Got Docs - No Mariner tags

[palmgirl]

Has HAL stopped giving mariner tags and buttons with the docs. :confused:

This is the second time we received docs without mariner information. The first time we booked onboard and (even though we were on a HAL ship) somehow our mariner number did not get into our information. I know that the mariner number was given at booking this time.

Our agent will once again take care of this but I am curious has anyone else had this problem??

[WindyCity]

I had the same thing happen - called TA, she called HAL and we had them in 3 days.

[Esme]

There are so many Mariners now that they don't mean a thing, so don't worry about them. Someone probably just forgot to put them in with the docs.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We had it happen a couple of times - buttons but no tags. Our TA called HAL and they sent us about 3 dozen tags.

Check to see if your mariner's number is recorded on your cruise ticket.

[Randyk47]

We didn't get our tags for our March cruise on the Oosterdam. Quite frankly I don't see where it made any difference one way or the other. Our bags beat us to our cabin without any special handling so I figured "no big deal". Got the "welcome back" greeting from the very pleasant lady who checked us in at the terminal so clearly our records showed we were Mariners. I think this is an aspect of HAL that's no longer anything particularly special.

[sail7seas]

We've never put Mariner's Tags on our luggage. Such a huge percentage of the pax are repeaters, the tags do not indicate any sort of priority handling. Maybe a ton of years ago when there were far fewer Mariners, but today it would be impossible.


We, also, have never put on the Mariner's pins. We see some folks wearing them but not that many people actually walk around wearing them.

If anyone likes to wear them, fine. If you want to get some, I'm sure if you call Mariner's Society they will send you some.

[mountainmare]

We had both pins and tags with our docs for Jan 9th. Actually since we only discovered HAL two cruises ago I'm still freshman enough to be a bit tickled to be part of the club. I wear my pin on my dam hat!!!

[elmorejj]

Being as how HAL is in a "cutback" mood lately, maybe that should be one of the areas they cut back on!! They serve no purpose IMO, and I usually throw them in the trash......jean :cool:

[Cruiseoften]

Mariner tags and those awful buttons are a waste of money - they don't mean a thing and don't get you any perks or special treatment. We toss ours!

It is important to make sure your Mariner number is on your contract (ticket) particularily if you're aiming for a medal or lapel pin.

[RuthC]

The Mariner buttons can be a help if you are taking HAL transportation from the airport. The HAL rep can spot you right off, meet you and ease your way to the bus.
Don't even know if you can get them through airport security these days, though. I last wore one in Sept. 02.

Other than that the tags and buttons serve no earthly purpose that I can see.

[palmgirl]

Thank you everyone who answered.

I was concerned about our mariner status as we are due to get a new award this cruise and it can make a difference with getting the tiles.

Our mariner number was not on our docs. My agent called HAL and it was not listed in our booking. I was there when she read the mariner number to HAL at the time of booking. Whoever took the reservation at HAL did note in the special notice on agents paperwork that we were "repeaters".

As several of you said it is a good idea to make sure the number is on your documents.

Thanks again. You all are always so helpful.

[gullgeorge]

Also did not receive any tags or buttons or our 11/27 Zaandam cruise even though I saw many. There were 596 Mariners on board out of 1300 passengers.

[bobpatj]

Our documents came last week and we had no Mariner tags or buttons, either. I have used the tags on our luggage, before, but have seldom used the buttons.

[grannynurse]

My TA says that HAL does not issue them anymore, We had them this summer but none came with the Zaandam docs. I still have my old ones. We never used the buttons though, can't see any use for them, or for that matter, the tags either...more cost cutting I guess.
GN

[Esme]

My TA says that HAL does not issue them anymore, We had them this summer but none came with the Zaandam docs. I still have my old ones. We never used the buttons though, can't see any use for them, or for that matter, the tags either...more cost cutting I guess.

GN

That's funny - picked up our docs on Sat. and there were buttons and tags in the packets - threw the buttons in the garbage :p

[Cruising Illini]

We received docs. this week for Jan. and both tags and button enclosed. As others have said, no need to wear or put tags on luggage because over half the ship will be repeaters. In the "old days" there were special check-in lines for Mariners but that is impossible anymore with the increase. I have been even leaving them home and not cluttering up baggage with them and I don't wear them on clothing. There are only special lines for suite check-in and otherwise they often do it by the alphabet.

[sheelk]

Mariner tags and button were included -- just as always

[RedmondCruiser]

A mariner party means 90% of the ship. My first mariner party, on the Noordam, was held in the Explorers Lounge. Try to do that today and you would have to run 10 shifts. Once in FLL we found two lines to check in and get boarding numbers. The vast majority went to the mariner table, while the first timers table had far fewer customers and lower numbers - went to the first timers table and got on earlier than if I had gone to the mariner table.

The mariner concept is a dead issue. Princess has a far better system with better benefits for those with 5, 10, & 16 or more cruises. Crystal even has a free cruise for time spent on their ships. HAL needs to come up with a meaningful benefit level. --- 100, 300 and 500+ customers should get more than a metal and a hand shake from the captain. With all the changes someone should revamp the mariner society.

[jhannah]

100, 300 and 500+ customers should get more than a metal and a hand shake from the captain.Although I'm not at the 100-day level yet, I wholeheartedly agree. Princess does have a much better loyalty recognition/reward program. Go figure!

[Dutchman]

Our travel agent always puts the tags and buttons in with our docs. then assemble the whole package including the Traditional HAL wallet right at their office before they send them out!

[bobpatj]

I decided to send HAL Mariner society an e-mail about the missing tags, (didn't really care about the buttons). Checking our docs, there were no Mariner numbers anywhere, so I included them in the e-mail. A few days later, a reply came that tags and buttons were being mailed. I guess it doesn't hurt to inquire!

[mcduck]

Got our Dec 19 Westerdam documents the other day and there were no Mariner tags or buttoms included. As they mean nothing, and we throw them out, it was no great loss. If it saves a few bucks and reduces the landfill not to send these useless items out - GREAT!

[whalers4ever]

We've cruised 3 times now with HAL. Got our Mariner's buttons and tags both times. We booked the last 2 eligible times directly with HAL so that may be the key. Sometimes TA forget to plug in that info!

[Brandis]

Recently were on Prinsendam, which was only my second HAL cruise. We received the Mariner buttons and luggage tags. When we entered the terminal and wanted to queue at the end of the line (about 20 people), an employee directed us immedeatly to an available agent to check in.

So I think even if the button doesn't mean anything else it is nice to get faster check-in.

Marc

[lgt]

Just got our docs for 1/4 Westerdam. Did not have Mariner tags or buttons. As a matter of fact, they only gave us 2 luggage tags per person. We always had more than enough. Had to request more & don't know if we will have them in time to leave. Called HAL to request more luggage tags and they said they would send them to our TA. You'd think they could just send them to us to save time!!