Times Are A Changin

[mariner]

Dawns on me, HAL now charges $150 to tour the bridge and behind the scenes. It used to cost nothing.

 

But if you go, think about a shot of Louis.

 

Your previously free tour now costs more than a shot of Louis.

 

I'll take the Louis.

[CruiserBruce]

The Bridge tour was free. When was the Behind the Scenes tour free?

 

Don't you hate it when business tries to make a profit?

[mariner]

Always got to see behind the scenes. You had to ask. Now you pay.

[Krazy Kruizers]

And the "pay" tour is not available on all ships.

[ksmaxey]

I have paid and experienced the behind the scenes tour. It was better than other tours because there were only 10 of us and we could ask questions and weren't just herded around like other tours like the kitchen.

 

We also were given several adult beverages and a cool bag of swag. On the Eurodam 18 months ago it included the book written by the captain's wife signed by both.

[ski ww]

We have had a couple of bridge tours for free. They are interesting but I don't think I'd pay $150 for one.

Allan

[CruiserBruce]

Always got to see behind the scenes. You had to ask. Now you pay.

 

So if all 2000 people on a Vista class ship asked to see the food stores area, or the engine control room, they would take them? I don't think so.

 

Yes, some people- for a variety of reasons- were allowed to see the Bridge. And the Galley tour is free and open to everyone at that one particular time on a cruise.

[dogo88]

So if all 2000 people on a Vista class ship asked to see the food stores area, or the engine control room, they would take them? I don't think so.

 

Yes, some people- for a variety of reasons- were allowed to see the Bridge. And the Galley tour is free and open to everyone at that one particular time on a cruise.

 

Been on the galley tour. Total waste of time.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Always got to see behind the scenes. You had to ask. Now you pay.

 

Really? How many "behind the scenes" places did you go to for free? This tour is extensive, and takes about 3 hours, either all on one day or divided over two days. Stores, laundry, tailor shot, engine control room, recycling area, bridge and a few other places. At each stop, we were met by a department head or supervisor who told us about the area and then was quite willing to answer questions. And as ksmaxey says, it includes drinks and a nice bag of gifts at the end.

 

It's like any other tour. Some people value the experience and are willing to pay for it. Others don't think it's worth their time and/or money. The price has gone up since we did it 5 or 6 years ago, so if you believe in the idea of supply and demand, there is definitely a demand.

 

 

Been on the galley tour. Total waste of time.

If you mean the one where half of the people on board shuffle through in a long line, yes, it can mean a lot of time waiting for a tour that actually takes a few minutes. The worst example of that I ever saw was on Princess, where every time you turned a corner there was another table set up with someone trying to sell their cookbooks.

Edited October 29, 2016 by 3rdGenCunarder

[Ken the cruiser]

Really? How many "behind the scenes" places did you go to for free? This tour is extensive, and takes about 3 hours, either all on one day or divided over two days. Stores, laundry, tailor shot, engine control room, recycling area, bridge and a few other places. At each stop, we were met by a department head or supervisor who told us about the area and then was quite willing to answer questions. And as ksmaxey says, it includes drinks and a nice bag of gifts at the end.

 

As I was reading through the thread, I was remembering when we first cruised with HAL in 2013 we paid for the "Behind the Scenes" tour and it was just as you described. We treated it like another excursion and we thought it was well worth the price for what you got to see and learn!

[CruiserBruce]

As I was reading through the thread, I was remembering when we first cruised with HAL in 2013 we paid for the "Behind the Scenes" tour and it was just as you described. We treated it like another excursion and we thought it was well worth the price for what you got to see and learn!

 

We took it on N. Amsterdam in 2012, and the paid tour had been around for a year or two. So not new now.

 

Agreed...its a tour. "Worth it" (those dreaded words) to some, not to others. DW, who is generally not interested in these sorts of things, really enjoyed it.

[Roz]

Excuse my lack of sophistication, but what is a "shot of Louis"?

 

Roz

[avian777]

Excuse my lack of sophistication, but what is a "shot of Louis"?

 

Roz

 

... it's really nothing but feigned sophistication!!!

Edited October 29, 2016 by avian777

[avian777]

IMHO 3rdGenCunarder, Ken the cruiser and CruiserBruce are spot on - this is such a good "excursion" that it routinely sells out in minutes!!! And, no, it has never been "free"!!!

Smooth sailing ...

[Fouremco]

Excuse my lack of sophistication, but what is a "shot of Louis"?

 

Roz

One assumes that he is referring to Rémy Martin Louis XIII Cognac Grande Champagne.

[3rdGenCunarder]

IMHO 3rdGenCunarder, Ken the cruiser and CruiserBruce are spot on - this is such a good "excursion" that it routinely sells out in minutes!!! And, no, it has never been "free"!!!

Smooth sailing ...

 

Yes, it does sell out quickly.

 

I have to say THANK YOU CRUISE CRITIC, because I might not have known about this if I hadn't read about it here. There was a little blurb in the "On Location" on embarkation day, but I could easily have overlooked it in the excitement of boarding. But because I did know, I went right to the front desk to sign up.

[CruiserBruce]

Yes, it does sell out quickly.

 

I have to say THANK YOU CRUISE CRITIC, because I might not have known about this if I hadn't read about it here. There was a little blurb in the "On Location" on embarkation day, but I could easily have overlooked it in the excitement of boarding. But because I did know, I went right to the front desk to sign up.

 

Agree again...CC is where we learned about it, and the advice to sign up as soon as boarding. I have only seen mention in the "On Location" a couple days into a cruise...perhaps not selling as well on those cruises.

[kakalina]

IMHO 3rdGenCunarder, Ken the cruiser and CruiserBruce are spot on - this is such a good "excursion" that it routinely sells out in minutes!!! And, no, it has never been "free"!!!

Smooth sailing ...

 

I have to disagree with you. My late husband and I and our friend Rita were taken on a tour of everything mentioned with the exception of the laundry. We were never charged a penny. My husband loved, loved, loved the tour of the complete engine room. We all loved the tour of the bridge. The best was the tour of "I-95" and seeing one of the crew cabins along with the crew bar and recreation area. No charge of any kind.

[wander]

Please do not mix-up what is included in the "Free" Galley tour and the Cuisine part of the $150- ship tour these days.

 

Having done many HAL tours of the ship - the one you pay (recently $150) for is FAR different than the free on board the ship tours, (like the current galley tour and back stage tours , and the no longer regularly offered bridge tour). In the past we were also able to go on a very thorough Engine rooms tour by special arrangement. Now that was unique but from what I can tell, no longer offered, except for perhaps a privileged few.) Far different.

 

Worth $150? Well, as stated above this is a personal question - worth it to my husband - yes, one time. Worth it to some others - no.

 

You see things that are NOT normally offered on a cruise (except for perhaps some "special" folks - like President Club members, Penthouse folks, etc.)

 

It was split between two days, the first being related to bridge, engine room etc. parts (under the Chief Engineer stuff) and the second day things under the Hotel Manager stuff - laundry, food storage and basic prep areas (different parts than those offered in the free Galley tour, the recycling area and some others. There were under 20 passengers allowed to sign-up (and pay) for this tour. Both days were included. At then of the second, the tour folks met for 60 - 90 minutes in a corner of the Ocean Bar for a private question and answer session with the Chief Engineer, Hotel Manager and a higher ranking officer with Bridge oversight responsibilities. This meeting was truly an open question session and all questions adequately answered to satisfy the folks present. Drinks of your choice were provided.

 

I got to go on the second day tour as while only my husband signed -up, he really enjoyed the first day but had a conflict on the second day and I was able to fill his slot that day. This worked out great for him - as his curiosity involved the first day topics, mine the second day.

 

Knowing what I know now, I am very happy it worked out the way it did, while once was enough, we each got to visit in some depth areas that interested us.

[iancal]

These additional revenue sources are what helps to keep the fares competitive/low. We do not mind pay as you go.

 

It seems to us that it is a good way of ensuring the want to do vs the would do if it were free.

[CruiserBruce]

I have to disagree with you. My late husband and I and our friend Rita were taken on a tour of everything mentioned with the exception of the laundry. We were never charged a penny. My husband loved, loved, loved the tour of the complete engine room. We all loved the tour of the bridge. The best was the tour of "I-95" and seeing one of the crew cabins along with the crew bar and recreation area. No charge of any kind.

 

When was this tour? And how did you obtain this tour?

[Stx3me]

My wife and I did this tour 5 years ago as celebration event as she had just finished cancer treatment. It was $150/ea but more than worth it - I would encourage anyone who has a keen interest on how a ship operates from all aspects to sign up. The personal interaction with the crew and officers is something to be experienced.

[sail7seas]

I have to disagree with you. My late husband and I and our friend Rita were taken on a tour of everything mentioned with the exception of the laundry. We were never charged a penny. My husband loved, loved, loved the tour of the complete engine room. We all loved the tour of the bridge. The best was the tour of "I-95" and seeing one of the crew cabins along with the crew bar and recreation area. No charge of any kind.

 

 

Ditto... My late DH and I visited the bridge of many HAL ships, as well as bridge on Perincess and " X". We never paid for those tours/visits. DH also had the great enjoyment to visit several engine Rooms.......... He was a guest and there was no charge. :)

Edited October 29, 2016 by sail7seas

[mariner]

And sometimes you even get to honk the horn!

 

I think there are better ways to raise revenue. Like going to the bar. But I'm old school.

 

I'm now thinking I should have charged them for letting me judge the crews' Miss Maasdam contest!

Edited October 29, 2016 by mariner

[sapper1]

When the Eurodam was new my husband was given an escorted tour of the laundry and dry cleaning facilities and there was no charge. A staff member called at our cabin to take him down.

We also had a group tour of the bridge and galley on the same cruise and there was no charge.