Explore 4 question

[Molson99]

awesome. that E4 seems like a very nice perk

[galensgrl]

Wow. I've never seen it written like that. Unless, they meant one dinner for two people.

 

We had E4 on a cruise last May and have it again on an upcoming cruise. We both received the PG dinner on the first cruise and I fully expect we both will on the upcoming cruise.

 

We are in a Vista "suite" and we got for our E4 "one dinner (for two) in the Pinnacle Grill, and one dinner (for two) in the Canaleto restaurant". That is how it was explained to us over the phone by the HAL rep. When they originally said "one dinner in the PG" husband asked if they meant "buy one get one" and they clarified one dinner means one complimentary dinner for both people in the cabin. So for two in one cabin E4 means two beverage cards, two people seated for one dinner in PG, etc. Hope this helps.

 

Lorie

[Molson99]

yes, does help the terminology. I was going to feel bad sending my mom to the mdr room while I ate in the pg! just kidding!

[Molson99]

ok, another question. I was looking thru a drink menu, and many drinks are $6.95, and I know we can get drinks up to $7. but what about the 15% service charge? do the bar servers not get a tip from our explore 4 card? do we do the tip seperate?

[Krazy Kruizers]

ok, another question. I was looking thru a drink menu, and many drinks are $6.95, and I know we can get drinks up to $7. but what about the 15% service charge? do the bar servers not get a tip from our explore 4 card? do we do the tip seperate?

 

 

You can buy any $6.95 drink with the Signature Beverage Cards.

We like Grey Goose on the rocks which is $6.95.

The $7 limit is before the 15% gratuity is added on.

[Molson99]

do they add the gratuity to the card? or should we tip?

[Tyler919]

It is added, and falls under the card benefit...does not appear on on board bill

[Molson99]

thanks much for the info. I am looking forward to trying something new and different than usual each day for the fun of it.

[Alberta Quilter]

As mentioned, the gratuity is included with the Explore4 SBP. Some people choose to tip above and beyond that gratuity; that is a personal choice and is not expected. Any gratuity provided would have to be paid in cash. (Well, I suppose one could pay a gratuity with a casino chip; I've never done it so have no experience with that.)

[Molson99]

I was reading a wonderfully amusing thread re research done on the explore 4 and signature beverage package and they mentioned that you should get a sticker that says sBP on your room key so bartenders and staff know you have it and don't charge drinks to your room. does this still apply? I appreciate all the answers to my many questions!

[Tyler919]

No stickers...the staff does not process any differently. I get a receipt including tip, and it does not appear on my bill (went to desk to make sure with a copy)

[ithaca gal]

I was reading a wonderfully amusing thread re research done on the explore 4 and signature beverage package and they mentioned that you should get a sticker that says sBP on your room key so bartenders and staff know you have it and don't charge drinks to your room. does this still apply? I appreciate all the answers to my many questions!

 

I had not heard of this idea but I'm assuming it is to keep you from being charged if you accidentally hand them your room card instead of your beverage card. I don't know that the crew knows about this and would necessarily catch it.

[Tyler919]

There is no no beverage card, everything is by room card. Computer knows what your package is. The only reason the crew has shown to ask about beverage package is so they don't try to sell me a bottle of wine instead of glass. That's happened twice. And, at least on the one occasion I tried here onboard Ryndam, I ordered two drinks at once with no problem. At that point waiter knew I was on package, unless he had forgotten.

[Alberta Quilter]

There is no no beverage card, everything is by room card. Computer knows what your package is. The only reason the crew has shown to ask about beverage package is so they don't try to sell me a bottle of wine instead of glass. That's happened twice. And, at least on the one occasion I tried here onboard Ryndam, I ordered two drinks at once with no problem. At that point waiter knew I was on package, unless he had forgotten.

 

We had a separate card for the SBP. I've not heard about the SBP being include on the room card before. When did this change take place?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We just got off the Zuiderdam a month ago and we each had our own Signature Beverage Cards that we had to give the staff each time we wanted a drink.

And we had to wait 5 minutes before we could order a second drink.

[DaveOKC]

Like many things on HAL, it may vary by ship. I do like the separate cards, but you do have to be careful that you give the server the card, not your cabin card (like I did once!).

[Alberta Quilter]

[quote name='DaveOKC']Like many things on HAL, it may vary by ship. I do like the separate cards, but you do have to be careful that you give the server the card, not your cabin card (like I did once!).[/quote]

I did it once, too. It was time consuming to get it adjusted but it was my fault, not HAL's.

[Tyler919]

Not sure as this is first time I've done package. Worried me enough to have them print out interim bill, and indeed the qualifying drinks were not there, and higher priced drinks were. If I did not say, this is Ryndam. Currently on board.

[Molson99]

well, Tyler, enjoy the package today! I am going to try one drink a day that I have never had. we took the Rydam on our first 10 day carribean cruise the year she was new, and loved the ship!

[ithaca gal]

[quote name='Tyler919']There is no no beverage card, everything is by room card. Computer knows what your package is. The only reason the crew has shown to ask about beverage package is so they don't try to sell me a bottle of wine instead of glass. That's happened twice. And, at least on the one occasion I tried here onboard Ryndam, I ordered two drinks at once with no problem. At that point waiter knew I was on package, unless he had forgotten.[/QUOTE]

We have been on the Nieuw Amsterdam and the Eurodam this year and both times we had separate Signature Beverage Cards for our drinks package. I have never heard of "no beverage card -- everything is by room card". And we were never allowed to order two drinks at once. At least five minutes must pass before a second drink can be ordered by the same person (with one card).