HAL - Then & Now !

[JoeMGiants]

I ran across an old file I had from my first cruise on Noordam in 2008 - 10 night Seafarer and my curiosity led me to do a very brief comparison of the same cruise in 2014.

 

Cruise price then - $7,134 Now - $8254 a 16% increase [ 2 guests ]

HMC Cabanna then - $250 Now - $400 a 60% increase

Recommened tips [ Suite ] Then - $11 Now $12 a 9% increase p/p p/day

Complementary bottle of sparkling wine Then - A glass in the Neptune Lounge Now

Unlimited wine carryon Then - one 750 ml carryon Now

 

I guess it's just is a sign of the times - at least we can take some solice in the fact that the cost has not increased at the same rate as Health Insurance. :D LOL

[CruiserBruce]

The cabana has dropped back to $299. The bottle of champagne vs glass is not consistent. We got both on Eurodam. The $11 vs $12 tip. A standard cabin is still $11, isn't it? Only the suites are $12, IIRC.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The cabana has dropped back to $299. The bottle of champagne vs glass is not consistent. We got both on Eurodam. The $11 vs $12 tip. A standard cabin is still $11, isn't it? Only the suites are $12, IIRC.

 

 

A standard cabin is $11.50 now.

From HAL's site:

 

Is There A Hotel Service Charge (Gratuity/Tip)?

 

Our crew works very hard to make sure that every aspect of your cruise meets the highest standards. This includes those crew members who serve you directly, such as Dining Room wait staff and the stewards who service your stateroom each day. There are also many others who support their efforts whom you may never meet, such as galley and laundry staff. To ensure that the efforts of all of our crew members are recognized and rewarded, a daily Hotel Service Charge is automatically added to each guest’s shipboard account.

The daily Hotel Service Charge for suites is US$12.00 per guest per day, and US$11.50 per guest per day for other staterooms. (The charges are subject to change without notice)

If our service exceeds or fails to meet your expectations, you are free to adjust this amount at the end of each segment and/or voyage. The Hotel Service Charge is paid to Holland America Line crew members, and represents an important part of their compensation. A 15% Bar Service Charge is automatically added to bar charges and Dining Room wine purchases. In terminals, airports, ports of call and on shore excursions, we suggest that you extend gratuities consistent with customary local practices.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I ran across an old file I had from my first cruise on Noordam in 2008 - 10 night Seafarer and my curiosity led me to do a very brief comparison of the same cruise in 2014.

 

Cruise price then - $7,134 Now - $8254 a 16% increase [ 2 guests ]

HMC Cabanna then - $250 Now - $400 a 60% increase

Recommened tips [ Suite ] Then - $11 Now $12 a 9% increase p/p p/day

Complementary bottle of sparkling wine Then - A glass in the Neptune Lounge Now

Unlimited wine carryon Then - one 750 ml carryon Now

 

I guess it's just is a sign of the times - at least we can take some solice in the fact that the cost has not increased at the same rate as Health Insurance. :D LOL

 

 

So far the ships we have been on still have a bottle of cheap champagne in the Suite Cabins.

Health Insurance -- sure does go up and up. Pensions are locked in and Social Security is going up only slightly.

[MR NW GUY]

So far the ships we have been on still have a bottle of cheap champagne in the Suite Cabins.

Health Insurance -- sure does go up and up. Pensions are locked in and Social Security is going up only slightly.

I have been able to have the champagne switched out for a bottle of wine by just asking.

[Typhoon1]

Just like everything else, costs have increased.

 

We used to able to fly coast to coast for $100.00 RT.

[Skipper's Mom]

At least we are still able to go cruising...so not much to complain about. ;)

[sail7seas]

Just like everything else, costs have increased.

 

We used to able to fly coast to coast for $100.00 RT.

 

 

In 2008? :)

 

OP is making comparison between Noordam, 2008, and today.

 

[George C]

My 1st Hal cruises was on Rotterdam in both 1977 and 1978, fare for inside room was 400 but I paid 600 for a single room, which was about a months pay for me back then.

[Thebes]

Just like everything else, costs have increased.

 

We used to able to fly coast to coast for $100.00 RT.

 

Was that in 1008 ?

[KSCnCA]

Was that in 1008 ?

 

Funny!

[Thebes]

Brought this thread back to the surface as it is a good thread and has been discussed recently.

[sammygoose]

I remember when they bumped chocolate bars from $.025 to $0.27. Now they are $1.25 Oh the good old days...........

[take us away]

My 1st cruise in 1981 was an inside cabin, 7 days on HAL and was about $800 for 2 and that included airfare from MN to Puerto Rico.

[OlsSalt]

DH first travelled HAL on the Waterman back in the 1950's. Does that count for comparisons then and now too? :cool: Market force animal spirits remain alive and well, which is good.

 

Last night I plugged in an autumn 2014 New England cruise on 90 Day ticker to see who was offering what. HAL was an incredible bargain, simply incredible for what it offered for the price compared to all the other offerings for this cruise for that period of time. Pays to compare HAL to the competition, as well as the past. Long may she sail. And some day she won't at all the way we knew her with her spunky little ships that are fast fading from the mainline cruise scene.

Edited December 7, 2013 by OlsSalt