REOVA

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.

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.

Wonder what the conversation was at security when he brought them on board. New slogan: "Holland American HIA....but BYOB"

That's an appropriate mascot..... When I used my 5* credit for Pinnacle Grill, I thought it was free, but they charged my account. When I paid for HIA and ordered a drink under $11, they charged my account. When I ordered a glass of wine that was listed under my HIA, they said they were out. I was told they treated loyal cruisers great, but it turns out they were..... Lion. 🤣

Yes. Many have found other work and/or were told they were not getting the same pay as pre shutdown. It's a business decision, poorly implemented.

As Hank says, it's subjective and depends on what you are looking for. We will be on the "new" r/t Voyage next year to Japan as its the itinerary we look for first. We are not late night folks but did enjoy the old shows HAL used to have in the main stage (which they had planned to change - for the worst in our opinion- before the shutdown). We hope they don't have Step One, Cantare and BBC still as their "entertainment" , especially with 25+ days off land. After choosing itinerary, for us its about value or price for what you get. MSC Yacht Club is (was according to some) a great value and blows HAL away in food and service. The main shows are good to great and the other venues have music/entertainment (many with recorded accompanied music which we don't prefer) but more options than HAL. But we don't like the size of the ships (over 3k passengers and 16+ decks) and the rest of the MSC ship doesn’t excite us (wouldnt sail outside Yacht Club). Celebrity Retreat and NCL Haven are nice but if you listen to some - not any longer. We hear complaints from long time HAL, MSC, Celebrity, etc cruisers so it's hard to extrapolate which one works for everyone. If you read the blogs for the current GWC, you'll get 12 different opinions on how that cruise is going. Besides listening to others complain about changes (which happens every year) while onboard, the experience that Hank presents definitely creates problems for HAL to retain passengers. Maybe a summary of his blog can be sent to Seattle, but will it change anything? HAL has alot of new cruisers loving the Pinnacle ships, but unless it's a "Grand" Voyage, HAL has dropped the ball on the older class ships, especially when many passengers do B2B. Why can other lines do what HAL seems to miss? Hopefully that will change with Gus and debt reduction for CCL. But maybe their 5 year plan is to rid us aging/loyal passengers (along with the older ships) and "rebrand". Now is the time to search your bucket lists (and checkbook) and experiment with different lines based on where you want to go and what you can afford. Get a good TA that works with all lines to help sort it out while prices are still lower. Prices are going up as training, protocols and supply management gets better (?) and more (and younger) passengers book. You'll be in a better position to decide what you like after the dust settles over the next few years. Hank, thank you for keeping us updated as it fairly captures the current tribulations of your HAL cruise.

Wonder if they will change VPN policy when all ships connect to Starlink?

Agree. There are other lines doing "Pole to Pole" cruises that are more appealing due to having Polar class ships and ability to actually get to Antarctica or Arctic with Zodiac or kayak adventures. But we might be tempted on the GWC (at least a segment) as it finishes part of our 2020 GWC that we wanted to get to.

Something about this faintly triggered my memory. I believe this was done on the GWC in 2018. Rudi was onboard but I don't remember if it was a HAL excursion or if people did a private excursion but they were excited about the catch.

Did you do your excursion and not like it whereby the 15% credit was supposed to show? If so it might be different than not getting to a port whereby HAL will credit the HIA excursion which, as Hank says, is now worthless if he cannot find another tour to use it on. We have received HIA return credits and had to just pick the least undesirable tour just to use the credit. Other than that, it's lost after the cruise (or use it if they have a transportation bus to airport or time for a post cruise tour.

We usually book for itinerary, ship is secondary with HAL. While we prefer smaller ships (Eurodam is a fav), we've sailed all classes so understand what each offers and can enjoy any of them. Smaller ships have larger promenade decks and deck chairs, less people usually means you'll see passengers more often, crew is less stressed and its more relaxed sailing. Pinnacle ships have more band venues and bars (although can be repetitive). Dutch Cafe is a treat, movies by the pool, cabins are smaller. Neither have had great shows on World Stage post shutdown but if the cruise is truly a 21 day and not b2b, HAL may step up. What is important onboard to YOU?

The motion may "tilt" the machines, giving the passengers unfair advantage over the "house". 🥺

Have your TA provide the cost of of each of the 4 (or 5) items in the HIA and see what the difference is between the base a d HIA. Not sure what your $50/pp is for.

I dont recall HAL ever bringing a bottle to the table when ordering a single glass of wine. (Maybe I've had too much). I have requested to see the bottle at a restaurant when they bring the little flasks just to see what they say it is. Now on our last MSC cruise when they ran out of particular wbtg choice, they brought a bottle to see if I wanted to substitute, and poured a glass.

Are my eyes failing. The FCD looks the same (up to $100). If you book a cruise (as opposed to just a deposit) while onboard the OBC is higher.

Make sure you ask what (if) it covers outside US. You may be surprised.

What he forgot to mention is Yum Yum is appearing in 2 shows on the World Stage as added entertainment. 😉

I'm sure after 2.5 hours he didn't want to go down that rabbit hole. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next 12 months in Seattle. They can't continue to acknowledge without changes (in a better direction). Tjanks for the detail report and updates. At least they selected my choice for GWC so we can finish 2020. 🤣

Yes. You have to read between the lines. Just because they spend more, does not mean it's better or efficiently done. They got themselves into high cost "brand" contracts and new agency contracts instead of having the old staff production recruiters to find the entertainment and plan the acts. They saved money on overhead but, like anything, adding middlemen and paying for "marketing" brands costs more. 🤷‍♂️

I was expecting they'd show a movie of HAL"s story...again. 😉

I was quoted by my TA a basic rate with an add on wifi package just to see what the difference would be from the HIA. So you can buy wifi pre cruise. But since we get laundry, didn't ask. You can definitely get the laundry on board. Call your TA to price each item.

On the World they do alot of things different and added entertainment/events. But it doesn't explain why, for a little more money/effort, HAL can't make adjustments on regular cruises. Hopefully they do make some effort on the "new" Legendary Voyages. We will have over 25 "sea" days on the 53 day Majestic Japan R/T Voyage next year. Hope there is more than repeat Step One, BBC movies and a few Bud Lights to go around. Would be curious what Corp's break even is for opening a bar 1 or 2 more hours later. Do they need 30 people out of 2000? Oh wait, they need alcohol.....🤔

We've noticed various "declines" in HAL for years and yes being 5* weighs heavy on sticking with them but at some point the benefits won't compensate for continuing to run out of supplies, not making efforts (at minimal cost) of creating a pleasant cruise and lack of using the World Stage effectively (especially when other lines can). We do cruise for itineraries and last VoV checked that box but HAL worked it as a B2B TA as opposed to a "Grand/Legendary Voyage" style cruise. Yes they had a few good lectures but entertainment repeated (not only during the cruise but the same we've seen on prior cruises). We know they can do better because they have on some itineraries. Supposedly they now are marketing to "differentiate" their niche and "refinding" their target but as we phase out at top mariners, there are alot of new cruisers who are loving the Pinnacle Class ships and booking multiple cruises. HAL is not focused on us and the small ships when the others are bringing in the bacon (which is shrinking in PG these days). These "new" Legendary Voyages will test whether HAL is able to hold up to its old niche (no pun) or if they decide the Pinnacle Class is the future. As we (and its ships) age out, they can focus on the short profits and quick resupply ports. While we like some of the aspects of the other cruise lines, we don't like the big ships so that is part of our continued draw to HAL. And while in Berlize a few months ago we experienced a restaurant that ran out of fish (They must have exported them all?!). So yes bad inventory mgt happens but should not be continuous unless done on purpose or by poor managers/systems (or both).

Book Yacht Club. Otherwise it's like a Carnival Cruise (crowded, loud, "fun" 😉) and you can "retreat" to the separate club areas (pool, lounge, buffet, restaurant, private area and restaurant on Ocean Cay) when you need to. Lots of entertainment and music venues although most of them are recorded accompaniment.

HAL used to focus on unique, longer itineraries on smaller ships where you got to know the crew and passengers in a relaxed sailing between port intensive stops. You may have a guest speaker on specific ports or topics. The main stage had nice production shows. Around 2017+ HAL decided larger ships (but smaller than other lines) and added "Music Walk" and more bars would entice younger passengers. But cabins got smaller as did its nice prominade deck. They got rid of their "house bands" and in house booking and tried to enhance their shows with cobtracted agency for Step One, Cantare, BBKIng lounge and Rolling Stone Lounge. We enjoy smaller "ocean liners" not hotels at sea. The HAL Pinnacle ships are great for a 7 day cruise if the bands are good. We got stuck with terrible piano players. The rock band were great but played the same songs every night. BB King band was good each night. All Venues were standing room only and you can hear one in the other lounge as they are next to each other. Music stops before 11 pm and nothing is open but maybe smoking bar aft pool deck. If you've seen Step One, BBC movie or Cantare (or do b2b or 10+ day) you will see a repeat show at the main stage. Even though they are parting ways with Lincoln Stage (no longer nightly option on ship but a guest act on main stage) and doing away with BB King brand on non Pinnacle ships, they are adding longer itineraries on their smaller ships and adding some new venues away from the talent agency. Like other lines, COVID put a wrench in staffing and entertainment contracts and HAL is working its way to get back to its old focus (we hope) but doesnt seem to be able to get there as fast as other lines. Don't expect much change from posts you read over the next 12 months while debt is paid down. But HAL is worth a try if you haven't cruised with them. The crew tries to please, the food is decent and the passengers are somewhat human at a decent price point. If you sail a Pinnacle ship purchase the Club Orange (unless you book Neptune Suite where its included) and it will save time with customer service, dining and embarking/tendering. As with any line don't sail during school vacations or holidays as the crew may not be able to service the triple+ occupancy. .