Not Missing What You Never Knew??

[LocoLoco1]

1st-timer just sailed Trans-Atlantic with my seasoned cruiser Wife. She thought it was great!! Wife didn’t have the heart to tell her what it ‘Used to be like..’ LOL. 😹

[CruiserBruce]

Nothing is ever allowed to change...

[LocoLoco1]

Bruce.. Ah, yes. The good old days of Trapshooting off the Stern and Ballroom dancing..

[kazu]

3 minutes ago, LocoLoco1 said:

Bruce.. Ah, yes. The good old days of Trapshooting off the Stern and Ballroom dancing..

 

What ship were you on?  We had dancing under the stars at the Sea View Pool with the officers (makes sense since the Crow’s Nest was wrecked and where the Black and White Ball used to be).

 

Our food was good, service good, great guest lecturer, a lot of fun with the captain and HD - I thought it was pretty good overall and I’ve done a lot of Transatlantics and go back many years 😉 

 

Trap shooting can’t be allowed to protect the oceans - I’m sure you get that.

[Mary229]

12 minutes ago, kazu said:

Trap shooting can’t be allowed to protect the oceans - I’m sure you get that.

And the other cruisers!  Actually I asked a captain once and he said no guns of any kind are allowed on ship and that ban covers crew, officers and passengers.  I asked twice to be sure I heard correctly.  (This was HAL)

Edited November 22, 2022 by Mary229

[SilvertoGold]

Ah , but did she know there used to be chocolates in the Explorer's Lounge in the evenings?

[PACD_JG]

The good old days and the evolving HAL experience geared to a younger clientele is a frequent topic.  But one thing I notice that is rarely said…maybe HAL did an analysis and determined that the 70 year olds that love HAL is a short-term investment.  After all, most of the old schoolers will soon be dead and therefore spending zero.  And one only has to read the boards to know that with a few exceptions, most of the loyalists are too cheap to switch brands now.  So why not lure the 40-50 year olds?

[Mary229]

2 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

.  So why not lure the 40-50 year olds?

I started HAL in my 40s.  I liked what I found, they didn’t need to entice me, my mother introduced us.  So what would you use as bait to lure?

[kazu]

53 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

Ah , but did she know there used to be chocolates in the Explorer's Lounge in the evenings?

 

If she is me, yes I did.  But since I was in a wheel chair I wasn’t getting too far some nights.  We seemed to be offer more chocolate than I needed at different venues - but I’m not a chocoholic so I’m sure many would feel they were deprived 😉 

[vswan]

We took our teenage children on a HAL cruise many years ago. We all loved it and to this day it is the preferred vacation for 3 of the 4. Do they cruise HAL? My daughter (early 40s) has 2 young children, limited vacation days and has gravitated to Carnival. It's not that she wouldn't do HAL, it's that she can get an unbelievable price for a family of four. My son also has limited vacation days and his wife's family lives out of state and that is how they choose to spend their vacation days and dollars. Which leaves my husband and I. We are both now in our mid to upper 60s and took 4 cruises last year - 3 on HAL, 36 days total. I understand the the comments about people not being around to take cruises and needing to attract a younger group, but we are the ones with the funds and vacation days that are able to travel on a somewhat consistent basis. We are looking for interesting itineraries, good value for our dollar, good food, and acceptable entertainment - doesn't need to be the best or the flashiest - love the live music options. We are not loyal to any specific brand and have traveled many, but HAL seems to fit us.

[REOVA]

HAL currently has ships to appeal to various cruisers and ages. The profit and strategy has been to newer, efficient ships that offer more potential profit than the older ships (music, dining, drinks) and do short trips (under 14 days) and passenger turn around catches more people's crusing schedule. (Exception being B2B cruisers). The number of 4* and 5* mariners is probably reaching records (just a guess) so the chances of mariners jumping ship at this point is lessened. Depending on who is now making decisons at Corp, they can build a following of new mariners (or those that enjoy the Pinnacle ships) and let the older ships cater to those that like those ships (myself included) and do the longer itineraries and smaller ports, until those ships are done (sold/scrapped) and those Mariners are no longer sailing. My hope is that they don't just give up on us, since we've already reached a point of no return (or force us to switch cruise lines) and ignore what we all loved about crusing with HAL (unique itineraries and more intimate sailing with crew and new friends). It appears the newer ships will not be the "ocean liners" we loved (i.e. wide prominade decks) and unless you sail a Grand Voyage or Transocean cruise, the other options will be B2B which will have repeat shows every 7-10 days. (The VOV 2022 felt more like 2 - 17 days cruises onboard instead of a "grander" Voyage with repeat on onboard activities. (I know it was sold as 2 as well and not technically a GV). Hopefully they will listen to passengers who liked some of the old onboard options (stage band, stage singers and dancers, cookout at Lido pool, etc) but liability, health codes, declining profits due to whatever, has CCL having to slowing build back up a HAL brand that is trying to find its way to keep costs down and revenue up. It will be an interesting 5+ years to see what the future (and changes) brings but we will still be cruising. 

[Mary229]

11 minutes ago, REOVA said:

HAL currently has ships to appeal to various cruisers and ages. The profit and strategy has been to newer, efficient ships that offer more potential profit than the older ships (music, dining, drinks) and do short trips (under 14 days) and passenger turn around catches more people's crusing schedule. (Exception being B2B cruisers). The number of 4* and 5* mariners is probably reaching records (just a guess) so the chances of mariners jumping ship at this point is lessened. Depending on who is now making decisons at Corp, they can build a following of new mariners (or those that enjoy the Pinnacle ships) and let the older ships cater to those that like those ships (myself included) and do the longer itineraries and smaller ports, until those ships are done (sold/scrapped) and those Mariners are no longer sailing. My hope is that they don't just give up on us, since we've already reached a point of no return (or force us to switch cruise lines) and ignore what we all loved about crusing with HAL (unique itineraries and more intimate sailing with crew and new friends). It appears the newer ships will not be the "ocean liners" we loved (i.e. wide prominade decks) and unless you sail a Grand Voyage or Transocean cruise, the other options will be B2B which will have repeat shows every 7-10 days. (The VOV 2022 felt more like 2 - 17 days cruises onboard instead of a "grander" Voyage with repeat on onboard activities. (I know it was sold as 2 as well and not technically a GV). Hopefully they will listen to passengers who liked some of the old onboard options (stage band, stage singers and dancers, cookout at Lido pool, etc) but liability, health codes, declining profits due to whatever, has CCL having to slowing build back up a HAL brand that is trying to find its way to keep costs down and revenue up. It will be an interesting 5+ years to see what the future (and changes) brings but we will still be cruising. 

Gus has said that he completely understands and lauds HAL’s unique niche of long , exotic itineraries.  The winter season with its short holiday cruises and warm destination journeys pay the bills, they tend to be short, cheap and full.  It is much like the Med in summer, it pays the bills.  Be thankful they have this season as they subsidize  the long journeys.  To have a fleet solely dedicated to long exotic journeys would be and is expensive.  

  I often try to book on other lines, ones recommended here and ones once sailed and enjoyed but they simply do not have the variety and the depth.  Once I cross into the luxury category such as Seabourn I start considering other modes of transportation and a different style of travel.  

 

Of course I usually don’t sail multiple times per year.  This year was the exception.  Usually for us it is one grand sea voyage and one grand road trip.  Other travel is short 

[PACD_JG]

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I started HAL in my 40s.  I liked what I found, they didn’t need to entice me, my mother introduced us.  So what would you use as bait to lure?

I think HAL is already doing it.  Focus on 7-day cruises at a low price point.  The entertainment is fine - keeps most of the riff raff away.  HAL would do well on being the Target of cruising.

[Wakepatrol]

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I started HAL in my 40s.  I liked what I found, they didn’t need to entice me, my mother introduced us.  So what would you use as bait to lure?

All the things that have vanished since 2000

[REOVA]

5 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I often try to book on other lines, ones recommended here and ones once sailed and enjoyed but they simply do not have the variety and the depth.  Once I cross into the luxury category such as Seabourn I start considering other modes of transportation and a different style of travel.  

 

Hopefully Gus' words are forthcoming but we have yet to see (from prior management) how that translates toward the future. Yes HAL should do well with its staple itineraries in Caribbean, Med, Alaska, Canada and that helps. We haven't tried many other lines in the past decade (even though CCL is 1 block from our door)  since we also try to do the longer itineraries. Viking has raised interest as friends jumped over and loved them. But again there are trade offs and always a broad range of pro/cons from cruisers with them or other lines. 

[Mary229]

15 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

I think HAL is already doing it.  Focus on 7-day cruises at a low price point.  The entertainment is fine - keeps most of the riff raff away.  HAL would do well on being the Target of cruising.

They have done those short inexpensive cruises for a number of years.  Those pay the bills.  

[Balsam12]

3 hours ago, Mary229 said:

And the other cruisers!  Actually I asked a captain once and he said no guns of any kind are allowed on ship and that ban covers crew, officers and passengers.  I asked twice to be sure I heard correctly.  (This was HAL)

...and this comment sums up the gun problem in the USA. What possible reason would you have to take a gun on a cruise ship?

[Mary229]

Just now, Balsam12 said:

...and this comment sums up the gun problem in the USA. What possible reason would you have to take a gun on a cruise ship?

Pirates.  That was the complete question as we were considering an African cruise and there are pirates, that is a fact.   They do not carry guns. Turns out that they hire mercenaries to escort the ship.  So yeah they don’t carry guns they just hire them

[PACD_JG]

3 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

They have done those short inexpensive cruises for a number of years.  Those pay the bills.  

I’m not the one complaining how much HAL has deteriorated.  Obviously many Cruise Critic folks don’t like Target…

[Mary229]

Just now, PACD_JG said:

I’m not the one complaining how much HAL has deteriorated.  Obviously many Cruise Critic folks don’t like Target…

Me neither but I learned I don’t do HAL if I get the urge to go to the Caribbean.   I did it once and I would rather just go to the beach.   But I do like their long journeys and there is nothing run of the mill about those long cruises.  They are still special.  I never would consider cruising as a gourmet dining venue nor the poshest of spa resorts - they are a bundled product and cannot possibly do everything exceptionally, I simply expect them to do everything adequately and get me to my port safely and on time. If they exceed adequate well that is just dandy. 

[Florida_gal_50]

Carnival is available for those that like the cheapie experience.

[Balsam12]

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

Pirates.  That was the complete question as we were considering an African cruise and there are pirates, that is a fact.   They do not carry guns. Turns out that they hire mercenaries to escort the ship.  So yeah they don’t carry guns they just hire them

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles.cfm?ID=811

 

Cruise ships will enlist assistance from local military if required.

 

You've seen too many movies. Guns are not needed on cruise ships.

 

I can see it now... "Pilot boarding cruise ship shot by passenger who thought he was a pirate".

 

 

[cruisemom42]

You say:

 

2 hours ago, REOVA said:

The number of 4* and 5* mariners is probably reaching records (just a guess) so the chances of mariners jumping ship at this point is lessened. Depending on who is now making decisions at Corp, they can build a following of new mariners (or those that enjoy the Pinnacle ships) and let the older ships cater to those that like those ships (myself included) and do the longer itineraries and smaller ports, until those ships are done (sold/scrapped) and those Mariners are no longer sailing. 

 

which is a thinly veiled way of saying that once passengers reach a certain level, they are unwilling to go elsewhere until they are unable to cruise any longer. Fine as far as it goes, and I agree it does seem to be the case based on what posters say here on this board.

 

But then you also say:

 

2 hours ago, REOVA said:

My hope is that they don't just give up on us, since we've already reached a point of no return (or force us to switch cruise lines) and ignore what we all loved about crusing with HAL (unique itineraries and more intimate sailing with crew and new friends). ............ Hopefully they will listen to passengers who liked some of the old onboard options (stage band, stage singers and dancers, cookout at Lido pool, etc) but liability, health codes, declining profits due to whatever, has CCL having to slowing build back up a HAL brand that is trying to find its way to keep costs down and revenue up. 

 

It seems to me you can't really have it both ways. Once HAL knows they have you coming back to book with them no matter what direction they move in (or what they cut out), they lose any incentive to not "give up on you". In fact, sometimes I have gotten the distinct impression that they'd rather NOT have you (and by "you" I mean long-time cruisers who don't spend as heftily on photos, spa treatments, shore excursions, etc. as those new cruisers "living it up" on week-long cruises).

 

I don't want to get into a debate on the topic, suffice to say that I also have a long familiarity with HAL (3rd generation) but feel that I have less and less desire to sail HAL ships just when I get to the age where I could conceivably consider longer trips.  And although I have tried, I just can't understand the mentality of those who won't seek out other options. I'm just not wired that way.  One has to be somewhat reasonable -- no line is ever going to exactly duplicate HAL or other past favorites. But new favorites can emerge and offer a different but still pleasant experience, unless one is so against change of any sort that they cannot adapt to living in a different era. If I felt as some of this board's posters seem to feel, I would've given up cruising in 1988 when Princess acquired Sitmar Cruise Line!

 

Cruising seems to be an emotional attachment for some. For me, it's less about the emotions, the "memory of things past" or the attachments to specific staff or crew. I'm all about enjoying EACH experience and getting the most from it, and if HAL can't deliver what other lines can for me, then it will not really bother me to stop sailing with HAL.

 

Edited November 23, 2022 by cruisemom42

[REOVA]

15 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

Cruising seems to be an emotional attachment for some. 

 

I agree. Our main attachment the past decade (speaking for my DW) is free laundry and a couple of dinners at alt dining. 🤣 Besides a few test cruises on other lines, we still look at the HAL itineraries for our traveling the World (But competition appears to be growing). While we understand there are challenges and changes, we definitely have to look at what other lines offer, if they can do whatever we want better, and the economics of choice. Seeing familiar faces is nice (crew and passengers) but won't outweigh overall quality decline on any cruiseline if it comes to that. 

[Coolcruise02]

51 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Carnival is available for those that like the cheapie experience.

I have had some wonderful Carnival cruises!