Volendam leaving HAL next?

[rkacruiser]

5 hours ago, tommui987 said:

I was just curious why CCL is changing the name of the Trumph. 

 

It is my understanding that she was undergoing a metamorphosis when she most recently entered drydock.  Just as Carnival Destiny became Carnival Sunshine did.  

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

But nearly all cruise lines have their own personality and a split personality is not a good thing for HAL.

 

This has been an issue for some time, I think.  I have expressed this opinion on CC previously:  HAL's fleet became too large for it to be effectively managed.  It became too diverse as to the experiences that the vessels and their crew could offer.  None of us like to see the loss of the ships that many of us love, but, maybe, in the best interest of the continuation of the Brand, such is not so much of a negative.  

 

7 hours ago, Hlitner said:

 Will it become more of a Premium product designed to compete with lines like Oceania, Azamara, and VIkiing?  

 

I have researched all of these lines.  If I decide to pay for the pricing that they require, I think that I'd prefer a cruise aboard a Seabourn ship.  Only Viking Cruises would attract me and that is because of what I know about the cruise standards of the gentleman that founded the Company.  

[Mary229]

The one bright spot for those of us who like the moderate size/moderate price cruise is there is nothing wrong with Fred Olsen Cruises.  I personally think HAL is safe for this round.   Once cruising realigns and trends become apparent, there will likely be another round but that is many months if not years away.  Again we will have more visibility September 30 and even more clarity mid-November. 

[Hlitner]

51 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

This has been an issue for some time, I think.  I have expressed this opinion on CC previously:  HAL's fleet became too large for it to be effectively managed.  It became too diverse as to the experiences that the vessels and their crew could offer.  None of us like to see the loss of the ships that many of us love, but, maybe, in the best interest of the continuation of the Brand, such is not so much of a negative.  

 

 

I have researched all of these lines.  If I decide to pay for the pricing that they require, I think that I'd prefer a cruise aboard a Seabourn ship.  Only Viking Cruises would attract me and that is because of what I know about the cruise standards of the gentleman that founded the Company.  

Last year we finally tried Seabourn and took a 2 week Alaskan cruise on the Sojourn.  We got a pretty good deal through one of our favorite cruise agencies and actually paid less then it would have cost to cruise on HAL in a Signature Suite.  But with Seabourn we got a small suite with just about all onboard items included which included drinks (top shelf) with no limits, wine, tips, etc.  Since we tend to avoid cruise line excursions our onboard bill after 14 days was zero (we had extra onboard credits which we used in the Casino).  There was no comparison to HAL....Seabourn blew away anything we have experienced on any HAL cruise (we are 5 Star Mariners).  I still remember walking into the bar (on the Soujourn) on our first evening where DW and both enjoyed French Champagne (no extra charge).  I asked the bartender to please get me a double order of Caviar and a large tray (with Caviar and all the fixings) soon appeared.  The following night when we sat at the same bar (I ordered a nice single malt scotch) that same bartender remembered our names and asked if we wanted caviar?  To say we were hooked would be an understatement.   When I returned to our small suite it occurred to me that I would like some cognac and we had none in our mini-bar (all included).  As I walked to the bar to get a cognac I passed my stewardess and after the usual hellos I ask her if she could get me a bottle of cognac for our mini-bar.  When I returned to the cabin later that night a liter of Courvoisier (no charge) was in my bar.

 

I should mention that the Soujourn had about 400 passengers on that cruise and it was heaven.  There are some things we do love about HAL, but it does not compare to Seabourn or other luxury lines.

 

Hank

 

Hank

[CabinBoy2020]

12 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Last year we finally tried Seabourn and took a 2 week Alaskan cruise on the Sojourn.  We got a pretty good deal through one of our favorite cruise agencies and actually paid less then it would have cost to cruise on HAL in a Signature Suite.  But with Seabourn we got a small suite with just about all onboard items included which included drinks (top shelf) with no limits, wine, tips, etc.  Since we tend to avoid cruise line excursions our onboard bill after 14 days was zero (we had extra onboard credits which we used in the Casino).  There was no comparison to HAL....Seabourn blew away anything we have experienced on any HAL cruise (we are 5 Star Mariners).  I still remember walking into the bar (on the Soujourn) on our first evening where DW and both enjoyed French Champagne (no extra charge).  I asked the bartender to please get me a double order of Caviar and a large tray (with Caviar and all the fixings) soon appeared.  The following night when we sat at the same bar (I ordered a nice single malt scotch) that same bartender remembered our names and asked if we wanted caviar?  To say we were hooked would be an understatement.   When I returned to our small suite it occurred to me that I would like some cognac and we had none in our mini-bar (all included).  As I walked to the bar to get a cognac I passed my stewardess and after the usual hellos I ask her if she could get me a bottle of cognac for our mini-bar.  When I returned to the cabin later that night a liter of Courvoisier (no charge) was in my bar.

 

I should mention that the Soujourn had about 400 passengers on that cruise and it was heaven.  There are some things we do love about HAL, but it does not compare to Seabourn or other luxury lines.

 

Hank

 

Hank

 

Thanks, Hank, for your comments about Seabourn.  I'm booked on Seabourn Odyssey next Sep 2021 for Alaska and Pacific Coast.  Perhaps similar itinerary to your Alaska cruise.  This replaced a canceled Volendam Alaska cruise.  I'm encouraged to read your positive perspective on Seabourn.  I'm especially looking forward to the small passenger numbers, spacious ship size, and all-inclusive features.  Best wishes.

Bill

[rkacruiser]

On 9/27/2020 at 8:39 PM, Hlitner said:

There are some things we do love about HAL, but it does not compare to Seabourn or other luxury lines.

 

 

If I am able to cruise again, particularly after my YC experience on MSC Meraviglia, I think it's time to make an upgrade in my cruising experience.  Seabourn is surely on my radar for that as well as a return to MSC.  

[bennybear]

41 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

If I am able to cruise again, particularly after my YC experience on MSC Meraviglia, I think it's time to make an upgrade in my cruising experience.  Seabourn is surely on my radar for that as well as a return to MSC.  

 

 

We might as well go for quality.  We’ve found we enjoy business class and more creature comforts 🤷‍♀️

[rkacruiser]

31 minutes ago, bennybear said:

We might as well go for quality.  

 

I don't want anyone on the HAL Message Board to think that I am demeaning the HAL cruise experience in my previous post.  With the exception of one 21 day cruise on the Noordam, all of my HAL cruises have met my expectation of "quality" for that cruise.  

 

The realization has long existed that there is another level of a "quality cruise" experience than HAL.  It's just like when one tries to decide which brand of car to buy.  A Buick?  A Lincoln?  A Cadillac?  A Mercedes Benz?  A Porsche?  Etc.......

 

Remember the TV show "The Jeffersons"?  The theme song for the show included the phrase "...movin' on up"....  If I would choose to migrate to Seabourn or whatever, it would be in that spirit of doing so.  Not with any displeasure with my experiences on Holland America Line vessel.

 

31 minutes ago, bennybear said:

We’ve found we enjoy business class and more creature comforts 🤷‍♀️

 

As I have as well.  Even flying on a regional jet from ORD to DAY in First Class was more pleasant than flying in Economy Class.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

@rkacruiser This is why businesses offer different products within their portfolio. Carnival Corp knows that over time consumers will migrate between products for various reasons and they want to keep as many consumers within the corporation as they can while they do so. Look at the range of brands within the Hilton or Marriott corporations, very similar approach.

 

I have clients who are Princess loyalists, but for a big family cruise they chose to sail on the Carnival Horizon and were very pleased.  Similarly they have sailed on Seabourn for a special “bucket list” anniversary trip and loved every minute.  On another occasion they booked a Holland America Alaska cruise tour because it offered exactly what they wanted on the land portion. But yet they always come back to Princess for the value they can get. This is EXACTLY what Carnival Corp wants them to do

Edited September 29, 2020 by AtlantaCruiser72

[bennybear]

33 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I don't want anyone on the HAL Message Board to think that I am demeaning the HAL cruise experience in my previous post.  With the exception of one 21 day cruise on the Noordam, all of my HAL cruises have met my expectation of "quality" for that cruise.  

 

The realization has long existed that there is another level of a "quality cruise" experience than HAL.  It's just like when one tries to decide which brand of car to buy.  A Buick?  A Lincoln?  A Cadillac?  A Mercedes Benz?  A Porsche?  Etc.......

 

Remember the TV show "The Jeffersons"?  The theme song for the show included the phrase "...movin' on up"....  If I would choose to migrate to Seabourn or whatever, it would be in that spirit of doing so.  Not with any displeasure with my experiences on Holland America Line vessel.

 

 

As I have as well.  Even flying on a regional jet from ORD to DAY in First Class was more pleasant than flying in Economy Class.

 

I too am not demeaning HAL,  we have enjoyed our cruises but find we prefer a balcony or suite to an inside cabin.  We have sailed in all categories from inside to Neptune.  

But what I am saying is that as we can’t cruise right now, we can maybe go for better quality in the future, whatever that may be to each.

[rkacruiser]

6 minutes ago, bennybear said:

But what I am saying is that as we can’t cruise right now, we can maybe go for better quality in the future, whatever that may be to each.

 

We are thinking the same.

[iancal]

We do not care very much about the 'label' or the logo on the funnel as it were

 

  We only care about our own perception of value.  Even that perception varies by ship within some cruise lines.  

 

Looking at other products,  comparing other brands, is hardly demeaning to the brand that you currently buy.

It is called shopping.

Edited September 30, 2020 by iancal

[AtlantaCruiser72]

3 hours ago, iancal said:

We do not care very much about the 'label' or the logo on the funnel as it were

 

  We only care about our own perception of value.  Even that perception varies by ship within some cruise lines.  

 

Looking at other products,  comparing other brands, is hardly demeaning to the brand that you currently buy.

It is called shopping.

I agree. I know which brands I prefer over others (But am not a brand loyalist by any means) and I shop based on my perception of value for the product I am interested in purchasing. When it comes to cruises it’s a combination of itinerary, final price at end of trip, my personal assessment of the onboard experience, etc.