HAL continuing to downgrade its product

[DaveOKC]

Just off a 16 day cruise on the Eurodam and our third cruise this year on HAL.  I noticed a number of reduced services and extra charges over cruises from 1-2 years ago.  I know that things are tough for the cruiselines, but I hope that they are careful not to overdue this as it will eventually double back on them with fewer customers.  

The list of things I noticed is too long to list here and some of the items are minor, but together they are significant IMO.  I sure hope things begin to improve soon.

The one thing that has improved IMO is the staff.  Overall service is much better than over recent previous cruises.

 

 

 

[Mary229]

I would rather they raise prices or charge for extra service than to reduce the quality.  It is going to have to happen one way or the other.  Judging by the reaction of many level headed veteran cruisers here on CC perhaps they should pull off the bandaid and raise prices 

[MichiganFisherman]

The list of the most major ones would be nice and would help to let those know sailing the Euro soon like me .

[ncgolferette]

I agree that service continues to be pretty good to excellent.  However it appears to me that the  quality of food has declined.  Same menus but different results.  

[Mary229]

19 minutes ago, ncgolferette said:

I agree that service continues to be pretty good to excellent.  However it appears to me that the  quality of food has declined.  Same menus but different results.  

I found the buffet to be particularly disappointing 

[visagrunt]

It seems to me that there continues to be a disconnect between Seattle and Directors and Managers on board.  Seattle appears to be laser focused on revenue--hence the infuriating "Indulge" component on menus.  Thankfully, on board they continue to be focused on the guest experience.

The value proposition for Neptunes is diminishing.  It's very difficult to justify the price point in view of experiences available at similar prices on other lines.

However, the movement into more inclusive fares (while leaving open the option of dispensing with Have it All™) does suggest to me a line that is looking at responding to different passenger demand.

[Crazy For Cats]

44 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I found the buffet to be particularly disappointing 

I agree.  This summer on the Zaandam I thought the lido lacked the usual variety of choices.  Thank goodness for the Distant Lands section!

[Don Kehote]

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

The list of things I noticed is too long to list here

Fortunately, you can write as long a list as you like on the internet.  I don't believe there is a limit.

[FlaMariner]

I like the food on HAL...It's one of our top reasons for cruising HAL (and that includes 2 cruises since the unpleasantness)

 

Agree the staff is over the top good. Another top reason. 

 

Are there other things that relate to HAL downgrading?  The only item I've read on this post is food and we all know, especially since I've been around my once teenage daughter, that food is subjective. 

 

What else is wrong besides Neptunes not being worth it?

[oaktreerb]

5 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Just off a 16 day cruise on the Eurodam and our third cruise this year on HAL.  I noticed a number of reduced services and extra charges over cruises from 1-2 years ago.  I know that things are tough for the cruiselines, but I hope that they are careful not to overdue this as it will eventually double back on them with fewer customers.  

The list of things I noticed is too long to list here and some of the items are minor, but together they are significant IMO.  I sure hope things begin to improve soon.

The one thing that has improved IMO is the staff.  Overall service is much better than over recent previous cruises.

 

 

 

You have indicated reduced services and extra charges without supporting your statement.  Too many to mention?  How about the top 10?

[DaveOKC]

13 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

You have indicated reduced services and extra charges without supporting your statement.  Too many to mention?  How about the top 10?

$20 fee to bring own wine onboard - previously one bottle per person free.

18% service fee for specialty dining.

Increased prices for specialty dining.

Charges for previously free items on room service menu items 

$20 charge for lobster in Pinnacle (and MDR).

No lobster tails at "dressy or formal" night at least once per cruise.

Charging for cappuccinos after dinner.

Fewer onboard activities daily 

No fresh orange juice.

No nightly chocolates except on dressy nights.  Same for towel animals.

No paper confirmations for specialty dining, shore excursions and others.

No slippers in cabin (to go with robes).

Neptune suite coffeemakers no longer have pods for coffee, just expresso.

Nice cloth bags replaced with cheap plastic ones.

 

I am sure I could think of more later and some of these are minor, but I stated as much above.  Perhaps others can add to my list.

 

[AV8rix]

I"m compiling a list of our traditional niceties that were taken away by Ashford.  The stuff that made HAL unique.  I will send it to Mariner Society, which is likely staffed by folks with HAL history.  No point in sending it to Antorcha, since he's brand-new to HAL and won't have a clue what I'm talking about.

 

However, a major complaint is not a "nicety", and that's the discontinuation of an IT specialist, the guy that they used to have in the library to help with software issues.  Not fair to EVERYONE, both the guests and staff.  Now if someone has an issue with Navigator (or ArriveCAN 😣) the only place to go is Guest Services.  They are not software specialists and, while they are assisting someone with a software issue, the line for those waiting for service just gets longer and longer.

Edited October 31, 2022 by AV8rix

[Wakepatrol]

41 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

$20 fee to bring own wine onboard - previously one bottle per person free.

18% service fee for specialty dining.

Increased prices for specialty dining.

Charges for previously free items on room service menu items 

$20 charge for lobster in Pinnacle (and MDR).

No lobster tails at "dressy or formal" night at least once per cruise.

Charging for cappuccinos after dinner.

Fewer onboard activities daily 

No fresh orange juice.

No nightly chocolates except on dressy nights.  Same for towel animals.

No paper confirmations for specialty dining, shore excursions and others.

No slippers in cabin (to go with robes).

Neptune suite coffeemakers no longer have pods for coffee, just expresso.

Nice cloth bags replaced with cheap plastic ones.

 

I am sure I could think of more later and some of these are minor, but I stated as much above.  Perhaps others can add to my list.

 

No live music at dinner

no automatic piano at dinner

no yum yum man with chimes

no ginger or  mints after dinner

no dessert extravaganza 

No crew show 

all these little things that hooked us 20 years ago are gone.

The new cruiser hasn’t experienced this so they won’t miss it.They do have Club Orange 

Have It All and their 15 drinks a day

 

[BetsyS.]

6 minutes ago, Wakepatrol said:

No live music at dinner

no automatic piano at dinner

no yum yum man with chimes

no ginger or  mints after dinner

no dessert extravaganza 

No crew show 

all these little things that hooked us 20 years ago are gone.

The new cruiser hasn’t experienced this so they won’t miss it.They do have Club Orange 

Have It All and their 15 drinks a day

 

I agree with you. I miss the yum yum man, ginger and mints after dinner,

the chocolate extravaganza (which was huge), and the crew show (which was 

terrific and the crew loved doing it).

[RD64]

Cappuccino / espresso after dinner? It has been at least (probably) ten years since that has been complimentary.

[LocoLoco1]

4-5 Star luncheon gone. Pool activities team gone. Chocolate extravaganza. Hot hor d’oveurs at 5/pm. Lobster. Wine lady. Library. 

[BetsyS.]

2 minutes ago, LocoLoco1 said:

4-5 Star luncheon gone. Pool activities team gone. Chocolate extravaganza. Hot hor d’oveurs at 5/pm. Lobster. Wine lady. Library. 

Years ago on the Veendam they had a huge library with hardcover books, 

a librarian, and someone to help with computer/tablet problems. I wish 

HAL would bring back the libraries.

[oaktreerb]

Some things I can get if I ask for them, like chocolates, towel animals, and slippers.  I feel silly asking for towel animals.  We have to go to upgrade to Club Orange/Neptune Suite for fresh orange juice and Sel de Mer for lobster. 

 

The chocolate extravaganza was wasteful.  The Orange Party may have replaced it.  

 

Gratuity for specialty dining?  When did that start?

[Destiny0315]

5 hours ago, visagrunt said:

The value proposition for Neptunes is diminishing.  It's very difficult to justify the price point in view of experiences available at similar prices on other lines.

Right, even NCL offers an exclusive Studio Lounge for the pax in their Studio inside staterooms that is very similar to the Neptune Lounge in some ways with complimentary snacks and refreshments, a large screen TV, and available room service from there, at a considerably lower price point.

[rkacruiser]

34 minutes ago, LocoLoco1 said:

Hot hor d’oveurs at 5/pm

 

Now available (as of 2020) at the Ocean Bar at HH time which is 4:00 P. M.

 

Many of the items listed as missing have been missing for some time and really is not recent.  Depending on our own preferences, some of these missing items are more irritating than others.  

 

5 hours ago, visagrunt said:

It seems to me that there continues to be a disconnect between Seattle and Directors and Managers on board. 

 

How many times on CC have I mentioned that I have heard directly from the Senior Officers on the ships that the micro-management of the Seattle "suits" has been a problem?  Such micro-management impairs their ability to provide the guest experience that that wish to do.  And, occupies significant "behind the desk/computer time" when their services could be better utilized elsewhere on the ship.  

[Florida_gal_50]

7 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I would rather they raise prices or charge for extra service than to reduce the quality.  It is going to have to happen one way or the other.  Judging by the reaction of many level headed veteran cruisers here on CC perhaps they should pull off the bandaid and raise prices 

How about charging people for cruises.  I pay plenty for mine.  I get super tired of this charge more attitude.  When you book your next cruise get them to add another $500 or $1000 to the total.

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, BetsyS. said:

Years ago on the Veendam they had a huge library with hardcover books, 

a librarian, and someone to help with computer/tablet problems. I wish 

HAL would bring back the libraries.

Our first HAL cruise was on the Noordam, and the library was one of the things that impressed me the most.

Edited October 31, 2022 by ontheweb
spelling correction

[rkacruiser]

Just now, ontheweb said:

the library was one of the things that impressed me the most.

 

This was part of whatever the slogan was before the "Signature of Excellence" slogan was.  Excellent staffed libraries morphed to those with a librarian/computer guru.  Then, to the computer guru.  Then, to no staffing and decisions from the "wise ones" in Seattle to eliminate libraries all together on most ships.  A bit of good news though, I think.  Maybe some signs that a non-staffed library may be returning?  

[JeffElizabeth]

5 hours ago, visagrunt said:

It seems to me that there continues to be a disconnect between Seattle and Directors and Managers on board.  Seattle appears to be laser focused on revenue--hence the infuriating "Indulge" component on menus.  Thankfully, on board they continue to be focused on the guest experience.

The value proposition for Neptunes is diminishing.  It's very difficult to justify the price point in view of experiences available at similar prices on other lines.

However, the movement into more inclusive fares (while leaving open the option of dispensing with Have it All™) does suggest to me a line that is looking at responding to different passenger demand.

We have to agree. The Neptune Suite doesn't even have a heavy drape to break up the sitting area from the bedroom.  Nor a desk for the sitting area. 

[ontheweb]

10 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

This was part of whatever the slogan was before the "Signature of Excellence" slogan was.  Excellent staffed libraries morphed to those with a librarian/computer guru.  Then, to the computer guru.  Then, to no staffing and decisions from the "wise ones" in Seattle to eliminate libraries all together on most ships.  A bit of good news though, I think.  Maybe some signs that a non-staffed library may be returning?  

The cruise was in 2009, an Eastern Mediterranean cruise. I don't remember it being staffed, but it was still a great library including a book exchange.