MajMom96

Park West is often the best comedy on HAL ships. Always amusing to watch folks bidding up giclee's. Perhaps they will work with a firm that brings some real art aboard.

 

 

 

Hank

You mean you don’t love the “All Dogs Go to Heaven” picture? Hahaha!

We are going on our first cruise July 1 in Alaska on Westerdam. I've seen Gala Night mentioned in a few threads. What exactly is it and when is it? First night? Random night? I understand dress may be up a notch or two but since Alaska typically seems a little less formal is it also less formal on Gala Night?

Gala nights are usually on sea days.

Did anyone notice op has been 3 star for several years and has over 100 nights on HAL. Must have been in steerage to only make 3 stars after 100 nights.

This isn’t unusual, it takes 200 days to get to 4-Star. I’ve been 3-Star for several years too (and I don’t cruise in steerage) and I’ll finally get to 4-Star after my next cruise.

Yes, I would not expect 'broadway', or maybe even off-broadway. (which is what is purported on other lines)

However, I very much agree with how this concept is bing used. Going only for the hi-tech WOW factor.

The bright, and constantly in NEVER-ENDING motion and 'OVERDONE' projection images, for me, are an issue.

They could use this concept very very well!!!!! IF DONE RIGHT!!!!

 

Since this seems to be a work in progress, and HAL is putting some real effort and money into this....

I wonder if there might be some way to contact HAL, and/or the entertainment production company, with this opinion/suggestion.

There is. I have made comments similar to yours in my on-line survey that I get after each cruise. I’ve made these comments each time I’ve cruised on the Koningsdam.

24 cruises: 10 HAL (3-Star Mariner, soon to be 4-Star), 5 Princess (Platinum), 1 Celebrity, 2 Royal Caribbean, 2 Carnival, 4 Oceanic

C'mon Man ! dogo88, this hear is a serious topic. Dressing brings the best out of our fellow CC members.

 

 

Bottom line. If you don't like the way someone dresses in the MDR you can:

 

 

1. Eat dinner in the Lido every night

 

2. Don't sell on Holland America (of course you face the same problem on all other cruise lines)

 

 

Bottom line, HAL has dress rules along with all cruise lines; if they don't enforce the rules, so be it.

 

 

ENJOY YOUR CRUISE !

Well at least you’re acknowledging that there are rules that people are obviously choosing to ignore. That’s a start! Sort of like when you break the speed limit. It doesn’t make you right, it just makes you lucky. Hahaha! (Laugh people, this is my contribution to reaching the goal of 25 page!)

I haven't yet personally experienced the "world stage", but am concerned by two things. First, the term "value engineering" is show business-speak for "cost-cutting". Second, one can never fully replace practical sets with digital projections, at least not in a show of any quality.

 

So the way I read that is "We came up with a way to offer a cut-rate show that HAL's typical clientele (older folks who've seen shows done the right way) might not appreciate, but we're trying to appeal to younger, less affluent travelers who won't know any better or care."

I have seen some shows on the World Stage and I agree with your assessment. Although the projections can be very interesting and entertaining, they tend to be overdone and HAL is relying more on the “wow” factor of the technology than good production numbers for the singers and dancers. And it quickly becomes redundant from show to show and starts to lose its appeal.

Agreed - but on this thread there have not been people who have tried to impose their ideals on everyone else. (Unless, of course, you are referring to people who seem to feel uncomfortable if they notice others around them who take more care about their appearance).

 

 

 

There has, however, been a number of posters who use the term "fashion police" to denigrate people who just express a preference for dressing THEMSELVES in a particular manner.

Well said!

The "fashion police" exist as well you know.

 

 

 

When posters claim they do not wear pants suitable for yardwork (blue jeans) on a cruise, they have beyond simply mentioning how they dress.

 

 

 

I have yet to see where one of those who prefer to dress casually make derogatory comments about those who prefer to dress more formally. The casual dressers, IMHO, are more accepting of the preferences of others.

 

 

 

YMMV.

So you don’t think tagging someone who expresses the desire to dress nicely for the MDR as “fashion police” is not derogatory? Generally “tagging” anyone with a name intended to be negative is considered derogatory. I have yet to see a negative term created for those who prefer push the limits of dressing casually. And dressing casually is not the issue, as long as “casual” meets HALs definition which is clearly stated in their dress code.

Why on earth would anyone care what someone else wears in the MDR or what someone else's children/grandchildren wear in the MDR? The guidelines are not difficult to understand or follow for that matter. It is hardly rocket science. It is a vacation after all, not a LSAT or a job interview.

 

Relax, far too many uptight, anal people. Just get on the ship, be yourself, be considerate of others, MYOB, and have a great time.

I think “be considerate of others” is the operative phrase here. Unfortunately there’s a lot of the “me generation” reflected in these posts. 🤣🤣

We were told by our TA that Holland America does not pay for the flights until about 45 days prior to scheduled payment date. Checked with AA and their website said the booking was not paid and seats could not be selected until payment was made. TA also said that we could pay for the flights now which should enable selecting seats and legroom upgrade but it would make the air charges non refundable. Any comments????

 

Thanks

 

Lynn & Steve

I wonder if that is because you went through a TA? Whenever I’ve booked the cruise and the flights directly with HAL, I’ve been able to select airline seats within 24 hours of the booking, even for cruises over a year away. And I don’t “pay in full” for the cruise or the air until the final payment due date. This is all done with just the original deposit.

Sandwiches start to appeal to me at the end of a long cruise, when I start to hit my capacity for large, rich meals at lunch and dinner.

I am going on my first ever cruise and have read everything I could on the HAL site and also lots on Cruise Critic

 

HAL offers lots of information if you are going on one of their ships!

 

 

 

Not sure why the need for some of the questions asked here.

 

I found out all I needed to know about tipping, appropriate apparel for dining, etc from HAL.

 

 

 

I have asked for opinions here though and have gotten some great ideas/tips!

I totally agree. Most of what you need to know about cruising with HAL is covered in their “Know Before You Go” pamphlet and the FAQs. I think some people ask questions, not because they are confused and really want clarification, but because they don’t like what’s published by HAL so are looking for validation that it’s acceptable to apply their own interpretation.

We have done both. Here is my take.

HAL has a slight edge in the MDR

Service we found outstanding on both lines

X has more modern sleeker ships with more venues, although with two new pinnacle ships, HAL seems to be catching up to X

I think the specialty restaurants on X are price high, although they do that to offer discounting once on the ship

Drink prices are much higher on X. Logic is to push the drink package. Only happy hour on X was for Coors light and other beers. HAL has happy hour which is nice if you only want a drink before dinner

X has an edge on entertainment

I base my cruises on itinerary and cost.

Both web sites are equally bad

Great comparison. I agree with your assessment. I like both equally, so choosing by itinerary and cost is the way to go.

I believe the Koningsdam actually has some “solo traveler” cabins, but I’ve never checked the pricing.

What you're not factoring in to this statement is the fact that as people age, their needs, abilities, and tastes also change.

 

 

 

Just as you aren't interested in doing the same things as a young adult that you did as a child, nor as an older adult as a younger one, the future senior adults won't want the same things the alleged 'target passenger base' want now. They will grow into a different style of cruising.

 

HAL can appeal to senior cruisers and be successful for a long time by offering what they want now, while other prepare to take their place.

Well said!

I like the old one. I loved the clipper ship. It was a nice combo of merging the new with the old.

The hotel service charge (HSC) is the standard daily gratuity added to your room each day to cover gratuities that are distributed to your room steward, waiters (in the dining rooms and buffet), assistant waiters and other behind the scenes crew members that make your cruise memorable. For HAL, it’s $13.50 per day, per passenger for standard cabins and $15 per day, per person for suites.

I agree with previous posts that it sounds like you deserve a nice vacation, and if Alaska was in your future plans, I say go for it! I also agree that HALs FlightEase pricing is very competitive and the booking agent can give you an airfare quote when you book the cruise. HAL can also a arrange pre and post cruise hotels so it’s worth checking on what they have to offer. In any case, it’s always good to do some of your own research in advance so you know whether HAL is giving you a competitive rate on air and hotels. Good luck, but I hope you go. You’ll love Alaska! [emoji483]

For what it is worth, we received the following from the cruise line a couple of months before the cruise:

 

"IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: We would like to advise you of a change to the open seating option offered in the main dining room aboard the ms Nieuw Amsterdam sailing on June 30, 2018. Open seating will be offered as normal; however, due to the number of guests requesting to dine at 5:30pm, available seating will be limited until 7:30pm. Should you wish to dine early and space is not available in the dining room, complimentary dining is always available in the Lido Market, or for a nominal fee we invite you to make reservations at our Canaletto, Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill Restaurants. We regret any disappointment this change may cause. If you have any questions please contact Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576."

 

Obviously this will vary from voyage to voyage, but clearly sometimes there is a long wait for anytime dining.

 

This message may have been entered via voice recognition. Please excuse any typos.

Wow, based on this notice it sounds like people may as well reserve late, Traditional Dining which is at 7:45 - for this sailing at least. This would guarantee the type of table they want and secure that it will be available at the same time each evening, with no waiting.

I actually had some left over this time (about $60). Went to the office and donated it to the hard working crew by raising gratuities by the leftover amount. The front desk seemed happy about that, but I must admit they acted a little shocked, like no one had ever increased the gratuity before.

I didn't want the leftover OBC going to Seattle.....I thought the crew deserved it more. This was in addition to some extra $ we gave the cabin stewards privately as they were taking care of my ice needs for my ice paks for my back. I was very grateful.

That’s a great idea! I’ll have to remember that one if I ever have left over OBC. [emoji483]

Just wondering what people do with their OBC? On other lines you can use it to pay for excursions purchased in advance, but it looks like that is not an option on HAL. We were going to get beverage packages (soda and water for the kids, something with alcohol for me) and buy those in advance, so not using the OBC for that either. We are doing unlimited laundry (1 adult and 2 teens with 4 vacation days before we set sail so lots of dirty clothing!) but I thought we had to buy that in advance, too. So how can we spend our OBC?

We use ours to offset the standard gratuities, especially since I’ve never seen a discount on the gratuities if you prepay. So if we have OBC, we don’t prepay gratuities and just let them accrue. On the occasional cruise where gratuities are included as a promo, we usually wait to book specialty restaurants on board and of course, souvenirs for the family we left behind! And it can also offset Bingo! Regardless, we usually end up with no problem spending more than enough to make good use of the OBC. [emoji483]

Do you know how to find out because that info is hard to locate.

I would recommend you contact HAL directly with a few itineraries/ships in mind. That’s the quickest way to get the info on solo traveler pricing.

I think the lesson learned here is .... if you have a passport, then you should always travel outside your home country with your passport. It seems odd to me that someone would go through the steps to obtain an alternate proof of citizenship if you already have the best proof in your hands, a valid passport. I’m obviously missing the other benefits of having a NEXUS card?

My post was hardly irrelevant. Fashion is, and always has been, about demonstrating status. A $100,000 pair of pants certainly does demonstrate status.

Sorry i didn’t mean to offend. My comment was intended to be tongue and cheek since the dress codes don’t make a distinction between acceptability of jeans based on price, just on condition. Of course your comment was relevant as this entire string was about jeans in the MDR.

This is one of the things that really chills me about this thread. Here we have folks making really bold statements, trying to convince casual readers of the thread that their personal preference is the rule aboard the cruise line, but they haven't even read what the cruise line has said about it.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Cruise%20Preparation&contentMenu=Baggage,%20Packing%20%26%20Dress%20Code&ContentSubMenu=Is%20There%20A%20Dress%20Code%3F

Just a minor point but, “embroidery” may be mentioned in the FAQs but it is NOT mentioned in the dress code published in the “Know Before You Go” pamphlet so you can understand the confusion. If someone reads the pamphlet and think they understand it and have no questions, they probably are not going to read the FAQs. So there are some inconsistencies in the information provided by HAL. So no need to “scold” that people aren’t reading what is published, they may just be reading a different source than you.