En Route with Hank in Japan and the Westerdam

[BermudaBound2014]

@Destiny0315 I don't disagree that the path is multifaceted, but HAL has been very vocal that they are putting more eggs in the longer voyage basket as part of their plan to recover. I believe they have almost tripled the number of voyages over 7 days for 2024. HAL has stated they are concentrating on introducing longer voyages that begin and end in the USA. Longer voyages are something that HAL is known for and, IMO, is likely to be successful as long as they can fix whatever is going on with the Westy. 

 

 

https://www.travelmarketreport.com/Destinations/articles/Holland-America-Line-Shifts-Focus-to-Longer-Sailings-Even-in-the-Caribbean

 

 

[Destiny0315]

Well the "return to Bermuda" line does nothing to help except remind the veterans of two things, those wonderful trips into Hamilton Harbor and the great little(by today's standard)ships that took them there. At the same time the newbies are saying big deal I can sail to Bermuda any week I want for more than half the year with NCL.

[ldog]

But, unfortunately, the plan to return to longer voyages seems to only be bundling a number of two-week itineraries together.  This makes for repetitive entertainment, menus etc.  We were on the Westerdam for six weeks in Feb-March.  Even the Billboard Onboard sets were repetitive.   I could tell you when Dancing Queen was next on the list and even the jokes and repartee were repeated.

[Hlitner]

43 minutes ago, ldog said:

But, unfortunately, the plan to return to longer voyages seems to only be bundling a number of two-week itineraries together.  This makes for repetitive entertainment, menus etc.  We were on the Westerdam for six weeks in Feb-March.  Even the Billboard Onboard sets were repetitive.   I could tell you when Dancing Queen was next on the list and even the jokes and repartee were repeated.

A big part of the entertainment schedule on this cruise are the performances of the Step One Dancers.  But they have not worked in over 2 weeks because of sea conditions.  This also does not bode well for longer voyages when the main entertainment depends on calm seas.  Today we finally have a relatively calm sea day and they have scheduled a couple of guitar players

 

Hank

[BetsyS.]

Hank - Thanks for the update.  I'm glad you finally have relatively calm seas. I agree with you about taking a shower during rough seas. Last August on the Niew Statendam we were near Greenland and the Captain said the seas were 17 feet high.

I did not take a shower until the seas were calmer.  Other than that, cruise was

great. I wish you and your wife and the rest of the passengers  smooth sailing  

from now on.  😊

 

Betsy

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, Destiny0315 said:

I doubt if any of this is water cooler talk around the offices at HAL. Maybe beer cooler talk on the weekends, but oh wait, we're out of beer! 🤣

They are only out of some brands of beer. 🤣 But with the others than being the only choice, they will probably run out of them also. 😢

 

But since you already paid for your drink package, they don't really care. 😒

[REOVA]

2 hours ago, Destiny0315 said:

Well the "return to Bermuda" line does nothing to help except remind the veterans of two things, those wonderful trips into Hamilton Harbor and the great little(by today's standard)ships that took them there. At the same time the newbies are saying big deal I can sail to Bermuda any week I want for more than half the year with NCL.

The newbies are doing shorter (7-11 day) cruises on the Pinnacle Class ships and for the most part enjoy them (if they are looking for a more relaxed vacation than Carnival). And is probably more profitable for HAL since they don't have to plan much and can repeat itineraries and entertainment. We who prefer the smaller ship/longer itineraries will be history with HAL. 

[REOVA]

2 hours ago, ldog said:

But, unfortunately, the plan to return to longer voyages seems to only be bundling a number of two-week itineraries together.  This makes for repetitive entertainment, menus etc.  We were on the Westerdam for six weeks in Feb-March.  Even the Billboard Onboard sets were repetitive.   I could tell you when Dancing Queen was next on the list and even the jokes and repartee were repeated.

I didn't think they started the planned "Legendary Voyages" yet so were you on a B2B? HAL has repeated everything on B2Bs the past few years (even the last VoV was like 2 -17 day B2Bs) so hopefully the plan for the longer voyages will be like mini "grands" which they do put more thought into. But again it will depend on the region of the world and the itinerary. 

[1teach53]

5 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I understand that the odds of exe reading this are miniscule.  Hopefully they are getting the same feedback from multiple other sources. A business path to recovery centered around longer itineraries needs loyal HAL cruisers to book (more so than a business plan that is targeting new cruisers).

 

 

Maybe cruisers should take to social media, Twitter, Instagram etc .. Share information about outages of provisions and other issues that you have paid for! It seems HAL has your money and doesn’t really care! Certainly bad publicity for them! Maybe, just maybe , the head excs will care, probably not. 
I plan on posting on multiple SM my concerns. 
I hope I have no concerns!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻Positive thinking!

K

[Hlitner]

My advice to those with upcoming HAL cruises, and having drink packages, it to use a stash strategy.  Ask your cabin steward to empty your mini-bar (protects you being charged for items not used) and than gradually stock your fridge with your favorite beers, waters, and soft drinks.  If you are a tea drinker, also stash enough tea bags fir your voyage.  
 

Later, when they start to run out of your favorite items, you can utilize your personal supply 😋. While this seems a bit drastic, it is a valid/reasonable strategy.  Of course this does not work for booze, such as the Cognac that seems to be missing from multiple HAL vessels.  What I found interesting was that the very remote Kodiak liquor store had shelves full of all the items we have noticed was missing from our ship.  Apparently the supply problems encountered by HAL are not an issue on remote Alaskan islands.

 

Come to think of it, maybe some heads should roll in Seattle and they should hire that liquor store manager from Kodiak 

[Cleckie]

Wow, I'm starting to wonder if doing a long cruise on the Westerdam is a mistake. We are doing a 28 night Singapore to Yokohama in January.  Sure hope these issues are corrected by then. We have only done one other HAL cruise 7 years ago on the Eurodam for 13 nights and loved it.  Thought about canceling our Westerdam cruise, but we'll do this one and then decide if we will continue with HAL or not

[Hlitner]

Another suggestion relates to food.  On this ship ( and the other Vista ships

we have cruised) HAL has a buffet taco bar at the pool.  You could be on most cruises for a year, and this taco bar will be exactly the same for 365 days. 
 

As one who lives in Mexico (part time) we know that tacos can really vary.  They could put out small fried shrimp for shrimp tacos, pieces of fried fish for fish tacos, properly prepared pork for Al pastor, etc.  But no, HAL has the exact same stuff day in and day out.

 

it is the same at Dive In where the menu never changes.  They could add specials like’s cheesesteaks, sausage with peppers n onions, more variations on their chicken sandwiches, etc.  

 

Today at the Lido lunch they had a one day Octoberfest station.  It was the first time I have seen some decent looking donuts on this cruise.  Now that we know they can make a decent donut it would be nice if they did it for breakfast (like you can get any day on Princess).

 

If HAL really intends to promote long cruises they need to think out of their

box and provide variety.  They used to this when we took Grand Cruises on our beloved Prinsendam, but it has disappeared along with the yum yum man and crew shows.  
 

Hank

 

 

[lissie]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

A big part of the entertainment schedule on this cruise are the performances of the Step One Dancers.  But they have not worked in over 2 weeks because of sea conditions.  This also does not bode well for longer voyages when the main entertainment depends on calm seas.  Today we finally have a relatively calm sea day and they have scheduled a couple of guitar players

 

Hank

If its been too rough to put on a show for the dancers - they've also been unable to rehearse - give them a few days  

[lissie]

2 hours ago, REOVA said:

I didn't think they started the planned "Legendary Voyages" yet so were you on a B2B? HAL has repeated everything on B2Bs the past few years (even the last VoV was like 2 -17 day B2Bs) so hopefully the plan for the longer voyages will be like mini "grands" which they do put more thought into. But again it will depend on the region of the world and the itinerary. 

That's interesting re VoV because we looked at that one but ended up going with the Boston to Iceland return instead for 25 days. As  far as I've seen you can't get on any time except day 1 in Boston so I'm guessing that things shouldn't repeat? As we only have about 3 sea days though it doesn't really matter  - I think the more ports there are the less important the on-board experience is. 

 

What's happened on this cruise sounds more like a typical repositioning cruise where they do seem to run out of items - that's what happens on Cunard anyways. 

[josumello]

3 hours ago, lissie said:

If its been too rough to put on a show for the dancers - they've also been unable to rehearse - give them a few days  

It is amazing that Royal Caribbean had an ice show on a small rink that is rarely canceled. These skaters are amazing. It seems to me this would be a bit more challenging than step dancing on rough seas. Just sayin’

[bennybear]

3 minutes ago, josumello said:

It is amazing that Royal Caribbean had an ice show on a small rink that is rarely canceled. These skaters are amazing. It seems to me this would be a bit more challenging than step dancing on rough seas. Just sayin’

Me thinks there is a vast difference in rough seas and being in the Bering sea in a storm.  After watching the deadliest catch tv show about fishing for crab,  it’s a different world.  
I think one needs to set their expectations accordingly.  

[Florida_gal_50]

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

My advice to those with upcoming HAL cruises, and having drink packages, it to use a stash strategy.  Ask your cabin steward to empty your mini-bar (protects you being charged for items not used) and than gradually stock your fridge with your favorite beers, waters, and soft drinks.  If you are a tea drinker, also stash enough tea bags fir your voyage.  
 

Later, when they start to run out of your favorite items, you can utilize your personal supply 😋. While this seems a bit drastic, it is a valid/reasonable strategy.  Of course this does not work for booze, such as the Cognac that seems to be missing from multiple HAL vessels.  What I found interesting was that the very remote Kodiak liquor store had shelves full of all the items we have noticed was missing from our ship.  Apparently the supply problems encountered by HAL are not an issue on remote Alaskan islands.

 

Come to think of it, maybe some heads should roll in Seattle and they should hire that liquor store manager from Kodiak 

It's funny how that works.  It always amazes me how many people still believe the supply chain story.

[avalon1025]

10 hours ago, Destiny0315 said:

I think the plan has been three fold. First keep loyal HAL cruisers, some who have been with them for decades and helped fund their survival. Next bring people back in who may have cruised one, two, or a few times in the past with them, and this is where a lot of those free room offers generated from, especially from pax who spent extra $ onboard when they did cruise with HAL. Finally bring in new cruisers without given some of them a good reason why other than low deposits and HIA promotions. Of those three areas they appear to have not done a lot in the first instance and that is being reflected in some threads on here. They have kept good files on past customers though because a number of people who were getting those free or discounted cruise offers have said on here that they haven't cruised with them in the last 10-15 years+ and rarely or never played in the casinos. The competition for new customers is stronger than ever amongst the lines and the longer itineraries angle is good but at the same time you shrink the audience because the average new customer can't come up with the time and $ for such adventures. Who knows at this point where this strategy leads to.

Being on board Westerdam I could not see how anyone under 60 would consider this line.  Friends currently on Celebrity Solstice are sending photos of cool entertainment and great dining.  I don’t dislike this ship or cruise,  but would never see how this line would attract a younger clientele.  Come to the sad gallery bar around 10:30 to see all that’s hopping on this ship.

 

I’m sitting in the ocean bar,  it’s 6:30, listening to Muzak and watching a couple play cards.  Whoopie!!!

[Expo67]

11 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I understand that the odds of exe reading this are miniscule.  Hopefully they are getting the same feedback from multiple other sources. A business path to recovery centered around longer itineraries needs loyal HAL cruisers to book (more so than a business plan that is targeting new cruisers).

 

 

Well if the replies from my last 2 letters to Gus are any indication my feeling sadly are they are thinking … do not let the door hit you in the the back 

[lissie]

1 hour ago, josumello said:

It is amazing that Royal Caribbean had an ice show on a small rink that is rarely canceled. These skaters are amazing. It seems to me this would be a bit more challenging than step dancing on rough seas. Just sayin’

I thought Royal Carribean just floated around the Carribean? Hardly compares. 

[Bostonjetset]

7 hours ago, REOVA said:

The newbies are doing shorter (7-11 day) cruises on the Pinnacle Class ships and for the most part enjoy them (if they are looking for a more relaxed vacation than Carnival). And is probably more profitable for HAL since they don't have to plan much and can repeat itineraries and entertainment. We who prefer the smaller ship/longer itineraries will be history with HAL. 

It’s not just “newbies” taking 7 night cruises but rather the vast majority of people still in the workforce. I get a fairly generous 5.5 weeks PTO each year and have never taken more than a 12 night cruise. I’d rather take 3 trips each year than use up most of my days on a month-long cruise all at once. And many people get far less vacation time. 

[Stateroom_Sailor]

6 hours ago, Hlitner said:

My advice to those with upcoming HAL cruises, and having drink packages, it to use a stash strategy.  Ask your cabin steward to empty your mini-bar (protects you being charged for items not used) and than gradually stock your fridge with your favorite beers, waters, and soft drinks.  If you are a tea drinker, also stash enough tea bags fir your voyage.  
 

Later, when they start to run out of your favorite items, you can utilize your personal supply 😋. While this seems a bit drastic, it is a valid/reasonable strategy.  Of course this does not work for booze, such as the Cognac that seems to be missing from multiple HAL vessels.  What I found interesting was that the very remote Kodiak liquor store had shelves full of all the items we have noticed was missing from our ship.  Apparently the supply problems encountered by HAL are not an issue on remote Alaskan islands.

 

Come to think of it, maybe some heads should roll in Seattle and they should hire that liquor store manager from Kodiak 

 

Ggreat idea.  I've never asked for my mini-fridge to be emptied, but I will this time.  Our first port stop is Kodiak, and I don't want to be looking at the stocked shelves on land with envy!  We are big seltzer drinkers and I have no intention of running out.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

13 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Maybe they'll have a whole ship just full of provisions when the Westie finally gets to the next starting point. We can hope, anyway....

 

I'm sure they'll restock provisions, but I doubt those provisions will be accurate.  At the very least, they will under stock whatever everyone leaned towards by the end of the prior cruise.  If the cruise line assumes everything will be sold out, then that would overstock some supplies, disorganize the storage and the loading dock area.

 

A coffee shop that doesn't keep up on cup inventory, and runs out of medium cups, usually doesn't have the foresight to see that their large cups will have heightened demand, and they'll end up short of the opposite supply the following week.  While that's an easy fix, order extra large cups in anticipation, HAL may not know where drink consumption will land in the midst of shortages.

[josumello]

8 hours ago, lissie said:

I thought Royal Carribean just floated around the Carribean? Hardly compares. 

Really?? 
They do many itineraries outside of the Carribean. They have many more ships than HAL. 

[cruisemom42]

7 hours ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

I'm sure they'll restock provisions, but I doubt those provisions will be accurate.  At the very least, they will under stock whatever everyone leaned towards by the end of the prior cruise.

 

On its way to restock Westerdam: