robertmnch

You are a generous person, or a HAL lover that thinks the line can do no wrong. As for me, I not only think the group thing (allowing them to shut other cruisers out of public rooms) is outrageous and have long advocated for a cruise "bill of rights" which would inform anyone booking (or booked) on a cruise with large groups...to be informed and given the option to cancel or reschedule.

 

Cruise lines enter into a contractual relationship with cruisers (although cruise lines design their fine print cruise contract to give them any right they choose to take). Cruisers make the reasonable assumption (based on information provided by the cruise lines) that public rooms are indeed public and will generally be available to everyone. It will take nothing less then a massive Group Action (i.e. lawsuit) to finally resolve the issue. And before folks flame me...we would point out that is was just such a class action suit which finally forced cruise lines to be more honest with so-called port charges and fees.

 

Hank

Hank, you are so right! I got flamed big time a few months ago because I was willing to discuss this subject! I pay a good $$$$ as a Solo and I expect to use every Venue no matter who has booked it. As the old saying goes: I paid for it and I am going to use every Venue, NO matter what HAL says in their Contracts. (CLASS ACTION Law Suits will get their attention!). Remember, it is we REPEAT Passengers who built this Cruise Line over the last 25 years!:mad:

I know what you mean.

I use a Rollator and have been nearly knocked over by people pushing to get in line at the Lido, getting on the elevators.

One time a woman on a scooter also pushed in front of me to get on the elevator.

The last couple of years I seen more rude people than ever -- on ships and on land.

DITTO from this Disabled Veteran who uses a Cane and Rollator!;)

Can anyone who takes the position that Mr Ashford is bad for this line, please give me a specific change that he's made, to cause your complaints? Just one will work for a start. I think the saying is put up or shut up.

In 27 cruises on HAL, I have NEVER run into GROUPS! All of a sudden we are having religious GROUPS shoving their religious philosophy down our throats.

If I pay the going Rate for a cruise, I expect to have a run of the ship. I don't want to be relegated to the Lido for Dinner while the GROUP takes over the MDR, 2nd Seating. They take over the Crow's Nest, Swimming Pool, etc. I work hard all year, I get two weeks vacation and all I want is a vacation on HAL and access to ALL of the Venues! I paid for it and expect it!

Mr. Ashford signed off on all of these Groups, I beg your pardon?:rolleyes:

Mr. Ashford is in the HOT seat, but as a cruise critic follower, other cruise lines can have their religious groups also, but sell them the Charters. I know religious discrimination? If they want to join us, then let them act like all of us...it's called respect...cruise, eat in the MDR, go swimming, see a show, and let us enjoy the cruise we worked so hard for over the past year! I don't think that's very difficult, do you?

So, you don't have any specific actions you can relate explaining how Ashford "ruined" Holland?

 

How about this? Can you list specific things that have changed during Ashford's tenure that contributed to "ruining" Holland? For example, when did Ashford take over? What has changed since then? How did these changes resulted in a "ruined" cruise line?

Have you noticed all of the GROUP CRUISES and telling Passengers they have to eat in the Lido and the Crow's Nest is fully occupied after you worked off your "BUNS" to save enough money to go on the "cruise of a lifetime"! Groups dictating "religions" and getting in your face? NO! Not me! I would rather eat at Joe's Steakhouse anytime than partake of Ashford's plans for HAL!:confused:

:D

Good to know the tricks. Gets a response everytime.

Robertmnch, glad you got the refund.

Got my Refund 24 hours after asking for it on Cruise Critic!

Thank all you Cruise Critic Members!:p

Well yes, I am a special person, but not when it's about eating. Or making reservations. That being said, I note that you have very little posting experience on CC. You don't win friends with insults.

MY, My PIA! There was NO intent to be rude to Passengers! Would you wait 4 months to be paid a Refund?

I just got a phone call from HAL Accounting and they found the $388 dollars in less than 24 hours,:p and will credit my CC in 3 to 5 Business Days!

Amazing how someone said "If I go public with this issue, it will be resolved very quickly"! Yes it was resolved!

I was TOLD by Guest Specialty Restaurant Reservations that I had to pre-pay for the reservations or take my chances I could get Reservations after we boarded the Zaandam!

"This was a 14 day Alaska trip of a lifetime for my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter"!

Enough said, "NO insult to anyone as a Member on Cruise Critic for 12 years"!

Robertmnch

Thanks for recommending Drive. That's one of the brands I am considering.

 

Vicki

I have a Rollator Light weight Wheelchair, but it is recommended to not sit on it and be pushed = Saftety!

It is a great lightweight Wheelchair. It has a scissor fold up mechanism, a cloth box size container just below the seat cover, handbrakes, four adjustable wheels.

Look it up on the Internet = Rollator!

Check them out as their are some with parts not included as described above.

I can fold my Rollator and put it right inside the hatchback!

Contact me if you have any questions? robertmnch underscore 26 at msn dot com!!!!!!

What? I don't see that poster saying you CAN'T or shouldn't make reservations, she just doesn't care to. I make some online reservations but not all. No matter if you do or don't is it a reason to get so upset :confused:?

Sure I'm upset! I've been waiting for over 4 months for $388 DOLLARS! Lot's of things I can do with that money! HAL asking for copies of my Credit Card Statements?

I'm not looking to start a mud-slinging contest on Cruise Critic over the operation of a Department!

Reservations said they sent the Cancellation to the Bank of America's Department aka Alaska Airline. Reservations sent it twice, but it never makes it to B of A! Why?

Enough is enough! All I wanted Cruise Critic Members to know was that people make mistakes! FIX it someone at B of A or HAL!:mad:

I have never prepaid a restaurant and also have never had a problem getting a reservation. Choices. But more than six months in advance, IMO, is overkill.

PIA: When I made my cruise reservation for a cruise for FOUR PAX, Specialty Restaurants REQUIRED a "Paid In Full" for all 4 PAX! I wasn't alseep at the wheel on this reservation. I only did what was being requested, and that's after 27 cruises!

You might be one of the "SPECIAL PEOPLE"! Let's compare Oranges to Oranges!:confused:

If you have HAL's cancel for any reason insurance, the refund will appear on your credit card usually within a week (my experience). If you have pre-booked shore excursions, restaurants, flowers, etc. these will also be refunded to your credit card.

I cancelled my Alaska June 2016 Cruise back in December 2015! No problem on the cruise portion Refund!

I am still waiting for a Refund for restaurants for several nights in the Pinnacle Grille June 19 to July 2, 2016! Reservations for the Restaurants said they even sent the paperwork twice to my CC Bank and they say they never sent the REFUND twice to my CC Bank. I am now in the process of sending copies of my Credit Card Statements requested by HAL Accounting Dept for December, and January to prove to Accounting that i did NOT receive a REFUND!

Go Figure?

:confused:

Does HAL gets the increased fare price rather than the organizers of the group or is it the profit for the organizers?

 

A meet and greet is for a limited time. It's apples and oranges to compare it to multiple closed venues and limited dining choices that span an entire cruise.

 

The line offered the dining times at booking. People make cruise choices based on what is offered. Then the company renegs on those choices after final payment date? It is a bait and switch with no recourse.

 

Pay more, get more??? When people book a cruise, the line indicates that they will have access to all the venues they so highly publicize. Non-group passengers aren't paying a reduced rate for the inconvenience. They are being deceived. They are receiving a diminished experience for full fare.

As a Disabled Veteran and a Type 2 Diabetic, pre-planned meals are an absolute necessity! I pay good money for a cruise and expect to get what I paid for the cruise as advertised!!!!:rolleyes:

The one we had on the Eurodam in October was horrible.

It was at 1:30 in the Crow's Nest. We got there by about 1:25 and it was packed. We found DH a seat and I used the seat on my Rollator.

We had to get our own cheap glass of sparkling wine -- I only took a sip -- too bitter. Never saw anyone with appetizers.

No one to greet us. But within a few minutes the cellar master showed up and started to do a pitch about the various wine packages. No other officers.

We didn't even get an invitation for the one the second week of our cruise.

Anyone could have attended this so called Mariner's reception.

HI: How do you travel when travelling with your Rollator?Do the airlines check it in as luggage or do you take it on the plane and flight attendant stows it? Thanks for your help from a Disabled Veteran!:confused:

I was scheduled to sail on the Maasdam August 8th. Due to a huge storm in Southern California + damage that will take six weeks to just get an "estimate", Reservations would NOT allow me to move my Reservation ahead 3 or 4 weeks. Reservation date not cut in stone!

Anyone else experience this with HAL?:(

Robertmnch

BIL is having trouble getting around lately so I thought I would look into renting him something to help him get around a bit. Any suggestions?

You can rent Scooters and Rollators thru Special Needs: 1-800-513-4515; Care Vacations.com: 1-877-478-7827; Scoot-A-Round: No Telephone #. Check out their prices and size of Scooters, also for the Rolator. Next, check the width of the doors to the Cabins, MDR tables, Do they have a spare or parts on the ship if your Scooter "fails", who do you call? How much lead time do you need to pre-order a Scooter or Rollator? Will HAL accept the company you plan to rent the Scooter?

Great News: I was able to get my Rollator thru my Medical Insurance for a Co-Pay of only $13.00! The Rollaror cannot be used like a "Wheelchair" and ride on it. The Rollator has a seat to take a rest stop, and wheels about 8" diameter! Underneath the seat is a small basket to carry special items!:D

Also, it does not have a battery to fuss over., and has handbrakes to help you control you speed of about 2 mph!

I just got my Rollator on 1/11/14 and practicing in my backyard to get used to it and the wheels in the front that can move 360 degrees. The Scooter is like the one's in the Malls and Super Markets where there is a good place to try it out! I'm not PRO or CON on either the Scooter or Rollator, just giving out some information that took about a week to research! ENJOY!

HI Melli: I have been to Alaska 4 times. First cruise was the Inside Passage = the last 3 Alaska Cruises were southbounds on HAL Ships. Seward to Vancouver. I like that itinerary as it is very smooth with the wind to our backs! Lot's of Glaciers, History of Alaska in Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan and the Totem Pole Climbers.

As I mentioned earlier I am booked on my favorite ship, the Ryndam = 1250 passengers and very easy to get around. The Ryndam is 1 of 4 HAL Ships that hold 1250 passengers. You have to try it soon. I think the Ryndam is going to Europe again next Summer, I believe the Statendam will be doing Alaska next Summer. Try it, but NOT alone.

 

 

I'm looking forward to Alaska! Can't wait!Thanks for the information, Robert!

Enjoy your cruise on the Ryndam!

 

Have a great day!:)

 

HI: Another thing I thought about if you are still going to Alaska. Passengers were complaining "why was there so much fish on the Menu! Answer: Well, you're up in Alaska, home of the Halibut and Salmon! In the 1980's and 1990's, they would bring the BIG King Crab Legs, already split!The legs would be piled about 12" to 18" high!:p

Hi Robert,

what a pleasure to hear from you! Yes, you are right - one never should judge a book by the cover. So I think it's great that you wrote back - as more than 1000 cruisers have just been reading this thread without writing back....

Well, I have never been on on one of the HAL ships. Have you got a favorite ship? And I really would be interested if you have already been on an Alaska cruise cause I'll be on one in summer and would like to hear about your cruise experience...

Have a great day, Robert!

HI Melli: I have been to Alaska 4 times. First cruise was the Inside Passage = the last 3 Alaska Cruises were southbounds on HAL Ships. Seward to Vancouver. I like that itinerary as it is very smooth with the wind to our backs! Lot's of Glaciers, History of Alaska in Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan and the Totem Pole Climbers.

As I mentioned earlier I am booked on my favorite ship, the Ryndam = 1250 passengers and very easy to get around. The Ryndam is 1 of 4 HAL Ships that hold 1250 passengers. You have to try it soon. I think the Ryndam is going to Europe again next Summer, I believe the Statendam will be doing Alaska next Summer. Try it, but NOT alone.

Still have room for the 12/1/2013 cruise = give it a try?

Robertmnch:)

To all the single male cruisers out there:

 

Hi,

my name is Melli (37) and I'm an absolute cruise lover, my favorite lines are NCL and RCCL and for the last four years I've cruised solo...so where are all the single men on the cruisecritic boards who like to chat with me a little bit about cruising and perhaps would like to find a woman who shares the love for the ocean and the ships!?

If it's you that I mean - just say hi!;)

HI: I am leaving on Holland America's Ryndam out of Tampa, Florida on the 1st of December. Looking for a friend to share sights, dinners, etc. I have been on HAL ships since 1987 and always have a good time. I am 74 which might be too old for you, but don't judge a book by it's a cover.

Always nice to have someone to have intelligent discussions, and enjoy the shows. What does a 30 or 40 year old have to discuss what I have enjoyed thru my lifetime?

If interested, drop me a line on Cruise Critic, Boards or robertmnch underscore at 26 msn dot com! Also check FACEBOOK with a last name of a famous river in NY State!:confused: