Medallion Lapel Pins... All Gone and 1-5 Star Lapel Pins...

[erewhon]

Joanie,

 

Thanks to this thread I have now found our 4 star pins, will store them alongside our medallions.

[mancunian]

This is slightly off topic but near enough. On our recent cruise on Rotterdam on the Mariner's lunch day we were invited to the reception beforehand for four and five star mariners. After the captain's speech they said there were none of us due to be presented with medallions, but that they had decided that each person or couple would be announced along with the number of days and would go up to shake hands and have their photo taken with the Captain and Hotel Manager. The photos were duly delivered to the cabin the next day. I thought this was a nice touch and one I personally have not heard of before.

Edited December 31, 2013 by mancunian

[Krazy Kruizers]

This is slightly off topic but near enough. On our recent cruise on Rotterdam on the Mariner's lunch day we were invited to the reception beforehand for four and five star mariners. After the captain's speech they said there were none of us due to be presented with medallions, but that they had decided that each person or couple would be announced along with the number of days and would go up to shake hands and have their photo taken with the Captain and Hotel Manager. The photos were duly delivered to the cabin the next day. I thought this was a nice touch and one I personally have not heard of before.

 

 

We have gone to quite a few award ceremonies over the years.

On some cruises our picture was taken with the captain and hotel manager and sent to our cabin even though we had not received a new medal. There have been cruises when only those who got a medal had their picture taken.

[RuthC]

This is slightly off topic but near enough. On our recent cruise on Rotterdam on the Mariner's lunch day we were invited to the reception beforehand for four and five star mariners. After the captain's speech they said there were none of us due to be presented with medallions, but that they had decided that each person or couple would be announced along with the number of days and would go up to shake hands and have their photo taken with the Captain and Hotel Manager. The photos were duly delivered to the cabin the next day. I thought this was a nice touch and one I personally have not heard of before.

That was a lovely gesture, and I am sure it was appreciated by those in attendance.

 

There have been times when the new awardees had a picture with the Captain & Hotel Manager, and then everyone holding that same medallion were in a group picture.

[sail7seas]

For years now, at every Mariners Reception prior to the Brunch, we have had a photo taken with Captain and Hotel Manager with our Medallions. Those photos are always delivered to our cabin and they are about my favorite momentos from each cruise. I always immediately make sure I mark names, date and ship so we won't confuse them. It's a lovely gesture by the Captain and Hotel Manager and HAL that we greatly appreciate.

[SilvertoGold]

This is slightly off topic but near enough. On our recent cruise on Rotterdam on the Mariner's lunch day we were invited to the reception beforehand for four and five star mariners. After the captain's speech they said there were none of us due to be presented with medallions, but that they had decided that each person or couple would be announced along with the number of days and would go up to shake hands and have their photo taken with the Captain and Hotel Manager. The photos were duly delivered to the cabin the next day. I thought this was a nice touch and one I personally have not heard of before.

 

Our experience is that the whole Mariner pre-Brunch party varies considerably. Some ships go all out and some just sort of whip through it with as few photos as possible.

The Rotterdam is a class act and it is good to hear about it!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Our experience is that the whole Mariner pre-Brunch party varies considerably. Some ships go all out and some just sort of whip through it with as few photos as possible.

The Rotterdam is a class act and it is good to hear about it!

 

 

 

So true.

[kakalina]

Joanie, after the Captain and the Hotel Director hung the 500 days medals around our necks and after the photos etc. we go to the front desk and request the boxes. One has to ask now. sigh

 

However, we did luck out on the lapel pin as the CD searched for me and was able to come up with one single 500 day pin. Thank you Alex Raven.:)

I find the pin on the "star" level pins is very big and puts a good size hole in my formal wear - which I do not want. The smaller lapel pin does less damage.

 

We did receive our 5 star pins delivered to our cabin. They came in a little blue velvet bag with five shiny stars on the outside. :D

[sail7seas]

Congratulations on receiving your Gold Medallions and Five Star Mariner pins.

Wishing you lots more wonderful HAL cruises.

 

[Sue from Canada]

We reached 4 star status at the end of our TA cruise - November 15th. Does HAL automatically mail the mariner pins or do we contact them?

 

My 4 star pin and a congratulations card signed by the Captain was on my pillow during my cruise last October.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Sue from Canada

[SilvertoGold]

This is slightly off topic but near enough. On our recent cruise on Rotterdam on the Mariner's lunch day we were invited to the reception beforehand for four and five star mariners. After the captain's speech they said there were none of us due to be presented with medallions, but that they had decided that each person or couple would be announced along with the number of days and would go up to shake hands and have their photo taken with the Captain and Hotel Manager. The photos were duly delivered to the cabin the next day. I thought this was a nice touch and one I personally have not heard of before.

 

Just wondering who the Captain, Hotel Director and Cruise Director were on your cruise?

[erewhon]

Joanie, after the Captain and the Hotel Director hung the 500 days medals around our necks and after the photos etc. we go to the front desk and request the boxes. One has to ask now. sigh

 

However, we did luck out on the lapel pin as the CD searched for me and was able to come up with one single 500 day pin. Thank you Alex Raven.:)

I find the pin on the "star" level pins is very big and puts a good size hole in my formal wear - which I do not want. The smaller lapel pin does less damage.

 

We did receive our 5 star pins delivered to our cabin. They came in a little blue velvet bag with five shiny stars on the outside. :D

 

Congratulations on receiving your Gold Medallions and 5 star pins.

[jhuntermartin]

Give me a break who cares about Lapel Pins. I think I am due a Medal my next cruise as I will be 2 Star Mariner BFD the perks except for the Preferred Check In are minimal. As far a my Medal if I get one a passenger on my first HAL Cruise put it well when referring to the Loyalty Luncheon "the guests sounded like Generals walking in with the clanging of the medals ..." On my first cruise a Mariner Society Member must have booked my cabin and cancelled because they left a Ceramic Coaster one night with their name(s) on it. I called the Pursers Desk and informed them because I know Cruise Lines can be tightwads especially with the Cabin Stewards they told me to keep it. It is sitting on my desk now with a cup of Java on it. Useful stuff and attractive stuff I will keep I don`t consider lapel pins and medals useful so I don`t really care if I get them or not.

Edited January 1, 2014 by jhuntermartin

[Krazy Kruizers]

Joanie, after the Captain and the Hotel Director hung the 500 days medals around our necks and after the photos etc. we go to the front desk and request the boxes. One has to ask now. sigh

 

However, we did luck out on the lapel pin as the CD searched for me and was able to come up with one single 500 day pin. Thank you Alex Raven.:)

I find the pin on the "star" level pins is very big and puts a good size hole in my formal wear - which I do not want. The smaller lapel pin does less damage.

 

We did receive our 5 star pins delivered to our cabin. They came in a little blue velvet bag with five shiny stars on the outside. :D

 

 

Congratulations on getting your 500 day medals and 5 Star status.

That is wonderful that they found at least one 5 day lapel pin.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Give me a break who cares about Lapel Pins. I think I am due a Medal my next cruise as I will be 2 Star Mariner BFD the perks except for the Preferred Check In are minimal. As far a my Medal if I get one a passenger on my first HAL Cruise put it well when referring to the Loyalty Luncheon "the guests sounded like Generals walking in with the clanging of the medals ..." On my first cruise a Mariner Society Member must have booked my cabin and cancelled because they left a Ceramic Coaster one night with their name(s) on it. I called the Pursers Desk and informed them because I know Cruise Lines can be tightwads especially with the Cabin Stewards they told me to keep it. It is sitting on my desk now with a cup of Java on it. Useful stuff and attractive stuff I will keep I don`t consider lapel pins and medals useful so I don`t really care if I get them or not.

 

We have tons of the ceramic coaster (tiles) and our names are not on any of them.

[Topsham]

I do. ;)

 

Next series should be in production and out in a few months.

 

Happy New Year!

 

S.

[RuthC]

Give me a break who cares about Lapel Pins.

Some of us do. Some of us like the little bit of pomp & ceremony that goes along with medallions.

You are not required to care. But you have no right to disparage those who do.

[Hlitner]

It is all so silly (I know I get flamed for my opinion) and I will explain why. Pins are nice to look at (we have lots of different pins in a jewelry drawer at home) but why or where would you wear the things. I think we could probably find pins from over a dozen different lines (my favorite were the small pins given out by the old Marco Polo). DW thinks Pins that are boastful (i.e. "I have have more cruise days then you") are a bit tacky. To go on a HAL cruise and wear a HAL Pin says very little except "I cruise on HAL" seems redundant. When we have done longer HAL cruises nearly everyone on the ship owned pins. We have actually been on an HAL cruise where over 75% of the passengers were 4 or 5 Star Mariners...so those that boasted (by wearing their Pins or Medallions) were just preaching to the choir. Of course there is the usual onboard conversation that goes something like this, "I have 1400 days on HAL....how many days do you have.?" Or to put it like a child, "My dog is better then your dog." Just silly, boastful, and not very stylish (not that I am ever stylish). As to the Medallions, this is just another boastful item with nearly no use. Yes, some folks will pack the things and wear them around their neck at the Mariners Lunch (or similar event) so they can, again, be a bit boastful and say "look at me, I have cruised more then you." Now what might be more meaningful would be to wear those Medallions when you go on another cruise line so you can then boast, "I also cruise on HAL."

 

I should add that a large majority of HAL do not wear any of these tacky things and are actually quite modest. The last time we actually went to a Mariners lunch (a few years ago) we sat with a delightful couple who wore no pins, medallions, etc. We had a wonderful lunch with some great travel and family conversation. It was a total surprise to later discover they had the most days of anyone aboard....but they were very modest and did not want anyone to know. My kind of people.

 

Now the tiles are a different story and can be quite useful. As some have mentioned they can be used as coasters. We know somebody who did an entire wall (in a powder room) with the tiles. DW has ours piled near our fireplace...still in their white boxes where they will stay since she has not figured out any use for the things. Once the airlines imposed all their luggage restrictions we learned to pack right up to the maximum weight limits (I normally put 49 pounds in each checked bag) and put lots of heavy stuff in our carry-ons. So we soon found ourselves no longer taking the tiles (since we usually avoid the Mariner's Luncheon we do not even get them unless we ask).

 

And now we get to the discussion item that says "I earned that pin or medallion." Sure you did. So if you shop at Walmart every day and they give you a pin would you proudly wear your Walmart Pin so you can boast "I shop a lot at Walmart!" Probably not. But if you got a Pin or medallion for being a great customer of Bergdorf's or Saks....would you wear it to say "hey look at me, I shop at Bergdorf's or Saks!" My first thought is nope...nobody would be that tacky. But then I read this thread and wonder :)

 

Hank

Edited January 1, 2014 by Hlitner

[GmaPajama]

Give me a break who cares about Lapel Pins. ...

I care about them too. We attach all our pins to the ribbon on our latest medallion, and very much enjoy having an occasion to wear them. A little thing like that, that gives us pleasure, should have absolutely no effect upon those who are not interested.

 

Tacky? I think not.

[sail7seas]

I care about them too. We attach all our pins to the ribbon on our latest medallion, and very much enjoy having an occasion to wear them. A little thing like that, that gives us pleasure, should have absolutely no effect upon those who are not interested.

 

Tacky? I think not.

 

 

I've stated here often we care about them also.

Those Medallions and Pins represent so many memories of wonderful cruises to beautiful places and the amazing people we have met along the way.

 

For those who feel the need to disparage and demean those of us who freely admit to enjoying these momentos, perhaps think about it a bit more broadly than..... what is is worth in view of the 'gimme, gimme, gimme' mindset.

 

For some of us, they are worth decades of fabulous memories and I'll not quietly sit back and have them disparaged and be insulted.

 

There is nothing off your brow or back to be respectful of the pleasure others get from things that mean nothing to you.

 

You likely care about something that means nothing to us.

Whew..... I feel better for having spoken out.

 

 

Edited January 1, 2014 by sail7seas

[Hlitner]

No, we are not demeaning those items and their meaning. What we are doing is discussing those that wear the things out in public. We also have lots of things, at home, that have real meaning, but we keep them at home. I have military medals (really earned) that have some very important meaning to me....but would never consider wearing them in public. Some memories are best kept private.

 

Hank

[sail7seas]

My DH has his fair share of Military Medals hard earned in Viet Nam.

There is no comparison to cruise line Momentos and Bronze Stars.

 

When a cruise line presents their guests with Medallions and Pins and runs a party to do so, there can be nothing wrong with that guest wearing that momento on that cruise line at the approriate time when the cruise line runs another party for them. JMO.......

 

I can't say I've ever seen anyone wearing a Mariners Medallion but for the day of Mariners Party where we have fun wearing ours. It means something to us and to the crew. I look at it as compliment to the crews on board. Clearly their hard work has been appreciated if we have chosen to return to their ships again and again. When we wear a Medallion representing 700+ days, crew have to be a bit proud of the wonderful job they have done providing us with such enjoyable cruises that we want more.

 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2014 by sail7seas

[Krazy Kruizers]

DH is very proud to wear his 700 day lapel pin when we cruise on formal nights and at the awards ceremony we both wear our medals proudly.

As to wearing the medals at the Mariner's lunch/brunch -- in the last couple of years we have chosen to attend only 2 of them that we attended and we did wear our medals with all pins on the ribbons.

Have we seen people wear their medals throughout the cruise? Yes - a couple of times.

[serendipity1499]

No, we are not demeaning those items and their meaning. What we are doing is discussing those that wear the things out in public. We also have lots of things, at home, that have real meaning, but we keep them at home. I have military medals (really earned) that have some very important meaning to me....but would never consider wearing them in public. Some memories are best kept private.

 

Hank

 

IMO you are boasting about your military medals, "really earned" in your above post! :rolleyes: If you truly wished to keep your memories private, you would not have mentioned them!

 

People who live in Glass houses shouldn't throw stones!

 

Betty

Edited January 1, 2014 by serendipity1499

[SilvertoGold]

Some of us do. Some of us like the little bit of pomp & ceremony that goes along with medallions.

You are not required to care. But you have no right to disparage those who do.

 

Bingo! Right you are, Ruth. Nicely put.