Dunelm

3 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Based on the body of his posts, I would be surprised if poster is writing tongue in cheek. 

Oh, dear!   No wonder our world is in chaos.

On ‎9‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 6:25 PM, ChinaShrek said:

 

People are screwed everyday by nameless, faceless corporations.  If someone can get their "revenge" by getting a little compensation then more power to them.  Big businesses only worry only about profit.  They do not care about their workers or the customers.  If a customer manages to "scam" a company every now and then, what's the harm?

Any kind of "scamming" is harmful.  Are you writing with your tongue in cheek, or do you really think that scamming is fine?

Do you think that misery loves company?   I am beginning to think that this topic is evidence.  Also, I am skeptical these days.  A few people may think that if they complain enough they might just get some kind of monetary recompense, especially while on board.  About five years ago,, we took a walking tour of Cannes.  The French guide was wonderful, but a few people were upset with her because 1) We could not get into the film festival hall (convention going on and not her fault), and 2) we had a long walk, duh?  The next day, the cruise line apologized for the "inconveniences" and reimbursed us, and informed us that the guide would no longer be used.  We immediately went to the excursion desk, told them of our experience, and refused the reimbursement.  We were asked to put our experience in writing, and were later told that the guide had been reinstated.  We were told that we were the only people who refused the reimbursement.  There is a lot of greed in our world.  It seems that people always want more, and that what we experience is never enough. 

I am sorry you had a negative experience with the Zaandam,  Our experience in July was the opposite.  We thought the food in the main dining room was excellent as was the service.  Of course, the ship is older but we thought it was in good shape.  We enjoyed the entertainment as well.  Our cruise director was Jude, and she seemed to be everywhere.  I admit we do not go on cruises for either food or entertainment.  We look at the itinerary first, and sailing from Boston to Montreal was a lovely experience.  It may be that you would prefer a much larger ship that has loads of entertainment, games, and so on.  People just have different tastes, and nothing wrong with that.  Life would be boring if we were all the same.

1 hour ago, Av8rix said:

I had done the same thing, and you're (we're) right.  But it's the Internet and anyone can say anything that they like.  The majority of folks -- lacking critical thinking -- will believe it.

I agree.  Social Media has been a blessing and a curse.  I am not on Facebook, etc., but can understand why others may need it.  Like you, I just wish they would fact check information before passing it on.

I have not read all the responses, and so I apologize if mine is repetitive.  I think that people's attitudes and expectations have changed, and there is a general disgruntlement that may have something to do with the complaints.  Life is filled with change, especially as one ages.  I happen to think aging is a privilege, but many do not.  Like others, I have enjoyed every cruise taken on four different lines.  I think of all the crew who are pampering us while spending a lengthy time away from their families.  I think how privileged I am to be able to cruise.  No cruise is perfect, and there may be a few changes that we dislike, but I hope people do not focus on what is negative as that is unhealthy.  It is more healthy always to look for the positive, and to be grateful.  And, try to avoid the word "hate".

I find it fascinating that someone on this site wrote what I thought was unkind and political, and I responded.  We have both been silenced and that is probably good.  I just hope that the silencing was not only because of my response and that, until I responded, the unkind posting was being ignored.  Maybe to ignore unkindness is best for all.  Just wondering.

We were on the July 6 cruise, and in one of the tender ports we saw a very large ship docked.  Its name was Aida.  Also, we ate in the main dining room every evening and thought we had excellent service and food.  We thought Sidney was a small, quite charming town; however, it is very human and okay to have different impressions about the same place and cruise. 

On ‎7‎/‎14‎/‎2019 at 10:47 AM, hairbflo said:

Just got off yesterday from 7 day Boston to Montreal. The most boring ship ever been on. Entertainment is almost non existent unless you like piano bar singer every night, few trivia games, & their “broadway dancers” who probably wouldn’t get past the 1st round on America’s got talent.  2 comedians on board, the ventriloquist was very funny, the other everybody just sat there.   Some of the activities & shows probably find in a retirement home.  Jude the cruise director must have the easiest directors job in the fleet.   Ship very small & showing its age

I was on the same cruise.  My husband and I go on cruises to see new places or go back to those we loved.  I thought the singers and dancers did a good job overall (we do not expect Broadway productions), the ventriloquist was great, as were the adagio duo.  There was also a jazz quartet playing most nights, and not mentioned above. The crew and food were fantastic as were the ports visited.  I guess we all look for different experiences when on a cruise. Actually, I thought that Jude was doing double duty as a cruise director as well as travel director.  She was everywhere.   I am sorry, though, that you found it so boring.

1 hour ago, IslandThyme said:

It's not clear to me that the notion of falsifiability applies well when the outcome is instability, which is what climate models predict. And have been predicting for some time, so validating the predictive power of models generated in the past is an important step towards validation of the hypotheses. I'm not up on current stats, but as I recall, for some time now scientists have been saying that effects predicted by past models, used by the IPCC, are arriving sooner and with more intensity than previously predicted.

Entirely agree.  Just read an article that demonstrates, with photo's, that the Arctic ice and Antarctic ice are melting much faster than expected.   We have been warned repeatedly, but until such events begin to affect us personally, nothing will be done.  Sigh . . .

6 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

l have been following the 'science' since the early 70s.  I find it less than convincing.  I would be more inclined to take the 'science' seriously if those pushing the 'science' took it seriously.  Show me a plan that actually prevents global warming.  How do you propose reducing carbon dioxide to pre-industrial levels without reducing the standard of living to pre-industrial levels?   Changing light bulbs and buying offsets are like spitting in the ocean. Solar and wind won't do it either.   How do we convince the undeveloped countries to be satisfied with their standards of living unless we're willing to reduce ours to their levels?  Are we willing to institute a global government with sufficient power to implement the plan? 

 

FWIW, I did read one plan that purported to keep global warming in check.  It was published in, IIRC, the Guardian.  The plan required everyone to move into high rise, energy efficient, apartments.  Single family homes were outlawed as too energy in-efficient.  Only those working on farms would be allowed to remain in the country side.  Meat would be a rarity.    No privately owned transportation (other than bicycles.)  Flights into and out of England would be limited to less than 20 per day.  A vacation by air would be a once in a life time event.  No cruise ships either. 

 

I am not demeaning anyone.  If anything, I'm demeaning the concept that saving the world from global warming would be as easy as 'buying offsets'.  That only enriches those selling those things.

 

I am sitting on my hands. 

We do not have children either, but we remain concerned about what we all (including ourselves) are doing to our environment.  If everyone did small things to help, our planet would begin to be in a better condition.  For instance, refuse plastic bags, cups and straws; minimize driving (unless there are work demands); buy cars that use less gas and produce less carbon emissions; and realize that through millennia there has been climate change; however, there were not billions of people needing to be fed.  I admit that we are not perfect environmentalists, but we admire the scientists who are working to help our planet, and if we all helped in little ways, our environment would not be so toxic.  No, we do not have children but remain concerned for the future of others.

22 minutes ago, fatcat04 said:

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Thank you for the explanation. 

Sorry you did not have a good experience.  My husband and I were on the Koningsdam in January and had a fabulous cruise.  We prefer Holland America line, but have enjoyed cruises on Celebrity and Princess.  Five years ago our Celebrity Panama Canal cruise was great, but I did notice that it seemed to be what I call more  "gimmicky" than before.  That observation did not spoil the cruise, though.  Let's face it.  We are all different and have different likes/dislikes, and that is not a bad thing.

I believe in prayer; however, I also believe in action and was impressed by the actions and compassion shown by New Zealand's prime minister.  Would that we in the United States would not only pray but would demand sensible, intelligent action from our political leaders. 

Of course, we all are unique with different tastes; however I am in total agreement with the cruiser who loved : the "Humanity" dance show.  I saw it and the other dance show on the Koningsdam, and was blown away.  The dancers were so talented, flawlessly moving from ballet to more contemporary dance, and then the changing backdrops were incredible.  Kudos to Holland America for introducing two classy shows.

If folk can afford it, generosity always wins!

May have been on same cruise. Embarkation in Vancouver--has to be my favorite big city--was easy. Stayed at the Pan Pacific for two nights. Luggage taken from our room to the ship's stateroom, a Neptune Suite. The crew are the stars! Always friendly, polite, and efficient. I thought the food in the main dining room was very good considering it is banquet food. Loved grazing in the Neptune lounge that had two great concierges. My favorite music was BB King's and the Lincoln Center musicians. Only on board for four nights. Getting off the ship in San Diego was easy, but we came to earth with a thud. Stood in taxi line with a porter who came to the USA from Mexico thirty years ago. He has a son who works in the Pentagon. Two women were ahead of us, the next taxi arrived. It was driven by a black man, at which point the two women shouted that they would not let a black man drive them because they did not trust him. I stood and cried as my husband said, "we will be glad to go with you." The porter put his hand on my shoulder, and the black taxi driver never said a word. I am still upset.:loudcry:

In 1984, Neil Postman wrote a prophetic book, "Amusing Ourselves to Death: The Role of Entertainment and Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business." I see echoes of this book here. It seems that we are living in a society that is consumed by entertainment. I think we make our own fun, and have enjoyed every cruise we have taken on several lines. The best shows in Las Vegas cost hundreds of dollars. Some folk on ships are not paying hundreds of dollars every day for food, transport, room, and multiple venues of entertainment. Life is too precious to spend time looking at what is bad. I am not always a Pollyanna, but I tend to see a lot of good and privilege in just being on a ship. Peace and Joy!

I am sorry about your experience. I have taken many cruises on different lines, and have never had a bad experience. Have I just been fortunate? I really do not know. I do know that I feel very privileged to be able to take a cruise, to breathe in the sea air, to see different places, be pampered, and not have to cook. Ultimately, life is what we make it. I wish you well on another cruise line that may be more to your liking. Perhaps my expectations are lower than yours.

Stayed at the Pan Pacific last year, and it was a treat to have our luggage picked up from our room at 9:00 AM the day the ship left, not have to go outside to check in, and find our luggage waiting for us in the cabin/stateroom. A hotel like the Pan Pacific will be sure your luggage is safe. But, if you do not trust others then, for your own peace of mind, you probably have to lug the cases yourself. Whatever you decide, be sure to have a great cruise. The hotel is superb, by the way.:)

Good!

 

And, HAL allows you to purchase a celebration package with balloons and have them on the door.

Exactly!

Sometimes, I think that certain people project their personal irritations onto someone/something else. Holland America puts balloons outside cabins if they know there is a celebration. I am sure whatever you put on your door will be tasteful. It may even make people smile, and that is a bonus!!

I am thankful that I have lived long enough to see some changes in ships. Now, I won't, but I could write about other changes I have seen in other arenas that are harming folk, and it might be worth fighting them in another context. Regarding ships. I love the sea, the crew, and the itinerary, and can deal with other changes in Holland America. What a privilege to be able to see those changes!

Website totally useless from what I can tell. But it does apparently work better with Firefox than some other browsers (Chrome specifically). At least that my experience after being directed to Firefox by a kind CC member on another thread. Try firefox or another browser see if that helps. AND - call HAL and complain, or your TA. If they receive enough complaints maybe, just maybe, they will find a new company to redesign their new and improved (NOT) website. Obviously a total failure from what I can tell.

Jane

Totally agree. The website is more difficult than ever to access information. I suggest the Company has a big re-think. The site is far worse than some of their competitors.