These responses indicate my imagination was not working overtime. We sailed the Zuiderdam twice within a year. The difference in service between the first and second cruise was like night and day. Front desk was very inattentive and intrusive at times. Guest relations rep question my integrity.
Three couples traveling in suites and we had to play hardnose with them to honor our confirmed dinner time. When HAL did honor our seating time, we were placed behind a serving table with a surly wait staff and wine steward.
There are ways you can deal with these kind of issues. First, HAL makes the seating time part of their boarding contract. If the contract states your seating time is confirmed, you can play attorney with them. From all of the previously full tables, one opened up at our designated time. I guess HAL threw 6 people overboard.
When your service is lacking, go to the front desk and have the automatic gratuity charge removed. It is optional and at your discretion. The front desk will ask you why and you can tell them if you so choose including names if you want to be specific. Since most of the workers have served you well, you can give them a little extra.
Another approach which has been successful for us is to identify the staff which you will need the most and give them a few bucks up front. People like the room service breakfast server and the buffet table cleaner do not expect a tip. Leave them $1-2 and you become a member of their family.
