Oville Posted November 22, 2013 #1 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Ww returned last Sunday from our first Holland America cruise. For the most part our cruse was fabulous. The biggest disappoint was the horrible vibration we felt in our aft facing cabin. Is this problematic on all HAL ships or just a flunk on Nieuw Amsterdam? Is there any place on this ship anyone would recommend to stay where you don't have to worry about the fillings in your teeth being loosened when you sit/sleep in your cabin? We thought the food was wonderful in both the MDR and specialty restaurant, though Le Cirque was a rip off. We basically had the same meal a few days earlier when it was the Pinnacle Grill. One more question, what is with the smoking policy? Although we were not bothered by smoke on our cruise, it was a bit off putting to see someone's cigar butt on our veranda from the previous cruise. Does anyone think HAL will change their very liberal smoking policy? Seems like they are behind the times. Again we had a great time and are looking at booking another cruise on NA, just wish the smoking issue would go away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted November 22, 2013 #2 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Ww returned last Sunday from our first Holland America cruise. For the most part our cruse was fabulous. The biggest disappoint was the horrible vibration we felt in our aft facing cabin. Is this problematic on all HAL ships or just a flunk on Nieuw Amsterdam? Is there any place on this ship anyone would recommend to stay where you don't have to worry about the fillings in your teeth being loosened when you sit/sleep in your cabin?... Again we had a great time and are looking at booking another cruise on NA, just wish the smoking issue would go away. No problem on any other HAL ships we have been on - for almost 200 days on all classes of ships, except the newer ones. Smoking issue continues to tighten up all the time. Not quite to no smoking on all ships, but limited now to very few locations which most can avoid. Unless you get a verandah next door and want to be out on the balcony at the same time or go to the casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted November 22, 2013 #3 Share Posted November 22, 2013 We were also on this cruise. We chose not to eat in the main dining room which is aft. Did you feel any vibrations there? We felt them in the Tamarind. Didn't feel that when we sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam 3 years ago. We also prefer cabins mid ship. Sorry you were disappointed in Le Cirque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerinebunny Posted November 22, 2013 #4 Share Posted November 22, 2013 We made the NA aft cabin mistake - never again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 22, 2013 #5 Share Posted November 22, 2013 There are vibration problems on the Eurodam too. I hear those are to be fixed in the near term. I had a spa cabin on the NA and there was a fair bit of vibration but it wasn't as bad as you mention. You can only hope Hal will change to smoking policy soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapper1 Posted November 22, 2013 #6 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I have a total of 41 days on the NA, but always in mid ship cabins. We were not bothered by any vibration in that area of the ship. It must have to do with cabin location. The cigar butt was a housekeeping issue rather than a smoking issue. It could have been any bit of trash left behind and not removed. It just happened to be a cigar. And no, I am not a smoker----- just being objective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublebzz Posted November 22, 2013 #7 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I had a SPA cabin on NA for a recent TA. There were times when vibrations were noticeable but not as severe as you indicate. Vibration if a function of ship's speed and will vary accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 22, 2013 #8 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Although most frequent cruisers have their own preference when it comes to cabin location, we think that basic engineering does dictate some basic rules (which are always subject to some differences depending on the actual ship). Vibration on a ship generally has 4 causes. 1. Cavitation! This is the vibration created by the turbulence of the sea water between the prop and the hull. In most cases this is the worst vibration...and it is only felt in the rear third of a ship. Cavitation can increase or decrease with the speed of the ship and props. A famous marine engineer told us that it is one of the most difficult problems for a marine architect when they design a ship. 2. Engine and Motor vibration. This is simply caused by the large engines/motors and tends to be at a maximum near the center of the ship since that is the location of the main engines. and 3. The Bow thrusters. This is often felt near the bow...but is only an issue when a ship is entering or leaving a port. So, having spent more then 3 years on cruise ships what have we found? In our case we prefer the less popular cabins located in the forward 1/4 of the ship (near the bow). The downside of these cabins is that any movement of the ship is maximized (DW and I actually like to feel a ship move). But the advantage is that there are fewer mechanical systems located near the bow so these cabins are often among the quietest on a ship. There is generally no vibration felt in these cabins except when they are using the bow thrusters....and we find this can be a great alarm clock to wake us as we are docking. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted November 22, 2013 #9 Share Posted November 22, 2013 We were recently on the NA in #4178 on the stern - in the Med and then 14 days "across the pond". I never felt any vibrations...so perhaps this is something recent. Nor in the MDR, Yonnie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted November 22, 2013 #10 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I felt terrible vibrations in parts of the MDR on Eurodam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankc98376 Posted November 22, 2013 #11 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Please, please please not another drawn out thread about smoking. I'm not a smoker but it really is getting old- yes we know how many feel about it- but over and over and over..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliaschief Posted November 22, 2013 #12 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Eurodam, especially in the Tamarind had vibrations. Enough that the Orchard Vase on the table chattered. In room was slightly noticeable. TV in certain position would vibrate and rattle. One crewmember said it would be fixed in dry dock but an engineer stated no that it was a design issue. Sure didn't ruin our cruise. Hey, we are on a ship and every one has certain quirks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted November 22, 2013 #13 Share Posted November 22, 2013 I want to cruise the world on the high seas but I want no smells, no vibrations, no movement, no sound of anchors being dropped in port, no waits for tenders due to weather, nor insufficient internal systems 100% of the time no matter where in the world or outside temperature conditions or subject to passenger misuse of the same systems, and I want to pay bottom dollar for the experience but also have my fish boned without asking and have my drink made perfectly every time and ready at my table without asking. Plus able bring all my own wine I can carry, haul and lug into my immediately made up cabin. Well, yeah. :rolleyes: Ohhh, to go down to the sea again with only a star to guide me by …….. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 22, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Why not tell us what you really think:rolleyes:. It's only a problem when you experience it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 22, 2013 #15 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Please, please please not another drawn out thread about smoking. I'm not a smoker but it really is getting old- yes we know how many feel about it- but over and over and over..... There has barely been any mention of it:confused:. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted November 22, 2013 #16 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Why not tell us what you really think:rolleyes:. It's only a problem when you experience it. The irony is many of us have experienced vibrations, odd noises, quirky internal systems, smells, failed service, and all of the above but roll with it because we accept this is part of the price of sea travel. Point being, if fixed and stable are urgent travel requirements, it might be too much to ask of sea travel …… on any ship or cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted November 22, 2013 #17 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Anywhere aft is going to have some vibration. You are directly above the engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted November 22, 2013 #18 Share Posted November 22, 2013 The irony is many of us have experienced vibrations, odd noises, quirky internal systems, smells, failed service, and all of the above but roll with it because we accept this is part of the price of sea travel. Point being, if fixed and stable are urgent travel requirements, it might be too much to ask of sea travel …… on any ship or cruise line. sure many of us have rolled with it BUT these vibrations bother DH more than a moving ship. So, we don't do aft cabins. I don't see anything wrong with people asking and making choices. Since I do want DH to cruise with me and we do like exploring, the aft cabins are simply ones we have opted not to do. Nothing wrong with asking to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, none of our voyages have been at bargain basement prices ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted November 22, 2013 #19 Share Posted November 22, 2013 sure many of us have rolled with it BUT these vibrations bother DH more than a moving ship. So, we don't do aft cabins. I don't see anything wrong with people asking and making choices. Since I do want DH to cruise with me and we do like exploring, the aft cabins are simply ones we have opted not to do. Nothing wrong with asking to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, none of our voyages have been at bargain basement prices ;) Nothing wrong with making informed decisions at all. May information continue to get passed along on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m134 Posted November 22, 2013 #20 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Please, please please not another drawn out thread about smoking. I'm not a smoker but it really is getting old- yes we know how many feel about it- but over and over and over..... Is someone forcing you to read every entire thread on the HAL board? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankc98376 Posted November 22, 2013 #21 Share Posted November 22, 2013 The former Nieuw Amsterdam was notorious for vibration. In the Lido or Crows Nest she could vibrate pates or glasses off of tables at times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachcruise Posted November 22, 2013 #22 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Last December the only major vibrations I experienced were in Tamarind at a window table. The meal was fantastic though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sos1720 Posted November 22, 2013 #23 Share Posted November 22, 2013 We just did a 15 day TA on the Noordam in 7140, an aft-facing cabin. We had a few days with rough seas, which we enjoy, but no vibrations at all. Does the fact that we're at least 7 decks above the engines and props on a huge ship mitigate any vibrations? The crew was great, some passengers cranky at times, but overall we had a great time, only "good vibes". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retafcruiser Posted November 23, 2013 #24 Share Posted November 23, 2013 ...Vibration on a ship generally has 4 causes. 1. Cavitation! .... 2. Engine and Motor vibration.... and 3. The Bow thrusters. I am holding my breath waiting to hear about cause #4. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted November 23, 2013 #25 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I am holding my breath waiting to hear about cause #4. :confused: #4: HAL Cheerleaders out on deck practicing their routines. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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