kopykat

On 2/11/2024 at 11:22 AM, talpostal said:

Has anyone had the sushi? Thought Morimoto had wonderful sushi when I went in Las Vegas but I'm sure it's a different challenge serving it on a cruise ship.

I had the sushi sampler as an appetizer last night. It was the best part of the meal

In the past, as a 5*, I have always been able to have my cabin mate comped for the dinner also. Currently on board the Rotterdam and guest services is telling me this is NOT so! Any ideas how to escalate this?

Just now, Suzanne123 said:

I already have quite a bit of non-refundable OBC.  Will the credit for dining be refundable ( back to my credit card)? Thanks.

Nonrefundable OBC is used first for onboard purchases . If you paid for the dinner with a credit card, the 50% credit will appear as refundable OBC. If not used on the cruise it will be credited to your credit card

Just now, kopykat said:

OMG- I’m from Michigan originally , now upstate NY, and your post sounded like one I would write. I don’t have the luxery of sailing for that many days however and usually fly to FLL. Kelly’s Landing is my favorite restaurant and have stayed at the Renaissance several times. I’m a big Michigan fan and an alum. Go Blue! Was very happy with the win last night. 

OMG- I’m from Michigan originally , now upstate NY, and your post sounded like one I would write. I don’t have the luxery of sailing for that many days however and usually fly to FLL. Kelly’s Landing is my favorite restaurant and have stayed at the Renaissance several times. I’m a big Michigan f

9 hours ago, POA1 said:

To put the expurgated version of the Guide to Cabana Living to bed, I'll close with restroom information. (Thrilling conclusion, right?)

 

Each of the Retreat Cabana areas, and the Cabana Club on the Eurodam*, have their own restrooms. For the most part, they're located in the cabana area and you do not need to go back inside the ship.

 

On the Pinnacle Class vessels, the restrooms are located forward in the cabana area, on the port side of the ship. (This is where we get the term port-a-potty.)

 

 

The shower is located on the starboard side.

 

 

We've clearly got to do a better job of cataloging the Retreat earlier next time. The weather messed with our schedule because I waited, thinking we'd have time during the last two days of our cruise.

 

*- The Eurodam is the only ship that calls their cabanaland the "Cabana Club." The Eurodam also has an alternate color scheme in its cabana area. The Eurodam is also the only ship that does not have a corresponding place name in the Netherlands. It's probably acting out due to an inferiority complex.

 

And the doors to the restrooms are super heavy on the Rotterdam Retreat! I thought the doors were locked. 

2 minutes ago, POA1 said:

There is a list of "enhanced amenities" for the Retreat Cabanas available from HAL. I'll try to get it later today. It's what your PCC or TA would send you. I had a copy, but I did not save it.

 

The list came out at about the time prices went up. I guess it's supposed to soften the blow of the rise in cost. The problem is that I don't think the enhanced amenities made it to the ships. (I spoke to someone on another sailing and their experience mirrored ours.)

Anxiously waiting for the list of enhanced amenities. I’ve booked a Retreat cabana on th R- dam for 3 weeks starting late January 

This actually worked for me. We had booked an excursion and called to verify that it was still on. The excursion company said no our excursion was canceled. HAL has the same exact one as they were using the tour company we had booked with. We followed the directions under Best Price Guarantee “ and got the difference in price. However when Hal figured our original cost of the excursion they tacked on tax which wasn’t on the booking. But it did work. I’d go for it 

2 hours ago, POA1 said:

Welcome to our family tradition, formal night caviar and champagne. Tudor, the Pinnacle Grill manager was gracious enough to accommodate us for a little caviar snack before dinner.

 

 

When you order a glass of bubbly and they just bring the whole bottle, you feel like you are both known and loved.

 

 

The accoutrements.

 

 

An ounce per person, a respectable amount.

 

 

 

That's two photos with me in them. I'm at my quota for 2023.

 

 

Where’s Pooh By Joe? Doesn’t he get caviar and champagne?

3 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

Thanks - We have sailed with Capt Timmers several times and he it GREAT!  Hope he is still on board in January.

Me too. I love his noon update- for all you romantic people….

On 10/27/2023 at 8:54 PM, fairydustca said:

It is pricey, but we find it worth it.  The last couple of times we cruised, we were served 14 oz. impeccably prepared lobster tails along with all of the other delicious courses like foie gras and oysters. Lobster in our area is usually over $30/lb. if you want to prepare it yourself. Actually, every meal we've had there has been wonderful and the service is very personal and highly attentive. If you are 3 or 4 star Mariner you do get at 25% or 50% discount which does help make it more affordable. The biggest problem is trying to get a reservation. It always fills up early.

Only a 25% discount for 5*

On 10/25/2023 at 4:50 PM, Blackduck59 said:

My wife and I recently went to a land based restaurant here in our home town, The bill was close to $300.00 (CDN) of which $60.00 was the bar tab. For us with a beverage package the bar bill would not apply. If the service and food are very good at Rudi's then it is not any more expensive than any high end restaurant on land. One must decide if they are willing to pay the tariff, or dine in another venue.

My sister and I ate at Elliott’s oyster House in Seattle right before cruise. Our bill was $200

On 10/1/2023 at 1:46 PM, kazu said:

 

Certainly will if I see her Ann 🙂 

Say hi from me too. Tell her I’m one of the twins. Bruce’s sister in law 

Question concerning the price of the new fish options in the MDR. If one wanted just one tail rather than 2 for $25, is that an option and would the price be lowered? Maybe someone on board now could find out

18 hours ago, RuthC said:

There is no 'port days only' restriction in the 5* Mariner list of benefits. However, the spa people do try to enforce that 'rule'. The one that doesn't exist. Sometimes they get away with it. 

That’s what I was told on the Rotterdam in July. Only on port days. Now I’m wiser. thanks Ruth!

19 hours ago, shippmates said:

I have my vaccine card in with my passport.  I will be taking it as I just got the new booster last week.  I was really glad that I could get it before I boarded a ship this week.  I know it takes 2 weeks to get the full effect of the vaccine but I will have some when I get on the ship.

3 hours ago, jljcruise said:

It's a no-brainer to me with Covid on the upswing again. The card takes up no room in the back of my passport and on my phone. If I never need it, fine. I don't want to regret not bringing it if a country we visit suddenly changes their mind and requires it. Simply, be prepared or be willing to possibly skip a port.

Igor 

l got my “new” Covid vaccine last week and keeping the record with my passport. You never know …

32 minutes ago, regan3 said:

Is Nami Sushi a separate specialty restaurant from Tamarind?

 

Can you order items from Nami Sushi while dining at Tamarind or do you have to have a separate reservations to eat/order at Nami Sushi?

 

Thank you.

I’ve made reservations at Tanarind and then order off the Nami Sushi menu several times 

On the Rotterdam right now for the 15 day Midnight Sun voyage. Both deLibreje and Cellar Masters dinners were offered. Cruise length has to be < than at least 7 days, more likely 10. I did not participate in deLibreje as I didn’t like it the last time I was on the Eurodam ( it was in the Caribbean) Cellar master dinner tonight so no review as of yet. I didn’t find out about it until boarding when I was informed my PG dinner reservation had been changed 

Can I book a cabana when on a cruise? I’m booked on a B2b and have a cabana for the first part. Wondering if I can book for the next portion while on board if any cabanas are available. Love the cabana life!

On 5/24/2023 at 5:46 AM, cruising sister said:

I know others have complained about the app. I have had zero problems with it. I agree it’s hard to see several days ahead for the menu. I find it does not vary that much and I M ok missing any if it.
 

Tamarind was just ok for me. There was something off putting to me about the ambience. The service was very slow and the soft spoken women serving were frustrating to understand and I have great hearing. Dining solo I find either I am ignored or they serve super fast to get me out. 
 

Cruising sister - are you on the Rotterdam in July? I’m a solo July 1-14 and love the Tamarind. Would you like a table partner one night? PM me at bakopel at umich dot edu if interested. I’ll let you days and times I’m booked

I’m changing cabins. I’m not sure how that will affect this procedure. Does anyone have experience with this in Amsterdam?

On 4/26/2023 at 8:51 PM, Florida_gal_50 said:

I really hope a lot of people are not going to be showing up hours before the cabanas open.  These guys work so hard already.  Please don’t keep adding to the workload or if you do I really hope you tip them a lot and by that I mean at a very minimum $100 plus for a 7 day cruise.

We did $10/day and then an extra $60 at the for a 11 day cruise 

My only experience with a cabana was this March on the Rotterdam. Our stewards were fantastic. I’d be up there at 5:45 am and hot coffee would appear by 6. Mimosas were offered every morning and sparkling wine in the afternoon along with the strawberries and frozen grapes. The stewards would get us anything we wanted for breakfast and lunch. We would check the navigator app for the lido lunch selections so often did not order off the preprinted menus. The stewards also took our drink orders and made sure they were made the way specified. My sister even commented it that it was better than being in a Neptune as far as the service went. I’ve booked one for my next 3 cruises. If you’d like more info feel free to email me at bakopel at umich dot edu

I had a cabana on the Rotterdam in March. Wonderful service. I’d go up at 5:30-5:45 am. The stewards were busy setting up but found time to get coffee for me by 6! Usually left by 5 pm but it was always open. There were other places to sit other than the loungers if you wish to star gaze. I would get another cabana in a flash. 

Not sure about the specialty restaurants you have mentioned but my sister and I have shared entrees in the Pinnacle. However, the dinners were prepaid so did not ask for credit.