Senior Officers' Goodwill

[Caraleigh]

I just returned from a somewhat-disappointing 7-day Alaskan voyage with my fiance aboard HAL's Zaandam. This was his first cruise; therefore he was very happy -- while I quietly bit my tongue.

Now, I've not cruised for some 7-8 years. Therefore, I'm hoping you all might share your insights ... and whether my issues lie with HAL or, if the industry as a whole has changed.

I'm posting my query under "Caribbean", as that's where we next plan to vacation - next Spring.

Citing the rise of recent illnesses, we were told the Captain would not conduct his Welcome Reception line; he would not be shaking hands. (Instead he addressed the assembly from on-stage.)
Also, any time the Captain or a member of his senior staff were seen in public, there was no passenger contact -- no smiles nor goodwill inquiries. Perhaps most accute (in my opinion) was the lack of officers in the ship's lounges in the evening.

We told by a member of the Zaandam's entertainment staff, (that) perhaps the officers lack of presence coincides with the fact they're now required to pay full price for their beverages (alcoholic or non) in the public lounges. Is this an excuse to be perceived as arrogant?

Having known several senior officers personally (years ago), I learned their presence and goodwill is/was strongly encouraged by their companies. (Sitmar, Princess.)

My experience with HAL will, no doubt, be our last ... not soley for the above, but for other instances where I believe HAL lacks vs. other liners.

Thanks for your thoughts!



Post Edited (06-08-04 16:43)

 

[Capt Data]

I have been on Princess and RCCL. Going on Hal soon.

On Princess, we were address from the atrium. He shook hands in the 30 mins before this speech. On RCCL it was done on stage but seen some of the Officers around the ship. None had a drink in their hand. I have met a few of them but most were busy with crew or other pax.

 

[Cruise cutie]

Have met all the Captain's on my 4 Princess sailings..shook hands at the Welcome cocktail parties with plent of officers..=dunno..never sailed with HAL..you may want to ask the HAL board forum if any others can shed some light on this??..Good luck with your next cruise sailing!!....Joanne

 

[Trish1c]

I understood that there were new industry (coast guard?) rules that Senior Staff are prohibited from drinking alcohol while the vessel is underway (meaning from the minute they leave embarkation until they return). I can't imagine getting snockered during that busy turn around time is encouraged.

Of course that doesn't explain why no one was friendly.

 

[Mbandy]

I have found it done several different ways. On the Navigator O/S last year Capt. Bang stood in the reception line and shook hands with everyone. On Celebrity Infinity last summer the Capt and officers were introduced on stage. On Sensation last month the Capt reception was in the theatre with free coctails and a reception line. I ran in to Capt Pederson on Voyager O/S early on Saturday morning last month. Hardly anyone on the promanade at that hour so we strolled together for a while. He was very gracious and we had a nice private visit. I have a friend who works on board a ship and she tells me it is largely the decision of the Capt on how he greets the passengers.

Happy Cruising!!

 

[stevesan]

The "no hand shake" rule was likely in effect because of an outbreak of Norwalk virus on board. This highly contagious virus has been around for many years and is evidenced in areas where people are in close contact, not just cruise ships. Ship's officers do act as table hosts at dinner where they provide wine for the table, but they don't hang out in the lounges. The cruise lines may have decided it's bad for the image.



Post Edited (06-23-04 11:23)

 

[sailboat]

We took a cruise on HAL some years back and had an officer at our table. He was gracious and charming and helped us when we had a tour mixup. Towards the end of the cruise I asked him to tell me how he and the other officers managed to stay so charming and pleasant week after week. In a rare (I'm sure) moment of candor he said, "Well, we go to a quiet deck sometimes and scream a bit." Then he smiled that charming smile and winked. Those were the days! I think what's happening now is that as ships get ever larger with ever more amenities, that nice chummy feeling among passengers and crew is fast disappearing over the horizon. I hate to sound like an old curmudgeon here, but there was a time (not that long ago) when passengers and crew got to know one another quite well because they were thrown together so much of the time--with none of this personal choice dining and in-room movies. I agree that having these choices is great, but it also means that the opportunities for getting to know fellow passengers--and crew-- are slowly eroding.

 

[gsamml]

My wife and I actually missed the Capt reception this time on the Grand and on our way to dinner ran into the Captin and First Officer on their way from the reception. We had a nice, but brief conversation and he seemed like a very warm friendly man. Then we saw him on the Travel Channel last week on a old program about the Star Princess, he looked much taller on TV than in person.

 

[Hal]

We cruised on Zaandam over the 2003 Christmas holidays. The captain, I can't remember his name but he was quite young, stood at the Captain's party and shook hands for almost an hour. When he was on stage he was very nervous but in person, one-on-one he was very charming. On other cruises, RCL and NCL, we were greeted by the captain and shook hands. Also, we took the obligatory pictures with the captain and even purchased it on HAL. On HAL, we found the senior staff very accomodating and around the ship, but disappointed never at dinner. In fact, we even gambled with the cheif engineer and his wife one evening on Zaandam.