NEW HAL Mariner Program NOW on website

[Love Cruises]

We called the HAL number, gave our ID #s and within 10 seconds the representative told us our total days. We were very impressed withthe quick response from HAL.

[PathfinderEss]

NO -- once suite passengers get to 200 days -- no more double points -- and spending no longer will count towards points either.

 

To get to the 300 day level for that medallion -- all suite passengers after they get to 200 days -- go strickly by days -- nothing else counts.

Thanks for the reply Krazy Kruizer. Oh darn, you know we've been traveling with Hal since 1996 and always stayed in suites. It has taken us over 13 years to get to that 200 day mark and now people who are just getting started as mariners will get there twice as fast. Also, now that we are at the 200 day mark we will still have to stay on the one day points system for acquiring the higher metals status, again seeming quite unfair to my way of thinking. And because we always stay in suites being 4 star will be of no benefit to us. In fact I agree with you, what a mess it will be on some of the longer cruise where you find lots of mariners as you mentioned that will be getting all the same benefits that suite customers pay for.

When I first hear of the new program, I felt it did put Hal in line with the other cruise lines such as Princess, Royal Caribbean and others, we have traveled on and have acquired some mariners perks. Seemingly this is a better deal for Hal mariners, but the mariners who have mega days or stay in suites on Hal are going to get screwed under this new program. Just my humble opinion.

Thanks also go out to DutchByAssociation for clarification on the other issue, I figured that was the case.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

That seems strange..:confused:

 

Just completed our on-line check in...Both DH & I have the exact same Number of days indicated on our files & we only have one e-mail account...

 

Also checked our Friends who are traveling with us & they too each have the correct Number of days listed on their individual files..They too have only one e-mail address..

 

However did, not check under our individual Mariner No's..:)

 

Betty

 

 

That's what we were told when we tried to see DH's days as everything is under my name and Mariner number and e-mail account.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the reply Krazy Kruizer. Oh darn, you know we've been traveling with Hal since 1996 and always stayed in suites. It has taken us over 13 years to get to that 200 day mark and now people who are just getting started as mariners will get there twice as fast. Also, now that we are at the 200 day mark we will still have to stay on the one day points system for acquiring the higher metals status, again seeming quite unfair to my way of thinking. And because we always stay in suites being 4 star will be of no benefit to us. In fact I agree with you, what a mess it will be on some of the longer cruise where you find lots of mariners as you mentioned that will be getting all the same benefits that suite customers pay for.

When I first hear of the new program, I felt it did put Hal in line with the other cruise lines such as Princess, Royal Caribbean and others, we have traveled on and have acquired some mariners perks. Seemingly this is a better deal for Hal mariners, but the mariners who have mega days or stay in suites on Hal are going to get screwed under this new program. Just my humble opinion.

Thanks also go out to DutchByAssociation for clarification on the other issue, I figured that was the case.

 

 

I know how you feel. We always book either the Penthouse or SA -- we have well over 500 days. The new people starting to cruise with HAL will be 4 star status in nothing flat and will be getting many of the perks free that we have been paying for for years.

[flyingA]

Hi all...am only 28 days away from the Maasdam on a 14 day All-caribbean! Yah! We love the unique blue and white Dutch tiles we receive each cruise...am saving to do a portion of a new bathroom in our home. I've not seen any mention of them everywhere I looked.

 

Anyone know if the tiles will still be a gift for us?

[kakalina]

http://www.hollandamerica.com/marinerSociety/Main.action

 

It looks like the tiles will stay.

Virgil

[scubadawg]

Didnt see this on the web site so called Mariners Society for an answer. I am paying a 50% single supplement on a 14 day cruise, you only get the days sailed 14, no extra sail days or a day included in your on board spending. Doesn't seem fair to pay 150% and get no extra days, but it is what it is. Just an fyi for others in single cabins.........

[Kween Karen]

Didnt see this on the web site so called Mariners Society for an answer. I am paying a 50% single supplement on a 14 day cruise, you only get the days sailed 14, no extra sail days or a day included in your on board spending. Doesn't seem fair to pay 150% and get no extra days, but it is what it is. Just an fyi for others in single cabins.........

 

I hadn't really thought about that.....but now that I do I agree with you. I am paying 150% also......it really adds up.

[sevigny]

I don't want to sound snobby either, but my husband and I save up a lot to travel in a suite. We give up a lot of other things for a suite. It does feel to me that they are taking away some of the suite benefits by giving them to the 200+ day mariners. We're going on a transatlantic in May for 21 days with a few tender ports. I'm already imagining the mess in that little tender area when everyone with 200 days or more plus suite passengers line up for priority tendering. I'm sure a lot of the crew will be thinking "what a mess!" Same with priority disembarkation.

It does feel like the suite benefits are being somewhat marginalized. After all, they are very expensive on most cruises. I sent an e-mail to HAL when this was first announced, and of course have not heard anything back. I would agree with Rev Neal - I hope they are thinking of "sweetening the pot" on suite benefits. I do think they will begin losing long term and suite cruisers, especially after their first long cruise with these new Mariner benefits.

 

Just my two cents! With deflation, probably only one cent now!

[happyglobetrotter]

Hi all...am only 28 days away from the Maasdam on a 14 day All-caribbean! Yah! We love the unique blue and white Dutch tiles we receive each cruise...am saving to do a portion of a new bathroom in our home. I've not seen any mention of them everywhere I looked.

 

Anyone know if the tiles will still be a gift for us?

 

 

If you want HAL tiles, I have over 100 of them for sale. Let me know on this website and I will contact you, I will be in Florida on Jan 5th to board on the WC. I do not want nor need any tiles.

 

But be careful, the size and thickness of the tiles have changed over the years as we found out ourselves. We also had thought of using the Mariners tiles for a bathroom in our cottage. This is when we found out the lack of uniformity of them.

 

Just look at the tiles you already have to make sure that you can use them for the bathroom you have in mind !

[happyglobetrotter]

I don't want to sound snobby either, but my husband and I save up a lot to travel in a suite. We give up a lot of other things for a suite. It does feel to me that they are taking away some of the suite benefits by giving them to the 200+ day mariners. We're going on a transatlantic in May for 21 days with a few tender ports. I'm already imagining the mess in that little tender area when everyone with 200 days or more plus suite passengers line up for priority tendering. I'm sure a lot of the crew will be thinking "what a mess!" Same with priority disembarkation.

It does feel like the suite benefits are being somewhat marginalized. After all, they are very expensive on most cruises. I sent an e-mail to HAL when this was first announced, and of course have not heard anything back. I would agree with Rev Neal - I hope they are thinking of "sweetening the pot" on suite benefits. I do think they will begin losing long term and suite cruisers, especially after their first long cruise with these new Mariner benefits.

 

Just my two cents! With deflation, probably only one cent now!

 

 

The difference in cost between a suite and an outside is great but it does not stop there.

 

Before, someone in a suite had to will spend roughly $150,000 to qualify for 200 days but they had the benefits all along. Better larger cabins plus the perks (neptune lounge, laundry, dry cleaning, etc)

 

Now all they have to do is spend $78,000 (as for the upcoming world cruise) and they will have 228 day credits. More than the others had before, but for half price.

 

Is that fair ?

 

Before, someone in an outside who sailed for 600+ days for example had already spent $180,000 and still had no benefits, and was in a smaller cabin with no perks, discounts or special treatment.

 

Is that fair ?

 

The choice of the cabin is a personal preference.

 

The benefits of the new program should be seen as a plus, thinking that the other Mariners (not booking suites or the penthouse) may well have spent more money on more cruises....than the suite passengers actually did. There is the cost to take into consideration but also the frequency and the repetition. HAL calls it loyalty.

[JimVrhovac]

I only wish that your estimates of how much you spend to get to those days was correct. You forgot a few minor points that are miscellaneous expendatures during a cruise. (Especially with my wife)

 

- Casino - slots 50-100 per day

 

- Shops - She averages about $2,000.00 per week on shipboard expenditures

 

- Bar expenses - $500 - 1,000 per cruise

 

- Jewlery - My ulcers burn when I think of what she spends here

 

- New clothing for each cruise

 

- Cosmetics and misc nick nacks - Too damm much

 

I do not begrudge my wifes expenditures because she is as much responsible for aquiring our wealth as I am but I do enjoying razzing her about it. Especially when I am wearing 10 year old shirts that still look nice are are very comforrtable. I am the one that refuses to get rid of them until they start to frey....

 

You can double or triple the extimatesof what a person spends to get a medallion and then multiple it by 2 as there are two of you in a couple.

 

I know about these expenses because I have been there and go through it several times and year - AND ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT - ESPECIALLY SINCE OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST FUNDS ARE PAYING FOR EVERYTHING NOW..........

 

Jim (without Ruth)

[sevigny]

Just to clarify, my husband and I fully understand loyalty to HAL. Our upcoming cruise will be our 27th with them. We have worked our way up by saving - cruising is our first love, after our families. Please do not think that we are snobby - we spend a lot of time in our cabin and have worked very hard to afford it and the benefits. I just see some problems coming down the road on longer cruises, just like Krazy Kruiser.

[cruz chic]

Just to clarify, my husband and I fully understand loyalty to HAL. Our upcoming cruise will be our 27th with them. We have worked our way up by saving - cruising is our first love, after our families. Please do not think that we are snobby - we spend a lot of time in our cabin and have worked very hard to afford it and the benefits. I just see some problems coming down the road on longer cruises, just like Krazy Kruiser.

I don't have a problem with anyone being in a suite.....it's a choice. I'm sorry but it does bother me when someone says they have worked very hard to be able to get that suite. I want to tell you I work VERY hard (and I'm sure my employer would agree) to afford my cheapo inside room. We all have to make choices....and if you feel that the bennies for booking the suite are not worth it...then it might be time to consider an alternate line or cabin type.

[Aussie Gal]

I don't have a problem with anyone being in a suite.....it's a choice. I'm sorry but it does bother me when someone says they have worked very hard to be able to get that suite. I want to tell you I work VERY hard (and I'm sure my employer would agree) to afford my cheapo inside room. We all have to make choices....and if you feel that the bennies for booking the suite are not worth it...then it might be time to consider an alternate line or cabin type.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Most people work hard for their trips. If you want a suite and you have worked hard fair enough, but it is still a choice. If you want it badly enough and haven't the money, then you wait two years instead of going yearly.

 

We could book suites when we cruise but we choose to have a verandah or a mini suite. We don't need the extra large cabin and the perks that go with a suite. We would rather have more trips than spend a lot extra on a larger cabin which we don't need.

 

I think the new Mariner perks are fair as those who have paid out extra for suites have received what they expected when they booked their suites, and were prepared to pay the extra money for them.

 

A lot of people who cannot afford suites but have been very loyal to HAL are now receiving some rewards given back to them.

 

Jennie

[AWED23]

The difference in cost between a suite and an outside is great but it does not stop there.

 

Before, someone in a suite had to will spend roughly $150,000 to qualify for 200 days but they had the benefits all along. Better larger cabins plus the perks (neptune lounge, laundry, dry cleaning, etc)

 

Now all they have to do is spend $78,000 (as for the upcoming world cruise) and they will have 228 day credits. More than the others had before, but for half price.

 

Is that fair ?

 

Before, someone in an outside who sailed for 600+ days for example had already spent $180,000 and still had no benefits, and was in a smaller cabin with no perks, discounts or special treatment.

 

Is that fair ?

 

The choice of the cabin is a personal preference.

 

The benefits of the new program should be seen as a plus, thinking that the other Mariners (not booking suites or the penthouse) may well have spent more money on more cruises....than the suite passengers actually did. There is the cost to take into consideration but also the frequency and the repetition. HAL calls it loyalty.

.....:confused: I just wish that I could interperet Canadian arithmetic.....Maybe then your comment would make more sense...:)

[Bescotti]

Didnt see this on the web site so called Mariners Society for an answer. I am paying a 50% single supplement on a 14 day cruise, you only get the days sailed 14, no extra sail days or a day included in your on board spending. Doesn't seem fair to pay 150% and get no extra days, but it is what it is. Just an fyi for others in single cabins.........

 

I was rather surprised about this too as I was hoping they would have something similar to Princess. Their Captain's Circle gives double points for sole use of a cabin and triple points for sole use of a suite.

 

Seeing you can now earn extra days by your spending habits onboard, I would have thought that paying 150% for sole use of a cabin or 200% for a suite should earn you extra days.

[cruz chic]

I was rather surprised about this too as I was hoping they would have something similar to Princess. Their Captain's Circle gives double points for sole use of a cabin and triple points for sole use of a suite.

 

Seeing you can now earn extra days by your spending habits onboard, I would have thought that paying 150% for sole use of a cabin or 200% for a suite should earn you extra days.

As a solo cruiser I wish they would give extra points too since we do pay the extra. It's too bad...but that's life:).

[RevNeal]

As a solo cruiser I wish they would give extra points too since we do pay the extra. It's too bad...but that's life:).

 

It's hard enough to get them to give you double chocolates! I can't imagine them giving extra points that will, eventually, equate to $$$$. But ... for me, and those like me who begin in the 200+ 4-Star Category, it really doesn't matter.

[CaliforniaAC]

...The new people starting to cruise with HAL will be 4 star status in nothing flat...

 

I just stumbled across the announcement on HAL's website last night. We were dissapointed that we are 11 days shy of our 3 star status. On our 20 day coming up on the Noordam we will cross that marker, however, we won't get our status upgraded until our next HAL cruise:(.

 

I don't think there are too many new cruisers that will be at four star status in a flash... I have a feeling the program is designed that most typical folks who cruise will be in the two star category for a long time.

 

I'm thinking it will take us at least 6 years to reach 4 star Mariner Status. Add that to the 8 years we've been taking cruises and that's 14 years- about the same time it took PathfinderEss.

 

HAL's done the numbers... 2 star will be the majority:).