colonialinnkeeper Posted February 1, 2016 #76 Share Posted February 1, 2016 The art and design of HAL ships is a real draw for us. The wood and classic design adds an elegance that is not found on many ships. Some pieces are not favorites but, all in all, we appreciate the antiques, the artifacts and ambiance of the HAL ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted February 1, 2016 #77 Share Posted February 1, 2016 The art and design of HAL ships is a real draw for us. The wood and classic design adds an elegance that is not found on many ships. Some pieces are not favorites but, all in all, we appreciate the antiques, the artifacts and ambiance of the HAL ships. Bingo! Treat HAL ships as art galleries: not everything will be to your taste. Much will be. The overall ambiance is outstanding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted February 1, 2016 #78 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Some pieces are not favorites but, all in all, we appreciate the antiques, the artifacts and ambiance of the HAL ships. Exactly. Would I choose the same pieces to decorate my own house? Not all of them. But this is not my house, and I don't have to live with the décor forever. I can still appreciate it, and the atmosphere it generates, while I'm there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted February 1, 2016 #79 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Returning to the topic of this thread, did Ashford ruin Holland by selecting any of these pieces of art? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted February 1, 2016 #80 Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) Returning to the topic of this thread, did Ashford ruin Holland by selecting any of these pieces of art? Two questions there. No and no. Edited February 1, 2016 by SilvertoGold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted February 1, 2016 #81 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Returning to the topic of this thread, did Ashford ruin Holland by selecting any of these pieces of art? The décor of HAL ships was a side conversation...but the answer is no. At least, I don't think so. I'm not HAL 101 like some others around here, so I really have no idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topsham Posted February 1, 2016 #82 Share Posted February 1, 2016 VFD Architecturen, Holland. Was the (internal) lead architect for HAL ships for many years. Frans Dingemans was the owner of that company VFD.... Vlamming, Fennis & Dingemans. If you like the HAL ships... he was responsible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted February 1, 2016 #83 Share Posted February 1, 2016 I cannot imagine why on earth anyone would/could suggest that Mr. Ashford ruined (whatever that means) HAL in his short tenure. Just a little over the top perhaps???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stakeout Posted February 2, 2016 Author #84 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) I cannot imagine why on earth anyone would/could suggest that Mr. Ashford ruined (whatever that means) HAL in his short tenure. Just a little over the top perhaps???? look at what is happening to HAL currently.. if you can't see it I can't explain it any further.. go on a HAL cruise Edited February 2, 2016 by Stakeout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sppunk Posted February 2, 2016 #85 Share Posted February 2, 2016 look at what is happening to HAL currently.. if you can't see it I can't explain it any further.. go on a HAL cruise And what exactly has changed that's "ruined" HAL in the time Ashford took over? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted February 2, 2016 #86 Share Posted February 2, 2016 look at what is happening to HAL currently.. if you can't see it I can't explain it any further.. go on a HAL cruise I see in your signature you are a 5 star mariner. What you say is right in line with what other people say who are at the top of the loyalty game with other cruise lines as well....and what pretty much everyone says who continue to patron the same company over and over again for many, many years. I know...I was going down that road with RCI. But then I branched out and will now book almost any cruise line. My cruises feel so much better now. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iancal Posted February 2, 2016 #87 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) Does anyone really believe that HAL was wonderful up until Dec 2014 and then went precipitously downhill in 2015 after Mr. Ashford was appointed?? I suspect Mr. Ashford did nothing in the first six months other than meet the staff, learn the business, clean up the mess, and figure out how to start breathing new life into the this old darling that has been on life support for the past several years. Edited February 2, 2016 by iancal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted February 2, 2016 #88 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Does anyone really believe that HAL was wonderful up until Dec 2014 and then went precipitously downhill in 2015 after Mr. Ashford was appointed?? I suspect Mr. Ashford did nothing in the first six months other than meet the staff, learn the business, clean up the mess, and figure out how to start breathing new life into the this old darling that has been on life support for the past several years. I absolutely agree. Mr. Ashford cannot be held responsible for something that has been long in the making. Just check back on CC to see how long ago the complaints began about "cut-backs". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvalentine Posted February 2, 2016 #89 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Until Mr. Ashford comes aboard and takes the chocolate croissant out of my hands and steals my neptune lounge coffee...I'll be happily sailing Holland, even more so on the beautiful new Koningsdam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketMan275 Posted February 2, 2016 #90 Share Posted February 2, 2016 I absolutely agree. Mr. Ashford cannot be held responsible for something that has been long in the making. Just check back on CC to see how long ago the complaints began about "cut-backs". Every forum on cruise critic, Royal, Celebrity, Princess, etc; is full of complaints about cutbacks. Is Ashford responsible for ruining all the cruise lines? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIATPAC29 Posted February 2, 2016 #91 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Until Mr. Ashford comes aboard and takes the chocolate croissant out of my hands and steals my neptune lounge coffee...I'll be happily sailing Holland, even more so on the beautiful new Koningsdam. does hal close down at 10pm.any late night activities Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakrewser Posted February 2, 2016 #92 Share Posted February 2, 2016 does hal close down at 10pm.any late night activities If something "closes" (what does that mean?) at 10 pm, it's hardly "late night" is it? But tell us about your experience with closing times on HAL... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinHarvey Posted February 2, 2016 #93 Share Posted February 2, 2016 This is a pretty standard thread in CC anymore. There sure are lot of complainers on this site. I just booked another HAL cruise, so I came over to see what the topics were. I usually cruise NCL. Seems like the complainers must talk to one another before posting. All I have to do is switch Del Rio for Ashford, I'd think I'm on the same site. It's always gloom and doom for the line. Complaining that cruise industry is not the same as it used to be. You are correct!!!! It is more successful, with more cruisers than ever. The only constant is change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIATPAC29 Posted February 2, 2016 #94 Share Posted February 2, 2016 If something "closes" (what does that mean?) at 10 pm, it's hardly "late night" is it? But tell us about your experience with closing times on HAL... My only experience was in 2002. Found it slow. Tired. Lacking energy. That's all I remember Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted February 2, 2016 #95 Share Posted February 2, 2016 does hal close down at 10pm.any late night activities When it comes to late night activities, HAL certainly does seem to fall asleep early...at least, compared to the other lines I have sailed. I'd say the exception is ships with the BB King band, which plays until midnight. HAL ships do have a nightclub, but every time I went in there past 11 pm, it was more of a staff lounge for off-duty entertainers than anything else. HAL has it's strong points, but entertainment and late night activities is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted February 2, 2016 #96 Share Posted February 2, 2016 you have "many friends" get real ! What does that mean?:confused: We also have friends amongst the crew and officers. That happens - especially on longer cruises. We remain in touch via email and facebook etc. What is so odd about cruisers making friends on the ships? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whogo Posted February 2, 2016 #97 Share Posted February 2, 2016 look at what is happening to HAL currently.. if you can't see it I can't explain it any further.. go on a HAL cruise If you think that Orlando Ashford has ruined Holland America, why do you have two HAL cruises booked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sppunk Posted February 2, 2016 #98 Share Posted February 2, 2016 If you think that Orlando Ashford has ruined Holland America, why do you have two HAL cruises booked? Why let facts get in the way of a good troll job? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinHarvey Posted February 2, 2016 #99 Share Posted February 2, 2016 When it comes to late night activities, HAL certainly does seem to fall asleep early...at least, compared to the other lines I have sailed. I'd say the exception is ships with the BB King band, which plays until midnight. HAL ships do have a nightclub, but every time I went in there past 11 pm, it was more of a staff lounge for off-duty entertainers than anything else. HAL has it's strong points, but entertainment and late night activities is not one of them. It's the passengers that fall asleep early. That demographic gets up early. I've been on a number of cruise lines. HAL is the only one where 1/2 day excursions in the morning are booked first. No need to keep a lounge open when everyone has already retired for the evening. Since I'm retiring in a couple of months, I guess I'll be part of that crowd now. Although, there were a couple of times on last HAL cruise when we were the last people in the casino around midnight. As one experienced cruiser put it when ask about the age of HAL cruisers. He said "Older people cruise on Celebrity cruise lines. Their parents sail on Holland America." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted February 2, 2016 #100 Share Posted February 2, 2016 This is an ugly piece. Ugly for you, yes. For others, and I am one of them, it is beautiful. But, honestly, why do any of us think the rest of us even wants our opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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