mcrcruiser

How do you do that ?

smart move .Suggestion , depending on how you feel ,you may want to buy future cruise credits for $100 each . You may also find a HAL cruise that came out within 90 days where as even a one star Mariner (one past cruise ) you will get extra on board credits from the future Sales Department on board Statendam . We did this in December while sailing on Koningsdam & booked the 14 hight Mexico.solar Eclipse Cruise on Zaandam for March 30 .2024 . We got a total $500 new on board credit & then my Travel Agent gave me a better net price Ph we used the (2 ) $100 FCC I also bought on the ship as the total deposit . Of course ,if we have any bad negatives like the food quality on our 18 night Hawaii Cruise on Koningsdam Jan 30 2024 ,I will cancel this Mexico cruise . We think that is fair to everyone

The point I was making is that this is not the only issue people on this board are having with HAL policies. where there is loose policies there are loose decisions made & it is not only about wine . This business can not be run by the seat of the pants & be ultimately successful going forward . I wiuld really like to see HAL publish their menus for their ships as a example . Yes I know that menus have been posted here on CC but where does HAL post their menus ? Candidly that could make us make a decision whether to book or not to book .so I go back to charge me the hotel rate separately & the food separately . That way I know what I am getting . imo the cruise lines ultimately will be going to a ala carte type pricing in the future .The ship with in the ship for many cruise lines is just the start

Yeah Ya Think !! HAL imo has many problems with the way they are deceiving people in more than one area of this business

The problem is not that the cruise lines are raising prices but while they do this there have been severe cutbacks in both quality & selections once included . That scenario can not last & be successful in the hospitality business Additionally, like another poster pointed out that Pinnacle has additional charges above & beyond their stated prices I will say that I rather pay a basic price for the cabin like a hotel room & then pay for the food I want to eat ,rather than the cruise lines deciding what I will eat .I can tell you that HALs Lasanga in the MDR on Koningsdam in December was the worst pasta I ever saw .I tasted it & sent it back with a note to the chef because it wasn't even a close resemblance .This is what I call garbage food . Not only did they try to sell uneatable food but they over taxed their wait staff who were terribly understaffed to begin with . HAL needs to get up to speed on their food quality as well as selections or suffer far lower sales

I also agree with the OP .Seems to me there is a policing on these HAL boards that just likes to jab at people

We know that HAL is increasing fares as well as all the other cruise lines . Their costs keep rising because inflation is still there ,especially for food & not so much for fuel costs . Then their land based staffs are getting higher salaries .This all reflects in higher cruise prices which I do not mind as long as the quality & variety of food improves along with those price increases

Interesting then who decides what is reasonable or non reasonable quantities of wine ? Seems to me that is too loosely programed by HAL . Perhaps it depends in the mood of the corkage fee desk at the pier,lol . HAL has become noted for some rather loose information on their web site

That is very interesting that your husband receives the best offer the last night of the cruise . That tells me yes they are actively monitoring play .We have heard that the slot play gets more attention than say table play ;which also makes sense as the slots are the best payback to the house in any casino .just look at the sq footage dedicated to slots vs the sq footage dedicated to table fames

That is not what has been posted here on many past posts .We seen CCers post the $20 port corkage fees & maximum 2 bottles of wine

We have been well aware of the new up charge fee by Celebrity .No up charge fee for a continental breakfast in the stateroom

Thank you for such a thoughtful & thought out reply This the best I ever heard 😀

That is good that you no longer test positive .You are correct the CDC has "no cruise guidelines any longer " .You are also correct that HAL's web site should have clear definitions about quarantine . Not having clear guidelines gives the cruise line a great deal of latitude & nothing for the infected passengers .imo this is wrong .Best of Luck going forward

What does your post mean ? Are you indicating that each CCL cruise line has their own gambling levels ?

So what protocols should HAL post on their WEB site because of covid breakouts on their ships ?

There are cruise lines who give levels of play & tag those players according to their times & amounts they play for free perks or free cabins .So does any one know if HAL's casino operation places levels on people who gamble for the free cabins or free perks aboard? TIA

HAL charges $20 per bottle at the pier & use to be $15 per bottle .Max 2 bottles allowed . Celebrity has no corkage fee if you drink it in your state room ; but ,does have corkage fee of $25 if brought to a dining room

Could each HAL ship be different in regards to this subject as well ? Seems to me it is not a very clear policy

With cruise prices rising ,what makes you feel that you are getting fair value for your cabin purchases? Or do you feel that there is some things lacking ?

In December cruise on Koningsdam ,They took our pictures at the pier before boarding in San Diego

Thanks . With any time dining , do we need to call for a dining time or just show up at the MDR?

Thanks again Jim . I will have a scooter & we are close to the front elevator .So we will go up to deck 14 . I think we will just get a burger & salad .Do they have fries ? We have any time dining ,so we can eat a late dinner & go to the early show . Do I need to make a dinner time & can that be done on the phone ? Thanks

Thanks . What about the Spa Cafe?

It will be the Soltice from San Pedro Ca

We will arrive at 1:00 to 1:30 PM boarding .We have a handicap cabin . Where can we eat & up to what time would that venue be open to ? TIA