cruz chic

For you folks complaining about the cold it was minus 40 with the windchill yesterday. It's warmed up to minus 24 c right now. Who wants to change places with me?

I'm surprised there would only be 900 pax. That less than half full:eek:. I'm surprised they would sail with that few people. You think they would have got peeps to come aboard no matter what they had to do.

I thought I read recently that HAL does use the card readers now for Muster drill!

Did I misunderstand?

Ian & I will both be bringing our rollators on Jan 5th on Oosterdam and I have advised my sister that she needs to bring her seat walking stick. I had no idea about the staff member being available in the Atrium though. It should be more publiciised.

I think they were using card readers on the Westerdam for a while. Technology improvements don't seem to be Hal's strong suit.

While the discussion is somewhat free-ranging, as is quite usual on boards of this nature, it's important to keep in mind the OP and her concerns. While I'm sure that the current system works well for HAL and the ship's crew, there are passengers who, for a variety of reasons, find it very difficult because of the length and venue of the drill. Having experienced a longer than normal one on the Noordam on DW's first cruise post-stroke, I now have a very keen understanding of the issues raised by many of the members here.

 

There's absolutely nothing wrong in considering possible alternatives and discussing best practices. At least one cruiseline (can't remember which :o) uses card readers to identify who reports for muster, so much faster, efficient and error-free than the current system on HAL.

 

I don't believe that contributors have to be "experts in ship design and/or emergency evacuation procedures" to air their opinions on this thread any more than I believe that you need to be a chef to comment on the quality of the food aboard.

 

I'm sure that you must have contributed in the past to threads for which you had no formal training or significant experience related to the subject matter. That doesn't make your opinions or observations any less valuable.

Princess uses card readers.

:confused: With an iPhone you can easily go to iTunes on it. Any app will download within a minute or so.

True. I just loaded mine on to my iPad and I'm technology challenged. It's pretty easy.

Why they struggle so much ?

 

We were told by three different officers during this cruise that their hands are tied by the Seattle Office to do things.

 

For example the Beverage Manager who came on the ship on Day 21 in Rome required almost an act of Congress (Seattle Office) to change the second Happy Hour in the bars from 9:30-10:30pm to 7-8 PM; but only last five days of cruise.

That's just ridiculous. They need to change (Seattle) how they do things. By being so inflexible it makes then inefficient. I cruise fairly often on Princess and they don't struggle like Hal does. There is something wrong at the top.

If you have an iPad you can get some sound machine apps. I have a few loaded on mine. Nothing extra to carry/pack. There are probably ones for smart phones, Kindle Fire, and other electronic gizmos.

Great information. Thx.

I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Thx for you review. Hal needs to get it together. I don't know why they struggle so much.

My TA regularly follows up with HAL regarding price changes even after final payment with a successful outcome. I'm quite unsure as to why you think this wouldn't be the case? The fact is everyone should do what they are most comfortable with. Book directly with the cruise line if you think that's your best option or use a TA if that works for you BUT until you've actually tried both, posting your untested assumptions can mislead others.

You are quite lucky to happen on a good ta. I personally have never found one that gives me anything. I'm not willing to take a chance on what could be a shady Florida ta. I'm now dealing directly with Hal. Please don't assume your way is the best way. It may just be best for you.

Yes.

HAL told me I can only make reservations for PInnacle ON the ship!

That's news!

I wonder if they accept a certain percentage online and the rest have to be booked on the ship?

I remember her. The doll even had a passport that she presented to customs. It came to muster drill with a life jacket on. She carried it held out in front of her as though she was warding off evil spirits. Some days it was dressed like a HAL employee, like Cruz chic said. Really weird.

I forgot about the passport. She was on the Apr 2008 cruise to the Caribbean and then again in Nov 2008 to Lima. I haven't seen her since. Maybe the doll got fired:D:p;).

That's odd. I'm able to book online for April. I know this is a different cruise than the OP is asking about.

I cruised with a lady one time that carried a doll around everywhere. The doll was dressed in various HAL uniforms:D.

Nice!!

Wonder if it would make a diff before or after final payment ? I think it does but I could be wrong.

You've got a good point there. I'm willing to bet that they would be reluctant to give it to you then.

I had to fight for it and talk to a few people at Hal last Sunday but they did apply it.

You can have my bread pudding too. That just a waste of good bread:D;).

Thanks for the latest update. I'll be interested to hear about the water restrictions and why it's required. I hope that's not a dumb comment:o.

I feel like HAL ends up incentivizing last-minute bookings, which have to be problematic when they're made by a significant portion of the people on any given cruise. I did feel like we were being punished for letting them know to count on us being there, and giving them our money, months early! Especially because we book guarantee cabins, and generally go on standard-itinerary 7-day cruises at non-peak times, there is absolutely nothing to be gained by booking prior to final payment. So thankful we didn't have to learn this lesson the hard way, which it was looking like we would.

I SO hear you. I book all my cruises sometimes well over a year in advance and take a guarantee. I hope I've learned my lesson because usually I'd have at least 3 cruises booked right now. I have to book early to get decent air but I'm pretty upset with them right now so I'm going to wait a bit.

Have a wonderful Xmas cruise! I'm so jealous.

Take a look at this thread, post number 12 from Copper John. I think it will help you with what you need.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1744659&highlight=safety+drill+copper

That's excellent. It so frustrating to see prices drop and drop. I realize that they do have to fill the ship but it would be nice if they started out with moderate prices instead of gouging the people that commit early and then giving away the farm to those that book late. There has to be a happy medium but HAL doesn't seem to like that route.

Possibly dry dock to install sneeze guards in the Neptune :D :D

Now that's funny:D.

Personally I'll always pick the newer ship over the older one. I'd go the Noordam.

Hi Lorene

 

Sorry to hear about the blizzard and no cruise planned--what were you thinking!!:) I agree about the P. When we were just on her, no problem getting wine at dinner. it was really nice.

 

I think I agree with you about how many people will actually leave HAL as a result of the wine policy. I am not happy about it but there are so many other things we like, we will most likely just stick with them. We like the beds, the bathrooms, the room service breakfast, the smaller ships, the people we meet on HAL, the helpful and pleasant staff and the itineraries.

 

So, we will suck it up and drink their crappy wine!!:D

 

Good luck with the blizzard--will the flood damage make this harder?

 

Mary Lynn

 

PS: The rug we bought in Istanbul should be delivered later this week!! It has been so long, we almost forgot what it looks like!!

We still have some issues resulting from the flood. This week has been just brutal. The city is doing a lousy job of removing snow and to say the commute has been brutal is making it sound better then it is.

Glad the rug has made it's journey over:D.