The Daily Program News

We just returned from the Westerdam, and I'm wondering if I'm the only one who doesn't like the new daily program? I personally much prefer the older ones that are perforated and a small section can be carried with you rather than folding the whole program and taking it along.

Just curious as to how others feel.

We just returned from the Westerdam, and I'm wondering if I'm the only one who doesn't like the new daily program? I personally much prefer the older ones that are perforated and a small section can be carried with you rather than folding the whole program and taking it along.

 

Just curious as to how others feel.

I agree with you. Did not find the new format reader friendly and hated all the advertising. Used to take the programs home to show friends all the activities but now I just trash them. Just my opinion.

We hated it and mentioned it on our comment cards. It was not easy to read or to find the activities you wanted. There is also a lot less information than there used to be.

We hated it and mentioned it on our comment cards. It was not easy to read or to find the activities you wanted. There is also a lot less information than there used to be.

Can you please expound? Is the sheet somewhat smaller? What kinds of info dropped from this new style program sheet?

We don't cruise as often as some here, and I was not aware of this change.

We returned earlier this month (Oct. 5) from 12 nights on the Oosterdam. They still had the type of daily program with the perforation. Is this new form of daily program supposed to be fleet-wide and just hadn't gotten to the "O" yet?

Schwabby

Not very usable, in my opinion.

Thanks for posting the pic, gmapajama.

I agree, it doesn't look as user friendly as the old style.

I totally agree.

Less information, and not user-friendly.

page1

page2

page3

page4

Good job, Trish (or was that Virgil?)! Much better representation than mine. :)

Hi Trish, is that everything for one day? No more info like ship's positionn and service hours?

Good job, Trish (or was that Virgil?)! Much better representation than mine. :)

It was Virgil, She can't do that sort of thing.:)

Hi John, what you see is what you get!

Like it or not.:(

Virgil

Overall, I LOVE it!

Before I had to hunt through stuff I was not interested in to find what I was interested in. Now I just go to the appropriate sections, such as Service Hours (yes, at least most of them are there), Speakers and classes by sort, computer stuff, etc. and find what I want, my husband can do the same and find what he wants. Except for the ship's position, which I personally never bothered with, I knew well enough for me where we were, I do not find anything I used it for missing, but then I may feel differently once on a ship with the new program. Oh the "pain" of change.

No more hunting for cooking related activities in the midst of other stuff, go to the section. Same for "sporting" events, computer classes, bridge, entertainment, etc. Just go the appropriate section(s) which are well labeled, and plan away.

Ever since we began cruising 20+ years ago each evening I have written a list of what I want to attend/participate in the next day. So, for us the lack of the tear-off section will not be an issue, but I do understand why many would miss that. However, that was a relatively new addition to the schedule and we were in our rut long before that was added. (As I said, change is difficult.)

Thanks Virgil!

I would like to add my thanks also. I had not heard of this change and it is good to see the new format. Hard to say until we actually use it if we find it easier to use or not.

I saw one poster say it was not on the Oosterdam yet - we cruise in less than 6 weeks - I wonder if the change will make it to them by then.

Thanks for posting a sample of the new program. Looks like activities are grouped by interest rather than in total sequential order thruout the day.

My initial reaction was negative, but after a few days I liked the new format much better. It is actually better organized than the old format and contains more information.

I'm not a fan. I *think* (I'll let you know next week) I will prefer the older style. I like a sequential listing of the days activities. I prefer the calendar this way so I can see there are three things at 9:30, for example, that I want to do. I don't want to have to look at every category and perhaps miss something I may have been more interested in doing.

We were recently on a 3 week cruise on the Westerdam. At first I was put off by the new style of the Daily Program. After a few days I'd adjusted to the new format and didn't have a problem with it.

…

Hello "ester e"

I am happy, that you posted this request, because I am with you – the new ones are really a mess.

During our cruise last month on the MS Noordam, we did have all the time the impression, that they do not want anymore to inform and entertain us.

As "Copper" has mentioned, Ship positions are no more mentioned. And a couple of years ago, they even showed "where you today can find the whole fleet".

But what is really useful is the docking- and all aboard time and also the weather forecast about the next port, in order to be prepared.

And all those new windows do not help you to find out, what is next somewhere on the vessel ongoing. One has to scrutinize all the given info‘s, but the real need is missing!?!

Sometimes I have the impression, that at Seattle are a lot of people which makes decision‘s, that them self, they never are never been on any single cruise.:o

If this is the marketing of today, then tanks, we really do not even want to think about, what the future will develop…..:confused:

Happy cruising

G E R D

Our marvelous cruises : :)

MS Ryndam – Wayfarer – March 1997

MS Noordam - Transatlantic Island Hook - April 2001

MS Volendam - Southern Caribbean - April 2002

MS Volendam - Westfarer Caribbean - April 2004

MS Prinsendam - Windmills & Waterford – September 2004

MS Westerdam - Western Caribbean - April 2005

MS Statendam - Hawaii Circle - September 2005

MS Rotterdam - Vikings and Czars – July 2006

MS Veendam - Southern Caribbean – March 2007

MS Volendam – Panama Canal – April 2008

MS Noordam – Mediterranean Enchantment – September 2009

126 days - 34'665 Nm :

Future Cruise : :p

3+7 / 10-day Mediterranean Prelude & Inaugural Cruise :

12-day Mediterranean Empires :

DH and I were also on the Westerdam and we did not like the new format either. We prefer a list by time of day of what is going on and not by subject area. We also put this issue on the comment cards. Otherwise, we had a fabulous time on the Westerdam -- wish we could have stayed aboard yesterday for another 7 days:D

I may be in the minority here and the small print is not all that easy to read, however, the new format seems more, rather than less, user friendly.

I plan my onboard time based on what interests me, not by what time it is. This way I can check classes, etc. rather than combing throught the minute by minute bingo games, demos, etc to find something.

I'll withhold final judgement until I see the real deal in December.

Meanwhile, we have another "how dare they make a change" thread for the board regulars to go on about.

I love it! If they have half as many Trivia Games and activities on the Westerdam as they have on that Daily Program...I will be delighted! The last time we were on the Volendam...Nothing to do on Sea Days. One game of Trivia. My DH loves Trivia. He is the perfect passenger, He eats anything and appreciates it, he takes HAL shore tours and loves them, He contributes to the Casino so it can thrive..he is pleasant and courteous..and he LOVES trivia. It makes my cruise terrific when he gets to play a lot. Carnival has a lot of trivia..and we find we meet interesting, nice people there too. And he is good at Trivia and enjoys a challenge. I HOPE...HAL really won the Editor's Award for having the Most Activities. I admit..I am not convinced. We are on the Westerdam in January.

I love having the food areas explained too. HAL has the best food ..period, in my opinion. They have the nicest libaries..which I use. The cabins are large, the staff is sweet and very professional, the shows are good..

Now ............if true..MORE trivia. I only need to win in the Casino...for it to be perfect. As I play penny slots...just a little win would make me happy.

…

But what is really useful is the docking- and all aboard time and also the weather forecast about the next port, in order to be prepared.

Being a soon-to-be first time HAL cruiser I can't compare the old to the new, but I can compare it to my other cruise experience. I can't believe they don't print the basic cruise planning details for your next day: weather and docking/boarding times!

As for the former sequential time listing vs the new categorized listing, they both have their pros and cons. I don't think there is a right or wrong way. It is personal preference.

Hi Ester-e!! DH & I were also on the Westerdam 10-18 and did not like the new format, either. I had to hunt for listings. It seems like a lot of wasted space to me. BTW, the cruise was great!:D