DocJohnB

But I do now.  Received an email from HAL this afternoon that informed me of an cabin upgrade I had received. 

I had booked into a cat HH (outside - completely obstructed view) (cabin 3425 on the lower promenade).  I have been reassigned to a cat E (outside)(cabin 1924 on the dolphin deck).  It is right near the aft elevators, but I don’t see this as a problem. 

Not or sure of the upgrade process, but I like it!!! 😃😃

Nice toots!

Isn't Princess a part of that group?

She's moving out!

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

I feel compelled to take you to task on one thing.  In my opinion the OP asked a reasonable question and reacted intelligently to intelligent comments.

You are absolutely correct, rafinmd and bcummin  I negligently misidentified who, IMO, was attacking people's responses.  It certainly WAS NOT the OP (her question was indeed quite reasonable), but Sea Girl 23.  I apologize to all but especially to the OP.

1 hour ago, dogo88 said:

Not to keep the pain ongoing, but don't disagree with what you've said here and further down this thread. But you made a cardinal sin. You criticized HAL and came back for more. The small cadre of long time regulars on HAL never forget. 

While you may have a point regarding "criticizing" HAL, I and many others on this board and other boards would disagree.  While it may be acceptable to "criticize" a product or even a person's thoughts, it is not acceptable to attack that person or product WITHOUT expecting disagreement, especially from folks who know more about the subject.

The OP immediately attacks the group as a whole with her "creative dissonance" verbiage.  Then she follows it up with unfounded, unverified facts of her own choosing.  Finally, she ends up attacking the veracity/knowledge of posters with personal knowledge of problems she is only guessing at.

So, yes indeed, she did make a cardinal sin of posting - but it is not the sin to which you allude.

And, BTW, I am not a long time regular of the HAL boards, but have been around the C/C boards for a while.

37 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

Four and a half plus the Nelson loop; no winners today!

 

Or, in my best Sgt Schultz imitation,

Could that be 1 full stripe, three half stripes with a half Nelson.  Nein, nein, I suppose not because that would make it a half Nelson stripe.  (Verrrrrry interesting (said in that other guys voice)). 😂😂

24 minutes ago, Sea girl 23 said:

Like I said:disssonance.

 

Sooo..everyone who has trouble with their toilets must have put something they shouldn’t have in them? Not. Likely.

And that, Sea girl 23 is the definition of sophism.  You seem to make it a habit of twisting people's words to fit your arguments/ideas.  The highlighted sentence/question is neither what Joekerstef said, nor IMO meant.  (However, I think that your suggestion happens more often than you can imagine).  

I think that this discussion has run its course and would ask the moderator to perhaps shut it down.

Bon Voyage! 

1 hour ago, Copper10-8 said:

Cruise ship passengers???? What do you mean, Dean?

2 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

Run down? - heavens no.  Heavy paint layers because ships get rusty at sea, yes. Lovely recent refurbishments. Yes.

Health hazard? - C'mon. Wash your hands and keep your fingers out of eyes, nose and mouth. 

I sailed on her on a b2b in Boston/Quebec 5 months ago.  I couldn't agree more!  She is 25 years old and has held her age quite well.  While she may not have all the glitz and glitter or newer ships, she is a right fashionable lady.

IMO, her (relatively small) size and small number of passengers is what attracted me to her (don't feel swallowed up by the crowds), but it is her crew that "seals the deal".  They are fantastic.

As to "health hazard".  I, for one, would certainly not use that term.  Certainly, when traveling in a confined space (such as an airplane or cruise ship), one has to be cognizant of health issues that may arise.  I am aware of the possibility of being exposed to flu, norovirus, etc.  Aware, but not overcome with fear.  I take the recommended precautions (washing hands, trying to remember not to put my hands around my face, etc.).

If a perceived "health hazard" is a major concern of yours, then perhaps a cruise would not be in your best interest.

Thanks, everyone.  I am really looking forward to this cruise.  I will write something up when it is over.  Perhaps even a picture or two.

(In the interest of full disclosure, *MissG*, I am not a doctor (of any kind). I was a Navy Corpsman for 28 years and was always called "Doc" and it sort of stuck). 😎

2 hours ago, jtl513 said:

Yes, "nice" jeans are allowed on non-Gala nights.

Thanks for the response.  Appreciate it.

4 hours ago, killsport said:

 Will nice jeans/khakis and a polo or other button down short sleeve shirt be fine for non-"Gala" nights? 

Are jeans allowed in the dining room on any night? Asking, because I really don't have a clue.

29 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Do you have an idea that would accomplish both objectives, penalize poor and reward excellent?

Not really!  And that is unfortunate.  I believe that if I complain about a problem I should be able to provide a reasonable alternative.

I can only continue to do as I have in the past.  If I believe the service goes above and beyond, I personally will give the provider an extra gratuity over and above the HSC.  If the service is less than expected or simply average I give only the HSC and will write an unfavorable response on the post-cruise survey.  If the service is really below standards, I will talk to a supervisor on the spot.

Having said that, I have only been on 5 HAL cruises since I started back with them in 2014 (my 6th will be next week).  I have NEVER written a negative report, talked about a problem with a supervisor or not given extra gratuities.  The service has always far exceeded my expectations.  So, on HAL, one could say my "problem" with pooling tips is a moot point.  It isn't however on other cruise lines.

15 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Well, the point has been made several times in the past.  

Some will accept that the point has been made.

Others will not and claim that isn't the 'real' policy because it isn't the policy that they want.

I will (and do) accept the point, now that I have seen it with my own eyes.  I thank Stratheden for posting it.

However this does not change my point that the policy lends itself to rewarding poor service the same as excellent/outstanding service.  Can you see/accept that point?

11 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Hope the hurricanes are gone by your cruise.  

Yep, me too.  Fled Florence to be able to make a cruise and caught a little of the tail end of Michael living in South Carolina.

2 in one year are enough for me.

And, thanks for the response.

Thank you!

Thanks for this report.  I am doing the Panama Canal from San Diego on the Volendam leaving San Diego on 11/3, so not only was your post informative, it was timely.

I have a no view (completely restricted) outside cabin, 3 cabins from the aft on the promenade deck.  Do you know if it would have the same shower/glass door arrangement.

Do you know if Barbara and/or Barry will be on that cruise.  Any other information you can pass on would be appreciated.

A big problem I have with "pooling" tips is that it not only rewards good service it also rewards poor service.  I will give you a personal example.

Years ago (on another line) the waitress we had was, in a word, atrocious.  She was on her 2nd to last week of her contract and just wanted to be off the ship and actually said so.  She was careless, inattentive and just plain rude.  Her assistant was just the opposite.  By the 3rd night, I complained to the Maitre d' who said he would take care of it.  Nothing changed.  I complained to him again on the 5th night and he asked me, "What did I expect him to do".  I told him get us another waiter, or at least let the assistant take care of us.  Again, nothing.  On the last night of the cruise, the waitress was all sweetness and light.  This was in the days of "envelopes for tips".  I told her I was not tipping her and explained why  (as did the other couples at the table).  The Maitre d" had the chutzpah to say, "I hope you enjoyed your cruise".  I told him he wasn't getting a tip and why and also that I was going to comment negatively on his "service" and did so.  This was the first and only time that I did not tip a crew member as intended.  I tipped the attendant as recommended and added the waitresses tip to his envelope and gave him extra kudos on his eval.

The point as it applies to this conversation is if the same incident were to occur today under the pooling scheme, there is absolutely no way that anybody could assure me that the waitress and Maitre d' would not get their share of the pie.

5 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

I agree that the enforcement of the surrender requirement is problematic at best.  Some say the supervisors pay a lot more attention than we think, some say there’s a bit of self-policing which would imply others in the pool turn in violators,  some say it’s an honesty issue somewhat driven by the potential to be fined or fired, and some say it’s a hollow policy and is rarely or impossible to enforce.   I don’t know.  

Although you have written it much clearer and more concise than me, I believe your statement above pretty much verifies what I wrote: 

Quote

I just don't feel there is any realistic way for a supervisor (an anybody else) ascertaining which monies in a steward(ess)'s pocket came from a person who has withdrawn their HSC and which came from an "extra gratuity".

Underway, shift colors!

Should be headed out momentarily!

10 minutes ago, kazu said:

We can certainly agree to disagree 😉 

I agree with you that we can agree to disagree.  It would certainly be a boring world if we, on occasion, didn't.  Don't you agree? 

2 hours ago, kazu said:

reading the thread gives you all your answers I think

Not really Jacqui.

While I have been around C/C boards long enough to know (or understand) that lists are prepared for staff of those who have and who have not removed "gratuities", I have never actually seen such a list either accidentally or otherwise.  Nor, have I ever been privy to any crew member's contract to see what it says in regards to this subject (nor, for that fact, do I want to).

I just don't feel there is any realistic way for a supervisor (an anybody else) ascertaining which monies in a steward(ess)'s pocket came from a person who has withdrawn their HSC and which came from an "extra gratuity".

I have been cruising since 1993 (on most of the mass market lines) and have extended gratuities under both the old system and the newer system.  I have NEVER withdrawn from the HSC and and have NEVER NOT extended additional gratuities (as warranted).   I just have never gotten the "warm, fuzzy" that others have that the HSC in the best interest of "all" the crew.