A Must Read News Article Refining The Fleet & Half Moon

[JDee]

Really not exaggerating, but a very up-to-date article on HAL's upgrading the fleet. Plus everything you ever wanted to know about Half Moon Cay. As always, there are some items we all already know about.

Also some news for Carnival fans on their newest and largest Carnival Valor.

Go to: www.sptimes.com/Travel.shtml (http://www.sptimes.com/Travel.shtml)

In the Half Moon news article, HAL appears to be considering stopping twice at Half Moon on 7 day cruises. Don't know about you, but I believe that would be over doing it a bit. Guess HAL has to figure out how to pay for all those improvements.

happy cruising....

[cgladin]

JDEE: Thanks for posting the article. It is indeed very interesting reading. It would be interesting to see a poll on two HMC visits...

[Esme]

Very interesting reading, but there are some discrepancies

"Already aboard the Holland America ships are pleasant touches and enhanced amenities: Cabin bathrooms have magnifying mirrors, massage-action shower heads and there is a hair dryer in the bathroom as well as in the vanity in the cabin. All cabins also have dataports, minibars, specially ordered "Euro-top" mattresses and triple sheets for the beds."

The magnifying mirrors are NOT in the bathrooms, they are on the dressing table and there are NOT 2 hairdryers - only one in an SS on the Westerdam - in the top right hand drawer of the dressing table. Maybe the writer was talking about a Suite - don't know what they have in there, but the SS didn't have these.


The Westerdam has six cabin categories, and pricing depends on cabin location within the ship as well as time of year for the voyage.

Six cabin categories - wonder what this guy was smoking - Westerdam has 22 cabin categories. :rolleyes:

I agree - stopping twice at HMC on a 7 day cruise is a little much. What happens if they can't tender both times. Then they would have a lot of very angry passengers.

[gizmo]

We are seeking a younger demographic," Stein Kruse, Holland America president and CEO, said. "We clearly knew we had to change, to seek multigenerational appeal.

"Yet we can't alienate any (previous passengers) who thought this was their line. That happened when we introduced the Zuiderdam: "Oh, my God - these colors!'

"Had the Westerdam been the first Vista-class ship, that would not have happened."

Well, someone woke up !!!

"The average age on Holland America is 57, and that has been holding steady for the past three years. But we think 50 is the new 30," says Richard D. Meadows, the company's senior vice president for marketing and sales.

Maybe I am missing somethin here but I still don't get the 50 is the new 30. Fifty year olds don't necessarily want what 30 years olds want.

[Stevesan]

[QUOTE=In the Half Moon news article, HAL appears to be considering stopping twice at Half Moon on 7 day cruises. Don't know about you, but I believe that would be over doing it a bit. Guess HAL has to figure out how to pay for all those improvements.
happy cruising....[/QUOTE]

Two visits in seven days would be the end of my Caribbean cruising with HAL. It's a nice beach and the boat snorkeling is ok, but it ain't that good.

We cruise the Caribbean for the variety and diversity among the islands. If we just wanted to zonk out on a first class beach, we could go to Panama City Beach and spend a few days without the cruise ship hassle.

[localady]

Guess I am in the minority, but I cruise in the Carribean generally for the beach and sun and would love stopping at HMC 2 times during a cruise!! :) Frankly ports like St. Thomas and Grand Cayman with 6+ other ships visiting are not any fun for me anymore. I love HMC and am looking forward to our trip there in March and wish that our trip on the Veendam in November would stop there!:D

[spcl4cs_gal]

I wonder if HAL would consider two days in a row as opposed to two separate days?

[lipoppop]

JDEE thanks for the article and the introduction to the newspaper.

[CaptData]

I agree about the ship stopping at Half Moon Cay twice in one week. I go to the islands for fun and varity. If It stopped at the same island twice I would go somewhere else. I took a cruise because it went to this place and that for one price with my food taken care of and my room. If we stop going and coming with only one or two other islands, I'll switch to an all inclusive, Atlantis or one of the other ones and explore the island more or go on a cruise ship other then HAL.

[thulewx]

I think an overnight at HMC would be great - think of the bonfire they could have, with BBQ and special ghost story-time for the kiddies, but I'm betting their lawyers would never allow it - too much possibility of someone slipping away and drowning, etc... :(
When I was on a Windjammer cruise, we stopped at a deserted island and they had a big bonfire with BBQ - really neat and quite romantic :p . Of course the logistics are a little different for 35 pax vs. 1500 pax... :rolleyes:

[DFD1]

Thanks for telling us about the article. It gives us a peek at HAL marketing plans.
I think he's right about the Zuiderdam. It was just to dramatic a departure from what many have come to expect from HAL (IMO).

We cruises on the Oosterdam just after she cam across from Italy and liked her very much.

[JaniceB]

Thanks for sharing the article with us. I loved seeing the horses in the water. My daughters are looking forward to riding the horses in the surf. We have booked the Zaandam in March and 2 stops at Half Moon Cay would be nice. We have 2 sea days at the start of our 7 day cruise. It would be nice to stop at the beginning and the end of the cruise at Half Moon Cay. I booked this cruise because it stops at Half Moon Cay and the fact the Zaandam will have undergone the SOE enhancements. I love sea days, but my DH would prefer more ports. I think 2 days at Half Moon Cay would make us both happy. I don't want to shop, I prefer a relaxing day at the beach when I am on vacation.

60 days until I cruise!http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[rex523]

Put me in the "I'd love 2 days" category. Most of the islands hold very little interest for me, and I frequently stay aboard all day. I have written on my comment cards that Half Moon Cay is my favorite port, and I know others who have as well. I have also suggested an overnight stop, but I understand that the lease forbids it.

My Dad always says "the best islands in the Caribbean have two screws and a rudder."

[sopa]

Two days at HMC? Put my name in the "No, thanks" column. I'd rather have an extra sea day.

[dakrewser]

Two days at HMC? Put my name in the "No, thanks" column. I'd rather have an extra sea day.

I'd rather have two extra sea days.....

:)

[sopa]

I'd rather have two extra sea days.....

:)

Even better! There are never enough sea days for me. I like to be out on the sea, enjoying the ship and enjoying the feeling of a ship at sea. Twelve or more hours tied up in a port is way too much for me. 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM in Tortola on the Zaandam Christmas cruise...too long. Overnight? Yikes! Might as well stay in a hotel, but that's just my HO. I understand that many others would like it.

[gizmo]

I would NOT like 2 days at Half Moon.

It is a very nice island and beach, but was much nicer before Hal starting sending 2 ships there. On my last cruise it was very crowded, it kind of lost it's charm with the mobs of people.

[AirGorilla]

I'll gladly take two days at HMC IF, but only IF my ship is the ONLY one there. Beats the pants off Nassau!! Two day with deep sea fishing would be heaven! Bring on the rum punches!!