HAL Website Intro

[bepsf]

Did anyone else notice the update to the HAL site?
There's a new introductory video before one gets to the main page...

www.hollandamerica.com (http://www.hollandamerica.com)

[HeatherInFlorida]

I saw it and I think it's really dumb ... in teeny letters it offers you the opportunity to "skip intro". Well guess what .....:rolleyes: Do you like it, Brian?

[ColoradoJuli]

I like it. It reminds me of Seabourne's website.

[sail7seas]

I saw it today and found it annoying.


It was a pain having to dump it in order to get to what I went to the site to do.

Thumbs down IMO

[HeatherInFlorida]

I saw it today and found it annoying.


It was a pain having to dump it in order to get to what I went to the site to do.

Thumbs down IMO
Tee hee hee ... now how'd I know that;) ? Born of the same cloth:D .

[gooselace]

Is there any place on the website to get an accurate, up-to-date itinerary. I realize they are subject to change for all kinds of reasons, but I'd like an idea of what is being contemplated at this time for the Westerdam 12/05/04.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Is there any place on the website to get an accurate, up-to-date itinerary. I realize they are subject to change for all kinds of reasons, but I'd like an idea of what is being contemplated at this time for the Westerdam 12/05/04.
Isn't it in your docs? That's usually the most up to date itinerary unless something odd happens that changes it.

[sail7seas]

Heather..... :D ;)

[Grumpy1]

I saw it today and found it annoying.


It was a pain having to dump it in order to get to what I went to the site to do.

Thumbs down IMO
Same here. they couldn't leave well enough alone, could they?

Grumpy

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather..... :D ;) .....Yeeeeessssss ....;) ??? You called, Ms Sail? Tee hee.

It's funny, tho, HAL must have heard I didn't like it because I just went to their site to look at something and didn't get the intro!!! Hmmmmm ... they read these boards faster than I thought. Kidding!!!!!!

[dakrewser]

Use the URL http://www.hollandamerica.com/home.htmand you can bypass the - extremely poorly programmed - introductory slideshow.

-dave

[bepsf]

Heather, it didn't come up for me again either!

Hmmm - I wonder... Maybe their server has a way of knowing that you saw their movie already or maybe they read your comments and took it off.;)

(Booming Voice of HAL Management) "Take off the Intro!! It annoys Heather and S7S!!!"

I didnt think it the visuals were too awful, but the "Titanic"-esque music was kinda creepy...:rolleyes:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather, it didn't come up for me again either!

Hmmm - I wonder... Maybe their server has a way of knowing that you saw their movie already or maybe they read your comments and took it off.;)

(Booming Voice of HAL Management) "Take off the Intro!! It annoys Heather and S7S!!!".........

Brian, quite literally LOL:D . You really are too funny. What a picture!

[Ziggy7]

It came up for me so they must have cookied you as having seen it :) Glad we only go thru it once eeeks :)

[peaches from georgia]

All you have to do is click on 'skip intro' and it's gone. What's the big deal? :rolleyes:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hmmmmm.....very curious, Ziggy. You may well be right. I've gotten it more than once, but I might have deleted my cookies in the meantime because I do that fairly frequently. Well, good for them if they do that because once is enough for me;)

[gooselace]

Isn't it in your docs? That's usually the most up to date itinerary unless something odd happens that changes it. Seem to have been several changes. Docs listed Montego Bay, but when I went to book an excusion, it had been changed to Orco Rios so I made an excursion reservation there. Then I was told recently it's back to MoBay.I tried, and failed, to get an answer from HAL about the status of the excursion. Grand Cayman, listed on the docs, was supposedly changed to a sea day and Key West tacked on at the end, according to the TA and as discussed on boards. Now Grand Cayman seems to be back, although I've received nothing official from TA or HAL. I'm amenable, but would like to know if possible, subject, of course, to unforeseen changes.

Also the "what to wear" section indicated 7 day cruises have 2 formal, 2 informal, and 3 casual nights, but the docs say 2 formal nights, 1 informal, and 4 casual. No hint as to whether there's likely to be a theme or costume night as on other lines. I'm trying to pack, but what I might want for GC isn't what I'd wear in KW, and I had only planned on 3 casual evenings. Not that I'm sure how they differ as dresses or pansuits are suggested for women on informal nights. Once they eliminate jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and tank tops, what does that leave for casual nights?

[Ziggy7]

All you have to do is click on 'skip intro' and it's gone. What's the big deal? :rolleyes:but thats too much work hehehe :) Your right and thats what I do :)

[vitamarion]

[QUOTE=gooselace]Seem to have been several changes. Docs listed Montego Bay, but when I went to book an excusion, it had been changed to Orco Rios so I made an excursion reservation there. Then I was told recently it's back to MoBay.I tried, and failed, to get an answer from HAL about the status of the excursion. Grand Cayman, listed on the docs, was supposedly changed to a sea day and Key West tacked on at the end, according to the TA and as discussed on boards. Now Grand Cayman seems to be back, although I've received nothing official from TA or HAL. I'm amenable, but would like to know if possible, subject, of course, to unforeseen changes.
QUOTE]

HAL contacted my TA this morning with the itenarary change. For this moment in time anyway. We are back to the original scedule except we stay with Ocho Rios instead of back to Montego Bay. Hope this helps.

See you Sunday around 5 pm. I may or may not wear my red boa. I think my life jacket will crush it. :)

Marion

[gooselace]

Glad to know that if you have to decide between them you'd choose the life jacket!

Thanks for letting me know about Ocho Rios; at least my excursion "ticket" should be okay.

Looking forward to meeting you in person.

[sail7seas]

(Booming Voice of HAL Management) "Take off the Intro!! It annoys Heather and S7S!!!"

BRIAN: YOU ARE SIMPLY WAY TOO FUNNY......

HOW NEAT WOULD IT BE IF HEATHER AND I (AND EVERYONE ELSE HERE) REALLY DID HAVE 'THEIR EAR'. WE'D HAVE A BUNCH OF 'SUGGETIONS' :D TO PASS ALONG.


'GOTTA ADMIT IT'S KIND OF FUN TO THINK THEY CAN CONTROL WHEN THAT INTRO POPS UP AND IF HEATHER'S COMPUTER LOGS ONTO THEIR SITE......POOOF------NO INTRO TO HAVE TO GET RID OF!!

SUCH POWER BRIAN HAS GIVEN US, HEATHER????!!! :)

[sail7seas]

(Booming Voice of HAL Management) "Take off the Intro!! It annoys Heather and S7S!!!"



BRIAN: YOU ARE SIMPLY WAY TOO FUNNY......

HOW NEAT WOULD IT BE IF HEATHER AND I (AND EVERYONE ELSE HERE) REALLY DID HAVE 'THEIR EAR'. WE'D HAVE A BUNCH OF 'SUGGESTIONS' :D TO PASS ALONG.


'GOTTA ADMIT IT'S KIND OF FUN TO THINK THEY CAN CONTROL WHEN THAT INTRO POPS UP AND IF HEATHER'S COMPUTER LOGS ONTO THEIR SITE......POOOF------NO INTRO TO HAVE TO GET RID OF!!

SUCH POWER BRIAN HAS GIVEN US, HEATHER????!!! :)

WHO IS IT WE SHOULD ADDRESS OUR 'CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS' TO??

[sail7seas]

All you have to do is click on 'skip intro' and it's gone. What's the big deal? :rolleyes:

It annoys me. I don't want to bother with it at all or be bothered by it. :)

[Bill S]

I had the same experience! I checked the HAL site last night for first time in several days and the new, annoying intro came up-----I clicked on "skip intro" and then tonight when I logged on the HAL site, no intro! So, I guess once you dump it, it doesn't come back up when you log on again---thank goodness! :cool:

[gizmo]

I saw it a couple of days ago. I didn't bother to look at it, one click and it is gone.

[doone]

I liked it. After you see it once though, no need to repeat it, so click the bypass and its gone, not a big deal.

[Krazy Kruizers]

When I was checking out something on HAL's website on Saturday, there was a message that they would be down from 9:30 PM (that night) till 3:30 AM (Sunday). Wondered what they were doing.

Then I clicked in yesterday - ugh!

One click and it was gone.

[Stevesan]

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Oh, woe is me - HAL's put an intro on their web site. I'll never sail HAL again :(

[HeatherInFlorida]

:eek: AAAAAWWWWWWKKKKK!!!! We KNOW one click and it's gone! We simply said we didn't like it! Geez!

The fact is if they want to fix their website, I have all sorts of ideas for them rather than putting some silly intro in front of it. I think it is very badly designed and a pain in the neck to navigate.

When I saw it would be "down", I though "oh good, they're going to make some changes!". Next thing I know there's a silly intro.

Nobody said it was a "big deal". Brian asked if anyone had seen it and we gave our opinion of it.

[doone]

I gave my opinion, I simply said I liked it, GEEZZZZZZZ!!!!!! Some like it, some don't.

[bookworm0911]

Nobody said it was a "big deal". If you had to watch the whole thing every time you went to the HAL site, I would call that a problem. HAL must think it presents a nice picture of the cruiseline for potential customers looking at the site, but has provided a way for "regulars" to not have to view it over and over. That sounds fair to me.

But after reading this whole thread just now, clicking on Skip Intro, which takes all of a split second to do and it's gone, certainly does seem to be a "big deal" to a couple of you. Life sure must be boring if this is considered a major problem or annoyance worth posting about over and over. ;)

[ekerr19]

HOW NEAT WOULD IT BE IF HEATHER AND I (AND EVERYONE ELSE HERE) REALLY DID HAVE 'THEIR EAR'. WE'D HAVE A BUNCH OF 'SUGGETIONS' :D TO PASS ALONG.


Sail, this statement may be more accurate than you think. ;)

[xpcdoojk]

I noticed it yesterday morning, and I quickly hit the skip intro and got to where I was going. I hate all intros because they take time to load. I have no opinion about the content because I avoided most of it!;)


jc

[Roadwork]

I sort of like Stevesan's post. It reflects some of the comments made on this thread. :D

Holland adds a nice introduction to their site and a few posters are put out by it. Having to click once to bypass it, seems to be a problem for them.

Very few have commented about the actual introduction, the complaints seem to be be related to that one click of the mouse to skip it.

I think Bookworm nailed it with his comment. Sorry folks, but I was shocked to read some of the comments on this thread. The suggestion that Holland America would listen to those that object to having to click on their mouse to bypass the introduction seems unrealistic, at least to me.

Now before you all jump on me and say it is your opinion, I already know that so those comments are not required.

[bepsf]

:rolleyes:
I just think its funny that they chose to do a mini-movie Intro instead of updating the deckplans for Ryndam (I look every week - no changes....)

BTW - I logged in from home last nite and got the movie - Heather is correct that it's a 'cookies' thing that will not appear again after you've viewed it once.

[Kami's pal]

"Gratuity Policy
Our crew works very hard to make sure that every aspect of your cruise meets the highest standards. Gratuities are the customary means of recognizing and showing appreciation for good service. To save guests the need to locate crew members and determine the appropriate gratuity amount, a gratuity of $10 per day is automatically added to each guest’s shipboard account on a daily basis. If our service exceeds or fails to meet your expectations, you are free to adjust this amount at the end of the cruise. All gratuities are paid to the crew and represent an important part of their compensation. A 15% service charge is automatically added to bar charges and dining room wine purchases"

Why is the information that is given AFTER one pays the final payment not posted for all to read before booking? I refer to the information contained in the leaflet "you need to know" which states that behind the scenes staff need incentives and therefore if a passenger removes or reduces the automatic gratuity charge , then any tips given privately must be turned in to be pooled. Being free to "adjust" is not the same when one knows that adjusting has repercursions on the very crew that one is wishing to recognise.
I asked this of HAL when I returned from my May 18 cruise on Noordam. I still have no answer.

Now I looked at their revised page thinking that finally HAL would be posting up to date information. But no. It appears to be window dressing only.

[Nanner]

Maybe these weren't brand new, but I hadn't noticed them before. There are some videos of Denali, the Yukon River cruise and Tombstone Territorial Park, and Alaska cruising that certainly whet my appetite for next May!

[dakrewser]

I sort of like Stevesan's post. It reflects some of the comments made on this thread. :D

Holland adds a nice introduction to their site and a few posters are put out by it.
Actually, it's a pretty hokey intro - not even a decent movie, but a herky-jerky slideshow. What many onject to, though, is that the money and type spent on this really dumb addition could have been better spent putting accurate (and informative) data on the site while also making navigation easier.

Oh, and the cruise line is Holland America, not "Holland" - a country in Europe.

-dave

[Roadwork]

Oh, and the cruise line is Holland America, not "Holland" - a country in Europe.

-dave
I actually thought it was acceptable to use abbreviations on this board.

[Kami's pal]

dakrewser
Quote:

What many onject to, though, is that the money and type spent on this really dumb addition could have been better spent putting accurate (and informative) data on the site while also making navigation easier.

-dave

Well said.

[gizmo]

Dakrewser and Kami

What is wrong with the navigation on the web site? (Let's exclude the information below for the moment).

Kami,

Why is the information that is given AFTER one pays the final payment not posted for all to read before booking? I refer to the information contained in the leaflet "you need to know" which states that behind the scenes staff need incentives and therefore if a passenger removes or reduces the automatic gratuity charge , then any tips given privately must be turned in to be pooled. Being free to "adjust" is not the same when one knows that adjusting has repercursions on the very crew that one is wishing to recognise.
I asked this of HAL when I returned from my May 18 cruise on Noordam. I still have no answer.

Now I looked at their revised page thinking that finally HAL would be posting up to date information. But no. It appears to be window dressing only.
That information is on Hal' site. The wording is exactly the same as in the leaflet. It is under "For Booked Guests", Planning and Advice,Money Matters,Gratuity Policy.

For Booked Guests is not exactly the best wording for someone looking for information prior to booking a cruise.

[kryos]

It's funny, tho, HAL must have heard I didn't like it because I just went to their site to look at something and didn't get the intro!!! Hmmmmm ... they read these boards faster than I thought. Kidding!!!!!!
Maybe it's just me ... but sometimes I get the intro and other times I don't. Maybe it's only set to play every so many "clicks?" onto the site? :confused:

Blue skies ...

--rita

[elmorejj]

I go to the HAL web site almost every day and I have never seen this intro. Should I be looking somewhere special for it? Who knows, maybe I would like it.....jean


Dave, Isn`t the country called The Netherlands now? :cool:

[xpcdoojk]

I went one time last week and it was there the first thing when you hit the home page. I haven't been back since, so I have no idea.


jc

[dakrewser]

Dave, Isn`t the country called The Netherlands now? :cool:
Even the Netherlands board of Tourism (http://www.holland.com/us/)asks you to "Visit Holland"

:) -dave

[urashuto]

It annoys me. I don't want to bother with it at all or be bothered by it. :)
Uh-oh, I hope this doesn't apply to everything that annoys you! ;)