It's been 10 years, what changes will stand out?

[SeaTheW0rld]

Hi, all. It's been about 10 years since I've done a HAL cruise - Zaandam and Maasdam (all-time favorite ship). I've done many other cruises with Carnival, Costa and Princess. I tend to cruise for the itinerary.

 

What's changed with HAL in the last 10 years? Some of the thing I remember most that set HAL apart is:

 

• Hot and Cold kibbles before dinner in the bar (bitterballen, anyone?)
• Cloth towels in the public bathrooms
• Seemingly every staff member knowing your name
• Low-key atmosphere
• No table-dancing in the dining room
• The page chiming us to dinner "dinner time"

 

Edited January 20, 2019 by SeaTheW0rld

[ger_77]

Depending on the location of the bar, you can ask for hot hors d'oeuvres, but they may not have them.  They usually have nuts and sometimes the goldfish crackers.

 

Still have cloth towels in public washrooms.

 

No table dancing - if you do get up there, expect to be escorted back to your cabin. 😉

 

The "Yum Yum Man" was still walking around with the chimes on our last cruise (November), so yes, I would expect you'll still hear that lovely sound.

 

Expect everyone to look a little older; it's been 10 years, after all!

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

Edited January 20, 2019 by ger_77

[cruiserchuck]

We just sailed with HAL for the first time in about eight years.  Major differences we noticed is much less smoking, and fewer books in the library.  We thought the overall experience was very good - at least as good as our last cruise.

[Despegue]

As far as I experienced, but others will correct me I am sure,

on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, there is a self-serve hors- d’oeuvre table instead of them being served.

also no more yum yum man/ chime onboard the newest vessels...☹️

 

[faerievert]

We started cruising just shy of 10 years ago now. I must admit I'll be a bit devastated if there's no yum yum man on my upcoming Eurodam cruise!

 

I really must wonder what this table dancing is you refer to. Surely some other cruise-line's misbehaving passengers. I love a good burlesque show (in fact I was just at one tonight), but no one should be stomping around where I intend to sup!

[OlsSalt]

You will notice the fewest changes on the Maadasm and the Zaandam - both are still veryl lovely ladies, but with a few more coats of paint.  Everything you mention is still alive and well - they may not know your name but the universal warmth and the welcome of the crew remains one of HAL's signature high points.

 

No librarian, but still the lovely libraries. What I think you will notice immediatly is a much more coordinated and upscale look to the furnishings and carpeting - no more fire sale mismatchs. And the little blue delt tiles in the Maasdam mainshow room are gone, but the refurbished look is very lovely.  

 

Maasdam now runs a unique "InDepth" cruise program  - high enrichment in lieu of standard enteratinment and ship board activities with very interesting and unique itineraries. 

[OlsSalt]

5 minutes ago, faerievert said:

We started cruising just shy of 10 years ago now. I must admit I'll be a bit devastated if there's no yum yum man on my upcoming Eurodam cruise!

 

I really must wonder what this table dancing is you refer to. Surely some other cruise-line's misbehaving passengers. I love a good burlesque show (in fact I was just at one tonight), but no one should be stomping around where I intend to sup!

 

New uniform on the "chimes masters" on our recent Eurodam - more professional looking, less pill box cute,  but the same charming end of the meal service and you do hear the chimes announcing dinner is served. Wondeful tradition.

[SeaTheW0rld]

5 hours ago, faerievert said:

We started cruising just shy of 10 years ago now. I must admit I'll be a bit devastated if there's no yum yum man on my upcoming Eurodam cruise!

 

I really must wonder what this table dancing is you refer to. Surely some other cruise-line's misbehaving passengers. I love a good burlesque show (in fact I was just at one tonight), but no one should be stomping around where I intend to sup!

 

On Carnival (and sometimes Costa) they force the dining waitstaff to perform after-dinner "entertainment".  Dancing on the bus stands, skits, etc. It's embarrassing and delays my coffee.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Happy Hour -- buy 1 drink and get the second one of the same type of drink for $2.

[Despegue]

Anyone seen or heard the Yumyum man ( Dining Room greeter) and the chime onboard Koningsdam/Nieuw Statendam?

on our Koningsdam sailing in 2017, they were absent ...

[Caribbean Chris]

The cruise staff is still warm and welcoming, one of HAL’s strengths.

 

Ten years ago, there was a larger cruise staff which supervised programs like bingo, cooking clubs with recipe contests, trivia, ship-making contests, the library quizzes, etc. Thise positions were eliminated, so there are far fewer free passenger activities. 

[ksmaxey]

In the last 5 years we have noticed that the role of the cruise director has changed from a leadership/management of shipboard activities to an announcer with another person responsible for managing.  With the change to America's test Kitchen the culinary host position is gone but there seems to be an assistant cruise director on the larger ships who hosts the sip and savor and other events such as trivia.

[drgonzogoo]

4 hours ago, SeaTheW0rld said:

 

On Carnival (and sometimes Costa) they force the dining waitstaff to perform after-dinner "entertainment".  Dancing on the bus stands, skits, etc. It's embarrassing and delays my coffee.

So, i am Carnival cruiser that is trying to venture out and HAL has caught my eye.  This particular thread seemed like a good one to get some good intel. While the dancing does sometimes delay dessert or some after dinner drinks, i recall our first cruise and enjoying it. 

[HectorAchilleus]

5 hours ago, SeaTheW0rld said:

 

On Carnival (and sometimes Costa) they force the dining waitstaff to perform after-dinner "entertainment".  Dancing on the bus stands, skits, etc. It's embarrassing and delays my coffee.

It is one of three reasons that I have left Carnival. Holland is so much more elegant.

[Roz]

Isn't kibble for dogs? 🐶 I dislike bitterballen.  Don't understand what all the fuss is about. 

 

I've sailed on Carnival several times, but have never seen anyone dance on a table or a wait stand.  I could do without the after dinner revelry, but others seem to enjoy it and it's all done in fun.  No burlesque involved.

 

Roz

[Despegue]

Bitterballen are eaten as fast food  snacks in Flanders and The Netherlands, mostly together with Belgian Fries and Mayonnaise.

They are almost never served as hors-d’oeuvre. Same goes for Vlammetjes.

They ARE tasty though ☺️

 

Regarding “Kibble”, do you mean Kibbeling? That is fried and spiced white fish pieces. Delicious.

[SeaTheW0rld]

When I said "kibble" I was using it as slang for little munchies. Must be a regional thing..

[terrydtx]

5 hours ago, HectorAchilleus said:

It is one of three reasons that I have left Carnival. Holland is so much more elegant. 

No table dancing but you may see people in bath robes in the MDR and Lido!!!😫

[RuthC]

5 hours ago, Despegue said:

Regarding “Kibble”, do you mean Kibbeling? That is fried and spiced white fish pieces. Delicious.

More likely what others call 'nibbles', or 'nibblies'.

[c r u i s e]

20 hours ago, SeaTheW0rld said:

 

On Carnival (and sometimes Costa) they force the dining waitstaff to perform after-dinner "entertainment".  Dancing on the bus stands, skits, etc. It's embarrassing and delays my coffee.

 

Really? They force the staff? Don't be silly.

[SeaTheW0rld]

4 hours ago, c r u i s e said:

 

Really? They force the staff? Don't be silly.

 

Yes, really.  Look at the staff in the background coming down the stairs.  Are they smiling?  No. 

 

This photo is a 2fer for the poster that said they have never seen anyone dancing on tables or waitstands. It's real. 

Edited January 22, 2019 by SeaTheW0rld
Add photo

[Despegue]

12 hours ago, RuthC said:

More likely what others call 'nibbles', or 'nibblies'.

Thanks Ruth,

 

I was not familiar with the word.

 

 

[terrydtx]

1 hour ago, SeaTheW0rld said:

 

Yes, really.  Look at the staff in the background coming down the stairs.  Are they smiling?  No. 

 

This photo is a 2fer for the poster that said they have never seen anyone dancing on tables or waitstands. It's real. 

It seems that I remember something like this on our one and only RCL cruise many years ago.

[VMax1700]

On 1/21/2019 at 11:39 AM, Despegue said:

Anyone seen or heard the Yumyum man ( Dining Room greeter) and the chime onboard Koningsdam/Nieuw Statendam?

on our Koningsdam sailing in 2017, they were absent ...

 

We were on K'dam twice last year and once in 2017.  I remembered a Yum Yum man on one of the trips, but DW reckons it was Rotterdam that we also cruised in 2017.  So now I reckon that she is correct (as always!) but they have the trolley with ginger/mints etc on K'dam, as a serve yourself!

[SeaTheW0rld]

7 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

It seems that I remember something like this on our one and only RCL cruise many years ago.

 

Thanks for the warning 🤣