If A Cruise Line Really Wants to Pamper You......

[mr green]

All due respect, but I don't think you understood Jim's post. He is known as gentleman Jim around here for good reason. Besides, several others said the same thing, why pick out Jim's post? :confused:

 

I understand Jim very well. All I can do is to state my case as I see and understand it.

 

john

[Taxguy77]

Well i guess we were lucky on our last cruise. Fabulous service, food and no nickle and diming.

 

Waiters who had time for a chat (saw no rushing in diningroom at all)

Hope our next one will be as great.

 

Maybe that's why our waiter was late and didn't seem to give a dam.

[whip52]

I have never had any problems with service. Maybe its the way that I ask, I always address staff as my equals.

 

john

Absolutely!

 

I treat all of the workers on the ship (or anywhere I go), from janitor to captain, with respect and appreciation. They are working hard to make my trip enjoyable.

 

I always get to know my cabin steward a bit and find out about that person's life. They appreciate being acknowledged. I never have any trouble with good service.

[SilvertoGold]

The Photo Shop does not automatically deliver the ships photos to Mariner's cabins. Go there and ask. They will give it to you.

 

 

That is just the point, Sail, some ships do. We've had two copies of the ships photo in our mail box a couple of times. What a nice gesture, very gracious!

[ansjefitnes]

Maybe that's why our waiter was late and didn't seem to give a dam.

 

Where we on the same cruise????

[Typhoon1]

Bring back the HAL of years ago. Maintain the Signature of Excellence upgrades that occured in the last few years with it.

[sandygal]

Originally Posted by surfergirle

Have no charge iced teas and punch or lemonade passed out on sea days near pools (couldn't hardly find anything in the lido) no iced tea etc.

 

On our recent cruise on the Zuiderdam they brought around trays of icy lemonade in the mid ship lido pool area on sea days. It was nice!:)

 

(sorry, tried to cut and paste above post, don't think it worked very well!)

[mkam2821]

Perhaps if they were to offer an unlimited massage package *grin* I'd never leave!! Many of you are speaking about how you wish the level of service would return to what it was 5-10 years ago. Oh My! We cruised HAL from 99-2006 and then due to itinerary and price have been on other lines for past 6 years. Now, having come off an horrific year (illnesses, job loss, loss of a parent etc) I desperately need a vacation and with a pretty limited budget found that HAL was offering us the best bang for our buck (of course living in SoFla we are able to drive to the port). Seeking the service and graciousness that we remembered from HAL we booked the NA for 12/16. I know we'll have a great trip no matter what (no cell phone/no email!) but I wonder whether HAL's service will live up to our memories or whether will we be disappointed as so many of you seem recently to have been. We shall see. No matter what, I won't be cooking, cleaning, driving, working, babysitting or doing laundry, that's a good start to a great vacation!

[kazu]

Perhaps if they were to offer an unlimited massage package *grin* I'd never leave!! Many of you are speaking about how you wish the level of service would return to what it was 5-10 years ago. Oh My! We cruised HAL from 99-2006 and then due to itinerary and price have been on other lines for past 6 years. Now, having come off an horrific year (illnesses, job loss, loss of a parent etc) I desperately need a vacation and with a pretty limited budget found that HAL was offering us the best bang for our buck (of course living in SoFla we are able to drive to the port). Seeking the service and graciousness that we remembered from HAL we booked the NA for 12/16. I know we'll have a great trip no matter what (no cell phone/no email!) but I wonder whether HAL's service will live up to our memories or whether will we be disappointed as so many of you seem recently to have been. We shall see. No matter what, I won't be cooking, cleaning, driving, working, babysitting or doing laundry, that's a good start to a great vacation!

 

The crew are as gracious as ever:):) That has never changed:)

 

You might notice a couple of little touches missing but I don't think it will seriously impact your enjoyment;)

[mkam2821]

The crew are as gracious as ever:):) That has never changed:)

 

You might notice a couple of little touches missing but I don't think it will seriously impact your enjoyment;)

 

Thanks for the reassurance. Truth is we always have a good cruise even when our cabin was poor and there was a myriad of problems on our honeymoon cruise (line is out of business) we met a fun group that we spent every meal and excursion with and still had a blast. Attitude is Everything

[superoma]

Put an end to the three times a day announcements when the daily program is reviewed aloud. I can read.

 

Bring the service levels back to where they used to be so that I don't feel I am imposing when I ask for something.

 

Set the teak loungers up early every day, and put some decent cushions on them.

 

Let there be some comfortable areas with peace and quiet. I do not want someone else's selection of background music to interfere with my relaxation.

Thesewould be my wishes as well

[Crusing Bob]

Rosario Strings played every evening in the Explorer's Lounge on our recent Zaandam Hawaii cruise and they played all formal nights as well.

 

We also were not charged for cappuccino for lunch or dinner in the MDR.

 

We found the food to be as described on the menu and we were quite satisfied.

[vicocala]

Glad you were happy Bob, thanks for the information.:)

[sail7seas]

The crew are as gracious as ever:):) That has never changed:)

 

You might notice a couple of little touches missing but I don't think it will seriously impact your enjoyment;)

 

You are so correct about the wonderful crews on the 'dam' ships.

It is the people that keeps us coming back again and again. :)

[lovetocruise2020]

Originally Posted by surfergirle

Have no charge iced teas and punch or lemonade passed out on sea days near pools (couldn't hardly find anything in the lido) no iced tea etc.

 

On our recent cruise on the Zuiderdam they brought around trays of icy lemonade in the mid ship lido pool area on sea days. It was nice!:)

 

(sorry, tried to cut and paste above post, don't think it worked very well!)

 

now thats cool!!

[dr.dawg]

yes, yes, yes. get rid of the 'reading of the daily activities' three times a day. we can all read the bulletin. it annoys me sooooo much. and let some places be QUIET. the endless muzak, or whater it is called now, is just plain offensive. endless loops of the same songs. i swear, on my peru cruise last fall, if i had heard the song 'santa baby' one more time i'd have jumped overboard. i still wake up with that stupid song running through me. and once, they really 'cranked up' the volume, and everyone screamed, 'STOP.' IT WAS AWFUL, AND THREE WEEKS OF IT. forget lima, forget mp, that will always define that cruise for me -- the 'santa baby' cruise. ugh, and more ugh. ps. and when the 'hellcats' 'perform,' if that is what you call it, they are SO loud and bad they chase me away. what ever happened to steel drum bands in the carib? btw. this is not 'pampering,' it is torture.

[GeorgesGal]

Remember when you were greeted when you boarded - a steward took your carry on - someone gave you a glass of wine and you were escorted to your stateroom?? I know, that was a long time ago - but I never forgot it. Really made you feel special and welcome when you got on board:D[/quote

 

Every now and then I think about that experience. I remember the first time I experienced it, I was very impressed with HAL's delight in having us aboard!