Seems there are a number of HAL CC'ers who are looking elsewhere.......

[Mary Ellen]

As to going to other lines -- in the past few years we tried one Oceania cruise - and one Seabourn. And yes, I have noticed several posters claiming to go elsewhere. I, too, would be willing to pay a little more to get a little more - but then I do when we sail a Grand cruise. The ships, the staff, and the atmosphere on a Grand cruise is different but even on the Grands there have been cutbacks.

 

We still are cruising HAL.

 

Oceania was an experience I would be willing to repeat but 1) we do not care for the old R ships so if we did repeat we would prefer one of the newer ships and 2) we found Oceania's food inconsistent and the dining room service was also inconsistent (at least on the one cruise we were on) - not a big enough difference to justify the added expense.

 

Seabourn was not a terrible experience but we did not feel comfortable on board. We found, for instance, the dining room pretentious -- servers who take your arm to escort you in, all soups served "deconstructed" -- the food, however, was usually exceptional - when I nicely questioned an item I was served one morning I was told I was wrong (yes - I was told that) (I had requested ham and I was served corned beef or some other garlic flavored meat - they insisted that was their breakfast ham) and when I did wish to make a special request one night at dinner I was ignored. For the record these were the only two times I wasn't all smiles and happy in the dining room so it was not like they were responding to a difficult passenger. Other crew on board were just super -- my discomfort was in the dining room.

We've also put our money where our mouth is and expanded to other cruise lines during the past few years. Until then we'd been pretty exclusive to HAL for around 30 years. We also tried Oceania. Our experience on the Riviera (one of their newer ships) was similar to yours on Seabourn. One server in the dining room actually rolled her eyes at me one breakfast. I'd been having great difficulty getting eggs prepared to my liking. What I wanted was the yolks basically set - not runny, not hard cooked. Even with that description I was sometimes served eggs with the whites not even set, still clear. To make things easier I tried going for omelets or scrambled eggs. Both were pretty brown, dried, over cooked and tasteless. After 10 days or so of problems, I asked her what I needed to order to get them prepared the way I wanted. Her suggestion: "over easy". When I restated that I didn't want runny yolks, she just rolled her eyes. After that we started specifying that we didn't want to be seated in her section. Never had the need to do that on HAL.

 

In other venues we did have some good service, but we also had some poor service. The cabins were beautiful, but the service and the food overall were unacceptable. We only see us giving Oceania another try if friends really want to go and we love the itinerary. I don't see that happening.

 

We're also considering Viking Ocean Cruises, trying to find a cruise experience similar to the 'old HAL'. In the meantime we've started sailing also on Princess. The current quality of the product is similar on both lines. As long as HAL is making themselves like other lines, our decision will be based upon itinerary and pricing.

[USN59-79]

I think that one of the most important considerations on whether a cruise will be wonderful or just average is the length of the cruise. A seven day cruise can never compare in overall ambiance to a 20 or more day cruise. As an example, we took an about 20 day repositioning cruise from Kobe to Vancouver and the TA offered an additional 7 day Alaska cruise on the end of it. I was surprised at how different the 7 days was, even though we were in the same cabin. The passengers all seemed in a hurry as if they had to experience everything they had paid for in the few days they would be onboard. You didn't try to meet new people and make friends with them as you would soon be going your separate ways. Our recent cruise on HAL including two 30 day Europe cruises last year on the Prinsendam and half the World cruise this year on the Amsterdam were very enjoyable. However, year before last we took a Rome to Singapore on the Ocean Princess, which is smaller than the Prinsendam and that was also very good. Sure we have noticed some aggravations such as charging for cappacino or expresso in the dining room and the outrageous new wine policy, but we can live with it as long as they still have their gracious employees.

[POA1]

If it makes anyone feel better, complaining about cutbacks is pretty universal across the board. Just head to any CC cruise line message board and do an advanced search. Search on "cutbacks" and set the time period to one year. If you get fewer results, it's mostly a function of how busy that particular board is.

 

The simple fact of the matter is that we can't celebrate inexpensive fares, cheap upsells, and free upgrades on one hand - and then bemoan reductions in what we're getting on the other hand. Until a cruise line reaches the point where it can sell all its cabins at the fares it wants, this is what we're stuck with. Read a few weeks deep into any of the message boards. It doesn't matter if you are looking at mainstream cruise lines (aka mass market, but that's not what the industry calls them), premium, super premium /near luxury, or luxury. You'll find plenty of complaints about cutbacks. (I didn't look at the specialty lines like river cruising or expedition travel.)

 

Until supply & demand get in closer alignment, this would appear to be the norm.

[Krazy Kruizers]

For us -- we are getting tired of the same old itineraries for the Caribbean. And a shorter season for the Caribbean. We can't justify what we go through to fly to the west coast (or any place for that matter) for 7 day cruises on any cruise line. With the Ryndam leaving the HAL group and the new ship build staying in Europe, there will be even fewer choices for us.

[rafinmd]

Since 1996 my cruise line of choice has been Crystal. Before I retired I could afford to cruise about 30 days a year with them but could only get away from work for 10 or so, and I rarely looked at other cruise lines. Since retiring I can afford to cruise about 30 days a year with them and do, but also another 70 days with others.

 

I've sailed a number of cruise lines since then. There are some I am enthusiastic about, a few that have been absolute last results, but I feel richer for trying all of them and have enjoyed all my cruises, even on the duds.

 

Roy

[GTVCRUISER]

Hi LAFFNVEGAS , I have not cruised NCL in a long time , I think I will check them out :)

[tangerinebunny]

After five HAL cruises in a row, we've decided to try Celebrity. For us, it's about the food. Even the Pinnacle gets boring mid cruise. A larger ship will offer more specialty restaurant choices. (No, we have no plans to try the Celebrity main dining room; we know it's 'not what it used to be' too.)

 

Our December corner aft Sky Suite is less expensive than our usual SA, and I refuse to do the 'hoping for an upsell' dance with HAL any more.

 

It seems that cruise lines are being forced to redefine themselves in light of the intense competition in the Caribbean. So we're having to follow suit and redefine our choices.

Edited July 3, 2014 by tangerinebunny

[SF49erfan]

After many cruises on HAL we tried the Island Princess last year in Alaska. We loved it. The selections in the Horizon Court for breakfast far out-did the Lido. We enjoyed the specialty restaurants, especially the Bajou Cafe. The entertainment was great throughout the ship - in fact, so much was going on that we couldn't get it all in. Our cabin (mini suite) was very comfortable. The staff was friendly and helpful. We are looking forward to going back to Princess.

 

Terry

[agabbymama]

I know this is a cruise board and there are still quite a few people cruising, but the economy could be playing a part in this scenario too.

 

I belong to a Tea Group with about 10 ladies. We just had our annual tea, and the conversation got around to travel abroad. Every single one of us has decided with the World situation as it is, and the economy thrown into the mix, that we ARE NOT LEAVING THE USA for any travel.

 

I have cruised HAL, Princess, Celebrity, RCCL, Carnival and NCL. They are all more alike than different. NCL did start the Freestyle cruising but now all the others have started a similar plan. I personally don't like having to pay extra for meals to be decent, after having paid for a cruise that should include the food.

 

I have no immediate plans to cruise, but HAL will still be my choice if and when I do.

[scamper]

If it makes anyone feel better, complaining about cutbacks is pretty universal across the board. Just head to any CC cruise line message board and do an advanced search. Search on "cutbacks" and set the time period to one year. If you get fewer results, it's mostly a function of how busy that particular board is.

 

The simple fact of the matter is that we can't celebrate inexpensive fares, cheap upsells, and free upgrades on one hand - and then bemoan reductions in what we're getting on the other hand. Until a cruise line reaches the point where it can sell all its cabins at the fares it wants, this is what we're stuck with. Read a few weeks deep into any of the message boards. It doesn't matter if you are looking at mainstream cruise lines (aka mass market, but that's not what the industry calls them), premium, super premium /near luxury, or luxury. You'll find plenty of complaints about cutbacks. (I didn't look at the specialty lines like river cruising or expedition travel.)

 

Until supply & demand get in closer alignment, this would appear to be the norm.

 

Thank you! I have been saying this FOREVER! You left out that some of the lines have built and are building bigger ships, and then can't fill them! That leads to fare slashing that leads to cutbacks.

 

Also, remember, for ships being provisioned in the US there is a pretty severe drought going on right smack dab in the middle of where a lot of our food and livestock come from. We have a restaurant and I can tell you that in the past five years, we have had to raise prices practically every year. The increases are only about 1% and sometimes less per item, but the price of meat and produce keep going up...PLEASE! RAIN! Just not on the east coast too much.

[Hlitner]

Every cruise line has their fans (cheerleaders) who enjoy the familiarity that comes from cruising on the same line again and again and again. And then there are those of us who love variety (we have cruised on 14 different lines) because we get totally different entertainment, ship design, food, etc. One thing we have learned on cruising so many different lines and ships is that the entire cruise industry is quite dynamic...which means nothing stays the same (except the menu in the Pinnacle :).

 

In many cases we suggest a "try it, you might like it" philosophy. At one point we did not cruise on HAL for 11 years (because we were unhappy with a Maasdam cruise) and then came back to HAL to discover things had changed (and we had gotten older) more to our liking. It was the same with Celebrity. We reached a point with this line (many years ago) where we were unhappy with their vessels. But now, with their fantastic Solstice-Class ships, and with many improvements in cuisine and service we find it to be an excellent cruise line (our current favorite). It is the same with Princess. We used to cruise a lot on Princess but stopped about 4 years ago when we got tired of their itineraries, the non-changing menus (sounds like HAL), and entertainment that seemed to stay the same year after year. But last month we completed a 25 day Princess Cruise and found many changes that resulted in us having a near-perfect cruise. Many years ago we were huge RCI fans (we were Diamond with them over 20 years ago) but got turned-off to that line when they started emphasizing huge mega-ships and mostly boring itineraries.

 

Right now we think that HAL is in a bad downswing in terms of quality, service, pricing, ship maintenance, etc. In the past 2 years we have been turned-off by much of what we have experienced on HAL and now only cruise this line for their great itineraries. But we do expect "the worm will turn" and HAL will soon make improvements necessary to compete in the cruise market place.

 

Hank

[KirkNC]

I guess we would qualify as for a number of years we were sail HAL exclusively. Now we still look at HAL but also Celebrity. In addition, we decided to give Crystal a try. We have continued to read good things about them and they are always the highest rated cruise line in surveys. They cost 2-3 times as much so lets see if I can stand that. I am one who has said I think HAL is making a BIG mistake in their target market. They are simply trying to out Carnival Carnival which is impossible.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi LAFFNVEGAS , I have not cruised NCL in a long time , I think I will check them out :)

Hi, With the NCL Jewel coming to San Pedro in Fall 2015 it is going to give some really good options again for Mexico. Plus there are even some 11 day cruises on the NCL Sun in October 2015 that will be going to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. It is good to be getting back some West Coast options. I love the Jewel it is very close in size to the Oosterdam and the crew is just great.

[frankc98376]

If it makes anyone feel better, complaining about cutbacks is pretty universal across the board. Just head to any CC cruise line message board and do an advanced search. Search on "cutbacks" and set the time period to one year. If you get fewer results, it's mostly a function of how busy that particular board is.

 

The simple fact of the matter is that we can't celebrate inexpensive fares, cheap upsells, and free upgrades on one hand - and then bemoan reductions in what we're getting on the other hand. Until a cruise line reaches the point where it can sell all its cabins at the fares it wants, this is what we're stuck with. Read a few weeks deep into any of the message boards. It doesn't matter if you are looking at mainstream cruise lines (aka mass market, but that's not what the industry calls them), premium, super premium /near luxury, or luxury. You'll find plenty of complaints about cutbacks. (I didn't look at the specialty lines like river cruising or expedition travel.)

 

Until supply & demand get in closer alignment, this would appear to be the norm.

 

I agree 100%. Cruise lines can't sell cabins for $399 for seven nights and include caviar and Maine Lobster. $50 a night per person is less than a hotel charges with no meals included. Sadly I've spoken to people on board that got these "fire sale" fares and they bragged about removing the HSC and smuggling booze on board- basically giving them no bill at the end.

 

Sadly we book in NS and usually pay full fare far in advance to get the stateroom we want. That means that our $400+ per night fare per person gets us a larger stateroom and the Neptune Lounge. We still pay $58 per night to eat in the PG (plus tip) and a hefty chunk to use the Thermal Suite and pool.

 

Indeed all of the "mass market" lines are being forced to cut back due to dropping fares. We've talked about this a lot here and have decided that if we look anywhere else it will most likely be Crystal. Sure the fares are higher but we can get a lovely Veranda cabin for what we pay for an SA on HAL (or sometimes less). Since pretty much everything is included the entire ship is like the NL to us.

 

We have friends that sail Seabourn and don't feel like it would be a good fit for us. They like the more quiet, stuffy "this is my country club" type pf atmosphere. I don't want my cruise to feel like I am sitting in a Law Library hearing "shhhhh".

 

I'll be interested in seeing how the new suite program on Celebrity plays out.

Evidently surcharge on premium restaurants waived, private lounge with comp beverages. I'm waiting to see how they price the product and exactly how it rolls out in real life as opposed to flashy advance press releases.

[G&G]

I admit I have not particularly noticed specific names but it seems to me I've read a number of posts of people who are saying they are looking at more deluxe cruise lines. There seems to be a large enough number of people saying it that it has caught my attention.

 

If, indeed, my observation is accurate, HAL CC'ers really are putting their money where their mouth is. Many have said for several years now they would rather pay more and get more than continue to accept the many cuts we've seen.

 

Anyone else notice lots of comments of this sort?

 

Yes, we are 5 Star Mariners seeking deluxe cruise lines. Oceania has become our favorite. Service and food are excellent. I know I have seen comments about inconsistent service in their MDR but we never eat there. We eat at their Lido (Terrace Griile). Every night you can get lobster tails, crab legs, filets, lamb shops and salmon.

[Randyk47]

I admit I have not particularly noticed specific names but it seems to me I've read a number of posts of people who are saying they are looking at more deluxe cruise lines. There seems to be a large enough number of people saying it that it has caught my attention.

 

If, indeed, my observation is accurate, HAL CC'ers really are putting their money where their mouth is. Many have said for several years now they would rather pay more and get more than continue to accept the many cuts we've seen.

 

Anyone else notice lots of comments of this sort?

 

As you and I have discussed, both here and off line, we have several reasons for looking elsewhere for our cruise experience. I should say right up front it's not that we think HAL is a bad cruise line but it became more and more that certain aspects of HAL we enjoyed were slowly but surely for whatever reason being eliminated or cut back. Add that we're basically destination cruisers and have tried for over our almost twenty years of cruising to include new and different ports every year and we'd just about reached the point where US based cruises no longer met the "new and different" criteria. Call it the "perfect storm" or whatever but the circumstances on HAL and our desire to broaden our potential destinations all came together about the same time a couple of years ago. The end result has been that we indeed have left HAL for at least the time being and have taken a couple of cruises on what is considered a luxury all-inclusive line. Quite frankly life is good and our cruise experiences over the last two years have been outstanding to exceptional. Interestingly we've been able to book our cruises at very competitive rates and indeed got a fare less on a 14-day cruise on our new line for less than a comparable cabin for a 12-day cruise on the Prinsendam. In the final analysis it came down to us deciding that we wanted to go certain places now while we still could and we wanted to do that in a certain manner. For the time being another line meets that criteria.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Randyk47

[Cruise_More_Often]

Hi, With the NCL Jewel coming to San Pedro in Fall 2015 it is going to give some really good options again for Mexico. Plus there are even some 11 day cruises on the NCL Sun in October 2015 that will be going to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. It is good to be getting back some West Coast options. I love the Jewel it is very close in size to the Oosterdam and the crew is just great.

Lisa, thanks for the reminder about the Sun's Zihuatenjo port stops. We haven't been there in ages and would love to get back. And cruising on the Sun would be a bonus for us. She's the perfect small size.

[Robin7]

Our criteria are itinerary and price plus cost of airfare (since we live in a flyover state). Our travel budget has gotten extremely lean in the last few years, so we are definitely not looking at luxury lines, but we have gone to other lines, notably RCI and Carnival.

 

However, our cruise in May with my in-laws on the Veendam felt like coming 'home'. It was nice to be back! Nothing beats the HAL staff--NOTHING. From the little girl working at the pizza to the guys at the grill to the Lido personnel, the dining room stewards, our room stewards, the guys helping you on and off the tenders. ALL of them were fabulous. We have missed that level of friendliness on other lines.

 

That being said, our next cruise is on Carnival. We are taking four of our seven 'kids' with us on their first cruise. (Ages 26, 24, 17, and 14) HAL was not even an option for us, no matter the price, because we need a ship with more on it for the younger set.

 

My brother is leaving tomorrow for a Princess cruise. We cruised together for many years on HAL, and we have both now branched out to other lines. I'm not sure we'll ever settle on just one line ever again.

 

Robin

[sail7seas]

As you and I have discussed, both here and off line, we have several reasons for looking elsewhere for our cruise experience. I should say right up front it's not that we think HAL is a bad cruise line but it became more and more that certain aspects of HAL we enjoyed were slowly but surely for whatever reason being eliminated or cut back. Add that we're basically destination cruisers and have tried for over our almost twenty years of cruising to include new and different ports every year and we'd just about reached the point where US based cruises no longer met the "new and different" criteria. Call it the "perfect storm" or whatever but the circumstances on HAL and our desire to broaden our potential destinations all came together about the same time a couple of years ago. The end result has been that we indeed have left HAL for at least the time being and have taken a couple of cruises on what is considered a luxury all-inclusive line. Quite frankly life is good and our cruise experiences over the last two years have been outstanding to exceptional. Interestingly we've been able to book our cruises at very competitive rates and indeed got a fare less on a 14-day cruise on our new line for less than a comparable cabin for a 12-day cruise on the Prinsendam. In the final analysis it came down to us deciding that we wanted to go certain places now while we still could and we wanted to do that in a certain manner. For the time being another line meets that criteria.

 

 

:) I had you in mind, Randy.

I'm very happy to hear you have found the cruise line that works best for you. You are smart to do the wonderful travel you can while you can.

 

I am so grateful DH and I traveled so much as soon as we could. We traveled the way we wanted. He didn't live to retire so no regrets.

 

My reason for starting this thread is in all the years I've cruised HAL and especially those years I've participated on CC, I've never noticed so many people saying they are trying (and in some cases) staying with more deluxe cruise lines. I read something like that every week.

 

[DFD1]

We're three star Mariners, but we've alternated between HAL and two non-Carnival cruise lines for years.....for a variety of reasons.

 

Variety is the spice of life.

[GeorgesGal]

While I enjoy cruising on HAL, I have never been a loyalist to any one line, having cruised HAL, Celebrity, RCC, Princess, Az and Oceania. Have always gone for what I considered the best itinerary, with price secondary.

 

However, in this past year I've been aware of not just cutbacks, but very large increases in fares on HAL. For instance, four years ago sailed on Oosterdam 24 days b2b Rome/Venice, Venice/Venice in an SC for a bit over $3000 pp (bought an up-sell). This year a similar (22 day) itinerary on the Zuiderdam is 6200 pp! That is a whopping increase.

 

I will still be looking to HAL for future cruises, but for now, I'm not booking anything until I return from my next cruise on Oceania's Insignia, then on to Paris. I'll see what shakes out after the holidays, and perhaps it will be HAL, or one of my other choices - except Princess and RCC. But I must admit, I love those R ships of Azamara and Oceania, as well as Oceania's two new builds - just the right size.

[NMLady]

I admit I have not particularly noticed specific names but it seems to me I've read a number of posts of people who are saying they are looking at more deluxe cruise lines. There seems to be a large enough number of people saying it that it has caught my attention.

 

If, indeed, my observation is accurate, HAL CC'ers really are putting their money where their mouth is. Many have said for several years now they would rather pay more and get more than continue to accept the many cuts we've seen.

 

Anyone else notice lots of comments of this sort?

 

I've seen many posts of CC folks looking and booking elsewhere than HAL, but not necessarily on more deluxe cruise lines. Some have gone to Princess or Oceania or even to NCL's Haven.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Hi, With the NCL Jewel coming to San Pedro in Fall 2015 it is going to give some really good options again for Mexico...It is good to be getting back some West Coast options...

 

I agree! Air travel has gotten to the point that I just don't want to fly to a ship anymore. I know many others who feel the same way.

[rafinmd]

:) I had you in mind, Randy.

I'm very happy to hear you have found the cruise line that works best for you. You are smart to do the wonderful travel you can while you can.

 

I am so grateful DH and I traveled so much as soon as we could. We traveled the way we wanted. He didn't live to retire so no regrets.

 

My reason for starting this thread is in all the years I've cruised HAL and especially those years I've participated on CC, I've never noticed so many people saying they are trying (and in some cases) staying with more deluxe cruise lines. I read something like that every week.

 

 

I may be wrong but I think not too many years ago the per diems on HAL adjusted for inflation were pretty close to what the per diems are today on Azamara, Oceania, or (for solos) on Crystal. It's not surprising that HAL had to tale a closer look at their spending and economize in some areas. I'm wondering when the last time was a HAL ship was retired, my feeling is that it's been a few years. Looking at Daily Programs from my first (1997) HAL cruise, they have retired 4 ships (plus 3 Windstar) and added 11. The itineraries then were 6 ships in Alaska and one each in the Caribbean and Europe, nothing on the east coast or Asia. Perhaps HAL expanded too much and too fast and if prices do increase somewhat perhaps the cutbacks will be slowed or reversed.

 

I think there's an excitement to trying a new cruise line and I think it's very healthy and I'll be interested is seeing if that "new cruise line smell" some people notice here will fade with time or the glory will fade.

 

For my upcoming cruises I was initially paying more for Royal Caribbean than for HAL. Due to a recent HAL price cut, I'm now paying a bit more for a full OV on the Statendam than for an inside on the Radiance OTS but I find HAL still by far the better value. The biggest difference is not so much the food and the material things but the adult atmosphere on HAL.

 

If I were to sail less on HAL it would almost certainly be something like cutting 20 days on HAL and adding 10 on Crystal but for now this mix is very satisfactory.

 

Roy

Edited July 3, 2014 by rafinmd

[summersigh]

DH and I are both retired. We're comfortable and have a reasonable amount set aside for cruising. Dates and itineraries are basically key as we narrow down our choices.

 

We looked into balconies on the deluxe lines but when compared with the $$ for a balcony on HAL or RCCL - we could cruise twice as often on HAL or RCCL. DH has some health issues and spends more time in the cabin and relaxing on the balcony than most folks making it a must for us.

 

We decided we'd rather go more often in spite of the cuts on HAL and RCCL.

 

We like HAL best next to the QM2. RCCL is ok for us when school is in session :D. Carnival has seen the last of us based on cabins and food.