earljr Posted December 21, 2013 #126 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Could the annual report profit results just released by Carnival Corp have been the catalyst for cost cutting?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted December 22, 2013 #127 Share Posted December 22, 2013 That would have absolutely zero effect upon those who make the cutback decisions. It would be a clear case of shooting the messenger. I agree that there are some cutbacks that are beyond the control of the crew, but there are some that I believe that have been brought in by the crew themselves. I have spoken with DW about this thread and she reminded me that the only time anyone came to check our minibar on our recent cruise was on the morning we were disembarking. There were several times that we opened the refrigerator to get a soft drink only to discover that it had not been restocked. It wasn't restocked during the entire cruise. This is an income generating service provided by HAL, so it makes no sense for it not to be restocked each day. This is lost income and I don't believe that HAL would bring in a policy to only check the fridges on disembarkation anymore than I believe that they would bring in a policy to not supply ice in a room in a tropical climate. These are decisions made by the cabin steward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peaches from georgia Posted December 22, 2013 #128 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I agree that there are some cutbacks that are beyond the control of the crew, but there are some that I believe that have been brought in by the crew themselves.......... No doubt that is true, but bottom line is that some of the services that the cabin stewards used to perform get lost now because of corporate HAL's cutbacks in crew. Cost cutting, especially in labor, have far reaching unintended consequences. The stewards have so many more cabins to service than they used to, and in the MDR so many more tables to serve, the extras we are used to and still want just can't get done. There are just so many hours in a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrimp56 Posted December 22, 2013 #129 Share Posted December 22, 2013 We're on Zuiderdam. All is well. IMHO HAL gives good value for what you pay. You want more, then try another line. For us HAL is perfect. What does bother us is the obvious overwork for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GmaPajama Posted December 22, 2013 #130 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I agree that there are some cutbacks that are beyond the control of the crew, but there are some that I believe that have been brought in by the crew themselves. I have spoken with DW about this thread and she reminded me that the only time anyone came to check our minibar on our recent cruise was on the morning we were disembarking. There were several times that we opened the refrigerator to get a soft drink only to discover that it had not been restocked. It wasn't restocked during the entire cruise. This is an income generating service provided by HAL, so it makes no sense for it not to be restocked each day. This is lost income and I don't believe that HAL would bring in a policy to only check the fridges on disembarkation anymore than I believe that they would bring in a policy to not supply ice in a room in a tropical climate. These are decisions made by the cabin steward. Sorry, but I can't imagine any scenario where a crew member would choose a lesser level of service. They really do depend upon those tips and it would be financial suicide to intentionally put them in jeopardy. Only once, in over 200 cruise days, have I had a crew member tell me he couldn't fill my request. I'm convinced he was new and didn't know any better - as the matter was quickly remedied by someone else. As for the minibar - that is serviced by the Beverage Department, not by the Cabin Steward. In fact, I doubt the Cabin Stewards are even permitted to open that door unless specifically asked to do so. A quick call to the front desk, and a request for daily refilling, would have solved the problem. Yes, this may have been automatic at some point - but just think about the time wasted in checking minibars that are never even used. I believe it's much more efficient to service only those that are actually in need. I think it's sometimes easy to blame the Cabin Steward for a deficiency, when he actually has no input on his job description. At least not in any immediate sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 22, 2013 #131 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Could the annual report profit results just released by Carnival Corp havebeen the catalyst for cost cutting?? The cutbacks have been evident long before the most recent annual report was issued. They have been going on for an extended period of time though the most recent report could possibly be catalyst for more cost cutting, as you suggest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted December 23, 2013 #132 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Sorry, but I can't imagine any scenario where a crew member would choose a lesser level of service. They really do depend upon those tips and it would be financial suicide to intentionally put them in jeopardy. Only once, in over 200 cruise days, have I had a crew member tell me he couldn't fill my request. I'm convinced he was new and didn't know any better - as the matter was quickly remedied by someone else. As for the minibar - that is serviced by the Beverage Department, not by the Cabin Steward. In fact, I doubt the Cabin Stewards are even permitted to open that door unless specifically asked to do so. A quick call to the front desk, and a request for daily refilling, would have solved the problem. Yes, this may have been automatic at some point - but just think about the time wasted in checking minibars that are never even used. I believe it's much more efficient to service only those that are actually in need. I think it's sometimes easy to blame the Cabin Steward for a deficiency, when he actually has no input on his job description. At least not in any immediate sense. It just makes no sense, IMO, for HAL to bring in a policy to discourage passengers from enjoying beverages in their stateroom. I also noted in a passenger review of the ship a week before our sailing, the passenger stated that their cabin was on the side opposite ours and their ice bucket was filled every day. I also believe that the hallmark of outstanding service is to not have to ask for anything. I should not have to ask to have the mini bar restocked anymore than I should have to ask to have the bed made or the washroom cleaned or for a waiter to remove my plate when I am finished eating. Don't get me wrong - this wasn't a big deal for us and we did not allow it to affect our enjoyment of our cruise in anyway. We will be back on the NA again as we had a wonderful cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixiee Posted December 23, 2013 #133 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I bring pen and paper, and will place a note on our bed before we leave the cabin, if I'm in need of anything, like soda, or fresh wine glasses... True, REAL service would mean the service staff anticipate and fill your every wish... but they don't have time to be mind readers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rucrazy Posted December 23, 2013 #134 Share Posted December 23, 2013 REAL service would mean the service staff anticipate and fill your every wish... but they don't have time to be mind readers! Especially when staff levels have been cut and the remaining stewards have been assigned more cabins to take care of. They barely have time to properly clean and prep a stateroom in between sailings.. Have you ever looked at the edges of the carpet and in the corners of the stateroom? I am not trying to be disparaging I am only stating there are only so many hours on a shift, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisis Posted December 23, 2013 #135 Share Posted December 23, 2013 We are now living in a "WalMart World". We want everything cheap and corporations are cost cutting and downsizing to please the consumer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rucrazy Posted December 23, 2013 #136 Share Posted December 23, 2013 We are now living in a "WalMart World". We want everything cheap and corporations are cost cutting and downsizing to please the consumer. Not me ....I don't want it cheap... I would like it less expensive though:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted December 23, 2013 #137 Share Posted December 23, 2013 (edited) We are now living in a "WalMart World". We want everything cheap and corporations are cost cutting and downsizing to please the consumer. Please don't lump us all together. We would rather not have a product than have it be inferior. When it sinks to a certain level, it is worth nothing to us. We understand one has to pay for quality and we'd rather do without or go less often but have what we enjoy. Edited December 23, 2013 by sail7seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixiee Posted December 23, 2013 #138 Share Posted December 23, 2013 We are now living in a "WalMart World". We want everything cheap and corporations are cost cutting and downsizing to please the consumer. The cost cutting and downsizing are to please the shareholders and Board of Directors, no? If the shareholders are making a profit, then they are happy. I'm sure there is a fine line between keeping the customer satisfied and ensuring they are repeat customers, and creating negative experiences, where the brand is cheapened and no longer a respected brand. Not sure HAL is there yet. Our last cruise was fabulous, and I'm hoping our next cruise is as well. If not, there are many other vacation options out there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted December 23, 2013 #139 Share Posted December 23, 2013 FYI - the "Day of the week" mats are still on OSDM. They were there in Jul/Aug. As a matter of fact, a couple of nice teens ripped a set off and stored them in their cabin, but we got them back And their parents were where??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted December 23, 2013 #140 Share Posted December 23, 2013 And their parents were where??? Doing their own thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted December 23, 2013 #141 Share Posted December 23, 2013 We're on Zuiderdam. All is well. IMHO HAL gives good value for what you pay. You want more, then try another line. For us HAL is perfect. What does bother us is the obvious overwork for everyone. Enjoy your voyage Shrimpie :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToBe Posted December 23, 2013 #142 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I am been reading this thread with a great deal of interest. We are taking our third HAL cruise but have taken many more Celebrity cruises. We choose by itinerary not line usually. We spent 35 days on the Celebrity Solstice last winter, and I must say we were served cooked carrots at every dinner. It became a joke. I love raw carrots but don't bother with cooked ones. My test for our upcoming HAL cruise will be the variety of veggies served at dinner. I can test for cost cutting by knowing how many meals end up with cooked carrots. We had great fresh vegetables on our last HAL cruise but it was 1 1/2 years ago. I'd be interested in knowing if this is still true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whogo Posted December 23, 2013 #143 Share Posted December 23, 2013 FYI - the "Day of the week" mats are still on OSDM. They were there in Jul/Aug. As a matter of fact, a couple of nice teens ripped a set off and stored them in their cabin, but we got them back As teen pranks go, this one seems pretty harmless. I don't know the extenuating circumstances, but hope they did not end up with a 10 year sentence in a Haitian prison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seagarsmoker Posted December 23, 2013 #144 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I am been reading this thread with a great deal of interest. We are taking our third HAL cruise but have taken many more Celebrity cruises. We choose by itinerary not line usually. We spent 35 days on the Celebrity Solstice last winter, and I must say we were served cooked carrots at every dinner. It became a joke. I love raw carrots but don't bother with cooked ones. My test for our upcoming HAL cruise will be the variety of veggies served at dinner. I can test for cost cutting by knowing how many meals end up with cooked carrots. We had great fresh vegetables on our last HAL cruise but it was 1 1/2 years ago. I'd be interested in knowing if this is still true. We had carrots (cooked) twice on the Eurodam for dinner earlier this month. Sadly, the veggies were lacking for us on this cruise (even compared to our cruise on HAL last year). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted December 23, 2013 #145 Share Posted December 23, 2013 As teen pranks go, this one seems pretty harmless. I don't know the extenuating circumstances, but hope they did not end up with a 10 year sentence in a Haitian prison. Really? Why do they need to do that? You sound like someone that might be used to making excuses for others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted December 23, 2013 #146 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I am just sitting here laughing and thinking of the next great cruise rating system that will be based on cooked veggies! (you have to read a few of the previous posts). Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted December 23, 2013 #147 Share Posted December 23, 2013 As teen pranks go, this one seems pretty harmless. I don't know the extenuating circumstances, but hope they did not end up with a 10 year sentence in a Haitian prison. No, 10 years in prison does seem a bit extreme. Putting the teens, and their parents, off at the next port would be sufficient, I would think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixiee Posted December 23, 2013 #148 Share Posted December 23, 2013 Really? Why do they need to do that? You sound like someone that might be used to making excuses for others. Really? You sound like someone who never had children! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted December 24, 2013 #149 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Really? You sound like someone who never had children! Yes, you should always let children do anything they like. Agree with Ruth, put them off at the next port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEmerson Posted December 24, 2013 #150 Share Posted December 24, 2013 Now if I did the prank, I would have measured the mats and make my own. On each day I would replace one correct one for a modified one. Sonday, Manday, Tauesday, Wendesday, Thorsday, Friedday, Satorday Then keep an eye out a year later on the same ship if anyone caught the difference and removed the mat from "service." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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