New Year's Eve

[grannynurse]

Hi,
We on the Zaandam's New Year's cruise have discovered that New Year's Eve has been changed to a late night (11pm) sailing from Cozumel.

We were wondering how this may affect us as being a formal night (which we want). We know that the night's dress code can be changed at the discretion of the hotel manager and captain. HAL's email to one of the group asks us to wait and see.

WE'd like to know if anyone else's holiday cruise is impacted in this manner.
i.e. late sailing that may change dress code on N Y's eve. and if so, do you care?

Perhaps if enough people are impacted and care, we could email a special request to HAL for consideration of keeping our formal night on New Year's Eve.

Thanks for your help,
Grannynurse et al

[dakrewser]

You are allowed to dress formally on a casual night, just not vice versa.


Maybe, though, that will be Dutch Night, now.

:) -dave

[jazzsea]

I suspect the New Year's Eve party will still be formal or at least semi formal. I can't imagine HAL having such a party with casual dress. Ask your TA to ask ship services. Maybe you can get a response.

[RuthC]

Grannynurse, since I know you have seen people dressed very casually on a formal night you can be certain to let others see you dressed very formally on New Year's Eve.

After all, it's your vacation and you can dress any way you want! (Isn't that the justification otherwise used?)

[debsea]

But what makes formal night special is the ambiance created by everyone dressed to the nines. That is why we complain about those who don't comply with the suggested dress code on formal nights. If I go dressed to a restaurant that doesn't have a dress code, and I decide to dress up to celebrate a special occasion, and there are people there in jeans, it doesn't bother me. But when I book a cruise over New Year's specifically to celebrate New Year's Eve onboard, it is not with the intention of bringing in the New Year in formal wear surrounded by 1,000 people in casual attire. It seems to me that New Year's Eve is probably the one night in the calendar year that one would expect all cruise lines to have a formal party.

[THEDUCHESS]

We are also on this cruise, and EXTREMELY disappointed with the itinerary change. Anyone who has sailed before knows what happens in Cozumel. We are scheduled for an 11pm departure, and there will be "celebrating passengers" who will delay our departure, as the rest of us stand at the rails in shorts and t-shirts getting angrier by the minute at our delay.

Not only are we to be denied our relaxing day at sea, time to dress for an anticipated wonderful celebration, and then our long awaited exciting, romantic night dressed to the hilt, but also a wonderful menu and gala evening on what is one of the most special nights of the year.

Cozumel at 11pm is DEFINATELY NOT what I had in mind for New Year's Eve.

We had our choice of five different cruises for this time frame and length, and I am now very sorry that we chose HAL if they are going to change all of this.

Does HAL not realize that we save all year so that we can afford our ultimate escape and celebrate a special occasion such as New Year's Eve in style???

This is unacceptable, and HAL has managed to spoil my trip before I have even started. You shouldn't have to start a cruise disappointed.

THEDUCHESS

[grannynurse]

Please don't anticipate the worst thing that could happen.

Why don't we all contact HAL and explain our concerns, as in a mutually directed emailing and calling campaign. We could all focus a different area. Someone could focus on the Mariner society, someone ships's services, etc, then we could all call HAL directly and explain in a rational manner our expectations of a New Year's cruise and why we booked. It's not HAL's fault that the itinerary had to be changed. I think they're doing the best they can with redirecting 11 ships and arramging berthing for them.
GN

[grannynurse]

I emailed HAL this morning asking them to consider our concerns. We'll see what transpires.
GN

[dakrewser]

Does HAL not realize that we save all year so that we can afford our ultimate escape and celebrate a special occasion such as New Year's Eve in style???

This is unacceptable, and HAL has managed to spoil my trip before I have even started. You shouldn't have to start a cruise disappointed.
I'm certainly sorry you feel this way, because by going in with this attitude you will guarantee a bad experience. Instead, focus on making it an enjoyable time.

Start a Roll Call (or a new one) for those who want to celebrate in style. Meet that night in the Crow's nest (or other lounge) and welcome in the New Year together. Or have a party under the stars up on the sports deck. What's happening on the pier should have no affect on you.

HAL promised you a cruise, not a party. We've just come through the worst hurricane season in recent memory - changes to cruises will reverberate throughout the Caribbean will into spring. HAL didn't "spoil your trip", Charley, Frances, Karl and their ilk have.

[Jeal]

Hey I agree with dakrewser - we need to start a roll call - tell me how to do that and I will.
I know that we will have fun no matter what - we always do.
Grannynurse - tell me how and who to contact at HAL.
I love this board - I have find out more information here than anywhere else. This is our seventh cruise in six years so I consider us newbies in comparison with some of you. Your help and expertise has been invaluable to us. Jeal

[bepsf]

---who knows why HAL changed it, but look at the possibilities...

- maybe the line arranged for a New Year's fireworks display for your Cozumel sailaway?

[grannynurse]

There is a roll call on the roll call board for Zaandam 12/28.

I started my email with the Mariner society. Check the posts on the roll call board which is on the same page as "cruise lines A-O " etc. to see the current thread on this subject and any progress through communication with HAL.

We also have a Cc lunch set up for the first day at sea.

I haven't made any personal calls yet, just to my TA.
I'm not mad, I believe in rational communication, and I make alot of lemonade.
Trying to be the "voice of reason"
GN

[debsea]

Jeal, please join us on the Roll Call Board. Go to the top of the Home Page and click on Cruise Critic Message Boards. Scroll down to Roll Calls, and click on Holland America. You'll find us on Zaandam New Year's. Please plan to join us for lunch in the dining room on the first sea day. We're meeting in the Explorer's Lounge at noon.

[Jeal]

We'll be there. I am going to the roll call. Thanks for the help.