Lido Trays, E-Docs, what's next to complain about???

[GPoll189]

Is this board becoming a place where there is so much whining? I fill like I am in a nursery school. Let's all get a grip. Things change sometimes for the better some times for the worse. You can all tell this talk usually gets on my nerves, and yes sometimes I do stir the pot, but I think I have to change my leaf and look at both side of the story however, I might seem to favor one side over the other. I thought that this is a place where we can all come together and talk about something that we love, however it seems more often that not we are fighting with each other. When I post I feel that I am the minority due to the age difference of the rest of the posters. Most of them are usually the at average of HAL.

Lido Trays - Come on everyone, we knew this was coming. The post that has over 500 post at this time was started in November, it is now March and it has been talked over and over about this. First of all, I am in favor of no trays, however I think there can be some things changed with how it works. If any of you have ever gone to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Fox Woods, etc. you would notice that these places don't have any trays at their buffets. When you come into the buffet, you are assigned a table, they put a your reciept on it and then a waiter comes over and asks what you wan to drink (water - soda) they then tend to that and make sure that glass if filled throughout your stay, then it is up to you to go up to the station that you want and get your food. You bring it back to you table, have that plate and then go back and have another, and keep going until you are full. Yes sometimes you have over 5 plates on your table but you usually just take what you want, and this is what HAL wants, they don't want food to go to waste. For the handicapped people I think either they should be able to use the trays, or have someone help them with their food. However, I know alot of people will abuse this right just like people with handicap parking due.

E-Docs - This I say is a great idea. Airlines do this, so why can't cruise ships do it. Inconvience to do your luggage tags at the airport or pier give me a break. The only reason you ever got your luggage tags before a cruise is because before Sept 11th they would do automatic baggage pull at the airport and your luggage would meet you at your room. On the luggage tags is your address, your flight information, but you don't need that anymore the only thing that is important now is the room number. I know some of you would complain if they do away with the large luggage tag they have now. I think that they should just use a single small index size tag with no writing on it. Each ship has its own color and the number is the only thing needed to go on it. And the only reason of the different color is if another ship from the same line is using the same peir. If you leave from Fort Lauderdale all the ships use their own terminal and you could use the same color.

Given time everything changes. Either we except these changes or we don't and just complain about it, maybe complaining will change it or make us feel better, but if it works well for any cruise line you bet it will stay and maybe even be excepted by other lines.

Take this fact - I can almost bet that when HAL builds a new ship after the Nieuw Amsterdam it will be either another sister of the Eurodam/Nieuw Amsterdam, or a bigger ship one that is even larger and can one day fit into the new Panama Canal. However, for the people who love the R&S ships this is a far way off, mainly because of the economic problems that the world is facing.

[NevadaHiRoller]

I don't see it this way as everyone complaining. I see it as people have preferences and they are very much entitled to their opinions without having die hard know-it-all bossy fans shoving their way or the highway down other people's throats. People get used to a certain way of doing things and change can be bothersome to some people. They have the right to voice their feelings without being slammed.

[ME Guide]

My turn to make the popcorn. (would you save me a chair?!) ;)

[pipedreams62]

Is this board becoming a place where there is so much whining? I fill like I am in a nursery school. Let's all get a grip. Things change sometimes for the better some times for the worse. You can all tell this talk usually gets on my nerves, and yes sometimes I do stir the pot, but I think I have to change my leaf and look at both side of the story however, I might seem to favor one side over the other. I thought that this is a place where we can all come together and talk about something that we love, however it seems more often that not we are fighting with each other. When I post I feel that I am the minority due to the age difference of the rest of the posters. Most of them are usually the at average of HAL.

Lido Trays - Come on everyone, we knew this was coming. The post that has over 500 post at this time was started in November, it is now March and it has been talked over and over about this. First of all, I am in favor of no trays, however I think there can be some things changed with how it works. If any of you have ever gone to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Fox Woods, etc. you would notice that these places don't have any trays at their buffets. When you come into the buffet, you are assigned a table, they put a your reciept on it and then a waiter comes over and asks what you wan to drink (water - soda) they then tend to that and make sure that glass if filled throughout your stay, then it is up to you to go up to the station that you want and get your food. You bring it back to you table, have that plate and then go back and have another, and keep going until you are full. Yes sometimes you have over 5 plates on your table but you usually just take what you want, and this is what HAL wants, they don't want food to go to waste. For the handicapped people I think either they should be able to use the trays, or have someone help them with their food. However, I know alot of people will abuse this right just like people with handicap parking due.

E-Docs - This I say is a great idea. Airlines do this, so why can't cruise ships do it. Inconvience to do your luggage tags at the airport or pier give me a break. The only reason you ever got your luggage tags before a cruise is because before Sept 11th they would do automatic baggage pull at the airport and your luggage would meet you at your room. On the luggage tags is your address, your flight information, but you don't need that anymore the only thing that is important now is the room number. I know some of you would complain if they do away with the large luggage tag they have now. I think that they should just use a single small index size tag with no writing on it. Each ship has its own color and the number is the only thing needed to go on it. And the only reason of the different color is if another ship from the same line is using the same peir. If you leave from Fort Lauderdale all the ships use their own terminal and you could use the same color.

Given time everything changes. Either we except these changes or we don't and just complain about it, maybe complaining will change it or make us feel better, but if it works well for any cruise line you bet it will stay and maybe even be excepted by other lines.

Take this fact - I can almost bet that when HAL builds a new ship after the Nieuw Amsterdam it will be either another sister of the Eurodam/Nieuw Amsterdam, or a bigger ship one that is even larger and can one day fit into the new Panama Canal. However, for the people who love the R&S ships this is a far way off, mainly because of the economic problems that the world is facing.


You've only scratched the surface. There's kids in diapers,kids in hot tubs, smoking on balconies,tipping, jeans in the dining room.

I'm glad you're here to add some wisdom. I really appreciate it. I haven't been able to come up for air.

http://blog.newsok.com/religionandvalues/files/2008/09/dr_phil.jpg

[savannahgirl1]

My biggest fear about the luggage tags is the back up at the pier it may cause. If you have to wait until you're at the pier to get your tags from the porter, make sure you get your cabin # on them and get them attached to all you checked bags, it will take longer than just driving up, popping the trunk, and setting your bags out. Tip the porter and your gone. I know people check the majority of their luggage, on our last cruise we checked 6 bags. Some folks around us had many more than that. So I'm just worried that folks arriving by car will end up waiting in a long line trying to get parked to check the luggage. Now I may be wrong, I have been a time or two :rolleyes:, and HAL may have it down to an art and easy as pie. I'll just have to wait and see. :cool:

[Oceanwench]

Sooner or later this very thread turns up on every message board I've ever read. :rolleyes:

[kakalina]

Pipedreams,

You forgot smoking diapers in the pool!

[savannahgirl1]

Pipedreams,

You forgot smoking diapers in the pool!


Or kids in the hot tub smoking. :rolleyes: :D And don't forget that classic....To do away with formal nights or not. :eek:

[jcrandle]

When I've gotten edocs from other lines, I've just printed the luggage tags on my PC printer and wrapped a couple of turns around them and the suitcase handle with clear package sealing tape. The end result is stronger than the strings provided, protected from the elements by the packing tape. I don't see the problem with edocs.

[Oceanwench]

There's always towel animals. We could complain about those.
All those man-hours wasted while the stewards twist towels into different shapes, including the dreaded hanging monkey! :eek:

[fatcat04]

You've only scratched the surface. There's kids in diapers,kids in hot tubs, smoking on balconies,tipping, jeans in the dining room.

I'm glad you're here to add some wisdom. I really appreciate it. I haven't been able to come up for air.

http://blog.newsok.com/religionandvalues/files/2008/09/dr_phil.jpg


Yeah what about the guy that comes to formal night in cut off shorts and a Senor Frogs t-shirt? That poor benighted soul must be feeling neglected as I haven't seen a good, knock down, drag out formal night rant in ages.

pipedreams... your posts are much appreciated. ;):D

[markf]

when the cruises that elimnate trays--have a waiter/ waitress for every 10 tables to serve drinks --then I will agree it is no big deal--otherwise as someone posted elsewhere who wants to balance 4 plates and seeing salad dressing spill on your meat--you are on vacation not in the high school cafeteria

[savannahgirl1]

There's always towel animals. We could complain about those.
All those man-hours wasted while the stewards twist towels into different shapes, including the dreaded hanging monkey! :eek:

Hey now, you just back off the towel monkey. I'll lay the smack down on ya over the monkey. :p :D

By the way LOVE you avatar. Those birds are adorable.

[NevadaHiRoller]

Pipedreams,

You forgot smoking diapers in the pool!

LOL!!!!! Now that is funny. :D

[jhannah]

Take this fact - I can almost bet that when HAL builds a new ship after the Nieuw Amsterdam it will be either another sister of the Eurodam/Nieuw Amsterdam, or a bigger ship one that is even larger and can one day fit into the new Panama Canal. However, for the people who love the R&S ships this is a far way off, mainly because of the economic problems that the world is facing. I seriously doubt HAL will build another ship in our lifetimes. If, by some chance, they do ... I want an ice rink, rock climbing wall, Denny's, bowling alley, 9-hole golf course (real grass,) micro brewery, and an onboard Diamonds International! :D

Oh, and contract the Pinnacle to Ruth's Chris.

[GPoll189]

Looking back at the tray discussion, I remember hearing somewhere that HAL would be ordering different types of plates. If they haven't done that then yes it is a problem, but with bigger plates it might be more manageable. I think when they started to go into the stations this was the sign that trays were going to be phased out. Stations open up the ability to just come up and get what you want and go back to your seat.

I love my towel monkey, so please lay off my towel monkey. If you want a towel animal you can take my stingray, they always give me the creeps.

LOL

[Ilandguy]

I agree too much whining. Most of us come to these forms for the helpful info from others to enhance our holiday. There will always be some one with a poor experience on board but to suggest that everyone can expect the same if they cruise on this line or this ship is stretching it. Mistakes are made everywhere & in every business. Correct things early & politely. I have had most problems corrected quickly & satisfactorily on every cruise I have been on. That’s why I continue to Cruise as my prefered vacation! :cool:

[rnnyce]

Some people have nothing better to do :cool:than to complain. I say, stay home!!! The price of cruising has barely increased in the last 15 years, so you may have to give up some things. I think I can do without a tray or stand in line to get some freakin tags. I sailed on Carnival in January, we had to get our tags at the dock, it took all of 5 minutes, I don't really think that counts as an inconvienence. Also, I just throw away the HAL blue ticket wallet, give me the 50 cent ship board credit.

[serendipity1499]

There's always towel animals. We could complain about those.
All those man-hours wasted while the stewards twist towels into different shapes, including the dreaded hanging monkey! :eek:


Oh NOOOO! Please don't take away my towel animals...I love them!

I take pics of them all the time..LOL ;)

Betty

[irishjim]

I agree too much whining. Most of us come to these forms for the helpful info from others to enhance our holiday. There will always be some one with a poor experience on board but to suggest that everyone can expect the same if they cruise on this line or this ship is stretching it. Mistakes are made everywhere & in every business. Correct things early & politely. I have had most problems corrected quickly & satisfactorily on every cruise I have been on. That’s why I continue to Cruise as my prefered vacation! :cool:
I am with you on this:D:D

[hylasgirl]

when the cruises that elimnate trays--have a waiter/ waitress for every 10 tables to serve drinks --then I will agree it is no big deal--otherwise as someone posted elsewhere who wants to balance 4 plates and seeing salad dressing spill on your meat--you are on vacation not in the high school cafeteria


This post makes no sense to me?? So you WANT the trays that look like you are in a high school cafeteria? Or maybe you could NOT try to balance 4 plates of food?? It's a luxury cruiseline, not Hometown Buffet!

I'll make the popcorn next time... hee hee

[usha]

Yeah, really, with this cornucopia of complaining, it's a wonder they don't change the name of this board to "Hollerin' America".:rolleyes:

[MadManOfBethesda]

You've only scratched the surface. There's kids in diapers,kids in hot tubs, smoking on balconies,tipping, jeans in the dining room.

And don't forget the favorite rant of the AARP-eligible cruiser set (at least on HAL):

The music is too loud!! :D

[MadManOfBethesda]

Is this board becoming a place where there is so much whining?

What do you mean, becoming a place....:D

[rubytue]

This post makes no sense to me?? So you WANT the trays that look like you are in a high school cafeteria? Or maybe you could NOT try to balance 4 plates of food?? It's a luxury cruiseline, not Hometown Buffet!
Even Golden Corral uses plates for the buffet line! The trays are just to get your drinks to the table, then its plates only from there on out.

BTW, they do think on NCL. I think the most successful part is having the silveware on the table.

[MadManOfBethesda]

BTW, they do think on NCL.

I would certainly hope so!! :D

I've never been a fan of NCL, but I didn't believe that they were completely mindless! :D

[suse]

Wow, I never knew the lack of trays would cause this much discussion on the boards!!!!!!!!!!
Now, for those of you who don't like kids in diapers in the hot tubs? I say
RIGHT ON BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FireIce0010]

My biggest fear about the luggage tags is the back up at the pier it may cause. If you have to wait until you're at the pier to get your tags from the porter, make sure you get your cabin # on them and get them attached to all you checked bags, it will take longer than just driving up, popping the trunk, and setting your bags out. Tip the porter and your gone. I know people check the majority of their luggage, on our last cruise we checked 6 bags. Some folks around us had many more than that. So I'm just worried that folks arriving by car will end up waiting in a long line trying to get parked to check the luggage. Now I may be wrong, I have been a time or two :rolleyes:, and HAL may have it down to an art and easy as pie. I'll just have to wait and see. :cool:

For us, it is the issue with the luggage tags. If they would just mail those out and let us print our documents off then I could care less but I do not want to deal luggage tags at the port.

[rubytue]

I would certainly hope so!! :D

I've never been a fan of NCL, but I didn't believe that they were completely mindless! :D
DOH! I'm a horrible typer :D That was supposed to be "this." I can't even blame that on hitting the wrong key, just my brain having a short circuit :p

[lettienets]

I seriously doubt HAL will build another ship in our lifetimes. If, by some chance, they do ... I want an ice rink, rock climbing wall, Denny's, bowling alley, 9-hole golf course (real grass,) micro brewery, and an onboard Diamonds International! :D

Oh, and contract the Pinnacle to Ruth's Chris.
I'm still waiting for a McDonald's onboard, ha ha ha. I am surprised that the big Oasis of the Seas didn't try it. I bet there would be a stampede to buy something.:p

[kryos]

On the luggage tags is your address, your flight information, but you don't need that anymore the only thing that is important now is the room number.
Well, the ship name is important too. After all, you could have seven or more ships in port on the same day ... sometimes even several from the same cruise line.

But, in theory I agree with you. What's the big deal with the edocs? I prefer them too because now I don't have to worry about misplacing my docs before a cruise and then having to go nuts, in an absolute panic, looking for them a day or so before I am to leave.

As for not having luggage tags ... do these really have to be cruise line tags at all? I have plain generic cardboard luggage tags. I could always write my name, ship number, and cabin number in large bold letters and put those tags on my luggage. That avoids having to fill the tags out at the pier.

As for Lido trays, as you say, there are better ways to do it ... and maybe HAL is in the process of adopting those new ways where a tray will really no longer be a necessity. I think the whole reason you need trays in HAL's Lido is because of the way it is set up. If HAL had more separate stations ... where people who wanted eggs could get in line for eggs, while others who only wanted things that didn't have to be cooked could just go to that station and grab them, it would make things a lot easier. The way HAL has things set up now, it is very unclear to many cruisers. They think they have to proceed in an orderly fashion down the serving line, when in fact they don't have to do this. But if you butt in to grab a couple of boxes of cold ceral, you get a look from other passengers. I can't tell you how many times I've said to people ... "you know, you don't have to stand at the end of this line unless you want something from every station. If not, just stand in the line that is serving the item you want." They look at me like they've never heard this before, but it's true and a roving manager verified this fact to a woman who pretty much called me a liar.

Personally, I think the changes HAL is making are not that big of a deal. Even if they present a bit of inconvenience, I can deal with that if it means I'm going to have an otherwise great cruise. The only time HAL changes will get me in a steam will be the day that vital onboard services begin to disappear ... things that make the HAL onboard experience no longer what it once was. And when that time comes, you probably won't hear me complaining too much about it. I'll just be on another message board ... for my new cruise line of choice ... posting there.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[kryos]

For us, it is the issue with the luggage tags. If they would just mail those out and let us print our documents off then I could care less but I do not want to deal luggage tags at the port.Tell ya what I'm planning to do before my next cruise if I don't get luggage tags ...

I will get a sheet of those nice handy computer mailing labels ... crib the HAL logo from somewhere ... preferably with the name of my ship under it ... and then print a few of those graphics on the mailing labels.

Then I'll use my handy white generic luggage tags ... write in my cabin number somewhere on them ... using yellow highlighter to emphasize it ... and then affix the mailing label with the graphic to the top of the label. Problem solved.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Bramcruiser]

So now we're complaining about complaining?:D

David

[jtl513]

Well, the ship name is important too. After all, you could have seven or more ships in port on the same day ... sometimes even several from the same cruise line.But rarely more than one at the pier where you're turning your bags over to a porter! (Yes, I know in places like SD it sometimes happens.)

[middle-aged mom]

Thank you for this thread, GPoll189.

The fact that anybody these days still has the discretionary income to travel is a miracle in itself. Count your blessings while you have them, and I'm sure many of you do. There have been some good comments on this thread.

I would love to be able to get on a "dam" ship and cruise, and I don't care about the entertainment (or supposed lack thereof), e-docs, Lido trays, As You Wish Dining, who's a VIP, or whatever the litany of the moment might be.

As for my husband and me: After we've paid our mortgage, paid for our children's education, paid our taxes, made our (admittedly small) charitable donations, paid for household maintenance and repair, paid our medical bills, and bought groceries and clothes, there isn't a whole lot left right now. And what little we have is going to be further taken away by economic and political forces over which we have no control.

Oh, how I wish the biggest problem in my life right now was how to handle my luggage tags at the pier.

[CRISPYT]

My biggest fear about the luggage tags is the back up at the pier it may cause. If you have to wait until you're at the pier to get your tags from the porter, make sure you get your cabin # on them and get them attached to all you checked bags, it will take longer than just driving up, popping the trunk, and setting your bags out. Tip the porter and your gone. I know people check the majority of their luggage, on our last cruise we checked 6 bags. Some folks around us had many more than that. So I'm just worried that folks arriving by car will end up waiting in a long line trying to get parked to check the luggage. Now I may be wrong, I have been a time or two :rolleyes:, and HAL may have it down to an art and easy as pie. I'll just have to wait and see. :cool:

We sailed on the Solstice in Jan. and didn't have luggage tags, the whole process took less than 5min and we had 4 bags. When we printed our E-Docs, there was a page with a Sample Luggage Tag on it. All we had to put on it was our cabin number and something like D7 which indicated the area of the ship our cabin was in. As we finished with one tag and started on another, the porter would attached the completed one. Very smooth process, I'm not sure if this is how HAL will handle it but it work very well. The only thing I see holding things up is the people that don't come prepared and have to riffle through a bag to find there document with the luggage tag information. "You know there will be many many of these" We had the page ready and 2 pens when we pulled up to the baggage drop off. But common sence is becoming a lost art in this world.:rolleyes:

Chris....!

[penguinchick24]

Well said GPoll!!!

[GeriatricNurse]

Looking back at the tray discussion, I remember hearing somewhere that HAL would be ordering different types of plates. If they haven't done that then yes it is a problem, but with bigger plates it might be more manageable. I think when they started to go into the stations this was the sign that trays were going to be phased out. Stations open up the ability to just come up and get what you want and go back to your seat.

I love my towel monkey, so please lay off my towel monkey. If you want a towel animal you can take my stingray, they always give me the creeps.

LOL


Probably the "huge oval plates" (with or without sections), that, apparantly, Princess Cruises have in their Food Court! (One plate for everything, at once)!

[GeriatricNurse]

Some people have nothing better to do :cool:than to complain. I say, stay home!!! The price of cruising has barely increased in the last 15 years, so you may have to give up some things. I think I can do without a tray or stand in line to get some freakin tags. I sailed on Carnival in January, we had to get our tags at the dock, it took all of 5 minutes, I don't really think that counts as an inconvienence. Also, I just throw away the HAL blue ticket wallet, give me the 50 cent ship board credit.


Gosh, don't do that! List it on e-bay!

[dam1050]

Thank you for this thread, GPoll189.

The fact that anybody these days still has the discretionary income to travel is a miracle in itself. Count your blessings while you have them, and I'm sure many of you do. There have been some good comments on this thread.

I would love to be able to get on a "dam" ship and cruise, and I don't care about the entertainment (or supposed lack thereof), e-docs, Lido trays, As You Wish Dining, who's a VIP, or whatever the litany of the moment might be.

As for my husband and me: After we've paid our mortgage, paid for our children's education, paid our taxes, made our (admittedly small) charitable donations, paid for household maintenance and repair, paid our medical bills, and bought groceries and clothes, there isn't a whole lot left right now. And what little we have is going to be further taken away by economic and political forces over which we have no control.

Oh, how I wish the biggest problem in my life right now was how to handle my luggage tags at the pier.

Wow -- what a great post; I believe you've put a wonderful perspective to so many discussions that go on these boards.

Thanks for the reminder and the great food for thought!

Dave

[usha]

Thank you for this thread, GPoll189.

The fact that anybody these days still has the discretionary income to travel is a miracle in itself. Count your blessings while you have them, and I'm sure many of you do. There have been some good comments on this thread.

I would love to be able to get on a "dam" ship and cruise, and I don't care about the entertainment (or supposed lack thereof), e-docs, Lido trays, As You Wish Dining, who's a VIP, or whatever the litany of the moment might be.

As for my husband and me: After we've paid our mortgage, paid for our children's education, paid our taxes, made our (admittedly small) charitable donations, paid for household maintenance and repair, paid our medical bills, and bought groceries and clothes, there isn't a whole lot left right now. And what little we have is going to be further taken away by economic and political forces over which we have no control.

Oh, how I wish the biggest problem in my life right now was how to handle my luggage tags at the pier.
Your post spells out the way so many of us feel. Thanks!

[4thDAMgeneration]

my "worst" cruise still far exceeds my "best" day at home!:D

[hammybee]

Thank you for this thread, GPoll189.

The fact that anybody these days still has the discretionary income to travel is a miracle in itself. Count your blessings while you have them, and I'm sure many of you do. There have been some good comments on this thread.

I would love to be able to get on a "dam" ship and cruise, and I don't care about the entertainment (or supposed lack thereof), e-docs, Lido trays, As You Wish Dining, who's a VIP, or whatever the litany of the moment might be.

As for my husband and me: After we've paid our mortgage, paid for our children's education, paid our taxes, made our (admittedly small) charitable donations, paid for household maintenance and repair, paid our medical bills, and bought groceries and clothes, there isn't a whole lot left right now. And what little we have is going to be further taken away by economic and political forces over which we have no control.

Oh, how I wish the biggest problem in my life right now was how to handle my luggage tags at the pier.

Well said MaM.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thank you for this thread, GPoll189.

The fact that anybody these days still has the discretionary income to travel is a miracle in itself. Count your blessings while you have them, and I'm sure many of you do. There have been some good comments on this thread.

I would love to be able to get on a "dam" ship and cruise, and I don't care about the entertainment (or supposed lack thereof), e-docs, Lido trays, As You Wish Dining, who's a VIP, or whatever the litany of the moment might be.

As for my husband and me: After we've paid our mortgage, paid for our children's education, paid our taxes, made our (admittedly small) charitable donations, paid for household maintenance and repair, paid our medical bills, and bought groceries and clothes, there isn't a whole lot left right now. And what little we have is going to be further taken away by economic and political forces over which we have no control.

Oh, how I wish the biggest problem in my life right now was how to handle my luggage tags at the pier.

I too agree this is well said MAM. And thanks to GPoll for starting this thread. :) Basically this is what I have been trying to say as well but sometimes my passion or possbly wrong wordage gets in the way.

I know my days of extremely frequent cruising are now gone :(

It is just so sad that we are all getting so upset over such simple things.

Just a note about the E-Docs, while I technically was not part of the E-Doc program when I booked our recent Oosterdam cruise, we were only one week away from the sail date and HAL did not Fed Ex out documents to me. All I had was what we could rpint out on-line which was all we needed. I was told if I needed luggage tags they would be at the pier. Fortunately I kept several of our old luggage tags and had a couple of blank Oosterdam tags (it helps to have been on that ship a few times;)) so we were fine. But I have kept several of the different ships tags and think white out would be a handy tool for the future :D

[innlady1]

Thank you for this thread, GPoll189.

The fact that anybody these days still has the discretionary income to travel is a miracle in itself. Count your blessings while you have them, and I'm sure many of you do. There have been some good comments on this thread.

I would love to be able to get on a "dam" ship and cruise, and I don't care about the entertainment (or supposed lack thereof), e-docs, Lido trays, As You Wish Dining, who's a VIP, or whatever the litany of the moment might be.

As for my husband and me: After we've paid our mortgage, paid for our children's education, paid our taxes, made our (admittedly small) charitable donations, paid for household maintenance and repair, paid our medical bills, and bought groceries and clothes, there isn't a whole lot left right now. And what little we have is going to be further taken away by economic and political forces over which we have no control.

Oh, how I wish the biggest problem in my life right now was how to handle my luggage tags at the pier.

Thank you, middle-aged mom, for such a thoughtful post. I couldn't agree more.

[MrsMuir]

Middle Aged Mom said it all. I am so grateful -- and lucky -- to have a good job and great insurance for both of us, and my retired husband has a part-time job that he loves. Otherwise we never could have dreamed of a cruise next year. As it is, it will be tight paying for it. But how great to even consider it!

[Oceanwench]

Oh NOOOO! Please don't take away my towel animals...I love them!

I take pics of them all the time..LOL ;)

Betty

I take pix of them too!
I just brought it up because a while back there was a thread about the towel animals and *some* thought them a waste of the steward's time.

[Oceanwench]

Group hug. (((HUG)))
Now let's hold hands and sing Kumbaya ...

I've never been to a message board that didn't have debate/complaint threads. Nature of the beast.
Think about your conversations with your friends.
All Pollyanna-ish? :rolleyes:
Do you have 15-second telephone conversations with your friends?
"Yeah, great day, everything is swell, talk to you tomorrow?"
No ... you rant about the kids, the husband, the house, the job, the boss, the price of groceries.
That's life.

And yes, there is always someone worse off, someone suffering, all kinds of unfortunate stories out there.

Complaining about trays or luggage tags or babies in diapers in the pool does not diminish those sad aspects of life.

I guess we can look at almost any thread and say, "Gee, they're upset with Norovirus when there are people dying of cancer."
Or, "Why are they talking about gowns and tuxes, when there are people who can't afford the basics?"

So what? Now we should have the moral police censoring every thread?

[pipedreams62]

Any poster who was brazen enough to openly admit that "No Trays" or 'Filling Out Luggage Tags At The Pier" wasn't the end of the world.
was rounded up and the appropriate action was taken.

http://pro.corbis.com/images/BE085327.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B6419B48B-554E-4302-BA11-7E63C091F75C%7D



http://blog.voipsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/dunce.jpg

[GPoll189]

Hey guys, I speak as I see it. For people who are stuggling to make it, a cruise is a great gift for them. I love this board but sometimes it just goes to far over board and that is when I think I have to come in and speak my mine. For people who have met me on a cruise know I am low key, know alot about HAL and would do anything to support it. However, I do turn people away from it, if I know that they would not like their time on it because of HAL's laid back type of cruiseing. But back to what is at hand. For people that can cruise we are lucky, for people who can't cruise now we should feel sorry for them. One day the economy will come back, don't know when but then we can all meet and have our e-doc dance, wear our lido tray hats and laugh about everything.

As I have said and other people have said : If you don't like what is happening speak up in your comment cards, and maybe it will reverse but if one company is doing it, and it works there, I guantee another company will try it.

[Joedog]

So, I got to this thread when I did a search about "cruise docs and the Oosterdam". I did the search because we are now less than a week from flying to Spain for our cruise and we just today realized we never received any docs.

Apparantly Holland America has stopped sending out cruise doc and (more importantly to me) pre-printed, self sticking luggage tags.

I think that sucks.

It used to be such a rush when the docs arrived. That was the signal the cruise was near and that soon we would be on a much needed vacation. No way are we going to get that same rush when we print e-docs.

As for the luggage tags, no matter how computer savy you are, or no matter how fast you can fill out a tag, it will NOT be as convenient as it was when you got your luggage tags pre-printed with the docs.

Will not having the convenience of pre-printed luggage tags ruin my cruise? No, but it does diminish it a little. Just as not getting docs in the mail has.

I could say more but I have to go find the invoice from my TA with the cruise information on it so I can log on to Holland America and print my docs.

Woo hoo, soon I will be doing the "just printed my e-docs" dance. Not.

[pipedreams62]

So, I got to this thread when I did a search about "cruise docs and the Oosterdam". I did the search because we are now less than a week from flying to Spain for our cruise and we just today realized we never received any docs.

Apparantly Holland America has stopped sending out cruise doc and (more importantly to me) pre-printed, self sticking luggage tags.

I think that sucks.

It used to be such a rush when the docs arrived. That was the signal the cruise was near and that soon we would be on a much needed vacation. No way are we going to get that same rush when we print e-docs.

As for the luggage tags, no matter how computer savy you are, or no matter how fast you can fill out a tag, it will NOT be as convenient as it was when you got your luggage tags pre-printed with the docs.

Will not having the convenience of pre-printed luggage tags ruin my cruise? No, but it does diminish it a little. Just as not getting docs in the mail has.

I could say more but I have to go find the invoice from my TA with the cruise information on it so I can log on to Holland America and print my docs.

Woo hoo, soon I will be doing the "just printed my e-docs" dance. Not.


Just got off a cruise. The guy at the dock who handles your bags has a whole bundle of luggage tags in his pocket. He will ask you your name and cabin # and have them affixed to your bags in 2-3 seconds.

Have Fun

[rbyrd2531]

So, I got to this thread when I did a search about "cruise docs and the Oosterdam". I did the search because we are now less than a week from flying to Spain for our cruise and we just today realized we never received any docs.

Apparantly Holland America has stopped sending out cruise doc and (more importantly to me) pre-printed, self sticking luggage tags.

I think that sucks.

It used to be such a rush when the docs arrived. That was the signal the cruise was near and that soon we would be on a much needed vacation. No way are we going to get that same rush when we print e-docs.

As for the luggage tags, no matter how computer savy you are, or no matter how fast you can fill out a tag, it will NOT be as convenient as it was when you got your luggage tags pre-printed with the docs.

Will not having the convenience of pre-printed luggage tags ruin my cruise? No, but it does diminish it a little. Just as not getting docs in the mail has.

I could say more but I have to go find the invoice from my TA with the cruise information on it so I can log on to Holland America and print my docs.

Woo hoo, soon I will be doing the "just printed my e-docs" dance. Not.

From a March news release..it looks like you can still request they be mailed if it is that important to you.


Print this news release Email this news release


Holland America Line Launches New Electronic Cruise Documents

Beginning with Spring '09 cruises, Green Express Docs Speed Up Vacation Planning

Seattle, March 3, 2009 — To make vacation planning easier, Holland America Line will now provide its guests with quick, convenient and “green” cruise documentation through its new Express Docs program that begins with cruises departing May 9, 2009. The premium line’s eco-friendly cruise documents, Express Docs provide guests with clear, concise and easily accessible cruise and air travel details. Guests have 24/7 access and can print boarding passes at their leisure before a cruise.
"Express Docs provide all the same information our guests expect and will also help them finalize vacation plans much quicker and they provide greater flexibility in providing copies for family and friends,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Guests who still prefer paper documents can request full cruise documentation and tickets to be mailed.”
Beginning on March 10, 2009, guests sailing on all cruises departing after May 9, 2009, can now request Holland America Line’s Express Docs and receive a comprehensive, personalized travel summary including cruise and flight information, itinerary, special request information, shore excursion reservation information, transfer vouchers, important notices and a boarding pass to be printed out and brought to the ship for check-in. While online confirming voyage details, guest can easily navigate to a shore excursion page to view and book available shore tours.
Once final payment is received and the immigration questionnaire is completed, guests will be able to access their boarding pass approximately 50 days prior to the voyage date. Suite guests will receive a special boarding pass to use at the Suite Check-in Desk at the pier.
Guests with Holland America Line transfers will not need vouchers as transfer information is included in the Express Docs forms. Luggage tags will be available from Holland America Line staff at the pier or airport at which guests arrive before boarding the ship.
The Grand World Voyage, Grand Voyages and Alaska CruiseTours will continue to receive traditional documentation packets due to the extensive detail provided for these types of extended vacations. Guests sailing on these departures still may register their immigration information online at www.hollandamerica.com and issue their "Signature Boarding Pass" for boarding.
For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

[Cruising Carol]

Looking back at the tray discussion, I remember hearing somewhere that HAL would be ordering different types of plates. If they haven't done that then yes it is a problem, but with bigger plates it might be more manageable. I think when they started to go into the stations this was the sign that trays were going to be phased out. Stations open up the ability to just come up and get what you want and go back to your seat.

I love my towel monkey, so please lay off my towel monkey. If you want a towel animal you can take my stingray, they always give me the creeps.

LOL
On the Westerdam, the only dinner size plates were on the hot line. If you wanted cereal, fruit, Danish and coffee, you were forced to juggle a little plate, bowl, milk, cereal carton and coffee cup. Any staff to help was missing usually. Coffee carts were few and a long time in between. Give me a tray! Or give me a waiter!

[pipedreams62]

http://pipedreams62.eaph2.com/share/afunstufdeuce/casstray.jpg

[LAFFNVEGAS]

New plates that are much larger are on their way once all the ships in the fleet go to the Trayless system.

I personally prefer no trays and was far easier when we refused to use one when we were on the Statendam in late April. The down side was everyone was using a tray, the lines were painfully slow. The difference was night and day on the Westerdam where you could get you food in half the time. I also found we were in and out of the Lido much faster and I think that also freed up tables so others could have a chance to find a table and also eat, not like when we walked around the Statendam 3 to 4 times trying to find a table in the overly crowded Lido.

[middle-aged mom]

Yes, you can request the paper documents from HAL, if that's what you'd like.

The travel agency that I use continues to offer their clients the paper documents. As I type this, I'm looking at a beautiful, glossy blue pouch containing all my paperwork and luggage tags for my upcoming Ryndam cruise:).

[suse]

Yeah, the tray thing and we are paying attention. Glad it worked for you. And the documents, glad it worked for you too! See! Life works out for most of us, not all. Sigh. This cruise thing is sooooo, I don't know but I didn't expect it to be so tiring. I think I worry most about North Korea and less about cruises. That's my deal. Love you all though!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[CowPrincess]

Yes, you can request the paper documents from HAL, if that's what you'd like.

The travel agency that I use continues to offer their clients the paper documents. As I type this, I'm looking at a beautiful, glossy blue pouch containing all my paperwork and luggage tags for my upcoming Ryndam cruise:).

(bolding mine) Enjoy! I'm so happy for you!

[Joedog]

Yes, you can request the paper documents from HAL, if that's what you'd like.

The travel agency that I use continues to offer their clients the paper documents. As I type this, I'm looking at a beautiful, glossy blue pouch containing all my paperwork and luggage tags for my upcoming Ryndam cruise:).

Nice to know that I could have gotten paper documents. I usually start reading the boards for whichever cruise line I am sailing soon after I book the cruise, with increasing frequency as the cruise date gets closer. (I also practice my Blackjack).

Unfortunately, since I am such a seasoned cruiser, I didnt do that for this cruise. I guess I learned my lesson, you never know what changes have been made since your last cruise.

I think I also learned that I need to shop around for a new TA for my next cruise. I may be being overly critical but I think that the TA (who we have used for 4 other cruises, for which we always received paper docs) might have mentioned the whole e-docs thing to us at some point. I dont think I should have had to find out by accident a week before the cruise.

None of this is going to ruin my cruise, not even a little bit. But I do stand by what I said before, it does diminish the whole cruise experience just a little, for me at least.

Of course being hit by a nuclear missle from North Korea would diminish my cruise experience too. To be completely honest though I would have to say that Michael Jacksons death hasnt diminished my cruise experience any.

Of course all of this is just MY opinion. How you feel about e-docs is your business.