HAL's new partnerships, upgrades, branding initiative

[jtl513]

Oh goody, goody. We'll get back the wonderful Dutch hats we all love so much.... NOT.

Better those than the Master Chef Dinner toques that I could never keep on. :(

.

Edited October 28, 2015 by jtl513

[Stakeout]

From my perspective, that is one of the best endorsements of a cruise line I've read.

 

change for the sake of change is usually no good.. but unfortunately it will happen

[Host Walt]

I hate to say this but some people in the sales promotion business seem to think that generalized teasers are a great way to build anticipation, especially via speculation among their best customers. They think the longer they keep the teaser going the better the reception to the announcement when it's finally made.

 

Inevitably, however, the actual announcement turns out to be anticlimactic, thus a disappointment, even if it's very positive.

 

Just for grins, my money (monopoly money) is on a change in the ship naming convention where the next new build will not be a "-dam" ship but something else Dutch, like ms Dutch Treat or ms Netherlands or ms Tulips.

 

Then if it turns out that the announcement is a merger of the frequent cruiser programs of all the Carnival Corp. companies, there will be a good reason to celebrate.

[elycelynne]

Survivor! You get voted off the ship, you walk the plank!

 

JUST JOKING! I really really really hope this isn't one of the partnerships.

 

How about "Hell's Kitchen"? Except instead of Gordon Ramsey, the culinary hostess (or whatever they're called these days) gets to yell and swear at the participating passengers! ;)

[frankc98376]

Maybe they will take Costa's theme idea but instead of toga night will be speedo and bikini night :D

Edited October 28, 2015 by frankc98376

[qsuzi]

Then if it turns out that the announcement is a merger of the frequent cruiser programs of all the Carnival Corp. companies, there will be a good reason to celebrate.

 

Nice to see you chiming in with your speculation. I will celebrate about a merger of the frequent cruiser programs of all the Carnival Corp. companies but many on this board may/will not.

Edited October 28, 2015 by qsuzi

[InTheWASide]

I never said it did.. just more in the list of missteps by HAL over the years with grandiose ideas to make more money at the expense of ruining the brand.. just my take on it FWIW

 

 

Thanks for clarifying

[serendipity1499]

The occasional Celebrity cruise aside, we view HAL as our preferred line, but when we decided to treat our kids and grandkids to a family cruise, the climbing walls and flow riders were high on their wish lists. Consequently, we had to look elsewhere. Personally, I don't see that as an issue, as DW and I will always come back to HAL for our cruises. The corporate offices, however, might see it differently, and want tomorrow's HAL to be all things for all people. I certainly hope not, as we too don't want to see the current ambience disappear.

 

My bolding of your last thoughts..We also enjoy the ambience on HAL & truly hope it doesn't disappear.. It's comfortable & the reason we cruise on HAL..

 

I laughed as I read this as it is almost like I was writing it! You summed our feelings up to an absolute tee.

I would think we are the dream customers for HAL. We book far in advance, pay rack rate for a NS, and normally max out our shipboard spending Mariner nights.

Many times we have stayed on board in port to enjoy the un-crowded ship. We LOVE sea days and cruise to as you said- relax and be pampered!

Thank you for your GREAT post!!!

 

Agree that was a great post.. We used to book far in advance but have had a few last minute bookings.. We booked in July for our Nov. cruise this year.. Lately, I've been back on a cane with back problems so we will be staying on board more often & like you we enjoy the almost empty ship.. I expect to find a deck chair on the Promenade deck, read & relax a great deal on this cruise..

 

Yea, No cooking, No pot washing, No cleaning & don't have to make our bed, what more could I ask for.. :)

 

BTW Walt like your thinking.. I'll sail on the "Dutch Treat" anytime! My guess still is that this announcement has something to do with China since Dutch King Willem-Alexander was warmly greeted in Beijing with a large welcoming

ceremony on Monday..

 

Does anyone know what time this announcement will be forthcoming?

Edited October 28, 2015 by serendipity1499

[InTheWASide]

 

Does anyone know what time this announcement will be forthcoming?

 

The quote on the original post had also advised to check back tomorrow afternoon... If I had to guess I would say that the likely will have the announcement at either 12pm EST or 3pm EST

[sppunk]

My bolding of your last thoughts..We also enjoy the ambience on HAL & truly hope it doesn't disappear.. It's comfortable & the reason we cruise on HAL..

 

 

 

Agree that was a great post.. We used to book far in advance but have had a few last minute bookings.. We booked in July for our Nov. cruise this year.. Lately, I've been back on a cane with back problems so we will be staying on board more often & like you we enjoy the almost empty ship.. I expect to find a deck chair on the Promenade deck , read & relax a great deal on this cruise..

 

Yea, No cooking, No pot washing, No cleaning & don't have to make our bed, what more could I ask for.. :)

 

BTW Walt like your thinking.. I'll sail on the "Dutch Treat" anytime! My guess still is that this announcement has something to do with China since Dutch King Willem-Alexander was warmly greeted in Beijing with a large welcoming

ceremony on Monday..

 

Does anyone know what time this announcement will be forthcoming?

 

Sorry to burst your bubble but this isn't China-related. (Well unless Chinese food is involved). ;)

 

Carnival today announces the Miracle and Splendor both going to China full-time in 2017/2018 btw.

[Aquahound]

The occasional Celebrity cruise aside, we view HAL as our preferred line, but when we decided to treat our kids and grandkids to a family cruise, the climbing walls and flow riders were high on their wish lists. Consequently, we had to look elsewhere. Personally, I don't see that as an issue, as DW and I will always come back to HAL for our cruises. The corporate offices, however, might see it differently, and want tomorrow's HAL to be all things for all people. I certainly hope not, as we too don't want to see the current ambience disappear.

 

Speaking as a person who does not believe in brand loyalty, I totally agree with you. I'd like to see HAL a little more competitive with Celebrity regarding their ships but all in all, I want cruise lines to be different. I love variety, not sameness...which is why I'm not brand loyal.

[POA1]

There are 3 blank press releases on the HAL site with the title "TBD" and yesterday's date, October 27, 2015. I don't know if someone in PR was practicing or what.

 

Go here:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/Main.action

 

and click on News Releases on the lower left.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Maybe they will take Costa's theme idea but instead of toga night will be speedo and bikini night :D

 

Did you not read the discussion of HAL's age demographic? :eek:

 

It's been several years since I've seen ill-advised wearing of speedos, and I'd like to keep it that way.

 

And does Costa REALLY have a toga night?

[InTheWASide]

There are 3 blank press releases on the HAL site with the title "TBD" and yesterday's date, October 27, 2015. I don't know if someone in PR was practicing or what.

 

Go here:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/Main.action

 

and click on News Releases on the lower left.

 

LMAO!! That's actually pretty funny. Especially since they have their own test domains on any major website to where this should NEVER be seen.

[3rdGenCunarder]

There are 3 blank press releases on the HAL site with the title "TBD" and yesterday's date, October 27, 2015. I don't know if someone in PR was practicing or what.

 

Go here:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/Main.action

 

and click on News Releases on the lower left.

 

What's the posting equivalent of "itchy trigger finger?"

[sppunk]

There are 3 blank press releases on the HAL site with the title "TBD" and yesterday's date, October 27, 2015. I don't know if someone in PR was practicing or what.

 

Go here:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/Main.action

 

and click on News Releases on the lower left.

 

That's hilarious. HAL is a fine cruise line but their IT/web department is :err.

[Windsailer]

Did you not read the discussion of HAL's age demographic? :eek:

 

It's been several years since I've seen ill-advised wearing of speedos, and I'd like to keep it that way.

 

And does Costa REALLY have a toga night?

 

Sadly I've seen them on 4 HAL ships in the past three years....I had another glass of wine to compensate for the visual pain.

[InTheWASide]

Sadly I've seen them on 4 HAL ships in the past three years....I had another glass of wine to compensate for the visual pain.

 

But see, that's good. If they have speedo night then wine sales go up

[LMaxwell]

Whenever there is a juggling of amenities, tie ins, enhancements, etc. it is always those at the top that receive cutbacks. People who are 4 or 5 star mariners aren't likely to abandon HAL if their perks don't get increased, or, perhaps even, trimmed slightly. They aren't going to "start over" somewhere else. And HAL does not need to work extra hard to retain this market.

 

The market they need to focus on are those of affluence who can afford more than one vacation a year and may jump from line to line, or have mid to upper level tier status with more than one line, and sway them over to HAL. Increased suite perks don't consider Mariners at all really; they are to woo the set that wants and can afford those perks.

 

We will see what it will be; perhaps finally Carnival Corp will have some reciprocity amongst brand tiers, but that would be buzzing on other boards by now. We will see. Like someone else said, whenever an announcement about an announcement is made it usually is anti-climatic. Perhaps some luxury toiletries, a celebrity chef or named restaurant, and some juggling of perks. If it is more than that I'll be genuinely surprised.

[dakrewser]

There are 3 blank press releases on the HAL site with the title "TBD" and yesterday's date, October 27, 2015. I don't know if someone in PR was practicing or what.

 

Go here:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/news/Main.action

 

and click on News Releases on the lower left.

 

 

These are brilliant!

 

1) No one can claim HAL get the facts wrong;

 

2) Just as with cruise docs, everyone can print up their own!

[Jolie_Cruiser]

But see, that's good. If they have speedo night then wine sales go up

 

And I don't feel so bad about travelling solo:D

Edited October 28, 2015 by Jolie_Cruiser

[frankc98376]

I know it's about Princess but they just announced a new Gastro Pub going into their ships- interesting timing....

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6620&UTM_Source=Social&UTM_Medium=Facebook&UTM_Campaign=News&UTM_Content=Princess&UTM_Term=Princess

[Lizzie68]

I don't post often but whatever the execs at HAL are planning, I hope that they don't change the hallmarks that make HAL my favorite cruise line.

 

I have cruised with Carnival, Celebrity, Princess and HAL. IMO, HAL is better by far. I cannot afford to cruise on the premium lines but HAL is a step above the other mid-price lines and I value the differences they offer. I am their niche customer! I have tried other lines and I keep coming back to HAL because of their quality and value.

 

HAL staff is marvelous, their courtesy, demeanor and level of service is superb. The staterooms are larger and more comfortable and so far they have been very clean and well kept on the voyages I've taken.

 

I am in my 60s and expect to keep cruising - hopefully with HAL. I may be atypical, but I don't cruise for the entertainment on board, cooking lessons, art sales, wine sales, circus act or name brand chefs, partying until the wee hours, or the casino. I cruise to relax and be pampered. I like courteous staff, a nice stateroom and decent meals. I will go to the premium restaurants at least once per trip - if the food is worth it. I shop on board so I like some nice things in the onboard shop if the prices are fair. I like a balcony with beautiful vistas. Occasionally we pick an itinerary to reach a port that I'd like to see. But many times we don't even get off the ship. We simply like to be able to relax, away from work and responsibilities, and watch the sea roll by. At a price we can afford.

 

That's what HAL does for us. So please, if the HAL execs are listening, don't change too much or you may lose the loyal customers you have earned! Going "trendy' is not great for sustainability.

 

 

My DH once said that getting on a HAL ship is like putting on a comfy pair of slippers and feeling at home. Not sure I agree about the slippers, but it certainly feels comfortable to me.

[Vict0riann]

My DH once said that getting on a HAL ship is like putting on a comfy pair of slippers and feeling at home. Not sure I agree about the slippers, but it certainly feels comfortable to me.

 

Right, it's like coming home - only someone else is doing all the work, not me!:D

[cabinluvn]

Well said...that is why we continue to return to HAL...comfortable...a relaxing cruise without a lot of extras that we wouldn't use. No loud partying, no wet t shirt contests, nothing intrusive. Just love, love it every time we cruise

 

 

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