Just Docked From Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise/Some Changes Coming Fleet Wide

[cruisemom42]

I'm. confused.

 

I don't really understand what the Health Department or the USCG have to do with a Dutch ship when it is in international waters.

 

Scott & Karen

 

Ships have very strict requirements to follow if they want to call on ports in the US. One aspect of this are those CDC scores that people get so crazy about from time to time (e.g. a couple of years ago a HAL ship "failed" an inspection). These particular requirements are in place to prevent GI illness:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/

 

 

I think BruceMuzz has posted details about these requirements in the past, as have other staff/officers/crew on other lines (e.g., recently regarding the horrible failures on one of the Silversea ships). There are a plethora of effects of these rules, including what kinds of and how raw seafood and "undercooked" or raw meats can be served and stored. I'm assuming some of the items used in preparing a true Caesar salad might also cause problems (e.g., raw egg).

[kazu]

Ships have very strict requirements to follow if they want to call on ports in the US. One aspect of this are those CDC scores that people get so crazy about from time to time (e.g. a couple of years ago a HAL ship "failed" an inspection). These particular requirements are in place to prevent GI illness:

 

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/

 

 

I think BruceMuzz has posted details about these requirements in the past, as have other staff/officers/crew on other lines (e.g., recently regarding the horrible failures on one of the Silversea ships). There are a plethora of effects of these rules, including what kinds of and how raw seafood and "undercooked" or raw meats can be served and stored. I'm assuming some of the items used in preparing a true Caesar salad might also cause problems (e.g., raw egg).

When my Caesar salad was served at table side - I could see the egg - heck it's in my Caesar salad too:D

 

Caesar salad isn't Caesar salad without that and anchovies :)

[Copper10-8]

Hopefully an improvement on the current menu which is not much better than a regular "Olive Garden" or "East Side Mario's". Nothing there actually resembles food they would actually serve in Italy. ;)

 

Most definitely! Goooooooooooooooooooooooood.:) Hope you get to try it for yourself so you can form your own opinion ;)

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for the report. Higher prices in the PG for less choices.

 

We'll see if it is successful this time. I recall HAL raising it to $30.00 several years ago, then it was dropped back down. Apparently they think they can sell the people on a dollar less.

[Colakid]

Welcome back and thank you for the info. Have a Merry Christmas. Colakid.

[sail7seas]

Welcome back and thank you for the info. Have a Merry Christmas. Colakid.

 

 

Hi Colakid......

Nice to see you posting. I haven't noticed you around here much lately. :)

 

[aliaschief]

Welcome back and thank you for the info. Have a Merry Christmas. Colakid.

 

Thanks, We need to cruise together. Merry Christmas to you and Polar Bear Mom.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info ..

[frankc98376]

Hoping someone will post the new Canaletto menu- anxious to see it.

Edit- scratch that request. Just saw the new menu in Canaletto thread :-)

Edited December 16, 2013 by frankc98376

[BruceMuzz]

I really don't care either way about this change in offering but I do care about limp excuses that make no logical sense. The regulators have never stopped anyone from serving Caesar Salad on dry land for health and safety reasons. Thousands of restaurants still do! I do believe flambes may be a bit dangerous on a ship but Caesar Salad??? :rolleyes: HAL is getting very good at coming up with excuses that make no sense to explain their decisions.

 

Assuming things usually gets us into trouble.

This is a perfect example.

 

Assuming that the regulators (USPH) for non-US Flag cruise ships have the same rules and regulations as the regulators (FDA) for North American shore-based hotels and restaurants was your first mistake. In fact most of their rules are completely different from each other.

USPH has no jurisdiction over land-based anything, and FDA has no jurisdiction over non-US Flag cruise ships.

 

The FDA has one set of required maximum food storage temperatures for land-based operations; USPH has a different set of maximum food storage temperatures for non-US Flag ships.

 

Assuming that the US Public Health regulations for food operations on ships have to make logical sense was another mistake. Many USPH regulations make no sense at all - but we still have to follow them.

 

Land-based regulators never stopped restaurants from serving fresh fish - but cruise ships cannot do it. Any fish served on a ship must be frozen for at least 72 hours before serving.

 

Land-based regulators never stopped restaurants from leaving dining tables set up for more than 4 hours - but cruise ships cannot do it. Once we hit 4 hours, all unused tables must be unset.

 

Land-based regulators never stopped restaurants from serving protein items purchased anywhere on earth - but cruise ships cannot do it. Any protein item served on a ship must be purchased from a US Certified vendor (which can only be in the USA).

 

Land-based regulators never stopped restaurants from serving or recycling leftovers - but cruise ships cannot do it. Any prepared food served on a ship must be consumed or discarded within 4 hours.

 

Land-based regulators never stopped restaurants from preparing fish and meat in the same kitchen - but cruise ships cannot do it. Fish, red meat, poultry, and eggs cannot be stored in the same room and cannot be prepared in the same room on a cruise ship.

 

Land-based regulators never stopped restaurants from hiring cooks without an international cooking certificate - but cruise ships cannot do it. The new MLC2006 regulations require that all cooks on a ship (even the crew cook) must have an international certificate of competence before boarding the ship.

 

Land-based restaurants can use heat lamps to keep food and plates hot. Cruise ships can only do this if the lamps are enclosed in armored cases that prevent glass shards from falling on food if the bulbs break. The same rule applies for every other light over any food preparation or dining area on a ship. Land-based restaurants have no such rules.

 

Land based restaurants can store canned drinks just about anywhere. Cruise ships must have special ceilings installed above those stored cans to prevent dust from settling on the cans.

 

Land-based bars and restaurants can serve just about any type of alcohol they choose - if they have a license. Cruise ships can only serve alcohol that is less than 110 proof.

Edited December 16, 2013 by BruceMuzz

[BruceMuzz]

I'm. confused.

 

I don't really understand what the Health Department or the USCG have to do with a Dutch ship when it is in international waters.

 

Scott & Karen

 

The US Public Health Service claims jurisdiction over any non-US Flag cruise ship that sells tickets in the USA, visits the USA, or has a sister ship that visits the USA, or carries US Passengers anywhere in the world.

The US Coast Guard and US Navy make the same claims.

 

The US Internal Revenue Service has similar regulations:

If a European National boards a non-US Flag ship in a US Port, then wins a casino or bingo jackpot over $1200 in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the cruise line is required to deduct US Income taxes from the winnings before giving the remainder to the winner. If the lucky winner boarded in any other country, he is not liable for any taxes.

 

US Customs is the same:

If a Dutch ship that sells tickets in America, or carries American passengers, or visits the USA, or has a sister ship that visits America even once, buys Cuban Cigars in China and then sells them to a European passenger anywhere in the world, US Customs will fine the cruise line US$1 Million.

[OVgirl]

Wow, I have learned a lot from this thread. Thank you everyone.

[SilvertoGold]

I think I have read this whole thread, but maybe I missed this: has the idea of intranet been discussed? Account, menus, etc, not on the TV, but on the ship's intranet.

 

If you do not bring a laptop, IPad, whatever, will you be able to use the ship's computers to view these things? I assume this would not incur charges as internet use does.

Edited December 16, 2013 by SilvertoGold

[aliaschief]

I think I have read this whole thread, but maybe I missed this: has the idea of intranet been discussed? Account, menus, etc, not on the TV, but on the ship's intranet.

 

If you do not bring a laptop, IPad, whatever, will you be able to use the ship's computers to view these things? I assume this would not incur charges as internet use does.[/

 

We were invited for out brief from various department heads. Discussions did not get that detailed. Good question but it was emphasized that for those without smartphone's etc. they would still get the info as we have been accustomed to on previous cruises.

 

No charges for accessing intranet of ship.

[SilvertoGold]

I think I have read this whole thread, but maybe I missed this: has the idea of intranet been discussed? Account, menus, etc, not on the TV, but on the ship's intranet.

 

If you do not bring a laptop, IPad, whatever, will you be able to use the ship's computers to view these things? I assume this would not incur charges as internet use does.[/

 

We were invited for out brief from various department heads. Discussions did not get that detailed. Good question but it was emphasized that for those without smartphone's etc. they would still get the info as we have been accustomed to on previous cruises.

 

No charges for accessing intranet of ship.

 

Thanks very much for your information.

 

I really would prefer that HAL put this info on the in-cabin TVs as other cruise lines apparently do. It would be a lot more convenient overall.

[aliaschief]

 

Thanks very much for your information.

 

I really would prefer that HAL put this info on the in-cabin TVs as other cruise lines apparently do. It would be a lot more convenient overall.

 

One nice feature would be that you could set your phone to notify you that the event you wanted to attend would alert you that it starts in 15 minutes. I'm assuming that new ships may have info on TV's but it may not be logistically feasible on the older ships.

 

I was also told there are no plans on using I-Pads for ordering your menu choices in MDR.

[Colakid]

Hi Sail: Been quiet lately but still I look around and find some things I need to say. Took a cruise last SEPT to Alaska for the 4th time. Need to go elsewhere soon. Maybe with you and yours and of course CHIEF and MRs CHIEF. Colakid.

[jtl513]

NA is installing equipment that you will be able to connect to the ships intranet to check menus, see your account, make reservations with your smart phone/lap top/ IPad.

Yaaaaaaaay! Hope this spreads to other ships rapidly.

New Pinnacle Ship will have up to nine specialty restaurants.

Will these all be extra-cost? On a Disney Dream cruise I really liked that they had three MDRs (no extra cost) through which everyone rotated, including the waiters. Same table number and servers, but a different place each night. There were also two extra-cost specialty restaurants.

...

Edited December 16, 2013 by jtl513

[aliaschief]

Yaaaaaaaay! Hope this spreads to other ships rapidly.

Will these all be extra-cost? On a Disney Dream cruise I really liked that they had three MDRs (no extra cost) through which everyone rotated, including the waiters. Same table number and servers, but a different place each night. There were also two extra-cost specialty restaurants.

...

 

No idea of cost but a good bet that one of the new restaurants will be LeCirque.

[adrift@sea]

NA is installing equipment that you will be able to connect to the ships intranet to check menus, see your account, make reservations with your smart phone/lap top/ IPad. Still will be usual dalies for those who don't have tech capabilities.

 

Do you have any idea when installation will be completed and passengers will be able to access the ship's intranet with their own devices on the NA?

[aliaschief]

Do you have any idea when installation will be completed and passengers will be able to access the ship's intranet with their own devices on the NA?

 

Little white boxes were being placed throughout the ship and the HD only stated it should be operational soon.

[adrift@sea]

Little white boxes were being placed throughout the ship and the HD only stated it should be operational soon.

 

Thanks so much! Will be boarding soon, I guess we will have to wait and see.

[igraf]

So many specialty restaurants is raising red flags in my mind. The situation reported by so many others on the Celebrity Solstice class ships is that the main dining room food is substandard, which then compels the passengers to seek out the extra cost specialty restaurants. Unfortunately, it sounds like HAL is following this path with the Pinnacle class ships.

 

igradf

 

 

 

Yes, I agree; however, 9 different restaurants means a huge ship, one that many of us on these boards have complained about, since it could mean a floating resort atmosphere rather than the ship ambiance which many of us so love about HAL's product.

 

.....

So, while I may like choice, I don't want it to be a trade-off for the ship-board experience we enjoy now. Does anyone else have similar misgivings?

[Christine Frances]

So many specialty restaurants is raising red flags in my mind. The situation reported by so many others on the Celebrity Solstice class ships is that the main dining room food is substandard, which then compels the passengers to seek out the extra cost specialty restaurants. Unfortunately, it sounds like HAL is following this path with the Pinnacle class ships.

 

igradf

 

Actually not exactly! Most people are very pleased with the changes in the MRD menu's etc over the last few years although the S Class have excellent specialty restaurants.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1938341&highlight=mdr

Edited December 16, 2013 by Christine Frances

[sail7seas]

 

Thanks very much for your information.

 

I really would prefer that HAL put this info on the in-cabin TVs as other cruise lines apparently do. It would be a lot more convenient overall.

 

 

I agree. :)

 

We bring our netbook but I'd prefer to view that information on cabin TV.