Thread: Changes on Holland America

This is only my 2nd cruise on HAL, but I have seen some changes and thought this would be a good topic for CLF.

When I first started cruising, HAL had the reputation for being for being for much older people. They also had specific dinners each cruise, and they gave loyalty awards based on days at sea. There are other things I am sure, but I am starting with these.

Now Holland America is reaching out to younger passengers by building larger and larger ships. This is at a time that my husband and I have discovered that we really enjoy the smaller ships All ships now have a childrens' area and program, Club HAL.

Our current cruise does not have a Dutch night dinner, no Black and White Formal night and no Indonesian dinner. Some of the Dutch and Indonesian dishes have been on the menu, but they are not spotlighted.

And the new Mariner program has already been discussed elsewhere. Pins are given at different points, and the type of cabin you have can affect your status as well as the number of days you have cruised with HAL. However, the extra status for larger cabins is NOT retroactive.

Things that have NOT changed:
-The Indonesian Crew Show and Filipino Crew Show are still done.
- Afternoon tea is still available
- There is still a wine/sommelier dinner once per cruise.

More changes coming!
The older ships are having more cabins added where the current aft pools are located, and the aft pools are being moved up tot he Lido deck.
The casino slot machines will change to "pay" out with vouchers instead of coins.

True on all of the above(we just got back 10-24) Did you notice they have cut the staff and service has slipped because of the cuts? They no longer "pamper" you, they just herd you along like a bunch of sheep.

I have seen fewer maitre d's in the dining room. We are fortunate to be staying in a suite, so the cuts in service people haven't affected us much. And to be honest, some of the passengers on this cruise have a herd mentatlity! But we have seen some things falling through the cracks - like them changing the formal night at the last minute but not really getting the word out. If you have to find out from another passenger that you have a formal night that evening, there's something wrong!

We have been talking about trying HAL again but I think I may want to do some more research first. Our last HAL cruise was in 1996 before they became part of the Carnival Corp.

We too have had two HAL cruises. Our first was wonderful with attention to detail that we marveled at. The average age of the passengers was definitely up there in the 60's or older but it was a great cruise.

On the Noordam last year the average age was much lower but the quality was so bad we will never cruise on HAL again. The "can do" attitude has degenerated into a "We are sorry but that is not on the menu/not according to policy/not available" It was more of excuses than anything else.

Originally Posted by MCcruiser

I have seen fewer maitre d's in the dining room. We are fortunate to be staying in a suite, so the cuts in service people haven't affected us much. And to be honest, some of the passengers on this cruise have a herd mentatlity! But we have seen some things falling through the cracks - like them changing the formal night at the last minute but not really getting the word out. If you have to find out from another passenger that you have a formal night that evening, there's something wrong!

Niw THAT is quite surprising for ANY cruise line... formal night is SUCH a big deal, both for the passengers, AND for the ship, with more opportunities for, and a bigger push for, revenue.

I've never taken a cruise on HAL, but did a ship inspection on the Westerdam in November, 2007. In the 2.5 years as a travel agent, I've never had a request for HAL or a call on a flyer or e-mail ad I've circulated or sent out for HAL cruises.
What is really shocking, Mindy, is them canceling Formal Night at the last minute. It's no surprise then, they are not getting the word out.
Yes, the older ships are being refurbished with the Signature Of Excellence Service,as well as Club HAL, and newer Vista and Signature Class ships are catering to younger guests and families.

Originally Posted by Blizzard

We have been talking about trying HAL again but I think I may want to do some more research first. Our last HAL cruise was in 1996 before they became part of the Carnival Corp.

Holland America was purchased by Carnival Corp. in 1988.

Whoops, I did not catch that. You are right!

I think they purchased Princess a few years latter in 1992. I remember my first cruise in 1982. I was sitting at my table in the MDR. I went to light a cigarette and the maitre d" and two waiters rushed over to me with their lighters out and lit my cigarette! Service will NEVER be like that again. Course it doesn't matter, can't smoke in there anymore, anyway....