HappyInVan

The Pinnacle ships have good design features. Unfortunately, my actual experiences were unfortunate. On the K, liquid scrambled eggs were served for several days on two consecutive cruises. Never again. I breakfast early in the morning. Sometimes, there's no waiter. The pax get their own beverages. After a while, the waiters who are there don't bother to offer beverages. On the Statendam cruise, the ship had just finished dry dock, and the crew should have been fresh. But, the Dive-In only offered pre-cooked hotdogs at the opening hour. Take it or leave it. I had CO, and tried to dine in that restaurant. I gave up after 2 meals because the hostess was so abusive. For the rest of the cruise, the restaurant was half filled at best. I saw the Hotel GM Mustafa Gulbahar standing in the restaurant and gesturing angrily at the empty tables. Don't get me started on the Pinnacle elevators (enough on the Noordam class). The list goes on and on. I have only one cruise with HAL this year to complete 4-star Mariner. Its on the NA (never sailed this class). My cabin is a partial OV with the long window. That's all I'm willing to pay HAL. Then, its done. IMHO, HAL has been unable to maintain higher prices. The ships are understaff. With the additional crowding from low low fares, and free 3rd and 4th pax, it won't get better.

+1 I sailed K (Alaska) and Statendam (TA) last year. Nasty experience. Just sailed on MSC Meraviglia. Not as bad as I feared. In fact, not bad at all. I would rather sail on the Meraviglia with Aurea package (equivalent to Club Orange) than HAL's Pinnacle ships with Club Orange. Also, I sailed on Volendam (Alaska) and Noordam (California coastal) last year. Much nicer experience than on the K.

There's a rumour that CCL is sailing above capacity. The reality is that HAL has many deals... https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/find-a-cruise?dealId=TOPTEN23&csvFileName=multi_TOPTEN23_1.csv&ICID=INTHWEB20240124Q89QXAW4NL I find this itinerary attractive "14-DAY BRITAIN, SCOTLAND & IRELAND" June 15 on the Statendam from Copenhagen. The airfare looks okay. Might go for it! Possibility of an upsell to the suites. While the standby fare (gotta pay first) looks attractive, we have to realize that the pax is gambling (like at the slots) against the company. The House always sets the odds in their favour. In this example, the House can improve the odds in their favour by offering discounts and incentives before passing the remains to the standby folks. Enjoy your cruise!

I sailed on the V last August in Vista suite AA6123.. Generally, I was pleased by the experience. More intimate, more casual seating than the new ships. Of course, everything was smaller. The pool, the Lido, the theater. I was surprised by the amount of creaking roof panels in my room, when the ship sailed open waters north of Haida Gawaii. Would not sail that cabin again.

I think that we can agree that laws are often not equitable, or efficient. That's why laws are tested in court and amended. This discussion has been useful in understanding what can be done by the pax, the ship's officers and the cruise line. I can understand your concern as advocate for the handicap. But, advocates for the general public and the general pax on a ship also have a say in the matter. Let's stay on topic with a discussion about life onboard the ships. Don't veer off course with references to parking. Totally different situation. As I understand it, the cruise company aren't able to authenticate service dogs in sailings out of the States. They can however respond to complaints about misconduct. Therefore, I suggest that anyone concerned about a situation should report it to the ship. Hopefully, the volume of complaints will force management to respond. Imposters and fraudsters prosper when we are silence, and acquiescence to their misdeeds. Personally, I have no interest in why someone has a service dog. My concern is about pax safety and the welfare of the animal. Hope that this clarifies our positions.

This is what puzzles me. It must be obvious that a guide dog is required by the visually impaired. So, why the secrecy? Similarly, someone traveling with a medical condition should want the ship's officers to know about the condition. Certainly, be candid on the medical questionnaire. It might save your life. For PTSD survivors, thank you for your service! See you at the veteran get-together.

That is the most essential part of dog ownership. The professional assesses the service dog and its fit with a potential master. Dogs (unlike cats) are truly social creatures. They belong in a pack. Therefore, does the potential master live with a family with kids and other dogs. Is the master a social person living in a retirement community with many friends. A service dog is not a tool like a wheelchair. It has emotional needs that go far beyond food and shelter. Problematic dogs usually mean that they are undergoing trauma. Not the dog's fault. Back on topic. The ship's officers are responsible for security. In my mind, that means that they need to screen the validity of service dogs. There's good reasons why pets are banned on a ship. Inevitably, there will be misbehaving animals onboard, particularly among the dogs self-trained by a master. Pax have to a part to play. Report the incidents to the ship. Its up to the senior officers to decide what to do. That's why they're paid the big bucks. Inevitably, some dogs don't travel well among strangers in a stressful environment. Perhaps, the owner should be made aware of the issue? The welfare of animals is everyone's responsibility. That's why there are cruelty laws in our society.

I remember a bad accident that occurred to my father when he was a senior. His little dog tripped him. His quality of life declined dramatically in his final years. Of course, I don't blame my father's dog. It had never been trained. I support the ban on pets onboard a ship, unless they remain in a kennel. Safety should be a concern where there are children and frail seniors. What is a well trained dog? On command, the dog follows its master closely. Not interacting with other dogs or strangers. Not pulling its master along on a leash. What is a well trained service dog? It patiently leads its blind master. A medical dog pays 100% attention to its master. Not rush at strangers for attention. I've seen people walking their dog on the promenade deck. This were not well trained dog. I doubt that it was trained to be a handicap dog.

The CLIA spends millions to lobby for its own $$$. I'm surprised that the industry does not spend the same effort to tighten up the loopholes. For the sake of its other 99% pax. It just passes the problem to the innocent pax (who just poop in the elevator?) and the hard working crew (I've got to clean that?). In any case, the company can certainly make a claim in small-claims court for the soiled mattress and bed linen. Even if they are unable to collect, it would discourage the miscreant from boarding again. I have no doubt that the problem will grow worse on some brands if left unchecked.

I believe that you are mistaken, The sentiment here isn't anti-dog. It's clear that we object to certain types of dog owners. I do not blame the dog for what it does naturally. Should you be one of the said dog owners, please don't take it personally!

She's First Class back in the day. Maybe she's a duchess? Who can say no to her? Or, she's billionaire. Don't know why she's not on her own ship or plane with her pets.🙂

I'm not talking about the occupancy fee for a dog. I'm referring to a damages deposit, just as hotels charge a damages deposit for the room. A sick or badly trained dog could damage the carpet or bedding/mattress. Hopefully, the hotel/ship will throw the soiled $$$ items away and replace them. Charging the animal's owner. I certainly would not want to be the next occupant if the room has not been thoroughly renewed! What would you do if you board a ship and the room had a pungent smell, and the ship is 100% occupied? As you pointed out, the ship has some latitude on 'internal' matters. Hope that the cruise industry has some respect for its general pax.

Thanks... "Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA. A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Generally, title II and title III entities must permit service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where members of the public are allowed to go. How “Service Animal” Is Defined Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA..." Easy enough to ask a couple of questions. Then, impose a $500 deposit per dog, as hotels do. I would respect the company that is willing to do this.

+1 Its a sad sign of the times that many people need companion dogs. And, don't realize that companion dogs are not the same as the well-trained and necessary service dogs. I just don't understand why airlines and cruise lines won't tighten the rules. https://www.businessinsider.com/united-airlines-flight-diverted-after-dog-pooped-in-aisle-2024-4

That's the risk of signing up for HAL's standby program. You might get a worse price and/or location. Personally, I would rather wait for a late or last minute deal. Get the price and location that I find acceptable. 😌

Wow, HAL selling insides for less than the price of a standby fare!!! Well, I'm happy to report that I bought suites at a good price and location for the last three cruises, as late or last minute bookings. Thank You HAL😁

This is encouraging. 🫰

Oh Yeah! Is this a repeat of a previous program?

Just a heads up. The industry is running at full capacity!!! HAL "Up to 45% off fares, up to $300 Onboard Credit, and 50% Reduced Deposit plus include free 3rd & 4th guests on select cruises. Offer ends April 30." Princess "Alaska from $401... 35% off fares, $200 onboard credit, $99 deposits." NCL "FREE 2ND GUEST + FREE AT SEA" RCL "UP TO $600 ONBOARD CREDIT + 60% off second guest + Kids sail free"

The bottom line is that the HAL experience is evolving in a bad way. The mainstream industry is desperate because of overcapacity. HAL is gonna have to try to squeeze out more onboard spending from more pax onboard, as fare prices decline in real terms. Despite all the talk of record this and record that, CCL share price is still $15. Meanwhile, the luxury brands are able to maintain or raise prices.

Here's why... https://apnews.com/article/spain-cruise-ship-bolivians-visas-197d178f424ca2cceaf82f5d5d66d4da?utm_source=RecoReel&utm_medium=articlePage&utm_id=Taboola

I tried MSC Meraviglia out of Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Quite pleased and impressed by the ship. I was in YC which was special. Still, I found that I like the ship's design and ambiance, even though the ship is best on warm weather itineraries. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2999977-review-meraviglia-march-2024/#comment-67150398 BTW, there are significant changes in the layout between the Meraviglia (2017) and the Seascape (2022 and better for cold climates) etc. So, consult the deckplan to make sure that the ship is suitable for your itinerary. IMHO, MSC has crafted a serious value proposition for YC and non-YC pax. So sad, that HAL is in decline.😒

On a recent sailing, I booked a Swedish massage pre-cruise. On boarding, I discovered that they were offering specials on embarkation day. 80 minutes for the price of 50 minutes.

Ouch! Has it come to this? For me, the last straw was on my last cruise. This gentleman walked through the Lido in bare feet. He looked like a beachcomber and looked dazed. Sign of the times. 😬

Finally, let's not forget our feathered friends and neighbors. The gulls, terns and pelicans who are busy making a living...