Suite buffet/lucheons

[Krazy Kruizers]

Suite lunches/buffets!!
I know many of you do not book suites, but I am extremely upset to have received a new brochure from our TA that on 7 day cruises the suite buffets will be discontinued!!

At one time we used to have the suite sit-down Indonesian Luncheon and that was replaced with the buffet. Now even that is going to be replaced.

Recently someone, somewhere mentioned that there was a meeting and HAL wanted to know what they could do to provide more perks for suite passengers.

Looks as though HAL has chosen to take away even more pleasures that we suite passengers are used to looking forward to.

So in other words - those meetings were worthless as far as suite passengers are concerned!!

Now some of you know why we have said that we are looking at other lines.

[twinkletoes4445]

Hmmmm...that's interesting. Well, we are still glad we have our suite booked, but considering the cost, I hope they don't take away too many perks. The perks offered were the main reason we booked with HAL. Well, and the wonderful things everyone has had to say...but really, it was the suite perks that sold us.

[MercedMike]

That's too bad. We just came back from the Zuiderdam and had a lovely suite luncheon, with the Hotel Manager and the concierges taking very good care of us. It was a nice little perk.

OTOH, I would gladly trade it for free wireless access in the Neptune Lounge!

;o)

Mike

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I for one can say that this is extremely upsetting:( This is the one thing DH looks forward to on our cruises and is one of the many reasons we book a S Suite. To be honest I could go back to booking a regular Verandah or maybe a SS Suite on the Vista Class and save a heck of a lot of money. Especially if they start cutting back items they offer in the Neptune which is how it seemed on our recent Ryndam cruise.

Well, our next cruise is a 4 day one that we already knew we would not have the Suite luncheon and the next cruise is a 10 day so we should have it then.

[PRINSENDAM]

Suite lunches/buffets!!
I know many of you do not book suites, but I am extremely upset to have received a new brochure from our TA that on 7 day cruises the suite buffets will be discontinued!!

.



NO CAVIAR FIX ON A 7 DAY CRUISE!!!!!! :mad: DAMN!

Thankfully STATENDAM Vancouver to Auckland is 28 days!

Stephen

[PRINSENDAM]

In a way I can understand HAL eliminating this perk on 7 day cruises. More often than not the event is on the last day when everyone is busy doing other things.... like enjoying the last day at sea. On many occassions the buffet is very poorly attended.

On the last sea day of the cruise, especially prior to entering a US disembarkation port, the Captain and his officers are usually very busy and it is not convenient for them to take a break. The buffet will be missed but I can understand the reasoning behind the decision.

Perhaps one night each cruise they could hold a caviar and champagne (or vodka) party in the Neptune Lounge before dinner.:)

Stephen

[garydm]

I'd be real happy if just the coffee maker worked in the Neptune Lounge!

Gary

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Perhaps one night each cruise they could hold a caviar and champagne (or vodka) party in the Neptune Lounge before dinner.:)

Stephen

Stephen, that is actually not a bad idea, but I will say when we were on the Ryndam in May they did not even have the Caviar for the Suite Luncheon. Actually the normal spread for the Suite Luncheon is reduced by several items.

[elmorejj]

I am with KK and Laffnvegas on this. The S prices are going way up and the amenities are going way down. I`ve been checking prices for 07 and the S prices are double what they are this year. What other perks are they going to take away? We take about 4 vacations a year at all inclusive resorts in the Carib. or Mexico, we get so much more for our money. I guess this is the way we will be going in the future.........jean:cool:

[dakrewser]

Sometimes we book suites, sometimes we don't. When we do, it's on cruises with a larger number of "at sea" days because we like the added room the suite gives us. I'm also partial to the Neptune Lounge coffee machine.

But the buffet isn't all that big a deal - sometimes we go, sometimes no. The major advantage, we feel, is that it's held at lunch on a sea dea so we avoid the big crowd in the Lido...

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wasn't there a big meeting Las Vegas just this past June??

Wasn't one of the topics about adding suite perks???

I could be wrong about the above.

But if HAL can afford to send employees to expensive Las Vegas for meetings, then HAL should not be thinking about taking away suite perks.

[gizmo]

:mad: In a way I can understand HAL eliminating this perk on 7 day cruises. More often than not the event is on the last day when everyone is busy doing other things.... like enjoying the last day at sea. On many occassions the buffet is very poorly attended.

Then why hold it the last day ?

I am with the others. This is NOT good news.

[imacrusing]

We have always booked S SUite BUT NEVEr gone to the SUite luncheon..just not interested..but for those that are..I am sorry

We book the suites for the verandah...size of room.....and just generally spend lpts of time on verandah reading, napping and enjoying the cruising..we also book ruises with the most sea days..no private island visit if possible.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Wasn't there a big meeting Las Vegas just this past June??

Wasn't one of the topics about adding suite perks???

I could be wrong about the above.

But if HAL can afford to send employees to expensive Las Vegas for meetings, then HAL should not be thinking about taking away suite perks.

Yes, they were here the first part of June and yes they were looking at Suite ammenities but.....I am not sure coming to Las Vegas was a good thing. It could have back fired for us as customers. Las Vegas is very expensive and even for the Suites you really do not get anything compared to the ships yet, people keep coming. Plus my personal opinion is that Las Vegas customer service is at an all time low and unless you are spending thousands on the casino floor they could care less about you. I think they should have gone to the Grand Wailea in Maui and stayed in their suites;)

[KAKcruiser]

My guess is that HAL can keep selling the suites even without the perks. I used to enjoy the suite dinners in the past but they discontinued them.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thankfully any cruises we book will be longer than 7 days.

[p.nutgirl]

I have to admit, I have not sailed yet, my first time will be in October, but I started reading the boards and decided that HAL was the place for my family.. I booked the suite for all of the amenities, I hate to see even one go away..

Gary, please tell me that I misunderstood you... THere are not problems with the coffee makers? Is there?? I have to have my coffee:D

[LolaWiz]

i am sorry if i did not read this already on this post, but does anyone know when the suite lunch will be stopped?
we really enjoyed it this past Jan. That was one of the main reasons we booked another "S" because of this perk (along with complimentary laundry) :(

[PRINSENDAM]

:mad:

Then why hold it the last day ?

I am with the others. This is NOT good news.


Gizmo,

The unfortunate fact is that on most 7 day cruises there are only two sea days. Obviously the first day is not a good day for the buffet and that leaves only the last day.

It also becomes a real hassle when you have a Mariner's party at 11 o'clock and then a suite buffet at noon.

But I agree with you completely, this is NOT good news, no matter how you look at it.



Stephen

[debjo]

Like "Lolawiz", I too, would like to know when the "discontinued" luncheon buffet for suite passengers is to take effect. Like "p.nutgirl", I've booked my first HAL cruise in a suite because I wanted all the "perks"...many that other cruise lines do not offer. I, too, am looking forward to my October cruise and would like to know what I can start to "not" look forward to.

And, "p.nutgirl"...what cruise are you taking in October...we're on the Westerdam 10/15 to the Eastern Caribbean and wonder if you are traveling with us?

Debjo

[Krazy Kruizers]

I dot have an exact date as to when this will go into effect.

Yesterday, we received a brochure from our TA (Canada/New England) for 2007.

On Page 16 at the bottom of the second column is this note "a special suite-guest lunch event on cruises over 7 days in length".

I do not have any NEW brochures of the Caribbean or Alaska or any place else so I do not know when this take place on the 7 day cruises.

[krewzin]

Well, that is indeed disappointing. We thoroughly enjoyed the 'suite buffet' in the Crow's Nest during our recent Zuidy cruise (although they need to use bigger plates...but that's now a moot point!), it was a lot of fun.

I wonder who is responsible for this decision and, more importantly...why?

[mick70]

Well maybe it is time We try Silversea.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Has anyone else picked up new brochures and seen this bit of information??

[debjo]

JUST GOT THE NEW CARIBBEAN & MEXICO BROCHURE...October 2006-December 2007...

In comparing the new brochure with my "old one" (April 2005-April 2007), I did find a few differences in the "suites", although neither brochure had mention of the suite buffet luncheon. I zeroed in on the "suite" perks because we are avidly awaiting our first "suite experience" (SC-Deluxe Verandah Suite on the aft corner) on the WESTERDAM in October '06...a booking that I've had since August '05.

Here's what I saw as "different" as far as the "suite perks" go:
1. The old brochure mentioned "24 hour one-touch telephone concierge service in suites". This is not mentioned in the new brochure.
2. It also looks like the "personalized cruise stationery" has been discontinued. This may sound odd, but I was looking forward to having our "personalized cruise stationery" to record special cruise memories on and put in our scrapbook! My DH is an avid collector of ocean liner memorabilia and has several pieces of vintage ship stationery...it would have been nice to have some with our names on it!
3. It looks like the fresh flowers in the "suites" has also been discontinued, as I didn't find any mention of it in the new brochure.

I should note that a "VIP Party with the Captain" is mentioned in BOTH the old and new brochures...could it be that this is the "Suite Buffet Luncheon" that is talked about on this thread?

Debjo

[gizmo]

I should note that a "VIP Party with the Captain" is mentioned in BOTH the old and new brochures...could it be that this is the "Suite Buffet Luncheon" that is talked about on this thread?

Debjo

No, that is entirely different. It is not just for suite pax. Other "selected" pax are invited. There is no guarantee that there will be a VIP party. There usually is, but I have been on cruises where they did not have one.

I hope you didn't open up Pandora's Box. Last time this was "discussed" it got ugly. :rolleyes:

[judithbiggs]

I have been in suites and not been in suites. They are great, but not that great for the amount of money that is charged. We would never book a suite for suite luncheons or parties in the Neptune lounge. We have always booked them for the added space on longer cruises. Having said that, the prices are so high compared to the verandah cabins, I would rather take alot more longer cruises in a smaller cabin than go in a suite less often.
On the whole, I think the suites set up a class system per say with the special parties and flowers to wear on the first formal night. It always made me feel uncomfortable wearing them. I am a prettty simple person that doesn't get impressed with special parties and stuff like that.

[gizmo]

I just KNEW this would happen. :rolleyes:

I don't see it as a Class system. These are perks that go along with a nice big price tag for suites.

I don't get "impressed" with special parties, I "enjoy them" and have met some very nice pax.

[Krazy Kruizers]

debjo

We are like you - love the personalized stationary - also keeps notes on them and place them in our scrap book.

Will be disappointed to see that gone as well.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I do not think you are loosing the Stationary, here is what is currently on the HAL web Site.



http://www.hollandamerica.com/images/onboard/img_cap_accom_suite.gif In addition to spacious comfort, guests who choose suite accommodations enjoy these additional amenities.

VERANDAH SUITES AND SUPERIOR VERANDAH SUITES
Personalized cruise stationary
Elegant bathrobe for use on your cruise
Fresh flowers and fruit is included in all staterooms
Oversized bath towels
Feather pillows on request
Luxurious beds featuring Sealy® Premium Euro-Top mattresses and finely woven cotton linens
A no-host mini-bar for easy entertaining in your suite
DVD or VCR player and the use of an extensive DVD or VHS tape libraryThen I think the Cocktail with the Ship Officers does not refer to the VIP Party, that would be the Welcome aboard Cocktail Party that is often held the first night in the Neptune or the First Sea Day in the Piano Bar. The VIP Party is something different all together. Here is the other list of amenities from their web site.

PENTHOUSE VERANDAH SUITES AND DELUXE VERANDAH SUITES
Include all the Verandah Suite amenities, plus:
Use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge (http://www.hollandamerica.com/onboard/neptunelounge) and personal concierge service
Complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning throughout your cruise
Premium duvet, oversize bath towels and soft, cotton bathrobes and slippers
Gorgeous corsages and boutonnieres for the first formal night
Hors d'oeuvres served before dinner each evening on request
Cocktail party with ship officers
Priority boarding for tender ports of call
Special disembarkation service
Priority dining and seating requests
Exclusive daily breakfast service for suite guests only
High tea service in suite on request
A special Suite guest lunch event on cruises over 7 days in length

[judithbiggs]

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. It just seems to me if HAL is taking all your important "perks" and you think the price for the large space is too much, you should look at another cabin. There are plenty of people who will pay the price for the space and not care about stationary and cocktail parties.

I take cruises for the different ports and places to see around the world that are new and different Take some longer cruises and you may not care about those superficial things that they are taking aszway on 7 day cruises

[kryos]

My guess is that HAL can keep selling the suites even without the perks.
I think someone on this board told me in the past that the main advantage for the S and PH suites is all the extra room, and that people would probably just continue booking them for that. Seems like an awful lot of money to pay just for some extra room, though. If I were spending those bucks, I'd sure expect some ammenities that the average bear doesn't get, and use of the Neptune Lounge would just be a start.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

No, that is entirely different. It is not just for suite pax. Other "selected" pax are invited. There is no guarantee that there will be a VIP party. There usually is, but I have been on cruises where they did not have one.

From my understanding, the "VIP" Party on the Amsterdam Hawaii/South Pacific cruise this past January had not only all suite passengers invited, but also others with over 100 days on HAL. Our CC group figured this out when some people got invites and others didn't. The group at our dining table also compared notes when only one of us was invited. Turned out that while she was staying in an inside cabin, just like the rest of us were, she had over a hundred days on HAL. She got the invite and the rest of us didn't.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[LolaWiz]

I think someone on this board told me in the past that the main advantage for the S and PH suites is all the extra room, and that people would probably just continue booking them for that. Seems like an awful lot of money to pay just for some extra room, though. If I were spending those bucks, I'd sure expect some ammenities that the average bear doesn't get, and use of the Neptune Lounge would just be a start.

Blue skies ...

--rita
I could not agree more. I know the cost of everything is going up... WAY up, but just looking at prices for S suites in 2007 compared to the price this year, it's insane, especially if they are taking away a lot of the extras that were/are included now.
I would hate to go to a different cruise line, but if things keep going the way they are... we might. :(

[kryos]

I don't see it as a Class system. These are perks that go along with a nice big price tag for suites.

That's exactly how I view it. I don't get offended in the slightest that I don't get those kinds of perks. I'm paying much less for my accommodations, and still going the same place on that boat that those folks in the expensive suites are going. Of course, for the extra money they are paying they are going to get some bennies that I don't. All the power to them. The money they spend keeps the cruise affordable for me, so I am only too happy to see them enjoying the Neptune Lounge and the other perks they are entitled to.

That's not a class system at all. It's simply a matter of getting what you pay for. I didn't pay for those bennies with my inside cabin, so I don't get them. Plain and simple.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have been on quite a few HAL's cruises lately and NOT all suite passengers were invited.

In fact, at a couple of them, only about 20 of us from the ship were invited.

There doesn't seem to be a set rule for all the ships as to who is invited and who isn't.

[Atomica]

I can understand everyone being upset over the suite luncheon. S-Suites cost a bundle, and I think for that price there should be additional perks. Now, maybe they could put something in place of the suite luncheon that is in that same vein of being a private function, but I don't know what that could be.

There was a huge discussion a little while ago on the Celebrity board about how their suite perks were slashed quite severely by the sounds of it. I remember thinking how much better HAL's seem in comparison.

Actually, speaking of new wording in the 2007 Brochures, I noticed something very interesting in how HAL is describing their ships in the Alaska 2007 Brochure: The Vistas are still Vistas, but the Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam are described as "Flagship Class", and the Statendam/Ryndam are coined "Explorer Class".

What does that mean? I'm not sure. But I actually wouldn't be surprised if they started offering certain amenities only on the so-called "Explorer Class" ships that are likely to sail longer voyages...

[KAKcruiser]

In rereading this thread, I am wondering if maybe we are misinterpreting the 7 day thing. Maybe it includes the 7 day voyages. Has anyone checked with HAL? They do have a number of shorter cruises and maybe they wanted to exclude those.

In regard to the new terminology for the ships, the Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam are newer, slightly bigger and have more staircases and elevators than the Maasdam, Veendam, Ryndam and Statendam. Although they are very similar maybe they wanted to distinguish them.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

In rereading this thread, I am wondering if maybe we are misinterpreting the 7 day thing. Maybe it includes the 7 day voyages. Has anyone checked with HAL? They do have a number of shorter cruises and maybe they wanted to exclude those.



I think the key word here is over
A special Suite guest lunch event on cruises over 7 days in length

Some how I guess they are taking it away:(

[RuthC]

HAL is describing their ships in the Alaska 2007 Brochure: The Vistas are still Vistas, but the Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam are described as "Flagship Class", and the Statendam/Ryndam are coined "Explorer Class".

What does that mean?
Sounds to me as if HAL is merely giving names to what we've always referred to as the S- and R-classes. That would make it consistent with naming the Vista and Signature classes.

[Atomica]

Sounds to me as if HAL is merely giving names to what we've always referred to as the S- and R-classes. That would make it consistent with naming the Vista and Signature classes.

Good point Ruth - I guess 'S-Class' doesn't quite have the same ring as 'Explorer Class', does it? :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have no idea when this will be taking place. But I can tell you that on our back-to-back cruises on the Statendam in June Alaska 7 days we did have the traditional Indonesian sit-down lunch each week instead of the buffet in the Crow's Nest.

[PRINSENDAM]

Have no idea when this will be taking place. But I can tell you that on our back-to-back cruises on the Statendam in June Alaska 7 days we did have the traditional Indonesian sit-down lunch each week instead of the buffet in the Crow's Nest.


I just checked in with Captain Bos on the STATENDAM and he tells me that indeed the buffet has been cancelled in favour of the Indonesian luncheon in the dining room.

About six weeks ago I had an Indonesian luncheon... well, a plate of Nasi Goring... on board the Zenith. Only one way to describe the experience......AWFUL. I was just visiting the ship. I have to say that I was completely underawed.

Stephen

[kryos]

Have been on quite a few HAL's cruises lately and NOT all suite passengers were invited.

In fact, at a couple of them, only about 20 of us from the ship were invited.

There doesn't seem to be a set rule for all the ships as to who is invited and who isn't.
If you're referring to the VIP party ... you don't quote from the post you are responding to ... maybe that 100-day rule or suite passengers was just the way they did it on that sailing. I know they had so many people that they had to break the party into two separate ones ... and still the crowd was overflowing. But from what I understand, it was a good time, with lots of free-flowing liquor ... so those on the invite list were sure happy about it. In my case, with the size of that crowd, I was just as happy sitting in the Ocean Bar enjoying my pina colada and a smoke. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Grumpy1]

With reference to the VIP Cocktail Party, here's what I wrote on my thread for our Baltic Cruise on the Rotterdam:

Slinkie and Grumpy did get a surprise, though. An invitation to Cocktails or after dinner drinks with the Captain and Hotel Manager on Friday night showed up in their mailbox. No clue as to the reason for the invitation, but, what the heck, another free dink or two... So after dinner, Slinkie and Grumpy presented themselves in the explorer lounge and met and mingled with the ship's officers and the other invitees. Although there was no official title for the party on the invitation, it was referred to as the "VIP" party by a few people. Grumpy remembered that there had been some discussion about the VIP cocktail parties in the past and what criteria is used to come up with a list of invitees. Grumpy decided that one person that might know would be the Guest Relations Manager, so Grumpy posed the question to him. His response was that the Penthouse guests are always invited, guests that are recommended by officers or staff and by certain travel agents, and then by number of days on HAL until they get the number of guests they want. Now Grumpy is not in the Penthouse, and the TA he used sure didn't recommend him, and it seemed that there were enough passengers that exceed Grumpy's 125 days to bump him from that list, so Grumpy still isn't sure how he got the invite.... It was a nice party though. Grumpy noticed that the Remy Marten Louis XIII was not on the bar setup, though... somebody must have warned the HotMan about Grumpy....

I noticed that he did not say anything about suites. Only the PH was mentioned.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I noticed that he did not say anything about suites. Only the PH was mentioned.


Grumpy I agree, I do not think the VIP party is an automatic for S Suite passengers. We have pretty much booked only S Suites over the past two years and in March 2005 we were in an S Suite on the Westerdam right across the hall from the Neptune and we were not invited. I had over heard when it was but we were NOT on the list. BTW the first VIP party we were inivted to we sat next to a couple that were friends of friends of an officer and they were in an Inside cabin.

[debjo]

For Gizmo...
Being "new" to HAL on my upcoming cruise in which I am also "new" to the "suite life"...I certainly did not intend to open "Pandora's Box"...hopefully the lock will remain secure!

With regard to everything else, I think that "being new" leaves me to be "awed" by the Holland America experience whether there is a suite luncheon, personalized stationery, or not. Being the avid researcher that I am, I will be on the look-out for certain "suite" perks and amenities on my HAL "suite" cruise, that I haven't enjoyed in the past with my mid-grade cabins. My ONLY comparisons are what I've read in the brochures "old" and "new". I find it interesting that the brochures and the information that was previously posted here from the HAL website aren't necessarily carbon copies of each other. I, with excited curiosity, am anxious to see what the reality of everything will be on my cruise...nearly all of which will be a "new" experience to me and one that I've planned and waited for for quite awhile now...59 more days to go!

A previous poster mentioned that the rates had dramatically increased between the "old" and "new" brochures. I hadn't thought to check "my" cruise for 2006 against the same cruise for 2007...so I looked. I happily will report that the 2006 pricing was $1934-$2914 for my SC cabin. The brochure pricing for the same trip in 2007 has a price range of $1934-$2604...so in essence, it has decreased rather than increased! If I wasn't planning a trip to Alaska for 2007, I might be inclined to book the Eastern Caribbean again, especially if I "enjoy" the HAL experience as much as I think I'm going to...after all, I might just end up sailing for less in 2007 over what I've paid for 2006!

Debjo (always dreaming and planning!)

[gizmo]

Debjo,

I hope you didn't think that I thought you intentionally opened the box. Sorry if you took it that way.

[gizmo]

Grumpy I agree, I do not think the VIP party is an automatic for S Suite passengers.

I also agree. It is not automatic. I have known suite pax not to be invited.

Holding a formal lunch or the buffet is not automatic either, even on 10 day cruises. I found that they do whatever they feel like doing. On 2 different cruises there was nothing, no lunch, no dinner, nada. The cruises were a 10 day and a 12 day . On one cruise I asked about it. There was no real answer.

[iceman93]

One problem with "perks" is that HAL is stuck forever adding them but can never take anything away. A new perk is immediately seen as an entitlement, and removal of an old perk (no matter how trivial) is seen as a diminshment in service.

When I first cruised HAL in a suite, there was no Neptune Lounge. We didn't miss it. Now, the addition of the Neptune Lunge is a HUGE perk for suite passengers, and there is a tangible cost associated with opening and operating it. I don't think there was a related dropping of other services, so this was a big boost in suite benefits, plain and simple.

I did enjoy the Indonesian luncheon, but won't leave HAL because it's gone. I know that other people see it differently, but I book suites for the space and not for the perks. Things like the suite check-in line, priority disembarkation, and priority tender service have either been difficult to take advantage of or unnecessary to me. And let's face it--the suite cabins are the first to book on any HAL voyage. The increase in price is due to simple supply and demand, and as long as people are willing to pay the price they ask, they'll keep charging it.

[debjo]

For Gizmo...
I hope you didn't think that I thought you intentionally opened the box. Sorry if you took it that way.


Have no fear...I never thought that you thought I "opened the box" (if that made some sense)...but, best to keep it locked...you never know what might be lurking in there!

By the way...I keep meaning to mention that I love the quotation you list in your signature...do you know who originally said it?

Debjo (who's soul must be awakened with the 20 members of our four-legged family)

[gizmo]

For Gizmo...

By the way...I keep meaning to mention that I love the quotation you list in your signature...do you know who originally said it?

Debjo (who's soul must be awakened with the 20 members of our four-legged family)

Anatole France. Winner of the 1921 Nobel Prize in Literature. :)

[debjo]

Thanks Gizmo, now I can add it to my book of favorite quotations!

Debjo

[2bout2c]

From my understanding, the "VIP" Party on the Amsterdam Hawaii/South Pacific cruise this past January had not only all suite passengers invited, but also others with over 100 days on HAL. Our CC group figured this out when some people got invites and others didn't. The group at our dining table also compared notes when only one of us was invited. Turned out that while she was staying in an inside cabin, just like the rest of us were, she had over a hundred days on HAL. She got the invite and the rest of us didn't.

Blue skies ...

--ritaMaybe they have figured out that those of us not in suites for this cruise, but have been on HAL 100,200,300,400,500 days have spent enough to qualify for a VIP party also.

[iceman93]

Maybe they have figured out that those of us not in suites for this cruise, but have been on HAL 100,200,300,400,500 days have spent enough to qualify for a VIP party also.

I'm not disagreeing with this statement or sentiment at all (after all, long-term loyalty should definitely be rewarded), but just keep in mind that the price of the PS is roughly 6-8x that of the basic inside cabin. A first-time customer who books a 14-day cruise in the PS has brought as much revenue to HAL as a "standard" cruiser does in 100 days on various trips. And HAL's costs are a lot lower on a per cruise basis with that first-time PS guest than dealing with multiple bookings, printing out multiple cruise documents, etc.

As long as the definition of VIP is broad enough to encompass all those whose business is "very important", then they are smart to keep rewarding them above and beyond what all customers (the merely "important" ones ;) ) get.

[kryos]

One problem with "perks" is that HAL is stuck forever adding them but can never take anything away. A new perk is immediately seen as an entitlement, and removal of an old perk (no matter how trivial) is seen as a diminshment in service.

Yeah, but they keep raising the prices on those luxury suites ... so why shouldn't they only add, and not take away, from the perks. I'd be willing to bet ... and, no, I haven't done any cost comparisons, so this is just a gut feeling ... that the cost of the luxury suites has gone up by a much higher percentage than the cost of a standard cabin ... over the past ten years.

Anyone care to comment on this assumption of mine?

Blue skies ...

--rita

[AWED23]

That's exactly how I view it. I don't get offended in the slightest that I don't get those kinds of perks. I'm paying much less for my accommodations, and still going the same place on that boat that those folks in the expensive suites are going. Of course, for the extra money they are paying they are going to get some bennies that I don't. All the power to them. The money they spend keeps the cruise affordable for me, so I am only too happy to see them enjoying the Neptune Lounge and the other perks they are entitled to.

That's not a class system at all. It's simply a matter of getting what you pay for. I didn't pay for those bennies with my inside cabin, so I don't get them. Plain and simple.

Blue skies ...

--rita...You are much too reasonable...Thank You....I do enjoy the priority boarding/deboarding and other perks that I pay a good bit for...As to the Suite Buffet, We almost always are on 14-35 day cruises so it is of no concern. Our last 2 were on the Prinsendam and they gave us an outstanding [read best in 26 cruises!] lunch in the Pinacle..5 courses and better than our dinners in the Pinacle...

[cactuslady]

Don't all get too excited about what this or that brochure page or web page says. In my (yes, limited) experience, HAL is mediocre to terrible about advertising what the perks are or even informing guests on board what they are entitled to. Plus, it seems that there is some variability from ship to ship and cruise to cruise. In the past, we have enjoyed several perks that were available, but no one else seemed to know about, such as intimate breakfasts as the only diners in the Pinnacle Grill.

So . . . if you want to get all your perks and maximize your enjoyment, definitely keep your eyes open, read every piece of paper you get in your cabin, ask (e.g., Do I get to have breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill?), and look in every nook and cranny so you don't miss the binoculars or lap robe you didn't know you were supposed to get.

P.S. -- add Zaandam Hawaii cruise 12/2007 to the list in my signature. We just booked an S suite.

[iceman93]

Yeah, but they keep raising the prices on those luxury suites ... so why shouldn't they only add, and not take away, from the perks. I'd be willing to bet ... and, no, I haven't done any cost comparisons, so this is just a gut feeling ... that the cost of the luxury suites has gone up by a much higher percentage than the cost of a standard cabin ... over the past ten years.

Anyone care to comment on this assumption of mine?

I think you're exactly right. But over those ten years they have added a LOT of perks to the suite experience, with very little taken away. Then if you add in the fact that you can get an S-class cabin on HAL for less than equivalent accomodations on similar or even upscale (RSSC, Crystal, etc.) cruise lines, and you can see why the demand still outpaces the supply.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just wish HAL would be bring back the suite dinners on cruises over 14 days (Yes I remember when we used to have them on 10 day cruises).:( :(

We were so disappointed not to have a suite dinner on our Hawaiian cruise this past spring - especially since we had so many sea days.

[Sage]

I think that Captain may play a big role in deciding what to have or not have on the cruise. We were on an 18 day cruise to Hawaii on the Volendam, and we had an Indonesian luncheon, a suite dinner, a Black and White Ball, and the suite buffet. The King's Room was also open to the suite guests for breakfast and lunch.

[hgatsawgrs]

Ok, one more time- they are not perks!(some) the laundry is not free,it is pre-paid- you could stay in a smaller room and pay for laundry and d.c. and still save money.
Getting on the ship first and boats to the dock first is a real perk others cannot pay for .
Another free meal is not what I look forward to- why all the fuss,
HAL getting the most they can from people is what companies do. The good ones do it better than others. That should not be a surprise to people. Also keeping costs down (eliminating extra expenses) is what good companies do best. Hal is getting better at doing both and of course it can cut into loyalty. But the overall cruise passenger base(us older folks) is growing so they do not have to care as much- get used to it. Unfortunately.
More S suite people will drift up to Oceania and Regent and other higher service oriented ships . We have. Only did 2 HAL S suite this year because of itinareries on particular dates. Not a first choice any more.