MORE TV channels

[allen.crawford]

Just caught this on the newswire!

SEATTLE, Sept. 20 /CNW/ -- Holland America Line announced today
that it is expanding its television and entertainment options to include
additional channels and even more movie choices for its guests. This
programming expansion will cover Holland America's entire fleet of five-star
ships and is part of the company's $225 million Signature of Excellence
initiative.
Signature of Excellence is a series of groundbreaking investments
occurring throughout Holland America's fleet that are enhancing the company's
position as the premium cruise leader.
"We recognize that each guest who steps aboard a Holland America Line ship
is unique," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and
sales. "This goes right down to the kind of television programming and movies
they like to watch. Our goal is to accommodate our guests in every way
possible; one way to do this is to provide them with more viewing and
entertainment options than ever before."
Holland America Line's extended service debuts this month, and includes a
new documentary channel with programming that varies based on the ship's
itinerary. For example, passengers embarking on a trip to Alaska can see the
documentary, "Alaska's Natural Wonders," which will provide them with a
spectacular look at the 49th state's majestic beauty -- all from the comfort
and luxury of their stateroom.
In addition, ESPN will now be available in all staterooms, as will two new
channels: one featuring Discovery Channel programs and another featuring
recent and classic TV shows. Guests will also be able to view cooking
demonstrations that take place in the ships' Culinary Arts Center from the
privacy of their own cabin. These new programming options complement Holland
America Line's existing in-stateroom offerings, including CNN, Boomerang, TNT
and CNNfn.
"Our entertainment options always provide guests with an opportunity to
have fun and learn about some of the intriguing destinations we visit," said
Bill Prince, Holland America's director of entertainment. "We have long set
the industry standard for providing exciting entertainment with a purpose and
the additional television and movie offerings are simply an extension of that
commitment."
With the enhanced programming options, Holland America Line will offer
passengers more movie choices than ever before, with nine different movies
every day on rotation on three different movie channels. Each channel will
provide a different focus including comedy, drama and classic movies.


How about that!!

[gizmo]

Thanks for the info.

Making ESPN available in the cabin is a big plus for some people. The other new programing sounds nice also.

I am wondering which ESPN.

I am hoping they get rid of that ESPN International at least for Caribbean, Mexcio, and Alaska cruises.

I really don't need "Ole Ole" and a sports game being broadcast in Spanish or Portugese in the cabin.:rolleyes:

[Spot]

Did I miss when this was to be implemented? I thought the Vista ships were completed with the SOE - does this mean this will be available on these ships now?

From what I'm reading in these threads, the biggest SOE would be a return to their old and well regarded service.

[RevNeal]

More TV channels is great ... but I'd rather SOE include a re-investment in staff training and recruitment. Come on, HAL ... pick it back up.

[dakrewser]

I've never chosen a cruise, or a cruise line, based on which TV channels were shown in the cabin. Or even whether or not there was a TV in the cabin. I don't cruise to watch "classic TV shows"!


As others have said, Excellence in service should be the #1 priority.

-dave

[RevNeal]

I don't cruise to watch "classic TV shows"!

Agreed ... with one little caveat. I'm a news junkie ... when I'm on a cruise I DO want the ability to watch at least SOME form of TV news and read a current newspaper (either online or in paper form). CNN in my cabin enables me to keep up with news.

[BCEagle78]

The CNN channel that is broadcast is the CNN World... Much different than the CNN that we see in our homes in the U.S.

I realize that there is an international clientele on board but at least on the Caribbean cruises I have been on, it seem like a vast majority are U.S. pax. I would get more information from the CNN that is broadcast in the U.S.

I know, go on a cruise, why would you want to watch TV. Like Rev Neal, I need to know a little about what's going on in the world, even when I am away from it...

:)

P.S... I finally made it to post 100!!!!

[RevNeal]

The CNN channel that is broadcast is the CNN World... Much different than the CNN that we see in our homes in the U.S.

That really depends upon where one is in the world. On the Statendam in the Pacific they were pulling down US CNN. In Europe it was either World or the European service. Are there differences between the different services? Sure. But one does get some US news through CNN World.

I would also like them to carry BBCTV and FoxNews -- I like a broad range of opinion -- but I'm not going to hold my breath. :)

[gizmo]

I would also like them to carry BBCTV and FoxNews -- I like a broad range of opinion -- but I'm not going to hold my breath. :)
Same with me, but I am not holding my breath either. :)

[ekerr19]

Thanks for the info.

I am wondering which ESPN.

I am hoping they get rid of that ESPN International at least for Caribbean, Mexcio, and Alaska cruises.

I really don't need "Ole Ole" and a sports game being broadcast in Spanish or Portugese in the cabin.:rolleyes:

gizmo-

I HEAR you! ESPN International, well - suffice to say, DH has had his fill! ;)

[ekerr19]

More TV channels is great ... but I'd rather SOE include a re-investment in staff training and recruitment. Come on, HAL ... pick it back up.

reveneal-

I REALLY HEAR you on this one! TV in the cabins... well, I could think of much other areas needing improvement! DH will be happy though - he is the kind of person who can find anything (especially sports) to watch!

Once, I came into the familyroom and he was watching a marble shooting tournament... :confused:

He called it "enlightening", I called it "desperation" :D

[RevNeal]

Once, I came into the familyroom and he was watching a marble shooting tournament.

Marble shooting??
I think they've discovered something LESS physically taxing than Curling. :)

I tried out of the US Olympics Curling team ... FAILED because I was "too robust." hehehehehe More likely, they were afraid I'd "bust" the ice. :D

[Lovebirds]

We want Fox News! We want Fox News! We want Fox News! We want Fox News! We want Fox News!:D

[merryecho]

to lovebirds:
NO WE DON"T! NO WE DON"T!

[Jacqueline]

I prefer the World news. Its part of what travel does- gets me thinking outside my usual paradigm.
And my DH watched the spanish channels here in NY for the soccer ! He doesnt understand a word of it.
I am all for better TC programming - HAL is better than most other lines in this regard currently.
I agree that it is the SERVICE that will keep people coming back. That should be the Numero uno priority,

[dakrewser]

when I'm on a cruise I DO want the ability to watch at least SOME form of TV news and read a current newspaper (either online or in paper form). CNN in my cabin enables me to keep up with news.
Me too - http://news.google.com/ :)

[fb0075]

A few months ago on Princess in southern Carribean--I complained about int ESPN and was told several times that this is the only ESPN that can be picked up in this part of the world--Princess always have shown the extra channels and it is a great treat on a longer cruise to see something other than the standard 4 channels--BTW, Celebrity charges for in-room movies!
FRANK

[Cruising Jake]

We were on a Celebrity ship and could gamble on the TV in the room. DH loved it and won several hundred dollars. That's what we want to see on the TV on HAL.

[ekerr19]

We were on a Celebrity ship and could gamble on the TV in the room. DH loved it and won several hundred dollars. That's what we want to see on the TV on HAL.

How the heck do they do that? :confused:

[Southbound]

SO DO WE! SO DO WE! SO DO WE! SO DO WE!


Awhile back, there was a discussion on this board about HAL's TV selections, in particular CNN, and someone indicated that CNN would only contract to provide CNN International to the cruise line. On our 3 most recent HAL cruises, no matter what time of day or evening, we'd find the CNN Int'l channel playing the same tapes over and over, ad nauseum. We'll be on the Rotterdam for 14 days in December and not being able to get current, up- to- date news will be a bummer. Having access to FOX News, which long ago surpassed CNN in the ratings and viewership, would be a 1000% improvement over CNN Int'l. IOHO

[Jacqueline]

Frank- I feel the same way abput HAL/RCI. It is my pet peeve with that line. We did a 14 day in the Baltic and it was the same movie - Harry Potter every day in a loop. And those pay perviews ! Its not enough that they cut off - and then you have to restart them - but who wants to commit see a whole movie ? Its nice to chill out in the cabin in between activities.
If HAL ever gets Faux news its the last time I sail them !
Where are you going next ?

[Cruising Illini]

CNN is as bad as CBS and Rather -- let's have the "Fair and Balanced" Fox News!!!

[RevNeal]

Actually, I like CNN ... International, US, Headline, fn, whatever ... I've always thought that they give a good news report. However, I do like to have a broad range an variety of reporting and there is, indeed, some truth in the idea that Fox News brings further balance and a slightly different perspective. The more the better, I always say.

[Southbound]

REV -- We like CNN also, but HAL doesn't/can't/won't get the CNN/U.S. feed, only the Int'l which runs the same taped news for 24 hrs. straight. Could it be the cost is less to HAL? ;) Dunno.

[dakrewser]

REV -- We like CNN also, but HAL doesn't/can't/won't get the CNN/U.S. feed, only the Int'l which runs the same taped news for 24 hrs. straight. Could it be the cost is less to HAL? ;) Dunno.
No, the International feed is all that's available to them.

[merryecho]

I am afraid if HAL ever started broadcasting FOX news the ships would lean so far to the right they wouldn't be able to do anything but turn in circles. I guess you could call it a severe right spin.

[Randyk47]

I guess this is all fine and good but I'd rather see HAL spend the time and money on staff and staff training. We don't mind getting a little current news...just to make sure the world hasn't ended during a sea day :eek:....but part of the cruise experience for us is escaping from the day to day news. Since I'm a football fan, and we typically cruise in the spring, I don't feel like I'm missing much by not getting the latest scores. (Did notice that I missed a bit of the NCAA basketball tournament last March but I lived.) Realize others follow other sports so something besides South American soccer games and scores would probably be nice. Also not particularly worried about the movies or number of movie channels. While we might turn on a movie while we're in the cabin getting ready for dinner I don't recall ever watching a movie from start to finish. It's just not what we come on a cruise to do. That doesn't mean it's right or wrong, it's just not our thing to do on a cruise.

[fb0075]

Would you rather(not DAN) go in circles than FLIP-FLOP-FLIP--back and forth, back and forth,back and forth---
IM GETTING SEASICK!!
Jacqueline,
Going to Middle East in november and staying over in Black Forest for a week---
FRANK

[ryansmemom]

I am afraid if HAL ever started broadcasting FOX news the ships would lean so far to the right they wouldn't be able to do anything but turn in circles. I guess you could call it a severe right spin.

I'll second that!!

Linda

[lwnbwlr]

I'm delighted about the addition of ESPN and would be ecstatic about a choice between CNN and FOX.

[RevNeal]

REV -- We like CNN also, but HAL doesn't/can't/won't get the CNN/U.S. feed, only the Int'l which runs the same taped news for 24 hrs. straight. Could it be the cost is less to HAL?

Interesting. When we were aboard the Volendam last September it was during the 911 Anniversary and they were broadcasting live from the United States, from Ground Zero, the memorial service. I've also seen other live CNN broadcasts on HAL ships, with anchors from the US I recognize. Perhaps it depends on several factors, like satellite feed availability.

I'll be curious to look this weekend and see what service they're providing. I'll be sure to report here. :D

[RevNeal]

I am afraid if HAL ever started broadcasting FOX news the ships would lean so far to the right they wouldn't be able to do anything but turn in circles. I guess you could call it a severe right spin.

I'm always amazed at this assumption that FOXNews is nothing but right-leaning commentators; there are plenty of right, middle, and left-leaning commentators. Hannity is as right as they come, but Combs is as left as they come ... they balance each other out. Now, granted, their editorial board is more middle-of-the-road/right-leaning (Brit Hume is excellent, and middle, but Tony Snow is certainly right-leaning). However, if they put BOTH CNN and FOX on HAL ships they would balance each other out quite nicely, I think. What's REALLY amazing is that the CNN feed doesn't tilt the ship so far to the left that they have a "severe left spin." ;)

[fb0075]

You wouldnt DARE disagree with a MAN OF THE CLOTH,
would you?
YOU GO REV

[gizmo]

What's REALLY amazing is that the CNN feed doesn't tilt the ship so far to the left that they have a "severe left spin." ;)
LOL at this but have to agree!

[RevNeal]

You wouldnt DARE disagree with a MAN OF THE CLOTH,
would you?

It doesn't seem to stop certain members of my church. :D

[ryansmemom]

You wouldnt DARE disagree with a MAN OF THE CLOTH,
would you?
YOU GO REV


Sorry, I just can't resist this one. ;)

I'm Jewish, we're known for disagreeing with God, arguing our point even. Our ancestors bargained directly with Him. Do you really think we worry about disagreeing with a member of the clergy? Just ask any Rabbi.

Sorry Greg. TeeHee

Linda ;)

[mattR]

More movies YA Order up some some service and relax and watch a movie when you don't have enough energy to do anything else:)

[RevNeal]

I'm Jewish, we're known for disagreeing with God, arguing our point even. Our ancestors bargained directly with Him. Do you really think we worry about disagreeing with a member of the clergy? Just ask any Rabbi.

Sorry Greg. TeeHee


Never fear, Linda ... my people tend to be more like yours!!!! They treat their Rabbi with "no respect." :D ;)

[iowacruiser]

Having worked in television for 20 years let me shed a little light on the CNN INTL issue.
It a licensing and technical capabilities issue...
If CNN can broadcast via satellite that can be reached in Miami and Key West, it can be reached in the Carribean as well. Many of the Satellites used are in geocentric orbits above the equator. That gives them very wide lattitude range. All ships in the Carribean should be able to pull down those signals if they are willing to pay the licensing fee and pull down the signal.
The downlink systems on the ships do not have a very wide band which means they are limited in the number of signals they can get at one time. They can only tune in so many birds at one time. I'm sure they choose the sat that gives them the most channels.
If, for example, G-Star 4 gives them CNN INTL, ESPN Hispanola, TNT and Discovery, they will choose that one over another bird that only offers CNN USA.
I hope they make the changes listed above.. I get withdrawls on a New Years cruise without college bowl games