Diamond Lounge> Who goes?

[Censored]

Wondering who goes to this lounge that used to be overcrowded  at happy hour for the free drinks.  Ive noticed that with the new format on free drinks, the room is quite empty.  I use it for a better quality coffee in the morning if I dont have a suite.  The appetizers  are mediocre at best . The concierge is there to answer questions.   

[tonyfsu21]

17 minutes ago, Eddy said:

Wondering who goes to this lounge that used to be overcrowded  at happy hour for the free drinks.  Ive noticed that with the new format on free drinks, the room is quite empty.  I use it for a better quality coffee in the morning if I dont have a suite.  The appetizers  are mediocre at best . The concierge is there to answer questions.   

Loading the drinks on the sea pass cards was one of the better post Covid changes RC has made only bested by the new lifejacket safety briefing protocol. 

[barjpoe]

Depends - if we're traveling with others we go there to have predinner drinks and talk , at bit quieter the the other bars on the ship. Other times if traveling by ourselves we'll find a bar. Don't really partake of the munchies.  DH gets coffee but its hard for him cause he's just plain black & I don't drink the stuff. (horrors I know)

[Censored]

27 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Loading the drinks on the sea pass cards was one of the better post Covid changes RC has made only bested by the new lifejacket safety briefing protocol. 

agreed!

[Swar]

We do a daily coffee stop and meet people before dinner. Nice to have a quiet spot with a concierge to help us out. Drink vouchers and lifeboat drill are great things

[ChessE4]

47 minutes ago, Eddy said:

Wondering who goes to this lounge that used to be overcrowded  at happy hour for the free drinks.  Ive noticed that with the new format on free drinks, the room is quite empty.  I use it for a better quality coffee in the morning if I dont have a suite.  The appetizers  are mediocre at best . The concierge is there to answer questions.   

We go in the AM for pastries and espresso or tea.  May stop by in PM for appetizers.  On Mariner, the drinks were obtained in the night club bar with a great view.  The lounge itself was fairly quiet during the day.  My problem is that the espresso machine was broken, so I drink coffee instead in the AM.  But on other ships the espresso was a nice treat after walking or jogging.

[OCSC Mike]

I go every morning for multiple cappuccinos (and occasionally grab some pastries) and stop by most evenings just to check out the appetizers.

Nice place to relax on ships that still have it in the Viking Crown like Freedom class. Not so much when it's in "the basement" like on Oasis class.

[Censored]

45 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

We go in the AM for pastries and espresso or tea.  May stop by in PM for appetizers.  On Mariner, the drinks were obtained in the night club bar with a great view.  The lounge itself was fairly quiet during the day.  My problem is that the espresso machine was broken, so I drink coffee instead in the AM.  But on other ships the espresso was a nice treat after walking or jogging.

yes those expresso machines are always breaking down.

[mac66]

Never been to the D lounge, we became D's just before covid started and were with family who are not Ds so we skipped it. Afterwards with the vouchers we haven't even thought about it and kind of forgot about the morning coffee thing. We are on a cruise in November so will have to make a point of checking out the D lounge in the morning and evening this time.

[AandD]

We just became Diamond this year. So I only heard about what it was like with free drinks. We went in before dinner a number of times on the Independence. Not to crowded, talked to a lot of nice people. I think I like it this way with the vouchers. 

[Fairlynew]

I sometimes use it for a quiet space on sea days, when I don't want to be out in the sun.  I also use the diamond concierge instead of guest services.

[Matt]

I stopped by on Allure a couple times the other week and it was packed.

Remember, the purpose of the DL isn't purely for dispensing drinks. It's really the social aspect that I think draws most people.

[14Terry]

We go, more to socialize, than to drink (as Matt posted). 

[OCSC Mike]

It was too dead for socializing on Indy this summer but I'm fine treating it as the coffee/snack room.

When there was still a happy hour, we did a ton of socializing there.

[ScooterScott22]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

I stopped by on Allure a couple times the other week and it was packed.

Remember, the purpose of the DL isn't purely for dispensing drinks. It's really the social aspect that I think draws most people.

Wondering if the lounge on the Allure is busier than others in the Oasis group.  It seems like the location is a bonus that draws a few more people than other ships of the same class.  

The drawback is the shared space aspect since the upper level is utilized for Chefs Table.  While it has positives , it does create a bad situation for both parties.  It cuts down the available space in the lounge at probably the busiest time of the day.  The noise and interruptions from below during the dinner were a negative for the dining experience.    

[VeronicaS1970]

When it is just hubby and I we go every night before dinner. Nice to meet other folks and chat. Plus we can get a drink to take to dinner. 

Concierge is usually helpful, the one we had on Odyssey last year was the best! 

We like the munchies, sometimes they are better than others, but a nice treat.

[Ampurp85]

I went almost every morning on my Nav sailing, the concierge was friendly, and it was nice to be able to eat a lite breakfast in peace.

[barjpoe]

1 hour ago, VeronicaS1970 said:

When it is just hubby and I we go every night before dinner. Nice to meet other folks and chat. Plus we can get a drink to take to dinner. 

Concierge is usually helpful, the one we had on Odyssey last year was the best! 

We like the munchies, sometimes they are better than others, but a nice treat.

You really not need to lug a drink to dinner. Since the drinks aren't free any more in the lounge. Just use one on your card when you get to the dinning room.

[CruiseGus]

4 hours ago, ScooterScott22 said:

The drawback is the shared space aspect since the upper level is utilized for Chefs Table.  While it has positives , it does create a bad situation for both parties.  It cuts down the available space in the lounge at probably the busiest time of the day.  The noise and interruptions from below during the dinner were a negative for the dining experience.    

Don't know about that dining experience as we have never partaken.  But dislike when they started doing the Chef's Table more than 1 or 2 nights a cruise and the found they have to pre set the tables and make that area un-useable all the time instead of only when they were prepping and having the event.

[Va4fam]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

I went almost every morning on my Nav sailing, the concierge was friendly, and it was nice to be able to eat a lite breakfast in peace.

Where is the DL lounge on Navigator?  

[dustfsu]

Also, is there a DL on the Quantum?

[Hutcherl]

Never visited the lounge.  In fact, I typically don't know where it's even located.  Usually with others who are not Diamond so it never crosses my mind to check it out. 

[WAYNO]

I don't know who goes, as I've only been  there once myself, and that was strictly business.  Looks like I need some learnin' .

 

 

[Ampurp85]

22 minutes ago, Va4fam said:

Where is the DL lounge on Navigator?  

Its right across from the Star Lounge on deck 5.

[Mike n Ky]

7 hours ago, Fairlynew said:

I sometimes use it for a quiet space on sea days, when I don't want to be out in the sun.  I also use the diamond concierge instead of guest services.

I use the concierge in the DL as well. Great benefit that has yielded top tender tickets as well as luggage tags for departure and reservations.

[Mike n Ky]

52 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Its right across from the Star Lounge on deck 5.

And their coffee machine was awesome!

[OCSC Mike]

10 hours ago, Mike n Ky said:

And their coffee machine was awesome!

Has always been one of my favorite D perks. I usually bring a travel mug to fill (with the paper cups) and take with me.

[GatorCruiser]

me, after my next cruise

[Mike n Ky]

4 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Has always been one of my favorite D perks. I usually bring a travel mug to fill (with the paper cups) and take with me.

We have two travel mugs we use only for cruises that are great. So, when I am up early and she isn't I can slip into the DL, fix her special coffee...I just drink it black...take it back to the cabin and it's hot and ready when she gets up.

[HeWhoWaits]

The best part about the Diamond Lounge to me is the outdoor deck behind it when it's up by the Viking Crown Lounge. A great place to sit and read in the afternoon.

[OCSC Mike]

23 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said:

The best part about the Diamond Lounge to me is the outdoor deck behind it when it's up by the Viking Crown Lounge. A great place to sit and read in the afternoon.

Big part of what I had in mind when I mentioned liking the DL a lot more when it's up there and not in the basement. Definitely a nice quiet outdoor spot to spend doing whatever.

[Done]

Been twice on Harmony in the morning and there were 3 other couples there.  In our visits the concierge was busy with us all. My opinion people go there to take advantage of the help the concierge can give

[AlohaLivin]

It is better for us since vouchers are available for D, D*, and Pins as it is not as crowded as it once was. For us it’s a quiet place to take a break, especially when it is close to venues like the casino, or a comfy place to grab a quick coffee/latte. Location does matter. It is also a great place to meet other cruise addicts! 

[Adriana]

My October 29th sailing will be my first one as a Diamond. I will be solo and plan on visiting the Lounge. Honestly, just because I am so excited to be Diamond! Maybe there will be some nice folks wanting to chat, too. 

[cruisellama]

On 10/6/2022 at 10:06 AM, Censored said:

Wondering who goes to this lounge that used to be overcrowded  at happy hour for the free drinks.  Ive noticed that with the new format on free drinks, the room is quite empty.  I use it for a better quality coffee in the morning if I dont have a suite.  The appetizers  are mediocre at best . The concierge is there to answer questions.   

We still will stop by - usually after the rush.   Off hours it seems to be fairly empty and not a bad place to drink coffee and read.     Hit and miss with the concierge as the cruise goes on off hours, but is a good time to get help if available.

[Neesa]

On our Mariner sailing it appeared top tier Pins and possibly D+ preferred the suite lounge so we would check and as it was standing room only every evening we went over to the Diamond lounge which was empty. So funny pretty identical spaces. 

We personally don't enjoy thus spend very little time in the Diamond lounge on the Oasis class as it feels like you are in a shoe box, I'm a big venue person, I don't enjoy it on that class. Caveat, I thought I would enjoy the Allure Diamond lounge but they closed the upper level and once again standing room only, but we did visit off times. 

[khynzelman]

On 10/8/2022 at 11:56 AM, Adriana said:

My October 29th sailing will be my first one as a Diamond. I will be solo and plan on visiting the Lounge. Honestly, just because I am so excited to be Diamond! Maybe there will be some nice folks wanting to chat, too. 

Congrats on Diamond!  I usually travel solo and have always enjoyed the D lounges.  Most people are willing to start up conversation and I've even met a few who are now friends off the ship.  It is always busier during the happy hour for socializing but it can be a good quiet place if you're looking for that too during the day.  Depending on the ship the lounges can be in different locations.  People usually like the ones with windows especially on the Freedom and earlier classes. It's kinda fun to use that key and the door opens for ya!

[not easy being green]

We stop by on my every cruise we go on, part of it is to be social and the other is sometimes the suite lounge is too packed.  Seems to be the DL is usually less crowded then the SL, it is also great when you are NOT in a suite.

[Psycho and Barb]

We went a lot more before the drink change and miss the old days.  It was nice when it was packed and you met a lot of great cruisers.  Now on some ships…The Diamond lounge is a graveyard 

[Adriana]

@khynzelman, thank you! It is a locked lounge? It only opens with our card? Okay, that is super neat!! Yeah, I am a dork, but that makes it all the more cool and special!