Mariner Perks Reception?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Why is the embarkation meal called a lunch and the Mariners meal referred to here as a brunch when it is the same food and presentation of. The difference is the Mariners meal has Captain and Officers and sparkling wine.

I believe at one time that Mariners meal was call a lunch or luncheon. Maybe that is another variation depending on voyage what it is called. Makes it difficult to ask about it at front desk or HAL if they play semantics with you.

 

 

Mainly because there are so many passengers on the ship that are Mariners, they have to have 2 of these meals.

We always are invited to the 10 or 10:30 awards ceremony that is followed by the brunch which is around 10:30 or 11 -- depends on ship. The second brunch is around 1 PM.

A normal lunch time is later than 10:30 or 11.

 

 

 

[cruz chic]

It was similar food menu and set up. You came into the room with other people and they took you a table with others and the menu had 2 choices.

 

The embarkation lunch usually has chicken, salmon and a Reuben and possibly something else. They take you to a table. The Mariners much usually has beef, sole and maybe a quiche and it's a free for all to get a seat. That doesn't seem to same to me. Yes both are in the MDR.

[Krazy Kruizers]

So....I'm totally confused :confused: I guess my question would be: Is the MDR open for lunch at embarkation? Don't really if it's open to all, just hate the Lido on embarkation day.

 

 

 

It isn't listed as being open for Mariners on Embarkation on the "rewards/benefits" that I ran off this morning for my DH to read.

[cruz chic]

So....I'm totally confused :confused: I guess my question would be: Is the MDR open for lunch at embarkation? Don't really if it's open to all, just hate the Lido on embarkation day.

 

I guess it will be a wait and see thing. For me a good cruise in one where I never set foot in the lifo. Eating in a cafeteria doesn't do it for me. I hope they don't end the embarkation lunch.

[cruiserzoid]

Cruz chic is correct about the ease of getting in and getting seated at the embarkation lunch. I was just focusing on the similarity of limited selections and bunches of people herded at tables. It wasn't as crowded as the Mariners meal. Mariner is a problem with the doors open and people have amassed outside and it is a free-for-all when the doors open.

I only went to the Embarkation lunch one time. I go to the Lido now. More selections in every category. Downside is getting seated.

[obriendan]

On the Statendam's Alaska cruise now. Upon stateroom arrival there was an invitation to Mariner's Recption in Crows Nest at 2 PM. No Mariner's luncheon. Reception well attended. Champagne served with light snacks.

 

Dan

[taxmantoo]

I guess it will be a wait and see thing. For me a good cruise in one where I never set foot in the lifo. Eating in a cafeteria doesn't do it for me. I hope they don't end the embarkation lunch.

 

Agree about the cafeteria ... saw enough of it in high school and college. In all our cruises, we have never had a meal, except for a very few quick breakfasts, in the Lido and refuse to sit at Canaletto for the same reason.

 

I think the MDR will always be open on embarkation, whether they call it the Mariner Embarkation Lunch or not. It is on other cruise lines. Some advertise it and some don't but they still need to open it for continuing guests and once it's open, well it's open to all.

[Lizzie68]

Why is the embarkation meal called a lunch and the Mariners meal referred to here as a brunch when it is the same food and presentation of. The difference is the Mariners meal has Captain and Officers and sparkling wine.

I believe at one time that Mariners meal was call a lunch or luncheon. Maybe that is another variation depending on voyage what it is called. Makes it difficult to ask about it at front desk or HAL if they play semantics with you.

 

No it's not the same meal at all. There always seems to be confusion over the embarkation lunch, otherwise called the Mariners' Embarkation Lunch - and the Mariners`Lunch which take place during the cruise.

[cruz chic]

Agree about the cafeteria ... saw enough of it in high school and college. In all our cruises, we have never had a meal, except for a very few quick breakfasts, in the Lido and refuse to sit at Canaletto for the same reason.

 

I think the MDR will always be open on embarkation, whether they call it the Mariner Embarkation Lunch or not. It is on other cruise lines. Some advertise it and some don't but they still need to open it for continuing guests and once it's open, well it's open to all.

 

I hope you are right. I had a situation on a princess cruise where they said the MDR was only open to b2b passangers. It seems like they like to discourage passangers from going to the MDR on princess and Hal.

[Globaliser]

I hope you are right. I had a situation on a princess cruise where they said the MDR was only open to b2b passangers. It seems like they like to discourage passangers from going to the MDR on princess and Hal.

I've had this on NCL too! I'm used to fighting this small battle to get in.

[taxmantoo]

I hope you are right. I had a situation on a princess cruise where they said the MDR was only open to b2b passangers. It seems like they like to discourage passangers from going to the MDR on princess and Hal.

 

I've had this on NCL too! I'm used to fighting this small battle to get in.

 

Have been on 3 Princess Sapphire and won the battle two times! They definitely do not make it easy. Our last cruise however on the new Princess Regal was totally different. The dining room staff was ready and they looked happy to see people come in. Dining Room was approx half full.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I didn't mean for you to get up. You had mentioned that you didn't know why she hadn't sat at a table for two. It is possible that she didn't have the opportunity to do that. For a long time I didn't go the the Mariners lunch/brunch. In the last year I sat with people that wore baseball caps right through the meal. The were into their 70's I'm guessing so not kids. The last one I had an older guy next to me asking way to personal questions. I'd enjoy sitting by myself but it's rarely an option there.

 

I passed an empty 2-top on the way to our table. We would have preferred to join a larger table that was nearby, but there were waiters "herding" people, and when they herded us to that table I didn't want to be rude and turn away from someone sitting all alone. She didn't have her kindle out at that point, so I didn't know she expected--wanted?--to be alone.

 

I'd be interested in hearing what's served on other itineraries. On our Canada/New England cruise, they were trying to go "local style" by having a north Atlantic fish choice, and my beef was supposed to come with "poutine fries." (It wasn't poutine, it was fries with a little parmesan cheese on them) I prefer the menu we've had before with the choice of quiche or salmon.

[SilvertoGold]

About seating at the Mariner's Brunch: one reason for 4/5 stars to attend the pre-Brunch awards party I know a lot don't bother to go to this) is that you get preferred, escorted seating at the Brunch. This makes it quite easy to get the kind of table you prefer.

[3rdGenCunarder]

About seating at the Mariner's Brunch: one reason for 4/5 stars to attend the pre-Brunch awards party I know a lot don't bother to go to this) is that you get preferred, escorted seating at the Brunch. This makes it quite easy to get the kind of table you prefer.

 

Alas, I'm not entitled to that party.

 

On Westerdam,last winter, we sat with two other couples at the lunch (second sitting). We tried to figure out how they split the large number of Mariners into two different sittings. It didn't seem to be based on stars. We're 3, another couple was 2, and the third couple was on their first HAL cruise, with one other cruise on a "sister" line. We joked about being in the "overflow" group and wondered if we were going to be fed leftovers.

[SilvertoGold]

Alas, I'm not entitled to that party.

 

On Westerdam,last winter, we sat with two other couples at the lunch (second sitting). We tried to figure out how they split the large number of Mariners into two different sittings. It didn't seem to be based on stars. We're 3, another couple was 2, and the third couple was on their first HAL cruise, with one other cruise on a "sister" line. We joked about being in the "overflow" group and wondered if we were going to be fed leftovers.

 

The 4/5 stars seems to have the Reception and then go to the first Brunch.

 

I guess the rest are divided up between first and second. Who knows how. I think there is a mix of levels at each Brunch, with no leftovers, pax or food!!

 

I have enjoyed your comments!! Thanks.

[cruz chic]

About seating at the Mariner's Brunch: one reason for 4/5 stars to attend the pre-Brunch awards party I know a lot don't bother to go to this) is that you get preferred, escorted seating at the Brunch. This makes it quite easy to get the kind of table you prefer.

 

I've gone to that cocktail party. Only once was I escorted to a table with a place card on the table. I was in a Neptune suite on that one. Otherwise you are herding into the area and it's a free for all for a table. Sounds like you've had a different experience.

[SilvertoGold]

I've gone to that cocktail party. Only once was I escorted to a table with a place card on the table. I was in a Neptune suite on that one. Otherwise you are herding into the area and it's a free for all for a table. Sounds like you've had a different experience.

 

Yes, a different experience. I guess we have been lucky!

 

Anytime there has been a hosted table, then definitely there is an escort to that table. The rest of the pax are escorted, also, to the surrounding tables.

 

The last couple of cruises, we were escorted through the line of waiting pax outside the DR to tables (none hosted).

 

I really cannot remember ever being herded or in a line for the Mariner Brunch.

[rkacruiser]

On the Statendam's Alaska cruise now. Upon stateroom arrival there was an invitation to Mariner's Recption in Crows Nest at 2 PM. No Mariner's luncheon. Reception well attended. Champagne served with light snacks.

 

Dan

 

Thank you Dan! Since I expect to be joining you on the Statendam soon, this is very valuable information for me.

[rkacruiser]

A quite interesting thread, I think. And, based upon what I have read, maybe the best advice for us HAL cruisers who are Mariners would be "Hang Loose" and "Go With The Flow".

 

Having been disappointed on my January Noordam cruises because of what I felt were "slights" aimed at Mariners lower than 5 Stars, I have decided that I will accept whatever I experience with satisfaction at that time on my soon to sail voyage.

 

There will be time later for reflection as to did I experience the "Signature of Excellence" that I expected.

[sail7seas]

I think every voyage is different and it is a roll of the dice what events happen. You just have to go for the trip to the ports and back. Whatever happens on the ship is not predictable. Different captains, management and other factors make it so each voyage is a variation. Added to this is reduction of services. It is difficult to determine what is a reduction in service and a variation in service.

One now just has to go for the destinations.

 

Some Captains and Hotel Directors will host Tables and that is always a treat. We are usually escorted from the Medallion Awards to the MDR and are seated. I can't remember the last time we weren't at a table hosted by someone.

 

 

Why is the embarkation meal called a lunch and the Mariners meal referred to here as a brunch when it is the same food and presentation of. The difference is the Mariners meal has Captain and Officers and sparkling wine.

I believe at one time that Mariners meal was call a lunch or luncheon. Maybe that is another variation depending on voyage what it is called. Makes it difficult to ask about it at front desk or HAL if they play semantics with you.

 

I looked at my Invitations (I have a ton of them) and they all say Brunch for the gathering we have on sea day during the cruise. Seeing the early one is often for 10:00 - 11:00 some time (that can vary), it's hard to call that lunch.

 

Ahh, it just dawned on me. Maybe when they have to do two sessions, they call the early one brunch and the second replay lunch? Nah, I doubt that.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

About seating at the Mariner's Brunch: one reason for 4/5 stars to attend the pre-Brunch awards party I know a lot don't bother to go to this) is that you get preferred, escorted seating at the Brunch. This makes it quite easy to get the kind of table you prefer.

 

Not true all the time.

After the awards ceremony on a couple of cruises, none of us were escorted to the dining room. I had to fight to get into the dining room with my walker. No assigned tables.

Just people pushing and pushing. So we stopped going.

[Storylady]

So....I'm totally confused :confused: I guess my question would be: Is the MDR open for lunch at embarkation? Don't really if it's open to all, just hate the Lido on embarkation day.

The embarkation lunch is still listed as a benefit for Mariners. We had one on everyone of our cruises this summer. It is possible that one ship might not have it as I do remember one cruise that was true. Can't remember which ship.

 

I have discovered each ship does their events differently.

 

For example, on our 85 day Africa Cruise last year, the Rotterdam had a wonderful event for 4 and 5 star Mariners plus suite guests. It was a Cabaret Luncheon in the Showroom at Sea. Each course had different entertainment---Adagio, the Neptunes, the Piano Man and the HAL Orchestra. And the music was the type you would enjoy listening to during a nice lunch. The Rotterdam was able to do this event due to the number of sea days we had. Would love to see it done on other ships.

[sail7seas]

Not true all the time.

After the awards ceremony on a couple of cruises, none of us were escorted to the dining room. I had to fight to get into the dining room with my walker. No assigned tables.

Just people pushing and pushing. So we stopped going.

 

I can't remember the last time we were not escorted. For years, after the Medallion Awards, an Asst Dining Room Manager or Manager always escorted us to a reserved table.

 

[cruz chic]

Not true all the time.

After the awards ceremony on a couple of cruises, none of us were escorted to the dining room. I had to fight to get into the dining room with my walker. No assigned tables.

Just people pushing and pushing. So we stopped going.

 

Looks like we've had the same experience KK.

[kazu]

 

<snip>

I looked at my Invitations (I have a ton of them) and they all say Brunch for the gathering we have on sea day during the cruise. Seeing the early one is often for 10:00 - 11:00 some time (that can vary), it's hard to call that lunch.

 

Ahh, it just dawned on me. Maybe when they have to do two sessions, they call the early one brunch and the second replay lunch? Nah, I doubt that.

 

 

yes, they have two sessions. One is at 11:00 a.m. not 10:00 at least none that I have ever seen. Mind you, I have only been on HAL since the 80's but the traditional Mariners Embarkation Luncheons that I have seen are 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

 

My invitations said lunch not brunch. Probably because the Medallion ceremony is at the latter in our experience.

 

Lunch, brunch, the word doesn't matter IMO. If it's the Mariner's luncheon / brunch, I think we all know what they mean ;)