Does Anyone Else Notice a Trend of Mechanical Problems The 3 New Reviews Today?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I am getting really excited about our cruise in just a few days so reading all these new reviews coming in is great right before we go but...... there seems to be a trend.:confused: Why are they all having mechanical problems. I am especially surpised with the Ryndam since it just came out of Dry Dock and they completed her SOE. I would of thought that they would of made sure she was mechanically sound being the first ship completing SOE and being proud of what they are doing?

[RuthC]

Scary, isn't it? :mad:

[dakrewser]

Sounds like cost cutting in maintenance. That's never a good sign.


-dave

[elmorejj]

I was thinking the same thing Lisa, it scares me!...jean :cool:

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is scary!

But when the ships go into dry dock, HAL is just implementing the new SOE programs right now. Adding the new spas - the new windstar cafes - etc. Very little is being done (if anything) on the mechanicle side. In order for a ship to be mechanically over-hauled it would have to be pulled out of the water for a few months! And cruise lines aren't going to do that - just too much money would be lost here.

[Orcrone]

Yesterday the captain spoke over the loudspeaker and told us of the rotor problem. That was troubling, however things happen. However, what was more troubling is that a number of people in the suite cabins did not have A/C for much of the cruise. One person had a thermometer and claimed her room was 85 degrees at times. I happened to be at the front desk when several people were complaining. Their response was "engineering's been notified and there's nothing else we can do". This was the second time on the cruise that they had been without A/C. Seems to me that the Maasdam had the same problems when they were in the Caribbean prior to the summer, and they haven't been fixed.

As to my experience, my stateroom was always comfortable. However, sometimes the common areas were warm. I went to the Pinnacle on the informal night, and it was very uncomfortable.

[Ziggy7]

I'm very suprised as well, wonder what is going on ??? :)

[tomc]

OTOH, I spent ten days on the Rotterdam and noticed no difficulties, only a generator problem that affected the elevators. Even then, I don't know if it was planned or unplanned. That is, was this scheduled maintenance or did the generators fall apart? (Rumors were flying, but the word "rumor" itself comes from an ancient Greek word which means "bull-droppings.")

[jhannah]

It is disconcerting to read of mechanical problems on multiple ships. Sure, stuff happens ... to our homes, cars, etc. But the comfort of passengers is probably second only to safety on the cruise line's priority list. I understand temporary outages and downtime. But for issues to exist for an entire sailing is something else. I would think that this happening on one cruise is a fluke ... but two times of being uncomfortable on a cruise will make many folks vote with their feet and go elsewhere.

[1cruiselvr]

It's already happening. We are booked on the Dec 6th 15-day Hawaii cruise onboard the Statendam. To date, most categories are open. Previously, this was a very popular, early sell out cruise. Maybe Statendam's reputation for problems is spreading. Happy Sailing!

[CasinoBar]

It is a bit disconcerting to hear about things like that happening.
More mechanical issues (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=98266)
The result of mechanical issues... (http://www.fakemusic.ca/rotterdam/)

/John

[iluvcruzin]

I know there seems to be a lot of mechanical problems. These type of incidents happen on all ships I think. However, I think dakrewser nailed it on the reduction of maintenance costs. From our sailing, reductions were noticable in many areas. On the issues with A/C, this was something discussed prior to our sailing so it was an existing problem. The staff kept saying it was fixed but it was obvious after days of the system not working and insisting it was fixed was a sign of poor staffing and possibly unqualified personal. The ships are cutting costs - no doubt - but at what expense?

The sailing on the Maasdam this coming week was delayed to repair the engine problem. From rumors that was circulating, the delay would cause a missed port stop (I would guess HMC). There are many online posters on this sailing so it will be interesting to see how it pans out.

[1cruiselvr]

IMHO HAL is not cheap so it's upsetting when it's clear they aren't putting funds into repairs. This may be our last cruise on HAL if we experience serious problems on the Statendam. There are too many choices to choose a CL that provides a less than quality vacation. Happy Sailing!