What things on HAL would you be willing to do without?

[SabreSailor]

I've read several threads lately that complain about things that HAL has done away with in recent times in what appear to be cost cutting measures. Sure, I will miss the fresh flowers and some of the other changes, but being constructive, what things could HAL do without in order to save money and not diminish your HAL experience? It's not fair to say "get rid of the flat screen TVs" or "take out the Culinary Arts area", since the money's already been spent. Ideas (although I happen to disagree) might be to stop printing the New York Times summary that's distributed each day, or to print a much simpler, less expensive daily calendar.

 

Just maybe someone from HAL might find some ideas here?

[sail7seas]

Great question but we'll never agree on much! :)

 

I would be hugely upset for HAL to not have the beautiful floral arrangements throughout the ships. We love them and they are a true signature aboard HAL ships.

 

Also..... we look forward to receiving the New York Times Summary daily. DH often leaves the pool to return to the cabin and get it if the steward didn't deliver it before we left our cabin. That is something we value very much.

 

Seeing as we go to almost no shows, I'd be fine with them discontinuing the shows.

 

I wouldn't greatly miss many of the usual activities such as Trivia and Nearly Newlywed. We are 'self-entertainers' and don't participate in many shipboard organized activities.

 

I know others are going to say.....No Way!!! They love the shows and games.

 

Maybe if we keep it to a smaller scale we can find some things most would agree they don't need.

 

Like mid morning lemonade??? Anyone hugely attached to that and be upset if it were no longer offered?

 

 

[mamaofami]

I would be upset if the NY Times were not printed and handed out every day. I like to know what is happening in the world, even while I'm at sea relaxing. And CNN just doesn't do it for me.

 

I also love the fresh flowers. I wouldn't care if they stopped some of the activities like the trivia since I never go.

 

I could probably live without afternoon tea too since there is so much food to eat all day. I'm sure someone will disagree with me.

 

I've seen some HAL production shows I could live without, yet since I'm from the NY area and see lots of theater, I think I'm spoiled. Many people look forward to these shows and would not be happy to have them eliminated.

[gizmo]

I like the New York times and would NOT like to see it eliminated.

 

The daily programs have already been changed to a much simpler less expensive format. Those port information papers have been changed also.

 

Hal is already cutting back on the entertainment with no more bands in the Crows Nest.

 

Hal has already cut back on the floral arrangements. Many were silk and not fresh flowers on my last cruise.

 

IMO Hal does not need any more cutback ideas. I think they have enough already. :rolleyes:

[RuthC]

What things on HAL would you be willing to do without?

Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I want it all!

Seriously, HAL has done away with so many little things---starting with the "Dutch Girl" at boarding, and continuing on down, that I don't want to lose anything else that makes HAL, HAL.

[gizmo]

Nothing. Nada. Zilch. I want it all!

Seriously, HAL has done away with so many little things---starting with the "Dutch Girl" at boarding, and continuing on down, that I don't want to lose anything else that makes HAL, HAL.

 

Ditto !!

[kryos]

HAL can probably eliminate a lot of little things. Some of them would be missed by some passengers, and others by other passengers. But HAL eliminates these things at their own peril, because as each one goes a different segment of loyal passengers find important needs no longer being met. That encourages them to look elsewhere.

 

A lot of these things that matter the most to a lot of us don't cost a heck of a lot for HAL to provide. The individual who plays the chimes to call people to dinner, the fresh flowers, the white gloved cabin steward to escort people to their accommodations at boarding, the "yum yum" man outside of the dining room each evening. Truthfully, how much can these things actually cost HAL to provide? How much do these seemingly small "touches" add to the cruise experience of many of us?

 

If HAL wants to increase revenue without eliminating any of the touches that have become signature to the line, then I would say come up with new and inventive things that passengers may enjoy and then offer them for an additional charge. For example, we've all read about chair hogs here. About about offering a special viewing area ... high atop the ship ... maybe in a sheltered area of the sports deck ... and then "renting" chairs to guests. Have the area be one where there is special deck service (bar and nibbles) and people can have a chair reserved in their name for the entire cruise duration for a certain fee. If you want to really get creative, maybe even have a small swimming pool in this area ... complete with baby splash pool. The area would be small ... so only so many passengers could be accommodated ... but that would add to its exclusitivity ... and thus pump up the price.

 

There are loads of other opportunities I see for revenue generation as well. HAL just has to put their marketing minds to work on them ... and make sure that in the process of increasing revenue, they don't take anything away from passengers that is already being offered to them.

 

You don't have to take away things to save money ... rather you have to increase the offerings to increase the cash flow.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[sail7seas]

A lot of these things that matter the most to a lot of us don't cost a heck of a lot for HAL to provide. The individual who plays the chimes to call people to dinner, the fresh flowers, the white gloved cabin steward to escort people to their accommodations at boarding, the "yum yum" man outside of the dining room each evening. Truthfully, how much can these things actually cost HAL to provide? How much do these seemingly small "touches" add to the cruise experience of many of us?

 

 

:) These small 'touches' as you put it matter a great deal to some people.

 

It is the Yum Yum guy who plays the chimes calling us to dinner. I would be hugely upset if he were not a part of every HAL cruise. I would greatly protest if we lost the "doormen" in their fabulous blue and white uniform.

 

Flower budgets on the ships is a lot more money than you seem to imply. That is a large expenditure but to me a critical one as it is one of the things that has always made HAL different/better than the rest!!! IMO

 

I would care greatly if flowers were drastically reduced.

 

[Gonzo70]

I guess one way to avoid cutting anything would be finding a way to increase revenues. I was surprised that the casino wanted to charge my 10% to take out cash on my sea pass card. I only brought enough cash with me to cover tips, cabs, and knick-knacks on shore excursions. Needless to say, I was not going to spot a casino 10% and as such neither myself nor my girlfriend used the casino (I probably would have spent about $200 in the casino had I been able to access cash). When I have cruised Royal Caribbean they allowed you to take cash out on your sea pass card in the casino without penalty. I am sure if HAL did the same more people would spend more money at the casino and thus they would increase their revenues more than by charging 10% to access your cash thus discouraging people from taking cash out to use in the casino.

 

With fuel prices rising so much it is likely the cruise lines all will have to either raise prices, cut services and/or find ways to increase revenues. Hopefully they are able to do this in a manner that does not detract too much from the overall experience. Fortunately (IMHO) cruising gives you a lot more bang-for-you-buck than most types of traditional vacations.

[kryos]

:) These small 'touches' as you put it matter a great deal to some people.

That's exactly what I am saying. Don't do away with them because, after all, how much money can HAL really save by their elimination? Instead, look for new and unique offerings the line could make ... like the cabanas on Half Moon Cay and now even that new "party" cabana that hosts something like twelve people. It's those sorts of things that add revenue to the bottom line ... while not taking a thing away from passengers who choose not to avail themselves of those ammenities.

 

But the nickle and dime saving of eliminating the chimes player or the "yum yum" man ... that won't amount to anything more than upsetting loyal passengers who have come to consider them staples of a HAL cruise.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

Flower budgets on the ships is a lot more money than you seem to imply. That is a large expenditure but to me a critical one as it is one of the things that has always made HAL different/better than the rest!!! IMO

 

I would care greatly if flowers were drastically reduced.

 

Flower budgets don't hold a candle to things like fuel.

 

I too would be upset if the fresh flowers were reduced.

 

So ... instead of reducing those budgets, find a way to make money off of the fresh flowers ... in other words, make them pay for themselves. How about more active marketing of floral arrangements in the cabins, a "menu" of floral arrangement classes held onboard the ship (for an added fee, of course), etc. Keep what is already there ... but add enhancements ... enhancements that many people will be willing to pay for. Maybe a floral arranging class wouldn't be of interest to me, but there are tons of others who would really enjoy that ... and would be more than willing to pay for it.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Orcrone]

Many will probably disagree, but they could save a few dollars by cutting out the late night meal at the Lido. I have plenty of food during the day, and it's not healthy eating a large meal so late at night.

[AWED23]

ART AUCTIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

[Orcrone]

ART AUCTIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

I'd definitely be willing to give this up. But the idea is what would we not mind losing from HAL to save them money. Giving up the annoying art auctions will result in less revenue to them.

[Copper10-8]

ART AUCTIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

 

You beat me to it!;) Oh, and napkin folding lessons:eek:

[gizmo]

The Art Auctions generate a lot of REVENUE. No way in the world will Hal eliminate a revenue generater.

 

Perhaps adding a floral shop on board, would generate some money.

 

Please, let's not have opinions on what is healthy and what is not.

[Krazy Kruizers]

sail

 

There hasn't been any mid-morning lemonade offered on a couple of our last cruises -- it may be gone already.

[Krazy Kruizers]

John - what napkin folding classes? Haven't seen those in years.

[sail7seas]

:D :D See........ Told you I wouldn't miss it. I didn't even know it (might be) gone!!! I seem to remember them passing lemonade at the pool on Noordam in January.

[sail7seas]

John - what napkin folding classes? Haven't seen those in years.

 

I think that ended when they stopped having ship's hostesses.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Really think HAL could do away with the "late night snack". Over the years I have read here that the number of people going to them has diminished.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I agree with you sail - a lot of things disappeared when HAL did away with the hostesses. Like when the hostess would make the cheese fondues and we were given the recipes.

[SandRaven]

I think HAL should pink-slip the committee assigned to cut costs. That's a win-win for everyone, except the committee! :)

[SandRaven]

Wait - why are we trying to help HAL scale back? Why not add more, like poolside lemonade, a free mini bar in every room, and an included excursion of your choice with each booking?

 

It may cost a little extra, but let's raise the bar instead of lowering it! :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

I think HAL should pink-slip the committee assigned to cut costs. That's a win-win for everyone, except the committee! :)

 

I like your idea!!!