NEW HAL Mariner Program NOW on website

[RuthC]

I have a feeling they won't count that as on-board spending as they don't get a corporate cut. :(

 

Randy -

 

I thought I read somewhere that the auto-tip is not counted towards the $300 onboard spending, but I've read so much since yesterday - I'm confused and could be wrong.

I thought I read a quoted FAQ that indicated the service charges would count toward the $300=1 day credit. I remember thinking that it would therefore be advantageous to add to that, rather than give additional cash to deserving individuals.

[Randyk47]

Randy -

 

I thought I read somewhere that the auto-tip is not counted towards the $300 onboard spending, but I've read so much since yesterday - I'm confused and could be wrong.

 

I keep finding myself getting excited about all the things that will "count" then realize it's moot, lol - we won't go any higher.

 

That's why I wish there was some incentive for us to rack up the dollars onboard (since we do anyway) and it'd be nice to use them for FCC or discounts on select sailings...

 

Me too also confused. :) I just cut and pasted the following off the HAL website:

 

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.

 

The more I read that the more I'm thinking they will count the auto-tipping as that is the Hotel Service Charge.

[ekerr19]

I thought I read a quoted FAQ that indicated the service charges would count toward the $300=1 day credit. I remember thinking that it would therefore be advantageous to add to that, rather than give additional cash to deserving individuals.

 

Ruth -

 

You are probably right... I should probably just look it up again, lol!

 

In the future, we can always have our own "Mariner" celebrations onboard, right?? :D

[ekerr19]

Me too also confused. :) I just cut and pasted the following off the HAL website:

 

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.

 

The more I read that the more I'm thinking they will count the auto-tipping as that is the Hotel Service Charge.

 

So shop purchases will count? Sounds like it...

 

But also according to an earlier post, you cannot accumulate more days via onboard spending than the length of the cruise - so if you are on a 7-day cruise the most that will count is $2,100 of your expenditures.

[Jemima]

We're on a Eurodam sailing the end of the month. The Eurodam doesn't start the new Mariner program until 10/10. I'm sure that means we don't get any of the Star perks. Will we accumulate days under the old program or the new? We have 7 ship shore excursions booked so we should have quite a bit of spending under the new program. But will it count?

[jtl513]

We're on a Eurodam sailing the end of the month. The Eurodam doesn't start the new Mariner program until 10/10. I'm sure that means we don't get any of the Star perks. Will we accumulate days under the old program or the new? We have 7 ship shore excursions booked so we should have quite a bit of spending under the new program. But will it count?

Days are days, but I think you won't get any bonuses for spending ... or double days if you are in a suite.

[Randyk47]

OK. This seems to be complicated but maybe not. If I read it right you can earn up to an extra day for every $300 spent not to exceed the number of cruise days. So a 7 day cruise you could earn up to 14 days, 7 for the cruise plus 7 for spending. When you think about it, and we're not cheap when we cruise, that actually is pretty significant spending. Of course it also look like you can get double days for suite cabins so I'm guessing that means in a 7 day cruise in a suite you could get 21 days credit combining the double credit and spending. Of course I can't find exactly what they define as a "suite" and they may mean only deluxe and above. Still too much fog to know for sure.....

[bellebaby]

For us, what keeps us coming back to HAL again and again is the crew and the service. HAL can give more Mariner benefits, or not, and it won't make any difference in our booking habits. We will, on occasion, sail with another cruise line, but the vast majority of our cruises will be with HAL. It's mostly about the crew and itineraries for us. ----Penny

 

I agree with you... to a degree. I wish the cruiselines would focus on routine ship maintentance (AC/Plumbing, etc.), service and itineraries. Any additional perks are great and appreciated. However, until they consistently perform the basics, it's hard for me to get excited about new programs that will be difficult to administer.

 

Therefore, my memory is only as good as my last cruise. If the ship was in poor condition and I encountered a multitude of irritating, unresolved service matters, I will try another cruisline or a land based vacation. Loyalty only goes so far.

 

B

[jtl513]

OK. This seems to be complicated but maybe not. If I read it right you can earn up to an extra day for every $300 spent not to exceed the number of cruise days. So a 7 day cruise you could earn up to 14 days, 7 for the cruise plus 7 for spending. When you think about it, and we're not cheap when we cruise, that actually is pretty significant spending. Of course it also look like you can get double days for suite cabins so I'm guessing that means in a 7 day cruise in a suite you could get 21 days credit combining the double credit and spending. Of course I can't find exactly what they define as a "suite" and they may mean only deluxe and above. Still too much fog to know for sure.....

That all sounds right to me.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Tom and I were discussing this last night and over all there are a lot of good things and for that I am thrilled but two things we both kept agreeing and bringing back up is that the number 200 is too low. While 150 might work for Princess there are too many long time loyal HAL cruisers that have far more than 200 days. I really believe they should have added at least two more levels. Or better yet why not have kept the number of days the way they were kept the medallions but just added the perks ;) That would have been far simplier and made far more people happy.

While many do not care about the medallions there are plenty of us that do and it was sort of a contest among friends of sort to get to the next level. I remember how proud and thrilled we were to get to 100 days. It meant so very much to us and then to have so many friends sailing with us when we received it. I had hoped the same would happen for the 300 day we are less than half way there at 161 days. Tom and I agreed there is no longer an urgency or a huge need to sail on HAL any long. They have taken away that goal.

The other thing that two things do concern us is one Priority Check In :eek: I can see some sailings have 50% or more of the ship in this status so is will really have Priority :confused: We freqent the Oosterdam ( although this will be the first winter since she has been to the West Coast we will not :() and over the past few years the number of Mariners has grown because the West Coaster do like to frequent her. They were getting to a point that there were definitely a lot of Medallion holders. Then you look at the number of Suites on a Vista Class. It will not take too many years before those that frequent will have 200 + days. What happens when the percentage of Mariners is higher with 200+ days. How will they designate Priority?

My other concern is also the Specialty Restaurants. I think the problems will happen more on the short 7 day sailings where everyone wants to go at least once. It will make it far more difficult to get in. But the longer sailings not so much. I have to admit that our 14 day Panama Canal cruise never had more then 3 to 5 couples in any one evening. I was told my several crew that it was almost sad that no one went especially since it was probably one of the best Pinnacles I have ever been to. There were many days for lunch no one ever ate there. My only guess for this is that over all HAL has found with this recession is that fewer people are spending the extra money for dining there and want to engourage this.Then when times changes and things inprove they may have to alter this in some way.

Over all I guess we just have to except this Life is about CHANGE and that is the one things that we can ever be sure of. Life will move on. A year from now we will have something else really big we will be discussing. :D

[jtl513]

My only guess for this is that over all HAL has found with this recession is that fewer people are spending the extra money for dining there and want to engourage this.Then when times changes and things inprove they may have to alter this in some way.

Like pushing the price back up again, as this is and always has been the primary "crowd control" for the PG.

[MightyQuinn]

Therefore, my memory is only as good as my last cruise. If the ship was in poor condition and I encountered a multitude of irritating, unresolved service matters, I will try another cruisline or a land based vacation. Loyalty only goes so far.

You make an excellent point. The new mariner program will clearly cost HAL more than the existing program. The new perks have real tangible value. Some of the costs may be offset by additional spending, stimulated thru the incentive nature of some of the perks (discounts vs. give-aways). But at the end of the day, HAL will be investing more real $$$ in the new mariner program. I also hope that it won't be at the expense of the on-board experience. As you say, loyalty only goes so far.

[2bout2c]

Tom and I were discussing this last night and over all there are a lot of good things and for that I am thrilled but two things we both kept agreeing and bringing back up is that the number 200 is too low. While 150 might work for Princess there are too many long time loyal HAL cruisers that have far more than 200 days. I really believe they should have added at least two more levels. Or better yet why not have kept the number of days the way they were kept the medallions but just added the perks ;) That would have been far simplier and made far more people happy

****I agree with this. Keeping the perk levels at the levels in place with Holland America would have the folks at 300 days plus feel that they are not being downgraded to 200 days.

I just don't see have some of the perks will work on the longer trips with all the "whales".

Priorty tender will be a free for all.. ****

[RedmondCruiser]

With all the Mariners out there they can't give away the farm. I for one will be happy to get laundry and pressing. We will see how the other offers go. We have our silver medal and was looking forward to getting a gold medalian. I really think that HAL will continue to present these medals. Some recognition was in order and with HAL's high return rates they really are limited as to what they could offer. Priority boarding and tender service is also a nice touch but the 50% off quotes were a little vague.

[Sue from Canada]

Well thank you very much HAL. We have been looking for our next cruise that would take us to or over the 100 days to get the medallion and now it is NO MORE. So after our next cruise we will now just look to all cruise lines for our next cruise. There is no incentive for us, because will never cruise enough to reach the 200 cruise credit level. Out TA had already recently suggested another cruise line to us and but we said no because we wanted to get the 100 day medallion besides the fact that we very much enjoy cruising on HAL. I am really disappointed, I know thing is a little childish, but so am I. Princess, RCCL, etc. watchout here we come.

 

You took the words right out of my mouth. Anyone want to sell their 100 day medallion? Guess I'll book with Princess the next time.

[serendipity1499]

I am not even sure how many days I have on HAL, but it may be close to 200 as we always book suites, because we travel as a family. This system will cause havoc with the laundry, which is now a problem. We had torn clothing, holes in knit shirts and all white underwear turned gray on our last cruise. To add a very crowded Pinnacle Grill to the mix will make our future cruises less enjoyable, even though we will receive a reduction in the tariff there. A 50% reduction in pricing for wine could be a problem, too...More intoxicated passengers. This new system will increase bookings, but possibly change the cruising experience for the worse....and we will benefit from it financially in some respects.

 

WOW...havoc with laundry, Torn clothing, 50% discount making intoxicated guests, long lines, crowded Pinnacle, change in cruising experience for the worse, less enjoyable...:rolleyes: Do you have a crystal ball? :rolleyes:

We have over 130 days on HAL on different ships & always send our laundry out..Have never had torn, clothing, holes in shirts, grey underware etc..Can't believe your entire post is so negative! Guess you should never go on another HAL or any other premium lines cruise if your expectations are so low! Perhaps you should consider booking on one of the elite (6 star) lines & paying much more for your cruises!

I'm in total agreement with Lisa & a few other posters... This new program is fine with us..Let's give it a chance instead of making such blanket statements of doom & gloom..

 

HAL is in business of making money..Their fares for non-suite passengers are still low enough & the only way they can survive is by increasing the on board spending.. HAL really is not looking to please those who have a high Mariner count or those who book suites & enjoy the fact that they are known by & catered to on board..Most of us will always come back to HAL, because we love the staff the ships & enjoy our cruises..

The fact is, there are many of us will not be able to cruise much longer due to illness or may not be around in the next 10 to 15 years HAL is looking to the future, & their goal is to get the younger people/ families (mass market) to book more & spend more $$$ on board..

The copper medal actually means nothing to DH & me.. Agree with Laura that it could be embarrassing when wearing it, except at the Mariners brunch..We'll keep them home for the time being, but will certainly never wear them on board.. Other passengers don't care if we've been on board 100 days, 200 days, or 500 days..

I don't know how long we're going to be able to travel, does anyone else know except maybe Rev Neal..:):)

We're just taking it month by month & year by year as I understand that sometime in the future we will no longer be fit, so we'll enjoy our cruises & the new Mariner perks, while we can..

Good job HAL!:):)

JMO...Betty

[Jemima]

It would take at least 15 seven day cruises for a non-suite passenger to earn 4 star status. That's assuming the per person spending is at least $2100 for each cruise which is unlikely. They would then have 4 star status on their sixteenth 7 day cruise.

Most passengers aren't in suites, take 7 day cruises and are not spending their on ship spending is not averaging $300 per day.

While some cruises have lots of people with high days, most don't.

[CowPrincess]

The only phone # that shows for Mariner Society for Canada is a long-distance call. If anyone in the US calls regarding questions, could you also ask if we book and pay for Pinnacle and shorex in advance, is that considered "onboard spending" which would contribute to the $300 amount needed for a "day credit"?

 

If it does not, I guess I'll buy OBCs and book stuff once on the ship.

[scopewest]

We'll just have to wait and see what happens. Speaking of those medals, does anyone actually wear theirs around the ship? I haven't noticed but then again, I don't bother looking for this either. I got the one for 25 days and thought how nice and it's now in my jewelry box. Hmm, I could wear it to work and see if there's any HAL people in my office :)

[MightyQuinn]

The only phone # that shows for Mariner Society for Canada is a long-distance call.

Cow Princess

Try 1-800-547-9139 :):)

[Randyk47]

The only phone # that shows for Mariner Society for Canada is a long-distance call. If anyone in the US calls regarding questions, could you also ask if we book and pay for Pinnacle and shorex in advance, is that considered "onboard spending" which would contribute to the $300 amount needed for a "day credit"?

 

If it does not, I guess I'll buy OBCs and book stuff once on the ship.

 

The FAQs for the new Mariner program does say you'll get credit for pre-booked excursions. It doesn't, at least not that I could find, specifically call out the Pinnacle Grill but seems to me it would also count if pre-booked.

[happyglobetrotter]

Paint me a bit pessimistic

 

As a four star cruiser I really appreciate the discounts on onboard services, the free laundry (yes, yes, yes), and at 50% off maybe I will make it to the Pinnacle Grill occasionally .... but what I see here is a program structured to encourage on board spending --- the more you spend the more "loyalty" HAL will have for you.

 

My last few cruises I could not help but notice how empty the Pinnacle Grill was -- at 50% off, I suspect that will change -- same with many of the other on board amenities that have a tarriff attached. Some income is always better than no income, and since cruise fares remain rather low -- on board spending is probably their cash cow -- so why not structure a program to encourage more cash for the cash cow? This they have now done.

 

Though I will enjoy the perks that I would never earn by paying for a suite (no suites equal more cruises for arzz) I will have significant deja vous for a system that rewarded us for just doing what we enjoy doing -- cruising -- sort of like grades in school which are intrinsic rather than extrinsic rewards. HAL now moves to extrinsic rewards for conspicuous consumption.

 

And then on to my personal, pessimistic fear -- that price increases for onboard services will soon follow......

 

I will still cruise and I will still embrace HAL as my cruise line of choice -- and I will still revere my medallion as a symbol of many days doing what I most enjoy. Stars that reward me for how much I spend seem rather hollow in comparison.

 

 

Half price is fine but half price of what. All they have to do is increase the charge for the specialty restaurant !!!!

 

We have over 800 days... and we were looking forward to the president club (1,000 days) !!!!

 

Now we will have to line up with all the others to have our laundry done. I can imagine the nightmare on our next World cruise where most people will be 4 stars !!!!:eek:

 

We feel very disappointed of the new program to say the least !

[CowPrincess]

on ship spending is not averaging $300 per day

 

No, it isn't $300 per day -- for every $300 spent onboard, you can be credited with one "sailing" day.

[serendipity1499]

It would take at least 15 seven day cruises for a non-suite passenger to earn 4 star status. That's assuming the per person spending is at least $2100 for each cruise which is unlikely. They would then have 4 star status on their sixteenth 7 day cruise.

Most passengers aren't in suites, take 7 day cruises and are not spending their on ship spending is not averaging $300 per day.

While some cruises have lots of people with high days, most don't.

 

Jemima...Most don't average $300 per day & that is not what the WEB site states..You are not understanding the $300 credit ..

 

If you take a 7 day cruise & your total on board spending in that entire 7 days is $600..You will accumulate 2 extra days toward your star status..So now you will have accumulated a total of 9 days..

Per HAL's web site: http://www.hollandamerica.com/marinerSociety/Main.action

"For every $300 in onboard purchases you make over the duration of your journey, you’ll earn one bonus Cruise Day credit. Bonus Cruise Day credits are calculated on the combined charges for all guests sharing a stateroom, regardless of who signs each charge and who pays the bill."

Every one should look at the FAQ section...Many of your questions are answered there..

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

 

Betty

[RevNeal]

Oh my! We were to receive our Silver medallions, on our upcoming cruise, and I REALLY was looking forward to it! :(

 

Bob, Pat ... ASK. They may have a supply left. In fact, I would be surprised if they don't.