SetAnOpenCourse

I got a prompt reply to the email I sent about this to officeofthepresident. It was written by a “Special Advisor”, and seemed like a canned answer. It dubiously stated “limited staffing availably” as the reason for the change. Anyway, perhaps those who’ve gotten no reply can try that email address instead. IMHO this is poor timing from a business standpoint. Where I live, the large Catholic church is absolutely packed on weekends, and FWIW, the congregation is exactly the demographic HAL wants - younger, high-income, and many families. There is also a resurgence of tradition - the kind of people who would appreciate Mass on board.

On all our HAL cruises we attended Mass on most days, whether port or sea day. This announcement is indeed a major game changer, making HAL just another cruise line. The stockholder perk loses most of its benefit, as sailing on other cruise lines now becomes much more probable.

Was your cabin on deck 4 forward? If you did not experience the OP’s biggest complaint (noise in cabin), and you also had a cabin in that location, then could you share your cabin #?

My only whale watching tour was with a HAL excursion, late May 2013, in Juneau. We had a few sightings, but they weren’t much more than the whale breaking through the surface a bit, basically a lazy bobbing motion. It was not worth it. It was a fairly expensive excursion and thus an extremely poor value. Of course some people talked as if it was wonderful. It’s nice if they have no expectations, but I think some people would rather say their trip was awesome, amazing, etc. rather than share an honest evaluation.

Do you need to be cleared (i.e. have a cabin) for the stockholder obc to be applied? I’m still waiting on standby for a sailing that embarks this Sunday, and do have 150 shares.

A simple and tactful solution: no cellphone speaker use (allow headset or earbuds) in all eating venues. I’d think the managers would feel fine about enforcing this.

No visa needed for USA passport holders, but possibly needed for citizens elsewhere?

That’s a good way of putting it. IMHO it’s not about looking fancy or financially successful, but more about willingness to adjust for a special occasion. I’ll be bringing a jacket and probably a tie for my next Caribbean cruise. I really don’t feel like I’m impressing anyone, and I’m pretty sure I’ll have just about the least expensive clothing of anyone on board, but I’ll be neat.

I hope I’ll always find at least a few traditions on board that don’t depend on the latest societal norms.

They can. Thanks. To my confusion, when I asked to get on standby for a sold-out cruise, the reply from my PCC was: “Sailing is sold out so no Standby available.” Not knowing if that makes sense, I then called HAL, and the rep put me on the list (taking payment, etc.). This PCC has been a HAL PCC for a long time. 🧐

I see. Makes sense, considering the history of website issues. And, on second thought, even if the system does select a reasonable new cabin, it can’t read our minds as to the true factors behind the original cabin choice.

It’s too late to edit my post, but I just need to say my comment is sincere. The three emoji-reactions thus far were HaHa’s. 🧐

If I get bumped into the same or better category, no obstruction, tub/no tub to match cabin I chose (fwiw I’m a tub guy), same fwd/mid/aft to match, same size or larger, no noise issue, and within say two decks of the one I chose, then I wouldn’t mind much. A major cruise line’s system is likely sophisticated enough to handle this.

Sorry if this info is up thread, but I’m wondering what HAL does with taxes and port fees for passengers who are selected but don’t go. A HAL agent told me taxes and port fees must be paid to get on standby, and they are not refunded if I’m selected and don’t go (I.e., I’d lose it along with the cruise fare). Can HAL really keep it? Even if they fill the cabin?

Can anyone confirm whether or not one’s PCC can put one on a standby list?