Mariner Perks Reception?

[rkacruiser]

As a 4 Star Mariner leaving the reception, along with the group, I was escorted to the MDR. Once there: my experience at different times:

 

1. Name cards at places and we were so seated

 

2. No name cards, but were escorted to a table where I was supposed to be seated with an Officer. Someone else filled the space. I was then escorted to an adjacent table. Upon leaving the event, I mentioned this to an Assistant DRM. Many apologies.

 

3. Once in the MDR in the general area where the Officer's Tables were located, a free for all was experienced.

 

Wherever I have been seated at the Mariner Luncheons, I have been blessed with meeting interesting people and having enjoyable conversations. One particular lady on the Noordam in January, we were both on a b2b, and we shared several pleasant times in the Explorers Lounge listening to the very good duo performing.

[erewhon]

Just visit the Photo Gallery to request one and show your key card.

 

Happy Travels!

 

Thank you for this information.

[frankc98376]

We will ask Concierge if there is lunch in MDR tomorrow when we board. If not- it's snacks in NL I guess. No desire to face the madhouse in the Lido.

Edited September 12, 2015 by frankc98376

[SilvertoGold]

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.

 

The Tahiti cruise (30/34 days) has been doing the Cabaret lunch for a few years now. It was said to be the idea of the then-HM on the Statendam.

 

Loved it, too. Absolutely great entertainment and the food was from the Pinnacle kitchen, with the Pinnacle Manager and Cellarmaster supervising.

Edited September 12, 2015 by SilvertoGold

[SilvertoGold]

Thank you for this information.

 

We have found it rather fun to ask for the ship photos. Often, the photographers at the desk pause and ask for the room card, so they can see the stars to ensure they are supposed to give you the photo.

 

The look on their faces can be pretty funny. Is it us? Too young, too non-5- star-looking. I guess I should ask!!

[SilvertoGold]

We will ask Concierge if there is lunch in MDR tomorrow when we board. If not- it's snacks in NL I guess. No desire to face the madhouse in the Lido.

 

Take a look at the daily program in you cabin immediately. It will say if the DR is open for lunch.

 

Have a SUPER cruise!!!!!

[sail7seas]

Hint: Sometimes we would ask if Pinnacle Grill was open for breakfast our first morning and 'sometimes' the concierge would say No. We would go there anyway and find them open. Ask .... but verify. :)

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have never bothered to ask the concierges if the Pinnacle is open for breakfast the first morning.

We just show up.

It has never been closed on the first morning on any of the ships we have been on.

[take us away]

No more VIP parties in the Crows Nest? I always enjoyed them.

 

They are still there but depends on the ship, the itinerary and the hotel manager. Some happen in smaller rooms with smaller groups, invitations and great canapés! On 1 cruise, the officer mentioned he had 3 'of these parties' in a row.

[SilvertoGold]

They are still there but depends on the ship, the itinerary and the hotel manager. Some happen in smaller rooms with smaller groups, invitations and great canapés! On 1 cruise, the officer mentioned he had 3 'of these parties' in a row.

 

That is good to hear!

Love these parties, myself and hope they will continue.

 

Thanks for adding your experience!

[sail7seas]

We have never bothered to ask the concierges if the Pinnacle is open for breakfast the first morning.

We just show up.

It has never been closed on the first morning on any of the ships we have been on.

 

;) Our reason for asking was Code RED and Code Orange. There were times Pinnacle had to close as they needed the stewards to assist in MDR and Lido. ;)

 

We would have ordered Room Service had Pinnacle not been serving. :cool:

 

[frankc98376]

They are still there but depends on the ship, the itinerary and the hotel manager. Some happen in smaller rooms with smaller groups, invitations and great canapés! On 1 cruise, the officer mentioned he had 3 'of these parties' in a row.

 

We were told on one cruise that normally is 3 or 4 star and higher or in a suite. Evidently depends on how many high star Mariners on board. We are on Westerdam now in a NS- we'll see what happens. I guess there was a welcome aboard suite reception last night in the NL- we heard about it later. We have always had an invite in our stateroom- we figured that since we had no invite it was one of those things that went away.

 

On the MDR topic we were told at check-in no lunch in MDR due to charity event aboard. Got to our stateroom and saw that indeed MDR lunch was being served on deck 2- event was in upper dining room. MDR was open to all for lunch- not crowded at all.

[3rdGenCunarder]

We were told on one cruise that normally is 3 or 4 star and higher or in a suite. Evidently depends on how many high star Mariners on board. We are on Westerdam now in a NS- we'll see what happens. I guess there was a welcome aboard suite reception last night in the NL- we heard about it later. We have always had an invite in our stateroom- we figured that since we had no invite it was one of those things that went away.

 

On the MDR topic we were told at check-in no lunch in MDR due to charity event aboard. Got to our stateroom and saw that indeed MDR lunch was being served on deck 2- event was in upper dining room. MDR was open to all for lunch- not crowded at all.

 

I never ask the check-in people about anything. I don't think they have any info about what's going on aboard the ship. (They aren't HAL employees, so you can't blame them for that) And you can't always rely on crew to know about lunch. Back before cabins were ready early, embarking passengers were herded onto elevators up to the Lido. I asked a "guide" about the Mariner luncheon and was told there wasn't one. But we went to the MDR anyhow, and sure enough, lunch was being served.

Edited September 13, 2015 by 3rdGenCunarder

[Storylady]

They are still there but depends on the ship, the itinerary and the hotel manager. Some happen in smaller rooms with smaller groups, invitations and great canapés! On 1 cruise, the officer mentioned he had 3 'of these parties' in a row.

 

We had parties on the Prinsendam until July 29th cruise this year. On our 21 day Arctic and Iceland Cruise no invitations except the Mariners Brunch/Luncheon and Awards ceremony. Will be interested to hear experiences of 4&5 star Mariners and collective cruisers that have cruised in September and during the rest of the year. Many of the changes have just happened.

[Krazy Kruizers]

;) Our reason for asking was Code RED and Code Orange. There were times Pinnacle had to close as they needed the stewards to assist in MDR and Lido. ;)

 

We would have ordered Room Service had Pinnacle not been serving. :cool:

 

 

 

We have been on quite a few ships with the Code Red already in progress when we got on -- and the Pinnacle was still open for breakfast.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We were told on one cruise that normally is 3 or 4 star and higher or in a suite. Evidently depends on how many high star Mariners on board. We are on Westerdam now in a NS- we'll see what happens. I guess there was a welcome aboard suite reception last night in the NL- we heard about it later. We have always had an invite in our stateroom- we figured that since we had no invite it was one of those things that went away.

 

On the MDR topic we were told at check-in no lunch in MDR due to charity event aboard. Got to our stateroom and saw that indeed MDR lunch was being served on deck 2- event was in upper dining room. MDR was open to all for lunch- not crowded at all.

 

 

We have been 5 Star Mariners for quite some time now.

We have always stayed in either a PS or an SA and we have not always been invited to the VIP parties held later in the cruise.

 

Sorry that you didn't get invited to the Suite Cocktail party last night.

 

Good to hear that the dining room was open on Embarkation day for lunch.

Edited September 13, 2015 by Krazy Kruizers

[frankc98376]

;) Our reason for asking was Code RED and Code Orange. There were times Pinnacle had to close as they needed the stewards to assist in MDR and Lido. ;)

 

We would have ordered Room Service had Pinnacle not been serving. :cool:

 

 

No code orange- all open ans self service yesterday and today

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have not experienced any Code Orange in well over a year now on the ships we have been on.

Think it is gone.

[SilvertoGold]

[quote=frankc98376;47734730

 

On the MDR topic we were told at check-in no lunch in MDR due to charity event aboard. Got to our stateroom and saw that indeed MDR lunch was being served on deck 2- event was in upper dining room. MDR was open to all for lunch- not crowded at all.

 

HA!

Well, there you go: always verify!

 

This is what I expect now, MDR open for lunch to all, to take the heat off the Lido. Works for me.

 

Hope your cruise is fantastic, Although that was bad about the Suite cocktail Reception.

Edited September 13, 2015 by SilvertoGold

[DaveOKC]

We were told on one cruise that normally is 3 or 4 star and higher or in a suite. Evidently depends on how many high star Mariners on board. We are on Westerdam now in a NS- we'll see what happens. I guess there was a welcome aboard suite reception last night in the NL- we heard about it later. We have always had an invite in our stateroom- we figured that since we had no invite it was one of those things that went away.

 

On the MDR topic we were told at check-in no lunch in MDR due to charity event aboard. Got to our stateroom and saw that indeed MDR lunch was being served on deck 2- event was in upper dining room. MDR was open to all for lunch- not crowded at all.

 

We have had the same things happen to us. On one cruise we did not get an invite to the Captain's party, even though my brother (linked bookings) did and we were both in Neptunes. Another time we did go to the check-in lunch even though an event was being held in the dining room above. That was a bit of a problem due to the event's noise level and the over taxed dining room staff.

Edited September 13, 2015 by DaveOKC

[rkacruiser]

Consistency, Consistency: Where fore art thou?

[sail7seas]

We have been on quite a few ships with the Code Red already in progress when we got on -- and the Pinnacle was still open for breakfast.

 

 

:) Good. Of course.

 

 

 

No code orange- all open ans self service yesterday and today

 

 

 

[ I'm happy they stopped it. I wonder if when they had the Code Orange it really made any difference re: Noro like Viruses.

 

Hope you have a Great Cruise.

 

Happy for any comments you wish to share with us along the way. ;)

Have Fun!

[frankc98376]

Going thru our stuff from boarding and saw the usual letter explaining the NL hours. At the bottom says Concierges were holding a get together at 7 pm to welcome all aboard. We never really read the letter as we have always gotten one when we boarded. They used to send separate invites to a suite get together with officers.

 

So I take back that we weren't invited. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for explaining that you actually got the invitation.

I hate it when things like that are buried. Things are always hectic on embarkation day and to have to sort through everything right away is a pain.

[kazu]

;) Our reason for asking was Code RED and Code Orange. There were times Pinnacle had to close as they needed the stewards to assist in MDR and Lido. ;)

 

We would have ordered Room Service had Pinnacle not been serving. :cool:

 

 

We have been on quite a few ships with the Code Red already in progress when we got on -- and the Pinnacle was still open for breakfast.

 

Back when there was code orange and a number of years ago, the PG was closed for breakfast the first two days on two of our cruises - Zuiderdam & Rotterdam if memory serves. The closure was in our letter with the hours of service that is always there on day one.

 

After those cruises, the PG was open every day for breakfast and was listed accordingly in our letter.