jeh10641

21 hours ago, kazu said:

here’s s really good way to date yourself.

 

on my first cruise we threw streamers (think Love  Boat scenes) and dessert carts came around to choose from.  
 

now polluting wasn’t good and no one thought of it at the time since there were fewer ships and they were smaller I put those dessert carts sure were tempting.

 

Not only streamers but on-board visitors on Boarding Day!

Jim

My first cruise was a transatlantic on the 1938 edition of the Nieuw Amsterdam from NYC to Rotterdam in late June 1959. We ran into the worst storm I ever encountered. A highlight was meeting a drunk Clark Gable after midnight. He was lost and we got him "home".

It was part of a student "Grand Tour" with 16 days going and coming on ships and 39 days on land. Return trip was uneventful from Genoa or La Spezia to NYC in late August. I got home in time to report to my freshman year in college.

You can view my cruises in my signature below if you expand it. There were two delay in cruising from 1966 to 1989 and from 1989 until 2008. Not COVID related.

Jim

On 5/15/2024 at 4:25 PM, USN59-79 said:

If we can mention "Haze Grey and Underway", I spent some time on three ships before HAL.  In 1959 I boarded the USS Pine Island (AV-12), a seaplane tender in San Diego.  As a Seaman Recruit, I was assigned to the deck force.  One day they asked at quarters "Who can type?"  My hand went up and I left the ship in 1960 as a clerk.  Next ship was a Destroyer Tender, USS Frontier (AD-25) out of Long Beach, from 1966-1968.  By then I decided to stay in the Navy and got a lot of electronics training.  Left her as a first class electronics technician.  Got some more training and taught at a Navy electronics school and joined my last ship, USS Hector (AR-7) in Vietnam as a Warrant Officer serving as her Electronics Repair Officer.  She was also out of Long Beach.  Like most in the Seattle area, took my first cruise to Alaska in 1998 on the old Noordam.

Ray

Thanks for your service.

Jim 

On 3/31/2024 at 8:41 PM, jlawrence01 said:

1992 Costa Riviera - Alaska Inside Passage

 

Honestly, it was a cruise ship designed for the Mediterranean and sent to Alaska.  There was so little to do on the ship  Swore off cruising until 2019.

My family was on Costa Riviera  in August of 89 to the Caribbean. I remember great food and a hurricane!

Jim 

I have only done the Canal once from FL to Seattle. Inside cabin. I spent the time on deck going from side to side to see as much as I could.

Jim

On 5/19/2024 at 9:42 AM, Cruisin'allovertheworld said:

100%

100%

 

Was so disappointed in July last year as I've not done many cruises and had more than 1 person I know recommend the line because of the talks!

Hi, Cruisin',

I look forward to HAL's talks. I am sorry that they did not live up to expectations. I hope they improve for our next cruise to Hawaii in January.

Jim

Keep her healthy as we travel on her next January to Hawaii.

Jim

9 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Thank you so much.  My DH tried the Ruben twice and said never again.  He also tried the pretzel (New Jersey guy) he said never again but I agree with your other food choices though I think the Canaletto has gone down.  My new favorite is the Pinnacle lunch.  I was happy to see your comments about your room 1146, we chose room 1154 just 3 or 4 doors down.  We were originally 3 but dear sis cannot make it.   We have a habit of picking long cruises with few rooms housing more than 2  so HAL said we can keep the family room (so far)

 

One overlooked aspect in our online discussions of HAL is their commitment to religious services. I am glad you detailed that aspect. 

We try to book different ships but from the same company. We also try to find new to us ports of call. We are running out of options. I want to go to Alaska even though I spent six weeks a year there for 20 years for my publishing job. Madie has never been there. I traveled to such exotic cities as Nome, Kodiak, Petersburg, Wasilla, Kenai and Homer as well as most of the big-ship ports of call (Fairbanks even though ships do not actually go there).

Jim

To Mary229,

I found the link (below) to my Rotterdam review. I hope you can open it. Let me know. Thanks.

Jim

Holland America Rotterdam Cruise Ship: Review, Photos & Departure Ports on Cruise Critic

8 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

We will have to compare notes.  I loved the NStatendam, I still don’t like the K and I will be sailing the R in September.   On my K journey we did have a classical music trio performing often and I found these musicians far superior to the run of the mill LCS musicians.  We also had a fantastic concert pianist on stage.  He was the very first performer I have ever made a point of thanking heartily for his performance.  He was old school, loved sailing and came direct to HAL by his own efforts not through a talent agency. 

Hi, Mary,

I will stay in touch. I will look for my review of Rotterdam and try to give you a link.

Jim

On 5/14/2024 at 12:09 PM, Mary229 said:

There are some design flaws on the K which were corrected on the other two ships. My theory is the dining room issues are related to a flow problem.  My least favorite ship in the fleet is the K but one of my very favorites is the NStatendam 

Hi, Mary,

Our only other Pinnacle class cruise was on Rotterdam in December 2021 when she was only six weeks old. Koningsdam will be our second trip on this class. My only complaint on Rotterdam was the smoke from the casino rising up into the Music Walk, at times almost overwhelming. Now, I am complaining about the lack of Lincoln Center and country music (the latter may be baseless according to some comments I have on another thread). As always your comments are most welcome.

Jim

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Both inside and outside routings are navigationally acceptable options for most ships, with the biggest differences being risk, costs and crew fatigue.

 

For a vessel steaming south down Hecate Strait, bound for Victoria, the outside route is the preferred option, as it will have lower costs (fuel and pilotage), lower risks (significantly less confined navigation) and causes significantly less crew fatigue. The vessel remains in open waters at a constant speed until just prior to arrival Victoria. This provides optimum fuel consumption. The pilotage is short, as the pilot is picked up a couple miles from the breakwater at Brotchie Ledge. When in open waters, the Bridge and Engine Control Room (ECR) manning is at the lowest level (probably identified as green), which only requires the regular watchkeeping officers and ratings.

 

For the same vessel to navigate the inside passage to Victoria, it is compulsory pilotage from about Pine Island (top end Vancouver Island) to alongside the Ogden Point berth. This will take 17 to 24 hrs depending on slack water at Seymour and the ship's speed. Therefore, the ship is paying 2 pilots for up to 24 hrs. Note - pilots are an expensive addition to the Bridge Team. Being confined waters, the navigation risks increase significantly. Therefore, with increased navigation risks, the Bridge and ECR manning is increased. I don't have access to the latest Carnival procedures, but it is probably "Red" zone for most of the route. This requires additional resources, including the Master or Staff Captain on the Bridge and Chief Engineer or Staff Engineer in the ECR.

 

The benefit of the inside passage, especially if it is a daylight sailing is the spectacular scenery. Sadly, cost cutting has eliminated most of the Inside Passage, as back in the early days of Alaska Cruising, ships used the entire BC Inside Passage that starts at Grenville Channel, just south of Prince Rupert.

What great explanation. Thank you for this detailed answer. Gold stars!

Jim

27 minutes ago, TheMichael said:

 

This part is kind of "cry me a river." We all suffered during the pandemic (well, except the tech companies, but they have their own related stuff to answer for).

 

The cruise lines are continuing to take on debt, now to expand for the new customers and, as I discussed, are treating the current wave of record-breaking travel like a stream that will never dry up. 

 

Something to think about: if their stated changes are solely to make up for pandemic losses, their plan should be to immediately change things back once they've recouped the losses, right? Has anyone anywhere stated that? (Answer: of course not, because they're not going back.)

 

 

 

This is one spot where we don't disagree too much, but then again, I like the simpler things in life. Give me a double shot of espresso, a deck chair facing the ocean, and a warm breeze in my hair (or a rainy sea day, seat by a window, and a lot more espresso) and I'm good. I can find something tasty in any dining venue, and anyone who can serve me with a smile is appreciated. 

 

I do see the cutbacks though. One cleaning per day means fewer stewards needed. Staffing at counters doesn't seem to be quite enough to handle all but quiet times (moreso on other lines than HAL, but the issue is industry-wide). And the upsell on HAL in particular seems to be especially aggressive (I've never felt so pressured to get studio photos - I could write a whole post on that).

I heard that HAL is still offering twice a day cabin service. Is that true? Or does it vary by ship/ market?

Jim

1 hour ago, TheMichael said:

 

I think the record profits being realized by the tourism industry in general suggest that any "recovery" is being made on the backs of travelers.

Despite record sales and profits, most the major companies are saddled with Billions of dollars of debt due the Pandemic. Whatever paper profits are being made most of it is going to pay down debt. Thus the shortages of staff and purported lack of service and food quality. On our Royal transatlantic trip in October I saw no lack of anything. Food and service were excellent. 

Jim

Is it possible that the "outside passage" is more applicable to sailings into Victoria and the "inside" route is more for Vancouver port calls?

Jim

22 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Other than the potential privacy and security issues, adding my name to a post would contribute nothing to the discussion.

 

BTW, something else that you always seem to do is compose your posts in bold. Any particular reason? Just curious.

Yes there is a reason. It shows up better on my computer so I can read what I write.

Jim

23 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Besides my obvious first name some of us want to protect our privacy. If I post my full name someone could easily find me and know when I am away 

hi, Mary,

I did not mean your whole name. I hate writing to "Hey you". just a first name.

Jim

On 5/13/2024 at 8:28 AM, ricka47 said:

We've never been on anything bigger than the Signature class but are booked on the Koningsdam this coming January. But reports like this and others reporting poor service and long lines are not encouraging. Are the problems due to the design of this class itself or something else?

We are Koningsdam January 28, 2025 to Hawaii. Most reports that I saw this winter from cruisers was mostly positive.

Jim 

To Peajay,

HAL sails in Europe so you can use the future cruise there. You did not say how much your FCC was. I see HAL cruises in Europe for US$500 or 600 so a hypothetical credit  of US$100 amounts to a pretty good discount.

To all responders, why do you not sign your names to comments? I always do.

Jim

I am happy to hear that Classical music has returned to HAL. Does anybody know if Koningsdam has it? Thanks in advance if you can report on that.

Jim

On 5/7/2024 at 9:03 AM, Petronillus said:

Where did they perform? At what times? Under what name?

 

I can't deny that Lincoln Center is a valuable brand, but I don't really understand its marketing value. It's just a venue comprised of multiple facilities housing multiple performing ensembles -- the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Juilliard School, and others.

Juilliard might be a promising alternative for HAL to consider. For room, board, and a stipend, senior-level students would serve a resume-enhancing apprenticeship, and could be bunked two to a cabin.

I like that idea. Even if there was no "branded" name attached, I would be happy.

Jim

56 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I knew him a long time ago. He owned Fallsburg Lumber.

Talk about a small world. Jeff helped us design our first house in Green Township NJ (near Newton in Sussex County). Do you know if he is still around?

Jim

46 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

The best country concert I ever attended had Willie Nelson as the lead attraction. Merle Haggard and Ray Price were also on the bill. This was at Bethel Woods which is at the site of the original Woodstock concert in 1969 (which I also attended.) I have also seen Willie Nelson 2 other times there after the first show I mentioned.

Hi, ontheweb,

We saw the Oak Ridge Boys in concert years ago (last century!). I won tickets to a Gatlin Brothers show via a radio station at a venue that involved taking a ferry to reach (this century). The total trip was about 2 hours each way plus the concert. I was a lot younger!

We are not big fans of concerts, too expensive, too many people. We have a Folk Life Festival in Seattle on Memorial Day with many types of folk/country music. We used to go every year when it was free. Hordes of people, usually in good weather, brought our own seats. Now, they charge and it is beyond our budget (retired seniors).

I have been a country fan since 1950 (9 years old) living in suburban New York. There was a country music station in Paterson, NJ and the wake-up show was called Barkin' with Larkin (the host). I used to listen while getting ready for elementary school. It was a very sad day for me when it was announced that Hank Williams had died. I did not want to go to school.

I had a good friend in Liberty, Jeff Sternberg, whom I had met on a HAL cruise in 1966. His family owned a lumber yard if I recall correctly. lost track of him when we moved to Seattle in 1975.

Jim

2 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

 

Jim

 

You've been deprived then....or perhaps you were at the casino or the rock room?

 

Country has always shown up on the Billboard Onboard schedule...at least for our numerous cruises over the past 5 years or so...for as long as Billboard Onboard has been onboard.

Hi, FlaMarina,

I do feel very deprived. First, Lincoln Center is gone. Second, I now find out that there actually may have been some country music I missed. Woe is me! My parents had retired to Fort Lauderdale and my wife's to Del Ray. We have a lot of family and friends still in Florida.

Jim

1 minute ago, VMax1700 said:

It is a regular HAL charter.  Just keep an eye on their website or watch out for my updated charter thread.  Then book the right one!

Thanks, I will. Is your charter thread easily found on Cruise Critic?

Jim