Just Found Out There is a Large Group on 1/19/13 Eurodam

[sail7seas]

We were told HAL will not allow a group to exceed 50% of the total cabins on any cruise. Years past, they had a few very bad experiences when the group was too large and they no longer permit that. If the group goes over 50%, they require they do a charter.

 

[dot73]

Only thing worse than a bunch of drunken gospel singers is a bunch of drunken quilters. You know how they can get!

 

:)

On the other hand, they may be non-drinkers and then there will be no waiting times for the martinis at the bar.:D

[SusanSmithJr]

On the other hand, they may be non-drinkers and then there will be no waiting times for the martinis at the bar.:D

 

 

This is a start in looking at the bright side of it all.

 

I'm not sure why a religous group would want a venue where gluttony and sloth are the biggest selling points.

 

A boat full of gospel singers (and those who admire them) can have all kinds of positive implications.

 

The casino is less likely to be crowded.

 

It will be easier to get a drink.

 

Lounge chairs by the pool will be easier to reserve when they're all singing.

 

Less drunks, trouble makers and fights.

 

Though you may not get the dinner seating you want, the alternative seatings will be easier to reserve.

 

I'm sure cruisers with more experience than me, can think of many more advantages.

[pms4104]

We were told HAL will not allow a group to exceed 50% of the total cabins on any cruise. Years past, they had a few very bad experiences when the group was too large and they no longer permit that. If the group goes over 50%, they require they do a charter.

 

Fifty percent still is significant and is likely to have a major impact on the experience of most, if not all, of those who are not part of the official group.

 

My personal take on large groups: HAL should combine more than one of them to fill a ship sailing ... and those sailings should not be open for booking by the general public. If the large group is adverse to sharing public spaces (pools, lounges, showrooms, dining venues, etc.) with other large groups, they should charter the entire shipa. The possibilities are endless: combine a conservative religious group with a group of spouse-swappers:eek: You get the idea.

[dot73]

My personal take on large groups: HAL should combine more than one of them to fill a ship sailing ... and those sailings should not be open for booking by the general public. If the large group is adverse to sharing public spaces (pools, lounges, showrooms, dining venues, etc.) with other large groups, they should charter the entire shipa. The possibilities are endless: combine a conservative religious group with a group of spouse-swappers:eek: You get the idea.

 

Exactly!!! HAL could combine a couple of jazz groups, crafts groups, etc., conservative groups, etc. and make the whole ship a charter. Perhaps we could all start writing to HAL. I'm still on the fence about my Jan. 4 cruise. It's dixieland type jazz group v. the fantastic itinerary.

 

What would happen if, for example, you were already sitting in the Crow's nest or the Lido deck and were asked to leave because a group was taking over and you refused to move. After all, you paid for your cruise and these are public areas. Your argument could be that HAL did not warn you that there was a large group that would be taking over public areas and if you had known, you would not have taken that particular cruise. Of course, with all the small print in the contract, it's probably in there somewhere. Large corporations do not hire stupid lawyers.

 

IMO, I think that if one-third of a ship is taken up by a group, independent passengers should be told about it by HAL.

[magandab]

I am looking forward to meeting all the people in the group booked on our Westerdam cruise December 2, 2012!!

 

There is a Cake Cruise booked for our cruise, and unlike most groups, we are able to pay a participation fee and have fun right alongside of their members:D

 

Heck, we even have some of their members who are long time CC members on our Roll Call.

 

I will definitely be looking forward to any and all creations this group does and wherever they display the creations are sure to be a hit with the rest of us lucky enough to be on this cruise.

 

After all, how often do you get to have your cake and eat it to?? (Sorry, could not help that one):o

 

Joanie

 

Oh now a cake cruise might be fun. And if not, it's a whole lot easier to NOT eat cake than to NOT hear gospel music. (and yes, I understand there are larger issues involved). I love the fact that non-group members on the cake cruise can "buy in" to the fun and can avoid feeling like second class citizens.

[peaches from georgia]

This is a start in looking at the bright side of it all.

 

I'm not sure why a religous group would want a venue where gluttony and sloth are the biggest selling points.

 

A boat full of gospel singers (and those who admire them) can have all kinds of positive implications.

 

The casino is less likely to be crowded.

 

It will be easier to get a drink.

 

Lounge chairs by the pool will be easier to reserve when they're all singing.

 

Less drunks, trouble makers and fights.

 

Though you may not get the dinner seating you want, the alternative seatings will be easier to reserve.

 

I'm sure cruisers with more experience than me, can think of many more advantages.

You do make a lot of good points about possible advantages with this large gospel group aboard. However, there could be a problem with the alternative restaurants. Evidently the gospel singers are well-known and I can see the leaders of this event could have the Pinnacle Grill reserved exclusively for special dinners for these singers, favored pax members aboard, etc. I'm sure I've read on CC of that happening with other large groups.

[CtheW0rld]

i think the perfect complement to the gospel group would be a large group of 'bears' :D

[solocanadian]

If you have your heart set on the Eurodam, I'd try & get on the cruise following this Gospel cruise. They surely will take over large portions of public rooms, such as the Crow's Nest that you are paying for.

[DanJ]

Glad I found this thread. As I mentioned in another post last night about kids on the Eurodam, we were thinking about this cruise. This group might explain why the fares seemed so attrative (at least in my mind, as I haven't really done much comparison shopping for other HAL cruises lately). I just about had my wife convinced, and then I found this thread and she quickly said "forget that", or words to that effect LOL.

 

Oh well, another time for our return to HAL.

[blueboro]

Looks like we will cancel and book with another line since our date is not flexible. Seems there are far too many questions as to the effect of this large group but doubt it will be positive. I am sure 4 lost cabins are no big deal to the folks in Seattle but their policy of booking such a potentially large group without disclosing it is bothersome.

[dot73]

Looks like we will cancel and book with another line since our date is not flexible. Seems there are far too many questions as to the effect of this large group but doubt it will be positive. I am sure 4 lost cabins are no big deal to the folks in Seattle but their policy of booking such a potentially large group without disclosing it is bothersome.

 

Actually, you might want send HAL an e-mail and tell them why you cancelled the cruise or, if you have booked with a TA, tell the TA to let HAL know why they lost the sale of 4 cabins.

[blueboro]

Actually, you might want send HAL an e-mail and tell them why you cancelled the cruise or, if you have booked with a TA, tell the TA to let HAL know why they lost the sale of 4 cabins.

 

Good idea...think I will. They probably could care less about it as someone else will book who has no idea about the group.

[CtheW0rld]

Good idea...think I will. They probably could care less about it as someone else will book who has no idea about the group.

 

i always tell a business when there is a problem. if i owned the business, i would want to know.

 

they may or may not resell those cabins. it is not only the current cruise, but i would imagine this has left a bad taste in your mouth regarding hal in general. other people read these forums, too and may be put off of hal.

[rangeley]

We usually book a cruise the first week of January. This year the Eurodam has booked charters for the first two weeks of January, so we booked the cruise on the 19th. About a month later we found another cruise for 1000 less and upgraded to a suite. Even happier we changed it now. :D

[kazu]

Looks like we will cancel and book with another line since our date is not flexible. Seems there are far too many questions as to the effect of this large group but doubt it will be positive. I am sure 4 lost cabins are no big deal to the folks in Seattle but their policy of booking such a potentially large group without disclosing it is bothersome.

 

can't really blame you - but I agree with the other posters - I would definitely let HAL know why.

[sail7seas]

Looks like we will cancel and book with another line since our date is not flexible. Seems there are far too many questions as to the effect of this large group but doubt it will be positive. I am sure 4 lost cabins are no big deal to the folks in Seattle but their policy of booking such a potentially large group without disclosing it is bothersome.

 

 

This is far from unique to HAL.

Many of the cruise lines do exactly the same thing.

I don't mind they permit large groups but I have a BIG problem they don't make it known and are not as forthright as they should be if asked directly.

 

I think they should be obliged to give a clear answer if directly asked if there is a large group and how large is it.

 

However, we all know why they and the other cruise lines don't willingly provide the information.

 

[blueboro]

We did cancel the booking...just too many unknowns. Any idea who we should notify at HAL as to our reason for cancelling? Our TA knows why.

[sail7seas]

We did cancel the booking...just too many unknowns. Any idea who we should notify at HAL as to our reason for cancelling? Our TA knows why.

 

 

Thanks for letting us know your decision.

Hope you find another cruise that interests you.

 

If you wish to let HAL know why you cancelled, perhaps an e-mail to Guest Relations?

 

[dot73]

This is far from unique to HAL.

Many of the cruise lines do exactly the same thing.

I don't mind they permit large groups but I have a BIG problem they don't make it known and are not as forthright as they should be if asked directly.

 

I think they should be obliged to give a clear answer if directly asked if there is a large group and how large is it.

 

However, we all know why they and the other cruise lines don't willingly provide the information.

 

I agree with you 100 per cent. I work hard and give up a lot of things in order to be able to enjoy my yearly cruise. After 15 years of cruising, I know what I enjoy and dislike and I do a lot of research before picking a cruise. As you said, HAL will not voluntarily disclose how many people are part of a group, however, when asked, they should have to answer truthfully. As consumers, we have certain rights in Canada or the U.S. However, cruiselines seem to be exempt from these rules.

[sapper1]

There will be a National Review Group on our Nov 11 NA sailing. It is large enough that there will be no Anytime Dining on the cruise---only fixed. Our TA has been trying without luck to get us Anytime. Since we are on for two weeks and I know my good friend from Calgary who is boarding the second week has Anytime, I have asked our TA to please plead our case to be switched over for week two. The group will be gone then.

 

I hear that the NR people will have an entire level of the dining room to themselves so that is most likely why they can only have fixed for the rest of us.

Having said that, I would not miss this cruise for the world. It will be a "fly on the wall" experience.

[PathfinderEss]

I am looking forward to meeting all the people in the group booked on our Westerdam cruise December 2, 2012!!

 

There is a Cake Cruise booked for our cruise, and unlike most groups, we are able to pay a participation fee and have fun right alongside of their members:D

 

Heck, we even have some of their members who are long time CC members on our Roll Call.

 

I will definitely be looking forward to any and all creations this group does and wherever they display the creations are sure to be a hit with the rest of us lucky enough to be on this cruise.

 

After all, how often do you get to have your cake and eat it to?? (Sorry, could not help that one):o

 

Joanie

OMG, a cake cruise, sign me up.