What can u use shipboard credit for???

[zhuangcorp]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

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

 

Let's see

Sunrise Stretch - I have no idea. Is it free?

Abs Class - Again no idea. 

"Game Time!" - I have no idea what this is. board games? video games? drinking games?

Total Body Conditioning - another fitness event. no idea if it costs money because there is no indication

Health Seminar Burn Fat Faster - I'm guessing seminar is free. 

 

[FlaMariner]

Your OBC can be used to pay my bar bill......

Edited August 31, 2022 by FlaMariner

[KroozNut]

17 hours ago, crystalspin said:

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...

On Zuiderdam in April they had 'Lido Deck Sales' similar to this..

[KroozNut]

14 hours 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 they don't ask for your key card... it's free! 🙂

[crystalspin]

1 hour ago, zhuangcorp said:

Let's see

Sunrise Stretch - I have no idea. Is it free?

Abs Class - Again no idea. 

"Game Time!" - I have no idea what this is. board games? video games? drinking games?

Total Body Conditioning - another fitness event. no idea if it costs money because there is no indication

I think the ones marked [PROMOTION] are added cost. I think that was the point of posting the Daily...

 

ETA: They are also lightly shaded, really quite easy to pick out and possibly avoid. Or at least know in advance.

Edited August 31, 2022 by crystalspin

[Horizon chaser 1957]

3 hours 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?

 Events such as wine or martini tastings or specialty dinners will mention the price on the program. Otherwise, it’s free. Now if you want to BUY the drink, or the photo package, or the spa treatment being promoted, that’s not free.

At sail aways, etc, if waiters are circulating with trays of appies, those are free. Pre poured glasses of sparkling wine on trays to toast an event are free. ‘Do you want anything from the bar’ is not free. Sail away cocktails with cute names in fancy glasses are not free, are expensive and are usually 50% sugar.

As @crystalspin pointed out, the new dailies have the extra charge items shaded and labelled ‘promotion’. Anything not labelled ‘promotion’ is free. There’s a lot of good stuff there!

Hope that helps!

Edited August 31, 2022 by Horizon chaser 1957

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours 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?

I've a 5 star with hal (500+ days).  I can tell you it's rare that I've ever gotten free drink.  You'll be paying.

[DaveOKC]

17 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I've a 5 star with hal (500+ days).  I can tell you it's rare that I've ever gotten free drink.  You'll be paying.

Five Star on HAL also and gotten free drinks at the Mariner parties. (2 on a 7 day last week).

[VMax1700]

Free drinks on Rotterdam last night for 3, 4 and 5 star Mariners.  Lots of drink and nibbles served non stop between 7pm and 8pm.

[zhuangcorp]

Anybody know what the "Game Time!" event is about?

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Five Star on HAL also and gotten free drinks at the Mariner parties. (2 on a 7 day last week).

 

2 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Free drinks on Rotterdam last night for 3, 4 and 5 star Mariners.  Lots of drink and nibbles served non stop between 7pm and 8pm.

Sounds to me that the poster I was quoting is a brand new cruiser.  It sounds like they believe the drinks will be flowing.  I don’t think that is a reasonable expectation.  Yes if you get invited to a cocktail party there will be drinks. I can tell you I’ve never been invited to 2 cocktail parties in a week but I don’t book suites nor get casino freebies.  I don’t think that parties happened to me until I was a 4 star or maybe when I did a b2b cruise. I haven’t seen food at a cocktail party for at least 4 of 5 years.  Ymmv.

Edited August 31, 2022 by Florida_gal_50

[zelker]

Have never had this particular "problem" before.  😉  We're going to have a LOT ($$$$) of OBC on each 16 night segment of our B2B in December/January on Zaandam ... this on top of the HIA package (w/gratuities) AND the few complimentary things we get for being 5* Mariners.  Am afraid we won't be able to spend all that OBC but of course don't want to leave any of it on the table.  So my question is, can we use any of it as additional gratuities for our stateroom attendants, Neptune Concierge(s), etc.?  Thx.

[Florida_gal_50]

3 minutes ago, zelker said:

Have never had this particular "problem" before.  😉  We're going to have a LOT ($$$$) of OBC on each 16 night segment of our B2B in December/January on Zaandam ... this on top of the HIA package (w/gratuities) AND the few complimentary things we get for being 5* Mariners.  Am afraid we won't be able to spend all that OBC but of course don't want to leave any of it on the table.  So my question is, can we use any of it as additional gratuities for our stateroom attendants, Neptune Concierge(s), etc.?  Thx.

From what I understand you have to do it across the board like up your grats by $5 a day for instance.  I generally leave certain people more but I’m not terribly interested in doing it for everyone as I feel it adequate already.  This is my opinion only of course about it being adequate.

Edited August 31, 2022 by Florida_gal_50

[crystalspin]

5 minutes ago, zelker said:

Have never had this particular "problem" before.  😉 

Sommelier Packages (if you drink wine) for drinking in your cabin or at special dinners. Lots of Pinnacle Grill dinners? ShoreX's....

[zelker]

1 minute ago, crystalspin said:

Sommelier Packages (if you drink wine) for drinking in your cabin or at special dinners. Lots of Pinnacle Grill dinners? ShoreX's....

We've already got more free alcohol than either of us can drink with the HIA package, plus 2 free specialty dinners from HIA and another 2 free from being 5*.  We've also get $200 each for shorex's.  First World problems, I guess.  

 

10 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

From what I understand you have to do it across the board like up your grats by $5 a day for instance.  I generally leave certain people more but I’m not terribly interested in doing it for everyone as I feel it adequate already.  This is my opinion only of course about it being adequate.

We, like you, only tip certain crew at the end so am not really interested in doing a blanket tip above the $33/day for a suite.

[JesseLivermore]

17 hours ago, zhuangcorp said:

"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"

Footprint and Posture Analysis = Good feet store arch support pitch. I fell for it since I have collapsed arches.

 

I felt it was a good use of OBC too and I was told I could return it Good feet store if needed. I will test that out soon, but I actually like them so far

[crystalspin]

3 minutes ago, zelker said:

We've also get $200 each for shorex's.  First World problems, I guess.  

My husband likes to look at the fancy (expensive) watches... 

 

Where are you sailing, Barb? I know I could look up where the Zaandam will be at that time, but I'm feeling lazy!

 

ETA: He's never bought one there. For all I know the GOOD jewelry store is concession and OBC not valid. 

Edited August 31, 2022 by crystalspin

[zelker]

3 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

My husband likes to look at the fancy (expensive) watches... 

 

Where are you sailing, Barb? I know I could look up where the Zaandam will be at that time, but I'm feeling lazy!

 

ETA: He's never bought one there. For all I know the GOOD jewelry store is concession and OBC not valid. 

The first segment is a 16 day RT out of FLL over Christmas/New Years with some new (for us) Caribbean ports we've never been to, then we stay on for another 16 nights and sail from FLL through the Canal to end in San Diego.  

 

John has a really nice watch which he rarely wears anymore (except when we travel) - between being retired and using his phone, he never wears it at home anymore.  

[crystalspin]

1 minute ago, zelker said:

The first segment is a 16 day RT out of FLL over Christmas/New Years with some new (for us) Caribbean ports we've never been to, then we stay on for another 16 nights and sail from FLL through the Canal to end in San Diego.  

 

John has a really nice watch which he rarely wears anymore (except when we travel) - between being retired and using his phone, he never wears it at home anymore.  

Oh, nice itineraries! We are finally going to use our pandemic FCC on the K'dam B2B Sea of Cortez + repeat of Mexican Riviera sailing on the 29th of December, all from San Diego. For a couple of reasons (not the least of which being it will make us 4*), we are in a Vista Suite... Hope it doesn't spoil us!

[zelker]

2 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

Oh, nice itineraries! We are finally going to use our pandemic FCC on the K'dam B2B Sea of Cortez + repeat of Mexican Riviera sailing on the 29th of December, all from San Diego. For a couple of reasons (not the least of which being it will make us 4*), we are in a Vista Suite... Hope it doesn't spoil us!

We originally were going to book that but then decided to do these two instead since it's been forever since we've sailed in the Caribbean other than a port here or there passing through on other cruises. 

 

Congrats on getting to 4*!

[JesseLivermore]

1 minute ago, zelker said:

We've already got more free alcohol than either of us can drink with the HIA package, plus 2 free specialty dinners from HIA and another 2 free from being 5*.  We've also get $200 each for shorex's.  First World problems, I guess.  

 

We, like you, only tip certain crew at the end so am not really interested in doing a blanket tip above the $33/day for a suite.

 

Seems a bit high for the suite X # days. Seems better to  tip certain crew at the end.  Does HAL track/frown upon if you lower that and only tip certain crew ?

[Florida_gal_50]

7 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

Oh, nice itineraries! We are finally going to use our pandemic FCC on the K'dam B2B Sea of Cortez + repeat of Mexican Riviera sailing on the 29th of December, all from San Diego. For a couple of reasons (not the least of which being it will make us 4*), we are in a Vista Suite... Hope it doesn't spoil us!

I’m sorry to disappoint you but the vista suite may disappoint if you are used to balcony rooms.  I did a 2 week cruise on the koningsdam.  The first week I had a balcony room with a large balcony .  Second week I took a very reasonable upsell to a vista aft suite.  I’ve had balconies over that after before but the vibration was crazy on this ship. The room was barely bigger and someone stole 😛 part of my balcony because it was so small.  I wouldn’t do it again. 

[JesseLivermore]

Just now, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m sorry to disappoint you but the vista suite may disappoint if you are used to balcony rooms.  I did a 2 week cruise on the koningsdam.  The first week I had a balcony room with a large balcony .  Second week I took a very reasonable upsell to a vista aft suite.  I’ve had balconies over that after before but the vibration was crazy on this ship. The room was barely bigger and someone stole 😛 part of my balcony because it was so small.  I wouldn’t do it again. 

the vibration was crazy on Westerdam too.  Didn't notice during the day but would wake me up at nite.

 

Does it have to do w/ room or deck location/ ship class? 

[Florida_gal_50]

9 minutes ago, JesseLivermore said:

the vibration was crazy on Westerdam too.  Didn't notice during the day but would wake me up at nite.

 

Does it have to do w/ room or deck location/ ship class? 

I’m not sure but I have heard that complaint more on pinnacle ships.

[Florida_gal_50]

17 minutes ago, JesseLivermore said:

 

Seems a bit high for the suite X # days. Seems better to  tip certain crew at the end.  Does HAL track/frown upon if you lower that and only tip certain crew ?

I believe she meant for the two of them.  If you remove the grats they crew will have to hand in the additional.  Just to be crystal clear I meant I keep my grats in place and tip additionally if warranted.