Real NHDOC

It’s especially difficult to hear this about someone doing that to the Zaandam crew. We were on the holiday cruise that began at the end of the most recent South America cruise and can honestly say the service on that ship was probably the best of any we received on any HAL cruise so I cannot imagine that there could be a justification for doing that if it was on the most recent Zaandam SA cruise.

I am sure if someone was determined to do that they could. I only recall the old policy was it had to be done at the beginning of the cruise. I know the world is full of all kinds of people but anyone who can afford to take a grand voyage and then at the end elects to opt out of the crew appreciation program really does set a new low. I do hope that their guest profile does reflect that so that in the future they will receive the service they deserve.

The policy used to be that in order to opt out of the crew appreciation program you needed to do it on the first day. There’s some conflicting information about how this is handled now with some information online saying that you can do it at any time although I cannot find this on HALs website or in the contract. If that’s the case it would not surprise me to hear that it gets noted in your guest profile so that you’re known as a non tipper. I cannot imagine that opting out doesn’t have consequences other than being able to have a clear conscience about letting everyone else pay for your share of the crew’s compensation.

Do keep in mind the crew is given a list of those guests who opt out of the appreciation program so for those who think they will get the same attention as everyone else they may not. It might help explain why some people complain about their experience onboard if they have chosen to opt out of the program.

FWIW you can have gift card balances added as credits to your onboard account at any point during the cruise so just wait until there’s no line and have it done then. It gets applied instantly and if you still have any credit left at the end of the cruise they apply it as a credit to the card you have on file. You can have OBC added before the cruise but only in certain dollar increments so inevitably you may land up with some small balance left on the gift card doing it that way.

Assuming your repositioning cruise is going to be mostly, if not all sea days I would be surprised if they didn’t offer the complementary wine tasting. My experience with repositioning cruises is that they actually offer more opportunities to participate in various beverage tastings than they do on port heavy itineraries and cannot remember ever not having been offered the free wine tasting on any sailing. In fact, since it is specifically mentioned as a perk of the mariner’s program I would say if it isn’t offered you should ask for an equivalent OBC in lieu of it.

While we always participate in the crew appreciation program and directly compensate those who we interact with who I feel go the extra mile it is also important to remember to mention the names of crew members who made the experience special in the survey that is emailed to you at the end of the cruise. Also, shout outs during the cruise can be sent in through the “let us know” section on the Navigator app. I have done this many times and I know the crew gets recognized for this in merit promotion and bonus time. So in many respects it’s more valuable to them than just a few extra dollars handed to them. I feel we are fortunate to be able to enjoy cruising and the least we can do is take a few minutes (and dollars) to show our appreciation to the folks who work like dogs to make it possible.

One more thought. If you booked the cruise through a travel agent or PCC try reaching out to them. If not you could try emailing the shareholder department (CCLShareholderHAL@hollandamerica.com). The guest services staff has been pretty useless lately in my opinion. That’s why I recommended elevating the issue to the guest services manager first. When we had issues with OBC not showing up on our folio it was because the finance department on the ship never posted it to our account. It showed up on our booking but not on our account until they posted it.

Keep in mind that cruise ships can and do arrive late due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. Our most recent cruise on Zaandam arrived 3 hours late in FLL because we had a medical emergency on the last evening that required us to divert to Nassau on the way back to FLL. Many people who booked early flights were out of luck. Those who booked their own flight arrangements were on their own to make alternative arrangements while people who booked flights through HAL had their flights rebooked. It’s one reason they won’t book flights that depart before 1pm just to allow for situations like that. Had a similar experience on Princess on the west coast when we arrived in LA 6 hours late. In that case Princess did reimburse us for having to rebook since they arrived after their recommended cutoff time for departing flights. it doesn’t happen often but you simply cannot count on a cruise ship being anywhere at any time.

I would elevate it to the finance department onboard. Ask to speak to the guest services manager and explain the situation and tell them if they don’t see the credit on your folio that they need to talk to the finance department. I have had similar issues with OBC that eventually got resolved once I made it clear I would not take no for an answer.

We typically spend around $200 to $400 a day for our cruises on HAL for two of us including the taxes and tips. The extra $2 a day therefore amounts to less than a 1% increase. Compared to the increases in everything else it’s really quite insignificant and if anyone deserves it it’s the crew.

That’s very interesting. I wonder if anyone can chime in as to whether they allow you to use OBC to buy it or require a direct charge (like buying an upgrade onboard does)?

The retreat cabanas on the Zuiderdam are larger than on the Pinnacle class ships. There isn’t space for 4 people inside a standard Pinnacle cabana, just two lounge chairs. The idea that they are now encouraging families to take them is laughable. I am glad to have enjoyed the experience before this new policy was enacted since we won’t be getting a cabana again if they are turning it into a family friendly venue.

I stand corrected. And it’s really when they combine it with the mint in the Mariner’s cocktail that I find it to become objectionable. Back when they would only allow the coupon to be used for one I would ask for it on the rocks with no mint and it wasn’t that bad. But their original recipe is something that I just couldn’t stomach. And I have a high tolerance for drinking things that are hard to swallow!

My own opinion is that when they started “giving away” specialty dining liberally (HIA, 5* Perks, Casino Comps) they decided to cut corners so like everything in life “if an offer seems too good to be true it probably is” applies now to eating in the Pinnacle.

The (vile) Mariner’s cocktail contains no gin. It is St Germaine liquor, sparkling wine and soda with a twist of orange peel and a mint leaf. St. Germaine must be an acquired taste. Made from Elderberry it definitely has a distinct flavor and when mixed with mint makes the vile concoction HAL calls the Mariner Cocktail. IMHO it’s the most disgusting drink I have ever had.

After cruising MANY B2B cruises on HAL I can conclusively say the answer depends on the ship, finance department, tide, weather and if you have led a charmed life. In other words don’t count on it. Sometimes they carry the folio forward and sometimes not even if you specifically requested it and were assured it would be done it might not be done. And once a cruise is closed out you will lose any unused nonrefundable credit regardless of what they told you.

I received an email that implies you can now add HIA once onboard. That would be great if you could use OBC to buy it like you can on Princess. Previously you could only buy it before the cruise began (at least that’s what I have been told). The price is $10 more per person per day but if you can use OBC it’s like getting it for free or deeply discounted.

You are correct. Two completely different animals. But it’s the HAL mentality that you get what we have regardless of what we say it should be. That’s why I have said you cannot believe a word they say about the steaks being “prime” or “dry aged” because it’s just part of their deceptive marketing strategy. Welcome to “The Holland America Lie”

While they are marking the coupons with the voyage information now it does not say it expires. Just says what ship and voyage you received it on. FWIW they don’t even look at the cards when you present them so no worries about using them on a different sailing later if you don’t use them when you get them. Originally they said you could only get the (vile) Mariner’s cocktail but have since changed policy and allowed you to use them for any beer or cocktail available on the standard package. The coupons started appearing after the restart of operations in lieu of the mariner’s reception but now they do both on most sailings so we continue to get the drink coupons (and they have been added to the official list of mariners perks).

I would be too! You do have recourse. It’s another case of being charged for something you didn’t authorize so if I were you I would contact HAL and let them know that you will give them one more chance to correct the error before disputing the charge on your credit card. Then, follow the dispute process if they don’t fix it.

Well however it was cooked (probably steamed and not broiled) it is clearly NOT a Maine tail as it is advertised to be. That is a warm water spiny lobster tail. It’s my pet peeve that they continue to misrepresent the lobster. Those are two completely different types of lobster and an insult to those expecting a cold water tail!

Well, I suppose in a case like that it’s clear the son knew he wasn’t entitled to the money back and just wanted to be vindictive and try the dispute process to see if he could get away with it. Good for Princess for not only fighting the dispute but banning him. But the OPs case is presumably different in that a dispute for a legitimate reason would not result in the cruiseline taking any retribution against them if they were truly entitled to the money and used the dispute process as it was intended.

I just don’t think Princess (or any other hospitality provider) would ban a guest after one single disputed charge. Even if Princess proved the dispute was unfounded and won with the credit card company that’s hardly grounds for being unwelcome. Maybe I am wrong but my suspicion is the ban resulted from multiple infractions and maybe the dispute was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Your friend’s son might just not be forthcoming in disclosing the truth to you (or even his own father).

As I said, you are only hearing one side of the story. Your friend and his son may be telling the version that makes them the victim. Princess's version may be completely different.