Cruise Ship Priest Program

[Host Jazzbeau]

We have never cruised on HAL but were considering it.  #1 reason: the 'guarantee' of a Priest onboard [I make a major effort in my planning to find Mass in port, but this isn't always possible even with Sat afternoon options]  With this removed, HAL is just another upper-mass-market line and I have purged [exorcized?] my computer of their deck plans and brochures.

 

I have no illusion that this will matter one iota to the HAL beancounters, but it was the one thing that distinguished HAL from Princess and Celebrity.  They should remember that this sort of homogenization was what ruined General Motors.

 

BTW, re the Canon law discussion above:  we attend Mass on Sunday and holy days NOT because it is required, but because it is a Privilege.

[contom]

We have been almost exclusively sailing Holland because of the Catholic Priests on board.  This is a game changer, and we will have to begin looking at other options. They have all types of other entertainment and special interest groups that they cater to and will not cut but have decided to target the dedicated Catholics on their cruises. The Masses during the cruises that we have been on can have over 100 people in attendance...and they cut this option??? This is a recent change that we were just made aware of as of June 2024.

Edited June 15 by contom

[Seasick Sailor]

We have a priest on board Eurodam (The Daily here) on the priest program. @Himself 

[KAKcruiser]

I think the Priests that are currently scheduled on cruises will still be able to sail but no new ones will be added.  I still have not received a response to my email from two weeks ago.  Very disappointed.

[Loreto]

44 minutes ago, KAKcruiser said:

I think the Priests that are currently scheduled on cruises will still be able to sail but no new ones will be added.  I still have not received a response to my email from two weeks ago.  Very disappointed.

I wrote a personal letter a few weeks back and did receive an email reply similar to the one others have posted.  I did play on my status with HAL:well over 5* and will receive a 500 day medallion in November, for what it might be worth🙁 .  I have enjoyed the opportunity to attend mass on board and be a Lector as well.  I am not a religious fanatic, though, and feel God will cut me some slack when I am on vacation.

[Niagarawine]

Had wonderful,priest on Koningsdam last month. It’s the main reason I sail with Hal

[aliaschief]

With church attendance down around the world it makes me wonder how many were actually attending these services. One is told Philippines is over 80% Catholic and likewise stats in Italy but the percentage for those who actually practice and attend is high twenties or low thirties. Attendance throughout Christianity is down. So that is why I wonder how well attended have these onboard masses been?
We often attend a non-denominational layman’s service if offered.

[iflyrc5]

13 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

With church attendance down around the world it makes me wonder how many were actually attending these services. One is told Philippines is over 80% Catholic and likewise stats in Italy but the percentage for those who actually practice and attend is high twenties or low thirties. Attendance throughout Christianity is down. So that is why I wonder how well attended have these onboard masses been?
We often attend a non-denominational layman’s service if offered.

In January/February 2024 on the Rotterdam we filled the BB King "church" for Saturday evening Mass.

[aliaschief]

Just now, iflyrc5 said:

In January/February 2024 on the Rotterdam we filled the BB King "church" for Saturday evening Mass.

Longer cruise. There will be exceptions but I wonder what the average would be for the seven day Caribbean or Canada cruises would be. Maybe Himself could give us an idea and whether poor participation could have added to cooperates decision.

[iflyrc5]

Just now, aliaschief said:

Longer cruise. There will be exceptions but I wonder what the average would be for the seven day Caribbean or Canada cruises would be. Maybe Himself could give us an idea and whether poor participation could have added to cooperates decision.

We were on the 10 day and 11 day Caribbean doing B2B2B2B

[mightycruisequeen]

44 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

Longer cruise. There will be exceptions but I wonder what the average would be for the seven day Caribbean or Canada cruises would be. Maybe Himself could give us an idea and whether poor participation could have added to cooperates decision.

We're just a few days away from being 5 star, and I've yet to see poor Mass attendance on any HAL cruise.  I'm sure that is not a factor.

 

[Loreto]

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

With church attendance down around the world it makes me wonder how many were actually attending these services. One is told Philippines is over 80% Catholic and likewise stats in Italy but the percentage for those who actually practice and attend is high twenties or low thirties. Attendance throughout Christianity is down. So that is why I wonder how well attended have these onboard masses been?
We often attend a non-denominational layman’s service if offered.

I have done many cruise lengths and am surprised by mass attendance.  When HAL has used the Hudson Room it’s been full.  I have also been pleasantly surprised to see younger cruisers attend.

[mightycruisequeen]

1 minute ago, Loreto said:

I have done many cruise lengths and am surprised by mass attendance.  When HAL has used the Hudson Room it’s been full.  I have also been pleasantly surprised to see younger cruisers attend.

Exactly!☺️

[aliaschief]

Good to hear.

[sunviking90]

While this is disappointing, I think it’s important to remember that the glass is still more than half full here. The cruises I have been on with the higher attendance were indeed the longer itineraries, Hawaii, transatlantic, etc. On a 7 day Alaska a few years ago, the Hudson room wasn’t full. I suppose the thinking here is that for 7 day loops, etc, especially those leaving on a weekend, the need isn’t there as much as people can find a late Sunday or early Sat mass on land if that’s their desire.

I understand that people want to flee in “protest” but there aren’t any other lines offering priests in board that I know of. Where are you going to go?

[Petronillus]

1 hour ago, sunviking90 said:

I understand that people want to flee in “protest” but there aren’t any other lines offering priests in board that I know of. Where are you going to go?

I think the point is, that providing a priest for the pastoral needs of the pax was a point of distinction for HAL; it gave HAL a competitive advantage. I have no doubt that disappointed pax will consider alternative cruise lines that they would not have considered otherwise.

[cruisin'mama]

We used to also cruise on Celebrity when they had priests onboard. When they ended their policy, we moved to strictly HAL cruises. Now I’m not sure if we will stay loyal to HAL exclusively….

[TiogaCruiser]

7 hours ago, aliaschief said:

With church attendance down around the world it makes me wonder how many were actually attending these services. One is told Philippines is over 80% Catholic and likewise stats in Italy but the percentage for those who actually practice and attend is high twenties or low thirties. Attendance throughout Christianity is down. So that is why I wonder how well attended have these onboard masses been?
We often attend a non-denominational layman’s service if offered.

When I’ve attended Mass it’s always been pretty full. I was on Veendam over Holy Week in 2015 and it was packed. The priest did offer an “inter-denominational” service on Sunday and invited us to daily Mass if we were so inclined. I think I attended 3 times. 

[Wayward Son]

On 6/14/2024 at 8:37 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

We have never cruised on HAL but were considering it.  #1 reason: the 'guarantee' of a Priest onboard [I make a major effort in my planning to find Mass in port, but this isn't always possible even with Sat afternoon options]  With this removed, HAL is just another upper-mass-market line and I have purged [exorcized?] my computer of their deck plans and brochures.

 

First, I have the utmost respect for a mod on CC. That has to be the most thankless job ever created.

 

However, I do not understand the "guarantee" of a priest, anywhere. Is your belief so shallow that it can't withstand a week or so without a priest? I am no judge, I just find that idea fascinating, and strange.

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, Wayward Son said:

However, I do not understand the "guarantee" of a priest, anywhere. Is your belief so shallow that it can't withstand a week or so without a priest? I am no judge, I just find that idea fascinating, and strange.

It's not that it threatens my faith to go without Mass for a week.  It's that it was one of the few things that elevated HAL above its competition for me.

 

If you like to gamble, not having a casino onboard wouldn't ruin your life.  But it would make you rate that cruise line below those that do have them.

 

Same principle.

[LouChamp]

Aloha.  Have blessed to sail since 1971 on countless ships and lines around the world. One of the most beautiful experiences at Sea is Mass. Not only during holiday sailings but throughout the year. Before the mass times app I have attended mass around the world and it is priceless. That said I am  disappointed in the decision by HAL but fortunately I can stream mass from several churches so fortunately my daily participation will not be thwarted. They can't and won't stop us!

[SetAnOpenCourse]

On all our HAL cruises we attended Mass on most days, whether port or sea day.  This announcement is indeed a major game changer, making HAL just another cruise line.  The stockholder perk loses most of its benefit, as sailing on other cruise lines now becomes much more probable.

[kirkc]

Please name another line that has a priest, or any clergy, onboard.

[Spudd]

5 minutes ago, kirkc said:

Please name another line that has a priest, or any clergy, onboard.

Crystal used to, at least - not sure if they still do.

[no1talks]

14 minutes ago, kirkc said:

"Please name another line that has a priest, or any clergy, onboard."

From Cunard's website:

"A Catholic Priest sails permanently on Queen Mary 2 and we're pleased to have Catholic and Protestant Priests on board Queen Anne, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth at Christmas and Easter, with services held accordingly."

Catholic priests on board for Christmas and Easter are not uncommon in the cruise business. Any competent TA could help a cruiser sort it all out.