A "Hunky Dory" (Imam) Update! (And Maasdam dining observations)

[Spinner2]

Asst. DRM Imam, better known to many of us as "Hunky Dory" is on the Maasdam, where I believe most of his recent assignments have been. As often as we've sailed with HAL we've not encountered this remarkable person before because we are not frequent visitors to the Lido, where as "Hunky Dory" many people were amazed by his ability to remember their names as he distributed Lido trays (back in those days) or assisted in other ways. After his promotion you'll see his name tag says Imam but he seems pleased to be remembered as Hunky Dory.

 

And what an asset to the Maasdam he is! On our just-completed sailing (April 17-May 1) Hunky Dory was the Asst DRM who greeted those arriving for breakfast and/or lunch, assigning tables, and his ability to remember cabin numbers is just as good as his ability to remember names, which he still does, as well. And he's great entertainment for those who are waiting in the line, because after the first time or so you appear before him to state your cabin number he'll know it. So, when he arrives to begin the meal's table seating, and there's a line of people there, he looks back at the line and starts reciting cabin numbers as he makes computer entries. If you've been there before, he'll know it, and since most have after a couple of days, no one has to say anything! After 7 or so entries he'll pull off the paper slips, still attached to each other for those tables, wave it in the air and start calling the names that match those cabin numbers as quickly as he can get stewards up to escort people to the tables. He remembers the cabin number, your name(s) and the table size you particularly like if you have a preference, and he's quite entertaining, calling off numbers and waving his papers in the air, all with a big smile on his face. You don't hear grumbling about a line as you so often notice when people have to wait a bit!! People are enjoying the little show. It's fun to watch and to be remembered.

 

Actually, I can't speak highly enough about the entire Maasdam dining set up at the time we were on the ship. The DRM is Bagus, and it's clear that this kind, gentle man is loved by his crew as much as he's loved by many long-time passengers. The dining room is calm, yet really efficient, and mealtimes can be really short if that's what you want. I mentioned to a steward how much we enjoyed how Bagus comes around regularly to visit with everyone, how he'll keep listening to the guests as he reaches over to provide a little help to a passing steward with a heavy tray, or to replace something that's fallen from a nearby table and the steward I was talking to said that everyone in the dining crew likes to work under him as he shows them in so many ways how much he values them and wants to help them do a good job. It really shows, and the dining crew really works well together, whether there's a management person in the area or not.

 

And the food during this cruise was outstanding in the dining room. Interestingly, I attended a Culinary Arts demonstration where the chef said they are working really hard on being able to offer gluten-free and vegetarian options that parallel as much of the regular menu as possible. For example, that day a soup was being made and the chef pointed out that if possible, they thicken a vegetable soup with the actual vegetables pureed very, very fine, but if that's not sufficient, rice flour works for all varieties, and it's easy to add a couple of shrimps to the top of the soup for the regular diners, substituting a garnish of some sort for vegetarians, and for those who need gluten-free, the rice flour is permissible for them too. I think we'll see many more such options in coming months; they really seem to be working on many areas of this "base product with variations" idea.

 

In response to a question, we were told that the chocolate extravaganza was eliminated not to "save money" because they are using that money to develop and serve more dessert varieties, but they aren't doing it because it is a very labor-intensive process to set it up; the food costs are high (chocolate's not cheap!) and studies show that hardly any of it is actually eaten. Essentially all that food and effort goes into producing a display that people take pictures of, maybe eat a bite or two, and that's it. If they do an extravaganza it's more likely to be a lunch display because people do eat that. We've been to a couple of those and they are quite elaborate too, with many photo opportunities as well.

 

Jordan, the current Culinary Arts hostess (this is the job that used to be called a "party planner") does a really nice job MC'ing these culinary demonstrations even though she says she was doing it for the first time on our cruise. You wouldn't know it if she hadn't mentioned it! She's good at the banter back and forth with the presenters that makes these events so much fun; she's great at her new job!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for the update of Hunky Dory.

The last dessert extravaganza we went to was in 2013 -- it was held at 3 PM in place of the regular afternoon tea. It was in the atrium -- all 3 levels. And there was a lot of waste. So much food had to be thrown out.

[puppycanducruise]

Thank you for sharing this information.

[IRL_Joanie]

Oh it was so good to read about my old friend Imam:)

 

Am also so happy to know that you have had a great time so far!!

 

On our way out the door in a couple hours for our flight to San Diego bound for Noordam and Alaska. Will check back on ya tomorrow before we depart the hotel to the ship:)

 

Joanie

[cruz chic]

Thanks for the info. I doubt that hal would ever admit doing anything to save money. Why would they? That said, they have had some better desserts lately.

[POA1]

Great update! Thank you for sharing it with us.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Spinner2,

 

Thank you for your great report!

I am glad you had a wonderful experience.

Denise😄

[mskaufman]

I remember H.D. from Veendam.

[maxie99]

thks, I seem to be devouring any info, I can get for this ship,,I'll be on her in 11 days,, that reminds me --- I better start figuring out what im bringing,, this cruise, I guess is like a Alaska cruise,, will it be warm, wet, cold, or snowing---lol== does not matter, I'll enjoy every min. ---joanie

[qsuzi]

Oh it was so good to read about my old friend Imam:)

 

Am also so happy to know that you have had a great time so far!!

 

On our way out the door in a couple hours for our flight to San Diego bound for Noordam and Alaska. Will check back on ya tomorrow before we depart the hotel to the ship:)

 

Joanie

 

Bon Voyage Joanie and Roger. Know you will have a great time.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for the update on Imam. Good to hear he is still with Hal.

[albingirl]

He was amazing on our transatlantic this past fall. It took him one day to know our names and cabin number. I've seen him on other ships, but he does really great work in this capacity on the Maasdam.