Black Label Photography HAL

[Ancientferguson]

Hi there,

 

Having followed Cruise Critic for a considerable time, I never expected my maiden contribution to be the moaning Myrtle type and for this, I apologise.

Before I begin, I will say Hi, thanks for having me.

 

My wife and I had a Black Label session onboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, which we disembarked on the 7th October. We were warned that our resultant purchase could take up to 8 weeks for delivery. I was a little shocked at this lead time, bearing in mind in this digital age, the files could be transferred in minutes. Our order was a relatively minscule one of just two 8'x10' proofs, costing $390. I have been a photographer for 30 years and I just couldn't bring myself to buy any further into this expensive service. My wife on the other hand is very gullible. :-)

 

8 weeks from the end of our cruise took us to the 2nd of December. I allowed for delivery time before contacting HAL on the 10th of December, about the lack of delivery. On the 17th of December HAL eventually replied to me, stating that Ocean Images handles all photographic services aboard HAL and that they had requested that Ocean Images "reach out" to me.

 

I also wrote to Ocean Images.

 

To date, I have had no reply whatsoever from Ocean Images, nor from HAL in a recent chase up email.

 

We are a few days short of 14 weeks since we disembarked and over 14 weeks since the photos were taken, with nothing to show for $390, not even the time to reply to my emails. I requested my money back in December and this has probably brought about their silence.

 

My advice to everybody is to avoid this shockingly poor service and as it stands at the moment, I will not be sailing HAL again, as there "Guest Relations" appear sadly inept.

 

I will be linking this thread to them in an email, to see if they have any interest in expressing their reasons for shoddiness.

 

 

Andy

Edited January 9, 2016 by Ancientferguson

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry you are having such a hard time either getting your pictures or your money back.

Have you contacted your credit card company? Explain to them the situation and that the pictures were charged to your Holland America shipboard account.

[Cruiser Andi]

There was a long thread on this awhile back. If I recall correctly, the OP finally got satisfaction by posting on their Facebook page.

 

Thanks again for the reminder about this company. I won't be using their services.

 

Wishing you well in getting this resolved.

[summer slope]

As KK said, I would contact the CC company and file a complaint and reversal of funds. I'm sure if the CC company contacts them about a dispute you will hear something.

[Ancientferguson]

Sorry you are having such a hard time either getting your pictures or your money back.

 

Have you contacted your credit card company? Explain to them the situation and that the pictures were charged to your Holland America shipboard account.

 

That's a great idea, many thanks.

 

Andy

[Ancientferguson]

There was a long thread on this awhile back. If I recall correctly, the OP finally got satisfaction by posting on their Facebook page.

 

Thanks again for the reminder about this company. I won't be using their services.

 

Wishing you well in getting this resolved.

 

 

For sure, they are to be avoided.

 

I overheard one of the staff members briefing the new photographers on what I would only describe as pressure marketing. I walked off from this individual making my feelings known to him. The young lady that actually did the Black Label stuff was a sweetheart and clearly talented, but the whole photography thing on the Nieuw Amsterdam is just a sham.

 

I was carrying far superior equipment than they had available, I just lacked the studio. :-)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

The shops, the casino, the spa, the photographers, the art auctions, the port shopping ambassadors - they are all contractor vendors. These people don't work for Holland America, they work for Steiner (spa), Ocean Images (photography), Starboard Cruise Services (shops), PPI group (shopping ambassadors), Carnival Corporation (casino), and Park West (art auctions). These people are not your friends - they view you, the passenger, as a sales target.

 

In addition, the guest speakers, the Catholic priests, the singers/dancers are all vetted and hired by outside companies/organizations.

 

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/about-best-cruise-lines/Main.action?tabName=Careers&contentMenu=Shipboard+Employment&WT.ac=footer_Careers

 

http://entertainment.hollandamerica.com/guest-staff.html

 

http://entertainment.hollandamerica.com/performers.html

Edited January 10, 2016 by middle-aged mom

[donaldsc]

It is too late now but if you wanted photographs, why didn't you go to a professional photographer in your home town. Then you would be dealing locally with the actual photographer instead of a corporation. I have never been able to figure out why people over pay for pictures on a cruise. Makes no sense to me.

 

DON

[Ancientferguson]

It is too late now but if you wanted photographs, why didn't you go to a professional photographer in your home town. Then you would be dealing locally with the actual photographer instead of a corporation. I have never been able to figure out why people over pay for pictures on a cruise. Makes no sense to me.

 

DON

 

I totally agree Don. I have no interest in having my photo taken locally either.

 

If I applied logic to everything my wife wanted or did, we wouldn't be married.

 

However, I am not complaining about my wife, I am hopefully preventing others from making my mistake.

[retiredkid]

I totally agree Don. I have no interest in having my photo taken locally either.

If I applied logic to everything my wife wanted or did, we wouldn't be married.

However, I am not complaining about my wife, I am hopefully preventing others from making my mistake.

 

I LIKE YOU!! :D You sound like a keeper.

[serendipity1499]

Ancientfergusen..

 

Take a look t this thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2260951&highlight=ocean+images&page=2

 

Look closely at post No. 22..It was suggested that the OP of that thread post right on Ocean Images WEB site facebook page.. Also look at post 24..

 

You may get some response from them if you do that.. If you still don't get satisfaction write to the Office of the President of HAL...Tell them that you have contacted special services & they will not help... Don't give up.. Even though this is an outside contractor, HAL should take some responsibility for this..

 

Hope this helps..

Edited January 11, 2016 by serendipity1499

[Stratheden]

We must be a dead loss to HAL.

 

We don't have our photo taken, we don't go to the Art Auctions, I do buy a spa pass but only to use the thermal suite - they can't onsell anything, we don't buy anything at the shops except maybe a Tshirt on a special sale, and my limit in the Casino is $10 a night.

 

Do many cruisers use these services?

[serendipity1499]

We must be a dead loss to HAL.

 

We don't have our photo taken, we don't go to the Art Auctions, I do buy a spa pass but only to use the thermal suite - they can't onsell anything, we don't buy anything at the shops except maybe a Tshirt on a special sale, and my limit in the Casino is $10 a night.

 

Do many cruisers use these services?

 

I'm like you, except my limit is $20 a night in the casino & DH never gambles..LOL

 

Have never purchased pictures, but did get a free one with an album when we did our "Renewal of Vows"

[SeaBands]

The picture is great with everyone smiling except me as I must have been thinking about the cost of 5 cabins. We had them send it to her SIL who is a graphic artist and he digitized it and sent it to everyone who could them make copies as needed.

[Ancientferguson]

As KK said, I would contact the CC company and file a complaint and reversal of funds. I'm sure if the CC company contacts them about a dispute you will hear something.

 

Hi there,

 

I have started a dispute with my Credit Card company. They are of the opinion that this firmly rests with HAL as they collected the payment. The Credit Card company are happy to deal with it and I look forward to hearing from HAL. I do hope HAL contact me by phone as they will surely receive 14 weeks of wrath.

 

Thank you for the advice.

 

Because I linked HAL into this thread; just so you know, to those choosing to ignore me from HAL, I put £8400 worth of business, yesterday, through another cruise line. It will never be HAL, ever again.

 

Andy

[Krazy Kruizers]

I hope HAL calls you.

We are presently in a dispute with American Airlines over the amount of refundable first class tickets that we had to cancel. They only refunded us the price of coach seats. They have lost our business.

Hope you have a better experience on your next cruise line.

[JPH814]

Hi there,

 

Having followed Cruise Critic for a considerable time, I never expected my maiden contribution to be the moaning Myrtle type and for this, I apologise.

Before I begin, I will say Hi, thanks for having me.

 

My wife and I had a Black Label session onboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, which we disembarked on the 7th October. We were warned that our resultant purchase could take up to 8 weeks for delivery. I was a little shocked at this lead time, bearing in mind in this digital age, the files could be transferred in minutes. Our order was a relatively minscule one of just two 8'x10' proofs, costing $390. I have been a photographer for 30 years and I just couldn't bring myself to buy any further into this expensive service. My wife on the other hand is very gullible. :-)

 

8 weeks from the end of our cruise took us to the 2nd of December. I allowed for delivery time before contacting HAL on the 10th of December, about the lack of delivery. On the 17th of December HAL eventually replied to me, stating that Ocean Images handles all photographic services aboard HAL and that they had requested that Ocean Images "reach out" to me.

 

I also wrote to Ocean Images.

 

To date, I have had no reply whatsoever from Ocean Images, nor from HAL in a recent chase up email.

 

We are a few days short of 14 weeks since we disembarked and over 14 weeks since the photos were taken, with nothing to show for $390, not even the time to reply to my emails. I requested my money back in December and this has probably brought about their silence.

 

My advice to everybody is to avoid this shockingly poor service and as it stands at the moment, I will not be sailing HAL again, as there "Guest Relations" appear sadly inept.

 

I will be linking this thread to them in an email, to see if they have any interest in expressing their reasons for shoddiness.

 

 

Andy

 

I had a similar experience, but not so bad an ending.

 

We had pictures taken in mid july and were also given the 8 weeks delivery. In their defense, the pictures are not just printed out as taken - if that were the case, they could hand the to you in board the ship. But they promised - and delivered - well cropped, touched up photos very nicely mounted and ready for hanging.

 

When mid September came without pictures, I sent an email to HAL. I got a response from them about 5 weeks later.

 

On September 16th, I called Ocean Images. I explained I needed the pictures for a September 27th gift. I also stated I was prepared to flame them on cruise critic and facebook if they were not received before September 26th..

 

I did receive the pictures on September 24th.

 

I should not have had to do all of this just to get what I was promised. However, I can say that the finished product was very nice and the pictures hang on the wall of my living room.

 

My advice, call Ocean Images directly. The phone number is on the receipt. Calling HAL was not helpful to me.

[Cruiser Andi]

I hope HAL calls you.

We are presently in a dispute with American Airlines over the amount of refundable first class tickets that we had to cancel. They only refunded us the price of coach seats. They have lost our business.

Hope you have a better experience on your next cruise line.

 

 

I'm also in a dispute with American Airlines. They are refusing to refund my fully refundable tickets. I was told they would give me an airline credit but it would cost me $200 to use my credit.

[Ancientferguson]

I had a similar experience, but not so bad an ending.

 

We had pictures taken in mid july and were also given the 8 weeks delivery. In their defense, the pictures are not just printed out as taken - if that were the case, they could hand the to you in board the ship. But they promised - and delivered - well cropped, touched up photos very nicely mounted and ready for hanging.

 

When mid September came without pictures, I sent an email to HAL. I got a response from them about 5 weeks later.

 

On September 16th, I called Ocean Images. I explained I needed the pictures for a September 27th gift. I also stated I was prepared to flame them on cruise critic and facebook if they were not received before September 26th..

 

I did receive the pictures on September 24th.

 

I should not have had to do all of this just to get what I was promised. However, I can say that the finished product was very nice and the pictures hang on the wall of my living room.

 

My advice, call Ocean Images directly. The phone number is on the receipt. Calling HAL was not helpful to me.

 

I have emailed Ocean several times and get their message about receiving a response within two days. They have never once got back to me.

 

My bank will be pulling the cash back very shortly from what I understand and I have have had an initial acknowledgment from the Office of the President.

 

I won't be ringing the US from the UK just to speak to the very shoddy guys at Ocean Images.

[YubaSutter]

 

My bank will be pulling the cash back very shortly from what I understand and I have have had an initial acknowledgment from the Office of the President.

 

.

 

Obama?

[BobNY]

I won't be ringing the US from the UK just to speak to the very shoddy guys at Ocean Images.

 

 

Ocean Images (UK) Ltd.

7 Home Farm Business Centre, Lockerley,

Romsey, Hampshire

SO51 0JT

United Kingdom

+44 (0)179 434 1818

[K&RCurt]

The picture is great with everyone smiling except me as I must have been thinking about the cost of 5 cabins. We had them send it to her SIL who is a graphic artist and he digitized it and sent it to everyone who could them make copies as needed.

 

 

OT, I know, but are you aware that digitizing and copying the image is a copyright violation?

[boards]

We once took a picture we had taken of us on the Carnival cruise to a Photo shop and they refused to do it.

[rlsmith]

Ran into the same problem as the original poster. We cruised Oct. 17 - 23 on the Westerdam. Was shocked the lead time for 2 digital photos and 1 print was 8 - 10 weeks. I called and left a message with Black Label/Ocean-images on the 18th of Dec. saying "don't be late we want to have these for the holidays" Never got a call back from the message on the Answering machine.

 

On Jan 4th finally got a live person, said the photos were in the Mail. Got them on Jan 5th, 11 weeks after the cruise. The entire group claimed they were "on schedule" because they "Shipped" the photo's on Dec 31. They had until Jan. 2nd for the full "10 weeks". Like they were really going to ship it on Jan 1 (new year) or Sat. Jan 2. The shipped at last possible minute, most likely because I left the message 2 weeks earlier. They ignore the fact your copy of the paperwork says "8 - 10 week DELIVERY".

 

I did get a call back and apology from them. Again they gave me excuses about the holiday's and expedited orders. I know the only reason I got a call was because I e-mailed all of the Black Label, Ocean Images customer service e-mail addresses AND copied the office of the Pres, HAL as well as the Pres of HAL himself. That got their attention and they finally called me back. I'm still pretty riled about their poor service so I hope everyone reads this thread is is warned.

[kevingastreich]

We must be a dead loss to HAL.

 

We don't have our photo taken, we don't go to the Art Auctions, I do buy a spa pass but only to use the thermal suite - they can't onsell anything, we don't buy anything at the shops except maybe a Tshirt on a special sale, and my limit in the Casino is $10 a night.

 

Do many cruisers use these services?

 

We do buy photos and art. We know they are overpriced but we enjoy the experience and convenience of it. Every time we look at and enjoy the items the cost goes down. I'm looking at a painting right now that we bought on a cruise, I honestly can't remember how much I paid for it but I enjoy it everyday. BTW, we have had EXCELLENT customer service with Park West as an aside.