Noordam 12/1 - Q&A Session

[sab490]

As the organizer of the Cruise Critic "Meet & Greet" I was invited to a Q&A session with both Hotel Managers (outgoing and incoming), Events Manager, and Excursions Manager. There was one TA in the group as well as several long time HAL Mariners. There were absolutely no complaints about the ship or the service. The only universal complaint was one which has been beaten to death on this board....communications with Seattle and the difficulty in getting correct answers to questions and getting problems resolved. They really didn't have a response other than acknowledging our concern.

I asked how the dining situation was working and they seem to be very pleased with it. They get very few complaints and only a small percentage of people do not get the dining option they prefer. They made the point that even if you end up in open seating you can request the same time/table/servers every day which simulates fixed seating. There was some confusion about whether you need to call every day to make a reservation. The Hotel Manager said that you do, but one of the pax said they once they decided on a specific time & table they did not have to call every day. They also told us that even though the official policy is that you cannot switch during the cruise, in reality a significant number of people do switch from traditional to open seating after the first few days.

I also asked about the reaction to the news about pulling Noordam from NY. They have received much more negative feedback than expected, but the decision will not be reversed. It was made purely based on the skyrocketing cost of fuel required for essentially 5 sea days at full speed in the Atlantic. However, the door was left open a crack. Instead of renovating the two Manhatten cruise piers, NYC decided to sell them. NCL bought one and Carnival Corp. bought the other and they have already begun renovations. The implication was that Carnival would not purchase a pier to be used only during the summer. So, economics permitting, there still exists the possibility that we will eventually see winter sailings by Carnival, Princess, and/or HAL.

There was also a discussion of Mariner benefits. The feeling was that the discounts offered are not large enough or broad enough to adequately reward the loyalty of HAL cruisers. The response was that they recognize that there are deficiencies in the program and they are currently reviewing options for improving it.

[rzdj96]

Just my two cents but I've noticed everything to be wait-listed. When booking a year in advance and one can't obtain a diner table, somethings wrong. Concerning the New York Piers, Carnival Corp. built the Brooklyn Terminal so larger ships could berth there. Wouldn't that mean that smaller ships could park there also? It seems like a little common sense and coordinated planning would be in order instead of purchasing one of the dilapidated Manhattan Piers? "5 days at full speed"? Why not slow down a bit? They're already charging a fuel surcharge. An extra day or two isn't going to stop people from cruising. As I think about it, how many days "full speed" at sea does it take to cross the Atlantic to reposition the ships? Passenger charges on a reposition cruise are less expensive but they're complaining about fuel consumption out of New York? It all just sounds like a "cop-out" instead of dealing with it. Simply remarkable!

[sab490]

Just my two cents but I've noticed everything to be wait-listed. When booking a year in advance and one can't obtain a diner table, somethings wrong. Concerning the New York Piers, Carnival Corp. built the Brooklyn Terminal so larger ships could berth there. Wouldn't that mean that smaller ships could park there also? It seems like a little common sense and coordinated planning would be in order instead of purchasing one of the dilapidated Manhattan Piers? "5 days at full speed"? Why not slow down a bit? They're already charging a fuel surcharge. An extra day or two isn't going to stop people from cruising. As I think about it, how many days "full speed" at sea does it take to cross the Atlantic to reposition the ships? Passenger charges on a reposition cruise are less expensive but they're complaining about fuel consumption out of New York? It all just sounds like a "cop-out" instead of dealing with it. Simply remarkable!

I believe they are waitlisting so early so they have maximum flexibility in assign people to tables of their choice...large table, table for two etc. Those assignments are done close to the time of the cruise. They contend that virtually everyone who is wait listed will end up getting what they requested. I don't buy that, but that's what they are saying.

As far slowing down sailing to and from the islands...that would make a bad situation worse. That would mean on the 11-night cruise, they would have to eliminate Totola and San Juan from the itinerary, leaving only 4 ports and 6 sea days. It's bad enough we only had half days in those two ports. But if they were eliminated, I for one, would not choose that itinerary.

- Steve

[bicker]

I agree... if there is any copping-out going on it is on the behalf of passengers unwilling to reward cruise lines for doing what they say they prefer. We drive what our suppliers provide us. If we reward them better (prices minus costs) for cruising from Florida than from New York, then they serve us in that manner.

[kryos]

Just my two cents but I've noticed everything to be wait-listed. When booking a year in advance and one can't obtain a diner table, somethings wrong.
I would imagine that will be a permanent situation from here on in. First off, you have groups. If a large group books and all of them want early seating ... well, the group needs to be seated together ... so that will lock up one of the traditional seating times if the group is big enough. Also, you have these "suite enhancement" packages being sold now. Part of those packages is priority on dining requests ... just as people in the luxury suites get now. Thus, HAL can't confirm the request from "joe average" until they know what the people in the suites and those with these "suite enhancement" packages are gonna request. Their needs have to be met first.

So, I wouldn't be too concerned about everything being waitlisted. It doesn't mean you won't get what you want ... it just mean there is always the possibility.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

They made the point that even if you end up in open seating you can request the same time/table/servers every day which simulates fixed seating.
But you won't have the same tablemates each night, so if you have to select a larger table ... because there are no smaller ones available in the station you wish to sit ... you may have the same servers, but you will have different people sitting with you every night. So, it's not the same as traditional by a long shot. The simulation only works if either you can grab a two-top in your desired station (if you are just a couple) or if you have a group traveling together and can snag one of the larger tables exclusively for your group.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Quent]

We agree with the cop out.

We made a reservation in February 2007 for and Janurary 2008 cruise to Australia on the Statendam and requested a traditional early dinner assignment at a large table, and we were waitlisted. Do they expect me to believe that the traditional dinning was full that early in the booking process? If so, they should realize that traditional dinning is still popular.

We enjoy having an assigned table with a regular waiter, who knows our likes and preferences. And we enjoy our new found friends and talking about their daily experiences, not just small talk.

HAL told our TA that we can request a change after we are on board. Why do we have to continue to wait? :)

[rzdj96]

[quote=sab490;12644082] As far slowing down sailing to and from the islands...that would make a bad situation worse. That would mean on the 11-night cruise, they would have to eliminate Tortola and San Juan from the itinerary, leaving only 4 ports and 6 sea days. It's bad enough we only had half days in those two ports. But if they were eliminated, I for one, would not choose that itinerary.

Slowing down would not mean canceling a port. According to HAL (from what you had written) they're doing "FULL SPEED" which converts to 24 knots (or 576 NM) as advertised for Noordam's top speed. Instead they can slow down a bit and arrive at Grand Turk @ 2PM and adjust the itinerary for the other islands accordingly. They can also add a day or two and adjust the charges accordingly. It's only been recently that San Juan was added as a stop and not just a debarkation port. Personally, if I wanted to visit San Juan, I'd depart from there as we used to do. Anyhoo, I would believe that HAL could do better. It's like we "adjust our budgets" when things get a bit rough. From reading most posts regarding San Juan, most just stay on board anyway. On our 10 day'r being in San Juan from 7am to 1pm is essentially useless as nothing is open. They could visit their private island instead or drop in at Freeport or something.

Regarding the "wait-list". Wow, if I don't feel like a piece of hamburger (and we have a SY suite). I had thought that I put my shorts on the same way most others do. When we booked, the ship wasn't 1/3 full and we got wait-listed. I ask "wait-listed for whom"? JMHO