Real Books are Still Wanted!

[3rdGenCunarder]

If you happen to be on the same ship as us you're welcome to store that stuff in the lifeboat that we always bring with us.

 

Just make sure you save room for your blender. ;p

[cruisemom42]

Should I bring my own slot machine, too? Or my own shuffleboard equipment? :rolleyes:

 

Can't see how these things are in any way comparable to books.

 

Books are a highly individual choice, and once read are not re-read.

 

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say "Oh, I played that slot machine a few weeks ago -- really enjoyed it too. The ending was a real twist. Don't think I'd want to play it again this soon though...."

[JimnKaren]

We were on Veendam twice last year. First time, we noticed that there were lots and lots of books in the exchange. So many that most of them were moved to another part of the library. When we went later in the year, I took aboard 8 and came off with 15 (don't count the ones I read and left there).

 

Unfortunately, we also cruised on Zuiderdam shortly after dry-dock. I was aghast that there were no (zero) books in the crow's nest until the second day. New books. Lots of pretty 'coffee-table' books about travel and birds and snorkeling, etc. But way short on biographies and fiction. I managed to find and read two HAL books, but I relied on the exchange books. I asked a staff member where they intended to put the book exdhange and was told that Seattle has strongly discouraged such things. Way too much space in The Crow's Nest was taken up by their EXC program.

 

We had to cancel our 28-day Incan Empire cruise on Maasdam, and I had 8 books to take to the exchange. Now I will have to wait until later in the year before making the trades. The smaller the ship (in my experience), the better the library.

 

Yeah, I did let the 'powers that be' in Seattle know of my displeasure about the situation on Zuiderdam. You should, also.

 

Jim

[bennybear]

I also take a kindle and a couple of paperbacks. I too appreciate a real library. Discovering new choices is part of the fun.

 

We were on the Noordam last year and she still had a great library and then also on the Zuiderdam. I agree with Jim, someone thought a selection of books based on the itinerary was enough. It was of some interest, but there needs to be a much wider variety.

 

If you want a really excellent library you should checkout the two story, wood paneled with spiral staircase on the Queen Victoria! It even has a librarian.:hearteyes:

 

Too bad HAL doesn’t seem to know what direction to go. It seems to be eliminating many of the things that people love.

[Cruise Junky]

Should I bring my own slot machine, too? Or my own shuffleboard equipment? :rolleyes:

Do you take your own clothes or do you leave that to other people too? :confused:

[hrhdhd]

Do you take your own clothes or do you leave that to other people too? :confused:

 

HAL, to my knowledge, has never provided full cruise wardrobes for passengers.*

 

They have provided libraries, and people are expressing frustration with yet another cutback. Sooner or later, they'll cut back on something you've come to appreciate, and you won't like it either.

 

 

*Yes, nitpickers, they rent formal wear and sell clothing in the shops. Those don't count as included with the cruise fare.

[3rdGenCunarder]

We were on Veendam twice last year. First time, we noticed that there were lots and lots of books in the exchange. So many that most of them were moved to another part of the library. When we went later in the year, I took aboard 8 and came off with 15 (don't count the ones I read and left there).

 

Unfortunately, we also cruised on Zuiderdam shortly after dry-dock. I was aghast that there were no (zero) books in the crow's nest until the second day. New books. Lots of pretty 'coffee-table' books about travel and birds and snorkeling, etc. But way short on biographies and fiction. I managed to find and read two HAL books, but I relied on the exchange books. I asked a staff member where they intended to put the book exdhange and was told that Seattle has strongly discouraged such things. Way too much space in The Crow's Nest was taken up by their EXC program.

 

We had to cancel our 28-day Incan Empire cruise on Maasdam, and I had 8 books to take to the exchange. Now I will have to wait until later in the year before making the trades. The smaller the ship (in my experience), the better the library.

 

Yeah, I did let the 'powers that be' in Seattle know of my displeasure about the situation on Zuiderdam. You should, also.

 

Jim

 

A library is a non-revenue-generating space, while the EXC makes money for HAL. From a corporate standpoint, I get it. Don't like it, but I get it. But why on earth would Seattle discourage a book exchange, something that many people use? I can't see a downside to allowing the exchange. It takes up very little space, doesn't require staffing, and people who aren't interested can easily ignore it.

[kazu]

A library is a non-revenue-generating space, while the EXC makes money for HAL. From a corporate standpoint, I get it. Don't like it, but I get it. But why on earth would Seattle discourage a book exchange, something that many people use? I can't see a downside to allowing the exchange. It takes up very little space, doesn't require staffing, and people who aren't interested can easily ignore it.

 

I so agree on the book exchange. So glad our next cruise is on a ship with a lovely library. :)

 

While I certainly agree that EXEC should generate revenue, I don't know how revenue it will generate. A number of us do research before we get on the ship and have plans made already.

 

Does a library generate revenue? Well, it does if you some book cruises (longer ones especially) based on that facility being available. If it's not, they might not book and if they are not on board, then the $ are not being spent. HAL may well fill their spots and they may not - especially on longer itineraries.

 

 

Just food for thought.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I so agree on the book exchange. So glad our next cruise is on a ship with a lovely library. :)

 

While I certainly agree that EXEC should generate revenue, I don't know how revenue it will generate. A number of us do research before we get on the ship and have plans made already.

 

Does a library generate revenue? Well, it does if you some book cruises (longer ones especially) based on that facility being available. If it's not, they might not book and if they are not on board, then the $ are not being spent. HAL may well fill their spots and they may not - especially on longer itineraries.

 

 

Just food for thought.

 

I know you do a lot of research, and so do I. But you'd be amazed at the people who walk up to the tour counter 10 minutes before the cut-off for booking a port and say "So what's a good tour do in this port?" I think the splashy EXC area is supposed to get these people interested in booking HAL tours.

 

I don't think it will change what the serious advance planners will do. I'm not sure it will hook any last-minute planners, either. But HAL wants us to "Savor the Journey," so they're emphasizing where we're going.

 

And it sounds cool on the website. :rolleyes:

[Sue from Canada]

We read real books!!

No kindles or nooks for us.

 

I totally agree.

[*Miss G*]

If you want a really excellent library you should checkout the two story, wood paneled with spiral staircase on the Queen Victoria! It even has a librarian.:hearteyes:

I was thinking the same thing! It was very impressive.

[sammiedawg]

I feel many posters are in denial. Holland America is mass market and will not be supplying your reading material.

Kindles are cheap. Black Friday you can get one for twenty nine dollars. I have the original model. It is rock solid and sturdy

 

The last couple of their cruises I was on the books were really old. I didn’t see anything published in the last ten years. Their library was pretty poor.

[Tampa Girl]

Take some personal responsibility and bring your own reading material. They're a cruiseline not a library.

 

That is hardly an appropriate response. What does "personal responsibility" have to do with it? We can bring our own toiletries and food, too. So far that has not transpired. Libraries have been a mainstay on ships for decades, and they provide something that passengers cannot bring with them. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand our appreciation of libraries.

[Cruise Junky]

That is hardly an appropriate response. What does "personal responsibility" have to do with it? We can bring our own toiletries and food, too. So far that has not transpired. Libraries have been a mainstay on ships for decades, and they provide something that passengers cannot bring with them. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand our appreciation of libraries.

What exactly do they provide that a passenger can’t bring with them?

[Charles4515]

That is hardly an appropriate response. What does "personal responsibility" have to do with it? We can bring our own toiletries and food, too. So far that has not transpired. Libraries have been a mainstay on ships for decades, and they provide something that passengers cannot bring with them. If you don't understand that, then you don't understand our appreciation of libraries.

 

Times change and libraries appeal to an older demographic. People now do most of their reading on personal devices, phones and tablets. Myself included. It is not only Holland America that has downgraded libraries. It is the same on other mass market cruise lines i have sailed on the last few years. If libraries were currently a major selling point they would not be downgraded. I love the libraries and hate to see them downgraded but that is the reality.

 

I don't understand what libraries provide that you can not bring with you. I have a hundred books on my iPad at any one time and can borrow books on my iPad from the local library. You can also bring print books.

[3rdGenCunarder]

What exactly do they provide that a passenger can’t bring with them?

 

When you get down to it, the ship needs to get your safely from place to place, provide food to eat, provide private bedroom and bathroom (yes, with linens and toiletries).

 

Everything else is an amenity that can enhance one's experience on board. I don't NEED to have a spa on a ship, but I enjoy it. I don't go to the gym, but I don't complain if others use it. I don't NEED to have music provided in the evening, but I enjoy it. I don't gamble, but I don't mind if others spend time in the casino. I don't NEED to have a library on board, but I enjoy it.

 

I don't understand the desire to write off an amenity that many people enjoy.

[cruisemom42]

I don't understand the desire to write off an amenity that many people enjoy.

 

Agree. As I said before, a library is a bonus to me but not something that's essential. However, if others enjoy it, I can't see any real downside. And I probably would step in a some point to check an atlas or see if there are any good classical references that are not on my Kindle.

 

I do have to quibble a bit with those suggesting that a book read on a Kindle or tablet is somehow not a "real" book. Huh? I'm pretty sure my grandmother (a librarian) would say it is the content, not the form, that determines that.... ;)

[kazu]

When you get down to it, the ship needs to get your safely from place to place, provide food to eat, provide private bedroom and bathroom (yes, with linens and toiletries).

 

Everything else is an amenity that can enhance one's experience on board. I don't NEED to have a spa on a ship, but I enjoy it. I don't go to the gym, but I don't complain if others use it. I don't NEED to have music provided in the evening, but I enjoy it. I don't gamble, but I don't mind if others spend time in the casino. I don't NEED to have a library on board, but I enjoy it.

 

I don't understand the desire to write off an amenity that many people enjoy.

 

+1 (y)

[JT1962]

I do have to quibble a bit with those suggesting that a book read on a Kindle or tablet is somehow not a "real" book. Huh? I'm pretty sure my grandmother (a librarian) would say it is the content, not the form, that determines that.... ;)

 

 

I totally agree with this. There seem to be some (many?) that feel that reading on a e-reader, tablet, phone or other electronic device is not actually reading. And the insinuation many times seems to be that those that use these devices are less educated or sophisticated than those who read “real” books.

 

I have no issue with those that prefer actual books, but as technology changes, and cruise lines look for ways to maximize the use of space (and profit), I believe that libraries will continue to be cut in the future. The number of people that “must” have a well-stocked library on board will continue to decline in the coming years and the cruise lines will cater to the majority preferences or will lose business.

 

 

 

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[Sea42]

I'm in my mid 50's and have had arthritis in my hands for many years. Some days it can be very painful to hold books. My e-readers are so much lighter and can easily be held in one hand. It has made a world of difference for me. While I still read hard cover books at home, if my hands are having a bad day I can just switch over to reading that book on my e-reader. Between my library and Amazon Prime I can get virtually any book for my e-reader.

[albingirl]

Plus, a real upside to the kindle paperwhite is that I can adjust the font and the lighting. Perfect on a somewhat dark afternoon when the lamp lighting isn't sufficient.

[Tampa Girl]

What exactly do they provide that a passenger can’t bring with them?

 

The quiet ambiance of a library and the possibility that you will discover a n delightful author or book previously unknown to you. I learned long ago the joy of reading a few paragraphs of a new book and discovering that I wanted to read more by this writer. That is not possible on ebooks because most people don't buy/borrow books with which they are unfamiliar.

[Tampa Girl]

Plus, a real upside to the kindle paperwhite is that I can adjust the font and the lighting. Perfect on a somewhat dark afternoon when the lamp lighting isn't sufficient.

 

No question there are many pluses to carrying an e-book. And I do read from them. That is not the issue. But it does not, nor should have to be, one or the other.

[Cruise Junky]

The quiet ambiance of a library and the possibility that you will discover a n delightful author or book previously unknown to you. I learned long ago the joy of reading a few paragraphs of a new book and discovering that I wanted to read more by this writer. That is not possible on ebooks because most people don't buy/borrow books with which they are unfamiliar.

We’re going to have to agree to disagree. I download new authors all the time.

[CrossBluePerchance]

I do have to quibble a bit with those suggesting that a book read on a Kindle or tablet is somehow not a "real" book. Huh? I'm pretty sure my grandmother (a librarian) would say it is the content, not the form, that determines that.... ;)

 

One of the (many) advantages of a 'real' book is the ability to just flip back pages to check, say, a previous exchange of dialogue or the name of a minor character........not quite so easy with an e-reader.