Things that HAL could improve on....

[cruz chic]

It was not the newer menu everyone here had complained about. It didn't have any of the more interesting shared plates. It had things like lasagna on it instead.

 

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That's strange. I thought for sure all the ships had the new menu. Maybe they were getting too many complaints or wasting too much food. I didn't try it on the westy (Apr 2014) but I know the people I talked to didn't care for it.

[Hoon]

We love cruising on HAL and have cruised more on HAL than any other line. But having enjoyed many cruises on other lines we find that HAL could learn some things.

 

For instance:

We were impressed with Celebrity's face recognition kiosks for photo searches. So much easier to find your photos, so much less wasteful and more environmentally conscientious, and so much less crowded, all making for a much more pleasant experience for us.

 

And not having to stand in line at the Front Desk to get a copy of your statement by using Princess's print out kiosk or Carnival's or Celebrity's interactive TV system.

 

What comes to your mind? Maybe our suggestions would be noticed;). m--

 

I have been reading this form for about 4 years. I went on my 1st cruise to Alaska with Princess in May of 2010 and am going back in August. Because I had never been on a cruise and never thought I would actually enjoy “cruising”, I logged on to this form so I could be well informed on the do’s and don’ts of cruising.

As Monk once said; “I could be wrong, but I don’t think so”, it seems like no matter what the topic is “Things that HAL could improve on”, it always digresses to Formal Nights. Every time I log on someone is complaining about the way someone else is derssed.

Why can’t y’all leave people alone. It’s a vacation for god sake, relax let people dress as they want to. Why does it bother you.

[sherilyn70]

That's strange. I thought for sure all the ships had the new menu. Maybe they were getting too many complaints or wasting too much food. I didn't try it on the westy (Apr 2014) but I know the people I talked to didn't care for it.

Is also possible that they were just walking around showing us the old menu too. :) it seems they have a lot of typos and misinformation in various places. I never did ask if one of the MDR entrees was actually chicken or duck. The title said grilled chicken but the description under it said it was a duck breast, lol.

 

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Edited June 24, 2014 by sherilyn70

[cbr663]

I'm trying to wrap my brain around this statement. Of all the loyalty programs I'm enrolled in, such as hotels, airlines, casinos, grocery stores, etc, HAL's Mariner program is far and away the most pathetic one. Rewards and Perks? Did you seriously type those words? I have not personally paid for a hotel room or a flight in years. They've all been paid for with loyalty rewards. I get free gas from my local grocery store loyalty program all the time. On HAL, I get 25% off an outrageously priced wine package and 10% off logo merchandise I don't want, a ceramic tile, a lapel pin, a photo of the ship and a bunch of other meaningless marketing fluff. Woo hoo! The only perk I really ever use is the Pinnacle grille discount. So, I'm honestly befuddled by your statement.

 

I repeatedly have read many posters state on this forum that they are choosing HAL as they are working on obtaining their next star. Traveling for perks and rewards is a value for a lot of people. You may not personally find a lot of value in HAL's reward program, but many others do. And it goes without saying, that not all people feel this way.

 

There is also a big difference between those who do value the perks and those who don't. A passenger who doesn't value the perks travels and partakes in all the activities that they enjoy and want. They demand a high level of satisfaction with the product and service and will not hesitate to switch brands when their needs are not being met.

 

A passenger who values perks and rewards partakes in on board activities primarily because of the perk. He or she goes to speciality dining because it is complimentary or discounted. Purchase decisions are primarily made because of the incentive that is provided to do so. Take away the incentive and the traveler would not purchase the item at all. When the needs of these travellers are not being met, they tend to complain loudly but refuse to leave as their primary motivation is their perks and discounts. They perceive a tangible value and a status associated with the reward program, and the loss of this status prevents them from trying another brand. You can mess with the cruise for these folks, but don't mess with the rewards program.

[iancal]

Don't forget the medals!

 

We get far better perks from our TA in the form of OBCs than we do from HAL.

Edited June 24, 2014 by iancal

[lidojohnny]

I would like to see the MDR split Ala Cunard. A really decorative wall could

be placed in the ships from floor to ceiling. A nice name like the Star room,

or Placid Sea Room would be nice. This side would be utilized by people who pay a certain price and above. Here you would find people in tuxedos, who,

as they say ,are paying through the nose. Better food and service could be

theirs. On the other side we would have Grub's, or Steinys :eek:diner etc. Here we

would have people dressing in whatever or whenever. The food of course would

be a little wanting, but they do pay less, and perhaps we would find less belly

aching therein, as such, or would we? The Tuxedo crowd (of which I am one)

gets what they want and the jeans or shorts at all costs get what they want.

Or, is the grass greener? Of course this is a farce! Today, Money, Price, Wear

with all matters. Wishing things does not make it so. It seems to me that HAL

will have to do what is necessary to stay in business or ahead of the game. Many of us do not know what that is exactly. We have been two world cruises

and all the Grand Voyages. We go for the ports and the devil can take the

rest. I'm sorry for the rant, but the same old same old can be quite boring.

[CaveDiving]

I would like to see the MDR split Ala Cunard. A really decorative wall could be placed in the ships from floor to ceiling. A nice name like the Star room, or Placid Sea Room would be nice. This side would be utilized by people who pay a certain price and above. Here you would find people in tuxedos, who, as they say ,are paying through the nose. Better food and service could be theirs. On the other side we would have Grub's, or Steinys :eek:diner etc. Here we would have people dressing in whatever or whenever. The food of course would be a little wanting, but they do pay less, and perhaps we would find less belly aching therein, as such, or would we? The Tuxedo crowd (of which I am one) gets what they want and the jeans or shorts at all costs get what they want....

 

And exactly why do you blatantly assume that pax in the suites wear tuxedos and pax in the inside cabins wear grubs? I believe that sophistication bears little correlation with cruise cabin location.

 

Scott & Karen

[SilvertoGold]

And exactly why do you blatantly assume that pax in the suites wear tuxedos and pax in the inside cabins wear grubs? I believe that sophistication bears little correlation with cruise cabin location.

 

Scott & Karen

 

Boy, are you right about that!

[sapete]

And exactly why do you blatantly assume that pax in the suites wear tuxedos and pax in the inside cabins wear grubs? I believe that sophistication bears little correlation with cruise cabin location.

 

Scott & Karen

 

Always book a Neptune Suite and never bring a tux.

[POA1]

As we approach post #200 in this thrill-a-minute, action-packed thread, I've come to the conclusion that what's needed is the Minedam: A ship all about me. Only the things I want. My dress code. My food. My entertainment options. It will cost what I want to pay, which means that staffing levels will be on par with what what I expect.

 

Of course, that leaves you out in the cold, which is why you should get the Yourodam, a ship all about You! (You'll probably want to change the name though. I can see some confusion amongst the cab drivers when your vessel and the Eurodam are in port together.)

[navybankerteacher]

Perks are great, but I cannot imagining choosing a line and an itinerary for them. I prefer HAL - but I start looking for cruises which go where I want to go at the time I want to go . Of course cost is a factor, but it is silly to take a second choice because of a few hundred dollars difference - and absolutely ludicrous to not pick the itinerary you want because of the perks or lack thereof.

 

We are looking forward to our fifth consecutive autumn T/A - this will be our second on HAL. The others were Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity; sure, I may have "wasted" the opportunity to concentrate on accumulating perks - but as I was sailing when, where and how I wanted to in each case - I wound up with the best deal each time. (I doubt I will sail Royal Caribbean again. - I see no need for a mid ocean ice skating rink, or for an upper deck lawn ---- and I hope to be long dead before all the less than 3,500 passenger ships are retired).

[Laminator]

As we approach post #200 in this thrill-a-minute, action-packed thread, I've come to the conclusion that what's needed is the Minedam: A ship all about me. Only the things I want. My dress code. My food. My entertainment options. It will cost what I want to pay, which means that staffing levels will be on par with what what I expect.

 

Of course, that leaves you out in the cold, which is why you should get the Yourodam, a ship all about You! (You'll probably want to change the name though. I can see some confusion amongst the cab drivers when your vessel and the Eurodam are in port together.)

 

How about we book the same cruise on the OuroDam. I will book a Neptune suite but I will not bring a tux unless we are traveling to Monte Carlo. Wearing a Tux to the casinos there is a worthwhile endeavor.

[runnergirl71]

As we approach post #200 in this thrill-a-minute, action-packed thread, I've come to the conclusion that what's needed is the Minedam: A ship all about me. Only the things I want. My dress code. My food. My entertainment options. It will cost what I want to pay, which means that staffing levels will be on par with what what I expect.

 

Of course, that leaves you out in the cold, which is why you should get the Yourodam, a ship all about You! (You'll probably want to change the name though. I can see some confusion amongst the cab drivers when your vessel and the Eurodam are in port together.)

 

You never fail to make me laugh!!! :)

 

Thanks!!

[POA1]

How about we book the same cruise on the OuroDam. I will book a Neptune suite but I will not bring a tux unless we are traveling to Monte Carlo. Wearing a Tux to the casinos there is a worthwhile endeavor.

Sounds like a plan. Bulletproof James Bond tuxedo, right?

[Laminator]

Sounds like a plan. Bulletproof James Bond tuxedo, right?

 

Absolutely!

[Tarpeian Rock]

As we approach post #200 in this thrill-a-minute, action-packed thread, I've come to the conclusion that what's needed is the Minedam: A ship all about me. Only the things I want. My dress code. My food. My entertainment options. It will cost what I want to pay, which means that staffing levels will be on par with what what I expect.

 

Of course, that leaves you out in the cold, which is why you should get the Yourodam, a ship all about You! (You'll probably want to change the name though. I can see some confusion amongst the cab drivers when your vessel and the Eurodam are in port together.)

 

 

 

I think you're on to something.There would be the Jockdam (sports lovers, lots of wide-screen satellite feeds of worldwide sports events, basically a floating sports bar); the Lidodam (never mind annoying port stops, just 24 x 7 food; and, in a slight change of naming conventions, the Damkids (just for families).

[scamper]

I'm not sure if I really agree with this. I cruise on HAL because I've enjoyed myself more on previous cruises on HAL than previous cruises on other lines. I have cruised with HAL, Seabourn, Norwegian and Carnival. HAL was not the most expensive, but definitely was not the least expensive, but gave me what I thought was the most enjoyable cruise experience. So, I generally book with HAL and don't even really check the prices of other lines. I'm pretty certain I'm not alone.

 

I'm trying to wrap my brain around this statement. Of all the loyalty programs I'm enrolled in, such as hotels, airlines, casinos, grocery stores, etc, HAL's Mariner program is far and away the most pathetic one. Rewards and Perks? Did you seriously type those words? I have not personally paid for a hotel room or a flight in years. They've all been paid for with loyalty rewards. I get free gas from my local grocery store loyalty program all the time. On HAL, I get 25% off an outrageously priced wine package and 10% off logo merchandise I don't want, a ceramic tile, a lapel pin, a photo of the ship and a bunch of other meaningless marketing fluff. Woo hoo! The only perk I really ever use is the Pinnacle grille discount. So, I'm honestly befuddled by your statement.

 

Tim,

 

I'm inclined to agree with you here to a degree. The lower tier perks of the Mariner program is hardly anything to write home about, but they do get better as you get further along. However, it would be nice to see some cruise discounts as members get into the upper echelons. I believe Seabourn offers free cruises when you get up into the hundreds of cruise days traveled. Admittedly, they are more expensive than HAL so maybe free cruises would be outside the realm of possibility, but they might at least offer, say 25% off one cruise after 100 days and 50% after 150, or something like that.

 

Then again, maybe a revenue based program like United and Delta Airlines will be going to next year might work. With the number of days you cruise they would factor in the total revenue that you bring in and offer better perks, upgrades, or discounts.

[Copper10-8]

Sounds like a plan. Bulletproof James Bond tuxedo, right?

 

Shaken, not stirred:cool:

[Linda&Vern]

And exactly why do you blatantly assume that pax in the suites wear tuxedos and pax in the inside cabins wear grubs? I believe that sophistication bears little correlation with cruise cabin location.

 

Scott & Karen

Thank you Scott and Karen !!

[jimmy2x]

Tim,

 

I'm inclined to agree with you here to a degree. The lower tier perks of the Mariner program is hardly anything to write home about, but they do get better as you get further along. However, it would be nice to see some cruise discounts as members get into the upper echelons. I believe Seabourn offers free cruises when you get up into the hundreds of cruise days traveled. Admittedly, they are more expensive than HAL so maybe free cruises would be outside the realm of possibility, but they might at least offer, say 25% off one cruise after 100 days and 50% after 150, or something like that.

 

Then again, maybe a revenue based program like United and Delta Airlines will be going to next year might work. With the number of days you cruise they would factor in the total revenue that you bring in and offer better perks, upgrades, or discounts.

 

I could be wrong, but it occurs to me that folks that can afford hundreds of days on Seabourne are the last people who really need a free cruise.

[Hlitner]

I could be wrong, but it occurs to me that folks that can afford hundreds of days on Seabourne are the last people who really need a free cruise.

 

Oops. Had to catch myself and hold my tongue. But, to put it kindly, have you considered that the reason some of these folks can afford Seabourn is because they spend wisely?

 

Hank

Edited June 25, 2014 by Hlitner

[Tarpeian Rock]

I could be wrong, but it occurs to me that folks that can afford hundreds of days on Seabourne are the last people who really need a free cruise.

 

 

 

So there should be an income test for loyalty programs?

[scamper]

I could be wrong, but it occurs to me that folks that can afford hundreds of days on Seabourne are the last people who really need a free cruise.

 

I don't think there is anyone that actually NEEDS a cruise. It isn't necessary to sustain life. However, if you mean that people who cruise a lot on Seabourn can afford to pay for their cruises, sure. However, since they chose to give their loyalty to Seabourn, Seabourn rewards that loyalty. There are millions of people that could pay for their own airline tickets as well. But, the airlines choose to reward their loyalty with "free" air travel.

[lolane1]

I don't think there is anyone that actually NEEDS a cruise. It isn't necessary to sustain life. However, if you mean that people who cruise a lot on Seabourn can afford to pay for their cruises, sure. However, since they chose to give their loyalty to Seabourn, Seabourn rewards that loyalty. There are millions of people that could pay for their own airline tickets as well. But, the airlines choose to reward their loyalty with "free" air travel.

 

Hahahaha. In my case it is absolutely necessary to sustain life - not only mine but a few colleagues I have in my line of sight!! hahahahahaha

[Sam.Seattle]

I could be wrong, but it occurs to me that folks that can afford hundreds of days on Seabourne are the last people who really need a free cruise.

It is not a need thing... It is a loyalty or rewards program.

 

The Ritz Carlton provides free nights as rewards when you reach an "Elite" status, so why would you not think a high end cruise line should not offer free cruises?

Edited June 25, 2014 by Sam.Seattle