Neptune Suite worth it? I don't think so.

[CruiseRQA]

Was on the Oosterdam last week.    Thought we would spring for a Neptune suite.    Cost us about $1000 more for the two of us for the week as compared to a veranda suite.   Was it worth it?

 

Probably not, at least to me.

 

The extra space was nice, but still not a huge room.   We enjoyed having breakfast in the PG each morning - nice environment and great service, but essentially the same food as in the MDR.   The Neptune Lounge was no great shakes, some flavored waters and appetizers available.   The staff there made lunch reservations for us at the PG, otherwise as pleasant as they were, we really had no use for them. 

 

Valet laundry service was great.

 

However overall, for a thousand bucks, not really worth it for a bigger room and breakfast at the PG.    At least in my opinion. 

[CruiserBruce]

All personal preference. No right or wrong opinion here.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Each of us have our own opinion if the Neptune Suites and the Pinnacle Suites are worth the extra money.

 

For us -- it is worth the extra money.  JMO

[OlsSalt]

$70 pp a day - some do find this extra Neptune real estate and perks worth it at that price. Others do not. Thanks for your own realistic appraisal.

Edited March 13, 2019 by OlsSalt

[catl331]

We tried an NS once, but we are just as happy in an ordinary veranda, especially now that we are 4* and get free laundry and the priority boarding and tendering.

[Moriah]

42 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

All personal preference. No right or wrong opinion here.

 

This, exactly.  I have cruised 29 times on HAL, on all the ships except the K-dam and Prinsendam, and I've been in every cabin category from inside to Neptune suite, and have visited the Pinnacle suites many times when friends had them.  Every cabin has it's advantages and disadvantages.  When I feel I have money to "burn" I'll spring for the NS, when I want a budget cruise, I'll take a "lessor" cabin.   As CruiserBruce said, there is no right or wrong. 

Edited March 13, 2019 by Moriah

[iancal]

I suspect that the reason for the up sells to Neptune is because others feel the same way.  

 

A cruise specialist TA told us that suites, real suites, are among the first to sell out on most cruise lines.  The exception, she said, was Neptune suites on HAL.  Apparently many cruisers do not perceive their  value when compared to suite offerings on other cruise lines.  If you want one...wait for a possible upsell at the right price.

 

Everyone has their own perception of value.  We get turned off because we get many of the benefits of Neptune gratis when cruising on RCI (diamond status).......regardless of what cabin we book.  

 

 

Edited March 13, 2019 by iancal

[cawpaw]

My wife and I have only sailed twice on Holland America.  Our Alaska cruise on the Amsterdam and New England cruise on the Maasdam, were both in a Neptune suite. We really enjoyed the large cabin, balcony, Neptune Lounge, Pinnacle breakfasts and outstanding service.  The daily laundry was also a nice touch.  For us, we found that it was worth the extra money.  Our next cruise with Holland will be in a Signature Suite to Hawaii.  The price of the Neptune was just too much money for what we will be getting.  I did purchase the laundry service this time. If an up-sell is offered I will take it if the price is right.    

[Stateroom_Sailor]

It doesn't sound like the perks would be worth it to us.  The breakfast in the MDR is wonderful as it is, though I'm sure the upgrade is more intimidate.  We've got SS booked on our next two cruises, at $200 for 5 Days, $400 for 16 days, over the veranda price.  The extra loyalty points and nice room should be well worth it.

[DaveOKC]

Everyone has to find the type of cabin that best suits them and their needs/wants.

 

While I do like the Neptune cabins, I normally book a Signature Suite as it is not all that much smaller.  Plus, once you get to 4 Star, you get free laundry and VIP boarding/tendering anyway.  

 

Best of all worlds for us - book the Signature Suite and hope for an upsell to a Neptune.  Just got one last week for $99 - a great deal IMO,

 

 

[VennDiagram]

To each his (or her) own 🙂 We have enjoyed the Neptunes we've had through upsells.   We paid retail rate for one once.  At retail rate, we don't find a great deal of value but there are people on CC who won't cruise in anything other than a Neptune or Pinnacle.  (That's not us, though 😉 )

 

 

[twodjs]

2 hours ago, iancal said:

suites, real suites, are among the first to sell out on most cruise lines.  The exception, she said, was Neptune suites on HAL.  Apparently many cruisers do not perceive their  value when compared to suite offerings on other cruise lines.  If you want one...wait for a possible upsell at the right price.

 

The exact point I have made on other threads. HAL is far behind other cruiselines in its offering of perks for Suite guests. And the recent addition of CO certainly has made it worse, in my opinion. Are they trying to make suites disappear?

[Boatdrill]

5 hours ago, CruiseRQA said:

Was on the Oosterdam last week.    Thought we would spring for a Neptune suite.    Cost us about $1000 more for the two of us for the week as compared to a veranda suite.   Was it worth it?

 

Probably not, at least to me.

 

 

So.....judging by your posts on other threads - average food in MDR, sloppy dressers in the MDR - and now this one, you didn't have a good trip on the O.

 

[Cruzaholic41]

I agree with the OP. Neptune Suites are a waste of money on HAL. They’re only slightly bigger than a Signature Suite and the lounge is pointless. The cost difference is nowhere near worth the measly perks. Other cruise lines are MUCH better at making the cost of suites worth the price. 

[abt]

I like the Neptune Suite and and the perks that are included.  Same for a CS on Celebrity, GS/OS on Royal, GS on Carnival, etc, etc.  Booking a suite usually allows me to sort of purchase benefits normally associated with those that are high up in cruise line loyalty WITHOUT actually being that loyal.  Booking a suite allows me to pick the cruise line and itinerary I want and still get many if not most of a cruise lines loyalty benefits.  I also usually get perks not even associated with loyalty benefits.  For ME, it's the way to go.  When booking a suite, I also move up the loyalty ladder QUICKER!  That is except for Carnival.  So for my Rotterdam cruise coming up, I am looking forward to:

 

1. Priority boarding.  More time on the ship and less time waiting

2. Pinnacle grill breakfast.  A table for two, thank you.  Mimosa's with breakfast is a nice touch!  I'll have a few!

3. Concierge...sometimes I may need a problem sorted out or maybe a special request

4. Neptune lounge...quick snack...on the same deck.  Easy to meet other passengers too

5. Huge balcony.  One of my main reasons for booking a suite. I like to see and relax where I can see the ocean...otherwise, why cruise?  Also PLENTY of room for breakfast and/or dinner on YOUR balcony.  Does it get any better than that?

6. A PLETHORA of storage and hanging space.  We need it!

7. Coffee maker.  I enjoy making my own coffee when I want it.  Maybe other cabins on HA have that.

8. I'll have some hors d'oeuvres a couple of afternoons before dinner.  

9. I'm also going to enjoy the included sparkling wine and bottled water

10. Thankful for the double cruise points

11. May even how some laundry done.  Nice to have that option included

12. Really like the extra space!  Almost like home.  Big couch.  Coffee table.  Don't touch the foot of the bed and the wall at the same time..very easy to get around.

 

So MUCH of the above is really hard to put a price on.  Beyond the sparkling wine, water, and laundry...you really CAN'T put a price on being in a suite.  Don't get me wrong...I could enjoy a cruise on ANY cabin on the ship.  I work hard and my time here is short and I want to enjoy my journey as best I can.  I'll be staying in a suite as long as it's financially possible.  

 

 

[CruiseRQA]

11 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

So.....judging by your posts on other threads - average food in MDR, sloppy dressers in the MDR - and now this one, you didn't have a good trip on the O.

 

I am a 3* Mariner and we have taken an annual cruise on HAL for the last 15 years or so.   Our Oosterdam cruise has me reconsidering my winter vacation next year.   A different cruise line?   An all-inclusive resort?   Hawaii?

 

My list of negatives on this cruise in part are:  no mainstage entertainment the first night out;  an homogenization of food across the ship (no smoked fish, no cold soups, fewer menu options overall); being charged $10 for a lobster tail; the ongoing elimination of all things Dutch;  ports that were literal tourist traps (Cozumel); overly expensive poor excursions.

 

We still enjoyed the friendly and very gracious crew and the ship itself was in impeccable condition.  Wonder how I will feel about it by next year? 

[canadianbear]

Over the past year we have changed our opinion on the value of a Neptune suite and now usually book Signature suites.  We currently are on our first Celebrity cruise in a suite and the difference between HAL Neptune & Celebrity suite shows just how much HAL is lacking.  There are so many perks on this Celebrity cruise it puts HAL to shame in my opinion.  Although we are in a Neptune suite at the end of April I think it will be the last one we actually book.  

[Hlitner]

13 hours ago, abt said:

I like the Neptune Suite and and the perks that are included.  Same for a CS on Celebrity, GS/OS on Royal, GS on Carnival, etc, etc.  Booking a suite usually allows me to sort of purchase benefits normally associated with those that are high up in cruise line loyalty WITHOUT actually being that loyal.  Booking a suite allows me to pick the cruise line and itinerary I want and still get many if not most of a cruise lines loyalty benefits.  I also usually get perks not even associated with loyalty benefits.  For ME, it's the way to go.  When booking a suite, I also move up the loyalty ladder QUICKER!  That is except for Carnival.  So for my Rotterdam cruise coming up, I am looking forward to:

 

…………..

So MUCH of the above is really hard to put a price on.  Beyond the sparkling wine, water, and laundry...you really CAN'T put a price on being in a suite.  Don't get me wrong...I could enjoy a cruise on ANY cabin on the ship.  I work hard and my time here is short and I want to enjoy my journey as best I can.  I'll be staying in a suite as long as it's financially possible.  

 

 

LOL, we can sure put a price on that stuff.  And the price for a Neptune is way beyond what we consider a reasonable value for the perks.  Consider that we are 5 Star Mariners, can get priority boarding (no biggie), free laundry, etc.  And if I want coffee I can have it delivered by room service (even if in the least expensive cabin on the vessel).  As to the Neptune Lounge, it is a nice touch but pales by comparison to what is provided to suite-holders on most other lines.  My goodness, you do not even get free cocktails in the Neptune (you can get that on Celebrity by simply having a few cruises under your belt).  On MSC, for the price of the Yacht Club (usually about $300 a passenger day) you get unlimited drinks (anywhere on the ship), a huge dedicated lounge (where you can order just about any drink without even showing a cruise card), a large private pool deck (with its own buffet, waiters, free drink service, etc) and even reserved seating for some of the main shows.  

 

We have enjoyed the Signature suites (when we get a good deal) which does have extra space.   For less then price of a Neptune Suite we can cruise on nearly any ultra-luxury line where just about everything is light years above what we get on HAL.  When offered upsells to a Neptune (which is how many book Neptune's) the offer usually goes immediately to "trash" on the computer.

 

Hank

[WisRiver]

We like to book a Neptune for the cabin choice.  We are on the Eurodam for a family cruise to Alaska later this year.  We like the aft wrap around cabins, and these are only available as a Neptune.  We like some of the perks, breakfast in the Pinnacle and hors d'oeruvres in our cabin at 5.  But for us, its the cabin on certain cruises.

[kazu]

Whether a Neptune Suite is worth it or not is all about each person, what they like, what they value, etc.

 

It’s as simple as that.  What has no value (money’s worth) to some, may have a lot of value to someone else.

 

The most important thing is that everyone books what suits THEM.  

 

Or takes upsells IF it suits them 😉 

 

Everyone has different perceptions of what’s important to them.  So, as long as everyone is happy whether they book an Inside, OV, Verandah, Signature or Neptune, it’s all good 😉 

[dundeene]

15 minutes ago, WisRiver said:

We like to book a Neptune for the cabin choice.  We are on the Eurodam for a family cruise to Alaska later this year.  We like the aft wrap around cabins, and these are only available as a Neptune.  We like some of the perks, breakfast in the Pinnacle and hors d'oeruvres in our cabin at 5.  But for us, its the cabin on certain cruises.

For those of you who want a private balcony in Alaska or on your Panama Canal cruise,. . . . where you can watch the scenery go by with 30 or 40 of your new friends. . . . yes, the Neptune Suite price is worth it;)

[ottahand7]

1 hour ago, dundeene said:

For those of you who want a private balcony in Alaska or on your Panama Canal cruise,. . . . where you can watch the scenery go by with 30 or 40 of your new friends. . . . yes, the Neptune Suite price is worth it;)

What ship and cabin number is that NS.  Nothing like the aft ones I have had in the past.  Love it.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

5 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Over the past year we have changed our opinion on the value of a Neptune suite and now usually book Signature suites.  We currently are on our first Celebrity cruise in a suite and the difference between HAL Neptune & Celebrity suite shows just how much HAL is lacking.  There are so many perks on this Celebrity cruise it puts HAL to shame in my opinion.  Although we are in a Neptune suite at the end of April I think it will be the last one we actually book.  

 

We usually book Aqua cabins on Celebrity.  I'm noticing that Signature Suites are priced closer to Concierge or Aqua verandas on X, and more equivalent in perks.  For me, these are inexpensive upgrade on reposition cruises, perks that I'm more than willing got pay for.  

 

Perhaps leave SS as is, Neptune and higher should up the ante.

[canadianbear]

Just to give an example of our experience: our current Sky suite on our 7 day Celebrity cruise includes gratuities, wifi, premium drink package and OBC.  As I said before it also has the private dining room Luminae and the private lounge Michael’s which includes all alcohol, plus  other suite perks including a butler.  

 

For our upcoming 6 day Pacific Coastal in a Neptune suite we are paying the same price as we did for this Celebrity cruise.   I’m sorry it took me so long to listen to others saying to try Celebrity’s suite life-it is excellent.  

 

HAL-if you are reading this you really need to step it up big time for Neptune suites. 

 

 

[dundeene]

1 hour ago, ottahand7 said:

What ship and cabin number is that NS.  Nothing like the aft ones I have had in the past.  Love it.

5190 and 5191 on Zuidie and Westie