NEW HAL Mariner Program NOW on website

[GmaPajama]

... Ain't we a great bunch of folks??!! ;):D

Yes we are! And, I am thrilled to know I can again look forward to a medal - it may take more time to get there, but it's definitely in my future. :)

[suse]

It was a stupid question. Have a good day everyone.

[pipedreams62]

If you ever managed to get trays back in the Lido, you would be more popular than Vince Lombardi in Green Bay

 

 

[Polar Bear Mom]

Thanks Holland America for keeping the medallions. I was hoping to receive my 100 day medallion on an Alaskan cruise, will now have to go for the 300 day.

 

I am happy being on a Holland America ship, happy what ever the rewards program is.

 

Sailing soon.

Nancy:cool:

[tgetz]

We always book a suite, and i am sure HAL can tell that from their records. It would seem to me that would be as easy to reconstruct our points based on suites, as it would be to know the number of days. I can understand how it would be impossible to reconstruct money spent, but suite vs regular cabin should not be hard. Multiply by 2. We are looking at a world cruise on either HAL or Cunard. Since we book a suite, there are really no new benefits for us by being a 2 star on HAL. A three star would save us a lot because we eat at the pinnacle grill at least once a week when we are on board, and we have wine at every dinner. Because we will probably only do one world cruise, and they are very, very expensive in a suite, I am comparing every little detail. I was thrilled yesterday that HAL had finnally put in come incentives like Celbrity just did. That almost tipped me to the HAL world cruise, then when i began investigating, i realized, the new program didn't really benefit us. Oh well, the world cruise will put me over the top if i sail on HAL.

I will not complain, because there are so many, many people that have never even been fortunate to take a cruise, or get three meals a day. The new QE 2 might be fun to sail on for a world cruise, so my options are still open. :-)

[RevNeal]

:cool:Hey Rev; are you quoting your own quote in #363? How quoteful of you!

 

Hey, officer, it made it easier to follow than the tirade to which I was replying. :)

[RuthC]

Hi All~ We are listening here. The Medallions do seem to be important to many of our loyal cruisers. We have decided to keep the Medallion program for recognition: 300 day silver medallion, 500 day gold medallion and 700 day platinum medallion.

Sarah_at_HAL

Yippee!!!!!

:) :) :) :) :) :)

[Cruisinetta]

Standing ovation for Holland America! :D

[sail7seas]

Help please.

 

Do I have it straight?

 

We will begin the new program at the number of days we already have accumulated.

From the start date on each ship for our future cruises, we will them add to our current balance according to the published ways of earning points.

 

DH and I board Westerdam in November (after the new Mariners Program will be in effect), and for that cruise we will get points added at the new level. What days we currently have remain the same?

 

Thanks.

[suse]

What do you do with the medallions?

[Boulder Cruisers]

This all very interesting.

 

I wonder if they include "pre-purchased" on board spending in the total?

 

As an example, for our cruise on the Eurodam next month I have already booked and payed for shore excursions (would I get the credit for this if done on-board?), Pinnacle grill and Tamarind reservations as well as the Hydro package. If I had waited to book onboard the total (so far) would be at least extra "day", two if the shore excursions count. Will I be credited these days as if I spent the money while on board, or will I be penalized for paying ahead of time?

 

HAL's FAQ say yes: "Are any onboard charges excluded from the onboard purchases bonus?

All casino charges are excluded. The Hotel Service Charge, Beverage Service Charge, taxes, prebooked shore excursions and gift items all count toward bonus Cruise Day credits."

[fun_seeker]

What do you do with the medallions?

Based on the information in the earlier posts, it seems that you sell them on eBay.:D

[happyglobetrotter]

We always book a suite, and i am sure HAL can tell that from their records. It would seem to me that would be as easy to reconstruct our points based on suites, as it would be to know the number of days. I can understand how it would be impossible to reconstruct money spent, but suite vs regular cabin should not be hard. Multiply by 2. We are looking at a world cruise on either HAL or Cunard. Since we book a suite, there are really no new benefits for us by being a 2 star on HAL. A three star would save us a lot because we eat at the pinnacle grill at least once a week when we are on board, and we have wine at every dinner. Because we will probably only do one world cruise, and they are very, very expensive in a suite, I am comparing every little detail. I was thrilled yesterday that HAL had finnally put in come incentives like Celbrity just did. That almost tipped me to the HAL world cruise, then when i began investigating, i realized, the new program didn't really benefit us. Oh well, the world cruise will put me over the top if i sail on HAL.

I will not complain, because there are so many, many people that have never even been fortunate to take a cruise, or get three meals a day. The new QE 2 might be fun to sail on for a world cruise, so my options are still open. :-)

 

 

Now if you want this to be retroactive, everybody wants it retroactive. What about the people over 200 days who paid full price for wine and mini bar for years, paid for their laundry and pressing, paid full price for the Pinnacle.

 

No, it is impossible to make this retroactive...it will never happen.

[wander]

sail7seas,

That is the way I understand it from the HAL website, including the Q&As there. I find it much clearer than many of the comments on CC.

 

General -

I am pleased HAL listened to their customers since so many of you seem to value the medals so. I personally value the enjoyment and experiences of many days cruising. I have enjoyed the special events for Mariners but I have no use for the medals or even bragging rights to days cruised. I personally value people for who/what they are and do, NOT what they have accumulated. However, I know that many of you do not share that philosophy. So, I am pleased HAL made so many of you happy. I will be happy to use the free laundry service and may even use some of the 50% perks on future HAL cruises. Thank you HAL for listening.

 

Suse,

Mine are "lost" somewhere in whatever drawer I tossed them into when I get home with a new medal.

[suse]

Based on the information in the earlier posts, it seems that you sell them on eBay.:D

you made me laugh:)

[RevNeal]

Hi All~ We are listening here. The Medallions do seem to be important to many of our loyal cruisers. We have decided to keep the Medallion program for recognition: 300 day silver medallion, 500 day gold medallion and 700 day platinum medallion. We are working on updating our communications, including this new Q&A (below). We hope you enjoy the other new perks that go along with the program as well. Happy cruising...:D

 

Sarah_at_HAL

 

Will I still receive medallions and pins as I have in the past?

Existing lapel pins will be replaced with brand new lapel pins for Two-Star, Three-Star and Four-Star Mariners. After qualifying for a new level, you will receive your new pin in the mail and can also request a pin onboard any Holland America Line ship. In addition, we will continue to recognize our most loyal Mariners through the awarding of a special medallion; a Silver Medallion for guests sailing with us for a total of 300 days, a Gold Medallion for guests achieving 500 days, and our highest level Platinum Medallion for those guests who have joined us for 700 or more days.

 

Thank you SO much, Sarah, for coming on the board to respond to our concerns ... and with good news, too. Thank you for this adjustment to the program: it restores to us an important symbol of gratitude and gives those of us who are above 200 Days something more to strive for than just static "status" as 4-Star Mariners (with perks to draw but nothing el$e to attain and, therefore, no rea$on to $pend any more money or book $uite$ in order to pile up more days). Yes, I'm sure that the revenue boys and girls will be happy with it, too. :)

 

Again, thank you! Knowing that HAL has listened to its loyal long-time passenger base and has responded is greatly appreciated (knowing that HAL still listens pleases me almost as much as having the medallion levels back ... I, and many more of us, had begun to wonder if HAL gave a dam about us any more). So, my sincere thanks!

[DFD1]

I'm not much for medallions, but I think it's great that everyone spoke up with their feelings and that HAL was sensible enough to listen.

 

CONGRATULATONS ALL AROUND !

[lettienets]

HAL is number 1!

Thanks!

For some people the medallions are a nice souvenir. I will look forward to increasing my days aboard.

I am impressed how fast HAL attended to this matter of restoring medallions and keeping their customers happy. I think in the past, people complained about getting a medallion because that was all they got as a perk compared to other cruise lines. It didn't mean they did not want medallians. They wanted some perks. But not everybody wanted the medallians to go that is for sure. Thanks HAL.

[catl331]

Possibly...but I think it will be open for about an hour like it usually is. I think the throngs of people will still go to the Lido because they like the choice. To me there is plenty of choice in the dining room.

My guess is that for the first couple of cruises after this all starts, most people who can go to the MDR will do so, just to try it out. (I intend to.) That should the Lido nicely deserted for the rest! :D

 

Just ran off our Signature Boarding passes on Wednesday -- 4 star status not showing on them.

I suggest that you try again after the "launch date" for your ship.

[bobpatj]

Thank you so much! How nice to know that you, at Holland America, listen to us! :)

[Kween Karen]

I have read quite carefully here I think.....every page. I just can't quite tell if the money I have already spent ahead of time for my cruise is going to count as my "on board expenses". For example I have already paid for my shore excursions, a 1000 minute internet package, unlimited laundry package, etc.

If this has aleady been covered and I somehow missed it.....please forgive me.

[bcd2010]

We have decided to keep the Medallion program for recognition: 300 day silver medallion, 500 day gold medallion and 700 day platinum medallion.

 

 

I apologize for what may be a nit-picky question: when you say "### day... medallion" do you mean literally that many DAYS or do you mean that many CRUISE CREDITS/POINTS?

[bcd2010]

I have read quite carefully here I think.....every page. I just can't quite tell if the money I have already spent ahead of time for my cruise is going to count as my "on board expenses". For example I have already paid for my shore excursions, a 1000 minute internet package, unlimited laundry package, etc.

If this has aleady been covered and I somehow missed it.....please forgive me.

Pre-cruise purchases except casino related count towards your onboard spending. Not quite sure about OBCs - if you don't use it all, the extra is refunded, so I think only the portion of it you used would count towards your credits.

[HAL_PR]

I have read quite carefully here I think.....every page. I just can't quite tell if the money I have already spent ahead of time for my cruise is going to count as my "on board expenses". For example I have already paid for my shore excursions, a 1000 minute internet package, unlimited laundry package, etc.

If this has aleady been covered and I somehow missed it.....please forgive me.

 

Yes, your pre-purchased items such as Internet, laundry and shore excursions all count toward your cruise day credits. The casino is excluded.

 

Sarah_at_HAL

[HAL_PR]

I apologize for what may be a nit-picky question: when you say "### day... medallion" do you mean literally that many DAYS or do you mean that many CRUISE CREDITS/POINTS?

 

We mean Cruise Day Credits.

 

Sarah_at_HAL