First HAL Cruise, Not Impressed

[Abe3689]

Through the casino I was able to get a 21 day comped cruise from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale through the Panama Canal. 
 

I just got off a Celebrity ship to Alaska which was absolutely wonderful. The food was delicious, and terrific service. 
 

The first bit on this HAL ship has gotten off to a really bad start. First they assigned another unrelated party to my friends cabin. How that’s even possible I don’t know. They showed up, and had his room assigned on their ticket too. They were so embarrassed, it was extremely awkward, and the guys girlfriend of the unrelated party started crying. 
 

Then we had lunch in the dining room. The “beechers” mac-n-cheese was not beechers, and was watered down Kraft that tasted like leftovers from an uneaten Hungry-Man’s TV dinner. The Chicken and Waffles was two unrecognizable pieces of chicken. The waffle was a stale waffle. I’ve been on a lot of cruises in my lifetime, and frankly I’m surprised they aren’t embarrassed to serve food like that. If dinner is just as horrendous, who I speak to? I can’t put up for 21 days with dog food.

[CruiserBruce]

Dog food? Really? Food is an extremely subjective topic. Hyperbole doesn't lend credence to your points.

[Caribbean Chris]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.
 

I read your other post which said that your absolutely wonderful Celebrity Cruise was boring with “too many old people.”
 

You should enter your feedback right away on the app or speak to someone at the front desk if you are dissatisfied.
 

 

[Mary229]

Since you paid nothing and it is unbearable make arrangements to disembark.  I would never stay in a situation that would be so unbearable. 

[mafig]

5 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic.
 

I read your other post which said that your absolutely wonderful Celebrity Cruise was boring with “too many old people.”
 

 
 

 

LOL!😄

[1ANGELCAT]

I’m confused, you stated you are on your 1st  HAL cruise but you list it as a favorite line?

[Abe3689]

3 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Since you paid nothing and it is unbearable make arrangements to disembark.  I would never stay in a situation that would be so unbearable. 

I didn’t say unbearable. We got off to a rocky start, I just hope the cruise doesn’t continue like this and it was a one off. Also, read the reviews on here. The food on the Eurodam is rated 1 star out of 5, so I’m not exactly alone here. 
 

Listen, I am not a foodie. I’m not someone who complains about food or treats dining as some “gastronomy activity.” I’m actually quite easy to please and I’m not picky. Frankly, the food wouldn’t even have to be great, or gourmet. But this was served was absolutely unacceptable. 
 

All I’m asking is who I speak to about this issues?

[RD64]

41 minutes ago, Abe3689 said:

Through the casino I was able to get a 21 day comped cruise from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale through the Panama Canal. 
 

I just got off a Celebrity ship to Alaska which was absolutely wonderful. The food was delicious, and terrific service. 
 

The first bit on this HAL ship has gotten off to a really bad start. First they assigned another unrelated party to my friends cabin. How that’s even possible I don’t know. They showed up, and had his room assigned on their ticket too. They were so embarrassed, it was extremely awkward, and the guys girlfriend of the unrelated party started crying. 
 

Then we had lunch in the dining room. The “beechers” mac-n-cheese was not beechers, and was watered down Kraft that tasted like leftovers from an uneaten Hungry-Man’s TV dinner. The Chicken and Waffles was two unrecognizable pieces of chicken. The waffle was a stale waffle. I’ve been on a lot of cruises in my lifetime, and frankly I’m surprised they aren’t embarrassed to serve food like that. If dinner is just as horrendous, who I speak to? I can’t put up for 21 days with dog food.

And that is why there are options - so you can have a Mac n cheese which is more suitable to you.

 

Since this is a free cruise for you, you are complaining because?????

Edited October 7, 2023 by RD64
Additional

[albingirl]

9 minutes ago, Abe3689 said:

I didn’t say unbearable. We got off to a rocky start, I just hope the cruise doesn’t continue like this and it was a one off. Also, read the reviews on here. The food on the Eurodam is rated 1 star out of 5, so I’m not exactly alone here. 
 

Listen, I am not a foodie. I’m not someone who complains about food or treats dining as some “gastronomy activity.” I’m actually quite easy to please and I’m not picky. Frankly, the food wouldn’t even have to be great, or gourmet. But this was served was absolutely unacceptable. 
 

All I’m asking is who I speak to about this issues?

Well, the dog food remark won't really help when you talk to someone, because nobody will believe you. Where do you dine normally? Free cruise and you are ticked off? This must be a joke.you are familiar with kraft Mac n cheese and hungry man frozen dinners for comparison purposes. Got it. Well done.

[jules815]

19 minutes ago, Abe3689 said:

All I’m asking is who I speak to about this issues?

You came on Cruise Critic to ask? Not your first cruise, but you don't know about guest relations desk? I haven't sailed on HAL yet, but anyone who has cruised should know this. Your problem's with the food. Did you say something to the Matre'd? 

 

[oceanbill457]

How did you get a free casino offer if you never sailed on HAL?

[Abe3689]

For those who don’t gamble, nothing is free in life. I had to put up (and am expected to play) a lot of money which will pay for the cruise. Hence why I said I got it “comped” not free.

 

I’m not a cruiseaholic. I don’t know where to go for things like this. If the meal is as bad as lunch, I will speak to the maitre’d. Thank you

 

[canadianbear]

2 minutes ago, Abe3689 said:

For those who don’t gamble, nothing is free in life. I had to put up (and am expected to play) a lot of money which will pay for the cruise. Hence why I said I got it “comped” not free.

 

I’m not a cruiseaholic. I don’t know where to go for things like this. If the meal is as bad as lunch, I will speak to the maitre’d. Thank you

 

If you have the HAL Navigator App you can comment on it.

 

[Abe3689]

1 minute ago, canadianbear said:

If you have the HAL Navigator App you can comment on it.

 

Thank you! I appreciate constructive feedback. I know nothing about these apps, and new cruise lines I’ve never been on. 

[canadianbear]

4 minutes ago, Abe3689 said:

Thank you! I appreciate constructive feedback. I know nothing about these apps, and new cruise lines I’ve never been on. 

It’s a free App and doesn’t require you to pay for wifi. If not certain, see guest services and they can help explain the process to download & use it.  

[Laminator]

20 minutes ago, Abe3689 said:

For those who don’t gamble, nothing is free in life. I had to put up (and am expected to play) a lot of money which will pay for the cruise. Hence why I said I got it “comped” not free.

 

I’m not a cruiseaholic. I don’t know where to go for things like this. If the meal is as bad as lunch, I will speak to the maitre’d. Thank you

 

I am guessing you don't gamble that much or you would be a comped Neptune Suite and could walk into the Neptune Lounge and voice your concerns. 

[Anastas617]

1 hour ago, oceanbill457 said:

How did you get a free casino offer if you never sailed on HAL?

I have had multiple casino offers for HAL from a land-based casino. My first HAL cruise will be a casino comp in February.

[TeaBag]

Are you sailing from Seattle to Vancouver now?

[geocruiser]

Did you tell the waiter that the food was not good and ask for another item to replace it?

[TotallyCruzin]

Why don't you just find another line to cruise on.  While Holland America may not be perfect I love cruising with them!

[ski ww]

You might want to eat your meals in the Lido.

[Guest ldtr]

credibility somewhat lacking since they stated that the Celebrity was their first cruise in 15 years. So apparently this HAL cruise is their second in that time.

[Sir PMP]

14 hours ago, Abe3689 said:

Through the casino I was able to get a 21 day comped cruise from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale through the Panama Canal. 
 

I just got off a Celebrity ship to Alaska which was absolutely wonderful. The food was delicious, and terrific service. 
 

The first bit on this HAL ship has gotten off to a really bad start. First they assigned another unrelated party to my friends cabin. How that’s even possible I don’t know. They showed up, and had his room assigned on their ticket too. They were so embarrassed, it was extremely awkward, and the guys girlfriend of the unrelated party started crying. 
 

Then we had lunch in the dining room. The “beechers” mac-n-cheese was not beechers, and was watered down Kraft that tasted like leftovers from an uneaten Hungry-Man’s TV dinner. The Chicken and Waffles was two unrecognizable pieces of chicken. The waffle was a stale waffle. I’ve been on a lot of cruises in my lifetime, and frankly I’m surprised they aren’t embarrassed to serve food like that. If dinner is just as horrendous, who I speak to? I can’t put up for 21 days with dog food.

I would get off now.

[Mosaic]

Jeeze, some of you people are just too harsh.  Yes, we have had BAD food on HAL and BAD service also.  It happens.

[Abe3689]

Dinner was really good, so I suppose that lunch was a one off. I don’t know why the lunch was so bad, but I’m never going in the dining-room for lunch again.