News Releases

[sail7seas]

Nice to learn officially it is entirely our fault if we can't use the new and wonderful HAL website and are unable to book any future cruises using its streamlined and intuitive design. Darn it. All those years entirely wasted in higher education on me. I flunked HAL 101.

 

Talk about selling sizzle.

 

 

 

ALL of us, It is entirely ALL our Fault,, HAL, , Nice Blame the customers,,,,,,,,,,, ALL of us

 

 

 

grea, t dismiss all our college degrees, advanced and professional deGREES and hugely successful careers that pay for all those cruise.s We are All Stupid , ! Hope they are enjoying good laugh at our stupidity . Who l aughs last?

Edited June 12, 2018 by sail7seas

[Loreto]

I suggest everyone send a note to pr@hollandamerica.com if you’re upset with the new website. The only way they’ll understand is if they get flooded with feedback on how unhappy we are with the changes. [emoji483]

 

I sent an email and have personally told them a number of times that the web page is terrible....they are horrified that I would think that. I told them their Sea of Cortez itinerary (for which I am booked) shows La Paz/Pinchelingue as being below Puerto Vallarta...a big mistake, and makes HAL look foolish.

 

Karen

[OlsSalt]

Well I know one thing for certain, It definitely won’t help if you don’t send a comment, so it’s at least worth a try. And having worked in an industry that relied heavily on customer feedback, it certainly can’t hurt to take a few minutes to send in a concern. It won’t take any longer to do that than it takes to make a negative comment on this site, and at least there’s a chance that it gets to someone who cares.

 

Well said. Very well said.

[OlsSalt]

My travel agent, who has been in the biz for some 30+ years, and is a major producer for HAL, says the new HAL website is just about the worst she has had to work with, ever.

 

Your travel agent's real time experience contradicts HAL's own puff piece about their award-winning "senior director of trade communications" -- major disconnect. Hello, Orlando, something is not working here.

 

///////////////////

Holland America Line’s Denella Ri’chard Named Among Legacy Miami’s 50 Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders

 

Cruise line's senior director of trade communications and engagement recognized among a who's who of top influencers in South Florida's African American community

Seattle, Wash., June 5, 2018 — Holland America Line's Denella Ri'chard, senior director of trade communications and engagement, was named as one of Legacy Miami's 50 Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders of 2018. Ri'chard, who also is a member of the cruise line's Sales Leadership Team, was recognized at a gala event Saturday, June 2.

 

The honorees will be profiled in the Legacy Miami and Legacy South Florida Power issues inserted in the Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel.

 

"Denella continues to shine as an influential leader within the African American community and also the Holland America Line organization," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "With her go-getter outlook and passion for making a positive impact both professionally and personally, it's no surprise others see how deserving she is of this recognition. Congratulations to Denella on this honor."

.....

Ri'chard sits on the Allied Marketing Committee and is an active member of American Society of Travel Agents and Cruise Lines International Association, where she sits on the Trade Relations Committee.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Your travel agent's real time experience contradicts HAL's own puff piece about their award-winning "senior director of trade communications" -- major disconnect. Hello, Orlando, something is not working here.

 

///////////////////

Holland America Line’s Denella Ri’chard Named Among Legacy Miami’s 50 Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders

 

 

 

 

Cruise line's senior director of trade communications and engagement recognized among a who's who of top influencers in South Florida's African American community

Seattle, Wash., June 5, 2018 — Holland America Line's Denella Ri'chard, senior director of trade communications and engagement, was named as one of Legacy Miami's 50 Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders of 2018. Ri'chard, who also is a member of the cruise line's Sales Leadership Team, was recognized at a gala event Saturday, June 2.

 

The honorees will be profiled in the Legacy Miami and Legacy South Florida Power issues inserted in the Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel.

 

"Denella continues to shine as an influential leader within the African American community and also the Holland America Line organization," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "With her go-getter outlook and passion for making a positive impact both professionally and personally, it's no surprise others see how deserving she is of this recognition. Congratulations to Denella on this honor."

.....

Ri'chard sits on the Allied Marketing Committee and is an active member of American Society of Travel Agents and Cruise Lines International Association, where she sits on the Trade Relations Committee.

 

Yes, the perfect dichotomy between the corporate suits who sit on committees and fete each other, and the front-line workers who do the grunt work. The Eloi and the Morlocks. (Be careful, Eloi).

[sail7seas]

IT is becoming too hard to book HAL cruises...... last I tried I could not get a confirmtion of booking and deposit............ Now this........ My Pcc seems to b e available, less an d less.

[Vict0riann]

My PCC said it is taking her so long to work her way around the new website that she is wasting a lot of time and keeping her customers waiting.

[bUU]

Who l aughs last?

CCL will invariably outlast us all.

 

 

 

This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

CCL will invariably outlast us all.

 

..........

 

LOL, right, just like "Ozymandias, King of Kings?"

[AV8rix]

I consider the cruise industry so compromised as a whole, and HAL in particular, that I have just cancelled an 18-day Eurodam itinerary, in a Neptune suite, after filling out my survey for our recent Zaandam cruise, and told them there is nothing they can do to make me ever cruise again. I am done, done, done..

 

So very, VERY sorry to hear that. I was so looking forward to finally meeting you and your sister on E'dam. Just missed you on Zaandam -- was on the one just before yours. Had some glitches with new crew but overall had few complaints.

And thanks to BUU for posting the link! And apologies also. I wasn't trying to hijack this thread with my message directed to Old As Dirt Mom.

[thinfool]

I found these if you want to write to someone who could actually make a difference.

 

skruse@hollandamerica.com

officeofthepresident@hollandamerica.com

OAshford@hollandamerica.com

[Old As Dirt Mom]

So very, VERY sorry to hear that. I was so looking forward to finally meeting you and your sister on E'dam. Just missed you on Zaandam -- was on the one just before yours. Had some glitches with new crew but overall had few complaints.

And thanks to BUU for posting the link! And apologies also. I wasn't trying to hijack this thread with my message directed to Old As Dirt Mom.

 

I'm sorry, too. Some of the Zaandam crew were still having difficulties when we were on. It's a training issue. My sister will still continue to cruise. Her next one up is Amsterdam back to Alaska in August, if you want to hop on and join her:D

[kazu]

My travel agent, who has been in the biz for some 30+ years, and is a major producer for HAL, says the new HAL website is just about the worst she has had to work with, ever.

 

My PCC is keeping count of complaints.

 

She's struggling with it too.

 

I sent her the link and the thread on how to connect to the old website ;)

[jonyboy]

Well at least now I feel better about not being able to print boarding passes today.

[sail7seas]

I suggest everyone send a note to pr@hollandamerica.com if you’re upset with the new website. The only way they’ll understand is if they get flooded with feedback on how unhappy we are with the changes. [emoji483]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Why should we bothr? No WAy,

 

 

if we are as tupid as they claim We don't hav to prove it to them. By spending a minute of our lives telling them it is too ha rd to bok their cruises. Let them figure it out. Not my problem. It is their problem, and they lose business all day, every day.

[sail7seas]

I suggest everyone send a note to pr@hollandamerica.com if you’re upset with the new website. The only way they’ll understand is if they get flooded with feedback on how unhappy we are with the changes. [emoji483] Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Why should we bother? No WAy, if we are as tupid as they claim We don't have to prove it to them. By spending a minute of our lives telling them it is too ha rd to book their cruises. Let them figure it out. Not my problem. It is their problem, and they lose business all day, every day.

 

Personally, I have booked no replace ment for the b-to-b i never got confirmation for that booking.

[erewhon]

Hilarious!

 

New website design article:

 

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=200767&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2354057

 

Thanks for the link.

Tried to get information for a 2019 cruise, gave up looking, do not want an inside cabin as the website repeatedly tried to make me book, when I did access the Neptune Suites, the website reverted to the inside cabin option.

I don't have time to spend a day on their website trying to get information that used to be readily available.

 

Do Holland America Line actually want people to cruise on their ships?

 

It is easier to book a land based holiday.

[OVgirl]

Just a note about using the new website to look up cruise pricing. Always remember that every time you edit a selection to scroll down the page and select 'next'. And keep clicking on next until a new stateroom is given with pricing. Otherwise, you will continue with the previously selected choices.This way you can edit any of the options like category, location and room number. The new site is frustrating until you use it a few times.

[MajMom96]

Why should we bother? No WAy, if we are as tupid as they claim We don't have to prove it to them. By spending a minute of our lives telling them it is too ha rd to book their cruises. Let them figure it out. Not my problem. It is their problem, and they lose business all day, every day.

 

Personally, I have booked no replace ment for the b-to-b i never got confirmation for that booking.

 

 

 

Good thing you have other choices for cruising then. But for me, even though the new website is annoying, it’s not enough for me to stop cruising Holland America. Especially since I have a phone that works just fine for booking cruises! 🤣🤣

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[bUU]

LOL, right, just like "Ozymandias, King of Kings?"

No. Just like the cruise line existed before any of us were born. It would be naively arrogant of us consumers to think our personal pet peeves will bring down a profitable enterprise that is strongly growing, and has been for decades, and doing so specifically because they have been operating contrary to the way some of our personal preferences would have them operate.

 

I found these if you want to write to someone who could actually make a difference.

The most effective way to "make a difference" is with dollars. The folks who read the email at the end of those addresses are looking for the revenue opportunities in your comments. As such, to change the direction of a middle-grade, mainstream cruise line from appealing to the masses to appealing to your specific interests, it would be necessary to have expression of interest in those interests overwhelm the message that the enterprise is getting from the marketplace overall, i.e., that they want more affordable cruises with waterslides and first-run movies presented on a big screen over the pool.

 

Do Holland America Line actually want people to cruise on their ships?

Of course, and many of us have had no problem doing so on their website. All you're hearing are people echoing your own concerns. You're not hearing what brought about the $160.6 million earned last quarter. As with all things on the internet, the negatives are exaggerated.

 

Good thing you have other choices for cruising then. But for me, even though the new website is annoying, it’s not enough for me to stop cruising Holland America. Especially since I have a phone that works just fine for booking cruises!

Whatever works for you is great.

In fall 2016 it was trendy to complain about NCL's website. It was Royal Caribbean's turn to get bashed this past Spring. Celebrity was the target last summer. Carnival as well. MSC gets bashed every few months it seems. People love complaining about websites. It's a safe target. People aren't going to take pot-shots at the news release about Denella Ri'chard, for instance. That gets too personal. (Folks tend to reserve personal pot-shots for CEOs, mostly, I suppose.)

What's interesting to me, given the comments posted above, is that no one brought up the Oprah news release... it was the sixth news release on that page, yet no one has seen fit to resurrect that argument. I suppose the angst about how the new partnerships would affect the cruise ships has subsided. I really thought that the concerns there, which were expressed with such fervor last year, would have continued longer. Or perhaps people didn't read past whatever happened to be the first item on the list?

Edited June 13, 2018 by bUU

[RuthC]

Do Holland America Line actually want people to cruise on their ships?

If they do, they're going about it the wrong way. That's for sure.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

No. Just like the cruise line existed before any of us were born. It would be naively arrogant of us consumers to think our personal pet peeves will bring down a profitable enterprise that is strongly growing, and has been for decades, and doing so specifically because they have been operating contrary to the way some of our personal preferences would have them operate.

 

The most effective way to "make a difference" is with dollars. The folks who read the email at the end of those addresses are looking for the revenue opportunities in your comments. As such, to change the direction of a middle-grade, mainstream cruise line from appealing to the masses to appealing to your specific interests, it would be necessary to have expression of interest in those interests overwhelm the message that the enterprise is getting from the marketplace overall, i.e., that they want more affordable cruises with waterslides and first-run movies presented on a big screen over the pool.

 

Of course, and many of us have had no problem doing so on their website. All you're hearing are people echoing your own concerns. You're not hearing what brought about the $160.6 million earned last quarter. As with all things on the internet, the negatives are exaggerated.

 

Whatever works for you is great.

In fall 2016 it was trendy to complain about NCL's website. It was Royal Caribbean's turn to get bashed this past Spring. Celebrity was the target last summer. Carnival as well. MSC gets bashed every few months it seems. People love complaining about websites. It's a safe target. People aren't going to take pot-shots at the news release about Denella Ri'chard, for instance. That gets too personal. (Folks tend to reserve personal pot-shots for CEOs, mostly, I suppose.)

What's interesting to me, given the comments posted above, is that no one brought up the Oprah news release... it was the sixth news release on that page, yet no one has seen fit to resurrect that argument. I suppose the angst about how the new partnerships would affect the cruise ships has subsided. I really thought that the concerns there, which were expressed with such fervor last year, would have continued longer. Or perhaps people didn't read past whatever happened to be the first item on the list?

 

The Entropy of HAL

 

Yes, well, I don't give a crap anymore. Philosophize away about the trends of the fleeting moment. When one is far from the fray in a corporate office, it's easy to discount the human cost. The frustration of the crew and officers on board is palpable to me, behind all the smilie faces. You can only stretch people so far. The bottom line is a visceral and personal one. I have literally spent tens of thousands of dollars over the years with HAL, probably much more than that, and I'm a good source of on-board revenue for them, even with my 4 star mariner benefits which costs them some reduced revenue (which they assuredly don't like). I also don't flatter myself that my departure means a hill of beans to HAL. So goodie for them and their corporate games. The disconnect between the theoretical and the actual reality finally, finally exploded in my head. I just don't want to be a mark for them any longer.

 

And, nothing lasts forever, except perhaps the Almighty.

[sail7seas]

I have heard their message loud and clear. They have no interest in any more of my business . okay, that is surely their right.

Edited June 13, 2018 by sail7seas

[Old As Dirt Mom]

I have heard their message loud and clear. They have no interest in my business . okay, that is surely their right.

 

Yup, that's what I'm hearing, too. Oh well, it was a good run while it lasted, wasn't it?:)

[OlsSalt]

...........People aren't going to take pot-shots at the news release about Denella Ri'chard, for instance. That gets too personal. (Folks tend to reserve personal pot-shots for CEOs, mostly, I suppose.)

What's interesting to me, given the comments posted above, is that no one brought up the Oprah news release... it was the sixth news release on that page, yet no one has seen fit to resurrect that argument. I suppose the angst about how the new partnerships would affect the cruise ships has subsided. I really thought that the concerns there, which were expressed with such fervor last year, would have continued longer. Or perhaps people didn't read past whatever happened to be the first item on the list?

 

I commented on both the farce of the "O" programs on my last cruise, and a direct hit on the farce of honoring Denella Richard as an upcoming HAL "communications" specialist listed in your link. Did you miss them? Or perhaps they were removed from this website.

 

Merely identifying them in the Zandam cruise literature as "O" programs instead of Oprah programs was an interesting switch, but they were New Age hokum anyway you looked at them. No better than the free tongue analysis in spa services. The scheduled "O" book group meeting dropped off the radar entirely by the time the cruise was over.

 

I did not get up early enough to see how many attended the "O" Just Breathe sessions in the fitness center. It now takes a celebrity tie-in to teach us to inhale and exhale while on a cruise vacation. Who knew. Used to be just being at sea was tonic enough.

 

Will we ever learn the cost of "O" franchising fee to HAL, or how HAL management will evaluate its cost-benefit? (Of course not.)