Does HAL have Champions?

[kryos]

I don't think they would know who specific posters are but I would not be surprised if they sometimes do figure it out. Since I organized the Meet & Greets on the last 3 charters I have been on it would not be that difficult for some crew memeber to figure out which CC id belongs to me.

If you organized the meet and greets, then as far as HAL is concerned, they probably have you listed as the CC "group leader." Any group leader gets a bit more attention since he/she is, at least in theory, bringing a large group onboard the ship. Most group leaders are travel agents who have a group sailing on the ship. HAL wants to make sure a group leader leaves at the end of the cruise feeling as though he/she got a great value for their group. So, any little problem the group leader has is likely to be resolved pronto.

 

But just for posting on CC? I doubt it would matter at all.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

On all our HAL cruises we've met many Crew Members[/size] who read CC..In addition, on all of the Meet & Greets I've arranged on HAL & other Lines, they not only knew the full names & cabin Numbers which I provided but also the participants CC Sign in's..All the participants had a Master list & the ship asked me for a copy of it..the participants ok'd my giving HAL the List..In addition, the CC participants wore a name tag to the first reception, so we could all figure out who's who..

Again, you arranged the meet & greet. As such, you were "classified" as a group leader ... same as would be a travel agent who had a group onboard. Automatically, HAL is going to take extra good care of group leaders because they want your repeat group business. Of course, with CC it is a bit different. It's not like one travel agent is doing the bookings for the entire group (unless it is a CC group cruise). But since you're organizing and serving as the "point person" for the meet & greet, the cruise line handles you the same way they would the travel agent who was sailing along with the group that she organized through her agency.

 

Groups are big business to the cruise line, and they will do everything in their power to take very good care of the people who bring them onboard their ships.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[world~citizen]

If you organized the meet and greets, then as far as HAL is concerned, they probably have you listed as the CC "group leader." Any group leader gets a bit more attention since he/she is, at least in theory, bringing a large group onboard the ship. Most group leaders are travel agents who have a group sailing on the ship. HAL wants to make sure a group leader leaves at the end of the cruise feeling as though he/she got a great value for their group. So, any little problem the group leader has is likely to be resolved pronto.

 

But just for posting on CC? I doubt it would matter at all.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Is this the issue?

 

I thought the idea of the Champions was that they were invited to VIP inaugurals etc. So then, does HAL do this?

 

I suppose the logical extension would be that if you got to attend VIP events and you were a prolific poster, your posts might be more favorably predisposed to HAL etc.

[Krazy Kruizers]

 

I thought the idea of the Champions was that they were invited to VIP inaugurals etc. So then, does HAL do this? We have never been invited to an inaugural -- so I know we are not Champions,

 

I suppose the logical extension would be that if you got to attend VIP events and you were a prolific poster, your posts might be more favorably predisposed to HAL etc. We get invited to the VIP because it is one of the perks we get from our AMEX Plat card when we book a cruise. Otherwise -- we would not be invited.

 

Have answered what I know is true for us.

[serendipity1499]

Again, you arranged the meet & greet. As such, you were "classified" as a group leader ... same as would be a travel agent who had a group onboard. Automatically, HAL is going to take extra good care of group leaders because they want your repeat group business. Of course, with CC it is a bit different. It's not like one travel agent is doing the bookings for the entire group (unless it is a CC group cruise). But since you're organizing and serving as the "point person" for the meet & greet, the cruise line handles you the same way they would the travel agent who was sailing along with the group that she organized through her agency.

 

Groups are big business to the cruise line, and they will do everything in their power to take very good care of the people who bring them onboard their ships.

 

Blue skies ...--rita

 

Of course I know why I was invited, but realize you did not understand what I meant..Our entire CC group, which was small was invited to the VIP Party..And surprisingly enough it was packed & lasted well over an hour..It might have been because it was so late in the season..

 

The Tour Escorts on our land tour could not figure out why DH & I were there..It was fun watching them trying to figure out the connection..I knew immediately what they were trying to find out when they asked why we did not attend one of their seminars...I remained vague about it & after about an hour finally broke down & explained why I was there..They did not know any of the CC group as they all were not on our land tour with us..

 

Yes, I understand all about group leaders as we often wined & dined our group leaders & escorts as well as our Travel Agents..My Company sent me to Kenya with a bunch of TA's in the 70's..Every single one of us was wined & dined by the Tour Company & the Hotels..That was one of my best trips..:D

 

Krazy Kruisers.. I've never been invited to an inaugural either but was invited years ago to dine with the Captain..The reason for that was we had the Parents of a very large Memphis Agent traveling with us..The Agent arranged to have the 6 of us (all close friends) dine with the Captain..We also had an officer ask to join our table several years ago when we had an open seat & a single lady with us...He was a delightful young man...

 

Cheers..:) Betty

 

P.S. Guess we're not HAL Champions either..;)

[HALFans]

Again, you arranged the meet & greet. As such, you were "classified" as a group leader ... same as would be a travel agent who had a group onboard. Automatically, HAL is going to take extra good care of group leaders because they want your repeat group business. Of course, with CC it is a bit different. It's not like one travel agent is doing the bookings for the entire group (unless it is a CC group cruise). But since you're organizing and serving as the "point person" for the meet & greet, the cruise line handles you the same way they would the travel agent who was sailing along with the group that she organized through her agency.

 

Gee - I thought the CD was awfully friendly on our last cruise... I guess I understand it now since I organized our meet & greet. I was told the Chief Engineer joined our 'group table' one night, but that was the night we ate in the Pinnacle so I missed out on the free wine. :(

 

Groups are big business to the cruise line, and they will do everything in their power to take very good care of the people who bring them onboard their ships.

 

LOL. I'm not sure about everything... we had others in our group - who hadn't sailed nearly as many days with HAL as we did that the upgrade fairy was nicer to. Not that it mattered as we were satisfied with our stateroom. :D

 

We were invited to a Captains' Cocktail party and a Q & A session with the Hotel Manager. After many years in Corporate America I didn't think much of either of those as perks - 75 people at the Captain's gala (we got to speak to the 'crews purser' who was a hoot!) and the Q & A felt far too much like a staff meeting for my vacation dollar. ;)

 

I wouldn't say my review was greatly influenced by any of the above. :eek: (People have been asking me if I'm going to change my name over that one!)

[DutchByAssociation]

Gee - I thought the CD was awfully friendly on our last cruise... I guess I understand it now since I organized our meet & greet. I was told the Chief Engineer joined our 'group table' one night, but that was the night we ate in the Pinnacle so I missed out on the free wine. :(

 

 

 

LOL. I'm not sure about everything... we had others in our group - who hadn't sailed nearly as many days with HAL as we did that the upgrade fairy was nicer to. Not that it mattered as we were satisfied with our stateroom. :D

 

We were invited to a Captains' Cocktail party and a Q & A session with the Hotel Manager. After many years in Corporate America I didn't think much of either of those as perks - 75 people at the Captain's gala (we got to speak to the 'crews purser' who was a hoot!) and the Q & A felt far too much like a staff meeting for my vacation dollar. ;)

 

I wouldn't say my review was greatly influenced by any of the above. :eek: (People have been asking me if I'm going to change my name over that one!)

 

Those Q&A meeting notes though, are all recorded and turned in to senior management. To many people, that's a VERY valuable opportunity and well worth a few minutes on your vacation dollar :)

[HALFans]

Those Q&A meeting notes though, are all recorded and turned in to senior management. To many people, that's a VERY valuable opportunity and well worth a few minutes on your vacation dollar :)

 

Hey, I got a free scotch & soda out of the deal, and how often do you get to sip one of those during a staff meeting? ;)

 

Actually, I'm not sure how much I was able to contribute as an 'average Joe' but I appreciated the opportunity to spout off. LOL.

[DutchByAssociation]

Hey, I got a free scotch & soda out of the deal, and how often do you get to sip one of those during a staff meeting? ;)

 

 

While scotch is not my personal beverage of choice, the phrase 'half past never' comes to mind...:p

[HeatherInFlorida]

I was surprised this morning to open the Sunday Travel section of the Palm Beach Post and find this article by Arthur Frommer. I couldn't find it on the Post's webpage, but did locate it online with the San Francisco Chronicle:

 

Travelers warned about online critiques

[bepsf]

Is this the issue?

 

I thought the idea of the Champions was that they were invited to VIP inaugurals etc. So then, does HAL do this?

 

I suppose the logical extension would be that if you got to attend VIP events and you were a prolific poster, your posts might be more favorably predisposed to HAL etc.

 

No - HAL charged their loyal passengers $100/person to attend their last christening, on top of the tens of thousands of dollars we paid for the Prelude and Inaugural cruises. (If you wanted to go to the VIP party after the christening, that would have been another $400/pp) :mad:

 

Needless to say, I won't be on the next one...

:cool:

[world~citizen]

No - HAL charged their loyal passengers $100/person to attend their last christening, on top of the tens of thousands of dollars we paid for the Prelude and Inaugural cruises. (If you wanted to go to the VIP party after the christening, that would have been another $400/pp) :mad:

 

Needless to say, I won't be on the next one...

:cool:

 

You are right.

 

I was on the third leg of the non-inaugural inaugural cruise cluster. To celebrate our sail out of Copenhagen, there was one geriatric tug discharging a very weak and troubled stream from its fire hose. I was embarrassed for the thing. Fortunately I don't think many people saw it..

 

An inaugural should be an inaugural, and it should be special. It was a great opportunity to reward its loyal patrons and delight new ones.

 

I think HAL really missed the boat on that one.

[serendipity1499]

I was surprised this morning to open the Sunday Travel section of the Palm Beach Post and find this article by Arthur Frommer. I couldn't find it on the Post's webpage, but did locate it online with the San Francisco Chronicle:

 

Travelers warned about online critiques

 

Thanks Heather for the link...It's very interesting..

Cheers..:)Betty

[jhannah]

I think HAL really missed the boat on that one.

In one way I agree ... especially after I paid what I did to attend the Eurodam's festivities and sail her first paying-passenger cruises. But OTOH, had I been comped for the inaugural affairs, then how many posts here would have been "well, why not ME, too?"

 

As correctly pointed out on this board many times, HAL has tens of thousands of Mariners. No way to invite all of them to such an event. Even if only those who were sailing the inaugural were invited to attend, there would have been no space for them and the dignitaries HAL was obligated to invite.

 

Sure, I wish I could have attended free, compliments of HAL ... but attending the naming of a new ship was a once-in-a-lifetime event for me, so I paid and loved being there.

[Copper10-8]

You are right.

 

I was on the third leg of the non-inaugural inaugural cruise cluster. To celebrate our sail out of Copenhagen, there was one geriatric tug discharging a very weak and troubled stream from its fire hose. I was embarrassed for the thing. Fortunately I don't think many people saw it..

 

An inaugural should be an inaugural, and it should be special. It was a great opportunity to reward its loyal patrons and delight new ones.

 

I think HAL really missed the boat on that one.

 

Hey, I remember seeing that same tug in Copenhagen on the first inaugural. You're right, that bad boy was in dire need of some seaborne Via blue pills;) The big tug in Rotterdam escorting Eurodam out didn't have that problem. Lots of water coming out from several locations/ The one in Hamburg looked fine also; maybe it's a Danish thing;)

[/url]

 

Rotterdam

 

 

[url=http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/682568/Ship+Photo+EURODAM.jpg&quot]

Hamburg

[Oceanwench]

I was surprised this morning to open the Sunday Travel section of the Palm Beach Post and find this article by Arthur Frommer. I couldn't find it on the Post's webpage, but did locate it online with the San Francisco Chronicle:

 

Travelers warned about online critiques

 

 

I caught that too, Heather. Interesting.

[hammybee]

I was surprised this morning to open the Sunday Travel section of the Palm Beach Post and find this article by Arthur Frommer. I couldn't find it on the Post's webpage, but did locate it online with the San Francisco Chronicle:

 

Travelers warned about online critiques

 

Thanks Heather.

 

It's called seeding. All sorts of businesses pay advetizing agencies to pay people to write good/ bad stuff and start rumors on internet forums. This goes well beyond the hospitality industry. Think pharms, stockmarket, political commentary and technology.

[world~citizen]

Hey, I remember seeing that same tug in Copenhagen on the first inaugural. You're right, that bad boy was in dire need of some seaborne Via blue pills;) The big tug in Rotterdam escorting Eurodam out didn't have that problem. Lots of water coming out from several locations/ The one in Hamburg looked fine also; maybe it's a Danish thing;)

[/url]

 

Rotterdam

 

 

 

[url=http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/682568/Ship+Photo+EURODAM.jpg&quot]

Hamburg

 

 

Great photos...

 

It may be a Danish thing ;)

[world~citizen]

In one way I agree ... especially after I paid what I did to attend the Eurodam's festivities and sail her first paying-passenger cruises. But OTOH, had I been comped for the inaugural affairs, then how many posts here would have been "well, why not ME, too?"

 

As correctly pointed out on this board many times, HAL has tens of thousands of Mariners. No way to invite all of them to such an event. Even if only those who were sailing the inaugural were invited to attend, there would have been no space for them and the dignitaries HAL was obligated to invite.

 

Sure, I wish I could have attended free, compliments of HAL ... but attending the naming of a new ship was a once-in-a-lifetime event for me, so I paid and loved being there.

 

I have to leave it up to the people that paid to decide how they felt about their experience. There seemed to be as many opinions as people I spoke to. Some were quite negative. I am glad you enjoyed yours.

 

I had never been on a maiden or inaugural before, so I didn't know what to expect. Still, I expected something - anything - to distinguish it somehow. I was disappointed in that.

[Krazy Kruizers]

 

I had never been on a maiden or inaugural before, so I didn't know what to expect. Still, I expected something - anything - to distinguish it somehow. I was disappointed in that.

 

Please elaborate.

Very interested in your experience.

[DutchByAssociation]

 

 

Hamburg

 

Ouch... not the best Eurodam pic I've ever seen... Apparently we now know what angle she must never be photographed from...

[Copper10-8]

Ouch... not the best Eurodam pic I've ever seen... Apparently we now know what angle she must never be photographed from...

 

Better, Dutch? She's not real pretty, though!

 

[HALFans]

To celebrate our sail out of Copenhagen, there was one geriatric tug discharging a very weak and troubled stream from its fire hose.

 

I didn't know Tugs had prostates too!

 

Now I don't feel so bad... :p

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Better, Dutch? She's not real pretty, though!

 

John that is a much better picture :) Actually I have to say that seeing the Eurodam in person I thought she looked much better than some of the pictures. She kind of grows on you seeing her in person ;)

[wilsonqbc]

Yeah Shes a little beefy from certain angles

But she is pretty on the inside, and thats what really counts, as my mon would say.

you know the old saying dont judge a book by its cover.