Next HAL ship

[jbeckquest]

1 hour ago, smarti3 said:

Wait, what? I was looking forward to the culinary center as well as earth in concert. Are you telling me that they are no longer available?

My first cruise will be on the Koningsdam mid August, and so I've been researching this one ship extensively. The Culinary Arts Center is now the Club Orange exclusive dining area. In the recent daily schedules I've seen, no mention of Earth in Concert (or any string instruments actually).

 

Most of the activities are, 1. pickle ball, 2. beginner classes (such as knitting or water color painting), 3. gambling (casino/bingo), 4. shopping, 5. EXC presentations (getting to know whatever ports you are headed to. For me, these are all going to be Alaska-related topics such as the Iditarod).

 

I'm with ya. A lot of the things on the website and even the Cruise Critic official editor review are simply outdated and misleading.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

1 hour ago, jbeckquest said:

My first cruise will be on the Koningsdam mid August, and so I've been researching this one ship extensively. The Culinary Arts Center is now the Club Orange exclusive dining area. In the recent daily schedules I've seen, no mention of Earth in Concert (or any string instruments actually).

 

Most of the activities are, 1. pickle ball, 2. beginner classes (such as knitting or water color painting), 3. gambling (casino/bingo), 4. shopping, 5. EXC presentations (getting to know whatever ports you are headed to. For me, these are all going to be Alaska-related topics such as the Iditarod).

 

I'm with ya. A lot of the things on the website and even the Cruise Critic official editor review are simply outdated and misleading.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[philbob84]

I would love to see the ship superficially done up with the grey-green orange and white paint scheme of the rotterdam. maybe go hard on the mid century modern..

 

return of the cupcake, indoensian, and expansion of the royal dutch tea

[bennybear]

On 6/28/2023 at 5:02 PM, doone said:

I absolutely love the Pinnacle Class ships, however, what I would love to see in a new ship would be take the Pinnacle Class ship and add:  the wrap around promenade, the MDR not so open I feel that not having a ceiling so to speak, contributes to the dining rooms on the Pinnacle class ships to being too noisy.  I hate the smoke in the Casino, smoke free would be great.  More seating in the Lido and a little larger pool aft.

 

Who knows when or what the next ship will be.

 

Th pinnacle has the wraparound deck, narrower in places but you can walk all the way around unlike the Royal Princess where you have to go inside and back out. Over and over.  

[Blackduck59]

3 hours ago, philbob84 said:

I would love to see the ship superficially done up with the grey-green orange and white paint scheme of the rotterdam. maybe go hard on the mid century modern..

 

return of the cupcake, indoensian, and expansion of the royal dutch tea

 

Don't be so quick to dismiss "Mid-century Modern" I am a professional woodworker and the shop I work at specializes in multi million dollar homes. We have done many expensive projects recently with Mid-century Modern design cues. These details may seem trivial but they are time consuming and expensive. They also involve vast quantities of  real wood (Sometimes very expensive wood).

Previously I worked in a shop that specialized in millwork for cruise ships, there was vast quantities of plastic laminate. And yes during that time we did refit work on almost every "Dam" ship.

[ROUS]

Water bottle refill stations sprinkled across all decks.  And, of course, more wifi access points near the cabins.

[philbob84]

22 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

Don't be so quick to dismiss "Mid-century Modern" I am a professional woodworker and the shop I work at specializes in multi million dollar homes. We have done many expensive projects recently with Mid-century Modern design cues. These details may seem trivial but they are time consuming and expensive. They also involve vast quantities of  real wood (Sometimes very expensive wood).

Previously I worked in a shop that specialized in millwork for cruise ships, there was vast quantities of plastic laminate. And yes during that time we did refit work on almost every "Dam" ship.

i think they should do the mid century modern. The SS Rotterdam hotel looks incredible and that color scheme would be beautiful on a Pinnacle class ship.  

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/nl/cruise.html?activeTab=photosGallery

Edited July 6, 2023 by philbob84

[Blackduck59]

1 hour ago, philbob84 said:

i think they should do the mid century modern. The SS Rotterdam hotel looks incredible and that color scheme would be beautiful on a Pinnacle class ship.  

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/nl/cruise.html?activeTab=photosGallery

 

Some interesting mid century modern design cues in the public rooms, not as much in the cabins.

I find it interesting that many of the designs that were common at the start of my career in the early 1980s are now coming back some 40 years later. Personally I'm quite fond of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, that being said I'm not sure there are many craftsmen/women who are capable of doing that quality of work.

[Sir PMP]

8 hours ago, philbob84 said:

i think they should do the mid century modern. The SS Rotterdam hotel looks incredible and that color scheme would be beautiful on a Pinnacle class ship.  

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/nl/cruise.html?activeTab=photosGallery

That's why the SS was called: "The Grand Dame"

 

[philbob84]

On 7/5/2023 at 9:26 PM, Blackduck59 said:

 

Some interesting mid century modern design cues in the public rooms, not as much in the cabins.

I find it interesting that many of the designs that were common at the start of my career in the early 1980s are now coming back some 40 years later. Personally I'm quite fond of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, that being said I'm not sure there are many craftsmen/women who are capable of doing that quality of work.

 

There is SOLAS considerations also. I do think the 1960 Rotterdam's paint scheme would be nice change. 

 

The early carnival ships had a Odeon cinema style that looks very classy now 

[montythecat]

An easy question for me to answer. Another Pinnacle Class ship

please. They are perfect for us with a wonderful choice of music

with the rock band, the two pianos, and the blues/soul band

(do keep the classical quartet), a forward facing lounge and

The Dutch Cafe.

[shipshape sam]

On 7/11/2023 at 7:06 PM, montythecat said:

An easy question for me to answer. Another Pinnacle Class ship

please. They are perfect for us with a wonderful choice of music

with the rock band, the two pianos, and the blues/soul band

(do keep the classical quartet), a forward facing lounge and

The Dutch Cafe.

I too hope HAL considers another Pinnacle Class ship and uses the Rotterdam as it base.

 

 

[philbob84]

what improvements could be made to a pinnacle?

[*Miss G*]

8 hours ago, philbob84 said:

what improvements could be made to a pinnacle?

 

Remove the monitors and electronic kiosks from the Crow’s Nest.  Put the excursions desk — and their kiosks — elsewhere and return the Explorations Cafe to that spot.  I miss all the light snack goodies they used to have at lunchtime.  I hate the incorporation of it into the bar.  It got claustrophobic and lost its awesomeness.  In fact, it stopped me ordering.

 

Edited July 13, 2023 by *Miss G*

[Cruise Suzy]

8 hours ago, philbob84 said:

what improvements could be made to a pinnacle?

 

More space between the foot of the bed and wall in non-suites. Put the bed next to the bath rather than next to the balcony in Vista and/or Signature Suites. Until one of these happens, I'll stick with the Vista and Signature ships.

[JeffElizabeth]

4 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Remove the monitors and electronic kiosks from the Crow’s Nest.  Put the excursions desk — and their kiosks — elsewhere and return the Explorations Cafe to that spot.  I miss all the light snack goodies they used to have at lunchtime.  I hate the incorporation of it into the bar.  It got claustrophobic and lost its awesomeness.  In fact, it stopped me ordering.

 

Agree.  Used to love the Crow's Nest on the older ships. Just not the same on the monster ships. We hardly spent any time there now. 

[RuthC]

7 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Remove the monitors and electronic kiosks from the Crow’s Nest.  Put the excursions desk — and their kiosks — elsewhere and return the Explorations Cafe to that spot.  I miss all the light snack goodies they used to have at lunchtime.  I hate the incorporation of it into the bar.  It got claustrophobic and lost its awesomeness.  In fact, it stopped me ordering.

 

Great start! 

Widen the promenade deck, put some loungers out there, and raise the height of the lifeboats so they don't block the views. 
Place the cabin TVs across from the couch so we have someplace comfortable to sit when we do watch them. 
Return a Piano Bar to the entertainment venues. Billboard Onboard isn't a piano bar. 

[RClark6369@aol.com]

Recommended changes:

 - place all the shops on one deck

 - expand one of the shops to include more sundries, snacks and personal care items

 - expand the Dutch Cafe to include an expansive glass wall to the sea where everyone has a sea view.

 - reduce the passenger capacity by 600

 - create a space for Canaletto that does not encroach on the lido buffet

  - ban smoking at aft pool area and expand the aft pool to include a waterfall feature

  - create a free form pool on the lido deck with a waterfall feature and incorporate water loungers

  - create a more appealing/interesting atrium area or..... get rid of it all together

 

[philbob84]

i love this!

[Susanmaz]

My two cents - maybe go back to smaller, more intimate ships. Not sure why people are looking for bigger and more crowded ships. When the Volendam and Zaandam are gone, all that will be left will be bigger ships. Sad.

[Mary229]

3 minutes ago, Susanmaz said:

My two cents - maybe go back to smaller, more intimate ships. Not sure why people are looking for bigger and more crowded ships. When the Volendam and Zaandam are gone, all that will be left will be bigger ships. Sad.

I think the limits of size have peaked for the North American market.  In other parts of the world people do live in tighter quarters but North Americans do like a little personal space.  I look forward to more smaller ships in a mass market cruise line even if I have to pay a little more. (As a general rule prices are higher on the two smaller ships now)

[Blackduck59]

I'm afraid that bigger is better...isn't. As ships get bigger their itineraries are limited by their shear size. Many ship are already restricted by size for going under bridges. The NCL Behemoth and Behemoth II can only get under the Lions Gate bridge at low tide, and while there is no bridge to worry about they are so long that they stick out almost past the breakwater. There is a market for smaller ships 1,100 to 1,800 passengers. 

I think there should be no smoking anywhere indoors on the ship. Nor should the smoking pit be situated where it will deter the enjoyment of those trying to enjoy a meal or a drink in the adjacent area. Give them an enclosed smoking lounge on the top deck with filtered exhaust, they get to enjoy their smokes without encroaching on the majority who don't smoke.

Let's make sure that there are great entertainment venues that have great entertainers, forget the brand names. Who cares what the club is called as long as the music is good and the drinks well mixed. 

Some people will want "classical" music which could be performed in any venue at various times perhaps a smaller theater that can also be used for movies and guest speakers the key here is good acoustics.

There should be a forward view lounge with comfortable seating, a bar (including specialty coffee), perhaps with a nautical theme.

For those who say HAL is for old folks and they are all dying, why should they be catered to? I have an answer, funny thing as old folks dye their is a new batch filling the void. I came of age in the 70s, I still enjoy lots of things from then but also my tastes have changed. There is an ever changing batch of customers who will enjoy the product HAL is known for. Don't go messing up the product on the misguided thought that the customers who want it are dying off.

[Florida_gal_50]

12 hours ago, Susanmaz said:

My two cents - maybe go back to smaller, more intimate ships. Not sure why people are looking for bigger and more crowded ships. When the Volendam and Zaandam are gone, all that will be left will be bigger ships. Sad.

Because they are lovely ships.  I haven’t read a lot of this thread but did anyone say they like crowed ships?  I haven’t missed any of the old ships and I won’t miss the volendam and zaandam either.  Have you actually sailed the newer ships or are you in the crowd that “just knows” they won’t because they’ve read about them 🙄.

[Florida_gal_50]

11 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

I'm afraid that bigger is better...isn't. As ships get bigger their itineraries are limited by their shear size. Many ship are already restricted by size for going under bridges. The NCL Behemoth and Behemoth II can only get under the Lions Gate bridge at low tide, and while there is no bridge to worry about they are so long that they stick out almost past the breakwater. There is a market for smaller ships 1,100 to 1,800 passengers. 

I think there should be no smoking anywhere indoors on the ship. Nor should the smoking pit be situated where it will deter the enjoyment of those trying to enjoy a meal or a drink in the adjacent area. Give them an enclosed smoking lounge on the top deck with filtered exhaust, they get to enjoy their smokes without encroaching on the majority who don't smoke.

Let's make sure that there are great entertainment venues that have great entertainers, forget the brand names. Who cares what the club is called as long as the music is good and the drinks well mixed. 

Some people will want "classical" music which could be performed in any venue at various times perhaps a smaller theater that can also be used for movies and guest speakers the key here is good acoustics.

There should be a forward view lounge with comfortable seating, a bar (including specialty coffee), perhaps with a nautical theme.

For those who say HAL is for old folks and they are all dying, why should they be catered to? I have an answer, funny thing as old folks dye their is a new batch filling the void. I came of age in the 70s, I still enjoy lots of things from then but also my tastes have changed. There is an ever changing batch of customers who will enjoy the product HAL is known for. Don't go messing up the product on the misguided thought that the customers who want it are dying off.

One thing that is 100 percent sure is the hal will never have ships as big as Royal or ncl.  It’s not like they’ve given any reason to think that.

[coachmouchet]

I would love for HAL to add a Teppanyaki/Hibachi restaurant to each ship!!  All of the ships that have Tamarind restaurants have plenty of room to add at least two tables!!!