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Is HAL done with Traditional look?


Nymich
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KDam is very modern with lighter colors......NS will be the same. They do not even look like they

are in the same family as the prior ships.

 

So is Holland done with the elegant Traditional ships they are known for?

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KDam is very modern with lighter colors......NS will be the same. They do not even look like they

are in the same family as the prior ships.

 

So is Holland done with the elegant Traditional ships they are known for?

 

In one word, yes. Sail the older HAL ships while you can.

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Is that "bad"??

 

"Bad" does sound so judgmental when it applies to decor or door decorations. Though changing the dinner ware to rimless plates was "bad" since the utensils now fall into the plate unless balanced with extreme care.

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Besides the newest ships being more modern decor, the recent renovations of the S/R and Vista class ships have definitely brought the design language of the furnishings/fabrics/carpets into more current trends and styles, while still keeping a nod to the original decor. As the older vessels phase out or go through additional renovations I think we can reasonably expect them to attempt and keep up with design trends/tastes to keep the fleet relevant.

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You’re talking about 2 ships out of a “current” fleet of 14 ships. There are still plenty of “traditional” ships to choose from at this time.

 

 

It is a fact that it is only 2 ships...…..the question was is HAL moving away from the Traditional look.

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The newer ships are meant for more time inside, with their limited promenades, and need to be brighter. By contrast after a long walk in the morning or afternoon, with the sea bright and glistening, it is relaxing to step inside to darker colors.

Also, IMO recent generations are less inclined to simply head outside unless there is some structured activity.

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We love the blue hulls, subdued tones, orchids, art work, teak promenade decks, and relaxed styling. A ship feeling and looking like a ship appeals to many. :)There are plenty of vegas style brassy, tacky, and "modern" ships out there. We have been on a few and they were fine. Ships like hotels can be nice modern looking or elegant traditional looking , and assuming the service is good and the technology is updated, variety is the spice of life.

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HAL is trying to move where the market is. They are a little late. Many of their competitors moved to where the market was going. They got the jump. I can't imagine that HAL will build any smaller ships. I suspect that the majority of their current traditional customers will not be willing to pay the fare that is required to operate them.

 

HAL's older ships can only get more and more expensive to operate. The writing is on the wall. It has been for some time.

 

Really, who cares if the hull is white or blue, or if the logo has changed slightly? Many cruisers are interested in the contents not the wrapper. They want options and choices. The older, smaller ships simply do not provide as many as the market would like to see.

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KDam is very modern with lighter colors......NS will be the same. They do not even look like they

are in the same family as the prior ships.

 

So is Holland done with the elegant Traditional ships they are known for?

 

Yes, self destruction has started, when they changed the logo they began spreading the disease, good news is that the end of the giant ships is near, no more ports to go to....

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Really, is there anyone out there who really believes that potential cruisers weigh the cruise line logo motif and/or the color of the ship's hull etc. in their decision making process?

 

This focus may be a good indication of where HAL's market may have been 20 or 25 years ago but it is hardly part of the market's decision making process today.

 

That is why HAL is changing. They are, after all, a large mass market cruise line with thousands of berths to fill each week.

Edited by iancal
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To paraphrase a great man "they can't(indeed won't) change time"

 

Here is what another great man once wrote about transitions: One must go through three stages and not miss a single one of them: (1) mourning-(2) chaos- (3) new beginnings.

 

Don't be so snappish. Grant us a decent mourning period instead of jumping immediatelyi into the chaos the changes cause. There will be new beginnings at the end of the journey, because there will be no other choice. Then it will be your turn when the next few generations behind you start nipping at your heels.

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We love the blue hulls, subdued tones, orchids, art work, teak promenade decks, and relaxed styling. A ship feeling and looking like a ship appeals to many. :)There are plenty of vegas style brassy, tacky, and "modern" ships out there. We have been on a few and they were fine. Ships like hotels can be nice modern looking or elegant traditional looking , and assuming the service is good and the technology is updated, variety is the spice of life.

 

I couldn't agree more. Traditional cruise ships are ships first & hotel second. The mass market cruise lines are hotels first that are build on ships hulls. The large mega ships are more a destination on to them self. The itinerary is second, you may as well go and cruise around in circles for a week. just my two cents worth.

Allan

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HAL is a solid mass market cruise line. They have 15 ships. Some of their ships may be traditional however in HAL's case traditional also means mass market.

 

Cunard, not so. They have 3 ships.

 

Tough comparison between Cunard and HAL given the thousands of berths that HAL has to fill and sell each week. They are very different animals. Nothing wrong with being a mass market cruise line it simply indicates a difference in sales, marketing, ships, pricing , etc. Hence the difference between HAL's new builds and their older ships.

Edited by iancal
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