HAL to announce new celebrity voyage(s) Thursday (2/9/17)

[InTheWASide]

For those that somehow think Oprah will have crew entourages left and right and be dominating every public room on the ONE sailing that she personally will join... this is from the Travel Weekly article:

 

Oprah will be on the Eurodam's Alaska cruise that departs Seattle on July 15, for two nights. The magazine said the Holland America partnership dovetails with Oprah's "Year of Adventure" in 2017.

 

Then it says there are 4 other cruises that will be more themed, although Oprah herself will not be there:

Besides the cruise on which Oprah herself will sail, four themed cruises are scheduled. These sailings will feature programming developed with the magazine's editors, including editor in chief Lucy Kaylin and creative director Adam Glassman. Members of Oprah's "SuperSoul 100," visionaries who use their talents to elevate people, will share their ideas on these cruises.

The following "O" themed cruises are scheduled:

• Nov. 29, 2017: 11-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale on the Koningsdam

• March 3, 2018: seven-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Nieuw Amsterdam

• Aug. 11, 2018: seven-day Alaska cruise from Seattle, Eurodam

• Oct. 28, 2018: seven-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

Then it says what impacts the whole fleet:

 

Also, Holland America and "O" starting in August will offer onboard programming on North America cruises throughout the fleet. Activities will include an onboard book club, meditation, tai chi and healthy-cooking demonstrations.

 

Let's see... a book club... that will likely be in a quiet lounge or the explorations cafe on maybe a couple afternoons

 

Meditation and tai chi... this will likely occur poolside, in the spa or if the promo photos are to be believed, out on the bow

 

Healthy cooking demos... Hmm... if only HAL had a place onboard where they could do cooking demos so they don't just close off public rooms left and right with the express mission of pissing people off... Oh wait... they do...

 

Seriously people... :rolleyes:

[Roz]

Amen, Sppunk and InTheWASide.

 

Roz

[dockman]

So 300 book club cruises meanwhile the libraries are being reduced or essentially eliminated on HAL?

[RJ2002]

Amen, Sppunk and InTheWASide.

 

Roz

 

Ditto.

 

I don't have a desire to specifically book a sailing on any line that has any sort of big name celebrity onboard. However, I don't see anything wrong about the suggested new offerings (book club, tai chi, etc.). For heavens sake, it will give folks other new options onboard. SOME people may actually enjoy them.

[sail7seas]

So 300 book club cruises meanwhile the libraries are being reduced or essentially eliminated on HAL?

 

And that was one of the things I had in mind w ith my above post.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Ditto.

 

I don't have a desire to specifically book a sailing on any line that has any sort of big name celebrity onboard. However, I don't see anything wrong about the suggested new offerings (book club, tai chi, etc.). For heavens sake, it will give folks other new options onboard. SOME people may actually enjoy them.

 

I totally agree, other than the sailing when Oprah will be on this will not impact anyone's sailing and actually bringing something to the cruise that I may actually enjoy :) The book club sounds interesting, and HAL does not need to have a big Library on board since most people will most likely download the book to their tablet or eReader.

[Alberta Quilter]

Ditto.

 

I don't have a desire to specifically book a sailing on any line that has any sort of big name celebrity onboard. However, I don't see anything wrong about the suggested new offerings (book club, tai chi, etc.). For heavens sake, it will give folks other new options onboard. SOME people may actually enjoy them.

 

I agree. However, there are many people who are influenced by celebrities (for better or worse) and, because of this partnership, may be influenced to try HAL. I think it's a great business idea for HAL to try to attract new people to cruising. Oprah does have a huge following, no one can deny that.

[avian777]

Thanks for sharing the informattion but........... groan. I won't be putting that on my list. :D I do wonder whatt they are thinking lately.

 

Spot on!!!

Smooth sailing ...

[Marion B]

"Oprah Magazine Adventure of Your Life Sailing" (November 29, 2017)

 

Our TA has confirmed that our cruise is one of four special sailings. It will focus on O Magazine-inspired activities,authors, artists and the Super Soul 100 (people whom Oprah finds inspirational.) There will be numerous special activities throughout the ship, per HAL. According to the editor of O, "This will be a transformation cruise. You will be a very different person than when you came on."

 

Each person will have to make the personal decision as to whether or not you want to be part of this special interest sailing.

 

My only experience with special interest sailings was when we lived in San Diego and took many repos to/from Vancouver. Before I learned how to find special interest sailings on Cruise Critic, we had several less than ideal

cruises.

[frankc98376]

I totally agree, other than the sailing when Oprah will be on this will not impact anyone's sailing and actually bringing something to the cruise that I may actually enjoy :) The book club sounds interesting, and HAL does not need to have a big Library on board since most people will most likely download the book to their tablet or eReader.

 

My feelings exactly Lisa. She will be on for 2 nights and should be an easy guess which (one of 2) staterooms she will be in.Likely if anything people may see her or talk to her in the NL or around the ship.Most likely will dine in PG or stateroom. PG has the side room they can close off. I'm looking forward to the cooking classes.

I remember someone saying that they were on a Paula Deen cruise and saw her around the ship and in the casino. Yes, she had a security person (bodyguard) with her but was very friendly and approachable.

My guess is that at least for two nights there will be added security around on deck 7 but that's about it.

[3rdGenCunarder]

"Oprah Magazine Adventure of Your Life Sailing" (November 29, 2017)

 

Our TA has confirmed that our cruise is one of four special sailings. It will focus on O Magazine-inspired activities,authors, artists and the Super Soul 100 (people whom Oprah finds inspirational.) There will be numerous special activities throughout the ship, per HAL. According to the editor of O, "This will be a transformation cruise. You will be a very different person than when you came on."

 

Each person will have to make the personal decision as to whether or not you want to be part of this special interest sailing.

 

My only experience with special interest sailings was when we lived in San Diego and took many repos to/from Vancouver. Before I learned how to find special interest sailings on Cruise Critic, we had several less than ideal

cruises.

 

Do you have to be transformed, or can you skip the special activities? I'm not being snarky here. OK, maybe a little. I admit I'm skeptical of this kind of touchy-feely stuff. I used to teach, and I can't count the number of special training sessions where we were told "This will revolutionize your teaching!" but it never did.

 

But seriously, if you are already booked and not interested in these activities, how much will it impact your cruise?

[Marion B]

Love your sense of humor, 3rdGenCunard. As my dh would say, I need all the transforming I can get.

My concern is not with the activities, but whether or not they will restrict my getting into the Crow's Nest and other public venues.

 

We will not be making any hasty decisions, but there was an Azamara cruise that we were considering and now that the rates have dropped, we might substitute that. Luckily, we have a fully refundable deposit and have no money spent on airfare or trip insurance.

 

Marion

[sammiedawg]

I'm impressed that the Oprah cruise is selling - STARTING AT - $1,999 per person, double occupancy, for interior staterooms.

 

http://www.journalnow.com/news/nation_world_ap/oprah-plans-cruise-in-alaska-in-holland-america-partnership/article_802606aa-a11c-5cc5-9a86-ddf0e0808c66.html

 

I'm pretty neutral on the whole Oprah thing, but it must be a pretty magical experience given the price.

 

Setting a high price does not mean people will buy at that price. A few years ago a certain controversial reality star "booked" a cruise for herself and kids on Royal Caribbbean and shilled for her "fans" to join her. Fans who booked this promotion would attend a meet and greet, get autographs and they had to book through the agency holding special group space. Many of us had a good laugh when this promotion was canceled due to poor sales.

Now Oprah is a pretty powerful person. Not sure how this translates into overpaying for a cruise as I'm not a fan of her or her SO. Of course she is a major player and stockholder in WW.

 

There are sports team cruises for baseball and football fans to join their favorite team or sports minded alma mater. Disney is doing themed Star Wars cruises on Fantasy for an even more inflated price. People will pay extra for certain themed events. Oprah does not excite me.

[dee2673]

Well I like Oprah. I don't necessarily want to go on vacation with her but I don't care one way or another if she's on my ship for two days. Sounds like all the activities touted by the announcement will be optional.. like you don't have to participate if you don't want to. I'd like to see someone , even Oprah, TRY to force me to do TaiChi or eat healthy..lol. Honestly, I think it's all much ado about not very much. Nice to have options, IMHO

 

 

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[ss70chev]

Spot on!!!

Smooth sailing ...

Agreed!

[Maureenxx]

Holland America should stick to providing good services on good cruises. Stop the cutbacks and elimination of those things your loyal customers enjoy. We don't want all the fancy new ideas. What an irony to feature BOOK CLUBS and eliminate LIBRARIES. Maybe we need new leaders in Seattle.

[veryseasonedtraveler]

Holland America should stick to providing good services on good cruises. Stop the cutbacks and elimination of those things your loyal customers enjoy. We don't want all the fancy new ideas. What an irony to feature BOOK CLUBS and eliminate LIBRARIES. Maybe we need new leaders in Seattle.

 

 

Not to mention the elimination of Duplicate Bridge unless it is a 31 day voyage. Having a director on board isn't a great expense for a cruise line.

[EagleRockers]

I'm with you! I really like Oprah and am surprised by all the negative comments regarding her. I think the 'extras' being offered sound interesting.

[Maureenxx]

Holland America should stick to providing great cruises and services that their loyal customers have come to appreciate instead of the cutbacks and eliminations and "changes" . Maybe the changes need to be in the executives in Seattle. Stop spending money on "great new ideas" . We would rather have nice libraries, real movie theaters, promenades with deck chairs, and lots of spaces to relax and watch the sea. Cruises are for relaxation and a chance to see new places. We don't go out to sea for all that other stuff.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Not interested in an Oprah cruise....ever.

[sppunk]

Holland America should stick to providing great cruises and services that their loyal customers have come to appreciate instead of the cutbacks and eliminations and "changes" . Maybe the changes need to be in the executives in Seattle. Stop spending money on "great new ideas" . We would rather have nice libraries, real movie theaters, promenades with deck chairs, and lots of spaces to relax and watch the sea. Cruises are for relaxation and a chance to see new places. We don't go out to sea for all that other stuff.

 

This is the opposite of a cutback.

 

Keep grasping.

[Cruizer Bill]

+1, I'll skip the Oprah cruise.....

[kazu]

This is the opposite of a cutback.

 

Keep grasping.

 

We shall grasp away :p;):D;)

[sail7seas]

I think it such a bd idea, they couldn't tempt me, even for free. :eek: :D zand I am an avid reader. My guess is she will be 'pushing' her 'buddies vbooks, whether

[Krazy Kruizers]

I wonder what Oprah will think about HAL's libraries once she gets on the ship (even if it is for a couple of days) and sees that there aren't any librarians and the shelves have few books??

How are they going to interest passengers in the books they are pushing when HAL isn't restocking their libraries??