Mariner Perks Reception?

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Going thru our stuff from boarding and saw the usual letter explaining the NL hours. At the bottom says Concierges were holding a get together at 7 pm to welcome all aboard. We never really read the letter as we have always gotten one when we boarded. They used to send separate invites to a suite get together with officers.

 

So I take back that we weren't invited. :)

 

Same thing on the Amsterdam last week. The next day I asked the Concierge if there had been a party the previous night as I had not received an invitation - she said "yes, you did" and showed me the bottom of the letter. I too don't read these letters anymore as they (in the past) repeated the same things. The other concierge said this was to save confusion to passengers who receive so many invitations the first day. (Interesting explanation which I don't buy)

 

The Mariners Welcome Reception was from 1:30 to 2:30 in the Crow's Nest.

An invitation was given to us as we checked in. The Hotel Director and Cruise Director were the receiving line. Champagne, mimosas, and nuts were served.

 

Had always received invitations to the VIP party but not this cruise - don't know if there was one or not.

 

The dining room was open for lunch on Embarkation Day.

[cruz chic]

By putting information in a letter I have to wonder if it's trying to cut down on people going to these parties. I know this is different but my last cruise was a b2b. They had a collectors cruise cocktail party at 6:30. I've never seen a party at that time. It's pretty much impossible for anyone that does early dining to go to it.

[DaveOKC]

By putting information in a letter I have to wonder if it's trying to cut down on people going to these parties. I know this is different but my last cruise was a b2b. They had a collectors cruise cocktail party at 6:30. I've never seen a party at that time. It's pretty much impossible for anyone that does early dining to go to it.

 

That is an unusual time for a cocktail party on HAL. Things like this makes me think that Open dining is a better option for us.

[cruz chic]

That is an unusual time for a cocktail party on HAL. Things like this makes me think that Open dining is a better option for us.

 

I go for open and that time doesn't really work for me. It would be almost impossible to get out of the MDR by that time if you are not at a table for 2. I have no desire to go after 7 to eat. I'm an early riser so I don't want to eat late.

[SilvertoGold]

Same thing on the Amsterdam last week. The next day I asked the Concierge if there had been a party the previous night as I had not received an invitation - she said "yes, you did" and showed me the bottom of the letter. I too don't read these letters anymore as they (in the past) repeated the same things. The other concierge said this was to save confusion to passengers who receive so many invitations the first day. (Interesting explanation which I don't buy)

 

The Mariners Welcome Reception was from 1:30 to 2:30 in the Crow's Nest.

An invitation was given to us as we checked in. The Hotel Director and Cruise Director were the receiving line. Champagne, mimosas, and nuts were served.

 

Had always received invitations to the VIP party but not this cruise - don't know if there was one or not.

 

The dining room was open for lunch on Embarkation Day.

 

Thank you for giving us a concise run-down of the new way of doing things. This is really helpful.

 

The ship are, of course, doing thing a bit differently, in the hallowed HAL tradition.

 

We see that you really want to read everything and verify, too.

[SilvertoGold]

By putting information in a letter I have to wonder if it's trying to cut down on people going to these parties. I know this is different but my last cruise was a b2b. They had a collectors cruise cocktail party at 6:30. I've never seen a party at that time. It's pretty much impossible for anyone that does early dining to go to it.

 

Well, what you are saying is very possibly correct. To be a high Mariner seems to require being cynical these days, unfortunately.

 

The ships appear to be getting much more interested and clever at finding ways to cut back.

 

Our B-B parties have always been at 7:15 or so and a couple of times (long cruises) 11 am.

Edited September 14, 2015 by SilvertoGold

[3rdGenCunarder]

By putting information in a letter I have to wonder if it's trying to cut down on people going to these parties. I know this is different but my last cruise was a b2b. They had a collectors cruise cocktail party at 6:30. I've never seen a party at that time. It's pretty much impossible for anyone that does early dining to go to it.

 

Or maybe they're trying to save paper by adding the invitation to the letter? I know, pretty ironic considering the amount of paper they waste on flyers for the sale of the day and spa treatments.

 

6:30 is a bad time for anyone who wants to eat early.

[sail7seas]

Same thing on the Amsterdam last week. The next day I asked the Concierge if there had been a party the previous night as I had not received an invitation - she said "yes, you did" and showed me the bottom of the letter. I too don't read these letters anymore as they (in the past) repeated the same things. The other concierge said this was to save confusion to passengers who receive so many invitations the first day. (Interesting explanation which I don't buy)

 

The Mariners Welcome Reception was from 1:30 to 2:30 in the Crow's Nest.

An invitation was given to us as we checked in. The Hotel Director and Cruise Director were the receiving line. Champagne, mimosas, and nuts were served.

 

Had always received invitations to the VIP party but not this cruise - don't know if there was one or not.

 

 

Captains, Hotel Directors, Cruise Directors, Guest Relations Managers, Bar Managers, even Executive Chefs (sometimes) all attended Suite Welcome Aboard. Where are they now?

The dining room was open for lunch on Embarkation Day.

 

By putting information in a letter I have to wonder if it's trying to cut down on people going to these parties. I know this is different but my last cruise was a b2b. They had a collectors cruise cocktail party at 6:30. I've never seen a party at that time. It's pretty much impossible for anyone that does early dining to go to it.

 

 

 

Highly likely this is to keep as low an attendance count as possible.

To have a gathering at that time on embarkation day just about guarantees few will drink their mimosas. :rolleyes:

 

I dislike the game playing. If they want to cut back on any recognition of Mariners than just do so but this is very close to insulting to think newly embarking guests (many of whom may not have even arrived at the ship) will come to a 'get together' at 1:30 when they have just boarded .... who are they kidding?

 

It makes me so sad to see all these diminishments of the cruise line we experienced in the very near past. So many cuts in such a short time. Very sad. One wonders what is the real 'end game'?

 

 

Edited September 14, 2015 by sail7seas

[3rdGenCunarder]

Highly likely this is to keep as low an attendance count as possible.

To have a gathering at that time on embarkation day just about guarantees few will drink their mimosas. :rolleyes:

 

I dislike the game playing. If they want to cut back on any recognition of Mariners than just do so but this is very close to insulting to think newly embarking guests (many of whom may not have even arrived at the ship) will come to a 'get together' at 1:30 when they have just boarded .... who are they kidding?

 

It makes me so sad to see all these diminishments of the cruise line we experienced in the very near past. So many cuts in such a short time. Very sad. One wonders what is the real 'end game'?

 

 

 

On our recent cruise, the reception was at 2:00, and it was very busy when we got there around 2:30. I didn't see any evidence of food, but I didn't look very hard, as we had just had lunch. No receiving line, but we were late. Servers had trays of champagne, red wine, white wine, and maybe mimosas. Most people I saw had glasses of champagne.

 

We had a Neptune suite on Westerdam this winter, but if there was a suite reception, I missed it. Don't recall a Mariner welcome reception, either. Memo to self: must read EVERYTHING asap upon boarding!

[sail7seas]

Well, then my mistake.

 

It amazes me what 'some' (certainly not all who attended) will do to get a free drink. :D

 

[3rdGenCunarder]

Well, then my mistake.

 

It amazes me what 'some' (certainly not all who attended) will do to get a free drink. :D

 

 

Not necessarily your mistake. A 1:30 time could be a way to minimize attendance. Perhaps as with so many things on HAL, it depends on the whim of the Capt or CD. Those that don't want to be bothered schedule it early to get it over with. And someone on my cruise was more generous and made it later?

 

I'd be interested to know if the 1:30 receptions are less busy. We went mostly out of curiousity. I didn't finish my champagne, as we had a bottle of something better (organic prosecco!) that we'd brought onboard.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Same thing on the Amsterdam last week. The next day I asked the Concierge if there had been a party the previous night as I had not received an invitation - she said "yes, you did" and showed me the bottom of the letter. I too don't read these letters anymore as they (in the past) repeated the same things. The other concierge said this was to save confusion to passengers who receive so many invitations the first day. (Interesting explanation which I don't buy)

 

The Mariners Welcome Reception was from 1:30 to 2:30 in the Crow's Nest.

An invitation was given to us as we checked in. The Hotel Director and Cruise Director were the receiving line. Champagne, mimosas, and nuts were served.

 

Had always received invitations to the VIP party but not this cruise - don't know if there was one or not.

 

The dining room was open for lunch on Embarkation Day.

 

 

Thanks for the information.

Sounds like a lot of things are changing -- and for some us -- not for the better.

[sail7seas]

Not necessarily your mistake. A 1:30 time could be a way to minimize attendance. Perhaps as with so many things on HAL, it depends on the whim of the Capt or CD. Those that don't want to be bothered schedule it early to get it over with. And someone on my cruise was more generous and made it later?

 

I'd be interested to know if the 1:30 receptions are less busy. We went mostly out of curiousity. I didn't finish my champagne, as we had a bottle of something better (organic prosecco!) that we'd brought onboard.

 

Thanks for explaining.

 

I've just recently started having a prosecco and have to say I rather like a glass once in a while. :)

 

[SilvertoGold]

Or maybe they're trying to save paper by adding the invitation to the letter? I know, pretty ironic considering the amount of paper they waste on flyers for the sale of the day and spa treatments.

 

6:30 is a bad time for anyone who wants to eat early.

 

About the "invitation" at the bottom of the Suite letter: HAL can save paper all they want but if anyone had half a brain or any sincerity at all, they would BOLD and/or CAPITALIZE the "invitation".

Make sure pax see the invitation. I am surprise at the HM, GRM or whoever does this.

 

I agree with Sail about the game playing, cuts, etc. This is disappointing.

[frankc98376]

Highly likely this is to keep as low an attendance count as possible.

To have a gathering at that time on embarkation day just about guarantees few will drink their mimosas. :rolleyes:

 

I dislike the game playing. If they want to cut back on any recognition of Mariners than just do so but this is very close to insulting to think newly embarking guests (many of whom may not have even arrived at the ship) will come to a 'get together' at 1:30 when they have just boarded .... who are they kidding?

 

It makes me so sad to see all these diminishments of the cruise line we experienced in the very near past. So many cuts in such a short time. Very sad. One wonders what is the real 'end game'?

 

 

 

 

Makes me wonder if the end game is to slowly move HAL and Princess closer together until they are pretty much identical.

 

I saw an article that a new HQ is being built in Seattle for The Holland America Group. Really makes me wonder what the end result of the "consolidation" will be

[cRocky42]

There is no Mariner Luncheon anymore. I was on the Eurodam last November and there was none for the 2 week back to back. When I returned home I emailed HAL and they said the Mariner Luncheon is no longer done.

 

We were on Veendam in April and there was a Mariner lunch.

[kelleherdl]

Makes me wonder if the end game is to slowly move HAL and Princess closer together until they are pretty much identical.

 

I saw an article that a new HQ is being built in Seattle for The Holland America Group. Really makes me wonder what the end result of the "consolidation" will be

 

The 'Holland America Group' sounds good to me. Wishful thinking that my loyalty might be rewarded beyond HAL ships, particularly Seabourn or even Princess if the breadth of choices is widened. :):):) Sorry, I let my hopes get beyond any reasonable expectation. But still happy being a HAL loyalist.

 

Dennis

[DavyJoneses]

That is an unusual time for a cocktail party on HAL. Things like this makes me think that Open dining is a better option for us.

 

Good point about open dining.

[kazu]

Well, FWIW, a get together on embarkation day is tricky for many of us.

 

If luggage has arrived, some of us like to get unpacked.

 

If we have friends on board, some of us like to have a lunch with them.

 

I guess we'll see by next year and by then things will probably be sorted out.

 

I'm kind of glad my next cruise is elsewhere right now until this stuff gets sorted out. I'm a newbie on the other cruise so I have no reason to expect to be invited to anything and won't. On HAL there is an expectation which can lead to disappointment.

 

I guess I need to get over this silly idea that repeat passengers are valued. Same for 5* + Mariners and NS or PS passengers.

 

I guess things have changed. I was always taught that it is more expensive to get new customers than to retain the old ones.

 

Oh and before someone says all of HAL's repeat passengers are on death's door, I don't think that is true at all. Many of us have (I hope) many years of cruising left :)

Edited September 16, 2015 by kazu

[rkacruiser]

The 'Holland America Group' sounds good to me. Wishful thinking that my loyalty might be rewarded beyond HAL ships, particularly Seabourn or even Princess if the breadth of choices is widened. :):):) Sorry, I let my hopes get beyond any reasonable expectation. But still happy being a HAL loyalist.

 

Dennis

 

Might happen. I once heard Mr. Arnold Donald on a quarterly conference call with financial analysts that cover CCL respond to a question about combining benefits of the CCL brands say that he would like to move towards that goal, but that it was "complicated".

[sail7seas]

Makes me wonder if the end game is to slowly move HAL and Princess closer together until they are pretty much identical.

 

I saw an article that a new HQ is being built in Seattle for The Holland America Group. Really makes me wonder what the end result of the "consolidation" will be

 

I also read of the new headquarters HAL is building. They will no longer have HAL PCC's on location and there have to be other 'expectations' for it to make sense, IMO

 

Edited September 16, 2015 by sail7seas

[frankc98376]

I also read of the new headquarters HAL is building. They will no longer have HAL PCC's on location and there have to be other 'expectations' for it to make sense, IMO

 

 

I heard from friends in the travel biz that they are virtual now and come into the office once a month.

 

Many companies are moving to virtual for their reservations staff. At one time (still may be) Jet Blue had no call centers- was all virtual.

[rkacruiser]

I heard from friends in the travel biz that they are virtual now and come into the office once a month.

 

Many companies are moving to virtual for their reservations staff. At one time (still may be) Jet Blue had no call centers- was all virtual.

 

My Seattle based travel agent for a very well known specialists company works from home I recently discovered.

 

Made any difference in service? No!

[cruz chic]

I think it's a great idea to work from home if that appeals to you. There has been times I worked from home and I got a lot more done. There wasn't the constant interruptions and people dropping in to chat.

[SilvertoGold]

I heard from friends in the travel biz that they are virtual now and come into the office once a month.

 

Many companies are moving to virtual for their reservations staff. At one time (still may be) Jet Blue had no call centers- was all virtual.

 

My PCC has worked from home for at least 5 years. She seems to love it. Hours are 6 am to 2 pm which she says works for her perfectly (ie: her kids).

Edited September 17, 2015 by SilvertoGold