doublebzz

I believe most of the responses miss the point here which is style over substance. If each console in the internet cafe had a sign that read "Printing 25 cents a page"; I wouldn't have started this thread. However, the signs address specifically boarding passes. Why? Two reasons come to mind: (1) HAL is informing guests they offer the convenience of printing passes on board which, I think, most folks know. (2) HAL is using the signage to market boarding passes on board to increase revenue. If this is the case and even if the cost is negligible, it adds to the increasing list of revenue producers such as specialty coffees, bingo games, slot tournaments, not so duty free shops, wine tastings, $150 tours of the engine room, once a cruise rummage sales on the Lido Deck, among others. It creates an ambiance less of a cruise and more of a floating Walmart. I'm not mocking anyone who participates in these activities as I do as well; but when it comes down to a 25 cent charge for printing a boarding pass, I say again: Give me a break!

The convenience of being able to print your boarding pass while out at sea is certainly worth 25 cents.

Probably worth a lot more but that's not the point.

There has been a 25 cent per page charge for printing as far back as I can remember. Whenever we have needed to print something while aboard, we have paid that charge and I never thought it objectionable.

 

Everyone wants low, low low fares but still wants what they want want want.

HAL is a for profit business.

 

Can't have low fares and then expect verything included. Doesn't work that way.

Cost of ink, cost of paper, cost of printer, times how many travelers, times how many boarding passes, times how many ships times 25 cents....... = $$

 

How was your cruise? Is that the only thing worthy of comment? Please share about your cruise.

Thanks if you choose to do that.

 

 

I know there is a charge for printing and I have no problem with charging for general printing tasks. On NA, at each console, there was a sign indicating a printing charge specifically for boarding passes. I'm sorry, but the added revenue to HAL for boarding passes probably amounts to $50-$100 per cruise. I would guess most guests use printing solely for boarding passes so I would ask if the small additional revenues are worth creating the impression that HAL is a chintzy cruise line. At least, it created that impression in my mind even though I didn't require boarding passes.

The cruise was great. Very cordial and interesting fellow guests plus perfect weather ion the crossing contributed to that assessment.

Just got off the Nieuw Amsterdam and was astonished to see a 25 cent charge to print out a boarding pass. So after paying outrageous rates for under-performing internet, HAL wants another quarter to print out your boarding pass. Give me a break!

So if this policy goes into effect on Jan 1 or 31, then we're still allowed to bring a box for our 14 days that ends on Dec 20, right?

 

Correct

This new policy is effective January 1, 2014

Who says? The HAL web site still indicates Jan 31st.

Do you seriously think this will change their minds? :rolleyes:The only way to change HAL policy is to do like I did, send them a letter telling them you will boycott sailing on their line for a few years.

"Do you seriously think this will change their minds?"

Instead of blaming Psgrs. for taking advantage of the policy, we should be blaming HAL for not limiting the amount of wine Psgrs could bring on board & charging a corkage fee as several other carriers do even if consumed in our cabins..

 

 

JMO Betty

That would make too much sense. Management, in many fields today, choose to make the easy fix. Instead of focusing on the perceived grievance and developing policy to deal with it, management initiates a "broad brush" policy and ignores the unintended consequences. Frankly, however, I'm not convinced that the few instances of guests bringing multiples cases aboard had anything to do with the change in policy. I never witnessed this nor these so called wine parties but, then again, I failed to qualify for the wine police.

The last one was "busy" making oragami animals and taking pictures:rolleyes:.

I wish they would eliminate the animal towels instead of some of the other benefits that are really meaningful. After one or two cruises, I believe guests have seen enough animal towels to last a lifetime. At least, allow each cabin the choice of whether they want the towels or not. But I guess this is a subject for another thread.

That's the problem. Usually I'm sitting at a larger table and the wine is tucked away somewhere where I can't see it. I had another person at the table pour me some and they couldn't have cared less but it wasn't that apparent. If I get out of my chair I think that would be more noticable. They just don't seem to care. I know people say it hasn't happened to them but what reason would I have for lying? About the only thing left is getting up on the table and screaming for the guy:D.

I doubt anyone's challenging you veracity. My question is whether this is an exceptional occurrence or do you experience it frequently? I've experienced just the opposite where servers are over-zealous in refilling glasses to the point where it seems like they are trying to "push" wine sales.

I find the posts about bad drink service curious as that was not our experience in March, on our 14-day Westerdam cruise. We never had any trouble getting a waiter for a drink at the aft pool. Never. Same for the Crows Nest and other bar areas. In the MDR (contrary to what I read on CC) the wine steward brought DH his Grolsch and me a diet soda or glass of wine every night. After several days I remarked to him that I thought wine stewards didn't provide that service anymore. He looked at me like I was from outer space. :eek: Apparently he didn't get the memo. We have no complaints about HAL's drink service.

My observations exactly. It seems some folks that are so put out by HAL's wine policy change, and I am one of them, are extending their dissatisfaction by condemning the service staff. Of course on the smaller ships and extended voyages, the servers will get to know your names and drink choices. But to expect the same same service on a two week cruise with 2,000 guests seems unreasonable to me. Yes, in a crowded bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, I've, at times, experienced some pretty bad service but I don't let it color my overall opinion of the bar staff.

Newer is not necessarily better, however.

Sure glad I saw this thread in time to move my April, 2014 Transatlantic cruise from HAL to Celebrity. The wine policy was a true point of distinction for HAL, particularly on an 15 day cruise. Absent it, other lines are more attractive IMO.

 

One bottle of wine per person for a 15 day voyage? One would have to bring a Very small wine glass along.

And it looks to me that Celebrity is less costly on newer, more modern ships as well.

I sent an email through the HAL website right after I read the original post here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/contactUs/Main.action)

 

 

Her recommendation was to send our emails to:

 

guestrelations@hollandamerica.com

I understand people's frustration with the new policy but I doubt sending individual emails, threathening cruise cancellations and alike will alter HAL's decision making. What is needed is a large scale peaceful demonstration on a dock where a HAL ship is berthed to attract media attention and arouse the cruise minded public as well. We might even be able to hire the Reverend Al Sharpton to organize such an event.