What is your pet peeve(s) with Holland America ?

[Mary229]

4 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

We had plastic individual water bottles throughout my 28-day cruise on Westerdam in April.

I haven’t seen one on any of my 5 or 6 voyages since the start of the program.  Perhaps that is due to the supply issues that cruise suffered 

[disneyochem]

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

I haven’t seen one on any of my 5 or 6 voyages since the start of the program.  Perhaps that is due to the supply issues that cruise suffered 

Currently on the Koningsdam.  We’ve been served water in plastic bottles as well as in cans.  Staff told us that the ship was transitioning to plastic bottles.

[Mary229]

48 minutes ago, disneyochem said:

Currently on the Koningsdam.  We’ve been served water in plastic bottles as well as in cans.  Staff told us that the ship was transitioning to plastic bottles.

That is interesting. I haven’t sailed since March.    CCL recently put out a press release lauding their conservation at sea.  Thanks for the report.  

[FlaMariner]

54 minutes ago, disneyochem said:

We’ve been served water in plastic bottles as well as in cans.  Staff told us that the ship was transitioning to plastic bottles.

 

The "no plastics" mandate did no last very long.....was waiting for my paper key card but looks like that is not coming now......hope they got some good press on it before ditching it.  

[songfool]

What possible good could come of a thread like this? Bashing just to be bashing?!? There is enough negativity in this world without stirring up more of it!!!

[Oceansaway17]

I dislike the process of putting down a deposit only to find out that vacation protection must be purchased at that time.  HAL gets all worried about non refundable deposits that they want vac protection purchased at the time of deposit.

I found out the hard way that a few months later if changing ships, NOT allowed to buy vacation protection.  I mean it is an ADD on and should not be prohibited later.  

Also HAL when making changes to a reservation, actually assigns a new Number and then one can get catch in a trap of newer promos or rules that changes the value of initial reservation.  

HAL really is overly annoying with their promos and use the word promo to backup any sneaky crappy thing they try to down the road.

[albingirl]

15 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I dislike the process of putting down a deposit only to find out that vacation protection must be purchased at that time.  HAL gets all worried about non refundable deposits that they want vac protection purchased at the time of deposit.

I found out the hard way that a few months later if changing ships, NOT allowed to buy vacation protection.  I mean it is an ADD on and should not be prohibited later.  

Also HAL when making changes to a reservation, actually assigns a new Number and then one can get catch in a trap of newer promos or rules that changes the value of initial reservation.  

HAL really is overly annoying with their promos and use the word promo to backup any sneaky crappy thing they try to down the road.

Sneaky is one of my favorite words lately.  Applies to just about everything, not to mention everyone.  Not everyone, but more than I care to mention.  Back to the positive thread about bashing the cruiseline.

[kazu]

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I dislike the process of putting down a deposit only to find out that vacation protection must be purchased at that time.  HAL gets all worried about non refundable deposits that they want vac protection purchased at the time of deposit.

I found out the hard way that a few months later if changing ships, NOT allowed to buy vacation protection.  I mean it is an ADD on and should not be prohibited later.  

Also HAL when making changes to a reservation, actually assigns a new Number and then one can get catch in a trap of newer promos or rules that changes the value of initial reservation.  

HAL really is overly annoying with their promos and use the word promo to backup any sneaky crappy thing they try to down the road.

 

In all honesty that’s not different than any other insurance.  If you are buying non refundable you are in penalty stage.  Pretty simple.  Unless you have insurance that lets you book after - it’s an option.

 

I avoid non refundable like the plague.  Now, if you are in final payment time line, it’s a different story and not a lot of choice.

 

Refundable gives you the choice - non refundable doesn’t. If you book it, and want to protect your cruise - then you either need to have other trip cancellation insurance already lined up or book HAL’s.  

[scubacruiserx2]

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I dislike the process of putting down a deposit only to find out that vacation protection must be purchased at that time.  HAL gets all worried about non refundable deposits that they want vac protection purchased at the time of deposit.

I found out the hard way that a few months later if changing ships, NOT allowed to buy vacation protection.  I mean it is an ADD on and should not be prohibited later.  

Also HAL when making changes to a reservation, actually assigns a new Number and then one can get catch in a trap of newer promos or rules that changes the value of initial reservation.  

HAL really is overly annoying with their promos and use the word promo to backup any sneaky crappy thing they try to down the road.

 

We agree with you and that is why we use independent travel insurance.

Our credit card covers some travel and we get additional insurance that covers health etc. for our flights and extended stays or car rentals. There are several companies that offer different types of travel coverage. 

 

[kazu]

10 minutes ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

We agree with you and that is why we use independent travel insurance.

Our credit card covers some travel and we get additional insurance that covers health etc. for our flights and extended stays or car rentals. There are several companies that offer different types of travel coverage. 

 

 

true but the coverage is limited for some of us (I’m in Canada) No where near enough to cover my flights and cabin but if it works for you, that’’s great.  At least HAL’s insurance pays out the trip cancellation pretty fast.

Medical - like with too many insurances is slow.  Oh well who needs money after they spent it 🤔 🤨 

[alwaysfrantic]

11 hours ago, SeaCapt said:

I think they cook with summer water right now, unless you're in the southern hemisphere, then they are cooking with winter water.

SeaCapt #FTW The rest of us can just go home 

[Iamthesea]

On 8/5/2023 at 6:04 PM, crystalspin said:

I actually love signing the slips. Every few, I add a dollar tip. That way I don't have to bring extra US$ and try to hunt down my favorite bar-servers at the end of the cruise!

We used cash.  Gave a large bill upfront to a guy in the Ocean Bar.  Every evening, he called us by name and knew what we wanted to drink.  Did the same for the second half of cruise.  We gave individual servers a dollar or two each evening we hung out in a venue.   

[scubacruiserx2]

2 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

I haven't had any experiences really. We did the "Have it all" option and booked our specialty dining and excursions (using the HIA credits) so far no problems with the "crappy" website. Hopefully everything will be good from here on. We fly out to Boston in 2 weeks to board Zaandam on the 23rd.

I'll be opening a post of impressions after I have some, I will also post the good points on the thread you started.

 

We have not used the HIA option . We did like the Captain on the Zaandam , the organ , and a dinner that we had at the Pinnacle ( Murder Mystery ) . We also had our favorite cruise / land stay of all of our cruises on the Zaandam because of where it went and the smaller size got us in places where other HAL ships didn't go at that time ( December 2018 - January - 2019 . 

Love the Dive-in fries. They are addictive, please have some for us.

 

 

A view of the Zaandam docked

 

 

The Zaandam wave pool

 

 

Clip of our Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. The actors sat at the tables during dinner and stayed in character.

 

 

If you are interested this is the link to our favorite cruise and photos and videos on the Zaandam. We hope you enjoy your cruise on the Zaandam as much as we did.

 

 

Edited August 8, 2023 by scubacruiserx2

[crystalspin]

1 hour ago, Iamthesea said:

We used cash.  Gave a large bill upfront to a guy in the Ocean Bar.  Every evening, he called us by name and knew what we wanted to drink.  Did the same for the second half of cruise.  We gave individual servers a dollar or two each evening we hung out in a venue.   

This is for anyone who thinks tips added on slips do NOT go to the server. After a few $1 on receipts, our usual servers in the Crows Nest would bring us extra cans of water near the end of the evening. Not saying they were giving us product, but they could see that we hadn't used our 15pppd on the package and would "ring them up" unasked! We ended up with a fridge full of water, haha! (We didn't have many shore excursions since after four years of no cruising, the ship was the destination in large part.) 

[Mary229]

7 hours ago, crystalspin said:

This is for anyone who thinks tips added on slips do NOT go to the server. After a few $1 on receipts, our usual servers in the Crows Nest would bring us extra cans of water near the end of the evening. Not saying they were giving us product, but they could see that we hadn't used our 15pppd on the package and would "ring them up" unasked! We ended up with a fridge full of water, haha! (We didn't have many shore excursions since after four years of no cruising, the ship was the destination in large part.) 

I am sure it is because you are just a nice person too.  Being a regular and being polite and friendly go a long way.  I also hoard Perriers when we have the HIA.  Even though I am not a big gambler (at most $20 a day) I get free Perrier in the casino, HIA or not. The crew appreciates someone who gets along with other passengers too.  It makes their lives easier if the old guard can help explain things for the new Mariners 

Edited August 8, 2023 by Mary229

[panther61]

#1 peeve (and reason why I’m now considering another line for my next cruise) - the elimination of Lincoln Center Stage and the classical quartet.  My cruise this past June on the Eurodam was lack-luster without it. Bad cutback HAL! You may have just lost a very loyal customer. 

[Haljo1935]

24 minutes ago, panther61 said:

#1 peeve (and reason why I’m now considering another line for my next cruise) - the elimination of Lincoln Center Stage and the classical quartet.  My cruise this past June on the Eurodam was lack-luster without it. Bad cutback HAL! You may have just lost a very loyal customer. 

Does another cruise line have an equivalent of LCS?

[Mary229]

27 minutes ago, panther61 said:

#1 peeve (and reason why I’m now considering another line for my next cruise) - the elimination of Lincoln Center Stage and the classical quartet.  My cruise this past June on the Eurodam was lack-luster without it. Bad cutback HAL! You may have just lost a very loyal customer. 

I agree there have been cutbacks but I also think current prices make that necessary. But to your point - I have never met a classical music ensemble on a cruise ship that is all that good.  Better would be a cruise with concerts excursions in port.  It could be a themed cruise. I could see this as a fantastic itinerary in the Med.  HAL has and does offer exclusive performances onshore  on a handful of sailings. 

[deliver42]

My pet peeve is looking at an Alaska cruise on the Eurodam next year. It goes to all the ports we're interested in, but 2 of them are late arrivals that deem them useless for us. Icy Strait Point, 6P.M. and Victoria, 8P.M. We'll stick with RCCL Ovation that gets to Victoria at 1 P.M. and doesn't leave till 10P.M. Plenty of time to see the gardens.

[Haljo1935]

16 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

My pet peeve is looking at an Alaska cruise on the Eurodam next year. It goes to all the ports we're interested in, but 2 of them are late arrivals that deem them useless for us. Icy Strait Point, 6P.M. and Victoria, 8P.M. We'll stick with RCCL Ovation that gets to Victoria at 1 P.M. and doesn't leave till 10P.M. Plenty of time to see the gardens.

The very short port times are very disappointing for us, but we love the experience HAL has in AK and spending the day in Glacier Bay is wonderful. So, we accept the shorter port time and have found ways to still enjoy the 2 short stays.

ISP we walk the beach and have dinner. In May, we were blessed with a whale show right in front of the restaurant - the crew said there's a small pod w/a young calf that hang out there. It was awesome - and free!! DH said the fish was best he had and portions were huge.

In Victoria, we take the ship shuttle to downtown and walk around ending at Irish Times Pub where we enjoy live music and dinner. We finish with gelato at the shop next to where the shuttle line queues.

There is a night time tour at the Buchart Gardens offered, but we don't think a couple hours is long enough, so we stick w/Irish Times Pub. There are many other dining/drinking options, but we like the food and music and now consider it "our" place.

While not a huge amount of time, we aren't rushed and do look forward to our time at each port.

Edited August 8, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

But to your point - I have never met a classical music ensemble on a cruise ship that is all that good.

 

The LCS quartet on Westerdam was amazing. Far higher calibre than any other musical offering, band or performer I've seen on any cruise ship. A man I met during one of the many performances I attended -- who is a lifelong classical pianist and performer -- agreed with me.

 

Edited August 8, 2023 by cruisemom42

[Mary229]

3 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

The LCS quartet on Westerdam was amazing. Far higher calibre than any other musical offering, band or performer I've seen on any cruise ship. A man I met during one of the many performances I attended -- who is a lifelong classical pianist and performer -- agreed with me.

 

That is good to hear.  I have heard one too many out of tune violins.  I am hoping for more stage performances.  On some cruises they have had amazing independent classical music performers.  
 

as to Oceania one moment I particularly enjoyed was afternoon tea in the crows nest with a string quartet.  It is usually around 3 which is a nice time to come back to ship from an active touring day. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

32 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

The LCS quartet on Westerdam was amazing. Far higher calibre than any other musical offering, band or performer I've seen on any cruise ship. A man I met during one of the many performances I attended -- who is a lifelong classical pianist and performer -- agreed with me.

 

 

LCS was the one entertainment that HAL did better than Cunard. Cunard's classical musicians are generally good, but not as good as LCS.

 

OTOH, Cunard offers a great variety of live musicians in addition to their classical trio or quartet-- jazz or solo piano in various bars around the ship; harp, piano, or solo guitar at afternoon tea; pub band; orchestra for dancing; second group of musicians to play for guest vocalists in the main theater. 

 

[cruisemom42]

8 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

LCS was the one entertainment that HAL did better than Cunard. Cunard's classical musicians are generally good, but not as good as LCS.

 

OTOH, Cunard offers a great variety of live musicians in addition to their classical trio or quartet-- jazz or solo piano in various bars around the ship; harp, piano, or solo guitar at afternoon tea; pub band; orchestra for dancing; second group of musicians to play for guest vocalists in the main theater. 

 

 

Celebrity offers a number of options around the ship as well, perhaps not quite as many as Cunard but they do have some "quiet" music like a harp or acoustic guitar at certain times of the day, a "cover band" with a singer, and generally another band that plays music that can be danced to before and after dinner in the lounge adjacent to the MDR. As well as a quite robust orchestra that accompanies all the shows and guest musicians -- and can split off to do special smaller group performances like jazz. 

 

They don't have an LCS though. (And now, neither does HAL... 😭)

[Oceansaway17]

17 hours ago, kazu said:

 

In all honesty that’s not different than any other insurance.  If you are buying non refundable you are in penalty stage.  Pretty simple.  Unless you have insurance that lets you book after - it’s an option.

 

Refundable gives you the choice - non refundable doesn’t. If you book it, and want to protect your cruise - then you either need to have other trip cancellation insurance already lined up or book HAL’s.  

All other cruise lines allow for adding vacation protection at time of final payment just NOT HAL.

fact is HAL is difficult on this one issue and I should know since I sail on others lines more.