If you had to chose, should HAL be about ports or onboard services?

[OlsSalt]

Interesting discussion developing on another thread that deserves a little more attention on its own. Helps to understand also why many of us can see the same thing though different eyes.

 

HAL apparently at one time was able to be both a travel/port destination cruise line along with a high-level service and entertainment cruise line too.

 

Emphasis on those two different aspects might be stretching HAL to breaking points with its older, smaller ships which many prefer for their port access, creative itineraries but are less appealing for those who like a high level of onboard entertainment and primarily ship board life and services.

 

If you had to chose one direction or the other for HAL's future, which one would it be? (1) Travel and destination with less emphasis on on-board activities, service and amenities or (2) more of a pampering on board experience with less emphasis on ports and innovative itineraries?

 

Of course for the price, it would be great if HAL could continue to offer both at levels of former excellence, but I can appreciate this gets harder every year competing in this marketplace with newer, larger, glitzier ships while their ships take more time and maintenance to keep them running at the expense of other levels of guest services.

 

No one is saying HAL is making this choice or that it even should or have to, but if it needed to in order to keep its smaller ships cruising to unusual destinations which way should HAL put its energies, marketing and future?

[mamaofami]

I don't want to have to choose one or the other. I would like both.

[cruisetrail]

Caribbean & Mediterranean (Sea and Sun cruises)

Eurodam & Nieuw Amsterdam - only these two resort ships provide desired level of comfort for "winter break & summer" cruises

 

Nothern Europe & Canada & Alaska

Colder climate where sun decks are not necessary - therefore Vista class ships can be considered in addition to the Signature ships

 

Older ships below Vista class - not considered in future plans as they don't provide desired level of comfort.

They are not totally excluded - I would take a short cruise for technical interest only if time/price permit.

[cruisemom42]

I cruise for the ports, but it is a "pros and cons" situation.

 

I often feel short-changed on the amount of time offered in port on a cruise. Specifically, I enjoy being able to explore new places in the evening as well as just being there from 8am to 5pm. Venice and Athens, for example, are worlds apart in the daytime and in the evening.

 

On the other hand, there is a certain enjoyment from being at sea, watching the waves and the sky. But that in itself isn't enough. Part of the cruising experience for me is also excellent service, attention to detail, and good (not necessarily "fine") dining experiences. And yes -- a little music or an interesting lecture are also welcome.

 

About half the time, I do land-based travel. For the other half, I am willing to give up the "con" of less time in port for the "pro" of enjoying shipboard life. If shipboard life wasn't enjoyable, I would in all likelihood just give up cruising.

[kazu]

Caribbean & Mediterranean (Sea and Sun cruises)

Eurodam & Nieuw Amsterdam - only these two resort ships provide desired level of comfort for "winter break & summer" cruises

 

Nothern Europe & Canada & Alaska

Colder climate where sun decks are not necessary - therefore Vista class ships can be considered in addition to the Signature ships

 

Older ships below Vista class - not considered in future plans as they don't provide desired level of comfort.

They are not totally excluded - I would take a short cruise for technical interest only if time/price permit.

 

and take all my longer cruises now on the smaller ships:D different strokes.

 

btw - some of them offer more comfort in the way of service, etc.

 

For the OP - I don't expect to have to choose between the two. I sail to enjoy ports most times however I expect to have some comfort.

 

Guess I am hard to get along with - I love great itineraries - but I still expect a certain level of comfort on board. I hate to break it to you - but there are other lines that have some nice itineraries too. You just have to look.

 

Now, P'dam for me has the best itineraries - but my attraction to the ship was not just the itineraries but the ship itself and the service on it. We've had good experiences.

[Vict0riann]

I want both! I want both! Wah! (Tantrum, lying on the floor kicking.)

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

I cruise for both too..........sorry, can't choose.

[innlady1]

I expect both, too.

[c-cruise]

Ports aren't nearly as important to us as the ship and the onboard experience.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I can't choose one over the other.

We like ports and we like comfort, good food and good entertainment.

[IRL_Joanie]

Interesting discussion developing on another thread that deserves a little more attention on its own. Helps to understand also why many of us can see the same thing though different eyes.

 

HAL apparently at one time was able to be both a travel/port destination cruise line along with a high-level service and entertainment cruise line too.

 

Emphasis on those two different aspects might be stretching HAL to breaking points with its older, smaller ships which many prefer for their port access, creative itineraries but are less appealing for those who like a high level of onboard entertainment and primarily ship board life and services.

 

If you had to chose one direction or the other for HAL's future, which one would it be? (1) Travel and destination with less emphasis on on-board activities, service and amenities or (2) more of a pampering on board experience with less emphasis on ports and innovative itineraries?

 

Of course for the price, it would be great if HAL could continue to offer both at levels of former excellence, but I can appreciate this gets harder every year competing in this marketplace with newer, larger, glitzier ships while their ships take more time and maintenance to keep them running at the expense of other levels of guest services.

 

No one is saying HAL is making this choice or that it even should or have to, but if it needed to in order to keep its smaller ships cruising to unusual destinations which way should HAL put its energies, marketing and future?

 

The only thing that matters to me is the type of verandah I have. I spend at least 95% of my cruise on my verandah, to include in ports.

 

I do not do entertainment, lounges, bars, dining venues and very few excursions, nor do I drink.

 

So in answer to your question, only the verandah type matters to me.

 

Joanie

[jayjaycan]

I would like to have both but after 30 cruises (not all with HAL) it is a dilemma.

We have been to many ports 3,4 and more times and if we are taking repeat cruise we look for amenities and onboard experiences and service.

 

Having said that, we still look for itineraries first. We can't afford World Cruises and more than 21 days are not appealing to us. So, if we must choose one of your selections we opt for ports of call. New ports, more interesting ports and/or overnight (1-2 nights) in port to better experience them. Imagine 2 full days and a night in Barcelona, Monte Carlo (Nice), Venice, Istanbul, Lisbon. Rio de Janeiro, Honolulu. San Francisco ,Key West. New Orleans, etc. etc.

 

We can do without Nassau, Roatan, Cozumel, Turks & Caicos, St. Thomas, Tortola and their like.

[buggins0402]

Since we're considering a Baltic on HAL for next year, I've been spending some time on the HAL board reading through the other thread from time to time.

 

The reason for considering HAL was the itinerary (two days and a night in Stockholm) together with the embarkation port (Copenhagen). However, I do expect a certain level of comfort (working toilet would be nice).

 

Like Cruisemom, we shift from land to sea, depending on the area and what we're in the mood for. When cruising, embarkation ports are also important, because it provides time to explore a city more in depth.

 

But, whether ports are more important than on board experience isn't something that has a polar answer. The answers people have are generally on a continuum. And, since everyone is different and values on-board offerings differently, they have to search for the "right" fit. Then, price always works into the equation.

 

For example, for us a good fitness center and anytime dining is important and I might pay more to have those things or accept a less desirable itinerary.

 

So for right now looking at Celebrity (Amsterdam is not desired embarkation) but cruise line has worked well for us in past. Princess - with the new ship that is getting skewered in reviews and second best itinerary, HAL - best itinerary, but the loyalists seem unhappy or Norwegian - will get us there, best dates, lousy fitness center, bare bones ship but cheap.

[geoherb]

We sail more for the cruise experience than for the ports, especially when we book cruises to the Caribbean. HAL's cutbacks in entertainment and the cruise director's staff have been disappointing to us. They're one of the reasons we prefer Princess ships. But I will still take a HAL cruise if the price is right.

[lovetocruise2020]

Ports aren't nearly as important to us as the ship and the onboard experience.

 

I need more ship time, so the above matches me. Could never do lines like Oceania, no matter how much the ships would fit us, because the schedule! OMG those people must be run ragged! So tiring. Just cant hack it. My daily life is run here run there, hurry hurry, timeline, deadline, so stressful. I need 2 sea days for every 7 days, or more!

[sail7seas]

Ports and onboard experience are of importance and a cruise line should do both.

We feel HAL does.

One should not be sacrificed for the other.

If the shipboard experience is not good, we'll go to a resort/luxe hotel.

If the ports aren't good, people will do land trips.

 

 

[RuthC]

Ports or the ship is the destination? I choose not to choose, and HAL doesn't have to. HAL can provide an elegant, upscale on-board experience whatever ports it chooses to sail to.

I want a few hours in an interesting port. When I come back to the ship, I want a relaxing atmosphere, comfy cabin, good food, and great service. I want entertainment from cocktail time right through until at least 1:00 AM. I want lots of sea days, with some good lectures, a few fun activities, and a comfy lounge chair (with adequate padding) on a deck close to the sea.

I go to sea to go to sea. If ports were the primary reason to leave home, then a land trip would do.

[Daisyloo]

I cruise for both too..........sorry, can't choose.

 

 

Ditto

[startwin]

Both, which is the purpose of cruising and what (most) cruiselines purport to offer. Otherwise, I could do a land vacation.

[Jade13]

Ports and onboard experience are of importance and a cruise line should do both.

We feel HAL does.

One should not be sacrificed for the other.

If the shipboard experience is not good, we'll go to a resort/luxe hotel.

If the ports aren't good, people will do land trips.

 

 

 

Exactly, couldn't have said it better. We won't choose. If we don't have both we will take land vacations.

[cruiseapril]

We are attracted to HAL first because of the itineraries and secondly because of the service. Have been on most major cruise lines and find HAL to have a high quality of both in comparison.

[barbarah33]

I would like both and that is one of the reason I have been sailing with HAL recently. IMHO they do a pretty good job of offering both.

 

After 40 cruises I have determined that the ship is more important to me so when booking a cruise I pick my ship first then look to see when she is sailing where and will go from there.

[OlsSalt]

.... I hate to break it to you - but there are other lines that have some nice itineraries too. You just have to look.

....

 

By way of background we have sailed both Crystal and Voyages of Discovery which offer almost two opposite points on the compass between pampering on board services but more routine itineraries, and basic services but exotic itineraries for similar prices.

 

Have also looked longingly at Noble Caledonia but I was trying to keep this in the price range of general HAL cruising, if choices have to be made at these similar price points. Have explored Azamara and Oceania who send brochures almost weekly, which often look good on the surface but we always come away not getting the port value we are really looking for - we are port travelers.

 

I also now realize how hard it is to define level of service when I tossed out this choice - so back to Crystal and Discovery as bench marks for service level one wants from HAL vs itineraries might be a good way to measure expectations while staying within the current HAL price points...... if choices had to be made between the two.

 

Discovery: no casino, limited entertainment, group lectures are main on board activity, cabins very basic, old ship, food adequate, far more self service expectations, very limited room service.

 

Crystal: high level of personal service, probably bone at dinner fish without asking, wider range of menu items, lovely public room decor, high end finishes in cabins, more name brand entertainment.

 

Perhaps a list could be developed of onboard service priorities - ones that are essential or else one looks elsewhere, and ones that are more in the personal enjoyment category that one would be willing to pay higher prices to see them added to HAL's current level.

[sail7seas]

You have to keep in mind there is wide diversity in the range of prices paid for same cruise, same ship at the same time.

 

There are some aboard who have paid a great deal more than others and that is not always predicated on cabin category as some lucky folks sometimes get free upgrades/low cost upsells.

 

To ask if one is willing to pay more to get more, it is interesting to know from what price point they are 'starting'...... If you've only paid $399 for 7 days vs if you have paid $3,999 for the same 7 days, for example.

 

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

I agree, Sail. The higher the price paid, the higher the expectations the customer probably has.......although there is the possibility of some exceptions, of course.