What Do You Miss On Your Hal Cruises Now

[doone]

With all the talk about cutbacks with HAL, I thought it would be interesting to go back in time and share with everyone what we really miss on our HAL cruises.

I haven't experienced the fact that there are no hot appetizers in the lounges before dinner yet, but I know I will miss that when I sail again.

I also miss, from way back when, the violin players at your table in the dining room at night. That, for me anyways, was a class act HAL once had.

[RevNeal]

Hmmm ... well, I had noticed on the Zaandam that some appetizers where hot, while others were not. One of my complaints from 2005 was that all the appetizers were FRIED. What happened to the veggies (carrots, broccoli, celery, etc.) that they used to serve?

[Sage]

What happened to the Dutch heritage, the Dutch woman with the beautiful flowers that you were photographed with when embarking? Where have the leisurely dinners gone where every glass was filled without asking, every meal delicious and done to perfection, the fish selections, the vegetarian selections, the chocolate tuplip desserts, the real tulips? Has anyone seen live music at dinner in a while, nice flowers on the table at dinner, or real flowers in the public restrooms? Where have the appetizers gone in the bars, the really good appetizers in the Neptune, and the chocolate? Has anyone else noticed that it is harder and harder to find a truly good chocolate dessert?

[peaches from georgia]

Hmmm ... well, I had noticed on the Zaandam that some appetizers where hot, while others were not. One of my complaints from 2005 was that all the appetizers were FRIED. What happened to the veggies (carrots, broccoli, celery, etc.) that they used to serve?
Well, then, you will have no more complaints about fried appetizers. There aren't any hot ones in the lounges anymore, only at special parties. ;)

[elmorejj]

Sage and Doone, you brought back good memories. Rev, you can always ask for crudities in the lounges, in fact they would taste better than the soggy saltines with a blob of something on which were served the last night. Not to mention a piece of watermelon with a ball of cantaloupe on it served also on the last night. Guess they had run out of other stuff.;....jean:cool:

[elmorejj]

Another memory, the wonderful display of hand dipped chocolates in the Exploreres lounge after dinner. Now you have to ask, and they consist of chocolate bark with either rice crispies or peanuts in it. Sometimes you might get a chocolate covered strawberry:cool:

[sail7seas]

I miss the silver trays of vegetables the stewards used to pass at each dinner. There were always three or four different vegetables to choose from and I loved that. (I'm not vegetarian but eat piles of produce daily.)

I miss the tray of French Pastries the stewards used to pass, as well. I almost never order dessert because I don't want to be tempted by a full serving of cake, pie whatever. If I could have one small little piece of a pastry served, that one mouthful would be great. A taste of sweet without over indulging.

I miss Rosario Strings playing during dinner. That was lovely when they would set up on the bandstand at the top of the dining room and play their lovely music.

I also miss Dutch influence. Is there much left? Remember the trays of Edam and Gouda cheese cubes they would pass around in the lounges during cocktail hour? My DH loved that.
I loved the photos with the "Dutch Girl" during Embarkation. Now.....we speed past the Photographer as quickly as possible to hopefully avoid him/her 'snapping' a picture we don't want.

I miss the ships having a Hostess. I particularly miss it on a new ship when the Art Tour was so nice when we boarded a ship we had not sailed before. The Hostess was always delightful.

I miss when the majority of passengers were considerate of others. When we almost never saw people cutting into a line at Lido. When people held a door for others. When people in the dining room enjoyed and laughed and had a wonderful time but their fun did not disturb others in their area.

I miss the towels we used to have in the Suites that had the HAL Logo. I loved seeing that blue Logo monogramed onto the towels.....particularly on embarkation day when I would first enter our cabin bathroom to 'check out it's condition'. ;) I felt like I had come home to 'my room'. Considering the number of days we have spent in that cabin category, it is as familiar to us as our bedroom at home.

The floral displays seem to be getting smaller and fewer.
The public bathrooms no longer have the lovely little bud vases with fresh flowers. They now have a dead orchid plant, at best.

I miss King's Room on most of the ships where Captains often ran Wonderful dinner parties. Oh my goodness.....what fun times we had at those parties.

I miss the 'old' Crows Nests on the "S" class ships. Just my personal taste and opinion but I don't care for the changes they made to Veendam, Ryndam and Maasdam Crows Nest. I haven't seen Statendam since SOE upgrades but I'm quite sure it is 'similar' at the least to what they did to her sisters.

I miss having more deck hands......enough to always have one or two around at aft pool. Nowadays, there often is no one out there for great periods of time. If one needs or wants something, they need to search for it.

But, What I DON'T MISS (because they are still there) .......WHAT IS STILL SO PRESENT.........WHAT IS WHY WE WILL ALWAYS SAIL HAL AS LONG AS THEY ARE STILL THERE...........

Are the wonderful crews/staff/officers of HAL. They ARE HAL to us.
And they are T H E BEST!!!!

[bepsf]

Dover Sole
Live Music during Dinner
Two seating times rather than four (or more...)
Little individual plates of warm hors d'oervres in the Ocean Bar before dinner.

I miss the embroidered-logo towels too, but not the scratchy towels! The new ones are much softer...

[jhannah]

I also miss the higher staffing ratios in the dining room, when your servers could chat with you a bit in their warm and friendly manner.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sage, sail and Jim -- you all listed everything that I was thinking.

I do miss the suite dinners.

Miss having a plain old vodka at the captain's and mariners parties.

No crudites on the Volendam -- only cold appetizers.

Decent boutiques.

Being able to buy Gouda cheese to take home.

Seeing the bar staff wear "Holland" clothes on Dutch night.

Newspapers in the suites and the library - not just a couple for 10 days.

Lemonade and iced tea on the outer decks.

The SOFT music in the lounges -- I am not deaf but will be soon with all that loud music.

[Copper10-8]

Dutch girl with flowers at embarkation
Steel band at the Lido deck pool on Carib cruises
Dutch Lido lunch (Maatjes herring, smoked eal, Westlandaise soup, veal kroketten, Lekkerbek, tartaren sauce, Dutch meatball, Escalope beef with onions, etc. etc.)
Homemade Dutch Pea soup served on the outside decks in Alaska
Bridge visits (I know, I know.....security:( )
International Horse Racing by the Lido pool

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely need more than 1 salad at dinner - not counting the Caesar Salad.

Darn - I had another one - it has slipped my mind.

[kryos]

I miss the ships having a Hostess. I particularly miss it on a new ship when the Art Tour was so nice when we boarded a ship we had not sailed before. The Hostess was always delightful.

We had a social hostess on my 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific cruise ... and she did do an art tour of the ship a couple of times during the sailing.

The hostess was Apolonia ... Captain van Zanne's wife. And she was excellent ... she attended just about all of the shipboard events, as well as hosting "coffee chats" with the various entertainers and sometimes other staff on just about every sea day.

But, you're right ... I doubt there is such a person any longer on shorter voyages, and that's a shame.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[elmorejj]

The Yum Yum man walking the DR at breakfast with his cart of lovely warm breakfast breads and rolls. Now they pass a basket, you take one (or two) and never see him again!!............jean:cool:

[kakalina]

Oh; you have all made me so homesick for a ship.

Sails hit almost everything I miss too. I mostly miss the wonderful ambiance in the DR when everyone was dressed to the nines and the strings were playing unobtrusive dinner music. Sigh. . .

And the chocolates! Whatever happened to the wonderful chocolates in the Explorers Lounge. And the flaming desserts???

[bookworm0911]

:eek: Geez, thats a LOT of things gone and they all sound very special to Holland being a real upscale line at one time. How can this be near the same cruiseline anymore. :confused:

[jhannah]

And the flaming desserts???Ah, yes! I had forgotten that. Sure, they do them (some) in the space near the dining room entrance. But I really enjoyed seeing them do this tableside. It made the dinner that much more special.

[Copper10-8]

:eek: Geez, thats a LOT of things gone and they all sound very special to Holland being a real upscale line at one time. How can this be near the same cruiseline anymore. :confused:

Through it's crew and the service they provide! Even though we do miss some of the "trademarks" listed in this thread that are no longer there (I forgot to add the Marco Polo restaurant in mine), don't forget that there have also been new items added such as the "Signature of Excellence" improvements (we definitely like the beds, the flat screens and the Explorations Cafe), the deli and pasta bars, more advanced and expanded technical capabilities in the show lounge, etc.

[dakrewser]

Another memory, the wonderful display of hand dipped chocolates in the Exploreres lounge after dinner. Now you have to ask, and they consist of chocolate bark with either rice crispies or peanuts in it. Sometimes you might get a chocolate covered strawberry:cool:

We had those on the Prinsendam this summer....

I do miss the bar stewards in the show lounge, the strings at dinner and - the Marco Polo!

[iceman93]

The tableside flambes and the little hats on Dutch night in the dining room...

[richnorto]

WE cruised HAL for the first time March 2005. I cannot say that I missed or would have cared deeply about any one of those things! We had a fabulous cruise - NO complaints!!! We were on the Zaandam and everything was wonderful! The wait staff was excellent, dining room food awsome, and the cabin stewards beyond that!!! I had 3 teen/preteen "pigs" (but my pigs - so I love them) in a cabin down the hall. That man (the cabin steward) was a wonder worker because they lived in that room like they do at home. :eek: It takes me a full day twice a week to pick up their things and clean up after them at home!!! The food in the dining room was great. Buffet - hit and miss, but we did find great food there as well at times. Kids loved the afternoon ice cream and the teen area was really great! HAL opened our eyes to what nice cruising can be as opposed to what we had done before. We were unable to book HAL for our upcoming cruise over Christmas but have taken quality into consideration and booked Princess as we feel it will be a similar experience. :)

[LemonZest]

I haven't experienced the fact that there are no hot appetizers in the lounges before dinner yet, but I know I will miss that when I sail again.

What fact? This is not a fact.

I was just on Statendam Nov.24-Dec.8 and we had the usual hot appetizers in the Ocean Bar every night before dinner...sometimes so many of them that the barstewards would be walking around with a tray of them BEGGING us to take a third or fourth plateful!

I can't speak for that Crow's Nest place (horrible service and it's freezing cold) or the Explorers Room (unbearably hot - Statendam does have some HVAC distribution issues that have gone on for years and never seem to get worked out, though we had hopes of them doing *something* about it whilst they were putting in the utterly ugly, smelly and useless New York Times Coffeeshop!), but hot apps are quite available in the Ocean Bar and the area surrounding it. They threw in some new ones that were quite tasty too!

LZ

[LemonZest]

Live Music during Dinner
Little individual plates of warm hors d'oervres in the Ocean Bar before dinner.[/SIZE][/FONT]


All too often we had live music during dinner on Statendam 11/24-12/8. Far too loud to be enjoyable, but there was indeed live music at least three nights.

As stated above the apps were out in full force. Rev. Neal's crudites were in evidence also (apparently these must be requested, but requesting them one night resulted in 'rabbit food' galore for all the following evenings....we also had both the 'good nuts' and the nasty peanuts (which happen to be preferred by my travel companion, though when our server noted that I did not consume said nuts, we usually received a container of each).

LZ

[peaches from georgia]

What fact? This is not a fact.

I was just on Statendam Nov.24-Dec.8 and we had the usual hot appetizers in the Ocean Bar every night before dinner

..... putting in the utterly ugly, smelly and useless New York Times Coffeeshop!), but hot apps are quite available in the Ocean Bar and the area surrounding it. They threw in some new ones that were quite tasty too!

LZ
'Facts' obviously differ from ship to ship, so what posters are saying about other ships is a fact for their cruise, but maybe not for yours. A number of ships have been reported not to have had hot appetizers in the lounges pre-dinner, including the Volendam we just got off and we were in the Ocean Bar every night. Others said the same for the Crows Nest.

Also no live music during dinner on the Vol. (Might have been someone on the piano one formal night, but playing so low it was hard to hear and were sitting right by it.

Just wondering what the Explorations Cafe is like on the Statendam? :confused: On the Vol it is an open and airy space beautifully decorated with comfy chairs, the computers spread out nicely in groups or at the windows, tables for games and puzzles or doing the Daily Quiz and a nice library along the wall, etc. etc. A really great addition to the ship and it got rave reviews. Maybe the Statendam has not had the full upgrade to the ExpCafe, though the deck plan shows it to be exactly as on the Vol.

Between the 2 sections of the ExpCafe and separate from the activity areas is a Coffee Bar - a menu of iced and hot coffees on the wall above the bar, all the coffee ingredients such as chocolate, liqueurs, etc. behind the bar, and it is a very upscale and highly popular place to go for a delicious speciality coffee (at a reasonable price, too).

Can you elaborate on the 'utterly ugly, smelly, and useless' description. None of those terms apply at all to the ExpCafe/Coffee Bar on the Volendam and it is a very highly utilized new addition of the ship. I heard nothing but compliments to HAL for this lovely new room.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Statendam's Exploration Cafe is very similar to Volendam's -- only smaller as the ship is smaller -- layout the same.

[peaches from georgia]

That's what the deck plan looks like, KK. I'm just confused on such a negative reaction by LZ.

What did you think of it? We thought it was great and thoroughly enjoyed the Coffee Bar also. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We love the new Explorations Cafe on the ships.

It makes everything look bigger and airier compared to the old set-up of a separate library and a couple of tiny rooms, an un-applealing hallway.

[sail7seas]

We've sailed Veendam, Ryndam and Maasdam since their SOE upgrades and the Explorations Cafe is about the same on those three sisters of Statendam. Judging from the deck plans, no reason to think that Statendam's is anything different. We think the Explorations is fabulous....a great space that is being widely enjoyed by many, many cruisers.

[uncialman]

I do personally like some of the new design elements in the S and R class ships - Wine Bar, Explorations Cafe etc. The updated interior concepts are much more attractive. However, I just don't think that the concept of the Explorations Cafe is going to be valid for much more than a few years with the advent of a lot of the new technology that is becoming more and more popular. As hand-held Pocket PCs and Blackberry's become the norm of communication and email, the age of the klunky desktop computer will wane. MTNDSI, I'm sure, will think of a new way of extricating funds from us...

Not to beat a dead horse but my wife and I do miss the quiet, elegant ships of HAL and the great dining room service that we first experienced on HAL just 5 very short years ago. We felt as if we were guests on board the Rotterdam. Now, we feel a bit more like customers.

[sail7seas]

Please help me out here......

What does this abbreviation mean?

MTNDSI, I'm sure, will think of a new way of extricating funds from us...

[uncialman]

MTNDSI is the contracted company responsible for most internet services used aboard Carnival Corp, NCL, and RCI family ships. However, I have heard that RCI will be attempting to handle their own tech before too long. I'm not sure what it stands for, I just know that they collect thousands of dollars a year from me and my employees. :)

[RevNeal]

Hmmm ... well ... we had a mixture of the hot fried appetizers and the cold things on crackers on the Zaandam this past October. On Formal and Informal nights the stewards were walking around with hot appetizers. On the casual nights it was mostly the ugly little cracker things. Just because I like crisp, cold celery and carrots and broccoli with a nice dressing for dipping doesn't mean that I didn't also like the fried things ... I liked both. I just didn't like having only one. :) As for the new things ... yuck. I don't like them at all. VERY disappointing. Maybe some rich person will invite a poor pastor to their suite for hors d'oeuvres before dinner? (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge) . :D

[RevNeal]

Oh, yes ... and they also had live string music in the dining room on the Zaandam this last October. At least on the formal nights.

[LemonZest]

'
Just wondering what the Explorations Cafe is like on the Statendam?


Love your screen name....makes me hungry for the peaches from my aunt's home back when I was a child....nothing compares to fresh Georgia Peaches!

As for the Exploitation Cafe on the Statendam, it is almost exactly the same as on any of the other ships of the same class (have been on three since the supposed SOE upgrades...methinks time could have been better spent fixing issues that have been evident on these ships for years rather than putting in things like this).

WE think this is a terrible waste of what used to be a very comfortable and relaxing quiet area to play cards (now moved into an ugly room without windows), read (now infested with 'listening stations' which people park their tails at but aren't actually USING - it's as bad as deckchair hogs!), do puzzles, write letters (yes, I still write PEN AND PAPER letters!!!)

The smell of nasty (similar to Staryucks) coffee permeates this entire area.

This room, where we used to LIVE each and every cruise, is now utterly disgusting, utterly useless to us.....that SMELL.......the dark ugly walls....the clacking of the computers, the unfriendliness of the staff in this room (which used to be serviced by the lovely and interesting young people from the Ship's Cast, on Statendam recently, now serviced by a very short-spoken and disorganized 'manager' who did not even know how to assist one elderly woman in getting to CNN.com....just told her that the NYT was 'good enough for you - NOT!)...but that SMELL.......and I AM a coffee drinker....but that's NOT good coffee!

Good for those of you who like it, WE HATE IT and will continue to make our strong dislike of this supposed UPGRADE very, very clear....

LZ

[uncialman]

Hmmm ... well ... we had a mixture of the hot fried appetizers and the cold things on crackers on the Zaandam this past October. On Formal and Informal nights the stewards were walking around with hot appetizers. On the casual nights it was mostly the ugly little cracker things. Just because I like crisp, cold celery and carrots and broccoli with a nice dressing for dipping doesn't mean that I didn't also like the fried things ... I liked both. I just didn't like having only one. :) As for the new things ... yuck. I don't like them at all. VERY disappointing. Maybe some rich person will invite a poor pastor to their suite for hors d'oeuvres before dinner? (hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge) . :D

Rev,

I was trying to make this point on another thread: I think one of the issues that is facing the HAL loyalists is that those that are making many of the cut-backs etc are folks that have no particular allegiance to HAL. Men and women are hired from other fields or from other cruise lines that simply lack the knowledge, or the history, to understand what has made the HAL experience so precious and memorable to the faithful.

To use an analogy I'm sure you'll understand, its kind of like folks that come out of the thinking that every single church in our culture should attempt to become an "emergent" church much like pastors Driscoll, MacDonald etc churches. As you know, those particular movements seek to jettison any sort of liturgy or tradition to appeal to a crowd of folks that are completely unchurched. In doing so, the appeal might be there to begin with, but you have to keep doing what you did to get them there to keep them there (or even take things to an even more postmodern extreme). In the process, tradition, the sacraments, and catechesis are lost.

The same can be said of the current approach to grabbing the *new* cruiser: traditional, time-tested elements are cast away for whatever will get folks on the boat. Problem is, there are already several lines that are doing exactly what HAL aspires to become, and are doing those very things quite well (Princess, RCI, NCL). Meanwhile, Celebrity is doing quite well (although with her own struggles) and Oceania is carving out a niche with ex-HAL cruisers that can't afford Regent or Crystal.

Anyway, those are just my two cents - two cents from a man who has just returned from 7 mass market days on Carnival...

[RevNeal]

LemonZest,

I'm sorry you don't like the Explorations Cafe. I consider it one of the better additions to the ships over the last couple of years. I love the open space, the relaxed atmosphere, and the smell of coffee. I was worried about the effect on the area until I saw how they did it on the Zaandam. It's VERY nice. Very nice indeed. And, it's certainly a major improvement to the Internet area on the Vistas. I hope they put onto the other 3 vistas the same kind of Explorations Cafe as found on the Noordam.

Again, I'm sorry that you clearly do not like it. I love it.

[RevNeal]

To use an analogy I'm sure you'll understand, its kind of like folks that come out of the thinking that every single church in our culture should attempt to become an "emergent" church much like pastors Driscoll, MacDonald etc churches. As you know, those particular movements seek to jettison any sort of liturgy or tradition to appeal to a crowd of folks that are completely unchurched. In doing so, the appeal might be there to begin with, but you have to keep doing what you did to get them there to keep them there (or even take things to an even more postmodern extreme). In the process, tradition, the sacraments, and catechesis are lost.

Yes, indeed ... you've really made an excellent analogy here. I pray that the so-called "emergent church" fad is just a transient blip on the radar of the Faith, but in truth I fear that the damage they are doing to many congregations and denominations will be beyond recovery. The dumbing down of distinctiveness will produce luke-warm, milk-toast, meaninglessness in theology and spirituality for generations to come. Some people don't understand me when I talk about the spiritual and theological poverty of the "emergent church" model -- and that is mostly because they have no idea of the depths of spiritual maturity that can be found in precisely that which the "emergent church" has jettisoned. :( And all in favor of "gaining converts" with a know-nothing, unchallenging, warm-fuzzy message that leads no where. Oh ... heck ... don't get me started!

The same is true for Cruise Lines. "Dumb" down all experiences to the lowest common denominator, making every ship and every Line appear and feel just like every other ship on every other Line. And this is done in order to maximize every last dollar in revenue and attract passengers from the largest and widest-ranging segments of society. This the "Wall-mart" branch of our culture: it doesn't want to be bothered with "differences" in Cruise experiences ... they want everything to be the same between cruise lines. They pick their cruise by itinerary and price, and ignore all other features. They demand that they be allowed to dress however they want (it's their vacation, after all!) and eat whenever they want, all without regard for dress code or dining time conventions. :(

[peaches from georgia]

LemonZest-

Thank you for explaining your feelings about the ExpCafe. I don't agree, but that's fine. We're all not supposed to think alike or like everything the same. Life would be boring if we did. :)

[uncialman]

Yes, indeed ... you've really made an excellent analogy here. I pray that the so-called "emergent church" fad is just a transient blip on the radar of the Faith, but in truth I fear that the damage they are doing to many congregations and denominations will be beyond recovery. The dumbing down of distinctiveness will produce luke-warm, milk-toast, meaninglessness in theology and spirituality for generations to come. Some people don't understand me when I talk about the spiritual and theological poverty of the "emergent church" model -- and that is mostly because they have no idea of the depths of spiritual maturity that can be found in precisely that which the "emergent church" has jettisoned. :( And all in favor of "gaining converts" with a know-nothing, unchallenging, warm-fuzzy message that leads no where. Oh ... heck ... don't get me started!

The same is true for Cruise Lines. "Dumb" down all experiences to the lowest common denominator, making every ship and every Line appear and feel just like every other ship on every other Line. And this is done in order to maximize every last dollar in revenue and attract passengers from the largest and widest-ranging segments of society. This the "Wall-mart" branch of our culture: it doesn't want to be bothered with "differences" in Cruise experiences ... they want everything to be the same between cruise lines. They pick their cruise by itinerary and price, and ignore all other features. They demand that they be allowed to dress however they want (it's their vacation, after all!) and eat whenever they want, all without regard for dress code or dining time conventions. :(

Yes! Now think about where the current church marketing gurus started with this entire approach to worship: in the "youth group" mentality of the 60's, 70's, and 80's : gotta keep the kids entertained, don't weigh the kids down with catechism, don't worry about the sacraments - just worry about experience, give 'em a Christian rock concert and a pizza party and they'll come. Yep, those "youth group" kids are all grown up now and many of them want church to be just like youth group when they were kids. However, there are tremendous amounts of young folks out there that are tired of the superficial, pre-fabricated "church lite" and have either joined or started fellowships that harken to the true catholic (with a small c) ideals. However, The emergent post modern types keep on running from church to church for experience and have abandoned a sense of community and accountability within the local church.

Now, compare this to cruising...

Many years ago when Carnival corporation acquired HAL and several other cruise lines (eventually finishing with the acquisition of Princess (not counting the German Lines)), their "talking points" went something like this: "The novice cruiser will start with the Carnvial experience, move up through Princess, and eventually end up at HAL, Cunard or Seabourne. Back then, each line offered varied experiences and ambiance for the discerning cruiser.

Now fast-forward to 2006/2007. Firstly, let me reiterate the fact that I spend an awful lot of time on Carnvial, RCI, NCL, Celbrity, HAL, and Princess (especially RCI). I used to look forward to my relaxing, premium journeys aboard Celebrity and HAL. However, as time has gone by our journeys on HAL have reflected a level of sameness to the Carnival, RCI, and Princess experiences. The final straw for some of my groups was this past year when the ambiance was greatly altered aboard our Oosterdam and Veendam voyages for the tastes of folks that weren't event cruising with us. Somehow, the folks in the front office think that everyone wants a Carnival/Princess experience; freestyle dining and all!

Remember when I first came on this board back in 2001? I had sailed the Rotterdam with a group and honestly thought that I was in heaven. Then came two more large groups on the Zaandam and the Veendam. I couldn't say enough about how our youngish (30's and 40's) loved the contrast in cruising styles between HAL and some of the other lines that they had been on. Then, with a sailing on the Zuiderdam in 2003, things started to really change and it seems that the morphing sameness hasn't slowed from year to year.

Sadly, just as those emergents evidenced in the first paragraph are jumping from church to church, the cruisers that HAL is seeking to capture will not have any loyalty to the product as there will be no true difference in experience. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all are all doing the "new bedding" thing. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all hiring some well-known chef to create new menu items. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all abandoning traditional dining. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all playing the same pop-rock musical wallpaper in their hallways. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all doing the nickle and dime routine. Seems like Celebrity is the only one of the big 8 who is trying to hold, and even improve, the premire cruise experience. Shame they can't keep their ships running consistently. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Bring back the bread sticks.

Bring back the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at lunch.

[Mary Ellen]

I missed the 'always available' selection on the Zaandam's dinner menu.

I missed the more relaxed atmosphere in the dining room when the waiters weren't so rushed (I am NOT blaming the wonderful overworked waiters, rather the staffing or lack thereof).

I miss the early/late dinner seatings. This four dinner times is #$$%^

I missed the old Crow's Nest. The view is now obstructed by the expansion of the 'spa' below. We couldn't even stand to be there for before/after dinner drinks. We just showed up for trivia and out. It used to be our favorite area.

I miss the deck area in front of the gym (missing as part of the 'improvements' mentioned above).

I miss being able to order the veggies I want - not what is 'packaged' with the entree.

I miss the selection of salads.

I missed Watermelon Pie.

[jjb415]

I miss:

Lots of fresh flowers.

The Dutch Girl on embarkation.

1000 Mileage Plus miles per night.

[ekerr19]

Most of it's been covered, I think. I'm confused about Explorations Cafe on S class, I guess. The Explorations Cafe on the Noordam is fantastic - open, airy, comfortable, yet cozy... I can't get a visual of the space on the S-class, though I have a hard time picturing it as dark, drab, and dreary..:confused:

I already know I will hate the changes to the Crow's Nest on the S-class, we loved the Crow's Nest on the Veendam, Statendam & Maasdam. I dislike the elimination of the long bar - this was a great bar!!!

We had hot appetizers on the Noordam this summer, but I heard we were the last cruise to enjoy them. I really dislike this change. We always look forward to a bite before dinner, especially with late seating and drinks being consumed before hand - the appetizers were just perfect. I agree with Greg, it would have been nice to have a few more "healthy" selections, but I will miss them anyway.

We will be observing and noting, believe me - especially since next up for us is the Oosterdam with supposed "open" dinner seating.

[pollux]

Carnival should change the Line to: American Line.
No Dutch night or food.
Menus are generic made up in Miami.
After 43 years with HAL I now cruise with other lines.
Food is just as good or better.
Service at the HAL ships has gone down the drain with the auto tips.
Just my opinion lost my love for HAL.

[Copper10-8]

Most of it's been covered, I think. I'm confused about Explorations Cafe on S class, I guess. The Explorations Cafe on the Noordam is fantastic - open, airy, comfortable, yet cozy... I can't get a visual of the space on the S-class, though I have a hard time picturing it as dark, drab, and dreary..:confused: ..........

I guess I'm confused also about the dark, drab and drearyness:confused: I know, not an "S" class but here's a pic of the Explorations Cafe on Rotterdam, a "R" class. Looks pretty open to me

[hammybee]

I miss not being on HAL right this minute and worse, not even having a HAL booking to look forward to. I need to do something about this, soon.

[ekerr19]

John -

Thank you for posting a picture!!! I had the worst visions based upon one person's description. It looks fine to me - I think it looks better than the old library and/or game room! :D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

John -

Thank you for posting a picture!!! I had the worst visions based upon one person's description. It looks fine to me - I think it looks better than the old library and/or game room! :D

Laura, I agree, I am actually very impressed by the new Explorations Cafe. It is a good combination between High Tech and relaxation:)

[ekerr19]

Laura, I agree, I am actually very impressed by the new Explorations Cafe. It is a good combination between High Tech and relaxation:)

Lisa -

For some reason, I can only recall (clearly) the Explorations Cafe on Noordam - so I couldn't get a good visual!!! I am also really impressed with what has been done too. We don't have an S-class (or R-class) cruise in the near future, so I doubt I'll see the changes until we board the Veendam in November of 2007.

We will be on Oosterdam just before you - our 20th Anniversary. :)

[LemonZest]

Double Post Gremlins, again
LZ

[LemonZest]

Most of it's been covered, I think. I'm confused about Explorations Cafe on S class, I guess. The Explorations Cafe on the Noordam is fantastic - open, airy, comfortable, yet cozy... I can't get a visual of the space on the S-class, though I have a hard time picturing it as dark, drab, and dreary..:confused:

OK, I'm going to try to re-word this one more time....if this doesn't work then I'm going to stop reading or posting to CC because obviously I simply don't fit in with the rest of you.


I already know I will hate the changes to the Crow's Nest on the S-class, we loved the Crow's Nest on the Veendam, Statendam & Maasdam. I dislike the elimination of the long bar - this was a great bar!!!



This is EXACTLY how WE feel about the Expo Cafe on Statendam...the Erasmus Library and the related card and game rooms were GREAT....just like you LOVED the former setup of the Crows' Nest....you thought it was a great bar....WE *FELT* the Library AS IT WAS was PERFECT!

No computers, it was usually QUIET, you could GET a table overlooking the sea to WRITE REAL PAPER LETTERS at, and it DID NOT STINK OF BURNT COFFEE! It was lovely and naturally lighted, not full of fluorescent fixtures, there was no one shilling at a bar for extra-cost drinks *YET those who wanted them could get them at the Java Cafe*, and it was not commercially 'sponsored by' a corporation.

Do you not see that it's the same thing.....you state that you already know you will HATE the changes to the Crows' Nest....we have been back on Statendam, a ship we love, and travel often, and we HATE the Expo Cafe taking the place of our beloved Library.

Does anyone at all understand now? Or is it that I am just totally wrong because others like the new coffee and the changes? Would I be wrong if I said OH NOES the Crows Nest is SOOOOOO much better I just cannot understand where you're coming from?

Or do you just have to be one of the 'in folk' to be allowed to have an opinion regarding HAL, the ships, or the services on board? This board really does not do anyone coming here for information, opinions, or reviews any usefulness if those who have a dissenting opinion from the 'regulars' are quashed or made fun of, or sneered at until they go away in disgust.

Many of you (NOT including you Peaches from Georgia!) have made it abundantly clear that I'm NOT one of the "in folk"!

LZ

[ekerr19]

Sorry - I should have clarified my post - I've SEEN pictures of the "new" bar in the Crow's Nest on the S-class ships, specifically the Maasdam. I do not like it. A fact I can honestly attest to - you honestly hate the changes to the library... I accept that. To label the coffee smell as "Staryucks" and the cafe itself as "Exploitation" Cafe seems more than just an opinion, but a pretty harsh criticism... however, this is merely my take on things.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion - that's why I thanked Copper for posting the picture, it does help to clarify things for me. :)

[Copper10-8]

OK, I'm going to try to re-word this one more time....if this doesn't work then I'm going to stop reading or posting to CC because obviously I simply don't fit in with the rest of you.




Does anyone at all understand now? Or is it that I am just totally wrong because others like the new coffee and the changes? Would I be wrong if I said OH NOES the Crows Nest is SOOOOOO much better I just cannot understand where you're coming from?

Or do you just have to be one of the 'in folk' to be allowed to have an opinion regarding HAL, the ships, or the services on board? This board really does not do anyone coming here for information, opinions, or reviews any usefulness if those who have a dissenting opinion from the 'regulars' are quashed or made fun of, or sneered at until they go away in disgust.

Many of you (NOT including you Peaches from Georgia!) have made it abundantly clear that I'm NOT one of the "in folk"!

LZ


Hey LZ, no need to get all upset about it! You made it very clear that you don't like the current set-up of the Explorations Cafe. That's you're right as it is your opinion. Absolutely no problem and we should all respect that! Others, including yours truly, are of the opinion that the EC is a big improvement over the old library, card rooms, etc. Again, those are opinions. To each his own. Has nothing to do with an "in" or and "out" crew here on Cruise Critic. Opinions are subjective and they're also like rear ends. We all have one of those!;) Some will agree with you and some will disagree! Isn't life great that we can agree to disagree here?

As far as the smell of "burnt coffee", that has never bothered me but it obviously does you! I understand that also and I fully understand how a smell of "burnt coffee" could rub someone the wrong way. You take care and hope you will enjoy your next cruise!:)

[hammybee]

For the life of me I cannot remember who recently posted on a different thread some of the wonderful changes that have been made on HAL in recent years. It really put into perspective, for me, what change is all about. We are cruising at less per diem cost, expressed in current $ valuation, than we did 10, 20 or more years ago, especially in basic inside and outside cabins. This means that cruising is more affordable to the masses which is what is necessary to sustain a cruise line of size.

We have so many more choices than we did in times gone by. And with those choices, some things change. Sometimes we like them and sometimes, not. As for me, I prefer to not think about what no longer is and focus on the positive, that I am again on a HAL ship, in a sea, going somewhere and traveling in a comfort level that is affordable with a great bunch of people.

Call me Pollyanna. :)

[Guienevere_Arianette]

Another memory, the wonderful display of hand dipped chocolates in the Exploreres lounge after dinner. Now you have to ask, and they consist of chocolate bark with either rice crispies or peanuts in it. Sometimes you might get a chocolate covered strawberry:cool:

I just received my HAL European Cruises 2007 catalog, and a beautiful picture of chocolates is displayed with this caption: "Hand dipped chocolates, an after dinner tradition in the Explorer's Loungs, are the perfect finish to a lovely day."

I was really looking forward to that!! I thought they would just be available for the sampling, not that I'd have to ask someone.

[Guienevere_Arianette]

Now, compare this to cruising...

Now fast-forward to 2006/2007. Firstly, let me reiterate the fact that I spend an awful lot of time on Carnvial, RCI, NCL, Celbrity, HAL, and Princess (especially RCI). I used to look forward to my relaxing, premium journeys aboard Celebrity and HAL. However, as time has gone by our journeys on HAL have reflected a level of sameness to the Carnival, RCI, and Princess experiences. The final straw for some of my groups was this past year when the ambiance was greatly altered aboard our Oosterdam and Veendam voyages for the tastes of folks that weren't event cruising with us. Somehow, the folks in the front office think that everyone wants a Carnival/Princess experience; freestyle dining and all!

Sadly, just as those emergents evidenced in the first paragraph are jumping from church to church, the cruisers that HAL is seeking to capture will not have any loyalty to the product as there will be no true difference in experience. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all are all doing the "new bedding" thing. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all hiring some well-known chef to create new menu items. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all abandoning traditional dining. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all playing the same pop-rock musical wallpaper in their hallways. Carnival, Princess, RCI and HAL are all doing the nickle and dime routine. Seems like Celebrity is the only one of the big 8 who is trying to hold, and even improve, the premire cruise experience. Shame they can't keep their ships running consistently. :)

Well, just to offer my experience, I just returned from the Carnival Conquest; the formal dining experience for all three meals was offered and respected in regards to time and dress code; no music was ever playing from speakers on the walls; there were different private areas showcasing different types of music, either live or from the speakers. These small differences did make for a wonderful cruise :)

[doone]

Lemon Zest, the fact being of what others have posted here. You were lucky, you got the hot appetizers, others have posted here that they have not. I can only hope that HAL continues to provide the hot appetizers in their lounges as you enjoyed on your cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I wish HAL would bring back some of their hot appetizers - some were too greasy.

[hammybee]

Well, just to offer my experience, I just returned from the Carnival Conquest; the formal dining experience for all three meals was offered and respected in regards to time and dress code; no music was ever playing from speakers on the walls; there were different private areas showcasing different types of music, either live or from the speakers. These small differences did make for a wonderful cruise :)

Guienevere, I agree that Carnival continues to improve and is nothing like it used to be. In fact, it may soon be the most traditional sail of all the mass marketed lines. More people seem to really dress up for formal nights too.

[Copper10-8]

Guienevere, I agree that Carnival continues to improve and is nothing like it used to be. In fact, it may soon be the most traditional sail of all the mass marketed lines. More people seem to really dress up for formal nights too.

No way!! Say it ain't so!:eek:

[rex523]

It must only be me - no one else has mentioned it in three pages - but I miss the caviar on formal night.