HAL - Is One Coming soon?????

[Barocl]

Carnival's Guest Loyalty Program

Available exclusively to "Platinum" cardholders who have sailed aboard the "Fun Ships" 10 or more times, the new "Carnival Concierge Club" benefits are designed to recognize and reward those longtime Carnival guests for their loyalty over the years.

"Carnival is committed to the highest standards of guest service and hospitality. The new 'Carnival Concierge Club' is just one more way of showing our appreciation to our loyal past guests by making their 'Fun Ship' cruise even more special and memorable," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Platinum cardholders are entitled to the following shipboard benefits and features:
- Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin one evening
- Personalized stationery
- A special Carnival logo item
- Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations
- Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack tournament
- Spa Carnival priority reservations and complimentary treatment upgrade
- Complimentary wash and fold laundry service
- Priority tender boarding
- Priority embarkation and debarkation

Additionally, a fully staffed concierge desk for Platinum cardholders has been established at the purser's information desk aboard every Carnival ship. A dedicated phone line is available fleetwide, as well.

Special luggage tags indicating guests are "Carnival Concierge Club" members are included in guests' cruise documents. "Carnival Concierge Club" members also receive a special Welcome Aboard letter from Carnival President and CEO Bob Dickinson detailing the exclusive amenities and privileges available during their cruise.

[elmorejj]

I think this is great for Carnival pax. Princess, X and other cruise lines have similar programs. Maybe after the HM conference in Las Vegas we can look forward to HAL doing something similar. Glad to know that other cruise lines go by number of cruises taken, not number of days as on HAL............jean:cool:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I know for a fact that we will be seeing some new perks but some of the items mentioned will not work on HAL. Such as Priority tender boarding, what happens when 80% of the ship are Mariners with lots days with HAL:confused: The biggest problem is that HAL consistantly has a much larger percentage of repeat passengers especially on the longer cruises and S and R Class ships. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

[jhannah]

Plus, many of these perks are already provided to suite guests on HAL. If they are provided to those in lower category cabins, it diminishes the value of the S and PH accommodations that cost significantly more than SS, VA, and on down.

[gizmo]

I know for a fact that we will be seeing some new perks but some of the items mentioned will not work on HAL. Such as Priority tender boarding, what happens when 80% of the ship are Mariners with lots days with HAL:confused: The biggest problem is that HAL consistantly has a much larger percentage of repeat passengers especially on the longer cruises and S and R Class ships. It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

My exact thoughts.

Plus, many of these perks are already provided to suite guests on HAL. If they are provided to those in lower category cabins, it diminishes the value of the S and PH accommodations that cost significantly more than SS, VA, and on down

Yep, you are right, it will diminish the value of S and PH.

Another thing, currently I don't think Carnival has any perks for suite pax. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. :o

[the2ofus]

I respect the significant amount of $$$ that suite guests lay out. I don't begrudge them their perks.

However, there are many folks of more limited means who are very loyal HAL pax. We DO deserve some recognition and some special perks for our consistent choice of HAL above other cruise lines. Loyalty perks can and should be different from suite perks, but there should be something material provided as a way of saying Thank You.

[Atomica]

However, there are many folks of more limited means who are very loyal HAL pax. We DO deserve some recognition and some special perks for our consistent choice of HAL above other cruise lines. Loyalty perks can and should be different from suite perks, but there should be something material provided as a way of saying Thank You.

I agree.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

A few months ago as many will recall I had this telephone interview asking me some of these questions. My suggestion was to give a Discount in the shops and possible excursions. This would generate more sales which in turn would pay for the discount they give.

[FoxyTerrier]

I think this is great for Carnival pax. Princess, X and other cruise lines have similar programs. Maybe after the HM conference in Las Vegas we can look forward to HAL doing something similar. Glad to know that other cruise lines go by number of cruises taken, not number of days as on HAL............jean:cool:

I think the number of days is better than number of cruises. From what I read there are people that book 30+ day cruises every year, some even book the world cruise 90+ days every year. For these people they would have 900 days after 10 cruises.

I think having a graduated scale of perks based on number of days is better. Because short cruises less than 7 days shouldn't equal the long cruises.

Just my 2 cents....

[bepsf]

Maybe there are other things that would be more appropriate for Mariners? Certain perks for 25 days, more for 50 days and 100 days, etc?

I'm all for things like a free bag of laundry? a couple complimentary coffee drinks at the Exploration's Cafe? a free minute of internet for as many days as you've been on HAL? (7 days = 7 minutes, 25 days = 25 minutes, 100 days = 100 minutes, etc.) Free soda cards?

Any other ideas?

[hgatsawgrs]

Anyone who could absorb ten Carnival cruises desrves alot.

[PRINSENDAM]

a free minute of internet for as many days as you've been on HAL? (7 days = 7 minutes, 25 days = 25 minutes, 100 days = 100 minutes, etc.)
Any other ideas?



Hallo Brian!!!!!

Greetings from Bermuda! :)

I agree completely with the above. With Platinum Mariner status... that would equal over ELEVEN HOURS of free internet time. YES!!!!!!!

Seriously, I suggested to one of the internet managers that passengers who sail and USE internet should have a record of their on-line time logged by special credit card. The more hours used the passenger would earn additional free time or time at a discounted rate.

Also.. with HAl's SHOPS ON BOARD... run by Starboard... why not a Charge Card that could earn points to be later applied as discounts. Sound like normal retail practice to me.

Stephen
Enjoying sunny weather today after yesterday with NORWEGIAN CROWN on the rocks!

[FoxyTerrier]

Maybe there are other things that would be more appropriate for Mariners? Certain perks for 25 days, more for 50 days and 100 days, etc?

I'm all for things like a free bag of laundry? a couple complimentary coffee drinks at the Exploration's Cafe? a free minute of internet for as many days as you've been on HAL? (7 days = 7 minutes, 25 days = 25 minutes, 100 days = 100 minutes, etc.) Free soda cards?

Any other ideas?

Great ideas, but I think a cafeteria plan where there options to pick from would work best. I'm not a soda or coffee drinker, but would love internet minutes or a day in the thermal pool.

There are lots of things they could put on the list of perks and there needs to be items that are not already Suite perks like laundry and tenders passes.

HAL logo'd items, Spa dollars (money towards a treatment), internet minutes as you listed above, free drink coupons (I got 4 drink coupons from Delta Airlines this week as a perk), Tour dollars (money toward tours), free photo voucher - just to name a few I quickly thought of.

[bepsf]

Enjoying sunny weather today after yesterday with NORWEGIAN CROWN on the rocks!

NORWEGIAN CROWN on the Rocks - sounds like something one would order from the Ocean Bar...
:D

You didn't have anything to do with that, now did you?
;)

[Richard Stein]

I have written two letters recently to HAL about their lack of benefits. I recently returned from an Alaska cruise on the Oosterdam in a SS suite and am a red pin holder. I was surprised by how few repeaters stood up with me at the repeaters party. I have elite status on Princess and Celebrity and sent them a listing of the benefits I receive on those lines. The extras I missed on this cruise sailing with them was significant. Their food has improved, but where are the benefits for sailing with them again. If they do not reward me like the other lines do in the future I will sail with Celebrity or Princess. Good product, no rewards for repeaters.

[periwinkle2757]

I totally agree; I think HAL should reward based on your days of travel with them. Since there are so many repeat passengers; it would be difficult to offer some things. I think once you get to the medallion stage; the more perks you should get. I am all for some free internet time as well as priority check-in. The check-in would have to involve the medallion holders; because there are not as many of them. But priority check-in is something I would love. I am a 300 day medallion holder. Also, I have platinum status with Princess; where I do enjoy free internet and priority check-in. As well, I have the luxury of priority check-in with Celebrity. And I don't think this would take away too much from the suite passengers. As someone stated; there are people who have to budget their cruise money. But loyalty does deserve special perks. I discussed this with HAL; and all they would say is well we give upgrades and the blue delft tiles. And I say to them big deal.

[Bill S]

I heartily agree that loyal HAL Mariners deserve more than a Mariner pin (the big blue ones), Mariner Tag and special luggage tags. In the grand scheme of things, those items don't really do much. I have to wonder if HAL currently keeps track of one's cruise "record" aside from the existence of a Mariner number? Does HAL maintain a record of each Mariner's "history" ie. number of HAL cruises, number of days or how much each passenger spends on excursions, store purchases, bar bills, etc.? The local casinos keep track of similar info if one has a casino club card, so the technology is certainly available.

Whatever HAL chooses to do, it or they should be meaningful for the majority of recipients and therein lies one of the problems. Not everyone uses the internet; not everyone drinks or enjoys alcoholic beverages; not everyone enjoys the Spa or gambles. It is hard to please everyone, but I think one free laundry would appeal to a lot of people, given the price that is charged for such service. I mean, everyone needs to do laundry, don't they? :rolleyes:

One of the problems with offering free internet is that, while it appears to sound good, there is a limited amount of bandwith available. So the more users there are on a given ship, the slower the connection will be--at least that is how it has been explained to me. Given the fact that crewmembers are also using the internet along with passengers, giving free internet has the potential to really eat up those precious few minutes much faster than one would anticipate and in the end, diminishing the true value and enjoyment of such a reward.

There are a whole lot of Mariners out there, but how many have more than 100 days or 10 HAL cruises? Thus, I would think a graduated approach to "rewards" should be "do-able".

OK, back to reading mode, now. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

It will be interesting to see what came out of the HM meeting - if anything.

[PRINSENDAM]

NORWEGIAN CROWN on the Rocks - sounds like something one would order from the Ocean Bar...
:D

You didn't have anything to do with that, now did you?
;)


Brian,

I didn't like the colour of them red and green channel markers so i went out and painted then all dark blue with white tops and little HAL logos. Looked great! I suppose NCl will now demand they be changed bnack to red and green. :(

Stephen

[Orcrone]

I'm a member of the Sandals Signature Guest program for repeat customers. Although not a cruise line they're in the same industry. They have the following benefits:

Special past guest dinner and cocktail party
Complimentary upgrades upon check-in
free 7 night vacation after 70 paid nights and
(this is the biggie) a points system.You get one point for each dollar of the room's rack rate, not the actual rate paid. In addition, when I signed up for the SSG program we received 15,000 bonus points. I used the points from my previous trip, plus the bonus points to book my next trip. It saved me $477.50 off my next vacation. Did that influence where my next trip would be taken. You bet it did!!!:)

[kryos]

I respect the significant amount of $$$ that suite guests lay out. I don't begrudge them their perks.

However, there are many folks of more limited means who are very loyal HAL pax. We DO deserve some recognition and some special perks for our consistent choice of HAL above other cruise lines. Loyalty perks can and should be different from suite perks, but there should be something material provided as a way of saying Thank You.
I was thinking the exact same thing. Not all of us can afford to travel in the higher level suites ... but we are still loyal HAL customers. Seems that the big brains at HAL should be able to figure out some special "longevity" bonuses ... meaningful ones ... that all loyal passengers can enjoy ... from those in suites on down to those occupying inside cabins. They would, of course, have to be something entirely different than the suite perks ... so that those in the suites who are already getting certain benefits would enjoy these longevity benefits as well.

Personally, I think something along the lines of a loyality discount of between 5% and 10% ... based on the number of previous days sailed on HAL ... would be a nice benefit. The "Mariner discount" they offer right now is really not always significant. A good travel agent can match that discount when placing her clients on a HAL sailing, even if those clients have never set foot on a HAL ship in the past. I say beef up the "Mariner" discount ... make it something above and beyond the Early Booking Discount ... and don't include it on the prices one is quoted for a cruise. Then, if you are a Mariner, you just give your TA your Mariner number ... she contacts HAL, and you get the discount on top of whatever you were quoted ... the size of which will depend on the number of days you've sailed HAL in the past.

Under this strategy, the suite passengers won't have a gripe. They are actually getting a much higher dollar amount off of their cruise fare since the base cost of their suite is significantly higher. But, the inside cabin passenger would get a nice price reduction too, so they would be happy over the dollars they saved as well.

The other stuff ... priority tendering, etc. ... you're right. Those benefits would never work on HAL. Too many of their passengers, especially on the longer cruises, already have a gadzillion days on HAL. You'd have the whole ship getting priority tendering ... then where would the actual "priority" be?

Put money in the pockets of loyal passengers by reducing their cruise fare regardless of accommodations. This would be a win-win situation all around since it would encourage them to sail HAL more ... thus putting more money in HAL's coffers. Then let the suite passengers be the ones to exclusively enjoy the suite perks, as they do now. After all, they're the ones paying big bucks for them. I can do without ... just as long as I have a place to lay my head ... and am sailing to some choice destination on a beautiful HAL ship. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[RedmondCruiser]

There are some very good ideas that have been forwarded on this thread -- I hope that Margaret reads them all and pushes management for some action. Granted HAL has more repeaters than other lines but with a little inovative thinking they could come up with some viable perks that do not cost them an arm and a leg.
1. 50 free minutes of internet time.
2. a free bag of laundry
3. a $10 matching coupon in the casino
4. an horsd'oeuvre platter
5. a mariner tote bag
6. a complementary upgrade - on occassion - using Mariner status as a prime factor in its determination.
7. a complementary portrait photo.

Some of these could be on a 50 day 100 day 200 day etc. sliding scale. But do SOMETHING -- ANYTHING -- but do SOMETHING. People like to feel that they are appreciated -- its human nature.

We have almost 200 days with HAL and we do not go to the Mariner parties since it takes in the whole ship --- some other form of appreciation needs to be found. With so many small perks being taken away it would be a good time to add something back into the pot. Other lines have recognized this and have taken action -- possibly its time for HAL to something ??

[hgatsawgrs]

I see the point made about days and not trips. That is essentially the issue of how much one spends being rewarded. Take it to the next step(as the airlines do- where you get miles/rewards differing on class of service). That is if someone goes 14 days in the penthouse suite that was certainly was of more value to Hal than a 14 day inside cabin. So, loyalty rewards(WHATEVER THEY ARE) should probably be on dollars spent not trips or days.

[hgatsawgrs]

Oh, and by the way, those suite perks aren't perks, they are pre-paid expenses. I try to get my wife to understand we paid for that "free" laundry , she did not get it for free.

[kryos]

I see the point made about days and not trips. That is essentially the issue of how much one spends being rewarded. Take it to the next step(as the airlines do- where you get miles/rewards differing on class of service). That is if someone goes 14 days in the penthouse suite that was certainly was of more value to Hal than a 14 day inside cabin. So, loyalty rewards(WHATEVER THEY ARE) should probably be on dollars spent not trips or days.
No, it should be on days sailed ... not dollars spent and not number of cruises. People who spend the big bucks for a suite get suite perks. They also get a lot of "unwritten" things ... priority for dining table assignment, special handling of special requests such as tickets for "sold out" shore excursions by the Neptune Lounge concierge. Suite passengers are treated royally onboard ... they get far more attention paid to their needs that the "average bear." And, I'm not criticizing that. It's as it should be. They pay far more for their accommodations than does that family of four all wedged into an inside stateroom.

But, that family of four in the inside stateroom is the bread and butter of HAL. If it weren't for the thousands of "common folk" who buy those lower priced accommodations, HAL ships would be sailing empty. So, those passengers deserve the same recognition as the suite passengers in terms of longevity benefits.

Keep suite perks as suite perks ... to be enjoyed ONLY by suite passengers. But longevity recognition programs should be enjoyed equally by all ... based on number of days sailed with the line ... and regardless of accommodations selected. If HAL did a percentage discount as their longevity bonus ... based on Mariner level (number of past days sailed) then suite passengers would make out better anyway, since they would get a larger cash discount than would the person in an inside cabin. But, each would be recognized for their loyalty to the line equally. That's the important thing.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[thomasale]

Personally, I think something along the lines of a loyality discount of between 5% and 10% ... based on the number of previous days sailed on HAL ... would be a nice benefit. The "Mariner discount" they offer right now is really not always significant. A good travel agent can match that discount when placing her clients on a HAL sailing, even if those clients have never set foot on a HAL ship in the past. I say beef up the "Mariner" discount ... make it something above and beyond the Early Booking Discount ... and don't include it on the prices one is quoted for a cruise. Then, if you are a Mariner, you just give your TA your Mariner number ... she contacts HAL, and you get the discount on top of whatever you were quoted ... the size of which will depend on the number of days you've sailed HAL in the past.
--rita

This seems to me to be the most fair. Repeat cruisers are rewarded. It is a percentage of a future trip. Everyone would use teir benefit to the benefit of HAL. The discount would have to be based on the net amount paid for the cruise resulting in a net net.

[the2ofus]

Since I will celebrate 100 days on my next cruise, I like the idea of a discount on the cruises, based on the number of days sailed. I also would use a credit applied toward a massage or toward shore excursions.

Being a solo cruiser, I will never be able to afford a suite, and each of my cruises will be a major financial outlay for me. I'd like some kind of recognition for my loyalty.

[Tricia724]

I vote with the people who would like to see some perks in $$$. I may be pleased with a free drink coupon or casino credit, but another person who doesn't drink or gamble would get no benefit from it. Little goodies that are distributed mean more to some than to others. The one thing we all share in common is that we are spending money on HAL cruises.

My idea would be to assign points based on number of cruise days. When you achieve a certain number of points, you can "cash" them in for a shipboard credit or let them accrue for a larger credit at a later time to be used at your convenience and discretion. With the way the Mariner program works now tracking cruise days, it shouldn't (optimistic thought) be too difficult to translate that into reward points.

The Mariner "discount" on cruises is practically a joke. As Rita said, it's easy to find a travel agent to beat that up one side and down the other. And many times, it isn't even there. I have checked prices on the HAL website many times only to find that the price is the same whether I enter my Mariner number or not.

But shipboard credit can be used for many things....tips, shore excursions, specialty restaurants, onboard shops, etc. It seems more fair to me and actually would give people a choice in choosing their own perks.

[~Nereus~]

It's been a while since I regularly cruised HAL but I have the same beef with Celebrity perks. There used to be priority (dis)embarkation, a few internet minutes, special party, match casino play... but most of these have just been replaced. On a recent cruise over 600 people showed up for priority disembarkation at a port...

After 6 (?) Princess cruise I get FREE internet.. That's worth a lot on longer cruises. After 15 cruises, free laundry and dry cleaning.

On RCL's larger ships a (diamond level) get daily free cocktails in a special lounge from 5 to 8pm, access to a concierege in the same lounge, priority boarding with a sit down lounge, cookies, and lemonade, a free photograph of your choice during the voyage, a free drink in a souvenir glass, 20 free internet minutes... and a few I can't remember.

HAL used to count miles to distinguish frequent cruisers, now it's days cruised. Blue, Red, Bronze, pins + +

In any plan, make levels mean something. If there are cabin upgrades available at time of sailing, offer them to people who have earned them... Reward the faithful.

[SDHALFAN]

I could not care less about free Internet or free spa treatments, however the thought of priority boarding and at least some free laundry services sounds great to me. Onboard credits sound good also.

I already have my bronze medallion and am getting very close to the silver one and think that a little recognition for my loyalty to HAL is deserved. After all there are a lot of cruise lines out there from which to choose. I choose to cruise with HAL though and would appreciate some recognition of that loyalty other than just the blue Delft tiles, which are very nice but hey, come on, I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars sailing with HAL. I have had a great time spending all that money but supposing I had chosen Princess, or Celebrity instead? It appears that I would be entitled to a lot more perks than HAL doles out.

Valerie:)

[bepsf]

I already have my bronze medallion and am getting very close to the silver one and think that a little recognition for my loyalty to HAL is deserved. After all there are a lot of cruise lines out there from which to choose. I choose to cruise with HAL though and would appreciate some recognition of that loyalty other than just the blue Delft tiles, which are very nice but hey, come on, I've spent thousands and thousands of dollars sailing with HAL. I have had a great time spending all that money but supposing I had chosen Princess, or Celebrity instead? It appears that I would be entitled to a lot more perks than HAL doles out.

Valerie:)

Val--

You mean that being given enough tile to redo your powder room in "Early Holland America" isn't enough?!?
:confused: ;)

[the2ofus]

Tricia724, I like the way you think. I second your motion. HAL are you listening?

[periwinkle2757]

Val--

You mean that being given enough tile to redo your powder room in "Early Holland America" isn't enough?!?
:confused: ;) Oh how funny you are. When I wrote HAL about the Mariner program; they wrote me back and in their statement they mentioned the tiles. They actually said and dont forget the blue delft tiles that you can sell on ebay. Yep; like you could get big bucks for them. So funny. :D ;)

[SDHALFAN]

Val--

You mean that being given enough tile to redo your powder room in "Early Holland America" isn't enough?!?
:confused: ;)

Brian,

You are too funny:D ! But, see the problem is that since my husband died a couple of years ago I now sail as a "singleton" and those cheapskates only give me one tile so I still have one wall to go in the powder room and I figure that it will take me another hundred thousand dollars at least to get that gorgeous room finished. (:eek: )

Valerie ;)

[kakalina]

I agree with Rita and other likeminded cruisers, show me the money!!

[Richard Stein]

On my recent Oosterdam cruise to Alaska in a SS suite with red pin status I had lunch with a first timer from Arkansas who booked last minute and paid $250 per person less than I paid and I saw their invoice. I have elite status with Princess and the benefits are wonderful. One thing I wish HAL would adopt is a standby program for us loyal Mariners like Princess has. If you are retired like me with time and money and can go on a moments notice. Instead of giving first timers a price break let us sign up for this program. Princess gives you 30-60 days notice and good prices to boot. You have 24 hours to book or pass it up. This enables them to give their repeaters a chance at the unsold inventory before putting on the market for all. Then you get repeater benefits on board. I did my own airfare fot the last cruise any way at 30 days out. What say all of you.

[sunflowerstarr]

i havent cruised before, will be cruising hal in nov and from what i hear i am sure hal will be the one i want to return to. if i were to be able to cruise often id agree wtih the onboard credit. assign an amount like 1-10 days gets x amount of credit on your next sailing. not sure if it would be feasible but instead of just cashing them in just have them be a perk that is offered automatically and doesnt diminish. like if you had say 30 days then went on a 11 day then the next cruise would put you in the 41 day area and youd get perks for that one based on the accumulated days rather than just banking them. another idea is make it a choice, give the person buying a list that could include a few choices. that way drinkers can get their drinks, gamblers can go to the casino, internet junkies can get their minutes and so on.

[Barocl]

It seems all of the CC HAL cruisers think a better Loyalty Program should be put in place by HAL. We can only hope they are listening and see our point of view. Unfortunately they know I'll keep sailing HAL, as I have for the last 26 years, no matter what they do. Take care.

[jhannah]

Unfortunately they know I'll keep sailing HAL, as I have for the last 26 years, no matter what they do. Exactly. Why should they spend more money to provide perks they know they don't need to provide to get us back? Loyal Mariners are going to return (us included) because of the product, so from a marketing standpoint the dollars need to be spent to attract more people who will become Mariners.

[doctork]

I am taking my very first cruise next month (HAL - Alaska Inside Passage), so can't comment on repeat cruising perks yet. But I am a "frequent flyer" with several airlines, and they seem to have resolved many of the issues addressed here. One can achieve staus through total miles travelled OR by number of legs/flights travelled; miles can be redeemed for upgrades, free flights in coach/business/first class; or one can redeem miles for hotel nights or use them to purchase a variey of catalogue items. Higher status flyers are awarded 150% or 200% of actual miles flown, adding another dimension to the loyalty program. And it would seem even loyal HAL cruisers could choose a different line at any point, so their continued patronage should not be presumed. I hope HAL is taking note of these comments - you have raised a lot of good suggestions, which seem to be "common sense" to this frequent airline flyer.

[Richard Stein]

We appreciate your loyalty as a member of the Holland America Line Mariner Society. It is through the support of our valued guest, such as yourselves, we are able to continue to be a success in the cruise industry. Your continued support is invaluable. We regret that you find our Mariners do not receive the same benefits and promotions as other cruise lines. Holland America works diligently to provide and enjoyable experience in every aspect of your vacation and we apologize that this element is dissatisfactory for you.

The above 6/7/06 PR comments come work for word from a letter from a special advisor to the office of the president of HAL to address my letter on their lack of benefits that I get on Celebrity and Princess.
In other words they will not offer the same benefits of other lines until forced by us. I for one am sending a third letter with the Carnival benefits and some of your comments. This letter resulted in me putting a deposit down for a Celebrity Australia-NZ cruise in 2/08 and a Princess South America cruise in 2/07. I might have stayed with HAL on these except their elitist attitude.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We appreciate your loyalty as a member of the Holland America Line Mariner Society. It is through the support of our valued guest, such as yourselves, we are able to continue to be a success in the cruise industry. Your continued support is invaluable. We regret that you find our Mariners do not receive the same benefits and promotions as other cruise lines. Holland America works diligently to provide and enjoyable experience in every aspect of your vacation and we apologize that this element is dissatisfactory for you.

The above 6/7/06 PR comments come work for word from a letter from a special advisor to the office of the president of HAL to address my letter on their lack of benefits that I get on Celebrity and Princess.
In other words they will not offer the same benefits of other lines until forced by us. I for one am sending a third letter with the Carnival benefits and some of your comments. This letter resulted in me putting a deposit down for a Celebrity Australia-NZ cruise in 2/08 and a Princess South America cruise in 2/07. I might have stayed with HAL on these except their elitist attitude.

Richard maybe it's me but I do not hear in what they wrote an elitist attitude. They are currently working on new things to add for Mariners and that is one of the many things the Hotel Manager worked on while they stayed in Las Vegas this past week. Actually it is one of the major things they worked on. They hope to impliment some of the new Mariners Perks by the end of the year. I for one have no desire to try another cruise line because HAL already offers me what I am looking for in a cruise. I am more than happy to be patient and wait and see what HAL has to offer so far I am extremely pleased. From what I heard about cabin amenities on those other cruise lines you can have them.

For those running to Celebrity hope you all Sleep Well in their comfy beds:D

[RedmondCruiser]

LAFFNVEGAS --- Tell me more about the Hotel Managers meeting in Las Vegas. Sounds interesting. ---- I agree that the letter from HAL did not sound elitist but it was a brush off letter. I'm actually surprised that they responded. Ive asked, on our survey, on the last three cruises for a letter from the home office explaining the upgrade policy for HAL. As of this date we have heard nothing. Do they really read the surveys ?????

[~Nereus~]

For those running to Celebrity hope you all Sleep Well in their comfy beds:D

Try it, you'll like it. How do you know that grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence if you've never climbed the fence?

It's like saying you'll never drive a Chev because Ford makes the best. It might be true but once in a while you can test drive the alternatives.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Try it, you'll like it. How do you know that grass isn't greener on the other side of the fence if you've never climbed the fence?

It's like saying you'll never drive a Chev because Ford makes the best. It might be true but once in a while you can test drive the alternatives.

1. I have been on 2 too many RCL cruises, where the only way to get a good nights sleep was to go to bed after a few drinks. Plus I have read far TOO MANY posts by even the Celebrity Fan CLub that they all agree the beds need to be improved.

2. I work for a Toyota Dealership and would never stoop so low to drive a Chevrolet or a Ford unless to test drive it to again prove how much BETTER a Toyota is:D

[MBeamTX]

Ack, double post.

[MBeamTX]

Until last year, all of our cruises had been on Holland America (all 6 of them). Then I booked a 14-day repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal for my parent's 50th anniversary on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas. I was a bit nervous about it, frankly, but we ended up loving the ship and the entire cruise. We now alternate between HAL and RCI - not entirely because of RCI's loyalty program, but it certainly helps.

On RCI, you get 1 cruise credit per voyage if it's less than 12 days, and 2 credits for cruises of 12 days or longer. You get an extra credit if you sail in a suite. So we got 3 credits for our Panama Canal trip, and 2 credits for a 10-day Caribbean cruise in a suite. Everyone is a gold Crown and Anchor member after their first cruise. Gold members get a coupon book onboard that has small things like a buy one/get one drink coupon, casino matchplay, buy a photo and get a ship's photo free, etc. You also get a logo gift, comparable to HAL's tote bags. Better benefits begin with Platinum level, which is 5 cruise credits. The best, to me, is the platinum cruise credit. If you book a balcony or suite stateroom, you get a discount. For our upcoming 12-night transatlantic, the discount is $200 per stateroom. The platinum onboard coupon book also has better discounts than the gold. All Crown and Anchor members also get access to coupons for various discounts on new bookings on specific sailings. These are now being put online and you get an email notice when they're released. These are typically not short-notice sailings.

In my experience, HAL's suite perks are better in many respects - the concierge lounge is nicer and the complimentary laundry/dry cleaning is great. RCI's concierge lounge has complimentary pre-dinner adult beverages, however, which is a very nice perk. It is available to platinum and higher loyalty program members, too, regardless of the cabin category they are in. So between that and the cruise discounts, I'd have to say that RCI's loyalty program beats HAL's, hands down. I hope that HAL will step up their program.

My advice to long-time HAL fans is, do some research and consider trying another line at least once. You might be surprised at what you find, and you're certainly not losing anything, perk-wise, by straying from HAL for a bit. We've found that the longer itineraries on RCI are every bit as quiet and relaxing as on HAL. And HAL couldn't touch the price OR the itinerary we've found on Jewel next year.

Happy sailing,
Susan

[~Nereus~]

1. Plus I have read far TOO MANY posts by even the Celebrity Fan CLub that they all agree the beds need to be improved.

2. I work for a Toyota Dealership and would never stoop so low to drive a Chevrolet or a Ford unless to test drive it to again prove how much BETTER a Toyota is:D

!. The beds are being replaced fleetwide. Too many people complained (me included) for them to let HAL brag about the superior ZZZ-producers.

2. As a former Supra owner a miss the turbo zip of my 86 but could not afford the brand's latest offering.