If you go into anything expecting something and don't get it, you get disappointed. 

Most of the disappointment comes from not having what we are used to. 

With that said HAL has 40% less entertainment options than it used to. Probably 40% (if not more) new crew. The larger ships have never been staffed to handle the passenger count (even pre covid) so new crew will add a learning curve. (So we don't eat in MDR on Pinnacle ships, which is not an issue for us). 

We try to listen to everyone and anticipate problems (which they usually become pleasant surprises if we don't see them) and work our plans around known issues. 

We expect food to be good quality, hot and tasty and cabins to be clean (as well as they can be). Have we seen slip ups and misses, absolutely but not more than others. (Different passengers can have different experiences even at the same table). Are the activities down, limited, repeated...yes and we expect that on HAL based on what they planned pre covid and then got hit with. Have we had to get our own drinks, water, juice etc,  sometimes. Yes. Did we hate the cruise because of this. No. 

We like the journey and itinerary. The vessel for us is to relax between intensive ports. But we are more glass half full than most.  We've sailed on ships for 100+ days that had buckets catching leaking pipes and some cabins with burst plumbing. While these things will happen on older ships, we still know people who looked past it. The crew still works hard to make the experience good. We spent time on Rotterdam, which is new and beautiful but creaked every night. Pick your poison. 

HAL will never be what it was to many. But neither will any other line during the next few years. IF they make it and really look at "the customer" or find their groove/niche, they will continue to have loyal customers for a mass market cruiseline. Will we sail on other lines that have a good itinerary and value, absolutely. But you have to match expectations to reality in these times. 

Pack a small supply bag to maximize space and comfort. Just a few things we always carry:

A few very strong magnets (with hooks if possible) you can hang things on metal walls. (Hats, coats, clothes, schedules, etc)

Roll of string - never know if you need to tie up something

A couple of bungie cords (for hanging or holding things in place like medications, books, etc on shelf)

Roll of clear packing tape ( wider than regular clear tape)....the HVAC vent may be blowing directly on you in bed, usually a 4 way vent so we tape the side facing bed to redirect. Still has air flow. Our sinuses appreciate it. (Just remove the tape when you leave)

Small vice grips (like industrial clothes pins) to hold/hang things. 

33 minutes ago, RBB said:

     Yes, we did.  And we did it again about 7 weeks ago on the Grand Africa voyage.  Almost 5 years later and there is still no sign or monument there!

 

Rick

You have to look up. 🙄

1 hour ago, Colorado Klutch said:

 

And this is one of the primary reasons modern corporations are so clueless. They try to run everything based on spreadsheets and metrics. The reality is there are many intangibles which simply don't show up in spreadsheets or metrics. Real leaders get out of the executive suite and walk the factory floor, to out to the actual stores or, in this case, board an actual ship. 

Have HAL executives ever been on a cruise that wasn't on a private superyacht? Have they visited any of the ships to see first hand how things run day to day? It sure seems like have not.

You can't run a massive corporation using a joystick on a desktop, but it seems many people try to do just that. 

Actually both Executives of HAL and CCL have sailed on the World Cruises (and their families). Of course it's like flying business class on a jumbo jet and watching the commuter planes from above. 

6 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

2018 and 2020 never hit the Antipodes.   

But at least we hit 0' 0' in 2018 thanks to Capt Jonathan. 🤣 

41 minutes ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

I'm not  sure I understand your speculation.  Since the '23 and '24 WC's are on the Zuiderdam, are you saying that you do or don't think that HAL is going to be concerned about booking the '25 on the Zaandam, although the passengers obviously can't get their cabins from the most recent WC on the Zuiderdam?  On one hand, I would prefer the Zuiderdam being used for the '25 because it has the Signature Suites.  On the Zaandam there are only three choices for a verandah -  Verandah Suite,  NS, or Pinnacle, the latter two of which will command top dollars.  On the other hand, the Zaandam is a better ship for the WC from the standpoint of ports to be visited.

More in response to OP comment to Pete regarding passengers putting down deposits and wanting their same cabin. I think the determination of which ship would fall into which has a better ability to get into specific ports (if there is any difference relating to tender or ports limiting ship size) and which ship can store more on board (to limit running out of supplies, food choices, etc). They can always raise cabin prices no matter the category but there may be logistics relating to ship and ports which won't be decided by passengers wanting to get their same cabin. We've done both Neptune and Vista/Veranda "suites" on WC so would prefer the smaller ship if it means getting to ports and not running out of food. We prefer Veranda but Neptune is nice for the priority tendering (since our 5* doesn't matter) but not worth the extra cost. And of course itinerary for us would be the reason to sail WC again on either ship. 

1 hour ago, Infi said:

 

I thought the WC rarely sailed at capacity, so would the ship size really matter? With the notable exceptions of 2020 and this year, obviously. 

Correct there are some cabins always available but ports that are limiting ships probably go by capacity and not occupancy. 2020 was still on Amsterdam so Zaandam was considered as passengers could get similar cabin location. I doubt HAL Corp's top concerned is whether passengers can book their same cabin on Zuiderdam. It's hasn't been before and I'm sure the new Reorg won't change that focus. 

19 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

They had America’s test kitchen...

 

 

Loved the old cooking and tasting events.  And then the cooking shows (with recipes which may appear on menu that week). At least the 2020 GWC had a local chef in SA that did cooking demos in the movie theater (smelled great). 

19 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Don’t get me going on their music walk brands.  Loyal HAL fans would burn me at the stake 

You mean there are still loyal HAL fans on here....🥴

47 minutes ago, TGCRUISEOMAHA said:

Headed out on Eurodam 2/15 right before Dry Dock.  What kind of experience will I have?  Will they cut back or run out of things trying to work all the food and drinks down before Dry Dock.   It also is a 3 day cruise they stuck in to finish up before Dry Dock.  
 

 

Hmm. 3 day cruise.....I believe you're questions will be the answers.  

She also has a charter cruise after drydock so would think they will be restocking afterwards. 

19 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

I didn't know you could use your cruise card. That's so easy! I wish I'd been told.

 

The cruise department on this ship wasn't on top of things. Or maybe it was the shoreside-ship disconnect. I had booked the snorkel by boat at HMC. Three weeks before the cruise, it was cancelled. That was the thing I was most looking forward to, so I was disappointed. On Embarkation day, there was a sheet of paper welcoming me and thanking me for booking at one of the ports and listing possibilities where I hadn't booked. And there was snorkel by boat! So I stood in line for a half hour only to learn that the tour was, indeed cancelled, and would be cancelled for the remainder of the season. So WHY was it on that paper addressed specifically to me? It wasn't a list of all excursions, just a few that some algorithm thought I might like. 🙄

Yes. Excursion dept has plenty of issues. We were charged for excursions we didn't book (last fall) and also got survey emails last summer for excursions they cancelled for us because we were quarantined. At HMC I was also scheduled for kayak trip for afternoon but morning tour was late returning (someone dropped their glasses in the water so they all had to paddle around to find them- we were told) so we only had 1/2 hour left and guide said it wasn't enough time. He contacted tour booth and they told us refund would come. Days later no refund and EXC desk didn't know it was cancelled. Had to wait for them to confirm. Things happen, but pretty regularly lately. 

3 minutes ago, GeorgeCharlie said:

 

I certainly agree with you with respect to the amount of time it may take to get service to an acceptable level.

 

We primarily cruise for the itinerary and experiences. We recently returned from a 31-day South American cruise on the Oosterdam and, while we found the itinerary experiences to be excellent, the on board experience was disappointing.

 

We currently have a much longer HAL cruise booked for next year and we are now thinking it may be best to wait for another year, or two.

We are itinerary driven as well. Depends on the itinerary as some ports have problems as well (RE: supply and tourism) and may be best to wait, however prices will most likely rise so do next year and then again if you like it 😉.  

They told us your cabin key can be used as excursion ticket. And in one port (DR I think) the guide was upset I didn't have a ticket (luckily I screenshot one on my phone). 

Thanks for update. We board her in the Fall and will look for any drydock changes from your list. 

4 hours ago, Laminator said:

That's been there since I booked also!

If you log into website (not the app) and look at your itinerary to print out, do they show on that? Sometimes one doesn't connect the other and who knows which one the ship sees🤷‍♂️

They definitely need to separate the brands and if this does anything about making decisions quickly via the brand, it may work. However HAL supposedly had separate decision making pre pandemic and either that was loosly controlled by CCL or their prior reorg didn't work too well. The words "what the brand customer wants" also have been spoken before. But when you don't have the cash flow or supply chain to reach the goals, we can expect short term to be unchanged. We have hope for 2025 if the creek (ocean) don't rise. 

36 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

This YouTuber did a video about the exact same question you asked.  She goes through the daily activities on a sea day.  I found it fair.

 

 

Love those "executive" talks on HAL. I couldn't listen to her whole review...fell asleep. 🤪

She seemed mixed up about show and dinner times but interesting perspective and as she says "we make our own fun". 

Loved Tonga and you brought back memories of (and still feel) the stifling heat/humidity from 2020 when the King "allowed" us to dock. Our clothes were soaked just from walking around town. But very nice people. Did you notice or hear from locals how the rebuilding is going after the storm damage? 

On 1/28/2023 at 12:05 PM, WCB said:

 

 

Later in the afternoon, we got a letter titled Health Reminder.  It was a general reminder to continue with precautions we have been taking for Covid.  The wearing of masks has been down-graded to recommended now and not mandatory.  So fewer guests are wearing them.  We are still uncomfortable in a crowded elevator, so have decided to keep the masks in or pockets just in case we need to use them.  We are all being asked to report any Covid symptoms to the medical staff who will provide testing at no cost to us.  We may be reading more into this message, but we feel that the Covid numbers are on the rise.  People on either side of us have had it, as we can hear the coughing and sneezing.  And with New Zealand and Australia coming up soon, we bet there will be testing before our arrival. 

And unfortunately the testing will probably come up positive for some who won't be allowed off. 

Don't forget to carry your mask and sanitizer in NZ as the variant spreads there. 

1 hour ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

While not officially announced, Henk speculated that the 2025 world cruise will start a little later in January of 2025 and go Pole to Pole. 

If that's the case, would be curious if they skip the Grand SA and have Zuiderdam cruise a different itinerary (maybe a Grand Asia --- Hint hint 🤞🤞 - but probably out of season). 

9 minutes ago, iflyrc5 said:

Along those same lines - if I am a 5 star I get 2 upscale meals free.  If I book ahead online when I get on board will I get a refundable credit on my account for the entire amount?  With folks getting the HIA and having free dinners it is hard getting a good time once on board.

In theory Yes. It's better to pre book to get the times you want but expect a challenge getting a credit. 

38 minutes ago, cccole said:

If this is the itinerary I think it is awesome.  I still like the 2020 itinerary the best but would consider this one. Cherie

Yes I wanted to finish 2020 so voted for "C". Oh well. We can wait another year. 😄

1 minute ago, Roz said:

I can't imagine 100+ days on the Zandaam. 😒

Actually its in better condition than Amsterdam was. And that was enjoyable for the GWC, even having to dodge the buckets and plumbing tape around the pipes on the Prominade. Keep in mind the activities and itinerary are more extensive on the GWC and the ship is just the vessel to exploring. Was nice, especially sea days on the old ocean liner. 

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

Same here - We were charged 50% on the third meal each during the week.  Now I am REALLY confused.  The HAL website says:

Put a message in Navigator "Let Us Know" (for documentation) and also speak with Guest Services to let them know you are owed 100% dinner as 5 star. You may have to follow up multiple times or hear "we are waiting to hear from that department to put in the credit". Work it before getting off ship is much easier. Unfortunately you may have to do same on next leg of cruise when eating "complimentary" dinner again even if reminding manager of your benefits. 

2 hours ago, sabres431 said:

Do the red arrows mean there is a video?  What site is this?

Looks like cruisedeckplans dot com 

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

Should have mentioned - we have two separate booking numbers.

 

You should get double  perks since 2 bookings. Reservations can probably be best made via the website as the App may confuse the bookings. If not guest services may be able to help but they also may be locked into the current cruise booking. 

18 hours ago, cbr663 said:

This indicates to me that the HIA promo is successful for some sailings. 

 

I have always noted in past sailings that HAL rarely fully books the speciality restaurants.  I wonder if that practice is still relevant?

I think it depends on the ship and staff. We had booked Caneletto 1 night and asked to move dinner 1/2 earlier. They said they couldn't due to capacity but show up earlier. When we arrived there were only 5 other tables seated throughout dinner. We asked about "capacity" and they said they were short staffed and were not booking full. Goes back to HAL not staffing fully for the ships needs (specifically Pinnacle Class).