Next HAL ship

[philbob84]

What features or services would you like to see? Are there traditions that HAL used to do that would be a kick if brought back?

[Mary229]

A couple’s sauna  even if it requires a reservation.   A full promenade.  A star deck 

[Susanmaz]

More places to sit and relax and read. Less people. Explorer’s Lounge.

[threebluestars]

Big huge promenade deck.

 

While I like the Neptune lounge, I'd love a space that had WINDOWS. Neptune should have a lounge with a view (and I wouldn't mind it having indoor and outdoor space). Then the indoor inside lounge could be for Vista/Signature only to give those suites a few more perks.

 

Capacity around 1900-2200. More than that feels too crowded.

 

A few more cafe style places like Dutch cafe or the Explorations cafe.

 

A bit more cover outside for dining. I find the buffet too busy sometimes (especially post-COVID) it's hard at Seaview because of all the smoke, because it limits outdoor seating to just one small half that's under cover if the weather isn't great.

 

A small plunge pool on the Sun Deck to cool off.

[lizinindy]

A quiet place with no music..couldn't find a single spot on our NA cruise...had my book in hand and wandered endlessly looking for quiet

 

[YourWorldWithBill]

46 minutes ago, threebluestars said:

While I like the Neptune lounge, I'd love a space that had WINDOWS. Neptune should have a lounge with a view (and I wouldn't mind it having indoor and outdoor space). Then the indoor inside lounge could be for Vista/Signature only to give those suites a few more perks.

I loved the idea of expanding access to the Neptune (or new name) lounge. One reason we stick with Neptune suites is the great service/attention of the concierge. It would make sense to have an extra concierge and more access.

[AKJonesy]

Library, full promenade deck.  I have to admit, I do like the restaurants on the Pinnacle Class ships and wish they were on every ship including Dutch Cafe, Nami Sushi, Tamarind, etc...all of them!  So, I guess for me it's a mix of the older ships and new ships.  

[mowogo]

1 hour ago, threebluestars said:

 

Capacity around 1900-2200. More than that feels too crowded.

 

The problem at that size is not feeling too crowded, but how they manage the crowds.  I’ve experienced a sold out ship of 3500 handle crowds better than ships operating 1,000 passengers below capacity.  And the recent trend of shrinking the theaters to the point they require reservations definitely makes ships feel fuller.  

[Cruise Suzy]

Love showers plus the dining and music venues of the Pinnacle ships but they need more space between the foot of the bed in Verandahs or keep the beds near the bathrooms in Vista and/or Signature staterooms.

 

Otherwise, base it on the Signature ships, replace tub/shower combos with showers and add the other dining and music venues. 

[Roz]

More seating in the Lido and/or more 2-top tables for solos and couples.  More specialty cafes such as the Dutch Cafe that are included in the fare.  Full promenade deck.

[Mary229]

5 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

Love showers plus the dining and music venues of the Pinnacle ships but they need more space between the foot of the bed in Verandahs or keep the beds near the bathrooms in Vista and/or Signature staterooms.

 

Otherwise, base it on the Signature ships, replace tub/shower combos with showers and add the other dining and music venues. 

I agree, get rid of the tubs.  I bet the cabin stewards would agree with that 

[cruisemom42]

Enough cabins dedicated to entertainment staff and entertainers, lecturers, musicians et al to ensure a better onboard experience.

 

[cbr663]

With no new planned ships announced for the foreseeable future and 3 pinnacle class ships I doubt very much that there will be another pinnacle class ship.  If history is any guide, the next new ship will be even larger than the pinnacle class.

 

It's easy to incrementally grow by introducing a new dining venue on any new ship.  I think that the elimination of the main dining room and instead more and smaller dining rooms help elevate the dining experience, especially as ships sail with even more passengers.

 

HAL's successful introduction of the Star Link Internet on the Koningsdam is a potential breakthrough for HAL to attract a new cruiser - the working cruiser.  Remote workers now have the opportunity to cruise and sail by taking advantage of reliable high speed internet and world wide time changes.  To do so though HAL needs to re-imagine cruise cabins that allow passengers to work.  The SS on the pinnacle class with its separate dressing room that could be used instead for work, but there needs to be more classes of cabins.  There also needs to be business support online for this cruiser.  Imagine if HAL could rebrand itself as the most technological ships at sea.  

 

I also think that the Neptune Lounge needs a complete re-think.  It fails miserably as a premium amenity.  As a lounge, we have always found it to be the least hospital public space on the ship and have always found the Neptune lounge experience very under whelming.  Just this week I called HAL and down graded our next cruise from a Neptune Suite to a Vista Suite as for us HAL simply doesn't offer a suite experience that warrants the price.  A premium cruise line offering a suite experience needs to offer more.

[mowogo]

16 minutes ago, cbr663 said:

 

 

HAL's successful introduction of the Star Link Internet on the Koningsdam is a potential breakthrough for HAL to attract a new cruiser - the working cruiser.  Remote workers now have the opportunity to cruise and sail by taking advantage of reliable high speed internet and world wide time changes.  To do so though HAL needs to re-imagine cruise cabins that allow passengers to work.  The SS on the pinnacle class with its separate dressing room that could be used instead for work, but there needs to be more classes of cabins.  There also needs to be business support online for this cruiser.  Imagine if HAL could rebrand itself as the most technological ships at sea.  

 

Change some of the meeting rooms into a WeWork style facility.  Rather than try and deal with upgrading the cabins so a small percentage of guests can work, convert space to where guests that want dedicated space to work can work. Some people will want to work in a room with a view, and some of the lounges can easily accommodate that already. The key will be to provide options not dictate where and how people can work while at sea.   

[Haljo1935]

Agree that providing a place to work would be nice. I had to turn 3 opportunities this year to cruise itineraries that I've been looking to do because I need to work and the connection is not reliable enough and there is not an acceptable place for me to work.

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, cbr663 said:

A premium cruise line offering a suite experience needs to offer more.

 

HAL isn't offering a "suite experience", they are offering a suite. Recently I did some calculations on cabin size vs. price for various ships on comparable sailings: square foot for square foot, suite passengers pay about the same as those in small insides. 

 

What I question is: why should HAL have to offer more than that? Should suite passengers get more, when they are paying about the same per square foot as other passengers?

 

 

[Haljo1935]

3 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

HAL isn't offering a "suite experience", they are offering a suite. Recently I did some calculations on cabin size vs. price for various ships on comparable sailings: square foot for square foot, suite passengers pay about the same as those in small insides. 

 

What I question is: why should HAL have to offer more than that? Should suite passengers get more, when they are paying about the same per square foot as other passengers?

 

 

Very good question. If the numbers are correct, IMO, they should not necessarily receive more. If they are indeed paying more, they possibly should get more..with that said, there are several ways to determine the rate beyond the "cruise fare." $$/day being one and potentially $$/so that you mention. There is indeed a difference and one could probably make an argument for whichever side they support.

Interesting...

[Laminator]

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

HAL isn't offering a "suite experience", they are offering a suite. Recently I did some calculations on cabin size vs. price for various ships on comparable sailings: square foot for square foot, suite passengers pay about the same as those in small insides. 

 

What I question is: why should HAL have to offer more than that? Should suite passengers get more, when they are paying about the same per square foot as other passengers?

 

 

So if you can get a suite with a balcony for about the same price per sq ft as an inside cabin why would you not get the suite? 

[BermudaBound2014]

8 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

HAL isn't offering a "suite experience", they are offering a suite. Recently I did some calculations on cabin size vs. price for various ships on comparable sailings: square foot for square foot, suite passengers pay about the same as those in small insides. 

 

What I question is: why should HAL have to offer more than that? Should suite passengers get more, when they are paying about the same per square foot as other passengers?

 

 

 

This is very interesting. Thanks. Can you share your methodology? How did you determine which prices to compare? What ship(s) did you compare? 

 

No doubt that suite categories on HAL are 'cheap' when compared to other lines, so expecting less amenities from a HAL Neptune seems logical. Bad press arises when those 'suite' guests compare experiences to other lines and forget to mention they paid significantly less.

 

With that said,, suites are in high demand across the industry. I suspect that is less due to space in the cabin and more to do with more amenities, service, exclusiveness. I'm shocked at what people are happily paying for the suite experience in the Haven and Celebrity Retreat. 

[ChinaShrek]

I am happy with the Pinnacle Class ships. I am not interested in a small ship especially for a 7-day cruise. What's the point? I'm there to have a good time - not make friends. Seeing the same people over and over is so awkward. I do want a smoke free casino. The ship doesn't have to be smoke free but keep smokers away from me as I gamble away. I would be up for taking out the MDR altogether and just providing the Lido. They could expand the size of the Lido to two levels. I hate the long service in the MDR. Many nights I just want to eat and go on my way. I do like the specialty restaurants. They have been quicker than the MDR lately.

[mightycruisequeen]

I'd like to see the new ship be about the size & passenger capacity of Zaandam.  I'm not majorly concerned with tons of bells & whistles, but I sure love those smaller ships that don't have so darn many people on them.

[Mary229]

4 hours ago, Laminator said:

So if you can get a suite with a balcony for about the same price per sq ft as an inside cabin why would you not get the suite? 

Look at her profile, about a week ago she did a very nifty analysis. The conclusion was everyone is paying about the same per sqft. 

[erdufylla]

16 minutes ago, ChinaShrek said:

I am happy with the Pinnacle Class ships. I am not interested in a small ship especially for a 7-day cruise. What's the point? I'm there to have a good time - not make friends. Seeing the same people over and over is so awkward. I do want a smoke free casino. The ship doesn't have to be smoke free but keep smokers away from me as I gamble away. I would be up for taking out the MDR altogether and just providing the Lido. They could expand the size of the Lido to two levels. I hate the long service in the MDR. Many nights I just want to eat and go on my way. I do like the specialty restaurants. They have been quicker than the MDR lately.

And this is the perfect example of how different people want different things. I love a smaller ship and seeing people again and again, and making friends with people on board. For me, that *is* having a good time. 🙂 
 

I would also never get on a ship that removed the MDR to expand the Lido. I eat at the Lido as a last resort — when timing doesn’t allow for me to go to the MDR.  I like the slower pace of seated dining, but I don’t want to always have to pay extra for speciality dining just to get that. The chaos of the Lido puts me in an anxious mood, and the food generally isn’t as good as what I can get in the MDR. 

[DaveOKC]

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

HAL isn't offering a "suite experience", they are offering a suite. Recently I did some calculations on cabin size vs. price for various ships on comparable sailings: square foot for square foot, suite passengers pay about the same as those in small insides. 

 

What I question is: why should HAL have to offer more than that? Should suite passengers get more, when they are paying about the same per square foot as other passengers?

 

 

I really question this finding.  Neptunes are almost exactly twice as large as Verandahs and thus obviously more than twice as large as small Insides.  However, fares that I have seen show Neptune fares being 4 to 6 times Insides (and sometimes more).  Please share how you figured this out as others on this board are quoting you on this.

[cruisemom42]

2 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

This is very interesting. Thanks. Can you share your methodology? How did you determine which prices to compare? What ship(s) did you compare?  

 

53 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

I really question this finding.  Neptunes are almost exactly twice as large as Verandahs and thus obviously more than twice as large as small Insides.  However, fares that I have seen show Neptune fares being 4 to 6 times Insides (and sometimes more).  Please share how you figured this out as others on this board are quoting you on this.

 

Oh dear. Now I am going to get called on the carpet by the numbers experts.... 😨.

 

This was not any kind of spreadsheet analysis, just "back of envelope" figuring. I just wanted to see for myself since so many people talk about suites and why aren't they offered more perks.

 

I made a few basic rules. I did not include the 2 remaining smaller ships as they, being older, have a very different ratio of available cabins. I looked for ships that were sailing very similar "basic" itineraries (e.g., comparable 7-day Alaska or Caribbean itineraries) within the same month, rather than one-off or very popular itineraries (e.g., Voyage of Vikings and similar). 

 

I picked one ship per class (e.g., one Pinnacle, one Vista-class, etc.) where I could. Cabin sizes per category varied across the spectrum so I generally picked the smallest square footage when a range was given. (E.g., if an inside category was listed as 151 to 223 sq feet, I chose 151; if a Neptune suite was listed at 500-712 sq feet, I chose 500).

 

I did not compare all categories. As I said, this was just a small exercise to get a ballpark. I'm not into this stuff, I'm a word person. I'll bet there are HAL afficionados out there who can cherry pick numbers that will look different. My point was merely that OFTEN prices are in line with the square footage of the "real estate".

 

I didn't keep the numbers but as someone else said, I posted some of them in an earlier post on the topic.

 

 

 

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by cruisemom42
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