YubaSutter Posted July 29, 2013 #801 Share Posted July 29, 2013 What is the correlation between the new wine policy and the gratuities service charge? The extra wine money has to come from somewhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted July 29, 2013 #802 Share Posted July 29, 2013 We once bought a wine package.When they showed us the list from which we could choose, we immediately cancelled the wine package. We looked at both Navigator and Admiral. Perhaps the list changes but at the time we decided to try it, there was not a single wine we wanted. Hal gave us a 3 bottle Admiral a few cruises ago and there was just one decent wine on the list "Wild Horse" cab, but we perfer drinking better wines on vacation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetocruise2020 Posted July 29, 2013 #803 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Thank you for the confirmation because apparently I'm a moron incapable of finding things that are clear to everyone else:rolleyes::eek:. Then im one too! Lol LOVE ur new pic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startwin Posted July 29, 2013 #804 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Just talked to my TA - she is with a large agency that does tons of HAL cruises - and she still has not received anything from HAL regarding the new policy, for her HAL clients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myheart53 Posted July 29, 2013 #805 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Just curious, has anyone heard back from Holland after emailing them? I sent one yesterday to the email of the president and noticed someone on here received a confirmation to theirs. I did not receive anything....nothing. I noticed on Facebook that Holland America is not responding to complaints of new wine policy. Let me know if you have heard back from Holland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyglobetrotter Posted July 29, 2013 #806 Share Posted July 29, 2013 The extra wine money has to come from somewhere! And you will take it from the hard working overworked staff....Why not save an extra $80.50 (7days gratuities @ $11.50) and take it from your own wallet ! Why punish the staff who does not deserve it and need the money for their family. This is a very inconsiderate way of thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschm27 Posted July 29, 2013 #807 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I just sent a letter regarding the wine allowance. I told them if it isn't changed back immediately, I will never pay the service charge again. I'll buy wine with the tip money. Please don't hurt the hard working crew. They are not responsible for the policy change and not paying the service charge doesn't affect HAL at all, only the crew. If you want to spend your money somewhere where it may have an effect on HAL, consider not taking HAL sponsored shore exs. That hurts the tour operators as well, but benefits the ones you do book with. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschm27 Posted July 29, 2013 #808 Share Posted July 29, 2013 We're taking my mother-in-law on her first (and likely only) cruise in September. I've always wanted to call her a mule; now I have the perfect opportunity!! Actually, I like her a lot, but the idea still amuses me. LOL: Taking my DMIL on her second cruise late August. If I called her a mule, she'd club me :D . Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoothsailors Posted July 29, 2013 #809 Share Posted July 29, 2013 :rolleyes: Have not received a reply to our lengthy e-mail to Stein Kruse either, our travel agent had not received any notice of the changed policy and the two HAL reps we each spoke to this morning were totally clueless about the changes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrimp56 Posted July 29, 2013 #810 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Next idea: Folks who don't want to bring wine on can act as "mules" for the rest of you. I'll be interested to see what the going rate is LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschm27 Posted July 29, 2013 #811 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Next idea: Folks who don't want to bring wine on can act as "mules" for the rest of you. I'll be interested to see what the going rate is LOL Hmmm? At first I volunteered to do it for free and just be a nice guy, but you know, you have a good idea! How about a one glass surcharge of the wine muled (a new verb?) onboard :D. Just kidding, still willing to do it for free. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted July 29, 2013 #812 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Then im one too! Lol LOVE ur new pic! That's "my puppy" Reggie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetocruise2020 Posted July 29, 2013 #813 Share Posted July 29, 2013 That's "my puppy" Reggie. Hehe! i figured! Quite handsome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earljr Posted July 29, 2013 #814 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Just wondering----- Why can DW bring wine onboard and I cant bring an equal amount of beer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted July 29, 2013 #815 Share Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) I just sent a letter regarding the wine allowance. I told them if it isn't changed back immediately, I will never pay the service charge again. I'll buy wine with the tip money. NO - don't do that please. As much as I object to this - IF we sail HAL, I won't rip off the hard working crew. That's just not fair:( Edited July 29, 2013 by kazu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetocruise2020 Posted July 29, 2013 #816 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I just sent a letter regarding the wine allowance. I told them if it isn't changed back immediately, I will never pay the service charge again. I'll buy wine with the tip money. I know you wouldn't do it but its a good way to scare the pants off Seattle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakepatrol Posted July 29, 2013 #817 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I just sent a letter regarding the wine allowance. I told them if it isn't changed back immediately, I will never pay the service charge again. I'll buy wine with the tip money. Maybe they'll put a bronze statue of you outside of HAL Headquarters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted July 29, 2013 #818 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I sent an email through the HAL website right after I read the original post here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/contactUs/Main.action) I just received a phone call from my personal cruise consultant. I've actually never booked with her as we deal with a travel agent, but we have had a few conversations prior to this. Because of our prior connection, my email was forwarded to her. She started the phone call by expressing her utter surprise and frustration with Holland America about the entire matter. Just back from a vacation, she was quite vocal on how stupid she thinks the whole decision is. Yesterday she was singing the praises of her company's wine policy to friends that were considering a cruise. There's no way this woman was acting! I was calmer than she was about the situation..... Her recommendation was to send our emails to: guestrelations@hollandamerica.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaM Posted July 29, 2013 #819 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I know you wouldn't do it but its a good way to scare the pants off Seattle! Somehow I get the feeling that Seattle isn't scared of anything. You don't take back a years old policy that people are expecting on no notice, if you are afraid of the repercussion. Let's face it---they just don't care. They were slick.....otherwise, they would have lost revenue at final payment, if people knew ahead of time. The bean counters figured this was a more lucrative way of implementing the new policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jade13 Posted July 29, 2013 #820 Share Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) Jade, I put the bold in your post.. I think you ought to read their policy again in the post you quoted..It clearly states in the first paragraph, which you quote in your post, that Psgrs are limited to two bottles on embarkation.. cheers..Betty That is not Azamara's current policy. That was the old policy before they became more inclusive with (non-premium) wines and other alcoholic beverages and soft drinks included. Edited July 29, 2013 by Jade13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boytjie Posted July 29, 2013 #821 Share Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) No unfortunately not. Hal probably figured out the percentages and then changed the policy. They would know better . Good question.why not shoot them an email? I don't care either way so no email to be sent. But what I find interesting is the speculation on these board about what "some", "all" or "most" people do. ;) Couple that with the people that are quick to respond with how much/little the spend on the onboard accounts when some topics come up. :D Edited July 29, 2013 by Boytjie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boytjie Posted July 29, 2013 #822 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Right, but that is not the recipe alot of restaurants are using here in CA. Its wine, vodka, simple syrup and fruit. Sometimes flavored vodka. Its because they are making it by the glass. Its essentially a mixed drink. I prefer either homemade sangria or bottled versus what most restaurants are touting as "sangria"... Either way, not one or the other is on a HAL menu. Www.quintllc.com best ive ever had. To me personally, bottled sangria sounds wrong; I think it needs to be recently made, with real fruit etc. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Frances Posted July 29, 2013 #823 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Jade, I put the bold in your post.. I think you ought to read their policy again in the post you quoted..It clearly states in the first paragraph, which you quote in your post, that Psgrs are limited to two bottles on embarkation.. cheers..Betty It was Storyladys Post that states 2 bottles. This quote is from Cruise Critic and it has not been updated:( Jade13 did not quote this post:confused: Unless Cruise Critic hasn't updated Azamara's Wine Policy it appears to be similar to HAL's. Azamara's Wine Policy as posted on CC. "Bringing wine or Champagne onboard: Passengers can bring two bottles per stateroom, but when consumed in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, there is a $10 corkage fee per bottle. Purchasing liquor in port: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call will be stored by the ship and delivered to passengers' cabins on the last day of the sailing. Purchasing liquor in ships' duty-free shop: Alcoholic beverages that are purchased from Azamara's onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to passenger cabins on the sailing's last day. " Here is the actual policy From Azamara's website http://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/plan-your-voyage/after-booking/helpful-information/guest-conduct-policy Corkage Policy Azamara Club Cruises® offers a wide selection of international liquors, beer and fine wines onboard. You may bring your own favorite liquor, beer or wine for private consumption in your suite or stateroom. If you wish to consume your liquor, beer or wine in any shipboard restaurant, bar or dining venue, each bottle is subject to a corkage fee of $10. If you are given a bottle of wine that was purchased from Azamara's Bon Voyage Gift selection, then no corkage fee will apply. If you are given a bottle of wine from an outside vendor and/or travel professional, and the bottle was not purchased through Azamara's Bon Voyage selection, then a $10 corkage fee will apply if the wine is consumed in the dining room or other public area. All corkage fees will be added to your onboard account. Alcoholic beverages purchased from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing. Alcohol will not be delivered to any guest under the age of 21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boytjie Posted July 29, 2013 #824 Share Posted July 29, 2013 The extra wine money has to come from somewhere! You could also opt to go down a cabin category (and not affect crew that have nothing to do with alcohol issues). :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptsaint Posted July 29, 2013 #825 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I sent an email through the HAL website right after I read the original post here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/contactUs/Main.action) I just received a phone call from my personal cruise consultant. I've actually never booked with her as we deal with a travel agent, but we have had a few conversations prior to this. Because of our prior connection, my email was forwarded to her. She started the phone call by expressing her utter surprise and frustration with Holland America about the entire matter. Just back from a vacation, she was quite vocal on how stupid she thinks the whole decision is. Yesterday she was singing the praises of her company's wine policy to friends that were considering a cruise. There's no way this woman was acting! I was calmer than she was about the situation..... Her recommendation was to send our emails to: guestrelations@hollandamerica.com if you wish to add him to the email dist gbernhoft@hollandamerica.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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