There is Something Very Wrong and I Don't Know What it Is........

[world~citizen]

First, I have only read three quarters of this thread so apologies if this point has been made.

 

We started cruising with Cunard. When Cunard couldn't deliver the cruise we had our heart set on when we needed to take it, the travel agent recommended Maasdam. She said "everything you expect from the QE2 you can expect from her". Well that would not be completely true, but it was true enough that it didn't matter. In fact, we were over the top happy. (Remember Massdam in its inaugural year?)

 

The point is the Maasdam gave us an elegant, luxurious cruise in the tradition of the transatlantic liners during the golden age of the business. Formal dinners, dress codes, writing rooms - wow. We got on the ship two days delayed because of weather, and the HM organized a special welcome on board party for us (together with others in the same situation.) We were in love. Is this the HAL of today?

 

We want that HAL back but its clear that HAL was the HAL of days gone by. The market is different and they have to change. Other cruises lines give us an experience closer to what we prefer so we have been sailing those.

 

In the end its moot anyway because we are grounded landlubbers with the acquisition of a parrot.

 

Our tastes changed. The market changed and we all have to be adult about it. I have complained about standards slipping but I realize now change is inevitable and I too should be more tolerant of it.

 

I should add that when you are grounded and can't see your way to taking a cruise, even HAL looks pretty good. I have never felt cheated on a HAL cruise, even though the old feel wasn't there.

 

The only complaints I accept unreservedly are the ones respecting safety. When a ship, any ship goes dead in the water, I don't care if "nothing happened", I have no use for it and hope for all the cuts, ship safety is not compromised.

 

I hope whatever happens HAL survives to provide new cruisers with the experience they want.

[arewethereyet]

You can still cruise. Dress up like a pirate and pass it off as a "service parrot". ;)

[Copper10-8]

First, I have only read three quarters of this thread so apologies if this point has been made.

 

We started cruising with Cunard. When Cunard couldn't deliver the cruise we had our heart set on when we needed to take it, the travel agent recommended Maasdam. She said "everything you expect from the QE2 you can expect from her". Well that would not be completely true, but it was true enough that it didn't matter. In fact, we were over the top happy. (Remember Massdam in its inaugural year?)

 

The point is the Maasdam gave us an elegant, luxurious cruise in the tradition of the transatlantic liners during the golden age of the business. Formal dinners, dress codes, writing rooms - wow. We got on the ship two days delayed because of weather, and the HM organized a special welcome on board party for us (together with others in the same situation.) We were in love. Is this the HAL of today?

 

We want that HAL back but its clear that HAL was the HAL of days gone by. The market is different and they have to change. Other cruises lines give us an experience closer to what we prefer so we have been sailing those.

 

In the end its moot anyway because we are grounded landlubbers with the acquisition of a parrot.

 

Our tastes changed. The market changed and we all have to be adult about it. I have complained about standards slipping but I realize now change is inevitable and I too should be more tolerant of it.

 

I should add that when you are grounded and can't see your way to taking a cruise, even HAL looks pretty good. I have never felt cheated on a HAL cruise, even though the old feel wasn't there.

 

The only complaints I accept unreservedly are the ones respecting safety. When a ship, any ship goes dead in the water, I don't care if "nothing happened", I have no use for it and hope for all the cuts, ship safety is not compromised.

 

I hope whatever happens HAL survives to provide new cruisers with the experience they want.

 

That's a great post World Citizen!

[Cruiser Andi]

My HAL experience is a whopping two Vista ships long, so take what I say FWIW.

 

I have never had a bad cruise or even a marginal cruise. Every cruise is "the best cruise ever". I mean- I got off 12 days on MSC "loving the service" so that shows my level of requirements ;). However, after I sailed 29 days in a calendar year in 2011 I stepped off the final cruise was was less than thrilled. It was because the thrill was gone- waayyyyy too many nights at sea for me. So I think that people posting here who have 500 nights at sea with HAL may be wondering where that ol' magic has gone- but how could it ever feel the way it used to? To me, HAL is the top of the top, better than Cunard, almost neck and neck with Princess, and I can't look back at my two cruises and think of a single thing wrong.

 

As regards CC, which we know is night and day from being on a cruise, let those without sin cast the first stone. Every HAL board regular has a responsibility not to inflame others. Please do not think that because you are just "expressing your opinion" and using complete sentences and genteel turns of phrase that you are not just as rude as a barely coherent drive by. I see many people on here absolutely fawning over a few of the queen bee regulars. When someone asks a question and someone with 50,000 posts answers it, it's not necessary to say "thank you, thank you, you've always been so helpful, you're so great!" because chances are that person is going to respond to every single thread on here within five minutes, anyway. It's nice to say thank you but the HAL board is now stratified into queen bees, sycophants, disgruntled HAL regulars who are touchy because they've been insulted for their points of view 100 times, common sense Canadians, friendly travel agents, and innocents who are soon to step out of line, ask the wrong question and then respond defensively. That is the dynamic of the HAL board.

 

I don't know if I've ever been so happy that I gave up drinking 15 years ago. That the wine issue is such a lightning rod is amazing to me. I miss luggage tags, the leatherette travel portfolios, the good bags, good baked Alaska, full adagio strings- I remember these and it would be nice to have them back. But for God's sake- does it really matter?

 

Well- we would all do well to consider our answers very carefully for the next month or two and see if we can turn this ship around. And people- I know you know this, but ignore is the best function... If someone irritates you, put them on ignore. You won't have to confront them and bring everyone else down.

 

AMEN! I am new to CC and have seen a lot of what you're saying. I have not felt welcome here because of all the negativity. I have loved my two HAL cruises and have my third one booked. I can't control situations or policy changes. I can only control my reaction to all the changes and I choose to be positive.

[world~citizen]

You can still cruise. Dress up like a pirate and pass it off as a "service parrot". ;)

 

I tried to go the service parrot route once when I was looking for an airline to fly him home. There was precedent for it - a claim that you are unreasonably distressed in the absence of the bird. Since then rules have been re-written and anxiety doesn't enter into it any more. :eek:

 

Look at it this way, we are saving a fortune.

[Bill B]

You can still cruise. Dress up like a pirate and pass it off as a "service parrot". ;)

 

ROTFLMAO! That 'made my day'.

[AirGorilla]

First, I have only read three quarters of this thread so apologies if this point has been made.

 

 

In the end its moot anyway because we are grounded landlubbers with the acquisition of a parrot.

 

I hope whatever happens HAL survives to provide new cruisers with the experience they want.

 

Sir --

 

By reading the "Service animal" thread, I believe there is a glimmer of hope for you! Simply book your wonderful new parrot as a service animal, and you are golden!!

 

Best,

 

AG

[sppunk]

I think onboard especially the lack of crew is apparent and the crew that is there, may smile at you, but often times don't seem happy, they seem stressed and pulled too far.

 

I was really upset that last cruise, a few issues came up (which rarely happens) and I requested to talk to the Customer Relations Manager (who had called earlier in the cruise saying please let him know if I needed anything) through the front desk. When I went to the front desk I was pleasant and not demanding at all, but I felt there were issues that needed to be communicated to the GRM. I never received a response.:mad:

 

Were you on Oosterdam? We sailed her in April and had this exact same thing, we were told of office hours and showed up only to be blocked by front desk staff. My letters, calls and visits were met with "we can't do that/he is unavailable" EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

 

I ended up giving up trying to correct the situation (which was actually about a pax abusing some things, but hey HALs loss).

[Wakepatrol]

First, I have only read three quarters of this thread so apologies if this point has been made.

 

We started cruising with Cunard. When Cunard couldn't deliver the cruise we had our heart set on when we needed to take it, the travel agent recommended Maasdam. She said "everything you expect from the QE2 you can expect from her". Well that would not be completely true, but it was true enough that it didn't matter. In fact, we were over the top happy. (Remember Massdam in its inaugural year?)

 

The point is the Maasdam gave us an elegant, luxurious cruise in the tradition of the transatlantic liners during the golden age of the business. Formal dinners, dress codes, writing rooms - wow. We got on the ship two days delayed because of weather, and the HM organized a special welcome on board party for us (together with others in the same situation.) We were in love. Is this the HAL of today?

 

We want that HAL back but its clear that HAL was the HAL of days gone by. The market is different and they have to change. Other cruises lines give us an experience closer to what we prefer so we have been sailing those.

 

In the end its moot anyway because we are grounded landlubbers with the acquisition of a parrot.

 

Our tastes changed. The market changed and we all have to be adult about it. I have complained about standards slipping but I realize now change is inevitable and I too should be more tolerant of it.

 

I should add that when you are grounded and can't see your way to taking a cruise, even HAL looks pretty good. I have never felt cheated on a HAL cruise, even though the old feel wasn't there.

 

The only complaints I accept unreservedly are the ones respecting safety. When a ship, any ship goes dead in the water, I don't care if "nothing happened", I have no use for it and hope for all the cuts, ship safety is not compromised.

 

I hope whatever happens HAL survives to provide new cruisers with the experience they want.

 

 

Thinking about your post. I guess HAL is stuck under the Carnival umbrella (yes I know Carnival rescued them) It's hard to believe that a company wants to be lumped in with everybody else (another words the same) there isn't enough of a crowd that would pay for

 

1. Being greeted at the gangway and being escorted to your room

 

2. Yum Yum chimes for dinner

 

3. Enough staff to take care of everybody (waiters wine people etc)

 

4. Days of the week mats in the elevator (I heard those are gone)

 

5. An activities staff,and not a skeleton crew.

 

6. People all dressed for dinner (not a tux with tails) just not crocs and a track suit

 

I'm sure I've missed many more.

 

I just don't know why any company would want to be lumped in with everybody else?

 

All the airlines charge baggage fees,Southwest does not,this is their hook. It appears they're doing okay.

 

The old saying goes "If You're Not The Lead Dog,The Scenery Never Changes.

 

I think people love mediocrity and will gladly settle for it. I drive by Applebees, Chilis,Red Lobster (it's all the same mediocre food) on a Friday or Sat night and people are waiting outside with a buzzer to eat this food,can't believe it's worth waiting with a buzzer when the finished product is this? Like I say people just settle.

[drowelf]

Wife and I are pretty HAL centric cruisers (6 Cruises 70+ days over 15 years). I've only been on one other line (Celebrity), but shes been on a couple of others on girlfriend cruises. We like HAL for the smaller ships. The wife has been on some of the 3500+ passenger ships and she does not care for it and I'll take her word for. The Eurodam is the largest liner I've been on and the first time (2010) I was a slightly worried, which turned out to be totally unfounded.

 

We've done 2 HAL in the last 3 years, both in Northern Europe on the Eurodam. Its only on this last cruise that I've found anything (other than the price/quality of the internet service) to complain about. We used 'As You Wish' Dining on both occasions. We like that because of the flexibility and the ability to have different dinner companions through the cruise. But on this cruise (12 Days Fjords, Highlands & Ireland), we found the service in the MDR to be very slow. At first we thought it might be an isolated incident, but as the cruise went on we noticed it almost every time we used the MDR.

 

On the 12 Day cruise, we used the MDR 6 times. The time required before the taking of orders and clearing of dishes was erratic. Non-alcohol drink orders (Tea/Juice/etc.) would take a considerable amount of time to arrive. Often they would not arrive until after the appetizer or even the main course. Had to request refills on water and tea almost every time. On previous cruises, when the glass got towards half full a steward would be there asking if we want anymore. I really don't know if this is a result of adding the AYW dinning or just general staff cut-backs. I do know that we took our last couple of meals in the Lido because of this. Only if there was something on the MDR menu, not in the Lido, did we choose to use the MDR.

 

Everything else on the cruise was excellent. Our room steward, quality of the food and all the other services. It was just the service in the MDR that did not meet our expectations.

 

 

This got mentioned to the Dining Room Supervisor and added to the comment forms at the end of the cruise.

[drowelf]

4. Days of the week mats in the elevator (I heard those are gone)

 

Not our on July 2013 Cruise on the Eurodam. Fresh and clean in the morning, but a little soiled by the end of the day. :D

[Sea-travelers]

First, I have only read three quarters of this thread so apologies if this point has been made.

 

We started cruising with Cunard. When Cunard couldn't deliver the cruise we had our heart set on when we needed to take it, the travel agent recommended Maasdam. She said "everything you expect from the QE2 you can expect from her". Well that would not be completely true, but it was true enough that it didn't matter. In fact, we were over the top happy. (Remember Massdam in its inaugural year?)

 

The point is the Maasdam gave us an elegant, luxurious cruise in the tradition of the transatlantic liners during the golden age of the business. Formal dinners, dress codes, writing rooms - wow. We got on the ship two days delayed because of weather, and the HM organized a special welcome on board party for us (together with others in the same situation.) We were in love. Is this the HAL of today?

 

We want that HAL back but its clear that HAL was the HAL of days gone by. The market is different and they have to change. Other cruises lines give us an experience closer to what we prefer so we have been sailing those.

 

In the end its moot anyway because we are grounded landlubbers with the acquisition of a parrot.

 

Our tastes changed. The market changed and we all have to be adult about it. I have complained about standards slipping but I realize now change is inevitable and I too should be more tolerant of it.

 

I should add that when you are grounded and can't see your way to taking a cruise, even HAL looks pretty good. I have never felt cheated on a HAL cruise, even though the old feel wasn't there.

 

The only complaints I accept unreservedly are the ones respecting safety. When a ship, any ship goes dead in the water, I don't care if "nothing happened", I have no use for it and hope for all the cuts, ship safety is not compromised.

 

I hope whatever happens HAL survives to provide new cruisers with the experience they want.

 

I really like the way you expressed your thoughts on HAL and cruising. Thank you. Great post:)

[dandrbs]

I have been on 18 cruises...not a lot by many standards, but for us it has been a joy!

We book cruises based on the agenda and other times we base it on the price just to get away but every cruise has been positive. We try to focus on the positive and find great things in every cruise.

 

We have taken 9 cruises over Thanksgiving and most were on Holland American (We are 3 star), We choose Holland America for one main reason, less kids on board and it appears they are a little bit more behaved. We have taken Carnival over Thanksgiving and it has been crazy with kids but we expected that so can't make it a negative.

 

We are doing Alaska in a few weeks on Holland America...We will have a wonderful time no matter what. And Holland American for Thanksgiving again, most likely, but if price is an issue we balance price versus more kids...it normally is just hubby and I. I have nothing against kids, but we like quiet time if we are on a cruise.

 

Have cruises changed since our first cruise? Of course. Are we happy with all the changes? No. But for us it still works and we go with an open mind.

 

Last Thanksgiving our issue was more personal...The air didn't work in our SS suite. We called, 5 times, never was cool, it was up to 80 degrees, stopped at the front desk no luck. We did see two different ladies come and take the temperature two different days, but never offered a fan or got fixed. We tried and tried. After the 5th day out of 7 we gave up trying worrying about it so we could enjoy the cruise more. I did write a letter to Holland American when we got back (never have done this before), they did give us a credit for a future cruise that was 20% of what we paid. Which wasn't much but we moved on and the several 100 dollars was nice for a deposit on our Alaska Cruise.

 

We did a Carnival Cruise out of New Orleans was awesome going down the Mississippi River, Out to the gulf with oil rigs lit out...great! 1st time on Carnival - Dining experience after Holland American not very good at all, but the cruise was still awesome!

 

QE2 before she retired was the most awesome dining experience. No balcony but wow...Food was great on her!

 

I am happy we can still afford to go on cruises, and we find we still get the enjoyment and our moneys worth. So we will continue to sail.

 

Some of things people are whining about to me are minor issues and just preferences. Some seem to be nit picky...with all the passengers on board you can't make everyone happy. Does the wine policy change bother everyone? Not if you don't drink that much wine. The day of the week Rugs matter, they were neat, but I am going to stop sailing because of that? Now if I got no responses when the air didn't work in my cabin...Yes...that would bother me, If my toilet backed up, and nothing was done? Yes that would bother me.

 

I don't normally respond to the boards...but need more positive thinking here on Holland American. That is like people giving an excursion and bad review because the sun didn't shine? Seriously?

 

Don't worry, be happy...relax!

[startwin]

First, I have only read three quarters of this thread so apologies if this point has been made.

 

We started cruising with Cunard. When Cunard couldn't deliver the cruise we had our heart set on when we needed to take it, the travel agent recommended Maasdam. She said "everything you expect from the QE2 you can expect from her". Well that would not be completely true, but it was true enough that it didn't matter. In fact, we were over the top happy. (Remember Massdam in its inaugural year?)

 

The point is the Maasdam gave us an elegant, luxurious cruise in the tradition of the transatlantic liners during the golden age of the business. Formal dinners, dress codes, writing rooms - wow. We got on the ship two days delayed because of weather, and the HM organized a special welcome on board party for us (together with others in the same situation.) We were in love. Is this the HAL of today?

 

We want that HAL back but its clear that HAL was the HAL of days gone by. The market is different and they have to change. Other cruises lines give us an experience closer to what we prefer so we have been sailing those.

 

In the end its moot anyway because we are grounded landlubbers with the acquisition of a parrot.

 

Our tastes changed. The market changed and we all have to be adult about it. I have complained about standards slipping but I realize now change is inevitable and I too should be more tolerant of it.

 

I should add that when you are grounded and can't see your way to taking a cruise, even HAL looks pretty good. I have never felt cheated on a HAL cruise, even though the old feel wasn't there.

 

The only complaints I accept unreservedly are the ones respecting safety. When a ship, any ship goes dead in the water, I don't care if "nothing happened", I have no use for it and hope for all the cuts, ship safety is not compromised.

 

I hope whatever happens HAL survives to provide new cruisers with the experience they want.

 

I like your post, with the exception of one thing. Change and standards slipping should not go hand in hand. We can all adapt with change, but that doesn't mean that you have to allow customer service and customer relations to suffer.

[sammygoose]

To be honest I think you guys are a tough crowd. A good crowd but a tough nut to crack. I'm sorry that I never got to sail with some of you in the goood ole days or on an RSVP cruise. I'd like to meet you. I'm sorry that some of my enthusiasm about my next cruise seems to fall on deaf ears because maybe I don't want to gripe about the good old days or what HAL used to be. I guess I'm not one of the old ladies as I've heard others mention sarcastically. I don't mourn for those days and maybe a new HAL thread should be started .....a pre ???? date for some of you. For the here and now you know what? I've had 3 great HAL cruises and yes.... I'm plannning my next one. I really appreciate all the of the information that some of you have given but it comes with a lot of angst and wistfulness that just puts a lot of cruisers off.

Put me on the ignore button if you want.... I am am not even convinced a review of my last cruise is even wanted here.

I do think some poster have a great deal of merit...Sail,Lorekafuf,Topsail,Silvertogold,Innnlady,Topsham,Erin,Sun,Surfurgirlie,Startwin....I hate to single people out but as someone new to the board really you swim with the sharks....I felt better about my cruise while on the ship than listening about your griping after the fact. I'm just going to go back to lurking than posting because clearly you feel better about having a pity party than enjoying some thing 70% of the population can't enjoy.

[mamaofami]

We consider ourselves to be part of group "D" and do have a story that is in fact the "gospel truth" as we were there and the story was told directly to us. We had the opportunity on one cruise to have lunch with one of HAL's most famous hotel directors with years and years of service and extremely well respected by both staff and guests. The conversation turned to the demographics of HAL passengers and how HAL is viewed by people who have never cruised with them: that is the age of the passengers. This gentleman was very forthright and readily admitted that approximately 40% of HAL passengers should no longer be cruising because of some reason or other related to age. Maybe the gentleman everybody here seems to defend here was one of those! HAL simply can't be everything to everyone and one has to able to look after themselves if they are going to travel to any extent without relying on other people for everyday tasks.

 

Somehow, I don't consider the fact that someone asks for help printing out a boarding ticket equals he's too old to cruise because he can't take care of himself.

 

The absence of staff is very noticeable in the MDR where service is slow and the stewards are running just to keep up with their serving responsibilities.It makes me feel uncomfortable to see how hard they're working, and yet service still is very slow.

 

We had many instances two cruises ago on the Veendam where we asked over and over to speak to customer service and they were always in a meeting, or having lunch, or somewhere they couldn't be reached. It was very upsetting to have serious issues in our cabin and not be able to talk to someone in charge. When we returned home, Seattle made it up to us but it was too late. It seems that even these crew members who have the same responsibilities they have always had just don't want to be bothered to help solve issues.

 

Customer relations on and off the ship is lacking, making people angry,and turning people away. It's sad.

[SilvertoGold]

To be honest I think you guys are a tough crowd. A good crowd but a tough nut to crack. I'm sorry that I never got to sail with some of you in the goood ole days or on an RSVP cruise. I'd like to meet you. I'm sorry that some of my enthusiasm about my next cruise seems to fall on deaf ears because maybe I don't want to gripe about the good old days or what HAL used to be. I guess I'm not one of the old ladies as I've heard others mention sarcastically. I don't mourn for those days and maybe a new HAL thread should be started .....a pre ???? date for some of you. For the here and now you know what? I've had 3 great HAL cruises and yes.... I'm plannning my next one. I really appreciate all the of the information that some of you have given but it comes with a lot of angst and wistfulness that just puts a lot of cruisers off.

Put me on the ignore button if you want.... I am am not even convinced a review of my last cruise is even wanted here.

I do think some poster have a great deal of merit...Sail,Lorekafuf,Topsail,Silvertogold,Innnlady,Topsham,Erin,Sun,Surfurgirlie,Startwin....I hate to single people out but as someone new to the board really you swim with the sharks....I felt better about my cruise while on the ship than listening about your griping after the fact. I'm just going to go back to lurking than posting because clearly you feel better about having a pity party than enjoying some thing 70% of the population can't enjoy.

 

sammygoose

Thanks for mentioning me. Generally I feel that few agree with anything I write! Glad to be of some small merit or help.

[OlsSalt]

Slow dining service query: does this happen more in early fixed dining time, late fixed dining, or in the as you wish dining setting? Does this happen more at the larger or smaller tables?

 

We actually have noticed speedier dining times for late fixed dining, table for two than on earlier HAL cruises - we get there on time, and they start service right away.

 

They used to wait to take our orders until enough people in our section finally showed up, which was not fair to those who showed up on time we thought. But that is not how it has been for several of our past cruises - we are in and out with very little little waiting time at all. One course follows right after the other once it gets started. So what ever changes have been made in the past few years have worked for us.

[erewhon]

To be honest I think you guys are a tough crowd. A good crowd but a tough nut to crack. I'm sorry that I never got to sail with some of you in the goood ole days or on an RSVP cruise. I'd like to meet you. I'm sorry that some of my enthusiasm about my next cruise seems to fall on deaf ears because maybe I don't want to gripe about the good old days or what HAL used to be. I guess I'm not one of the old ladies as I've heard others mention sarcastically. I don't mourn for those days and maybe a new HAL thread should be started .....a pre ???? date for some of you. For the here and now you know what? I've had 3 great HAL cruises and yes.... I'm plannning my next one. I really appreciate all the of the information that some of you have given but it comes with a lot of angst and wistfulness that just puts a lot of cruisers off.

Put me on the ignore button if you want.... I am am not even convinced a review of my last cruise is even wanted here.

I do think some poster have a great deal of merit...Sail,Lorekafuf,Topsail,Silvertogold,Innnlady,Topsham,Erin,Sun,Surfurgirlie,Startwin....I hate to single people out but as someone new to the board really you swim with the sharks....I felt better about my cruise while on the ship than listening about your griping after the fact. I'm just going to go back to lurking than posting because clearly you feel better about having a pity party than enjoying some thing 70% of the population can't enjoy.

 

I enjoy reading cruise reviews, and would appreciate if you take time to write and post a review of your cruise.

[Thebes]

I as a newbie to this board. I do appreciate all the folks who answered my questions and offered their time to make sure I got what I need. You know who you are and I'm thankful for your presence on this board. Without you there will be no board. As a newbie , I tried hard to stay away from the strife that goes on here at times. IMO, there is no need here for unkindness, negativity or ganging up. I'm looking forward to my cruise next feb and I'm sure it will be a blast.

[world~citizen]

I like your post, with the exception of one thing. Change and standards slipping should not go hand in hand. We can all adapt with change, but that doesn't mean that you have to allow customer service and customer relations to suffer.

 

I never thought customer relations, especially at the front office, was ever a strongpoint with HAL and I have posted on that repeatedly. I think it is what it is by design. It was something you had to absorb and even so I thought HAL gave you the cruise you paid for.

 

I saw (some serious) service lapses but I wrote that off to the constant change HAL staff encountered - switching gears trying to adapt to another new system. If it is ongoing that is another story. Its been a year since I sailed HAL and if it hasn't improved that is disappointing.

[Host Walt]

This forum is intended to discuss cruising on Holland America ships. Experiences are necessarily personal and individualistic. Two people on the same cruise can have diametrically opposite experiences and each of them can add comments that can express contradictory perceptions.

 

That's the way this forum works.

 

However, opinions are lust like noses; everyone has one and none are ever exactly the same. There cannot be a "wrong opinion" any more than there can be a "wrong nose."

 

Several (way too many) posts have been removed because they discuss Cruise Critic members and their opinions and are, therefore, in contravention of our Community Guidelines.

 

Despite removing several posts that crossed the line, the personal shots continued.

 

This thread will be closed immediately if any additional inappropriate posts are made.

 

Thanks for your cooperation.

[Hlitner]

Slow dining service query: does this happen more in early fixed dining time, late fixed dining, or in the as you wish dining setting? Does this happen more at the larger or smaller tables?

 

We actually have noticed speedier dining times for late fixed dining, table for two than on earlier HAL cruises - we get there on time, and they start service right away.

 

They used to wait to take our orders until enough people in our section finally showed up, which was not fair to those who showed up on time we thought. But that is not how it has been for several of our past cruises - we are in and out with very little little waiting time at all. One course follows right after the other once it gets started. So what ever changes have been made in the past few years have worked for us.

 

We have seldom had any service problems at dinner (we do the as you wish thing) although we are diners and love to spend 2 hours in the MDR. So slow service is normally fine... But we have had some absolutely awful service in the MDR at lunch time...and it happened on 2 of our last 3 HA cruises. In fact, when we were on the Westerdam a couple of months ago we sat (with another couple) for about thirty minutes and nobody even took our order. We got the attention of another waiter and explained the situation and he said he would send our waiter right over....but after another 10 min nobody took our order. Finally, all 4 of us decided we would go up to the Lido for lunch. The fun part was as we were leaving the dining room the Maitre d ask us if we enjoyed our lunch. When we told him nobody even took our order or filled our water glasses he seemed a bit shocked and said if we wanted to go to another table he would make sure we got excellent service. At that point we were all fed up (and not fed) so we declined the offer and ran up to the buffet.

 

Hank

[All aboard??]

We have seldom had any service problems at dinner (we do the as you wish thing) although we are diners and love to spend 2 hours in the MDR. So slow service is normally fine... But we have had some absolutely awful service in the MDR at lunch time...and it happened on 2 of our last 3 HA cruises. In fact, when we were on the Westerdam a couple of months ago we sat (with another couple) for about thirty minutes and nobody even took our order. We got the attention of another waiter and explained the situation and he said he would send our waiter right over....but after another 10 min nobody took our order. Finally, all 4 of us decided we would go up to the Lido for lunch. The fun part was as we were leaving the dining room the Maitre d ask us if we enjoyed our lunch. When we told him nobody even took our order or filled our water glasses he seemed a bit shocked and said if we wanted to go to another table he would make sure we got excellent service. At that point we were all fed up (and not fed) so we declined the offer and ran up to the buffet.

 

Hank

 

I got seated at a table for two on a gala evening ate my main course and then walked out after 40 minutes; dirty plate still on the table, wine glass still empty and not a query was made.

 

I am fairly patient however the fact that I was seated on the main kitchen route I found no reason why my plate could not have been removed, an officer was even standing at the table next to me trying to pick up some daughters while I sat there unattended.

 

My complaint to the front desk was not towards the wait staff; but more towards the officers; they think they rock stars, while they are after all just the help.

[jschm27]

I think it grossly unfair to blame Carnival Corp for the decline in HAL.

 

There would be no HAL today if it were not for Carnival Corp taking over a near bankrupt company that could not raise a dime on the capital markets to finance new ships. And that was over 20 years ago. Enough with the nostalgia-it is misplaced.

 

I think the real culprit is the market itself. Too many ships, too little demand has caused prices to decrease. And competition from other forms of vacations.

 

Prices in the mass marketplace have been constant or decreasing. Costs have been increasing. Not much of a stretch required to see what any of the mass market lines, including HAL, will do to stay in business. Cut costs, build bigger, more efficient ships with lower fixed and variable cost per cruiser.

 

Iancal and All Others:

 

I think your analysis is correct. HAL has to maintain a strong bottom line, and to do that, they are trying to cut costs and increase revenue. Unfortunately, when many of these little changes take effect, the cumulative effect becomes very visible to those of us who have cruised on HAL before. And sometimes facing that change is not easy.

 

For me, the recent CC debate on the new wine policy was an eye opener. It made me question why, when it came time to book a cruise, I did not even consider a different cruise line. Yes I enjoyed my HAL cruises. I enjoyed the service and the elegant mid sized ships and the itineraries. But things changed, albeit, in a small way. And with that change, I grew comfortable in the idea that for my next cruise, I will look at the competitors to see what they have to offer. HAL still has a great product and I will probably cruise with HAL again. But who knows, there might be something better out there.

 

Thanks to CC and everyone who contributed to the debate!

 

Regards

John