HAL's new partnerships, upgrades, branding initiative

[CaveDiving]

...Maybe they'll bring back Dutch Night in the MDR?

 

Oh goody, goody. We'll get back the wonderful Dutch hats we all love so much.... NOT.

 

Scott & Karen

[kathyRW]

I don't post often but whatever the execs at HAL are planning, I hope that they don't change the hallmarks that make HAL my favorite cruise line.

 

I have cruised with Carnival, Celebrity, Princess and HAL. IMO, HAL is better by far. I cannot afford to cruise on the premium lines but HAL is a step above the other mid-price lines and I value the differences they offer. I am their niche customer! I have tried other lines and I keep coming back to HAL because of their quality and value.

 

HAL staff is marvelous, their courtesy, demeanor and level of service is superb. The staterooms are larger and more comfortable and so far they have been very clean and well kept on the voyages I've taken.

 

I am in my 60s and expect to keep cruising - hopefully with HAL. I may be atypical, but I don't cruise for the entertainment on board, cooking lessons, art sales, wine sales, circus act or name brand chefs, partying until the wee hours, or the casino. I cruise to relax and be pampered. I like courteous staff, a nice stateroom and decent meals. I will go to the premium restaurants at least once per trip - if the food is worth it. I shop on board so I like some nice things in the onboard shop if the prices are fair. I like a balcony with beautiful vistas. Occasionally we pick an itinerary to reach a port that I'd like to see. But many times we don't even get off the ship. We simply like to be able to relax, away from work and responsibilities, and watch the sea roll by. At a price we can afford.

 

That's what HAL does for us. So please, if the HAL execs are listening, don't change too much or you may lose the loyal customers you have earned! Going "trendy' is not great for sustainability.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Oh goody, goody. We'll get back the wonderful Dutch hats we all love so much.... NOT.

 

Scott & Karen

 

That would be nice. ..

[AV8rix]

Sorry... all the big food brands have been locked in by NCL...

 

Your post actually just made me think of this picture... I love NCL and this doesn't represent them but it does make me laugh

 

 

I loved the article from which that picture was copied!! One of the funniest cruise-ship articles I've ever read.

[CruiserBruce]

I hope the new branding includes things that are uniquely HAL. I will be very disappointed if it's more mass market 'us, too" type initiatives. I'd be most happy about a return to classic, tradtional crusing, more upscale onboard experiences, etc. I'd be disappointed if this another move copying things on the mega-ships, which lets face it, they cant really execute well on anyway. I really hope this new leadership team gets that.

 

 

Funny you say this, as someone on another thread is hoping HAL will take the "best" of other cruise lines and incorporate those items into HAL. Of course the key issue is the definition of "best".

[Topsham]

Upgrades are good and they are overdue.

 

I just hope that the 'upgrades' are not restricted to upgrading common areas to revenue generating areas.

 

 

 

When was the last time on board a HAL ship?

[Scrapnana]

I don't post often but whatever the execs at HAL are planning, I hope that they don't change the hallmarks that make HAL my favorite cruise line.

 

I have cruised with Carnival, Celebrity, Princess and HAL. IMO, HAL is better by far. I cannot afford to cruise on the premium lines but HAL is a step above the other mid-price lines and I value the differences they offer. I am their niche customer! I have tried other lines and I keep coming back to HAL because of their quality and value.

 

HAL staff is marvelous, their courtesy, demeanor and level of service is superb. The staterooms are larger and more comfortable and so far they have been very clean and well kept on the voyages I've taken.

 

I am in my 60s and expect to keep cruising - hopefully with HAL. I may be atypical, but I don't cruise for the entertainment on board, cooking lessons, art sales, wine sales, circus act or name brand chefs, partying until the wee hours, or the casino. I cruise to relax and be pampered. I like courteous staff, a nice stateroom and decent meals. I will go to the premium restaurants at least once per trip - if the food is worth it. I shop on board so I like some nice things in the onboard shop if the prices are fair. I like a balcony with beautiful vistas. Occasionally we pick an itinerary to reach a port that I'd like to see. But many times we don't even get off the ship. We simply like to be able to relax, away from work and responsibilities, and watch the sea roll by. At a price we can afford.

 

That's what HAL does for us. So please, if the HAL execs are listening, don't change too much or you may lose the loyal customers you have earned! Going "trendy' is not great for sustainability.

 

Great post! I feel much the same way. I don't need the kid's pool area, bumper cars, flow riders, etc. There are cruise lines that have those and passengers who love them. HAL has an ambience that is right for me. I hope they won't change that.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Great post! I feel much the same way. I don't need the kid's pool area, bumper cars, flow riders, etc. There are cruise lines that have those and passengers who love them. HAL has an ambience that is right for me. I hope they won't change that.

 

For us as well. Next year we will cruise with Holland 205 days over 3 cruises, and about the same in 2017

[Fouremco]

Great post! I feel much the same way. I don't need the kid's pool area, bumper cars, flow riders, etc. There are cruise lines that have those and passengers who love them. HAL has an ambience that is right for me. I hope they won't change that.

The occasional Celebrity cruise aside, we view HAL as our preferred line, but when we decided to treat our kids and grandkids to a family cruise, the climbing walls and flow riders were high on their wish lists. Consequently, we had to look elsewhere. Personally, I don't see that as an issue, as DW and I will always come back to HAL for our cruises. The corporate offices, however, might see it differently, and want tomorrow's HAL to be all things for all people. I certainly hope not, as we too don't want to see the current ambience disappear.

[frankc98376]

I don't post often but whatever the execs at HAL are planning, I hope that they don't change the hallmarks that make HAL my favorite cruise line.

 

I have cruised with Carnival, Celebrity, Princess and HAL. IMO, HAL is better by far. I cannot afford to cruise on the premium lines but HAL is a step above the other mid-price lines and I value the differences they offer. I am their niche customer! I have tried other lines and I keep coming back to HAL because of their quality and value.

 

HAL staff is marvelous, their courtesy, demeanor and level of service is superb. The staterooms are larger and more comfortable and so far they have been very clean and well kept on the voyages I've taken.

 

I am in my 60s and expect to keep cruising - hopefully with HAL. I may be atypical, but I don't cruise for the entertainment on board, cooking lessons, art sales, wine sales, circus act or name brand chefs, partying until the wee hours, or the casino. I cruise to relax and be pampered. I like courteous staff, a nice stateroom and decent meals. I will go to the premium restaurants at least once per trip - if the food is worth it. I shop on board so I like some nice things in the onboard shop if the prices are fair. I like a balcony with beautiful vistas. Occasionally we pick an itinerary to reach a port that I'd like to see. But many times we don't even get off the ship. We simply like to be able to relax, away from work and responsibilities, and watch the sea roll by. At a price we can afford.

 

That's what HAL does for us. So please, if the HAL execs are listening, don't change too much or you may lose the loyal customers you have earned! Going "trendy' is not great for sustainability.

 

I laughed as I read this as it is almost like I was writing it! You summed our feelings up to an absolute tee.

I would think we are the dream customers for HAL. We book far in advance, pay rack rate for a NS, and normally max out our shipboard spending Mariner nights.

Many times we have stayed on board in port to enjoy the un-crowded ship. We LOVE sea days and cruise to as you said- relax and be pampered!

Thank you for your GREAT post!!!

[serendipity1499]

Forgive my temerity for asking - are you certain that Host Walt and Sr. Manager Laura are volunteers and not paid CC employees?

 

I have no idea if the Laura, the Senior Community Manager is paid or not & quite frankly it's none of my business.. She might even have a staff..

 

However, I'm very sure that the HOSTS are 'VOLUNTEER Hosts & are also members of Cruise Critic as we both are..

 

Suggest you read the Community Guidelines very carefully.. Any discussion of this sort on the boards could remove someone from the boards & I for one have been here too long & enjoy it very much.. I do not want to be banned from posting.. Following is a quote from the Disclaimer & the Community Guidelines:

 

Quote On our Cruise Boards, this information is sometimes provided by our volunteer Hosts and more often by other contributors, the majority of whom use anonymous user names and are people we've never met. You have no idea who they are, what they do, or what their agenda could possibly be -- and neither do we. The only requirement for membership is a valid e-mail address. Unquote

 

Suggest you read the guidelines very carefully.. Any more questions about the boards can be sent by e-mail to the community Manager..

[qsuzi]

Yes, I would find it much easier to "forgive" poor treatment by unpaid volunteers than I would paid employees ... seems to me (and judging from the many posts on the "QUIET" Thread, many other CCers agree) "they" do not treat all posters the same!!!

 

Overall IMHO the hosts on the HAL board do a good job and are fair. They have responded to my inquiries about thread or comment removal with professionalism and information to better understand the Community Guidelines not followed. Asking the host for clarification via e-mail would hopefully resolve most concerns. I would be surprised to not hear any complaints on any similar venue of this type. Laura may be the person to contact for issues that is host related. Hopes this helps.

[elycelynne]

I wonder if "new key partnerships" includes something with another reality competition show since the partnership with Dancing With The Stars is ending early in 2016? (Hmm, the possibilities are plentiful!) :rolleyes:

[3rdGenCunarder]

The occasional Celebrity cruise aside, we view HAL as our preferred line, but when we decided to treat our kids and grandkids to a family cruise, the climbing walls and flow riders were high on their wish lists. Consequently, we had to look elsewhere. Personally, I don't see that as an issue, as DW and I will always come back to HAL for our cruises. The corporate offices, however, might see it differently, and want tomorrow's HAL to be all things for all people. I certainly hope not, as we too don't want to see the current ambience disappear.

 

This "all things to all people" idea doesn't work. To paraphrase Lincoln, you can't please all of the people all of the time. I hope HAL realizes that, but I fear it's what they're trying to do.

 

It isn't my taste, but I can see taking kids on a ship with lots of bells and whistles. Unless they are quiet and can entertain themselves, I doubt most kids would enjoy a cruise on HAL as much as a cruise on a ship with a climbing walls and water sports. Okay, so the "active family" isn't HAL's demographic. Maybe they should be looking for the "get away from it all" demographic. Look for ways to pamper passengers and help them relax.

[CowPrincess]

I can only assume as no explanation was given why the previous thread was locked and we aren't allowed to ask, that it was due to a lot of off-topic bickering.

 

With a major announcement planned for tomorrow though, we obviously need a place to discuss it.

 

So here's a blurb that Seatrade put out about tomorrow's event. Might be a good place to start

 

 

Looking forward to hearing whatever it might be. And I laughed at your NCL picture -- very cute!

[3rdGenCunarder]

I wonder if "new key partnerships" includes something with another reality competition show since the partnership with Dancing With The Stars is ending early in 2016? (Hmm, the possibilities are plentiful!) :rolleyes:

 

Survivor! You get voted off the ship, you walk the plank!

 

JUST JOKING! I really really really hope this isn't one of the partnerships.

[avian777]

I have no idea if the Laura, the Senior Community Manager is paid or not ... However, I'm very sure that the HOSTS are 'VOLUNTEER Hosts ...

 

With all due regard for your certitude (as well as the "clarity" of the CC Disclaimer & the Community Guidelines), an answer from CC would carry far more weight and credibility with me. But thanks for your input anyhow.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

To Brad, the OP: Thanks so much for all the information you pass along to us regarding HAL developments and news. I am very interested in tomorrow's announcement. Thanks for keeping us posted.:)

[ger_77]

Hmmm....maybe not food, maybe hotel branding...let's see, how about a high visibility political figure with hotel branding...OH NO!

 

Oh please, say it ain't so!

 

It will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

[Lizzie68]

Not just HAL I'd say, but it seems whenever a line says that they're going to be making a press release/announcement in the future, it's usually anticlimactic. The best info typically seems to come out of the blue.

 

Tom

 

I totally agree, and said so on the other thread. An anti-climax. But I don't mind hoping I'm wrong.

[TiogaCruiser]

Not just HAL I'd say, but it seems whenever a line says that they're going to be making a press release/announcement in the future, it's usually anticlimactic. The best info typically seems to come out of the blue.

 

Tom

 

No doubt you're referring to Carnival here for the most part... they've had a few... "ordeals" in the past re: announcements

 

Not sure I agree on the best coming from out of the blue.

 

2 years ago July HAL implemented Wine Policy 2.0 without warning or announcement. Within a few weeks (or was it longer), they " backtracked "without backtracking", with the release of Wine Policy (Reform) version 3.0 with a future implementation date in that comingDecember.

[RocketMan275]

I don't post often but whatever the execs at HAL are planning, I hope that they don't change the hallmarks that make HAL my favorite cruise line.

 

I have cruised with Carnival, Celebrity, Princess and HAL. IMO, HAL is better by far. I cannot afford to cruise on the premium lines but HAL is a step above the other mid-price lines and I value the differences they offer. I am their niche customer! I have tried other lines and I keep coming back to HAL because of their quality and value.

 

HAL staff is marvelous, their courtesy, demeanor and level of service is superb. The staterooms are larger and more comfortable and so far they have been very clean and well kept on the voyages I've taken.

 

I am in my 60s and expect to keep cruising - hopefully with HAL. I may be atypical, but I don't cruise for the entertainment on board, cooking lessons, art sales, wine sales, circus act or name brand chefs, partying until the wee hours, or the casino. I cruise to relax and be pampered. I like courteous staff, a nice stateroom and decent meals. I will go to the premium restaurants at least once per trip - if the food is worth it. I shop on board so I like some nice things in the onboard shop if the prices are fair. I like a balcony with beautiful vistas. Occasionally we pick an itinerary to reach a port that I'd like to see. But many times we don't even get off the ship. We simply like to be able to relax, away from work and responsibilities, and watch the sea roll by. At a price we can afford.

 

That's what HAL does for us. So please, if the HAL execs are listening, don't change too much or you may lose the loyal customers you have earned! Going "trendy' is not great for sustainability.

 

From my perspective, that is one of the best endorsements of a cruise line I've read.

[frankc98376]

I'm just hoping that any big announcement is followed by swift action. There are a number of things they could announce that would get me excited however if it takes 2 or 3 years to implement anything guarantee I'll lose interest.

 

Also if they have come up with a 100% winning idea and they wait too long another company will come up with something very similar with a quick implementation and beat them to the punch and grab the people. I'm betting that Celebrity is waiting to hear the announcements just as we are and guarantee there will be big meetings there just after the announcements.

Edited October 28, 2015 by frankc98376

[sail7seas]

Hmmm....maybe not food, maybe hotel branding...let's see, how about a high visibility political figure with hotel branding...OH NO!

 

:D This post made me think Hilton...... as in Paris Hilton. :)

 

 

 

I laughed as I read this as it is almost like I was writing it! You summed our feelings up to an absolute tee.

I would think we are the dream customers for HAL. We book far in advance, pay rack rate for a NS, and normally max out our shipboard spending Mariner nights.

Many times we have stayed on board in port to enjoy the un-crowded ship. We LOVE sea days and cruise to as you said- relax and be pampered!

Thank you for your GREAT post!!!

 

 

 

Me, too. :)

 

[Stakeout]

Veendam and Rotterdam aft pools had nothing to do with Orlando Ashford and there was never information it had to do with someone not from HAL previously or the cruise industry... I don't understand the connection you're making between the 2

 

I never said it did.. just more in the list of missteps by HAL over the years with grandiose ideas to make more money at the expense of ruining the brand.. just my take on it FWIW