HAL 4* Mariner (Returning to HAL) from NCL!

[GeriatricNurse]

Hi Folks,

 

       I am a 4* Mariner who took a break from HAL for five years to cruise with NCL, returning to HAL and will be booking a 21-Day Caribbean Cruise onboard the 'NIEUW STATENDAM'!

 

       Before I take the opportunity/time to read through all the threads, has there been anything outstanding/remarkable that has happened with HAL over the past five years?

 

 

[Roz]

Welcome back, Geriatric Nurse.  I remember you.  

 

Gosh, so much has happened in 5 years.  Just like a lot of other lines, there have been cutbacks.  Fewer room stewards and waiters.  Most notable to me is the decline in entertainment and onboard activities.  Speaking of entertainment, on the plus side there is the addition of the Music Walk.  

[cwtravel]

A few that I think are good.....

- No smoking on the balcony 

- Larger flat screen televisions in staterooms with on demand movies (lots of choices)

- Taramind as a speciality dining option

- Most likely better/faster internet and unlimited

 

[kazu]

HSC has increased a few times in the last 5 years

[Krazy Kruizers]

Good to hear from you again.

 

Many ships now have pre made sandwiches.

[*Miss G*]

No more health forms!

[colonialinnkeeper]

Some changes with the two new ships:

--bathrooms; large glass walled showers, nicely lighted mirrors, (dislike) toilet on Koningsdam at weird angle so knees for taller people hit shower glass wall but fixed on NS

--bedrooms; well thought out storage, fridge at counter level, lots of electrical sockets and USB outlets, good hair dryers,  flat screen tvs with a wide range of movie options, (dislike) smaller coffee table, sofa side cushion that falls off end of sofa, the tv doesn't swivel so you can only watch it comfortably when sitting on the bed, smaller balconies with tiny table and only one footstool

--entertainment;  large theater has fantastic 280 degree surround that allows for computer driven graphics/pics and good visual seating almost everywhere in the room, Music Walk with dual piano lounge (Billboard on Board), a Rock lounge, BB King theater and Lincoln Center (classical music concerts), (dislike) the cancelling of live shows with singing and dancing.  One Step (an outside company)  has two shows that are sometimes done with dancing to canned music, the elimination of most music in the Ocean Bar, having to go very early to get seating for some shows in the large theater

--public areas; like the individual art on each ship fleet wide, many smaller areas to find a place to read, (dislike) the elimination of the wide promenade with lounges (smaller/older ships still have this), the depth of the promenade in some areas so it is difficult for two people to pass each other,  the

identical design of the atrium of the K and NS,  smoking still allowed in the casino

 

One thing that hasn't changed is the staff's friendliness and helpfulness.  Yes, there are fewer of them but they still go the extra mile to make our stay memorable and comfortable.  

 

[Cruzaholic41]

Cutbacks have been the worst I’ve seen on any line. No more relaxing live entertainment in the Crows Nest and Ocean Bar. No more live music by the pool. Main theater production shows have almost all been eliminated. 

Edited January 7, 2020 by Cruzaholic41

[DeeniEncinitas]

17 minutes ago, Cruzaholic41 said:

Cutbacks have been the worst I’ve seen on any line. No more relaxing live entertainment in the Crows Nest and Ocean Bar. No more live music by the pool. Main theater production shows have almost all been eliminated. 

DITTO 💯 %!!!!
Not that it effects me but now no packets

of sugar substitutes of any kind from equal to stevia in the lido? I guess saving on paper LOL. Just Cutting back on a lot! As a 5 Star wish the old days were back. 
Im not old just wish Orlando would see what he and corporate are doing to such a fine line. 
Denise😊

[Roz]

The bar in the Crow's Nest is now a combined bar 🍸 and coffee ☕ bar, and the noise of the coffee grinder and the coffee machine is unbearable.  Not a good combo IMO.  Most of the seats at the bar have been eliminated.   I long for the old days when the bar would be full and everyone was talking and laughing 😁 and having a good time.

 

A large portion of the Crow's Nest is now Executive Tours or some such nonsense.  I saw very few people there during my weeks on the Nieuw Amsterdam earlier this year.  

 

Food still decent, but cutbacks such as pork for osso bucco instead of veal.  That sort of thing.  They still have my beloved raisin buns.  I expect any day now Orlando will have the bakers counting the number of raisins they put in each bun. 😟

[USN59-79]

The elimination of the libraries is the cutback that bothered me the most.

[Caribbean Chris]

There don’t seem to be any more cooking classes - someone reported recently that the brief America’s Test Kitchen partnership is ending.

 

The two new ships have a Grand Dutch cafe with, of course, Dutch snacks and beverages. They also have a dedicated dining room for suite passengers called Club Orange (converted from America’s Test Kitchen).
 

New York Pizza place.

[Tom O.]

Gala Nights used to be formal, now HAL simply suggests formal attire, but doesn't require it. Many people, including myself, simply wear the same type clothing as other nights - smart casual.

This including the newer smoking rules mentioned above (No smoking in stateroom or balcony) are the two biggest changes I can think of. And they are both improvements IMHO.

[St Pete Cruiser]

I think coming from NCL, you will be impressed with N Statendam!

 

[Vict0riann]

Especially on the NS, the addition of the Grand Dutch Cafe and Sea de Mer!  Real treats.  At the Dutch Cafe, the food is free, just pay for the specialty drinks.  The apple crepe dish is to die for!  (It's lunch time here - you can tell)

 

No more eyes on the towel animals.  I hate to see them blind, I think I will tell our stewards not to bother making them on our next cruise if there are no eyes!!

[doone]

8 hours ago, GeriatricNurse said:

Hi Folks,

 

       I am a 4* Mariner who took a break from HAL for five years to cruise with NCL, returning to HAL and will be booking a 21-Day Caribbean Cruise onboard the 'NIEUW STATENDAM'!

 

       Before I take the opportunity/time to read through all the threads, has there been anything outstanding/remarkable that has happened with HAL over the past five years?

 

 

Welcome back GeriatricNurse, I remember you as well.  I haven't been on the Nieuw Statendam, but have been on the Koningsdam and LOVED it.............my family and I are booked for the NS next year........what I loved about the Pinnacle Class ship is the shower in the cabins, definately an upgrade.  Dutch Cafe is great as well for those specialty coffee's.  The Rolling Rock room we all enjoyed as well as BBKings. 

 

I loved having movies on the Lido Pool area are night, it was a great addition.  The NY Pizza and Deli was another hit for us along with of course Dive in for burgers..........

 

I hope you enjoy the NS as much as we enjoyed the Koningsdam..............don't sweat the small stuff and you'll have a blast.

[jlocole]

Does HAL still gift returning guests?  A bag or something? 

It's been 5 years since I was on-board HAL too.

[kazu]

13 minutes ago, jlocole said:

Does HAL still gift returning guests?  A bag or something? 

It's been 5 years since I was on-board HAL too.

 

They still give a tote bag (but not like the ones of days of yore) and the tile at the Mariner’s luncheon.

[dockman]

7 hours ago, USN59-79 said:

The elimination of the libraries is the cutback that bothered me the most.

That and the elimination of proper promenade decks wide enough for two people to pass without having to go on a crash diet.

[VennDiagram]

Perhaps if you told us why you left HAL for NCL, and are now returning, we could provide more targeted information as opposed to random bits and pieces.

[crystalspin]

We personally enjoyed having the coffee station in the Crow's Nest -- it's our favorite hangout and the noise didn't bother us. It made the shift from morning/early afternoon espresso drinks to foo-foo rum drinks seamless.

 

Devoting HALF of the Crow's Nest to the EXC interactive tables is a waste, but the upright monitor of the ship's engines and bearings is kinda fun.

 

Renaming the Crow's Nest something else seems a fool's errand as well. Until a whole generation of HAL passengers has past, I vow to call it the Crow's Nest!

[comcox]

15 hours ago, USN59-79 said:

The elimination of the libraries is the cutback that bothered me the most.

I concur with you--a great lost.  I'm sailing on HAL next week and carrying an extra small suitcase filled with books (and no I do not like electronic readers).  I will also miss the removed movie theatres, the removed self-service laundries (if for no other reason than to use the irons), the fewer lectures, etc.  I think this month's cruise with HAL may be out last.

[GeriatricNurse]

20 hours ago, Roz said:

Welcome back, Geriatric Nurse.  I remember you.  

 

Gosh, so much has happened in 5 years.  Just like a lot of other lines, there have been cutbacks.  Fewer room stewards and waiters.  Most notable to me is the decline in entertainment and onboard activities.  Speaking of entertainment, on the plus side there is the addition of the Music Walk.  

Hi Roz,

 

   Thank you for your reply.  I remember you too!  The addition of the 'Music Walk' sounds interesting!  I'll have to check it out.

[GeriatricNurse]

20 hours ago, cwtravel said:

A few that I think are good.....

- No smoking on the balcony 

- Larger flat screen televisions in staterooms with on demand movies (lots of choices)

- Taramind as a speciality dining option

- Most likely better/faster internet and unlimited

 

Hi cwtravel,

 

   Thank you for your reply.  Among other features, are you able to access your onboard account on the 'interactive' televisions in the staterooms?

[GeriatricNurse]

20 hours ago, kazu said:

HSC has increased a few times in the last 5 years

Hi kazu,

 

   What is the current 'Daily Service Charge' for Inside Stateroom accommodation?