The New & "Improved" Showtime Schedule On HAL

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

I was just womdering if anyone else likes or dislikes the new scheduling, i.e. 7 & 9 P.M., since the implementation of the As You Might Wish Dining 'experience'.

Count us in the dislike category since we prefer the 'old schedule', i.e. the 8 & 10 P.M. We enjoy cocktails and a dance or two prior to late seating (traditional) in the 'mess hall', aka DR. With the "improved" scheduling we were unable to attend any of the shows on a recent 'float'. I guess we're in the minority once again. And so it goes...

May everyone's next cruise be their BEST CRUISE!

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

[jer_l]

On our one HAL cruise we missed out on two of the shows with the old schedule since our fixed seating was 8:30 and the shows started before we finished dinner. The first night had only one show and it was during our dinning time. We have AYWD for our June cruise (although not "our" wish) and it will be interesting to see if that works better with the new showtimes.

[sail7seas]

We don't often go to the shows as it is but will never be seeing them now. We always have 8:00 P.M. seating and enjoy a drink before dinner. We don't want to dress and go out for the evening so early to see the show before dinner. People who ask for later seating are doing so in order to not have to rush around and dress so early.

[hammybee]

Although showtimes seem to have coincided with the latter stages of Open Seating implementation, I wonder if this is the root cause of the change.

When the 10:00 P.M. late shows let out, I think a lot of passengers called it a night, especially if the next day was an early port call. Speculation on my part, but is it possible that the business motive is to steer passengers into revenue producing venues, earlier in the evening, when having a night cap or two and/or some time in the casino is more appealing to passengers?

[Robin7]

On our Volendam cruise last fall, the earlier show was PACKED--nearly every seat taken--while the later show was very sparsely attended. This makes me wonder if that happening was not just specific to that particular cruise like I assumed it was.

Although I still don't see why they'd force the later diners to go to an early show every day. Am I the only one confused by this???? (Maybe I'm having a blonde day.)

Robin

[RuthC]

There were several nights with the show before dinner on my recent Rotterdam cruise. I had been used to seeing this a few times for understandable reasons (last night, Black & White Ball being held, etc.), but never to this extent. I never made any of those too-early shows.
And now it appears that this is to be standard operating procedure? Then I'll never see another show. I love to go to cocktails and listen to the music, and relax a bit before dinner. Can't do that and go to the show, too (and HAL would lose the cost of my cocktail if I did).
It defeats the purpose of having main dinner to need to get ready too early. :mad:

One reason people have left the late show and headed to bed is that the bands are on their break just as the show gets out. No place to go---nothing to do. Head for la-la land. :rolleyes:
If the music were playing people might stop in for a nightcap.
If you play it, they will come! :D

This schedule may be new, but it certainly isn't "improved".

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

We would be sitting at the Ocean Bar or Crow's Nest (having a required libation) @7:45 when the 7:00 show let out (what happened to the longer shows?) and the musicans were indeed on break (when the 'throng' were walking by, at least at the Ocean Bar).

I believe HAL needs to rethink their schedulng. It would seem providing their 'best' musical numbers as folks walked by would be a 'no-brainer' marketing tool.

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

[grannynurse]

I agree with Sail and RuthC. There is a reason for choosing late seating, and going to a production show before dinner is not it. I guess we will scratch the shows off our list too. HAL does need to rethink this decision.
GN

[scamper]

Unless the quality of the shows have vastly improved recently, as far as I am concerned they can perform every hour on the hour...I'll still skip them.

[RustaRoo]

Like RuthC, on my latest cruise, I was in the Ocean Bar relaxing and enjoying the music, dancing and having a hot appetizer (perhaps with a libation or two:p ) - ergo, I never saw a before (main) dinner seating show. The 'improved' system didn't work for me either:(

[Jemima]

We prefer the new times.

[bicker]

We found the showtimes to be very convenient. With early seating, we were done with dinner and still had to wait a few minutes for the show (9PM?), but we didn't have to wait long. I think fifteen minutes earlier would have been better for us, but I think too early for many of the early seating crowd.

[AnneBonney]

We had 8:00 dining on the Westerdam and didn't make it to any of the shows. I didn't realize the schedules had changed but the "old" schedule would certainly have worked better for us.

[GmaPajama]

We were on a Volendam Cruise last fall, and like Robin found the showroom packed for the early show. If we didn't have our seats a full half hour ahead of time, there was no hope. What we discovered, though, was we didn't necessarily need to see the shows. We found other things to do and enjoyed the extra time of running into people we'd met. On the Zaandam a week or so ago the schedule had changed. We could have made the shows most nights, but rarely tried - we were too busy enjoying ourselves elsewhere.

[Stevesan]

Ahoy!

I was just womdering if anyone else likes or dislikes the new scheduling, i.e. 7 & 9 P.M., since the implementation of the As You Might Wish Dining 'experience'.

Count us in the dislike category since we prefer the 'old schedule', i.e. the 8 & 10 P.M. We enjoy cocktails and a dance or two prior to late seating (traditional) in the 'mess hall', aka DR. With the "improved" scheduling we were unable to attend any of the shows on a recent 'float'. I guess we're in the minority once again. And so it goes...

May everyone's next cruise be their BEST CRUISE!

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

8 & 10PM seemed a good fit for traditional dining times.
7 & 9PM definitely don't fit traditional, but most of all I fail to understand
how the show schedules affects AYW dining. AYW has no dining "schedule", so why would they even care ????????????:confused:
Maybe the change wasn't made to accomodate AYW, but just coincident with it's implementation?

I tend to disagree with comments about poor attendance for the late shows. We went to the 10PM show and always had difficulty finding good seats.

Instead of messing with the show schedules, HAL would better serve their pax by replacing the back killing "sofas" with proper theater seats.

[Stevesan]

8 & 10PM seemed a good fit for traditional dining times.
7 & 9PM definitely don't fit traditional, but most of all I fail to understand
how the show schedules affects AYW dining. AYW has no dining "schedule", so why would they even care ????????????:confused:
Maybe the change wasn't made to accomodate AYW, but just coincident with it's implementation?

I tend to disagree with comments about poor attendance for the late shows. We went to the 10PM show and always had difficulty finding good seats.

Instead of messing with the show schedules, HAL would better serve their pax by replacing the back killing "sofas" with proper theater seats.

OOps! Please substitute Open Seating for AYW.
My bad, :(

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Yes.. that doesn't seem well thought out.

7:30 and 9:30 might be better...

I guess I won't be going to too many shows, as we have 8pm Main dinning.

[marle7]

It's always been this way on RCL so I'm not sure we'll notice the difference. There were a couple of late shows but most of them were 7 for late seating and 9 for early seating. Of course, HAL's late seating is a half hour earlier than RCL's so it may impact us going to the shows.

[huskypup]

How long do the shows usually last?

We are on confirmed late seating for dinner at 8pm. Would we have time to watch a show starting at 7 and make it to dinner at 8.

Also if I am correct what people say, if we wanted a seat for a show starting at 7 we would probably have to be seated by 6.30.

[RuthC]

Yes.. that doesn't seem well thought out.

7:30 and 9:30 might be better...

I guess I won't be going to too many shows, as we have 8pm Main dinning.
Except that a 7:30 show is too late for 8:00 dinner. It has to be earleir than that. Before this switch, when it was just a once-in-a-while thing, the early show for the late diners was at 6:45. Which still left time for a fast (too fast, maybe) cocktail.

And 9:30 is too late for the early diners. They have long-since finished and have found something else to occupy their time. Usually sleep.

[RuthC]

How long do the shows usually last?

We are on confirmed late seating for dinner at 8pm. Would we have time to watch a show starting at 7 and make it to dinner at 8.
Shows usually run 45-50 minutes, or so. Give or take. Plus or minus.
Yes, there's plenty of time to see the show then get to the dining room. There's even time to freshen up in between. That's why the time was set as it was.
What there isn't time for is a cocktail. Unless you chug-a-lug. :rolleyes:

[Krazy Kruizers]

The AYWD was in effect when we cruised on the Ryndam in Nov/Dec. The shows were at 6:45 and 8:30. I reported on my Live thread about how mobbed it was for the 8:30 show -- we tried several times to get decent seats and rarely saw a saw.

On our recent Veendam cruises the AYWD wasn't in place yet (I think it went in place just this past Sunday - April 6). So the show times were at the normal times: 8:30 and 10:15.

[dakrewser]

We've never been too impressed with the shows anyway, this just gives us a good reason to not go at all.

You'd think with all the marketing effort to try to lure a younger crowd that they'd not only keep the 10 PM show, but add an occasional midnight one!

[dabear]

count us in for not liking the new schedule. We prefer late seating so that we can relax after the day and perhaps have a cocktail b4 dinner. This type of scheduling is one of the reasons we changed from Celebrity other lines.

[kakalina]

I like the new schedules. I find it very convenient for me. I always eat early and have time to have a cocktail and/or visit the casino for a bit before the show. After the show perhaps another cocktail and then maybe the CN or bed depending if the next day is a port day.

[wizard-of-roz]

We enjoy the shows.....I consider it part of the "package" I paid for and one of the reasons why we checked Vegas off our vacation plans for the last 4 years.

Cruising is such an attractive choice: Cabin/food/entertainment....what a great deal....I'm not crossing part of my package off!

I'll change my dining time to fit around the entertainment. :rolleyes: :p

[mr green]

It makes sense for us. Being on the 'late' early sitting, it should give us time to eat, without having to check our watches every few miutes. This way we should not have to rush to get to the show.

john

[doone]

I did not like it on my last cruise onboard the Veendam, neither did anyone else in my party.

[sail7seas]

I can't imagine anyone who has 8:00 P.M. Dining is going to like it but we can't all like everything so we have to pick and choose what matters to us most.

Our dining time is more important to us than the shows but I certain understand those who find the shows an important part of their cruise.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I wonder what they will do in Alaska:confused: Dining times have always been a bit earlier in Alaska. Early was at 5:15 and Main (late) is usually at 7:45. For our upcoming cruise we are confirmed for Main Dining at 7:45. Up till this last Yum Yum Man cruise we have always had early dining. We chose to have the Main dining for our upcoming cruise so we could do a few more things during the day and it stays light so long. I had wanted to enjoy the Thermal Suite in the afternoon several days and having late dinner would allow me more time to get ready. If they chose to also have the shows early/before Main Dining that will definitely change things and not to what we would want. We might as well have chosen Early Dining:(
On our upcoming cruise on the Amsterdam Joel Mason will be performing so we know we plan to go to some shows. It will be interesting to see what we hear once Alaska season starts.

[sail7seas]

Good point, Lisa, about Alaska cruises.

But, for all cruises, if we wanted to dress and be ready so early, we would have asked for early dining.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

I can't imagine anyone who has 8:00 P.M. Dining is going to like it but we can't all like everything so we have to pick and choose what matters to us most.

Our dining time is more important to us than the shows but I certain understand those who find the shows an important part of their cruise.


I didn't pick the dinning time either...

I like eating around 6pm...

[LynnObie]

With confirmed early dining, I guess we'd slightly prefer the old 8PM show schedule but 9PM works ok & is what we've gotten used to on recent Celebrity cruises. Guess we'll make whatever the final schedule is work as we do want to both dine early and see most of the shows.:)

[gizmo]

We don't often go to the shows as it is but will never be seeing them now. We always have 8:00 P.M. seating and enjoy a drink before dinner. We don't want to dress and go out for the evening so early to see the show before dinner. People who ask for later seating are doing so in order to not have to rush around and dress so early.




Exactly!!!

[tayl]

I just spoke to someone from HAL. They are stating that they have not heard many complaints about the entertainment times. If people feel that it should be changed back, they should notify the entertainment dept. so that they can look into this.
I know for myself, that I enjoy having a before dinner beverage, followed by late traditional dining, followed by a show....then after show drinks and casino etc.
To notify HAL that the time change takes away from the experience and people can't make the show times ; please email them at: www.hollandamericaentertainment.com (http://www.hollandamericaentertainment.com)

[tayl]

Well, I entered that email address and there is no where to address this.:confused:

[tayl]

I called HAL back and spoke to someone, who promises to email me back with information as well as direct the entertainment people to this post. So if you have something to say about the time change, please be subject specific only.
Please get your thoughts here asap about how the show time change impacts traditional dinning. I.e. we can't make the shows due to the time change.

[RuthC]

I just spoke to someone from HAL. They are stating that they have not heard many complaints about the entertainment times.
I'm only one person, but I did put my displeasure about this on my Rotterdam comment card when my recent cruise ended.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On all of our Alaskan cruises, instead of eating at 5:45 - Upper Early -- the time was 5:30. Hope they don't make it 5:15.

If they do -- then we will eat either in the Pinnacle or the Lido.

[SharonN]

I'm only one person, but I did put my displeasure about this on my Rotterdam comment card when my recent cruise ended.

So did I and the rest of my tablemates on that cruise. The times seemed to change as the cruise went on with the last week almost all before dinner shows. We were all unhappy with the change since we all enjoyed having a long nice dinner and then going to the show afterward. The shows are one of the things I enjoy on a cruise and we had some great ones on this trip but they really aren't the same before dinner. I like to use the time when others are at early sitting to catch up on things like email, laundry, paperwork, etc and then get ready for dinner. It's quieter with less people around and gives me a chance to transition to the evening. Sometimes I'm ready early enough to stop by one of the bars to listen to music or make a quick donation to the casino but I like having that slower time before the real evening starts.

[cruisinjudy]

We seemed to have no problem going to the show, then for a drink and a dance or two and then dinner. Some nights we skipped the show for more dance time. We sometimes also stopped in before the show but it was usually just a piano player in the lounge then. After dinner we would sometimes stop in there again or go to our room where we could also hear the music! The only balcony left when we booked was a guarantee and we ended up just above the bandstand.

[prescottbob]

I'm only one person, but I did put my displeasure about this on my Rotterdam comment card when my recent cruise ended.

Ahoy!

We also let our sentiments be known on the comment card prior to debarking recently. We actually wanted to catch a couple of the individual performers and maybe one production show but 'no dice' with the new & "improved " scheduling.

I can see the occassional switches on the port intensive itineraries, e.g., Europe, SA, etc. but all sea days too?

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

[wizard-of-roz]

My DH is ready to eat at 5:00.....He would love it if they started serving then!

There are some days when he's willing to go to the Lido at 4:30 and eat early!

It's tough to keep his schedule and go on excursions!

[funlady&bama]

On a recent trip on HAL, I voiced my displeasure about the new times, in addition to the disaster that the AYW dining. Many people missed dining in the dining room due to there being NO times or tables available. The crew member I spoke to was leaving soon, so he was happy to tell me the truth. The changes were instituted in order to make the guest have more "down time". This will get them into the small bars and casino, which is where the cruise lines make their money. It reminds me of a saying a lobbyist told me about legislation that seems to make so sense: "Follow the sex or follow the money. If neither of those lead you to the answer, start over!!"
There was much concern about the long term effect of CCL buying HAL, and it looks like we got what we expected. They could have at least thrown in the topless deck when they converted things to the "Carnidam"

[wizard-of-roz]

funlady: You had me peeeeeeing in my pants!!!!!!

[Golfette]

Our traditional dining was the window between 8 & 8:30. By the time we finished eating, it was too close to show time (10 show) and we were too logy to sit around again.

We much preferred having the early show for late diners. We would have a drink at the show, enjoy the show and it would be time for dinner. We really don't like eating as late as 8 - 8:30, but its preferable to 5:15 - 6. Since it was not yet daylite savings time, it got dark at 5 p.m. It was nice to dress leisurely, have a drink at the theater and watch the show.

[advocado]

Bad idea. Many passengers (myself included), prefer a little later dining (8:00 P.M.). There is no way we could ever make a 9:00 p.m. show, unless it's performed at our table ...

[ON cruiser]

I agree with PrescottBob and the others who are not in favour of the new show-times. We were on the Westerdam in March and we enjoy the Oean
Bar for pre-dinner cocktails (after an "illegal" drink in our suite, but that's another thread) at around 7: 15-30-ish, prior to dinner at 8. With that schedule we never made showtime at 9...

[docksider21]

I too, liked the old schedule.

I followed this routine:

1. Cocktail time, 5-ish.

2. Early dinner (this is when I didn't have to add "traditional")

3. Freshen up. or sometime go straight to the theatre.
If there early, sometime have a drink.

4. Show time (at 8 or 8:30)

5. Fun in the piano bar, casino, or where-ever.

Worked like clockwork, couldn't be better.

Maybe by October, they will have things back in order.

[RevNeal]

I just spoke to someone from HAL. They are stating that they have not heard many complaints about the entertainment times. If people feel that it should be changed back, they should notify the entertainment dept. so that they can look into this.

This is Seattle's normal initial response when someone has as complaint. They will often try and make you feel as though you're unusual and they've never heard the like of your complaint before. I've had this kind of thing happen several times before, only to later find out that I wasn't even close to being the only person with a complaint.

Personally, I don't like the new schedule either. I sometimes enjoy going to the cast shows, but with the new schedule it's simply impossible to do it without ruining the pre-dinner cocktail hour. If I go to a show, then the ship looses revenue from selling me a drink or two. If I don't go to the show then I miss it and they don't have be in the audience. I wish they would adjust the early show to 7:30 pm and the late show to 10 pm.

I am half-way suspicious that the reason HAL is doing this is that it provides yet another way of discouraging people from booking 8pm traditional seating. :)

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

...all on vacation? Some folks prefer an early leisure dining experience and others a later seating without the need to 'wear a watch' in order to enjoy the shows provided?

It seems to me that everyone interested in the entertainment provided by the new and "improved" HAL schedule now needs to adjust their schedules (if so inclined to partake) verus the provider making an effort to schedule the shows and pre and post available entertainment on board to please the client. Am I missing something?

Summary: 1. Shows @ 7 & 9 P.M. (port & sea days).
2. Dining Times @ approx. 6 & 8 P.M.

Solution for late diners: Shower & Dress by 5:30, slurp a libation on the way to the show, see the show (or continue to inbibe & dance in a bar/lounge), break out of the show and dine @ 8. Have a nightcap and call it a night. I got it!

I'm relaxed already. I look forward to my next HAL 'float'. (Glad I'm on vacation...)

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:) (ecclectic casual tonight)

[Lesuan]

To add another voice, in case HAL does read these messages: we would prefer the late show time. We go to late dining and like to follow that with a show. We aren't interested in the casino. Going to the early show would mean, as many have pointed out, no time for a pre dinner drink, thus reducing bar revenues, one would think. 10 or 10:30 for the last show, please!

[tayl]

Interesting point Rev Neal. I guess I've given HAL more credit than deserved.
Thanks for everyones input. Now let's hope they actually read this. :cool:

[bicker]

Just stepping in again, but aren't we...all on vacation? Some folks prefer an early leisure dining experience and others a later seating without the need to 'wear a watch' in order to enjoy the shows provided? It seems to me that everyone interested in the entertainment provided by the new and "improved" HAL schedule now needs to adjust their schedules (if so inclined to partake) verus the provider making an effort to schedule the shows and pre and post available entertainment on board to please the client. Am I missing something?Yes, you're missing the first thing you said, that we're all on vacation, and so everyone who actually liked the new schedule experienced an improvement, given that the cruise line made an effort to scheduled the shows to please them, as the client.

[Jade13]

I just spoke to someone from HAL. They are stating that they have not heard many complaints about the entertainment times. If people feel that it should be changed back, they should notify the entertainment dept. so that they can look into this.
I know for myself, that I enjoy having a before dinner beverage, followed by late traditional dining, followed by a show....then after show drinks and casino etc.
To notify HAL that the time change takes away from the experience and people can't make the show times ; please email them at: www.hollandamericaentertainment.com (http://www.hollandamericaentertainment.com)

Can you post this at the top and make a new thread so folks can find the e-mail link. We did not like the early shows etc on Celebrity. We had to rush to get to dinner.

[Jade13]

Bad idea. Many passengers (myself included), prefer a little later dining (8:00 P.M.). There is no way we could ever make a 9:00 p.m. show, unless it's performed at our table ...

If you have 8:00pm dinner, you are supposed to go to the 7:00pm show. The problem on Celebrity was they sometimes, like HAL had the bingo before or after the show. When it as after, people were late to dinner. I our case we had to walk out of bingo since we had children at the table waiting for us.

[boards]

When did Hal start bingo's after or before the evening shows. I do recall ever seeing bingo being played then on 4 cruises we have been on. Part of that might be because I don't play bingo I guess, but we usually went to the shows a little early and there was never bingo being played.

[tutak]

Maybe tehy should have As You Wish Entertainment. They run the shows continuously and you just come and go as you please rather than the fixed seating times.

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

I wasn't aware that there was a "wave" of negative comments by passengers that caused the new scheduling changes on HAL. Do tell.

I've always been of the opinion "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Regardless, may your next cruise be your Best Cruise (even if you don't catch the shows)!

Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

(sometimes wishing I was born 100 years ago and died 30 years ago;) )

[RuthC]

Ahoy!

...all on vacation?
Actually, no, I'm not "on vacation". I'm traveling---there's a difference.
It seems to me that everyone interested in the entertainment provided by the new and "improved" HAL schedule now needs to adjust their schedules (if so inclined to partake) verus the provider making an effort to schedule the shows and pre and post available entertainment on board to please the client. Am I missing something?
Yes, you're missing that this comes under the heading of "The tail wags the dog". I prefer the concept of providing for the customer's wants.
Summary: 1. Shows @ 7 & 9 P.M. (port & sea days).
2. Dining Times @ approx. 6 & 8 P.M.

Solution for late diners: Shower & Dress by 5:30, slurp a libation on the way to the show, see the show (or continue to inbibe & dance in a bar/lounge), break out of the show and dine @ 8. Have a nightcap and call it a night. I got it!
If I wanted to shower and dress by 5:30 I'd be another one fighting for early seating. No thanks. I want to prolong my afternoon, have a nap, and be ready for evening to start about 7:15-ish.

But I suspect your post might have been tongue in cheek? :confused: I hope?

[hammybee]

I am half-way suspicious that the reason HAL is doing this is that it provides yet another way of discouraging people from booking 8pm traditional seating. :)

Why would HAL do this, given early seating seems to be the preferred time for the majority ? If anything, I would think HAL would want to encourage people to dine later to reduce the demand for dinner seats earlier in the evening.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Now with this New Entertainment times I wonder if they will schedule entertainment in the lounges any differently:confused: Personally by moving up the last show to 9 PM it will make it appear that HAL really is catering to the Seniors and putting everyone to bed early:eek: The problem in the past is that when a show was going on you would go from the Explorer's Lounge, to the Ocean Bar then up to the Crow's Nest and absolutely nothing was going on. I cannot tell you how many times we have walked from lounge to lounge at about 9 PM to have absolutely nothing going on so what do we end up doing?..... Yup go to our cabin and go to bed. Don't get me wrong I love HAL but this is one area that I just cannot understand and it really does tick me off. You would think if they kept entertainment in the lounges people would keep drinking there fore HAL would make more money. This is why our next cruise we chose to have Main Dining thinking that maybe we could find more things going on but if they are doing this and do not reschedule when they have entertainment in the lounges HAL ships will really be snoozeville.

[RevNeal]

Why would HAL do this, given early seating seems to be the preferred time for the majority ? If anything, I would think HAL would want to encourage people to dine later to reduce the demand for dinner seats earlier in the evening.

HAL does NOT want to encourage ANYBODY to request 8 pm. Any cursory review of HAL's booking system shows that Main seating is also (1) waitlisting months in advance, and (2) closing completely prior to the final payment date on MANY (if not most) sailings. Hence, shifting some of the Fixed Seating demand from Early to Main isn't going to help anything. HAL wants to encourage people to request Open Dining; THAT solves the problem. Early folk settling for Main doesn't help the overall situation because Main is already filling up, waitlisting, and then closing LONG before sail-date.

I'm in cynical-mode right now. In cynical-mode I see this as an attempt to try and discourage Traditional Dining IN GENERAL ... the new entertainment schedule fits the wants and desires of Open Seating people far better than those of either Traditional dining passenger. Additionally, I suspect that the first of the remaining two Traditional seatings to be done away with (next) will be the 8 pm option. I give it a year or two before we see this, but in cynical-mode with prophet-gears turned on (if Kyros can have prophet-gears, I can too) I can see it over the horizon. What I suspect is going to happen is that HAL will proclaim AYWD and the Open Seating option such an overwhelming success that they'll say that they need more space to fulfill all the requests for Open. SO, they'll convert the 8 pm Fixed seating space to Open seating following the completion of Early-Fixed. Eventually, the Early-Fixed seating option will also go the way of the dodo, but that will take a little longer. Oh, I'm sure that HAL will still provide options to enable people who want to reclaim some of the Traditional Fixed "feel" to have it through a process of reservation for same time/table/stewards every night ... but, the days of "Traditional Fixed Seating" are numbered.

In other words, in cynical-mode I see this scheduling as being done so-as to inconvenience those who wish 8 pm seating, thus pushing them -- ever so quietly -- into requesting Open Seating so-as to more easily enable drinks BEFORE dinner and the show AFTER dinner. This way, the demand for 8 pm Fixed will fall and the Line can then do away with it altogehter, switching the upper level to Open Seating once Early Fixed is done.

[dakrewser]

In other words, in cynical-mode I see this scheduling as being done so-as to inconvenience those who wish 8 pm seating, thus pushing them -- ever so quietly -- into requesting Open Seating so-as to more easily enable drinks BEFORE dinner and the show AFTER dinner. This way, the demand for 8 pm Fixed will fall and the Line can then do away with it altogehter, switching the upper level to Open Seating once Early Fixed is done.

That only makes sense if enough people feel the entertainment is worth the trouble. I certainly don't. It's a diversion; it's something to do after dinner. But I'm certainly not going to organize my day around the entertainment schedule. There's plenty of other ways for me to spend my time whether that's in a lounge, in the casino, strolling on deck - or catching up on CC!

[RevNeal]

That only makes sense if enough people feel the entertainment is worth the trouble. I certainly don't. It's a diversion; it's something to do after dinner. But I'm certainly not going to organize my day around the entertainment schedule. There's plenty of other ways for me to spend my time whether that's in a lounge, in the casino, strolling on deck - or catching up on CC!

:D
Think like HAL-Seattle. They certainly think that their entertainment is "worth the trouble." And, based upon the show attendances, I would have to say that enough passengers do, too. I missed about 50% of the shows aboard the Rotterdam this last Jan/Feb. I was too busy having fun doing other things. But, I did see a few shows that were worthwhile seeing. Had they put more of the shows AFTER 8pm dining, rather than before, I would have gone to more.

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

"Actually, no, I'm not "on vacation". I'm traveling---there's a difference."


Quite right by defintion : Vacation =A period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday

"Yes, you're missing that this comes under the heading of "The tail wags the dog". I prefer the concept of providing for the customer's wants."


Definitly. I prefer your wording.

"If I wanted to shower and dress by 5:30 I'd be another one fighting for early seating. No thanks. I want to prolong my afternoon, have a nap, and be ready for evening to start about 7:15-ish.

But I suspect your post might have been tongue in cheek? :confused: I hope?"


Precisely. The only way to make a point sometimes.


Bon Voyage & Good Health!
Bob:)

[Sandy Sails]

On the Westerdam 2 and 3 weeks ago: Had open seating - usually ate around 5:15 or 5:30, depending on if we wanted to try to make the 7 p.m. show. If it was Joel Mason's show, definitely tried to make it. If dinner ran long, we'd go to the 9 p.m. show. Both 7 pm and 9 pm shows were quite filled to the brink - always had to get there early to get a good seat. And did you know that they serve cocktails at the show? (i.e. "pre-dinner drinks")

So our dinner schedule had to work around the show schedule. And it worked every time, but it was a little more work that I wanted to do on a vacation. But I haven't been on very many cruises to have an actual set schedule (i.e. afternoon nap at a specific time, pre-dinner cocktail at a specific time, dinner at a specific time) - I was able to be more flexible and just work with the system.

The other activities (newlywed game, karaoke, other game shows) were usually held at 10:15 or 10:30 in the Queens Lounge - again, had to get there early to get a good seat.

[wizard-of-roz]

We really need to eat early...and if you're talking about no more seating in the showroom.....We travel with a Service Dog....She takes up 2 seats, when she lies on the floor in front of them or where there's a danger of her getting stepped on she actually sits on the seat (if it's bench-type seating)!

Do you want to see people get really upset about how many seats or how much floor space she takes up....travel with us!

I've learned to get to the showroom as early as I can (within reason) because sometimes the doors are closed & locked. I sit with the dog....wait for the DH, who walks like a snail because if I don't we would never see a show, ever!

[clan]

I'm really disappointed to read of the change in show times. We'll be sailing on the Maasdam May 4 for 13 days. We have 8:00 dinner and much prefer a show after dinner, not before! It has nothing to do with pre-dinner cocktails-just don't want to have to dress early and have the "evening's entertainment" before dinner. Hope HA will think about changing the schedule.

[Sandy Sails]

Roz, you should be ok getting to the 7 p.m. show if you're eating at 5:15. It was worse in the Queens Lounge because seating is so limited. Otherwise, try the 9 p.m. show and just get there around 8:30 to get a good seat.

On a side note, we were wishing we could have brought our dog on the cruise with us because we missed her so much, but then again, where would she "do her business?" How does that work for you? I'm sure glad it does but just curious.

[mamaofami]

I don't like the new schedule either. We like to eat early dinner and usually slide in at 6pm. We can't make a 7pm show since we're usually not out of the dining room till 7:30. We liked to take a nice stroll and then go to the show. Now, we will have to find something to do until 9pm. I'm guessing that HAl thinks that will be stopping off in one of the bars or going to the casino to kill some time. That works for them.

[MrsMuir]

We like to dine late. Though we're not big onboard entertainment fans, we would like the option to see a stage show AFTER dinner. Another reason I prefer relaxing at the CN or the Explorers' Lounge before dinner: I take a lot of trouble to dress and look good, even on Smart Casual nights. Sitting in a dimly-lighted show lounge first thing in the evening is not what I got all tarted-up for. We enjoy meeting up with new friends (from our Traditional Dining table :p) and having a drink or two with them.

Mrs Muir

[wizard-of-roz]

Sandy: This Saturday will be her 9th cruise and she's only 8 years old! She's a pro at this!

Every ship does it differently, but Princess does it best....Actually, NCL wasn't so bad either (although, we weren't crazy about NCL!)

The ship provides a "potty box". Typically 4x4, filled with various "stuff!"
Princess uses wood shavings in a 5x5 box and places the box in a work closet - very close to our cabin; NCL uses mulch, also very close to our cabin; Carnival uses paper pellets and puts the box on our veranda; HAL uses sod with a 3x4 box and places it on the Promenade Deck (not so good).

My preference is how Princess does it....so convenient....I will speak to the Hotel Manager, on Saturday and have the box placed either on our Veranda or in a closet near our cabin. If one ship can make it so nice so can the other!

And, being a very responsible SD handler....I never leave droppings behind....I always pick-up and place it in a plastic bag and close it. The ship will provide a depository for it or it's left right on the outside of the box and a steward will dispose of it!

I always allow for "patting" and "hugs" from the public, who are missing their own furry children! Some people with SD's do not allow for this.....Just ask before going for that pat!

[Sandy Sails]

Roz, that is so cool! Thank you so much for the information. I vote for having it on your balcony - very conveniently located! And very nice of you to allow the pats and hugs from dog owners missing their own.:D

[Loreto]

Instead of messing with the show schedules, HAL would better serve their pax by replacing the back killing "sofas" with proper theater seats.[/quote]


I agree!!! My husband complains about the uncomfortable seats on every post cruise comment card. I usually go to the shows alone.:(
Karen

[ekerr19]

We haven't attended a show in years. This is one area where I think cruiselines have a choice to make. Either take it to the next level (and provide quality entertainment - Vegas style) or do away with "the show" altogether.

We will probably not attend any future "shows" as we are among those who like to take an afternoon nap, get ready for dinner leisurely - usually opening a bottle of wine or champagne to enjoy as the sun sets on the verandah - then head to one of the lounges for a pre-dinner cocktail and some music before we're off to the diningroom. :)

[CalGal777]

Why would HAL do this, given early seating seems to be the preferred time for the majority ? If anything, I would think HAL would want to encourage people to dine later to reduce the demand for dinner seats earlier in the evening.If most people like early seating than why was I wait listed on my request for late seating when I booked 6mo. in advance?

[auntdana]

can someone please expalin what the new showtimes are?


i am traveling with a group of 11 and we requested early seating i hope we get it

[hammybee]

If most people like early seating than why was I wait listed on my request for late seating when I booked 6mo. in advance?

Sounds like "most people" are not on your cruise. With more than 1 million passengers a year, it stands to reason that preferences will vary from time to time.

If you prefer to dine later, you might want to consider Open Seating.

[oysterdam]

When cruising, my wife and I like to enjoy a full day on shore or on deck before transitioning into evening mode. We used to change to evening attire by 6:45, have a cocktail before dinner, then head to the dining room for dinner at 8, then off to the show.

With the new show times this is not possible. Of course we could change what we want to do on our vacation in order to fit the schedule that HAL wants us to have. But it's not what we want.

I really enjoy cruising with HAL, but I must say that the new show times are not customer friendly at all for late diners. This is operational thinking at its worst.

My wife and I have talked about the lack of things to do on HAL in the evening and are now actively considering Princess as our main line to cruise on. From our experience Princess offers more varied evening entertainment than HAL and a more enjoyable evening for us.