Trending on this board -- pay attention HAL

[Folk Singer]

I also am looking and booking somewhere else. I am a 5* mariner and about to get my 700 day medallion. After doing 3 world cruises with HAL I am booked for the 2016 world cruise on Cunard. Doesn't hurt to try new things.

 

 

Have fun and enjoy. The important thing is to keep on Cruising.

[LindaM]

I'm one of those who still enjoys holding a book in my hands. :) I have no desire for an e-reader of any sort but I know I am the minority.

 

Me too. I just can't see reading off of a screen. I actually like the sound of pages turning and the feel of turning pages. I guess it's probably from being a teacher. Also, sometimes I zone out when I'm reading and I need to go back and reread!

[cruz chic]

Never had a complaint on HAL until our last cruise, on the Eurodam last month. It was in the Caribbean, where we always cruise - we aren't great fans of the ports, but rather just enjoy being on the ship - any ship.

 

Last month, though, we noticed a BIG difference, particularly in the daily schedule on port days. Whereas in the past they always had something going on, even when the ship was in port, this time - zilch. Nothing from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Oh, there were a couple of "seminars," which are thinly disguised sales opportunities, and there was spa offering or two - another chance to pitch something to buy. But as far as, for example, trivia? Bingo? ANYTHING? Nope.

 

The Lido buffet was opened for, I believe, 1 1/2 hours. Scheeze, unbelievable that they just practically forget about people who want to stay aboard the ship. Quiet as a mouse ...

 

Are we reconsidering HAL? Yes, certainly ... we've already checked into Royal Caribbean and are VERY impressed that you can exchange loyalty points between RCL and Celebrity. Their other perks are impressive indeed. We may very well try it on our next cruise.

I'm not a fan of the lido but I find it shocking that they only had it open for 1.5 hours. The MDR was likely closed too. What do they expect people coming back from shorex to do? Hal seems to struggle with room service. That's crazy.

[kjw869]

I'm not a fan of the lido but I find it shocking that they only had it open for 1.5 hours. The MDR was likely closed too. What do they expect people coming back from shorex to do? Hal seems to struggle with room service. That's crazy.

 

Bon Voyage Cruz Chic. I hope you have a great cruise!:)

[sail7seas]

Bon Voyage Cruz Chic. I hope you have a great cruise!:)

 

Another Bon Voyage from me, Cruz Chic.

Have a wonderful cruise and please post some comments when you return. I know you might be reluctant but some of us really want to know your opinion as to what 'trending' HAL may be doing.

 

Fair Winds and a Following Sea........

 

 

[summer slope]

We've cruised HAL 3 times...twice on the Zuiderdam and once on the Westerdam. LOVE both ships. Cruised on the Celebrity Constellation this spring for a short 5 day cruise and loved it as well. Loved the Aqua class dining in Blu, that was the only thing that I thought was better than Hal.

[cruz chic]

Thank you both. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to make this cruise. It's been a rough week :rolleyes:. I will post some thoughts, good or bad but I might be more guarded this time. Looking forward to a neptune suite again this time. It's getting addictive. You might even see me butting in on someone's live from thread if he doesn't mind:D. Looking forward to leaving this stupid cold and snowy weather behind.

[Tante Amalie]

Most of this discussion is comparing mainstream mass market brands and all of them are suffering from the same competitive pressures that are driving down quality.

 

We have found that the key to really enjoying HAL cruises is to expect mediocrity and be pleasantly surprised when things are better. You have to spend more and move up to a premium line if you want good quality across the board.

[MishelleMcc]

Thank you both. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to make this cruise. It's been a rough week :rolleyes:. I will post some thoughts, good or bad but I might be more guarded this time. Looking forward to a neptune suite again this time. It's getting addictive. You might even see me butting in on someone's live from thread if he doesn't mind:D. Looking forward to leaving this stupid cold and snowy weather behind.

 

Please don't hold back! We want candid -unguarded reviews! I, for one, appreciate your thoughts.

 

Have a WONDERFUL Cruise!!!!! :p

[Lizzie68]

Thank you both. I was beginning to wonder if I was going to make this cruise. It's been a rough week :rolleyes:. I will post some thoughts, good or bad but I might be more guarded this time. Looking forward to a neptune suite again this time. It's getting addictive. You might even see me butting in on someone's live from thread if he doesn't mind:D. Looking forward to leaving this stupid cold and snowy weather behind.

 

 

Have a wonderful cruise and forget about work and the turkeys you have to hang with there.;) I am so jealous, Neptune suite again - enjoy!

[cruz chic]

Please don't hold back! We want candid -unguarded reviews! I, for one, appreciate your thoughts.

 

Have a WONDERFUL Cruise!!!!! :p

 

Thank you!

[cruz chic]

Have a wonderful cruise and forget about work and the turkeys you have to hang with there.;) I am so jealous, Neptune suite again - enjoy!

 

No, it's been more about the medical community than anything else. Thanks for the good wishes.

[summersigh]

Most of this discussion is comparing mainstream mass market brands and all of them are suffering from the same competitive pressures that are driving down quality.

 

We have found that the key to really enjoying HAL cruises is to expect mediocrity and be pleasantly surprised when things are better. You have to spend more and move up to a premium line if you want good quality across the board.

 

I don't feel that my HAL cruises are swimming in mediocrity. As you said, HAL is one of the mainstream mass market brands. Toward the top of the heap but mainstream none the less. That said ...........

 

In our personal HAL experience ... our service has always been excellent. There are so many selections in the MDR that it would be hard not to be able to put together a nice meal. The shows aren't Broadway but enjoyable. Our verandah cabins have always been nicely appointed. The shampoos and soaps any line provides don't make a difference to us - we bring our own.

 

For the dollars spent we feel we get a fair return. We have a 7 day Caribbean cruise in a verandah cabin booked at a total of $1800 for both of us. It would be difficult to spend a week at a comparable land resort including all meals and a room with a balcony for the same price.

 

You said "You have to spend more and move up to a premium line if you want good quality across the board." ... well, DH and I are retired, comfortable but surely not rolling in dough. Springing for a "premium line" doesn't hold a draw as big in proportion as the difference in dollars for us to make it worth the extra cost. Our TA on Cunard's QM2 was lovely but the service on the Ryndam was every bit as good.

 

I'm seeing this as kinda .... the mainstream roller coaster doesn't have thickly padded seats. Would you consider this as the way this product is delivered or would you consider it to be mediocre and only ride coasters with premium padding? :)

[sail7seas]

I totally agree we have always found the service on HAL ships to be wonderful. It is the crew, first and foremost, that always kept us returning. :)

 

[Host Walt]

I totally agree we have always found the service on HAL ships to be wonderful. It is the crew, first and foremost, that always kept us returning. :)

 

I'll chime in here and echo S7S. When we first encounter the line of staff on embarkation after walking up the gorgeous gangway and entry foyer, the feeling is as if we're returning to our home after a long trip.

 

I cannot recall ever encountering any staff members on a HAL ship who was anything other than genuinely happy and congenial. [Wish I could say that about our cruise experiences on other lines.]

[cruz chic]

I've found the crew on princess to be equally as nice. Celebrity was a different story.

[PathfinderEss]

I'll chime in here and echo S7S. When we first encounter the line of staff on embarkation after walking up the gorgeous gangway and entry foyer, the feeling is as if we're returning to our home after a long trip.

 

I cannot recall ever encountering any staff members on a HAL ship who was anything other than genuinely happy and congenial. [Wish I could say that about our cruise experiences on other lines.]

 

Totally agree...... That's why we keep coming back, that's not to say that we haven't enjoyed other cruise lines because we have but Hal is the best, mainly because of their crew. It's also like coming home to us, too!

[ljones]

 

HAL still has the best itineraries of all the cruise lines but after finally becoming 4 star mariners, we have now booked future cruises for 2015 and 2016 with Celebrity. Their prices are higher than HAL right now, but we feel the product is worth the extra money. I really hope HAL turns things around so we can go back to them in the future.

 

Agreed on the itineraries which is the only reason I suggested HAL for my sons up-coming wedding/honeymoon. I hope we are still speaking after the 42 days (Volendam)! The difference in the food options and the loyalty program of HAL & Celebrity is HUGE. I enjoy the smaller HAL ships & the people, passengers and crew, are great...but with those long itineraries they must do better in both variety & quality of food & entertainment.

Edited September 11, 2016 by ljones

[AV8rix]

....I'll have to put in my oar.

 

I'm really contemplating switching over to either Princess or X because I'm solo and have to pay the burdensome full supplement. Both of those lines (and some others, too) award double points on their loyalty programs for the solos who have to pay double. I'd have been a four-star by now if HAL had the same policy.

 

The reason that X is also under consideration is because of their smoking policy. I'm a blackjack player but can only tolerate the HAL casinos in the morning hours on sea days. It gets too smoky in there in the evening.

 

I find it interesting that Princess alone of the CCL subsidiaries awards the double points to solos. I would have expected such a policy to be a corporate-wide thing -- either CCL does it or they don't.

[idiebabe]

I'll chime in here and echo S7S. When we first encounter the line of staff on embarkation after walking up the gorgeous gangway and entry foyer, the feeling is as if we're returning to our home after a long trip.

 

I cannot recall ever encountering any staff members on a HAL ship who was anything other than genuinely happy and congenial. [Wish I could say that about our cruise experiences on other lines.]

 

My Husband and I feel the same way, Walt! :)

[kazu]

Well, since this thread has been resurrected - I don't know if there is a trend or not.

 

We tried Oceania last year. Definitely YMMV with this line. I didn't think it was worth the $ and the food we had (and service) was definitely NOT the best food at sea. The Prinsendam can show them up in a lot of ways. DH was far more unhappy than I and I was just glad it wasn't his first cruise or he may not have gone again. First time we were GLAD to get off a cruise ship.

 

Loved the rooms, the lounge chairs but their beauty was only skin deep and the rest was a disappointment for us.

 

comparing it to our Westerdam cruise taken a few months later, we were delighted to return to cordial staff, decent food and dam good service.

 

After our Westerdam cruise there was no question we were sailing HAL again.

 

HAL has the BEST crew and itineraries in my book compared to the lines we have sailed (we've just done "premium" not luxury).

[dockman]

One for sure "deal breaker" for me is no deck chairs on a full wrap around teak deck wide enough for walking.....to me that is the ESSENCE of a classy ship that hasn't forgotten a lot of people really do want to walk outside and/or sit on a nice covered deck and simply watch the ocean.

 

Please HAL don't eliminate this feature on any more future ships.

[DarkCrystal]

I'll chime in here and echo S7S. When we first encounter the line of staff on embarkation after walking up the gorgeous gangway and entry foyer, the feeling is as if we're returning to our home after a long trip.

 

I cannot recall ever encountering any staff members on a HAL ship who was anything other than genuinely happy and congenial. [Wish I could say that about our cruise experiences on other lines.]

 

Totally agree! We've been on several Princess cruises and RCL but HAL always gives me the warm fuzzies when I travel with them. 'Genuinely happy' is how I would describe their staff too.

[Homosassa]

As someone who loved HAL (yes, past tense) and is also a long time Sitmar/Princess cruiser, I have found that my husband and I have been disappointed in the deletion of so many of the things that made HAL unique and special.

 

We have been cruising Princess and have our first HAL cruise (Rotterdam) in four years booked to see if anything has changed.

 

It has been my theory for a while that since HAL and Princess are both now owned by Carnival Corp and traditionally targeted the same socioeconomic demographic, that HAL is being repositioned to fit between Carnival Cruise Line and Princess.

[DarkCrystal]

One for sure "deal breaker" for me is no deck chairs on a full wrap around teak deck wide enough for walking.....to me that is the ESSENCE of a classy ship that hasn't forgotten a lot of people really do want to walk outside and/or sit on a nice covered deck and simply watch the ocean.

 

Please HAL don't eliminate this feature on any more future ships.

 

Yes, yes and yes! Love the Promenade on HAL ships, it's frustrating on other lines to try walking around the ship and find there are stairs to climb at each end.