Mary229

For someone who has heard great jazz in person I can assuredly say it is far better to listen to the streaming version of great jazz than listen to BB King lounge on HAL

Right. And you know we raise worldwide, right? And it does depend on who is doing the reporting, right?

I agree with reporting however I think it should be stated that the outcome is also a private affair and the passenger should not expect to hear anymore than a request for more information or an apology. I would be shocked if a manager shared with me the outcome, that would be a violation of privacy.

I responded to someone who called streaming music as “commoditized”. I assumed by that comment that poster was not aware of the high quality performances available. I am trying to be very delicate here and have tried to diplomatically state my opinion of the HAL music walk performance but perhaps I should just say it - they are not satisfactory. And the worst offender is BB King

Thank goodness. I hope the same is happening on the Volendam. I have a lot of sea days in February and would like to catch up on my movie watching 😉

In early 2021 it was clear to me that hyper inflation was in the future so I booked as far out as I could, as many cruises as I could all with fully refundable deposits, except one which had a $100 deposit. I took 4 cruises off the list, still have three more this year and next. I did cancel some as I could see it simply was too many. now I am going back to my old model of booking the next cruise while cruising and taking advantage of the onboard booking program. Except for the most unique of itineraries, which sell out fast, I find this the best method. Then I only ever have at most $600 committed for a 30 day cruise and don’t need to make a final decision until 90 days out. I rather have a good personal policy than concern myself with the lines’ balance sheet. My agent does keep up with the financial health of various tour companies and cruise lines and has warned me in the past to stay away from certain organizations. My particular favorites are not on her alert list

HAL usually pays about 30 days prior. You need to get your TA involved. I did have a flight completely cancelled by a HAL flight ease agent. My TA got involved and they reinstated, at the much higher rate, at no cost to me.

This is what my agency reports as well

Stock prices are not always based in reality and have no significant impact on the company balance sheet

We were talking about streaming or with Apple Music you can download it for your onboard enjoyment. Again Cruise Critic needs to get nesting

The audio fidelity is amazing with good ear pods. I performed in college and I am perhaps a bit more critical . I would prefer to listen to virtuosos. I have not found that the performances on the music walk that satisfying. I have enjoyed soloists or special performers in theater

All of these recent posts convince me never to sail in the fall/early winter in the Caribbean. I am sorry they disrespected their own policy. Be sure to be very vocal here, Facebook, on surveys etc…. If you are still onboard open the app and leave a message on the contact area

Get a chase sapphire credit card, the built in insurance should cover.

You don’t like the London Symphony, the Boston Pops, the NY Phil?

This reminds me of a time where an acclaimed concert harpist, who lived nearby, was giving a free concert at our local library. I secured tickets on announcement day, made sure my group was ready to arrive 45 minutes early to find parking and arrived to find only my group and one or two very small children with parents attended. I was aghast but my DH and friends gently reminded me that classical music is not a popular art anymore. Also I don’t want to be cruel but the musicians on HAL are only adequate and the audio fidelity of earbuds is so advanced now ……

I agree. My best cruises with HAL had strong enrichment programs and itinerary-topical entertainment with both local entertainers and regional indie movies. I am certain these activities are less expensive as many lecturers will offer their services for accommodation. However it requires in house personnel to plan such programs. The easy route HAL chose in the past few years are these branded canned performances, hence we have Lincoln Center, BB king, Rolling Stone, Oprah and America’s test kitchen. I say quit paying the licensing fees and hire a staff dedicated to developing enrichment programs that match the itinerary. I don’t need a resort on sail, I want an epic journey.

I don’t know. Maybe the classic model of cruising began when people didn’t t live in urban areas with lots of entertainment and dining choices nor satellite media. It is a new age. I can visit fine dining at a reasonable price every night, I can go to 6 or 7 different live entertainment venues, I can go to cooking demonstrations, all at home. I can also enjoy the very finest performers the world has to offer from the comfort of my home. I think there was a day when the cruise ship was not only your hotel, it may have been a unique opportunity for fine dining and perhaps your yearly opportunity to see theater or live music. I think now that people so have access year round the lines may be evolving from this all inclusive entertainment model. HAL has announced they want to focus on the long, exotic cruise . I assume this also signals they are going to focus on catering to the traveler than the resort seeker. Maybe that is what they are trying, a hybridized mid-market expedition format. On the smallest of ships that populate the high end and the expedition markets entertainment and food options are very limited yet they are very popular among their clientele.

I think enrichment programs will be a far better match to their newly stated goal of long, exotic voyages. I certainly can listen to far better classical music on my phone than I have heard on any cruise ship. And yes, I do listen to classical music almost daily.

Perhaps cuts but perhaps also laying the ground work for a different production. Entertainment like cuisine is fashion and like fashion is constantly shifting. I would give it all up for a better enrichment program. It is hard for live entertainment to compete with streaming video, movies and other mass media. It is a new generation

No.I have sailed 4 times with HAL and noted only at FLL a verifly line and it was not moving any faster than my line.

I doubt posting here will help. If people would go back to work instead of working in isolation things would improve but that doesn’t seem to be the way things are going to go. It is sad

All of my excursions have been reviewless or only have post Covid cruises. perhaps it depends on tour operators. Anyway I am simply reporting what other members have reported in previous conversations

Accord to reports, HAL cleared out reviews after Covid. This makes sense as they may need to use new tour operators.

That was one of the options mentioned in a survey I received last month. I would definitely enjoy that cruise. I love rim cruises as opposed to circumnavigating at the equator which so many world cruises do.

I do believe the Hotel Manager is likely experienced and skilled enough to discern if there is need for action. Even if it was not bullying it informs the HM that passengers are witnessing behavior that should not be public whether it is actionable or not. the rule in my businesses was always “the customers don’t want to see how the sausage is made” , that is, don’t disturb their enjoyment with the mundane . Cruises are luxury items and like all luxury items benefit from a bit of illusion. The illusion is a smiling happy crew who are almost like your family.