What can u use shipboard credit for???

[southernshug]

Thank u in advance 😊

[sofietucker]

Merch in the shops. Shore excursions. Drinks. Specialty restaurants. For-fee programs (classes & such). Cabanas, etc. on private islands. And my favorite, those $$$$ spa treatments. (Pretty sure you CANNOT use it for the casino or tipping, nor art from the art gallery.) You can also use it as partial payment for something, and put the rest on your card.

Edited August 30, 2022 by sofietucker

[southernshug]

Thank you so much! I had no idea what all it could be used for. 

[Red Haired Lady]

You can use it for the daily gratuities....or what ever the current term for this is now. 

[crystalspin]

46 minutes ago, southernshug said:

Thank u in advance 😊

Hi Shug!

I remember you are on the Nieuw Statendam. (Well, I almost remembered -- I checked your posts!)

 

The NS has four upcharge restaurants, in order of their flat charge per meal (there may be additional charges for certain items): Canaletto (Italian theme), Tamarind (Asian-Fusion), Pinnacle Grill (steak, meats & seafood), and Rudi's Sel de Mer (fancy seafood and a few land-based items). Menus for all can be found here:

https://rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/hal-specialty-restaurant-menus/

 

Also about that OBC for merchandise -- at least pre-COVID there were daily specials on (basically) stuff they had overstocked in the first place. Bags, costume jewelry, tee-shirts...

[southernshug]

Thank you all for ur help! My next question  (seems like I have too many) is about a sail away party? When and where is that and do they serve cocktails for free or is there a charge? 

I'm learning,  real quick, that u could easily spend more than u think u are if u don't have the answers, hahaha

[oakridger]

What ship are you sailing on?  We can probably give more specific answers knowing that.  Oops, @crystalspin sleuthed that you are probably on the Nieuw Statendam.

 

In general, though, sail away festivities are on the aft pool deck, weather permitting.  I don't really know where if the weather isn't nice.  Lido pool?  All my cruises have been at the aft pool. 

 

The drinks are not free. 😟 You will either pay with your cabin card or if you have the drink package the charges will go to that.  You still need to give the waiter/bartender your cabin card to use the drink package.

 

~Nancy

Edited August 31, 2022 by oakridger

[crystalspin]

17 minutes ago, southernshug said:

My next question  (seems like I have too many) is about a sail away party? When and where is that and do they serve cocktails for free or is there a charge? 

There is a charge and sometimes a double charge if you take a souvenir-glass drink from a circulating beverage steward. Get your beverage of choice from a bartender at a bar, at least at sailaway.

 

Although it seems like a lot, you might think about the Have It All package at $50 pp per day. It includes the Signature Beverage Package (up to 15 drinks per day up to $11/drink), wifi for the first two people in the cabin, $100 (to $300 depending on length of cruise) to spend on shore excursions, and 1-3 dinners in upcharge restaurants. It makes it more of an all-inclusive experience.

 

Has anyone mentioned you will be charged with $15.50 pp/day for Hotel Service Charge now rechristened Crew Appreciation?

 

 

[southernshug]

I'm so sorry, I should have mentioned the ship, lol. Yes, it is Nieuw Statendam and thank u both for the information.  As far as these appreciation fees, my goodness, that'll add up quickly!

[kdakda]

29 minutes ago, southernshug said:

I'm so sorry, I should have mentioned the ship, lol. Yes, it is Nieuw Statendam and thank u both for the information.  As far as these appreciation fees, my goodness, that'll add up quickly!

Yes, the crew appreciation fees add up.  They're posted to your account daily, so if you have OBC that isn't used for other purchases, that will be used toward this at the end of the cruise.  

[southernshug]

18 minutes ago, kdakda said:

Yes, the crew appreciation fees add up.  They're posted to your account daily, so if you have OBC that isn't used for other purchases, that will be used toward this at the end of the cruise.  

Good to know.....thank you!

[Crew News]

4 hours ago, sofietucker said:

Merch in the shops. Shore excursions. Drinks. Specialty restaurants. For-fee programs (classes & such). Cabanas, etc. on private islands. And my favorite, those $$$$ spa treatments. (Pretty sure you CANNOT use it for the casino or tipping, nor art from the art gallery.) You can also use it as partial payment for something, and put the rest on your card.

 

A few more items available for purchase:  cookbooks and towel folding books in the Exploration Cafe, Photo Gallery onboard and Gala Night photos, internet upgrades, add more internet devices, souvenir bathrobes, Behind the Scenes ship tours (when they restart), chocolate-covered strawberries, extra charge Room Service items, gelato, flowers, blinking LED mugs from bars, gift cards, etc.

[zhuangcorp]

If you're at some event and they are giving out snacks or drinks, how do you know if they charge or if it's free?

[oakridger]

Ask the server!   🙂

Edited August 31, 2022 by oakridger

[*Miss G*]

13 minutes ago, zhuangcorp said:

If you're at some event and they are giving out snacks or drinks, how do you know if they charge or if it's free?

 

If you receive an invitation, it’s free.  If it’s in the When & Where, it’s not.  🙃

[zhuangcorp]

44 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 

If you receive an invitation, it’s free.  If it’s in the When & Where, it’s not.  🙃

What do you mean by invitation? Like they send a invitation card to your room for the event? or the server just asks you if you want a drink?

 

What is "when and where"?

 

I heard that there are several events that give out free drinks. Which events are these on HAL cruises?

[crystalspin]

When and Where is the "Daily" program. If you have to give your S&S card, assume you are paying.

 

Yes on the Invitation to your room. No on a server offering you give you something in exchange for your room card.

[*Miss G*]

8 minutes ago, zhuangcorp said:

What do you mean by invitation? Like they send a invitation card to your room for the event? or the server just asks you if you want a drink?

 

What is "when and where"?

 

I heard that there are several events that give out free drinks. Which events are these on HAL cruises?

 

Yes, a physical card-stock invitation is sent to your room with your name and “You are invited…” printed on it.  

 

The When & Where is the daily program of events.

 

You will know which event gives out free drinks when you receive a physical invitation to one.  Pre-covid, the Mariner Luncheon and the Mariner Reception included beverages, for example.  (These are two separate events.)  If you are a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite guest you will receive an invitation to a reception in the lounge.  Sometimes there are special events onboard.  For example, during Canadian Thanksgiving the Canadian Captain sent special invitations to all the Canadians to join him for a reception.  Things like that.

[oakridger]

@zhuangcorpAn invitation will be delivered to your cabin for such things as a Mariners Lunch or award event which aren't open to the general public.  "When and Where" sometimes called "The Daily Program" is the daily schedule of events that will be on your Navigator App and a paper list put in your cabin/mail slot.  It has lots of useful info for the day onboard.

 

You really can learn a lot by reading some of the current "Live From" postings here on Cruise Critic.  Many of your questions are answered in those posts and blogs with pictures/menus/"When and Wheres", etc..   

 

After reading those posts/blogs, come back and ask your specific questions that weren't answered.  Saves a lot of duplication!!

 

Here is an example of a "When and Where" from @Crew News wonderful website.  Thank you, Roger!!!

 

Z2022-WW-Embarkation-Day-01.pdf (rogerjett-photography.com)

 

 

~Nancy

 

Oops we were all posting at the same time!!!  

 

Edited August 31, 2022 by oakridger

[zhuangcorp]

51 minutes ago, oakridger said:

@zhuangcorpAn invitation will be delivered to your cabin for such things as a Mariners Lunch or award event which aren't open to the general public.  "When and Where" sometimes called "The Daily Program" is the daily schedule of events that will be on your Navigator App and a paper list put in your cabin/mail slot.  It has lots of useful info for the day onboard.

 

You really can learn a lot by reading some of the current "Live From" postings here on Cruise Critic.  Many of your questions are answered in those posts and blogs with pictures/menus/"When and Wheres", etc..   

 

After reading those posts/blogs, come back and ask your specific questions that weren't answered.  Saves a lot of duplication!!

 

Here is an example of a "When and Where" from @Crew News wonderful website.  Thank you, Roger!!!

 

Z2022-WW-Embarkation-Day-01.pdf (rogerjett-photography.com)

 

 

~Nancy

 

Oops we were all posting at the same time!!!  

 

On the Daily Program, how do you know which events cost an extra fee and which events are free?

[zhuangcorp]

"Bon Voyage Party: Specialty drinks and dutch appetizer"

 

"Bon Voyage Photo Opportunity" - what is this and does it cost money?

"Have your casual portrait taken"

"Footprint and Posture Analysis"

[oakridger]

It all of the above costs money ^^^^^^^^^ except the Dutch appetizer.

 

Some ships have a new format on the Daily Program that tells you which events have a fee.  Again, these are shown in some of the recent "Live From" posts!

[zhuangcorp]

6 hours ago, oakridger said:

It all of the above costs money ^^^^^^^^^ except the Dutch appetizer.

 

Some ships have a new format on the Daily Program that tells you which events have a fee.  Again, these are shown in some of the recent "Live From" posts!

It's kind of annoying. How does the cruise line expect people to know whether it costs money or not if it's not explicitly written on the program?

[sofietucker]

The Bon Voyage photo occurs in the terminal, as one of the last things before you walk down the bridge to board: the photographers are there with a fun backdrop to take your "happy sailing!" photo. They won't tell you that if you  like the picture (which will be available that night in the Photo Gallery), you'll have to buy it. 

Once upon a time, the special drinks at the sailaway party were FREE! Unless you wanted it in a souvenir cup. That's long gone, lol.

 

Plan on everything in the gym/spa/salon costing, as well as a personal trainer, access to the thermal pool, etc.--except you can walk in and use the weights and machines (by yourself) for free. You can shower for free--but they may ask for your card at the desk and give you a locker key (on some ships, it will be a key to the entire changing room). Outdoor showers are free.

 

 Plus a bunch of the food in the dining room now requires an upcharge: jumbo shrimp cocktail, the fancy cuts of steak, etc. (the menu will indicate this, so you don't order by accident).

 

This is what folks mean when they say "nickel-and-diming." It had pretty much disappeared in the Before Times, but is now worse than ever, on most of the big cruise lines.

 

Free sparkling wine at the captain's welcome reception and at art gallery previews and auctions. 

[VMax1700]

26 minutes ago, zhuangcorp said:

It's kind of annoying. How does the cruise line expect people to know whether it costs money or not if it's not explicitly written on the program?

Here is today's 'Daily Program' on Rotterdam.  Guess which are charged and which are free?