cruz chic

I'd be very happy with a VQ from a VH guarantee. I got my VQ from a VA guarantee. That was less impressive.

It really is not so much of a typical hotel 'business center' as it is a very tiny room with, as I recall, two computers. Ventilation is terrible given the size and the amount of equipment in there. We often saw the door propped open to let in some fresh air.

It's very, very small. You would not want to be sitting in there long. There was 3 computers. I was in there for about 5 minutes and I wanted to run out of there. I would feel very uneasy sitting there for more than a few minutes. I'm pretty ok paying $10 to "sit" on the internet in the "luxury" :D of my own room.

They need to be renovating the rooms before they do the lobby.

Agree, they do look like the '70's vintage.

I agree, I think it is wonderful that most of us have neighbours we trust :)

 

Something I've noticed (not just on this board, many boards) is that sometimes familiarity breeds comfort. I see people addressing each other by first name, asking after the kids by name, etc. Makes me cringe, y'know?

 

I belong to a private special-interest board, and one of the rules there is no one is permitted to use another person's real name (or spouse's name, or child's name). If a poster is being addressed in a post, the poster's screen name MUST be used. Failure to comply causes (a) a warning, then (b) a bit of a time-out and after a number of violations, a long suspension.

 

On that board, we all "know" each other to one degree or another, and there's probably fewer than 100 people belong to the board.

 

That rule was implemented after someone started getting creepy comments on FB about their kids.

 

igraf, I remember reading that story, too.

 

colleyberry, the "complete privacy" ship has sailed, but I think it is important that we all excercise the caution that we can, y'know?

I know a lot of people address me by name. I don't know how that started but I'm not super concerned about it but maybe I should be. I'm very careful not to call people by their first name and I don't think I ever have.

Doesn't sound like much of a deal, I guess thats why they are not selling very good. How much extra were those 5 bottles of water if one paid regular price?

They had vitamin water and I can't recall the price of that. They also had Voss water and I'm pretty sure that was $8. Liked the bottle so much I carted it home:D. Those were the good old days when I took 2 suitcases.

Many of these would be excellent, but I wonder how many of these things they could put into effect without having to raise fares a great deal? Probably a lot more than $25 per person per day, which I believe someone posted earlier.

It they had more moderate fares I'm fairly certain they could put on a better product. As it is they probably have 30% booking at steep fares and 70% booking at the fire sale prices. That's why they are trying to get people to book early by having programs like the Explore 4.

$200 a day each, or for both?

 

This does buy food, lodging, transportation and entertainment per day on a cruise ship. Still a bargain really, when compared to land-based costs for similar amenities. Even Comfort Suites cost over $100 a day just for a room and a lousy breakfast.

It's not really a bargain. My friend is at an all inclusive right now for $1800 for 2 weeks. That includes drinks! That's a bargain.

Thanks for the specifics. This helps the discussion a lot. If you don't mind reporting, what did you pay for this trip and what cabin level that created these higher expectations?

 

All cruise ship marketing we have noticed has major credibility gaps between image and reality. They do themselves no favors creating unrealistic imagery.

Wow, that's a bit much to ask, don't you think? Would you like to tell us what you paid for your last cruise and in which category?

I have sat there for quite a while (cleaning up e-mails) and it has never been a problem.

 

There are also 3 free computers outside near the lobby -- but you do have to stand there -- no seats.

I was busy when I was in there, about 8 PM at night. I paid for internet in the room but my ipad was not letting me check in with air Canada so I thought it might work better there. No such luck. I couldn't check in and air Canada had no idea why:rolleyes:.

Does the bugger have a name? My fish just love bugs!!

The fish are cute.

<snip>The shortest one we had was on the Amsterdam in 2012 -- held at Noon for 15 minutes.<snip>

 

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Way to go HAL:D. I mean, why bother?

Saguenay is sometimes on Repostioning cruises, FLL to Montreal and/or Montreal to FLL.

We have sailed the Saguenay Fjord a number of times and it is beautiful.

 

 

I've done Saguenay twice on the Eurodam. Once in Sept 2011 (Quebec to NYC) and Oct 2013 (Quebec to Fort Lauderdale). I do realize that this is a large ship before someone points that out:D;).

If you use the Business Center and their computers, the Internet is free at the Embassy Suites.

That is a tiny area. You wouldn't be able to sit there for long.

You are bringing a lot of good memories back for me. Thank you.

If the poster were being mean, he/she would have posted "THE doddering old folks."

Instead, he/she (ages 59/60 -- which is hardly doddering) said "US doddering old folks."

 

Perhaps the tone doesn't come across to everyone when it's written rather than spoken, but the poster was merely musing about the reason for closing down the pools early.

 

And yes, maybe another line is a better fit for the poster, but that is for the poster to determine for himself/herself.

I find it rude in many instances -- not ALL, but many -- when someone here reacts to an honest criticism by suggesting a poster try another cruise line.

 

Now, if I said I was upset because HAL did not offer a huge water park or ice skating rink -- the comment would be justified. Royal Caribbean might be a better fit, and obviously I didn't do my homework if I just assumed HAL would have those amenities.

 

But when someone is disappointed about pools being shut down early ... well, that doesn't warrant the suggestion he/she look elsewhere.

I guess we'll agree to disagree. Seems like a few posters feel the need to explain what other people mean. It should be the poster that explains it, not someone else.

I too, read it as tongue in cheek. I also think, that HAL has a lot of wonderful amenities but seem to have a lot of limited hours. If HAL wants to retain it's reputation of being a quiet laid back ship, why does it not offer longer hours for the MDR for breakfast, lunch and dinner! For a lot of folks, including me, the Lido is nothing but action, noise and activity.

 

A late night swim is certainly self entertaining, so is a civilized sit down lunch in the MDR. Also, why does it not add more seats to the Screening Room? Every movie shown on the Eurodam in October was overflowing with people. One had to get there at least a half hour ahead of time to get a seat. Why is the BB King Blues band so popular? One has a hard time finding a seat there. Perhaps, HAL could provide a few more venues for live music in the evening. Those that want to retire early could and those that want a bit more action could have that.

 

I think a lot of comments are not complaints about HAL, just merely facts or at least what was observed by someone. Asking on Cruise Critic IS research. When a poster inquires about the atmosphere on a HAL ship replies are just that, replies. People that reply have already made up their mind about whether to stay with HAL or not. HAL has many wonderful things about it. People don't need to be told to go elsewhere. Obviously, many love HAL. Great. They don't need to be told to stay with HAL. A negative observation is just as valid as a positive one.

I'm not telling anyone to go elsewhere. It just seems when something is not a good fit that it might be best to stay with something that is a better fit. There is one poster on this board that goes on and on about how everyone is in bed at 9pm on HAL but he continues to sail with them even though he just thinks that Celebrity is the best thing on earth. Why spend money on HAL then when Celebrity seems to push all the right buttons? I don't like Celebrity at all so therefore they will not get my money. I guess it's just more a case of finding what works for me instead of complaining about everything that doesn't work for me. I can imagine what kind of reception I'd get on the Celebrity boards if I posted everything that wasn't to my liking. I'd be eaten alive.

I'm there in April, too. At the moment I have the Embassy and the Hyatt booked, and will make up my mind later which one. I'm not a big breakfast person, and I also found the Embassy rooms rather dark, so may keep the Hyatt booking - which also includes free internet.

That's good info. The breakfast area was really busy even at 7 am. I think I'll take a look at the hyatt.

Lorekauf, the poster was not being serious with "doddering old folks"!!!

It was certainly said tongue-in-cheek.

 

My daughters loved HAL when they were in their 20s and early 30s. Now that one has two children, she is pushing for a cruise on a line that is more kid-oriented. Not Disney necessarily, but many others have kid zones and pool slides and the like. She is thinking NCL.

It didn't seem that way to me. There is a reason that there are different cruise lines. It pays to research. I love a quiet, laid back ship. I get enough noise at home. Some people want constant action, noise and activity. Best to go to a line that provides that instead of complaining about everything Hal isn't. That's why I always like to ask people if they are self entertaining. I totally understand your daughter wanting to look at other lines.

IMO what this means is that they have reached their quota and don't want any more VH bookings. :)

I believe that you are correct. They are trying to encourage people to book higher level verandahs as it is a better value.

This is a very common practice with HAL.

I was thinking the same thing.

They need to improve service for both food and wine in the MDR. Quit charging top dollar for early bookers and giving away the farm at the end. Start with a lower price point and they will have less to give away at the end.

I always wonder why it is so important to know who the Captain will be. I cruise for the itinerary and the fun of being on a ship---and it is always a nice surprise to discover that the Captain might be one I know and have sailed with before.

It doesn't do it for me either but some folks seem to like it.

There is much renovation happening at the Embassy Suites.

The fountain in the main lobby where you walk in towards the reception desk is gone. The reception desk has been done over.

The atrium area where you had breakfast is being done over (and I do not like the looks of it). The big palm trees that were around the breakfast eating are all gone. From what we saw -- there are huge box-like structures being erected around the eating area.

It was a bit of a disaster when I was there too on oct 27th. There was a lot of work going on. I thought the staff was so so as well. I have it booked for 2 days in April but I'm sitting on the fence in case something better comes along.

This time of year, I didn't think there were any cruises under a week but maybe they will book a low cost cabin on a week Caribbean cruise to pick up the days they need to reach Four Star?

I'm thinking it would be seven days. Work is always shaky for me so I watch prices just in case I'm expelled. I'll be out of this cold and snow in about 5 seconds. Prices are low right now.

If you aren't happy with the upsell offer, refuse it.

 

You certainly can make an offer and see if it is accepted.

If the upsell makes the price of the new cabin less costly than if you had originally booked and paid for it, then you can think it likely 'someone' paid that amount of money for that cabin category.

 

I don't mean to imply you 'expect' an offer you like but it can get that way seeing HAL does it so often.

They lose sight of the fact there are 'early bookers' who pay the asking price for those cabins but they have conditioned many to expect to get the same cabin for less. No reason any of us should expect an upsell or upgrade, IMO

Most people are on to Hal's games. I usually have about 3 cruises booked with Hal at any given time. I almost always go with a guarantee so it's of no benefit for me to book early. The only thing I get from booking early is a frozen boot up my butt. Now I'm prepared to wait to see if they change their tune. If Hal wants to play games, c'mon let's play.

Makes sense to me! Out of curiosity, what do you consider a junk cruise?

 

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Probably a short cruise the poster doesn't really care about that will get them the points to get to a 4 star.