Unpleasant Mariner Surprise

[SilvertoGold]

The tendering priority appears to be evolving from the "free pass, do not go to the show lounge to pick up your ticket" past. And like you point out, the new 5 star status and the verandah cabins now being renamed getting the suite double bonus. Evolving over the past few years.

 

Our last few medallion ceremonies were also quite a departure from past experiences too. Don't know if this is individual choice made by each guest relations person or CD or if there is a standard protocol.

 

We were caught by total surprise on the Zuiderdam when we asked to come forward, and not even sure what was the basis for the recognition - they claimed some outlandish number of "something" to the cheers and applause of all. We tried to confirm this must have been some mistake with the Guest Relations, but they did it again on the second cruise segment.

 

So again we smiled and had our photo taken with the captain. At least I dressed up a bit more for the second occasion. We got our Silver Medallion a few cruises ago so that was not it. I think it was for five star something, but not sure what the "awesome" number of that something was they now associated with our names.

 

Certainly not anything close to the President Club members who are sea days only. So the Medallion award ceremony seems to be "evolving" too. Most have been done in small settings in the past. But our Silver Medallion ceremony was done in a very full show lounge -everyone was invited, not just high star mariners as we have experienced in the past. In fact the lines were so long to get into the showroom (free drinks and appetizers too), we barely found a spot way in the back and it was a struggle to even come forward. We came expecting the normal small ceremony. What a surprise that much larger one was too.

 

Nice post! The awards ceremonies are often different according to length of cruise and how many are receiving medallions. Anywhere from 6 in the Explorers Lounge to 200 or more in the Show Lounge. Mostly we have thought this is the decision of the Captain, based on what we've seen.

 

Loved your "at least I dressed up more on the second occasion". Been there and done that. I dress up now, period. If I am going to have my photo taken with the Captain and HM, I want to look not quite as bad as my Driver's License photo, you know??

 

I suspect you could have been one of the few 5 stars on that cruise. That will trigger the recognition, as do straight days, but lately the ships seem to be going with the star levels.

 

I wonder if the "priority" rewards are being thrown overboard? Maybe not for 5 stars? I wish!

Edited August 26, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[3rdGenCunarder]

Ok, from the responses it appears I am simply unaware of the rules which have been in existence for quite some time. I accept that, and thank you (most of you) for your polite responses.

 

We did have a previous cruise which was handled differently (I do not know why) by Mariner, which is why I thought this was a new policy.

 

Msmayor, I would be delighted to use a casino rate on a future cruise. Could you possible give a range of your contribution (not trying to be nosy and too specific). Do you have to contact any one specifically in Hal to find out your discount or what offers are available?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Perhaps on the previous cruise, you initiated the upsell?

 

We had an OV booked for a cruise on Maasdam as few years ago, and at some point (don't remember where we were WRT final payment) I saw that there were lanais available, and that got me thinking that maybe I didn't want the OV. By the time I called my TA, the lanais were gone, but Vistas were available. So I said, sure, why not, and paid the difference. We got the double days. But we didn't get a bargain, we paid the full difference between the initial OV and the vista.

[RuthC]

Our last few medallion ceremonies were also quite a departure from past experiences too.

...

So the Medallion award ceremony seems to be "evolving" too.

I see you edited, and added quite a bit, after I read your original post.

 

The medallion system has nothing to do with the Mariner star system, though, or the perqs that you called "evolving".

The medallion Mariner system is a different recognition method, separate and apart from the star system.

[Copper10-8]

The tendering priority appears to be evolving from the "free pass, do not go to the show lounge to pick up your ticket" past. And like you point out, the new 5 star status and the verandah cabins now being renamed getting the suite double bonus. Evolving over the past few years.

 

Our last few medallion ceremonies were also quite a departure from past experiences too. Don't know if this is individual choice made by each guest relations person or CD or if there is a standard protocol.

 

We were caught by total surprise on the Zuiderdam when we asked to come forward, and not even sure what was the basis for the recognition - they claimed some outlandish number of "something" to the cheers and applause of all. We tried to confirm this must have been some mistake with the Guest Relations, but they did it again on the second cruise segment.

 

So again we smiled and had our photo taken with the captain. At least I dressed up a bit more for the second occasion. We got our Silver Medallion a few cruises ago so that was not it. I think it was for five star something, but not sure what the "awesome" number of that something was they now associated with our names.

 

Certainly not anything close to the President Club members who are sea days only. So the Medallion award ceremony seems to be "evolving" too. Most have been done in small settings in the past. But our Silver Medallion ceremony was done in a very full show lounge -everyone was invited, not just high star mariners as we have experienced in the past. In fact the lines were so long to get into the showroom (free drinks and appetizers too), we barely found a spot way in the back and it was a struggle to even come forward. We came expecting the normal small ceremony. What a surprise that much larger one was too.

 

Thanks for the update! ;) Especially the silver medallion ceremony being back in the main show lounge. That's the way it used to be in the "old days"

[OlsSalt]

I see you edited, and added quite a bit, after I read your original post.

 

The medallion system has nothing to do with the Mariner star system, though, or the perqs that you called "evolving".

The medallion Mariner system is a different recognition method, separate and apart from the star system.

 

I am glad you were able to read my extended post which included my quote: the medallion ceremony seems to be "evolving" too..

 

Yes, medallions and mariner stars are quite different which is why we were surprised when we received this totally unexpected "star" recognition at what we assumed would be the medallion ceremony. (Smaller group gathering - invite only for high star mariners and other medallion award winners only on this ship - the Zuiderdam.)

 

I regret if my expanded post led to any confusion about these two award and recognition systems, instead of merely explaining our own confusion since both systems were combined this time - (1) days sailed medallion award and (2) a special star recognition.

 

Thank you for your follow-up reiterating the difference between these two distinct awards.

[OlsSalt]

Thanks for the update! ;) Especially the silver medallion ceremony being back in the main show lounge. That's the way it used to be in the "old days"

 

This show lounge medallion award was on the "old school" Amsterdam. Others we have attended have been the "other way": small gatherings with a limited invite group.

 

Got a kick out of great CD Gene when he introduced a very tiny and wiry "older" lady who had some mega numbers of sea days. Gene said when he first asked her how many, she quickly replied "none of your damn business". Sharp and feisty, but obviously a love affair going on with HAL for a long, long time. She must be one of the HAL legends, like that Ms Ma (?) passenger who allegedly had her own HAL uniform and simply moved from ship to ship calling it her home for about 300 days a year.

Edited August 26, 2016 by OlsSalt

[Copper10-8]

This show lounge medallion award was on the Amsterdam. Others we have attended have been the "other way": small gatherings with a limited invite group.

Capt. Eversen or Mercer?

[OlsSalt]

Capt. Eversen or Mercer?

 

Capt Eversen. 2015 Tales of the South Pacific - what a great overall crew/staff that was.

[Copper10-8]

Capt Eversen. 2015 Tales of the South Pacific - what a great overall crew/staff that was.

 

Yeah; great ship, both captains and crew! Excellent HD in Henk Mensink

[Krazy Kruizers]

OP

 

Sorry that you were disappointed in not getting "points" (days) but Kazu explained the rules very clearly and they have not changed in years.

[take us away]

Also, please know that the casino profits do not go directly to HAL's bottom line as the casino is a contractor-run facility on the ships so HAL gets some percentage.

[Krazy Kruizers]

EeesyCruiser

You mentioned that HAL is nickel and diming -- please go into more about this.

[WVU_Neal]

 

But shore excursions have their own costs up front - profit margin is a lot lower than gambling profit margin when the house wins. Except when the house loses.

 

 

 

Au Contraire, OlsSalt. The profit margin on those nice little shore excursions has got to be much higher than casino margins. From comparing HAL excursions to a similar trip offered by a local, they are almost double in price.

 

Expected return for the casino on their games is much less:

Blackjack <5% depending on your play

Craps as low as 1.41% on Pass/Come bets

Roulette is around 4%

Even the lousy video poker is around 7%

Slots are probably the worst.

 

Neal

[SilvertoGold]

This show lounge medallion award was on the "old school" Amsterdam. Others we have attended have been the "other way": small gatherings with a limited invite group.

 

Got a kick out of great CD Gene when he introduced a very tiny and wiry "older" lady who had some mega numbers of sea days. Gene said when he first asked her how many, she quickly replied "none of your damn business". Sharp and feisty, buMama Lout obviously a love affair going on with HAL for a long, long time. She must be one of the HAL legends, like that Ms Ma (?) passenger who allegedly had her own HAL uniform and simply moved from ship to ship calling it her home for about 300 days a year.

 

Lovely lady, the crew love her and all the pax who know her think she is a gem and a hoot!

Edited August 26, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[Copper10-8]

This show lounge medallion award was on the "old school" Amsterdam. Others we have attended have been the "other way": small gatherings with a limited invite group.

 

Got a kick out of great CD Gene when he introduced a very tiny and wiry "older" lady who had some mega numbers of sea days. Gene said when he first asked her how many, she quickly replied "none of your damn business". Sharp and feisty, but obviously a love affair going on with HAL for a long, long time. She must be one of the HAL legends, like that Ms Ma (?) passenger who allegedly had her own HAL uniform and simply moved from ship to ship calling it her home for about 300 days a year.

 

President's Club member Dolly is quite the character. She loves to tell the story where, as a thirteen-year old (she's in her nineties now) she and a girlfriend hitch-hiked their way from Santa Monica (L.A.) to San Francisco where they stowed-away on a Matson liner and made it all the way to Honolulu

[sail7seas]

ou p You wrere not cheated for Mariner days on your low cost upsell. The rules are no secret and we' v e discussed them on this forum many times.

 

You were not cheater The category cabin you originallybooked and from which you moved due to an upsrll, would not eah bonsus das. Thus you didn'yt earn or buy bthem. You migbht be appreciative HAL sold you a nice cabin for lower than thyr 'hoing pRICE :) How about GEE, HAL, thanks so much for gViving us the opprtunity for a better cabin than we originally were willing to pay for

I hada a thought. Instead of compalaining to us HAL cheated you, think ab out gthe nice upssell you gOT? tHEY GAVE you ghe chance gto Be in such a nice cab in at a price lower than the going price? Hope youernjoyed it anrd mihtt make a cfommenty abouyt tHAT?:)

Edited August 26, 2016 by sail7seas

[SilvertoGold]

Thanks for the update! ;) Especially the silver medallion ceremony being back in the main show lounge. That's the way it used to be in the "old days"

 

We've been lucky to receive one of our medallions on the Amsterdam! Captain Eversen seems to like having a big party in the Show Lounge.

 

He also had a 15 minute period after the presentation/party was over for any pax to come up and have their photo taken with him and the HM. A class act all the way.

Edited August 26, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[OlsSalt]

Au Contraire, OlsSalt. The profit margin on those nice little shore excursions has got to be much higher than casino margins. From comparing HAL excursions to a similar trip offered by a local, they are almost double in price.

 

Expected return for the casino on their games is much less:

Blackjack <5% depending on your play

Craps as low as 1.41% on Pass/Come bets

Roulette is around 4%

Even the lousy video poker is around 7%

Slots are probably the worst.

 

Neal

 

Be sure to add the hourly rate it took to arrange the private tour on your own time - some tours easier track down than others. So we do pay more for someone else to do that upfront administrative and coordination work when we chose HAL shorex.

 

However, your main point is quite accurate - there can be significant savings and certainly more variety and personal control. We to have had some wonderful private options. Though not always at a lower price. Just checked out an excursion to Lake Myvtan Baths on an upcoming Iceland trip and the private day tour is actually significantly more than the HAL offer.

 

Now if you can tell me, what are my odds against the house on that pushy-pushy machine in the HAL casinos. It always looks like 100% for the house every time we pass by, which for some reason totally captivates us. I always wonder about the gimboling required to keep it steady in high seas. :cool: (Or any of the other delicately balanced operations like roulette.)

[3rdGenCunarder]

I hada a thought. Instead of compalaining to us HAL cheated you, think ab out gthe nice upssell you gOT? tHEY GAVE you ghe chance gto Be in such a nice cab in at a price lower than the going price? Hope youernjoyed it anrd mihtt make a cfommenty abouyt tHAT?:)

 

Good point. I haven't had an upsell, except for the one I initiated, but from some of the stories I've read here, a lot of upsells come at VERY good prices. Not getting points is a fair trade for a bargain.

 

I have another question about mariner points. Usually, the money you spend on the service charge counts toward bonus points. What happens when gratuities are included, as they are with the Anniversary promo? Do the grats appear on your bill and get cancelled, or is it as if they don't exist? And does that money count towards bonus days?

Edited August 26, 2016 by 3rdGenCunarder

[kazu]

Good point. I haven't had an upsell, except for the one I initiated, but from some of the stories I've read here, a lot of upsells come at VERY good prices. Not getting points is a fair trade for a bargain.

 

I have another question about mariner points. Usually, the money you spend on the service charge counts toward bonus points. What happens when gratuities are included, as they are with the Anniversary promo? Do the grats appear on your bill and get cancelled, or is it as if they don't exist? And does that money count towards bonus days?

 

Not THAT is an interesting question.

 

It wouldn't seem right to me that you get credit for something you don't pay for but who knows? Hope someone who has experienced this will shed some light.

[msmayor]

Good point. I haven't had an upsell, except for the one I initiated, but from some of the stories I've read here, a lot of upsells come at VERY good prices. Not getting points is a fair trade for a bargain.

 

I have another question about mariner points. Usually, the money you spend on the service charge counts toward bonus points. What happens when gratuities are included, as they are with the Anniversary promo? Do the grats appear on your bill and get cancelled, or is it as if they don't exist? And does that money count towards bonus days?

 

I can't say for sure how it works since this will be the first time we've had gratuities prepaid for us, but on my booking confirmation it shows up as a 'special service' along with the casino discount, beverage and dinner package and the internet credit. I would be extremely surprised if this money counts at all towards bonus days...after all, its not dollars out of my pocket that's paying those gratuities.

[silvercruiser]

I was thrilled with my upsell to a rear Vista cabin on Voyage of the Vikings in 2013. Even though, as a solo, I paid double the upgrade cost, it was still several thousand dollars less than what it would have cost if booked initially. I understood that I wouldn't get double points, so was surprised when at the end of the cruise I got a nice note from Captain Peter Bos (one of my alltime faves) welcoming me to 4* status and including a 4* pin. When I got home I called HAL to ask what the deal was and was told that it was a mistake and that I still had a few more days to reach 4*. I thought the whole thing was kind of funny.

[ithaca gal]

To those who think they should get Mariner credit for money spent in the casino:

 

If you won $500, should they be able to subtract that from your onboard spending credits?

 

Just asking! :)