Does anyone wear their Mariner pin? The old ones were nice.

[whogo]

The new ones are big, clumsy, hideous things. I was taken aback by our new imitation silverish 3 star pins and wondered if they could really be that ugly. I searched through my drawer and found that the new 2 star pin is just as bad except in imitation bronzish. The old 25 cruise pin is beautiful, especially in comparison, tasteful, understated, enameled blue, white and gold on a sturdier base. The new ones look like a Cracker Jack prize. Any thoughts?


I found photos online.The scale makes them look even worse than they are. In actuality, the old and new are the same width. The new one is much taller with the old one reaching almost to the top of the stars.

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvzhBgkf20D1quUlFqCBDM_0b3Aeim3 xUA17i2jwErvRPjbZN69Qhttp://www.fast-autos.net/diecast-cars-models/diecast-car-image-large/holland-america-line-mariner-society-lapel-pin_360342355255.jpg

[Krazy Kruizers]

dh does wear his gold pin -- the old version -- on his tuxedo and sports jacket -- it shows that we have sailed over 500 days

we are well over 600 days but know that once we get to 700 days -- they will be out of the silver pins and medals -- so we will just leave everything at home - and since he doesn't like the new 4 star pins -- he won't wear it

[bepsf]

When I hit 100 days and received my Copper medallion at the Mariners luncheon, Scotty had earlier procured a pair of 100 Day "Copper" pins and had them made into cufflinks which he presented to me that day...
...since then, I've had my red enamel 50-day pins made into cufflinks - and if I can find my other blue 25-day pin (it's in the apartment somewhere) I may do the same w/ that pair as well.

So yes, I wear them.
:)

[IRL_Joanie]

I only have the newer version of the Mariner Pins and can truly say that I love it and do not think it is ugly at all.

It is mine, I earned it by cruising and will continue to wear it proudly on my lapel(s) for all to see.

Joanie

[kazu]

I think we will wear our medallions now and not the pins :D

[jtl513]

I much prefer my smaller oval copper (100 day) pin, and wear it. When I was at about 90 days I emailed the Mariner Society and asked them to send a pair if they had any left, and they did so promptly. My square 3-star pin hasn't left my dresser drawer since.

When we actually did pass 100 last Oct we got the medallions but no more pins. I wore the medallion to the Brunch immediately after we got them, but my DW wouldn't. But she doesn't wear any of the small oval pins either. I didn't take my medallion along on our last cruise. ;)

[mr green]

The first time that I saw a pin, I asked the gentleman what it was. He replied that it was HAL's way of telling him that he had spent too much money with them.:)
I do wear them now and again, however, I have not seen the new ones however. I wear them on Princess, and those that I have from Princess I wear on HAL. :cool:

john

[Randyk47]

Not a big badge person....had to wear too many in the hospital....so I don't think I even know where my pins are in the house. Maybe my nightstand??? :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

so -- if i am reading this correctly -- and yes i did go and read hal's site and they only talked about medals -- so if by some miracle we would get to 700 days -- then we will not get the pins -- correct?

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

We wear our copper pins rather than the 4 star pins which I agree are quite big and hideous. DH wears his on his dark suit on formal nights and I usually wear mine at Mariner luncheons or on whatever I am wearing when I board the ship. If we should ever hit the 300 day level and they still have those pins, we would wear those. The star mariner pin tacks are so large they put holes in your clothers. The 4 star ones we just got in the mail, the tacks were bent so basically unwearable anyway.

Barbara

[PCruzer]

When I hit 100 days and received my Copper medallion at the Mariners luncheon, Scotty had earlier procured a pair of 100 Day "Copper" pins and had them made into cufflinks which he presented to me that day...
...since then, I've had my red enamel 50-day pins made into cufflinks - and if I can find my other blue 25-day pin (it's in the apartment somewhere) I may do the same w/ that pair as well.

So yes, I wear them.
:)
What a great idea! I would love to have our 100 Day copper pins made into cufflinks for my husband. Where did you take the pins to have them transformed into cufflinks?

[TBcruiserguy]

The old 25 cruise pin is beautiful, especially in comparison, tasteful, understated, enameled blue, white and gold on a sturdier base.


http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSvzhBgkf20D1quUlFqCBDM_0b3Aeim3 xUA17i2jwErvRPjbZN69Q

I still wear this one with a blue suit or blazer since it's, as you say, tasteful.

[jhannah]

I wear mine on my tux. That's the only time I wear it.

[SilvertoGold]

We love the old pins and hope HAL will keep them, along with the medallions.
The pins look classy on a suit, just the right size and a nice shape, with more detailing.

The star pins represent a big downgrade for us, so we wear the old pins.

[RevNeal]

I still wear my 100-Day Pin along with my 4-Star pin. If they don't give out 300-day Pins anymore with the "hardware" I'll find on on E-bay.

[BumperII]

I wear the copper lapel pin on my suit jacket when aboard ship. HAL didn't bother to send us the three star pins, and once we saw them, we didn't ask.:D

[mamaofami]

Our three star pins just came in the mail today. Does anyone wear these pins anywhere besides on a cruise ? Brian. love the cuff links idea.:):)

[Candy]

At the Mariner Luncheon I wear my copper medallion with the 3-star pin on it. I never wear them at night, but all my cloisonné pins and my 3-star are on my lanyard, which I wear every day.

Candy the ZuiderPrincess

[c-cruise]

Nope, never wear any of the pins. They get thrown into a desk drawer with all the other cruise memorabilia we have collected. But I agree, the new ones are pretty ugly - especially the 2 star.

[crusinbanjo]

Well my real business, (when I'm not playing banjo), is making lapel pins. I make millions of pins every year. In my humble personal and professional opinion, the new pins are terrible. The design is awful and the finish is terrible. No I won't ever wear that pin... ...talk about a boat anchor. I do however, wear lapel pins every evening while cruising. In fact, I usually try & bring some of the more unique pins and wear a different pin every night. It is really interesting to see if anybody notices!
:)

[jtl513]

Does anyone wear these pins anywhere besides on a cruise ?I only wear my copper oval to the Brunch. Last time a steward asked me what it was for!

[GeriatricNurse]

I only wear my copper oval to the Brunch. Last time a steward asked me what it was for!


On my recent Caribbean cruise, that I began with 130 cruise days, I was 'phoned by the Front Office asking me if I had yet received my copper medallion! I replied that I had not. Several days later, I received a box containing a copper medallion that had been placed on my bed one evening, presumeably, by my stateroom steward! The box did not contain a copper lapel pin! :mad: Does anyone know why the pin would not be included in the same box as the medallion AND why I would not have been presented with my copper medallion at the Mariner's Brunch, rather than it just being placed, unceremoniously, on my bed? :mad:

[Krazy Kruizers]

it seems to be up to the captain and/or hotel manager if they want to award the 100 day medals -- something else that varies by ship

it appears that the pins are a thing of the past

[GmaPajama]

I'm perfectly happy with the lesser quality pins. I find the new star benefits to be great, and that's more important to me.

[RevNeal]

Nope, never wear any of the pins. They get thrown into a desk drawer with all the other cruise memorabilia we have collected. But I agree, the new ones are pretty ugly - especially the 2 star.

If they don't mean anything to you, you could always sell them on E-bay and make a little money for your next cruise. :D

[c-cruise]

If they don't mean anything to you, you could always sell them on E-bay and make a little money for your next cruise. :D

LOL, yeah a VERY little money. :p Hardly worth the effort.

It's not that they don't mean anything - I just don't like wearing pins, jewelry, etc. Heck, I don't even wear a watch. Fun to go through the "cruise drawer" periodically and look through the various items we have collected from our trips.

[bepsf]

What a great idea! I would love to have our 100 Day copper pins made into cufflinks for my husband. Where did you take the pins to have them transformed into cufflinks?

There's a little old guy who has a watch & jewelry repair shop around the corner from my office - He did some work repairing my boss' earrings and another boss' watch, and so I went over and he was more than happy to make the links for me as well as size a ring I had purchased in Hawaii...

...he told me that the enamel would crack from the heat if he soldered on a cufflink back, so he clipped the pin @ halfway and turned the stub-end end into the fitting to secure the back - and it works just fine!
:)

[Copper10-8]

There's a little old guy who has a watch & jewelry repair shop around the corner from my office - He did some work repairing my boss' earrings and another boss' watch, and so I went over and he was more than happy to make the links for me as well as size a ring I had purchased in Hawaii...

...he told me that the enamel would crack from the heat if he soldered on a cufflink back, so he clipped the pin @ halfway and turned the stub-end end into the fitting to secure the back - and it works just fine!
:)

Your little old guy around the corner could probably make some money turning HAL pins into cufflinks;)

[jhannah]

And you could rack up some nice commissions for sending him business! ;)

[PCruzer]

There's a little old guy who has a watch & jewelry repair shop around the corner from my office - He did some work repairing my boss' earrings and another boss' watch, and so I went over and he was more than happy to make the links for me as well as size a ring I had purchased in Hawaii...

...he told me that the enamel would crack from the heat if he soldered on a cufflink back, so he clipped the pin @ halfway and turned the stub-end end into the fitting to secure the back - and it works just fine!
:)
Thanks for the info, Brian. I'm going to check on who might do jewelry repair around here and see if they would make cufflinks out of the pins we have. What a great idea you gave us all!

[SilvertoGold]

I only wear my copper oval to the Brunch. Last time a steward asked me what it was for!

They ALWAYS ask what the pin is for. It must be company policy. With week after week of Mariners Lunches and Brunches, you would think they might have caught on! It is alway interesting to explain the significance/insignificance of the pins.

[Krazy Kruizers]

dh has never been asked what the new pin is

but when he has worn his 500 day one on formal nights -- the waitstaff used to ask how many days we actually had -- now they don't even recognize that

[GeriatricNurse]

dh has never been asked what the new pin is

but when he has worn his 500 day one on formal nights -- the waitstaff used to ask how many days we actually had -- now they don't even recognize that

A HAL steward once told me that they used to receive pins designating their various years of service, but, apparantly, these were eliminated as well! I saw one Lido steward on my recent Maasdam cruise who had "31 Years Service" printed beneath his name on his ID tag! Probably cheaper for HAL to do that than to issue & distribute a separate pin!!! ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

very true

now they all get "service" pins -- all identical

[bepsf]

What a great idea you gave us all!

Thanks, but it's actually not so much of my idea as a continuation of HAL's original idea:
Many years ago, they used to give cufflinks as presents to male Mariners and pins to the ladies...
...once in a great while, you may find a pair of vintage HAL cufflinks on eBay.

...and I believe other lines do/did the same w/ their repeat clients - My TA recently gifted me a pair of cufflinks that her father used to own: They were from Crystal Cruiseline and have the double-seahorse logo.

[PCruzer]

Thanks, but it's actually not so much of my idea as a continuation of HAL's original idea:
Many years ago, they used to give cufflinks as presents to male Mariners and pins to the ladies...
...once in a great while, you may find a pair of vintage HAL cufflinks on eBay.

...and I believe other lines do/did the same w/ their repeat clients - My TA recently gifted me a pair of cufflinks that her father used to own: They were from Crystal Cruiseline and have the double-seahorse logo.
Well, thanks anyway! I would never have thought of it on my own!

[The Tsar]

Thanks, but it's actually not so much of my idea as a continuation of HAL's original idea:
Many years ago, they used to give cufflinks as presents to male Mariners and pins to the ladies...
...once in a great while, you may find a pair of vintage HAL cufflinks on eBay.

...and I believe other lines do/did the same w/ their repeat clients - My TA recently gifted me a pair of cufflinks that her father used to own: They were from Crystal Cruiseline and have the double-seahorse logo.

Somewhere, sometime ago I acquired a pair of HAL cufflinks. They are similar to the Twenty-Five day blue pins on a form pad in a little plastic baggie - Except they are round and do not have any day(s) designation on them.

Do you know when these HAL cufflinks were distribution to the male Mariners?

[Krazy Kruizers]

my dh has never been given a pair of cuff links for any level -- and we are close to 700 days

[sail7seas]

I'm so happy I opened this thread.

DH wears french cuff shirts everyday with his suits and we have a number of HAL pins......

I plan to have a pair of cufflinks made for him from a pair of those pins.

I made him gold cufflinks years ago with the symbol that represents his profession and he has really enjoyed them. I think it's time to make him another pair but this one with HAL pins. :)

But gulp the price of gold.... :eek: $1,500/ounce. Ouch!!

[sail7seas]

my dh has never been given a pair of cuff links for any level -- and we are close to 700 days


I checked HAL site and looked up my Mariner number. Our account is credited with 720 days and DH was never given cufflinks..... nor did I ever receive a pin from HAL. I did, however, receive one from an HAL friend. It is an oval pin with my favorite Logo encrusted with crystals on gold background. I love that pin. But HAL didn't give it to us. ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

right -- i don't remember anyone getting cuff links at any level

[muskus]

My Dad likes to wear his pins (old and new) on his baseball cap, when he checks in at the port. He feels it shows his loyalty to HAL. He keeps all the pins he received and adds the new ones to his cap. He is a three star mariner.

Wear them with pride. I wear my newest one on my lapel.

[CaveDiving]

We usually wear our 700 day pins when boarding each new cruise. They seem to get us through the lines pretty quickly.

We did receive a set of HAL cufflinks for Scott and a HAL medallion neckless for Karen as pillow gifts on one of our assorted grand cruises. They always raise questions when we occasionally wear them.

We are looking for ideas of what to do with our copper, silver, gold, and platinum medallions. Soldering them together to make large western belt buckles is one idea. Anyone have any better ideas?

Scott & Karen

[kazu]

so -- if i am reading this correctly -- and yes i did go and read hal's site and they only talked about medals -- so if by some miracle we would get to 700 days -- then we will not get the pins -- correct?

KK - all I know is when we got our medallions last cruise, we didn't get any pins. :( but we weren't at 700 days ;)