QuattroRomeo

5 hours ago, coolbluegreenseas said:

The CSR (Customer Service Rep) probably knows about as much as you concerning the website and likely backend problems. What they can confirm is if the ship has departed. Beyond that, no one is talking to them about the IT problems which are likely all Cloud based and handled by a third party. Cut them some slack when “pressing” them for technology answers.

Don't worry, I wasn't mean to her! I used to manage a call center, and there are things you can do to mitigate the call volume and call duration. For example, you can record messages about system problems that play while a caller is waiting; you can give scripts to the CSRs, etc. I didn't get any coherent explanation from her, which tells me that it isn't adequately addressed by management, as we all suspect. I agree that it isn't fair to the reps to have to face the ire of customers with no support. Anyway, we are still looking forward to a great cruise!🙂

Finally got through on the phone..I didn't get much of an explanation but she reassured me for the departure date and that various things I reserved are all there. I pressed a bit to see what was going on and she simply admitted that there were lots of issues with the website, that even they get error codes they can't explain to customers, and it messes with the talk-times they are supposed to adhere to...!

1 hour ago, SilvertoGold said:

Have a GREAT! cruise on the Noordam. Hope you have good weather and enjoy all aspects of your time on a HAL ship Thanks for the interesting info on the computer systems' latest wild characteristics 🙂 Always a fun read to see how things can go wrong.

No kidding! Latest iterations of the online screen included: "Please complete the online check-in to avoid departure delays" ...well of course that was done ages ago, but at least the booking showed up again. Then, we get the ubiquitous :

1 hour ago, MikeD4134 said:

What did HAL say when you called about this?

Haven't gotten through yet...

18 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

That would have given me a heart attack!

Yes.. so here's me checking my calendar, paperwork, everything I can think of!!

Talk about a heart-stopping moment...logged in online this morning to print out our itinerary for the cruise that starts tomorrow, and see this:

Then I checked our December booking, and it has also departed...Tried Navigator, it at least shows we leave in 14 hours, but, all of the reserved items are empty... Anyone else seeing this?

7 hours ago, crystalspin said:

I frequently saw officers standing in line for the coffee!

Same! They are definitely regulars.  I particularly like the "1873 Rotterdam" coffee on board.

1 hour ago, seapad said:

I assume the regular coffee at the GDC is no charge? 

No, there is a charge for all coffees at GDC. They make each one individually.

Yes AncientWanderer, that must have been annoying! Again, customers' satisfaction was ignored. It certainly would have been possible for them to reach out to those of you already booked, to see if you would be interested in the Cellar Masters Dinner instead. I don't know why they don't get that customers are important..😕 The on board employees work so hard to please us, but their efforts can be undermined by the "off board" employees!

On the Rotterdam, the smoked salmon appeared in GDC under a glass dome. This photo is from my December 2023 review. The dome wasn't always so lonely- just happened to be this way when I took the photo!

This new focus on the Afternoon Tea holds out some hope for improved quality. The last 2 times we tried it, it wasn't very good. Years ago it was. Of course it can vary from ship to ship, like all of the food offerings! Thanks for the information!

I understand what POA1 is saying about secondary flow and location field, no issues there and thanks. What is an issue, as luv2cruisenz  stated, is the lack of User Experience testing. A customer should NOT have to wonder where they are actually eating! This has spoiled her anticipation and created needless stress. The Location field should be blanked out for the User when it makes sense to do so. Stupid, careless, lazy programming, or whatever it is called in the I.T. world. And   the Rep training is pathetic, and the Rep compounded the confusion.

6 minutes ago, luv2cruisenz said:

Yes it does look like it’s something their system needs to have.
‘Delivered to Dining Room’ could just mean the PG dining room. Although it’s a bit superfluous from a customers point of view. And confusing!

 

I do wonder if they have any kind of user experience testing on their website to identify when things are not clear. So it would be good if HAL can confirm what it really means. 

 Yes it is confusing. User-friendly it is not. We only have the "Feedback" button to work with!

If IT simply read a few of these CC threads, they would have all of the user experience testing they need!!😉

My guess is that this a website error or silly programming (surprise, surprise), as ALL of our specialty dining reservations  show " delivered to dining room". I saw this in the My Itinerary- Show my Purchases screen. Includes Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, and Morimoto by Sea.... on the Noordam.

3 hours ago, Jensue9 said:

type package that includes a $25 coffee card as well as some sort of gift type thing. I was wondering if they offer a coffee card to purchase just on its own? 

In the Manage my Cruise section, under Beverages, look for Beverage Cards. (4th line down under All Beverages).They are basically stored-value cards and with each purchase the money draws down from it, rather than billing to your onboard account. It is not just a card for coffee, it is for any beverage. There is no monetary advantage to using the card. Many people like it though  because it eliminates looking at these small amounts on your daily statement. 

5 hours ago, TheGuys16 said:

I always bring Antivert, Pepto tablets, excedrin migraine, Tylenol, Advil, Mucinex D and Airborne gummies.  Then the first aid supplies - Benadryl cream, bandaids, Biofreeze.  One cruise, we had to hunt down Tylenol in Guatemala and that’s when I became a walking Walgreens.

So true.. we pack several drug store items, too. The ship shops have limited items and those that are there cost a fortune! Cough & Cold meds are hard to find sometimes so I always pack those.

That IS a lot of ships!

2 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

That is why I always just go for the least expensive Facial. It is still a good facial and the products they use are good with the Super Foods one. I just won't spend that kind of money for that facial. 

Thank you Lisa- just the kind of information I needed- my wrinkles and I will just have to co-exist! I think I might try the superfoods one though, just for the experience.

-Pam

Ladies- have you ever tried the Elemis Biotec firm-a-lift one? I have never had any facial so if I treat myself to a pre-cruise special, I am wondering do the effects last very long?

Do you happen to recall when the Alaskan Brunch was held? We intend to do mostly Pinnacle lunches on sea days but would like to try the Brunch. We're on a Noordam 14 day collector.

Thanks everyone! We are sure looking forward to it. College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier and Whittier are new places for us, so it should be extra interesting. Haven't sailed Noordam since 2011 so it will be nice to revisit. Our sailing date is actually May 26, and with all the non-port days I'm hoping there is time to do a daily commentary!

3 hours ago, BaileyMJ said:

Free day since my HAL excursion Food & Wine tour Oyster Farm was canceled.  5 ships in town.

That's a shame; did they say why it was cancelled?

Origin Story has been on 2 or 3 times on our last 3 cruises so you have a good chance of seeing it! Worth seeing at least once!

Our Noordam embarkation info just arrived for our cruise out of Vancouver. No mention of any progressive check-in. That was short-lived!

We just watched this yesterday; he also mentioned the lack of main stage entertainment, but added that it is gradually getting better. And, perhaps the biggest irritant- the new push for families on board!