Notification FRom HAL re: dining on Westerdam 2/20

[RocketMan275]

I was on the Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Eurodam in January when the Inspiration group was also on board. I had a dinner reservation every night at 6:45, which worked for me, but I don't at all diminish the concerns about those who wish to eat later.

 

Nevertheless there were also some advantages and I posted this on social media while on board: "The advantages of having 980 members of the gospel group, "Inspiration," on your 2,000 passenger ship: bars are never crowded, no problem getting a seat at a show or concert, you don't have to arrive a half hour early for Trivia or the Marriage Game, and they're not interested in talking with anyone not in their group so you can read your book uninterrupted if you end up amidst them on a long ride to an excursion. Except during port and meal times, they are locked in the Main Stage Theater with guys in suits guarding the doors until they emerge for dinner at 8:00, and then the shows begin for the rest of us."

 

I was also almost always able to get a recliner by the front windows in the Crows Nest!

 

So again, I understand the concerns so many of you have shared, but I also found some definite advantages on this one particular cruise with this one particular group.

 

I suspect you have just described HAL's position. Sure, you can't use this venue. But, because the group is using this venue, the other venues are far less crowded.

[Texasgirl52]

I'm sorry you aren't excited NCL-I must say it put a damper on things knowing people had had poor experiences with large groups. But I'm starting to pull clothes together today and starting to get excited again. Maybe that will happen with y'all too. It's still vacation, we still have a balcony to enjoy, I'm hoping there will be lots of fun things to do on the ship and its still fun to go do something different. It's our first time on HAL and my travel agent says his customers love it. So here's hoping for the best!!

[Kathyfromstl]

Texasgirl, I hope you have a wonderful time. Please come back and report.

[Texasgirl52]

Thanks, Kathy, I'm expecting to! And I'll come back and post how it all went.

[sail7seas]

Hope you enjoy your cruises, Texasgirl. Westerdam is a lovely ship.

 

[NCLbigfan]

I was recounting a story to my wife about what had happened on one of our cruises with almost the same situation.

 

We were on the Norwegian Spirit a number of years ago on a two week re-positioning cruise from New Orleans to New York. There was a very large group of Europeans on that cruise. The only thing that was annoying about that group was that each speech or direction from the ship's crew had to be repeated in five other languages after english.

 

Came early evening and they were nowhere to be found. The dancehall was empty... the casino was empty... the bars were empty and we basically had the run of the ship then. After a while, specials like two for one in the pay dining rooms were announced and 50 percent off during certain times in the shopping areas started to appear so I am trying to convince the wife that no matter what happens we paid a lot of money for this trip and we are going to have a great time.

 

If we don't because of the situation then we will take our money back to NCL or try another cruiseline.

[USNUZULOOSE]

There are many large churches where I live and they do many cruises. So I am sure they could take up plenty of room. Especially the main one here has so many services and no telling how many people sign up for the cruise.

[Tina G]

I just bought a pink baseball cap with a huge rhinestone cross plastered over it! I don't think anybody will mess with me. You'll know me when you see it!

[CruisinChris]

Quick update: agent is still talking to HAL has gotten a small shipboard credit. Interestingly and confusingly, they now say the group is SMALLER than anticipated and that I should inquire about late dining on the ship (??). Not sure that makes sense coming on the heels of their memo. I'm kind of at "whatever" at this point. Yesterday morning I received a very attractive up sell offer to a Neptune. I called within 2 hours of receiving the email (the second I saw it) and there was nothing left. Sigh. That sounds right.

 

I have to plow through a day at the office getting everybody set up for my absence and then dash home to get packed. I'm off to the airport at 5 am tomorrow and am looking forward to seeing my friends the ocean and sun in Florida.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Quick update: agent is still talking to HAL has gotten a small shipboard credit. Interestingly and confusingly' date=' they now say the group is SMALLER than anticipated and that I should inquire about late dining on the ship (??). Not sure that makes sense coming on the heels of their memo. I'm kind of at "whatever" at this point. Yesterday morning I received a very attractive up sell offer to a Neptune. I called within 2 hours of receiving the email (the second I saw it) and there was nothing left. Sigh. That sounds right.

 

I have to plow through a day at the office getting everybody set up for my absence and then dash home to get packed. I'm off to the airport at 5 am tomorrow and am looking forward to seeing my friends the ocean and sun in Florida.[/quote']

 

I hope that you have a good flight and FL welcomes you with sunshine, and that the cruise turns out to be better than expected. In any case, it will be warmer than Chicago. Try to find a deck chair away from the group and let the sea work its magic on you. Please come back and tell us how the onboard situation worked out.

[RocketMan275]

I have to plow through a day at the office getting everybody set up for my absence and then dash home to get packed. I'm off to the airport at 5 am tomorrow and am looking forward to seeing my friends the ocean and sun in Florida.

 

Let us know how this works out. We're leaving on Westy on the 5th of March.

[cruz chic]

Op, I hope it all works out for you. Those upsells do go fast if the price is right.

[sail7seas]

Quick update: agent is still talking to HAL has gotten a small shipboard credit. Interestingly and confusingly' date=' they now say the group is SMALLER than anticipated and that I should inquire about late dining on the ship (??). Not sure that makes sense coming on the heels of their memo. I'm kind of at "whatever" at this point. Yesterday morning I received a very attractive up sell offer to a Neptune. I called within 2 hours of receiving the email (the second I saw it) and there was nothing left. Sigh. That sounds right.

 

I have to plow through a day at the office getting everybody set up for my absence and then dash home to get packed. I'm off to the airport at 5 am tomorrow and am looking forward to seeing my friends the ocean and sun in Florida.[/quote']

 

Truly wishing you a wonderful cruise. Sounds like you are very ready for a fun vacation and I hope that happens for you.

 

We'll be eager to hear all about it when you get home.

Travel safely.

Fair Winds and a Following Sea........

 

[Mary Ellen1]

Thanks for the update, and let us know how it all turns out.

 

I'm so naughty... I'd be tempted to present myself at the dining room at whatever time I chose, and ask for a table. "Email? What email? :rolleyes:"

 

Good luck and smooth sailing to you.

[Lakesregion]

Thanks, Kathy, I'm expecting to! And I'll come back and post how it all went.

 

Now I want you to know I am not recommending a passenger revolt but one could have a few laughs if one brought a few T shirts with "666" on them or "Satan's Hideout" or "Atheists Convention in Cabin ___" . Sometimes a little push back gets the attention of the powers to be. And I do understand the brig gets room service.

[CHOPPERTESTER]

HAL should wise up and punt these "inspirational" groups to the curb. With so many different Inspirational cruises it is operating like a business. They get, what, 1 free stateroom for every 10 booked? Charge higher than normal cruises prices for the privilege of being in the group. Are the extra activities really that costly to justify the group premium?

 

Impact on casino and bar sales must be significant not to mention the disdain they have for the other passengers in blocking off dining times, venues, etc. Someone is making $$, getting free cruises, etc while fleecing their flock.

[Keith1010]

Have a great cruise.

 

Keith

[frankathy]

A group that large should have to charter the ship.

[joepeka]

A group that large should have to charter the ship.

 

That would be my initial reaction as well but unless the cruise line (HAL in this case) were able (willing?) to charge much more per passenger, it would not be practical. The smallest HAL ship (excluding Prinsendam) has a 1500 passenger capacity and as I'm understanding, these "larger" groups are in the 600 range. :confused:

[sail7seas]

A group that large should have to charter the ship.

 

I've been told HAL does have a cut off point that they stop booking it as a large group and they have to charter the whole ship. I am sure those terms are all spelled out in the initial agreements. :)

 

[LMaxwell]

That would be my initial reaction as well but unless the cruise line (HAL in this case) were able (willing?) to charge much more per passenger, it would not be practical. The smallest HAL ship (excluding Prinsendam) has a 1500 passenger capacity and as I'm understanding, these "larger" groups are in the 600 range. :confused:

 

That should be HAL's problem. Instead they are making it the problem of regular fare paying pax. Even if they couldn't disclose WHAT group is onboard (which I think is pure fertilizer) they don't have the decency to even tell pax ahead of time that a group that big is onboard and there will be limited access to certain rooms/clubs/lounges/restaurants.

 

I think all guests have a right to know if large groups will be onboard and be afforded options for canceling/switching dates. Why should HAL get to have their cake and eat it too?

[KAE27]

Now I want you to know I am not recommending a passenger revolt but one could have a few laughs if one brought a few T shirts with "666" on them or "Satan's Hideout" or "Atheists Convention in Cabin ___" . Sometimes a little push back gets the attention of the powers to be. And I do understand the brig gets room service.

 

:D I like your style.

[joepeka]

That should be HAL's problem. Instead they are making it the problem of regular fare paying pax. Even if they couldn't disclose WHAT group is onboard (which I think is pure fertilizer) they don't have the decency to even tell pax ahead of time that a group that big is onboard and there will be limited access to certain rooms/clubs/lounges/restaurants.

 

I think all guests have a right to know if large groups will be onboard and be afforded options for canceling/switching dates. Why should HAL get to have their cake and eat it too?

 

I totally agree and if you've seen my other posts on this thread, well, my feelings should be well known. But in responding to another persons' thoughts on chartering, I have no idea what the cutoff is (as sail7seas notes) but would imagine a group of 600 would not justify the financial bottom line for a full charter (as much as you and I hate it). :mad:

Edited February 18, 2016 by joepeka

[CruisinChris]

Lol!

 

Want you all to know how much I appreciate the warm support. I've been on these boards since the mid 90s when they were aol special interest boards, before they were sold and separated from aol (before the time keeping starts because of some flaw that didn't allow them to distinguish that at the time) and I'm used to being "flogged."

 

I'm all packed, second guessing my decisions and trying to triage right now. I have an early morning pickup and then off to Lauderdale. This is my first Hal cruise as a princess elite and occasional Cunard cruiser, so I will report in and make relevant comparisons. It should be interesting.

 

Thx for all your advice, across many threads. I look forward to sharing my experience and hope it can benefit others.

[sunnut]

Chris -

 

My wife and I are flying out of CVG tomorrow and we'll be overnight in Ft. Lauderdale. Planning on Uber from FLL to the hotel when we arrive, and then again on Sat. morning to the port. This will be our third cruise, and first with HAL. Fingers crossed that all this $$ will be worth it!!! Looking forward to reading your review, and posting our own.