mariners lunch

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been Platinum medal holders for several years and gave up the Mariner brunches as we could not stand the free-for-all as people were rushing for tables.

There were no hosted tables the last several years on our cruises.

At the awards ceremonies, we have just been asked to raise our hands when they called our names and gave our days. No pictures were taken with the captain like we used to have many years ago.

[3rdGenCunarder]

We have been Platinum medal holders for several years and gave up the Mariner brunches as we could not stand the free-for-all as people were rushing for tables.

There were no hosted tables the last several years on our cruises.

At the awards ceremonies, we have just been asked to raise our hands when they called our names and gave our days. No pictures were taken with the captain like we used to have many years ago.

 

There were way too many people who already had medals to do individual pictures with the captain. They only did pictures for the people receiving medallions.

 

You're right, the rush for tables is a free-for-all. You'd think people hadn't had a meal for the whole cruise. We haven't gone lately, but we went this time because we were getting medals and it seemed rude not to go. Quite a few 100 day medals did go unclaimed at the ceremony. I guess those were delivered later.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our Westerdam cruise in 2016 -- even the people receiving medals did not get their pictures taken.

[3rdGenCunarder]

On our Westerdam cruise in 2016 -- even the people receiving medals did not get their pictures taken.

 

And another thing that varies from ship to ship...

 

HAL's slogan should be "YMMV"!

[boards]

When we received our 100 day medal, we had our picture taken with the Captain, as well as all the passengers who received then that day. We have not noticed a free-for-all rush for a table at the luncheon, it might be because we are basically there to enjoy the event and just go to a table and sit down and not pay attention to what may be happening around us. WE are there to take in the experience. It may not be the best lunch we have ever had, but we do enjoy it.

 

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[DaveOKC]

The medallion Mariner luncheons really do vary by ship, and even the length of the cruise. On the longer cruises there are a greater number of people earning their medals (naturally). We were on a 7 day Spring break cruise recently and given the younger demographic and the short cruise, there were very few people getting medals.

 

Also, sometimes we have been escorted to the dining room, but other times we have just been told to make our own way there. Sometimes they seat the new medallion holders separately, sometimes they do not.

 

SO, every ship handles this differently, much like many other things on HAL.

[OlsSalt]

Probably helpful to make a list of what parts of the Mariners Events one likes the best and what they can eliminate. Then share it with the Cruise Director or the Guest Relations person might be new these ceremonies as they mainly fall under their purview. They want it to be special and often time they are just winging it without input from those who have come to like some of the more traditional aspects of it.

 

At all past special medallion ceremonies we have been to, they have also included those with high cruise credit points for captains photos too. Typically 800 cruise credit points and above. This is fundamentally no biggie, but just a happy time shared with others who also like HAL cruising.