Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted November 7, 2021 #101 Share Posted November 7, 2021 We kinda liked the old logs . 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'nWoody Posted November 8, 2021 #102 Share Posted November 8, 2021 On 11/5/2021 at 2:02 PM, cruise kitty said: Hi David, I'm hoping early luggage drop off is still an option in two weeks 🙂. Can't believe the staff is being verbally abused... yikes ! Hopefully someone on next Friday's cruise will be able to let us know if early luggage drop off is an option... since we are all sharing a car, & staying in same hotel, we need to arrive at same time... we'll go with group D which is the later check in amongst us... guess we will be getting brunch before boarding 😉 (& thank you @The-Inside-Cabin for letting me hijack your thread a little 🙂 Early luggage drop off was still an option on the October 31st cruise. Dropped our bags about 11 AM and went to lunch. Came back for our 1:20 check in time. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted November 8, 2021 #103 Share Posted November 8, 2021 That’s good to hear! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAllenTCY Posted November 8, 2021 #104 Share Posted November 8, 2021 Because the terminal was empty by 10:15 we were able to open up for luggage drop off and entry at 10:30 am yesterday. This unusual situation was due to the ship clearing US Customs in San Francisco. Next week it will be back to the "new normal" with late disembarkation and late opening. David 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise kitty Posted November 8, 2021 #105 Share Posted November 8, 2021 3 hours ago, Cap'nWoody said: Early luggage drop off was still an option on the October 31st cruise. Dropped our bags about 11 AM and went to lunch. Came back for our 1:20 check in time. Thank you! this is all we need, a place for our luggage to go.. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted November 9, 2021 #106 Share Posted November 9, 2021 14 hours ago, DAllenTCY said: Because the terminal was empty by 10:15 we were able to open up for luggage drop off and entry at 10:30 am yesterday. This unusual situation was due to the ship clearing US Customs in San Francisco. Next week it will be back to the "new normal" with late disembarkation and late opening. David Thanks for keeping us all posted David. Hope to see you when I board next week. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 9, 2021 Author #107 Share Posted November 9, 2021 Here is another update - The first week of our cruise - we did anytime dining - but only had 2 nights in the MDR, the rest in specialties. This week we are on early fixed which is full at 5:15 pm when the doors open. Many people don't realize that if you are on fixed dining, once you know where your table is you don't have wait to get escorted or check in. This will get itself sorted out in a day or two. I miss the wine stewards - the service in getting your glass refilled is slow. If you have a bottle, then you could serve yourself, but with a package, you have to wait. It's OK, just not great like it once was. Gala nights - Tuxes are rare - maybe 4 or 5 that i saw - Even ties are the exception rather than the rule. I haven't been to the MDR yet for a gala night - we'll see how that looks later. We get towel animals and chocolates on gala nights. However we asked for twice a day service - not sure what happens if you only ask for once a day. My theory is that if the guests accept a lower standard now without comment - then that will become the normal post pandemic. Of course be nice to the crew, but make your position clear on the post cruise comment questionnaire. Photographers are out every night - but not pushy - they are doing a good business. Masks - once you are near a drink - 90% of everyone takes off their masks and leaves them off. No one is doing the airline style sip and remask routine. Almost 100% mask compliance in hallways and elevators and tenders - Outside on the open decks - no masks. 7:30 shows are packed. A few seats here and there at showtime. 9:30 shows are half full. The live music on this cruise is outstanding. You have a nice mix of classical Lincoln Center, BB KIng, Dueling pianos and Rolling stone rock band. Casino is crowded with slot players - maybe that's why they are putting in more machines. Light action on the crap table - zero on roulette as normal. Busy on the black jack $6 tables. shown the first night on the World Stage on the Giant 270 degree screen was better than expected. Live narration by the cruise director (he lip syncs to a prerecorded script - or he is the BEST prompter reader or memorizer ever). I was a little skeptical at first but it was well worth your 45 minutes if you have any interest in the early days of HAL - 80pct of the story is pre 1960 - not much on the later years. Other shows on the World Stage are the Neil Diamond tribute singer Robert Neary with 2 different shows, One Step Dance company with 2 different shows (Humanity and Tandem) and a combination show with the Piano Bar players and 4 of the One Step Dancers. All the shows are very good. We are seeing them all twice over our 2 week cruise. The comedians only appear in the BB King room. pics will be coming later - hard to get them to upload - internet is bad - worse than expected. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 9, 2021 #108 Share Posted November 9, 2021 I’m not finding the Internet to be that bad. That said I’m just sending emails, using Facebook and reading cruise critic not uploading much. Funny thing about the chocolates. I asked if I could get one nightly. Nope, only on gala nights. I just happened to be walking by when they were having their morning q and a with the audience. Someone mentioned about the chocolates and they said of course you can get them daily. Can you tell my steward that 😛? They maintain people were throwing them in the garbage and that’s why they stopped. I just love the excuses they come up with. I’ve eaten at specialty restaurants so far. This is the first cruise that it’s been a struggle to get reservations at the specialty restaurants. I have club orange and I’m glad because this morning there must have been 150 people waiting to get into the mdr just after 8 for breakfast. I would definitely buy club orange again on a pinnacle ship. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruzmama Posted November 9, 2021 #109 Share Posted November 9, 2021 Thanks, The Inside Cabin, for your updates. We get on November 21, and looking forward to the shows you mentioned. Are the comedians any good? Can't wait to see your pictures. How's the weather? Any must-have dinners in MDR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted November 9, 2021 #110 Share Posted November 9, 2021 38 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said: I’m not finding the Internet to be that bad. That said I’m just sending emails, using Facebook and reading cruise critic not uploading much. Funny thing about the chocolates. I asked if I could get one nightly. Nope, only on gala nights. I just happened to be walking by when they were having their morning q and a with the audience. Someone mentioned about the chocolates and they said of course you can get them daily. Can you tell my steward that 😛? They maintain people were throwing them in the garbage and that’s why they stopped. I just love the excuses they come up with. I’ve eaten at specialty restaurants so far. This is the first cruise that it’s been a struggle to get reservations at the specialty restaurants. I have club orange and I’m glad because this morning there must have been 150 people waiting to get into the mdr just after 8 for breakfast. I would definitely buy club orange again on a pinnacle ship. Curious how you know people aren't throwing them away? You don't, apparently, but do you know others aren't? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 9, 2021 #111 Share Posted November 9, 2021 8 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said: Curious how you know people aren't throwing them away? You don't, apparently, but do you know others aren't? Who would throw them away? Just ask the stewards not to give them to you, easy peasy. I don’t like to waste things. How do you know that people are throwing them away? Last week hal claimed that they did away with wine stewards because people were getting confused by having so many people wait on them. I suppose you believe that as well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted November 9, 2021 #112 Share Posted November 9, 2021 12 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said: Who would throw them away? Just ask the stewards not to give them to you, easy peasy. I don’t like to waste things. How do you know that people are throwing them away? Last week hal claimed that they did away with wine stewards because people were getting confused by having so many people wait on them. I suppose you believe that as well. The idea that the wine stewards were confusing is comical especially when many of the folks in MDR have reported having multiple servers throughout the meal for different stages of it. Talk about something that is actually confusing 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare zgscl Posted November 9, 2021 #113 Share Posted November 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said: I’m not finding the Internet to be that bad. That said I’m just sending emails, using Facebook and reading cruise critic not uploading much. Funny thing about the chocolates. I asked if I could get one nightly. Nope, only on gala nights. I just happened to be walking by when they were having their morning q and a with the audience. Someone mentioned about the chocolates and they said of course you can get them daily. Can you tell my steward that 😛? They maintain people were throwing them in the garbage and that’s why they stopped. I just love the excuses they come up with. I’ve eaten at specialty restaurants so far. This is the first cruise that it’s been a struggle to get reservations at the specialty restaurants. I have club orange and I’m glad because this morning there must have been 150 people waiting to get into the mdr just after 8 for breakfast. I would definitely buy club orange again on a pinnacle ship. Great to hear about the internet that they are making improvements. On our Alaska cruise we got chocolates every night, but we were in a Neptune suite and still had “turndown” service (actually beds remade bht not actually turned down, and cabin cleaned and tidied) not sure if that makes a difference in the chocolates. We got the fancy chocolate on the gala nights and the regular HAL chocolate on the other nights. No towel animals though. I wonder if the chocolates may fall victim to the no single use anything policy. How has specialty dining been? Have you found club orange to be elevated service at all or mostly just less crowded (plus the extra main dish selection)? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Andi Land Posted November 9, 2021 #114 Share Posted November 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said: Who would throw them away? Just ask the stewards not to give them to you, easy peasy. I don’t like to waste things. How do you know that people are throwing them away? Last week hal claimed that they did away with wine stewards because people were getting confused by having so many people wait on them. I suppose you believe that as well. I’ll raise my hand🤚. It’s me. I’m the one throwing them away. I’ve asked not to get them but they always leave them anyway. I don’t like the chocolates and they won’t take them back once they’ve left them in the room. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 9, 2021 #115 Share Posted November 9, 2021 37 minutes ago, zgscl said: Great to hear about the internet that they are making improvements. On our Alaska cruise we got chocolates every night, but we were in a Neptune suite and still had “turndown” service (actually beds remade bht not actually turned down, and cabin cleaned and tidied) not sure if that makes a difference in the chocolates. We got the fancy chocolate on the gala nights and the regular HAL chocolate on the other nights. No towel animals though. I wonder if the chocolates may fall victim to the no single use anything policy. How has specialty dining been? Have you found club orange to be elevated service at all or mostly just less crowded (plus the extra main dish selection)? The specialty dining has been excellent. I did tamarind Sunday and canaletto last night. I had originally planned to go back to the tamarind tonight but I enjoyed canaletto so much I'm going back tonight. I had the crab risotto you liked so much and it was excellent. Well worth it. When I got there the hostess greeted me by name. I first met her on the n Amsterdam and she remembered me from there. She is without doubt the nicest person I've ever met on hal. I feel the service is better in club orange. I've only been there at breakfast. It was a zoo yesterday but apparently they got slammed all ar once. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dismomx5 Posted November 9, 2021 #116 Share Posted November 9, 2021 2 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: Other shows on the World Stage are the Neil Diamond tribute singer Robert Neary DH would LOVE this show. Fingers crossed he's on next year's TA in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 9, 2021 #117 Share Posted November 9, 2021 16 minutes ago, Andi Land said: I’ll raise my hand🤚. It’s me. I’m the one throwing them away. I’ve asked not to get them but they always leave them anyway. I don’t like the chocolates and they won’t take them back once they’ve left them in the room. I would write a note not to leave them. It shouldn't be that hard to stop something. I'd be shocked if this was widespread. I have heard if people taking them home. Mine would never make it that far. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 9, 2021 Author #118 Share Posted November 9, 2021 2 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said: I’m not finding the Internet to be that bad. That said I’m just sending emails, using Facebook and reading cruise critic not uploading much. Funny thing about the chocolates. I asked if I could get one nightly. Nope, only on gala nights. I just happened to be walking by when they were having their morning q and a with the audience. Someone mentioned about the chocolates and they said of course you can get them daily. Can you tell my steward that 😛? They maintain people were throwing them in the garbage and that’s why they stopped. I just love the excuses they come up with. I’ve eaten at specialty restaurants so far. This is the first cruise that it’s been a struggle to get reservations at the specialty restaurants. I have club orange and I’m glad because this morning there must have been 150 people waiting to get into the mdr just after 8 for breakfast. I would definitely buy club orange again on a pinnacle ship. Its working fine for browsing and emails. Can't get any photos to upload to cruise critic, but that may be a cruise critic thing. I am going to try uploading some photos to my blog. I did upload a massive you tube file earlier, that went thru - albeit slow. Soooooo....it's probably OK for 90% of most of your needs.. I seem to be getting better results using Microsoft Edge rather than Chrome..... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 9, 2021 Author #119 Share Posted November 9, 2021 (edited) Regarding internet - normal browsing and email seems ok - Finally got a small picture to upload to my blog - Here is Robert Neary Edited November 9, 2021 by The-Inside-Cabin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 9, 2021 Author #120 Share Posted November 9, 2021 We received our disembarkation letter today. A few changes: Everyone except 4/5 star, club orange and suites, needs to select their own colored tag from a rack near the front desk according to their preferred disembarkation time. Per the front desk, the number of tags for each color is limited and if you come late, you may not be able to select your preferred time. 4/5 stars etc will receive special baggage tags the day prior No more statements delivered the night before. You are expected to check your statement on the navigator app or use one of the Navigator stations near the front desk. I am sure the front desk would print a statement for you on request. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waASPCrusier Posted November 9, 2021 #121 Share Posted November 9, 2021 10 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: We received our disembarkation letter today. A few changes: Everyone except 4/5 star, club orange and suites, needs to select their own colored tag from a rack near the front desk according to their preferred disembarkation time. Per the front desk, the number of tags for each color is limited and if you come late, you may not be able to select your preferred time. 4/5 stars etc will receive special baggage tags the day prior No more statements delivered the night before. You are expected to check your statement on the navigator app or use one of the Navigator stations near the front desk. I am sure the front desk would print a statement for you on request. Anything about walking off with your luggage as soon as disembarkation starts ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 9, 2021 Author #122 Share Posted November 9, 2021 3 minutes ago, waASPCrusier said: Anything about walking off with your luggage as soon as disembarkation starts ? Self assist can leave whenever they choose - in the first group along with the 4/5 stars etc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted November 10, 2021 #123 Share Posted November 10, 2021 I've been watching my account closely. I bought a wine package on board and a few dinners before I left. I didn't receive any discounts. I think this happened the last time I was on the koningsdam too. The "auditor" fixed it and it seems ok now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 10, 2021 Author #124 Share Posted November 10, 2021 My accounting has been perfect. Beverage package working correctly. No beverage charges ever appear. Cant get photos to appear here. There are loading on Twitter. Check em out here https://twitter.com/theinsidecabin/status/1458232647839330307?s=21 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted November 10, 2021 Author #125 Share Posted November 10, 2021 More updates on Twitter. Can't get photos to upload here @theinsidecabin is my Twitter handle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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