DaveOKC

A couple of points. The boarding crew has forever been directing people to the Lido as they board. I have even been told that the MDR was not open, only to find that it was. I do think this is how this group is instructed. Second, IMO the post Covid embarkation day MDR lunch menu has been downgraded significantly.

You can take them onboard yourself. Funny story - one time we only brought those small cases, lugging them though the airport, etc. But when we got to the ship I gave them to the porters. Naturally it took forever to get to our cabin and I was very worried that they got lost! Its just the way things happen - lose them on the last leg for being lazy. So, I decided to carry them all the way to our cabin in future cruises!

In my experience with the Neptunes on various ships, I have noticed that the SC cabins seem to there in order for HAL to sell guarantees. There is a noticeable price difference between an SC and an SA (or SB). WHile the SCs are generally further away from the Neptune Lounge, the cabins otherwise are the same. I also think that the aft-wrap Neptunes are a bit smaller than the other Neptunes, not including the large balconies.

Normally just show up. May be times where too crowded, but I never have experienced that (I do try to go off peak times though).

In Dec we did not get slippers and the bag we got was the cheap plastic one, not the superior Club Orange one (was told that they were out of the bags and also that slippers are no longer provided. We were in a Neptune.

On in Dec and previously in Sept, 2022. Ship is in good condition and the crew was fantastic IMO. Food very good, but no lobster at Gala nights. Would sail her again for sure.

If this happens to you, an idea (if you have time) is to wait in the baggage claim area to see if any similar looking suitcases are not claimed. Then take note of the information on the tag.

Same here - I THINK they sort by regular price, not casino deal pricing.

Glad to hear this as we are on the NA in about a month.

Yes you would normally get faster seating (we did on the Eurodam this past month), but I would not pay much money (if any) just for this. The MDR line seemed to move fairly quickly, at opening time at least.

We have nor received a "free cabin" offer for months now, neither by email or from the HAL website. However, we are now getting some deeply discounted (like 70%) cruises from the website. Not sure if this is a better deal or not, as it depends on whether we can get the other HAL promotions/offers (such as stockholder credit, FCD, Thank you for sailing, Early booking, etc.) that we previously could not get with the free cabin offers. Also, need to see of we can select specific cabin with this new deal.

Generally speaking, I would not buy CO on a Vista class ship if you are already 5 Star. Exception is if you want to upgrade your cabin and the cost of doing it the regular way is more expensive.

While you do get a different menu (usually white for some reason) many times I had to ask for it after being given the standard one.

Last two cruises, both on Eurodam but 3 months apart, I had to fight with accounting to get the free 5 Star Pinnacle dinners. They kept charging me 50% instead. I told them that it should be free when I booked while onboard and again when I entered the dining area for the meal, but I still got charged. Since it also happened in the Tamarind (twice) I suspect it is something off in their accounting system. Be sure to watch your account and avoid booking a free dinner on the final night,

Interesting on the cost of your upsell. I generally use 1/3rd of the difference as my price point when evaluating taking an upsell offer.

Hi 12cruise2 - glad to hear from you! Another point to add - I always get a couple of Future Cruise Deposits on each cruise for $100 per person, so that I can avoid the large deposits when booking, plus I get a few $ in OBC as well.

I THINK what you experienced (the $80 difference) was due to the HAL PCC being a refundable/cancellable reservation vs the non-refundable one you saw online (and both being basic fares only with limited perks). While saving the money is nice, the cheaper fare option does not allow you to "refare" if the price goes down before final payment date. In the past I have refared my cruises multiple times before final payment, so I almost never take the non-refundable fare. If you do the cheapest route, you might consider purchasing the cancel for any reason insurance from HAL at the time of booking. On the slightly higher priced fare I do not take this insurance until a couple of days prior to final payment date, as you can forefit it with a refare.

Interesting as I have done at least a dozen upsells (generated by HAL) and the stockholder credit was never a problem. I did not have to do a thing and it was right there on my onboard account when I boarded.

Normally we go to Hyatt Place Convention Center on 10th. This time we had to go to Hyatt House in Dania Beach (next to the "other" Hyatt Place. Got VERY lucky as we used Hyatt Points at the normal 12,000 rate!

I have done many upsells generated by HAL and never lost anything. As I recall the cost of HAL insurance does go up a bit though (even if you already paid it).

I just booked a cruise departing Fort Lauderdale during their boat show week. Was tough finding a hotel anywhere near the port and prices were sky high!

I found an unusual one for 11 days next late Oct. on the Eurodam. Some new ports, at least for us.

I agree that HAL needs to do a better job in providing entertainment on the long 4-5 days home. Going out it was great, lots to do, but coming back almost nothing.

My "go to" approach is to book a Signature cabin in a location that I like, then wait/hope for an upsell offer to a Neptune. By doing this I get to select my Neptune cabin (unlike guarantees) from whats still open of course, and I save alot over booking the Neptune in the first place. Since we tend to travel in off peak times (non-holidays and spring break) we get an upsell off over 90 percent of the time. If we do not get one, that OK too as we like the larger Signature cabins, especially if they are in a good location.