HAL upping their profit margin?

[Boytjie]

Completely Agree!

 

I've been keeping track of our cost per day on our cruises since 1998 & the cost in 1998 for an outside cabin to the Southern Carib on the Ryndam was $267 per day for 10 days..(Oct 1998)

 

In 2013 we did the same cruise on the Ryndam for 21 days & it was $212.75 per day..(Nov. 2013)

 

With the exception of the Prinsendam the costs have remained the same or less per day..

 

Did you adjust for inflation?

[RuthC]

On the ship I prefer hanging out on a deck area without music.

Those are getting harder and harder to find, too. With much of the sheltered deck space reserved for those with Lanai cabins on some ships, there isn't a lot of choice.

Add to that the fact that it can get too hot to sit out there, and the pickings are getting slim.

 

On a recent cruise there were many of us in the Explorers' Lounge, quietly reading, when someone came by and turned the background music on---at full blast! Classical music, at that.

Can't there be one indoor room with the sounds of silence?

[janmcn]

Having done several different HAL ships over the last year, I can say that entertainment is varying with the ships and what cast they have. On the Ryndam we had the best cast we've ever had and thoroughly enjoyed them. On the others, not so much. They changed the last Westerdam cast to include more overall singers/dancers....not just the 4 major ones. We liked that. The other entertainment varies according to who they seem to have put on board..some is great, some not so...but you can't make an overall blanket statement IMO.

 

If you lurk over on the Oceana forum, which I've been doing recently since some friends have raved about it, you'll see some of the "regulars" complaining about their increased lack of service, quality, etc. More cabins per steward, etc. So, it's not just HAL.

 

I do believe so much is not just ship-specific, but also cruise-itinerary-specific that we can't make blanket statements. People here said no more HALCats...but they were on our cruise last month...so obviously they are still on some ships. Two lovely women playing Adagio per usual.

 

Production shows are different all over.

 

Looking forward to the V of V this summer...we'll see how that goes.

[Hlitner]

Those are getting harder and harder to find, too. With much of the sheltered deck space reserved for those with Lanai cabins on some ships, there isn't a lot of choice.

Add to that the fact that it can get too hot to sit out there, and the pickings are getting slim.

 

On a recent cruise there were many of us in the Explorers' Lounge, quietly reading, when someone came by and turned the background music on---at full blast! Classical music, at that.

Can't there be one indoor room with the sounds of silence?

 

The best CD we have ever had on any cruise was Thom Faulkner on the Prinsendam. Thom had is own ideas (which is probably why he is no longer a CD) among which was having a "quiet place" for passengers during the day. So he used to keep the Crows Nest quiet (unless there was some kind of activity such as "animal toss" in the room. He also further enhanced the "quiet" by only making only one PA announcement per day (early afternoon along with the Captains update).

 

Hank

[serendipity1499]

Did you adjust for inflation?

 

NO...... :confused::confused:

 

Have no idea how to do that.. The figure I quoted was the actual price we paid for our cabin when we began to cruise & for our cruise on the Ryndam in 2013....

 

BTW we also cruised on the R$yndam for 14 days in Nov of 2006 & for that cruise we paid $228.40 per night..

 

Correct me if I wrong.. If I had tried to adjust for inflation, wouldn't the savings to us be greater still?

[Boytjie]

I am sure it will. $200 20 years ago is a lot less now :)

[Ky Colonel]

Betty,

 

You are absolutely correct - your analysis is spot on!!!

 

Rod

[donaldsc]

We have done several HAL cruises - the latest was last year. To say that the "entertainment" was horrible is being kind. They were not fit to play the bathroom show in Las Vegas.

 

DON

[Ky Colonel]

Don,

 

My DW and I are planning a trip to Las Vegas this summer. What LV downtown hotel-casino would you recommend? BTW we definitely want to stay at one that has a "bathroom show" so that we can compare it to shows we have enjoyed on our HAL cruises. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

 

Rod

[campisfortis]

Our last cruise was on the Eurodam last April and we all enjoyed the B.B. King Blues Club band, I am sure they do not work for free.

[Topsham]

Completely Agree!

 

I've been keeping track of our cost per day on our cruises since 1998 & the cost in 1998 for an outside cabin to the Southern Carib on the Ryndam was $267 per day for 10 days..(Oct 1998)

 

In 2013 we did the same cruise on the Ryndam for 21 days & it was $212.75 per day..(Nov. 2013)

 

With the exception of the Prinsendam the costs have remained the same or less per day..

 

 

 

Home Line's OCEANIC.... standard outside cabin... $178.57 per day.... that was exactly 36 years ago. 7 days... NY/Bermuda/Nassau/NY.

 

I have in my hand.... a folder 'from the Bar' m.v. ATLANTIC... 1982

 

Port $1.20

Sherry $1.20

Whiskies $1.20 to $1.70

Bourbons $1.20 to $1.40

Rums $1.20

Cognac $1.30 to $3.00

Vodka $1.20

Liqueurs $1.20 (1 oz.) or $2.40 (2 oz)

Aperitifs $1.10

Champagne $2.30

Cocktails & Long Drinks $1.50 to $1.70

Beers Imported $1.20 American $0.90

Sodas $0.40

Cigarettes $.55 to $0.75 (Dunhill)

Edited March 29, 2015 by Topsham

[take us away]

Those are getting harder and harder to find, too. With much of the sheltered deck space reserved for those with Lanai cabins on some ships, there isn't a lot of choice.

Add to that the fact that it can get too hot to sit out there, and the pickings are getting slim.

 

On a recent cruise there were many of us in the Explorers' Lounge, quietly reading, when someone came by and turned the background music on---at full blast! Classical music, at that.

Can't there be one indoor room with the sounds of silence?

 

Just politely ask a crew person to turn the music down or off in the Explorer's Lounge - have never had the request refused in at least 2-3 requests.

[RuthC]

Just politely ask a crew person to turn the music down or off in the Explorer's Lounge - have never had the request refused in at least 2-3 requests.

Those of us in there knew how to deal with the situation. It should never have happened in the first place.

[serendipity1499]

Home Line's OCEANIC.... standard outside cabin... $178.57 per day.... that was exactly 36 years ago. 7 days... NY/Bermuda/Nassau/NY.

 

I have in my hand.... a folder 'from the Bar' m.v. ATLANTIC... 1982

 

Port $1.20

Sherry $1.20

Whiskies $1.20 to $1.70

Bourbons $1.20 to $1.40

Rums $1.20

Cognac $1.30 to $3.00

Vodka $1.20

Liqueurs $1.20 (1 oz.) or $2.40 (2 oz)

Aperitifs $1.10

Champagne $2.30

Cocktails & Long Drinks $1.50 to $1.70

Beers Imported $1.20 American $0.90

Sodas $0.40

Cigarettes $.55 to $0.75 (Dunhill)

 

LOL :D:D Oh My those prices are a riot! See that I'm not the only one who saves "stuff" from our cruises..:eek:

 

I have the daily programs (mimeographed sp?) & the Captain's Dinner Menu from my first 7 day cruise in 1970 (45years ago) on the "Orion".. Owners were Hellenic Cruises (AKA Kavounides Shipping Co.).. Worked for an Airline in those days & had a fantastic interline rate to the Greek Islands & Turkey.. In 2008 Copper posted the history with a picture of my ship which originally was named "Achilleus".. I still have it all in my folder.. :eek:

 

Our kids will have to toss all of the subsequent cruise info. when I'm gone..

 

Sorry for the thread drift..

Edited March 30, 2015 by serendipity1499

[esimon]

The BB king Blues band was amazing and played to a full house for 3 hrs a night.

[Topsham]

LOL :D:D Oh My those prices are a riot! See that I'm not the only one who saves "stuff" from our cruises..:eek:

 

I have the daily programs (mimeographed sp?) & the Captain's Dinner Menu from my first 7 day cruise in 1970 (45years ago) on the "Orion".. Owners were Hellenic Cruises (AKA Kavounides Shipping Co.).. Worked for an Airline in those days & had a fantastic interline rate to the Greek Islands & Turkey.. In 2008 Copper posted the history with a picture of my ship which originally was named "Achilleus".. I still have it all in my folder.. :eek:

 

Our kids will have to toss all of the subsequent cruise info. when I'm gone..

 

Sorry for the thread drift..

 

 

We should suggest HAL do an old 'classic' cruise.....

 

Same prices as before.... well, practically same as today anyway.

 

Two formal days, two informal days and three casual days.

 

No Lido dinner, no Pinnacle.

 

Two sittings in the dining room.... no 'as you wish'.

 

Mariner's Party in the Show Lounge.

 

Black & Ball in the Crow's Nest.

 

Suite Luncheon in Crows Nest.

 

Rosario Strings

 

George Kowalski Show Band.

 

Cigar Ceremony.... (well... perhaps one evening on the after deck... wind direction if blow it away OR let all of the e-cigs crowd just once.

 

This sailing on one of the S Class or even Rotterdam VI.

 

AND LAST...... Same Bar Prices as 1979!!!!!

[Topsham]

Betty,

 

Yes, a lot of memorabilia about. Take it or leave it for sure. Some a bit... and some have massive collections and believe me....can be as good as being on board!

 

Happy memories for your Greek cruises!

 

Stephen

[serendipity1499]

We should suggest HAL do an old 'classic' cruise.....

 

Same prices as before.... well, practically same as today anyway.

 

Two formal days, two informal days and three casual days.

 

No Lido dinner, no Pinnacle.

 

Two sittings in the dining room.... no 'as you wish'.

 

Mariner's Party in the Show Lounge.

 

Black & Ball in the Crow's Nest.

 

Suite Luncheon in Crows Nest.

 

Rosario Strings

 

George Kowalski Show Band.

 

Cigar Ceremony.... (well... perhaps one evening on the after deck... wind direction if blow it away OR let all of the e-cigs crowd just once.

 

This sailing on one of the S Class or even Rotterdam VI.

 

AND LAST...... Same Bar Prices as 1979!!!!!

 

Sign us up for that one Stephen!:):)

 

Betty,

 

Yes, a lot of memorabilia about. Take it or leave it for sure. Some a bit... and some have massive collections and believe me....can be as good as being on board!

 

Happy memories for your Greek cruises!

 

Stephen

 

Oh yes, I get big kick's from looking at all the old "stuff"

 

Betty

[Boytjie]

NO...... :confused::confused:

 

Have no idea how to do that.. The figure I quoted was the actual price we paid for our cabin when we began to cruise & for our cruise on the Ryndam in 2013....

 

BTW we also cruised on the R$yndam for 14 days in Nov of 2006 & for that cruise we paid $228.40 per night..

 

Correct me if I wrong.. If I had tried to adjust for inflation, wouldn't the savings to us be greater still?

 

$267 in 1998 is the equivalent of $380 in 2013.

$228 in 2006 is the equivalent of $265 in 2013.

 

I use the calculator at http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

[snaebyllej]

Home Line's OCEANIC.... standard outside cabin... $178.57 per day.... that was exactly 36 years ago. 7 days... NY/Bermuda/Nassau/NY.

 

I have in my hand.... a folder 'from the Bar' m.v. ATLANTIC... 1982

 

Port $1.20

Sherry $1.20

Whiskies $1.20 to $1.70

Bourbons $1.20 to $1.40

Rums $1.20

Cognac $1.30 to $3.00

Vodka $1.20

Liqueurs $1.20 (1 oz.) or $2.40 (2 oz)

Aperitifs $1.10

Champagne $2.30

Cocktails & Long Drinks $1.50 to $1.70

Beers Imported $1.20 American $0.90

Sodas $0.40

Cigarettes $.55 to $0.75 (Dunhill)

 

That $178.57 per day is $577.33 now.

 

CPI Inflation Calculator

[Dave in NJ]

For a little crude insight into profitability, either read the annual reports or do a little math on your own. The average per berth cost today for a newbuild is about $275,000, or about $500 - $750 million per ship. Assume the ship has an average life with the original owners of 20 years or so. NCL recently estimated their profits at about $20 per day per berth. So play around with how long it takes to recover your initial investment plus accrued interest, minus whatever the ship might sell for after 20 years.

Edited March 31, 2015 by Dave in NJ

[Orsino]

I agree that the music is too loud at the shows. It mostly irritated me because they were overtaxing the speakers to the point of distortion. If they MUST have loud sound, then they should use bigger speakers. Or turn down the volume so they don't blow out what they have.

 

As for the quality of the shows, I was pleasantly surprised last week on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I generally think cruise shows are pretty terrible, but last week they were pretty good. My main gripes were the loud and distorted volumes and the BB King show in the main stage was lit horribly. I swear the lighting guy was trying to blind me :) The lighting on all the other shows were fine.

[Topsham]

I remember at the commissioning of VEENDAM... Kirk Lanterman made a few comments....

 

"STATENDAM was paid within four months..... VEENDAM was paid off after three!"

 

 

Of course there was a lot of cash around to pay for it.... but HAL (Carnival Corporation) did not go to the bank like a lot of other cruise lines.

 

 

Re comments about ships being sell after.. 20 years or so... even later... or even earlier.

 

I wonder how many of the big ships around today will ever be on the market. Might be, but who will buy them? Small operators might pick up a small ship and make it money. To buy a second hand ship... like a Vista Class... it takes a serious cruise line to buy one or more to make it worth. Move ships within the Carnival fleet... like STATENDAM and RYNDAM to P&O (Australia) but who would want an old ship? Thompson bought the old Nw Amsterdam for trading. The old Noordam is in the Thompson fleet, but she is chartered and still owned by HAL. (if I got this one switched around it could be the other way!)

[Topsham]

That $178.57 per day is $577.33 now.

 

CPI Inflation Calculator

 

 

 

 

OK.... that Rum & Coke for $1.20 is now $3.88. I like this price!!!!:)

[galensgrl]

On the Zaandam recently in South America I was trying to find a semi quite place to sit and read a book at 9 am or so....went to crows nest which had no functions going on at the time. Of course it seems that there just MUST be some kind of music playing non stop even when myself and maybe five other people are sitting trying to read...and woudn't you know they were playing RAP music? RAP MUSIC? On Holland America in crows nest at 9 am where the average age was probably 70 PLUS? Polite request to turn it off were ignored.

 

Do cruise lines understand that sometimes good old SILENCE is what some passengers want? It seems to me it is getting more and more difficult to find peace and quiet on ships.

 

I agree with your statement that loud rap music on a cruise with a lot of older people probably isn't well received, I know I wouldn't like that at all. It's hardly relaxing to listen to, that's for sure. That being said, I do sometimes like music when we are on the ship. We have cruised with NCL several times, and during the day they generally have music piped through the public areas of the ship, but it is very low volume, and mellow yet upbeat carribean jazz type of instrumental music. That type of music seems conducive to feeling like we are on a cruise, and I feel I will miss it on our upcoming cruise. I will have to get some of that music to listen to in our cabin when we are hanging out on the balcony. In public areas though I agree with you that if it's loud and obnoxious music more suited for teens, we prefer silence as well.

 

Lorie

Edited March 31, 2015 by galensgrl
add info