your blog is truly a great one: enjoy all the commetary (abundant details!) and photos.

So true. Love you blog and look forward to it. How do you like the R class balcony?

Thanks. Having quite beautiful autumn weather makes this long weekend a real pleasure.

With regard to the idea of adding CO perks to 5 stars: people seem to think it takes a lot to get to 5 star (with days and spending both involvedin the calculation) maybe HAL should go back to just pure days as a basis for perks, as with Prseident's Club. A lot of confusion could be eliminated between star and day levels, and perks based on days would be a straightforward way of rewarding "loyalty".

Guest Relations Manager Joanne is personable, efficient and just fantasic. Photo in Tim's blog shows her with HM Florin. I wonder if these two will eventually take over these positions on the WC? Would be an excellent choice!

I have never seen that happen and that is with many times standing in regular lines for 30 minutes+ watching