Who are they trying to reach?

[Orcrone]

I've been reading threads talking about how HAL is trying to redefine themselves. I've heard about the Vista ships, cutbacks in service, more competitive pricing. The consensus has been that they're trying to entice younger passengers and bring more families aboard.

 

However, my Maasdam cruise seemed more serene than I would have liked. Very little live music by the pool, and often none at all, not even piped in music. 15 minutes of pool games during the whole cruise. With the exception of the Crow's Nest, all evening entertainment in the lounges consisted of strings, piano, etc.

 

I'm just wondering who are they trying to reach? If they were going after a younger passenger I would have expected more or a variety of music in the lounges, more music and activities by the pool, etc.

 

So are they really trying to move mainstream? Or perhaps they're trying to reach older people (middle age and up) that want a more serene atmosphere, but with a modest price, hence the cutbacks in service. I have no idea, just throwing it out there to see what everyone thinks.

[ekerr19]

Marc-

 

As you know, HAL typically attracts an older crowd. I think the Vista class is their concession to the younger generation of cruisers, but in addition I think a lot of it depends on the time of year... we tend to cruise during vacation times and the ships are pretty lively!

 

On our Maasdam cruise the Calypso band played for about an hour or so, took a break and came back, played some more, BUT the pax were really into it - applauding, making requests, offering drinks, etc.

 

We spent most evenings in the Crow's Nest, waiting for the DJ - we didn't care too much for the themed 50's night, Prom night, etc. but quite a few pax did and showed up. We enjoyed it, but it wasn't our favorite type of music. After 11:00, the DJ played some great dance tunes, a bit of hip-hop and took requests.

 

The Ocean Bar was my parents type of dance music, though DH does like to dance to big band sounds. I don't mind it for awhile.

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we usually found something to do, somewhere in one of the lounges, but I think it may have been a bit livelier on our cruise because it was Spring Break for many. The crew did mention that the cruise before ours was VERY subdued.

 

I don't believe HAL is going to "upset the apple cart" too much - they rely on a huge mariner base that prefers a more sedate cruise experience.

[RuthC]

Marc, your cruise sounds like it's exactly what I want. Quiet by the pool; maybe some music (not steel band) for an hour or so at lunchtime (and not too loud, please). Minimal pool games. Lots of pre-50's music in the Piano Bar. Soft background music in the public areas.

 

Perfect.

[Orcrone]

Ekerr,

 

I found your post very interesting. We both sailed out of Norfolk on the same ship, and possibly itinerary (I was on eastern Caribbean, don't remember which one you sailed). We had not Calypso, Steel Drum, Reggae or any other type of music that I would expect in the Caribbean. They played one hour a day for about 1/2 the days of the cruise. It was so sporadic that it was actually listed in the daily program. When they finished they didn't say a word, just unhooked their instruments, coiled up the cables and walked away.

 

I guess a spring break crowd gets a little different entertainment.

[Orcrone]

Marc, your cruise sounds like it's exactly what I want. Quiet by the pool; maybe some music (not steel band) for an hour or so at lunchtime (and not too loud, please). Minimal pool games. Lots of pre-50's music in the Piano Bar. Soft background music in the public areas.

 

Perfect.

Ruth,

That's great. I preferr it to be a bit livelier, but I wouldn't expect everyone to like the same thing. I'm just figuring that if they were trying to go after younger, family centered passengers that they would reinvent themselves with the entertainment also.

Seems to me that by cutting back service to reduce costs and fares they're alienating many of their loyal customers, but by keeping the entertainment as it is they're not doing enough to attract the new passengers.

BTW, there was no chocolate served by the pools.:(

[ekerr19]

Ekerr,

 

I found your post very interesting. We both sailed out of Norfolk on the same ship, and possibly itinerary (I was on eastern Caribbean, don't remember which one you sailed). We had not Calypso, Steel Drum, Reggae or any other type of music that I would expect in the Caribbean. They played one hour a day for about 1/2 the days of the cruise. It was so sporadic that it was actually listed in the daily program. When they finished they didn't say a word, just unhooked their instruments, coiled up the cables and walked away.

 

I guess a spring break crowd gets a little different entertainment.

 

We were on the 10-day Eastern, and it was pretty lively. We spent alot of time by the pool and really enjoyed the music. It was very quiet at the Aft pool and we went back and forth between the two. Our daughter prefers the Lido pool and we prefer she stay there, so we tend to hang out in that area.

 

I don't specifically recall all the activities, but my daughter managed to attend most of them - even cruise crafts, where she made needlepoint luggage tags. :) Our CC group tried never to miss Team Trivia and the "DAM Cruisers" were often the champs!

 

There was a nice couple that played in the Crow's Nest before and after dinner... pretty mellow, but she had a nice voice and they were fun to dance to - they also took requests and many pax made them. For us, the best was after 11:00 pm, I know a lot of people don't like to stay up that late, but we had a blast.

 

I'm glad our cruise was a bit more livelier - we like music and dancing, so when there is more variety, it's nice for us.

[DFD1]

Marc: I agree with a lot of what you say about the music on HAL, especially outside on deck. Our cruise on the Volendam (11/26) seemed awfully quiet on deck. It certainly was a long way from what I call lively.

 

The passengers' average age on our cruise must have been very close to 70 years old. Several people we talked with mentioned that HAL needed to attract some younger passengers in order to insure its long term survival. It may not be quite that bad, but I feel sure they are scratching their heads about it in Seattle.

 

Our's was a l0 day cruise right at Thanksgiving and that may have had something to do with it.

[jhannah]

Who are they trying to reach? Anyone with money to spend. Simple as that. Yes, they have a base upon which their business has been built, but us "old geezers" won't be around forever. They must attract new blood. There will still be a real mixed bag of music and entertainment, IMO, as they shift each cruise slightly according to the demographics thereof.

 

So far as cutbacks are concerned, it's a fact of life in business. We all dislike it ... but it's happening everywhere. Funny but true story. For a number of years one of our vendors has sent us a six-pack of almonds for the holidays. Regular sized cans like you buy in the store. Last year the cans shrunk by several ounces each, but in the same size package with a plastic filler liner to take up the space. This year, it was down to four cans!

 

I believe the overall character of HAL will change over time. Culture shifts take a while to happen, so it won't be "overnight." But while many elders have lots of disposable income, so to many "youngsters" and "'tweeners" these days. HAL wants them all, and I'm sure will do whatever it takes to capture as much of the market as they can. The move can be seen as good, and it can be seen as bad. As in all of life, nothing stays the same forever.

[sail7seas]

I'm one of those who wants music playing (most preferably live) at Lido Pool but do not welcome it at Aft Pool. Choices....if one wants more lively atmosphere, they can go to Lido Pool. If one wants quiet conversation or read a book etc....they can go to Aft Pool. I don't mind if they play steel band for an hour or so but it would get under my skin if they were loud all day.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are of the age group where we like a little music by the Lido Pool - maybe an hour of steel drum, etc., but's thats all.

We like it quiet by the aft pool.

We do not want to hear blaring music all day - and definitely not in the hallways!

HAL has been known to attrack the older crowd - and I hope they return to that - even on the Vista class ships (glad when they don't build them anymore) and return to itineraries of more than 7 days on most of their ships - not just a couple.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

We really loved our last cruise - 21 days on the Statendam - Oct/Nov ---

AND NO CHILDREN!

[peaches from georgia]

HAL has been known to attrack the older crowd - and I hope they return to that - even on the Vista class ships (glad when they don't build them anymore) and return to itineraries of more than 7 days on most of their ships - not just a couple.

 

 

So agree, KK. HAL doesn't have too many 10-12-14 day cruises, they have far too few. I'd suggest leaving the Zuiderdam doing 7 day Caribbean for families and those others who want that and let all the other ships do 10+ days. Seems like there's a niche there that isn't being filled.

[wild_rose]

We've booked Westerdam B2B for early February,

but after that we'll go to Celebrity for a longer September cruise.

We're tired of these 7 day ones, full of kids.

[peaches from georgia]

We've booked Westerdam B2B for early February,

but after that we'll go to Celebrity for a longer September cruise.

We're tired of these 7 day ones, full of kids.

The problem with b2b's is that, though you are taking a 14 day vacation, you really are taking 2 separate 7 day cruises. So you just have different kids the 2nd week from the first, but still plenty of them, and vastly different fellow cruisers than on a longer single cruise. :rolleyes:

[Lisa63]

Who are they trying to reach? Anyone with money to spend. Simple as that. Yes, they have a base upon which their business has been built, but us "old geezers" won't be around forever. They must attract new blood.

I wish HAL would realize that there are many of us "youngsters" who are attracted to the line for the same reason as our more seasoned counterparts. :) We were drawn to HAL for its classic ship feel, and because we cruise to relax, not to party. We enjoy meeting people of all ages, so I admit to having a bit of trouble understanding why some folks are turned off by the age of fellow passengers. I know the cruise business has become highly competitive, but I would hope that there would still be something to differentiate HAL from the other lines.

[uncialman]

I wish HAL would realize that there are many of us "youngsters" who are attracted to the line for the same reason as our more seasoned counterparts. :) We were drawn to HAL for its classic ship feel, and because we cruise to relax, not to party. We enjoy meeting people of all ages, so I admit to having a bit of trouble understanding why some folks are turned off by the age of fellow passengers. I know the cruise business has become highly competitive, but I would hope that there would still be something to differentiate HAL from the other lines.

 

BINGO LISA!!!! BRAVO!!!! KUDOS!!!!

 

Wow! I'm 35 and that's exactly what I have been saying for about a year on this board! Thanks: I don't feel like the lone weirdo anymore :D

[slineberry528]

I just returned from the 10 Maasdam out of Norfolk. I loved the cruise. This was my second HAL cruise and I knew from being on the Veendam that there would be no steel drum music by the pool. I did miss that, but I knew it was going to be that way. I took the cruise for the relaxing time I would have. One day the cruise staff tried to get some pool games going to no one was interested. It is just the type crowd that HAL draws. Our cruise was over Thanksgiving and there were many younger people on that week and about 100 children. I am in my early 50's and this is my favorite cruise line over all. They have many things that are "free" that other cruise lines charge extra for. The HAL ships are not party ships.

Susan

[jhannah]

I wish HAL would realize that there are many of us "youngsters" who are attracted to the line for the same reason as our more seasoned counterparts. :) We were drawn to HAL for its classic ship feel, and because we cruise to relax, not to party.

Thanks for sharing your view. I'm sure there are many under-50 pax who feel the same way. Let's just hope HAL takes notice and does not try to drastically alter their product. I also hope they wll not forget that the product they've offered for years has brought them to where they are. There's an old saying that expresses this: "Dance with the one that brung ya'."

[Charlie2na]

.....ditto....

[iowacruiser]

Funny thing about getting older...You tend to mellow out and the things you enjoyed in your 20's just aren't as appealing when you hit your mid 40's.

Weve been cruising since 1984 (our honeymoon cruise on the NCL Skyward which doesnt exist anymore)

We sailed NCL for several years with a Carnival cruise thrown in. We always traveled with friends and on occasion got a little wild, perfect for those two cruiselines.

The last couple of years we have been attracted to HAL for a number of the things some of you dislike, older clientel, fewer kids, softer music and seldom do we see partiers dancing on tables like we have on Carnival.

We sailed Explorer of the Seas in October and found that ship to be dead after dinner. Even the casino was pretty quite and with 3300 people on board I was a little surprised.

We still have fun when we cruise and occasionally get a little on the wild side but it's just a change in attitude that happens as you get older.

I think HAL needs to attract a younger crowd but remember we all end up in that "older" age group eventually. I hope there will always be a cruiseline that caters to us "soon to be gray hairs"

[MandyGirl]

BINGO LISA!!!! BRAVO!!!! KUDOS!!!!

 

Wow! I'm 35 and that's exactly what I have been saying for about a year on this board! Thanks: I don't feel like the lone weirdo anymore :D

Ditto here.

Hubby and I are ages 30/32 and want the peacefulness/relaxation. We definitely found that relaxation on our Thanksgiving week Maasdam cruise last year, but not quite so for Thanksgiving week this year (Zuiderdam). If we wanted an upbeat, party atmosphere that is stereotypical to people our age, we'd just drive to Galveston and hop on a Carnival ship. Instead, we fly to Florida for HAL.

[uncialman]

Ditto here.

Hubby and I are ages 30/32 and want the peacefulness/relaxation. We definitely found that relaxation on our Thanksgiving week Maasdam cruise last year, but not quite so for Thanksgiving week this year (Zuiderdam). If we wanted an upbeat, party atmosphere that is stereotypical to people our age, we'd just drive to Galveston and hop on a Carnival ship. Instead, we fly to Florida for HAL.

 

And ditto again...

 

There are a whole lot of folks like us (the REAL 30's Mr. Meadows!) that have money to spend and would prefer to have a relaxing, easy going, quiet cruise. My experiences aboard the Rotterdam, Zaandam, Volendam and Veendam are the ones that I wish to repeat, not the week that we had aboard the Zuiderdam.