how to ruin a cruise line and

[cruz chic]

We have many friends who are rank-and-file crew (from staff captains on down to a few assistant MDR waiters) and they haven't uttered anything negative about their new CEO. Ashford has actually increased the budgets onboard for chefs, has redeveloped the entertainment area as much as he is allowed, has created partnerships with amazing institutions and has been at the helm for less than 24 months.

 

Go ahead, tell us specifically why crew don't like him or what he specifcially has instituted that has ruined a company that was struggling massively for years prior. I'm all ears.

 

Ashford is a terrible public speaker and has other traits I'm not in love with, but to say this guy has ruined a company is laughable.

Do people generally badmouth their employer to everyone? Not saying he's doing a bad or good job.

Edited January 29, 2016 by cruz chic

[Randyk47]

Do people generally badmouth their employer to everyone? Not saying he's doing a bad or good job.

 

Not if they want a long career with their employer. An employee may be spot on with their criticisms but being right is not always correct. :D

[Aquahound]

for those who pump up Ashford you have NOT talked to any of the staff 'in the trenches' on what they think of him.

 

I have zero interest in talking to a staff member about what they think of their boss. I'm a paying patron of this business so all I care about is what I receive for the money I spend compared to what I would receive from other companies. It's not my business as a passenger to be concerned about internal squabbling.

[RocketMan275]

I'm reminded of the live thread where Ashford announced new programs. A lot of the criticism was directed at Ashford because he didn't announce improvements to some posters favorite gripe points. The man announced a $300M capital improvements program and the cruise critics demanded his head.

[Tom O.]

This article reads just like an advertisement. It reminds me of one of those ads that is designed to look like and actual article. It even has contact information for HAL.

It describes HAL as a "premium" cruise line. I think HAL is a good cruise line, but I would not consider it a premium line.

[iancal]

I have interviewed and made the hiring decision numerous times..on individual contributors and on managerial hires.

 

I made it a point never to hire anyone who badmouthed their current or former employer. Not the kind of hire that we wanted.

 

As a customer, I only care about whether the quality of services and product meets our expectations and is in line with what we paid for. I know nothing about cruise line economics or the skills involved in operating a cruise line. Nor do I really care. All that I want is value for my money.

 

I could care less about internal politics of the vendor. Clearly though, staff happiness does impact customer service at all levels.

Edited January 29, 2016 by iancal

[RocketMan275]

I have zero interest in talking to a staff member about what they think of their boss. I'm a paying patron of this business so all I care about is what I receive for the money I spend compared to what I would receive from other companies. It's not my business as a passenger to be concerned about internal squabbling.

 

It's pretty obvious that crew will tell the passenger what the crew thinks the passenger wants to hear. No reason to disagree and possibly lose a tip or a positive endorsement.

[serendipity1499]

So, you don't have any specific actions you can relate explaining how Ashford "ruined" Holland?

 

How about this? Can you list specific things that have changed during Ashford's tenure that contributed to "ruining" Holland? For example, when did Ashford take over? What has changed since then? How did these changes resulted in a "ruined" cruise line?

 

I too would like the OP to be specific about how Ashford has ruined HAL..

 

HAL was certainly not ruined by Ashford during the past year.

 

HAL has been on a steady decline for a number of years. I would suggest that the real damage started with previous management who apparently did not take steps to plan for the future. HAL got stuck with an old fleet which probably had higher maintenance and operating costs. The word change was not in their vocabulary.

 

From our perspective, HAL got stuck by a failure to change ever so slightly and a failure to invest in the future. Cruiser's demographics have and are changing. Has HAL changed? I believe that the bulk of the damage was caused by Mr. Kruse's direction.

 

Mr. Ashford is probably stuck with a tough P&L and a mandate to clean up the mess, transform the company, and meet the financial targets set out in the plan.

 

Lots of businesses bring in executive expertise and leadership who have no direct experience in the industry. It is not as uncommon as many would think. I have no idea if he is doing a good job or a mediocre one. But clearly HAL seemed desperate for new leadership. Especially thought leadership.

 

It is easy to blame Carnival Corp. But had Carnival Corp not picked up an essentially bankrupt HAL, HAL would have joined the long list of failed former cruise lines.

 

Completely agree.. There are always going to be naysayers when a new person takes over.. Having been in the travel business for a long time, I've seen many newcomers turn a company around.. IMO he does not need to know the in's & out's of a cruise line to be an effective leader.. Let's give the guy a chance instead of knocking him..

[RocketMan275]

I know nothing about cruise line economics or the skills involved in operating a cruise line.

 

What an extraordinary statement for a cruise criticizer. From what I've read on Cruise Critic, there are enough management experts here to staff 20 or 30 cruise lines. Very few of these experts could organize a church social or recognize a P&L. :):)

[RocketMan275]

I too would like the OP to be specific about how Ashford has ruined HAL..

 

 

 

Completely agree.. There are always going to be naysayers when a new person takes over.. Having been in the travel business for a long time, I've seen many newcomers turn a company around.. IMO he does not need to know the in's & out's of a cruise line to be an effective leader.. Let's give the guy a chance instead of knocking him..

 

The most serious criticism I've seen of Ashford has been of his presentation style. Lot's of criticism about his techniques with very little focus on the material presented.

 

You can hire technical experts. Finding a real manager is much more difficult.

[Viesczy]

Folks, really?

 

Ruined? Declined? C'mon.

 

Things always change/evolve. Those rose colored glasses distort the past, really.

 

What's next, the tax rates of the 1950s were great?

[Lady Chew]

The people who most deserve the recognition and awards are the officers, staff, and crew of the Holland America fleet. Below is one of my all time favorite Youtube videos thanking the crew of the 2012 Amsterdam Grand Asia and Pacific Voyage for their contribution. Thank you to Lottyh!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZWF07unGZM

 

Thank you!! for posting this link ... I was on that cruise and it was fun to see some of our special crew members ...

[dakrewser]

This article reads just like an advertisement. It reminds me of one of those ads that is designed to look like and actual article. It even has contact information for HAL.

It describes HAL as a "premium" cruise line. I think HAL is a good cruise line, but I would not consider it a premium line.

 

No, it reads like a press release...

[POA1]

Do people generally badmouth their employer to everyone? Not saying he's doing a bad or good job.

No, it's very selective. ;) I'm self-employed, so I just slap myself in the head.

[Topsham]

No, it's very selective. ;) I'm self-employed, so I just slap myself in the head.

 

 

 

Me too, but I treat myself as the best employee.:eek:

[sail7seas]

The people who most deserve the recognition and awards are the officers, staff, and crew of the Holland America fleet. Below is one of my all time favorite Youtube videos thanking the crew of the 2012 Amsterdam Grand Asia and Pacific Voyage for their contribution. Thank you to Lottyh!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZWF07unGZM

 

I rarely click links to you tube but am so happy I watched this link.

 

SO great. Thank you for sharing with us. :)

 

[POA1]

Me too, but I treat myself as the best employee.:eek:

Lucky you. The boss is constantly yelling at me. ;)

[visagrunt]

Don't like it? Don't book it.

 

Cruiseline ruined? Find one that isn't.

 

The beauty of the marketplace is that there's something for everyone. Want all-inclusives? Pay for RSSC. Want old-style crossings? Sail with Cunard. Want crass nouveau-riches? Book the Haven .

 

Whatever you want, there's someone selling it. Meanwhile, no one has "ruined" my experiences on HAL, so I'm happy to stick with it.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

If HAL is ruined, why are people still sailing on HAL.? Other than the World Cruise which is sailing about 300 less than capacity and possibly the other Grand Voyages sailing with less, don't most HAL ships sail full?

[cruz chic]

If HAL is ruined, why are people still sailing on HAL.? Other than the World Cruise which is sailing about 300 less than capacity and possibly the other Grand Voyages sailing with less, don't most HAL ships sail full?

 

It likely depends. Caribbean in the dead of winter they are likely full. Longer, more exotic cruises are likely less full.

[david,Mississauga]

It may not be current, however, I believe it was HAL that introduced the buffet concept to cruise ship. :)

 

 

As someone who greatly dislikes buffets at sea I can think of several comments to make if, indeed, HAL introduced those, but it's best to remain silent. Buffets are popular with a lot of passengers and I realise they are here to stay. :(

[SilvertoGold]

As someone who greatly dislikes buffets at sea I can think of several comments to make if, indeed, HAL introduced those, but it's best to remain silent. Buffets are popular with a lot of passengers and I realise they are here to stay. :(

 

They save a lot of money for the cruise line, in many ways: a great innovation by someone.

[Topsham]

They save a lot of money for the cruise line, in many ways: a great innovation by someone.

 

 

How do they save a lot of money? Probably the opposite if Lido was eliminated.

 

Go back to the old days. No lido. If you want breakfast, lunch and dinner.... AND midnight buffet.... all in the main dining room.... and two sittings. That is they way it was... back in the day.

 

There has always been days when a buffet lunch but it was usually out on the enclosed promenade deck or out on the after deck with BBQ.... near the pool. I hear that it was not that great because the food just sat out in the sun and 'wilted'.

 

Saving money? I think it would be cheaper to have the old style than run a lido restaurant... with all extra staff.

 

Yes? No?

[iancal]

Filling the ship is important. But a full ship does not necessarily generate a profitable cruise.

 

But there are a few things that are as important. What is the average fare revenue per passenger? Those cabins may be sold but at what price? How many were blown out at bargain basement prices. This year we have seen Caribbean verandahs for just over $700. Same for Alaska two years running. Looks like Med cruises on some lines are already being discounted.

 

What is the on board revenue per person from bars, casino, food, excursions, internet, plus all the third party revenue like port store recommendation revenue, on board retail, art auctions, etc?

 

Filling the ship with people is easy. Attaining the required revenue per passenger is quite another issue.

[Topsham]

 

Filling the ship with people is easy. Attaining the required revenue per passenger is quite another issue.

 

 

I agree.

 

 

If you go to a '10 cent Diner' do you order Filet Mignon and Caviar or do you eat a hot dog?

 

A bit like the menu in the MDR. Meatloaf and the suggested wine is for $150.

How many are sold? One?

 

The answer? I think understand they come to above or close to the 'blueprint' revenue numbers. Not all cruises for sure.