sapete Posted June 27, 2013 #101 Share Posted June 27, 2013 This is HAL's house Champagne. Is this what you are talking about? From France? HAL no longer advertises Champagne at embarkation, and they have not for years...As well they no longer advertise bottles going to Neptune Suite guests. It is now offered in the Neptune Lounge. I am sure it is not from the Champagne Region of France, but it is imported and it is free. We had a bottle of sparkling wine in out Neptune Suite on our 11 May Westerdam cruise. They were also serving it in the Neptune Lounge at departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 27, 2013 #102 Share Posted June 27, 2013 This is HAL's house Champagne. Is this what you are talking about? From France? HAL no longer advertises Champagne at embarkation, and they have not for years...As well they no longer advertise bottles going to Neptune Suite guests. It is now offered in the Neptune Lounge. I am sure it is not from the Champagne Region of France, but it is imported and it is free. things can vary on different ships sometimes. On the Prinsendam we had REAL champagne (very expensive) waiting for us. Didn't see any in the neptune lounge. This is the exception though and not the rule.:) I have seen the sparkling wine delivered to the suites on some ships and on other glasses of it offered in the Neptune lounge. :confused:;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallydave Posted June 28, 2013 #103 Share Posted June 28, 2013 This is HAL's house Champagne. Is this what you are talking about? From France? HAL no longer advertises Champagne at embarkation, and they have not for years...As well they no longer advertise bottles going to Neptune Suite guests. It is now offered in the Neptune Lounge. I am sure it is not from the Champagne Region of France, but it is imported and it is free. The absolutely call it champaign and did so at least 10 times on this years world cruise. Some special nites there was a card on the table calling out champaign and it was always sparkling wine. Complete any total lies and false advertising. It may have been imported and it was not free but included and it was cheap probably perhaps $5 a bottle Don't appreciate being lied to after paying so much. As edger allen Poe said hark the raven never more Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazzygirl Posted June 28, 2013 #104 Share Posted June 28, 2013 sorry folks..bit inexperienced here...something free on a HAL cruise? count me in ...where and when ??? k:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sealine Posted June 28, 2013 #105 Share Posted June 28, 2013 sorry folks..bit inexperienced here...something free on a HAL cruise? count me in ...where and when ??? k:D Much is included but feels as free. Other free items: The Art tour on board, friendliness of the stewards, nature, ports of call, having fun, watching people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariner Posted June 29, 2013 #106 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Kazu, What by chance was that very special champagne? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted June 29, 2013 #107 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Ahhh, I love those HAL bells. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolmacey Posted July 2, 2013 #108 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I looked back at my Veendam pix from Jan 2011 - the open bow was teak at that time. Maybe the older ships have teak on the bow decks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaBands Posted July 2, 2013 #109 Share Posted July 2, 2013 in all the dining rooms and they are priced better than the standard list and quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pxn748 Posted July 2, 2013 #110 Share Posted July 2, 2013 It has been several years so I don't remember exactly; but on the "S" class ships there is a staircase near the back that is enclosed on some decks by glass and if it is cold you can take a deck chair and sit in it and look out. Hardly anyone ever uses those stairs so not only is it a great view, but it is very quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zyzygy Posted July 3, 2013 #111 Share Posted July 3, 2013 As far as room service cheese plates go, we have ordered specific cheeses from the MDR cheese menu. We love the Humboldt Fog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeagoingMom Posted July 3, 2013 #112 Share Posted July 3, 2013 It has been several years so I don't remember exactly; but on the "S" class ships there is a staircase near the back that is enclosed on some decks by glass and if it is cold you can take a deck chair and sit in it and look out. Hardly anyone ever uses those stairs so not only is it a great view, but it is very quiet. Sit on the staircase? Or does the staircase lead to a deck? I'm a little confused. Any clue which decks this was on? (And which ones are S-class ships -- I never have paid attention to these categories) I know you said it has been a long time -- but perhaps someone else on this board knows about this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pxn748 Posted July 4, 2013 #113 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Sit on the staircase? Or does the staircase lead to a deck? I'm a little confused. Any clue which decks this was on? (And which ones are S-class ships -- I never have paid attention to these categories) I know you said it has been a long time -- but perhaps someone else on this board knows about this? Sorry I wasn't clearer The "S" class are the Statendam, Veendam, and Ryndam. No you don't sit on the stairs. There are landings on some of the upper decks that are about 6x10 and some of them are glassed in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted July 4, 2013 #114 Share Posted July 4, 2013 The "S" class are the Statendam, Veendam, and Ryndam. And Maasdam, too. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeattleCruiseLovers Posted July 6, 2013 #115 Share Posted July 6, 2013 Sorry I wasn't clearer The "S" class are the Statendam, Veendam, and Ryndam. No you don't sit on the stairs. There are landings on some of the upper decks that are about 6x10 and some of them are glassed in. They have the same little glassed staircase on the Oosterdam and Westerdam as well (so I'm guessing the Vista ships all have them). It is located on the Observation Deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeagoingMom Posted July 7, 2013 #116 Share Posted July 7, 2013 Thanks, all, for the info on these "secret" enclosed decks -- I am going to check out some deck plans and see if I can find them! Considering it is no longer a secret, I guess I'll see you on one of them the next time we cruise. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puli Posted July 9, 2013 #117 Share Posted July 9, 2013 since they did away with the trays in the Lido I take our cabin's ice bucket tray and zip up to the Lido (or Neptune Lounge if on a lucky cruise). It is the perfect size for carrying coffee/cappuccino/icecream for 2! Can even hold 2 servings of that famous Bread Pudding. You might get a funny look in the elevator but I bet your action will be copied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillside Posted July 9, 2013 #118 Share Posted July 9, 2013 What a great idea! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted July 9, 2013 #119 Share Posted July 9, 2013 I make it a point to visit all the bells on each of my cruises. I love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth612 Posted July 9, 2013 #120 Share Posted July 9, 2013 You may park for free in the Port of Miami parking garage for as long as you want if you have a handicapped parking pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy2x Posted July 9, 2013 #121 Share Posted July 9, 2013 The description below was supplied by RevNeal and is the best I've seen here. Like he and a number of others, it is one of my favorite things to do, especially in warm weather while cruising slowly between a couple of close together Carib islands. I actually played basketball for a half hour on the Ryndam under the moonlight with a few of the crew. That was almost 15 years ago, but remains a great memory. Here is RevNeal's direction for access: Here's a secret no one has mentioned yet. Access to the bow-deck. On an S-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). There are two closet like chambers, glass walled, with doors facing inward. Open the door on one of them and climb the stairs you'll find inside. Those stairs will lead you up one deck, then turn and -- if the door isn't open -- push the water-tight door open and step through (carefully) and out onto the forward bow deck. On an R-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). Facing forward there's a set of double doors on port and starboard. No signs. Open either and climb the stairs you'll find right in front of you. Turn and push open the water tight door and step (carefully) out onto the forward bow deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 9, 2013 #122 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Kazu, What by chance was that very special champagne? Sorry mariner - I didn't see the question earlier. It was a Mumm's champagne (made in France) and it was real champagne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunroomsilly Posted July 9, 2013 #123 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Every stateroom has a dvd player. You can request from close to 800 movie titles from the front desk (booklet with list of titles is found in your cabin - called Ship Flicks). Dvds can be picked up at the front desk or you can have them delivered. If your cabin is missing the booklet, you can get one from front desk. DVD player easy to use and nice to fill time with movies because no "regular" TV broadcasts for personal entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunroomsilly Posted July 9, 2013 #124 Share Posted July 9, 2013 You can order whatever they are serving in the MDR through room service if you call between 6 and 7PM. Be sure to check the menus posted outside the dining rooms and write down your choices as room service does not have a copy of the menu. (This is in addition to the room service menu which is located on your cabin dresser, and is available all the time.) If your cabin doesn't have a DVD movie list, you can get one from the front desk. They've got lots of movies for all ages, DVD player is easy to use, and comes in handy for in-room entertainment since there is no "regular" TV broadcast. Check your "today ON LOCATION" brochure early every morning for the day's special happenings, dining times and dress codes, classes and entertainment, sales, drink of the day, and happy hour locations. The library is on Deck 10-Observation Deck tucked into a corner. There's books in several languages to check out or there's a paperback exchange area, plus nice chairs for reading or observing the outdoors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted July 9, 2013 #125 Share Posted July 9, 2013 The description below was supplied by RevNeal and is the best I've seen here. Like he and a number of others, it is one of my favorite things to do, especially in warm weather while cruising slowly between a couple of close together Carib islands. I actually played basketball for a half hour on the Ryndam under the moonlight with a few of the crew. That was almost 15 years ago, but remains a great memory. Here is RevNeal's direction for access: Here's a secret no one has mentioned yet. Access to the bow-deck. On an S-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). There are two closet like chambers, glass walled, with doors facing inward. Open the door on one of them and climb the stairs you'll find inside. Those stairs will lead you up one deck, then turn and -- if the door isn't open -- push the water-tight door open and step through (carefully) and out onto the forward bow deck. On an R-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). Facing forward there's a set of double doors on port and starboard. No signs. Open either and climb the stairs you'll find right in front of you. Turn and push open the water tight door and step (carefully) out onto the forward bow deck. On our recent Maasdam cruise, we just went to the lower level of the show lounge, opened the big heavy steal door, walked up a few steps and then outside to the bow. Very easy to do, but only when the ship is in port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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