Holland America dropping Knitting/Crafting Groups

[AV8rix]

It just troubles me that some interest groups, bridge for example, merit mention in the daily schedule

 

Uh, well no, that appears to be gone too. See thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2426221

 

Sea days used to be fun for me. Blackjack as soon as the tables open in the morning until casino gets too smoky to tolerate. Then bridge and crafts in the afternoon. Guess I'll have to pack an extra load of e-books in my reader from now on. :(

[bUU]

It just troubles me that some interest groups, bridge for example, merit mention in the daily schedule but needlework does not.

Even bridge has changed. Most cruise lines no longer inventivize certified duplicate bridge teachers. However, at least bridge and needlework had a period of time during which they were granted that promotion by cruise lines: Many other interests never garnered such consideration from the cruise lines. I am hoping that someday tabletop gaming gets its turn.

 

 

 

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[bakcd]

These gatherings were announced each day while on the Veendam this summer where I had enjoyable conversations with fellow cruisers as we worked on our individual projects. However, we later sailed on Maasdam and just recently on the Westerdam and no mention of gatherings was made on either ship. It would have been nice to have met others with similar interest on our many sea days. I will continue to carry my quilt projects with me but am disappointed in HAL's new direction. I will continue to pursue my interest while at sea, it is disappointing that HAL believes I should do so without the company of other like minded individuals.

 

As to the new America's Test Kitchen, I did attend two sessions but found them to be very similar to the oft repeated programs of the past. Many of them were rather basic in nature. I was happy to see the Test Kitchen programs on the TV in the stateroom until after day 3, they repeated for the remaining 15 days.

[Adoptionmsw]

The needlework group did not cost HAL anything. All we needed was an assigned room and a listing on the program. On the Oosterdam in February they gave us the board room, a well lit space with a large meeting table and chairs. Too bad there was no way to let others know the group existed.

 

 

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[Hlitner]

HAL seems to be determined to move away from most of the good things that made HAL different (and better) than most of its competition. Bridge Directors are gone from all but the longest cruises (Bridge does not generate any revenue for HAL), Stitch and "Snitch" events are disappearing from daily schedules (these do not generate any revenue for HAL), Officer appearances at Meet and Greets are gone (it does not generate any revenue for HAL and Officers might be forced to hear a complaint (my goodness)), etc etc. Oooo....and we forgot the Librarians (they did not generate any revenue for HAL). And then we have other cut backs such as classical duets where we used to have quartets. We could go on and on....and have not even touched on changes in cuisine (in both quality and selection). And for those that want to hear it about quality...just consider that they used to have "Wagyu" Beef burgers in the Pinnacle (for lunch) and now its just "burgers." Sterling Silver Beef has been replaces with something less, etc etc. And then there is the new room service breakfast menu! Lets hope that somebody high up in Seattle soon sees the error of their ways :(.

 

Hank

[bUU]

The needlework group did not cost HAL anything. All we needed was an assigned room and a listing on the program.

Those are costs - opportunity costs.

 

 

 

 

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[10th Hole Slice]

I didn't even know this was a thing since I usually knit in our room while waiting for my husband to get ready or if he's taking a nap.

 

We're cruising next week on the NA and I'm going to make a point of knitting in public just on the off chance there IS a group getting together and someone sees and invites me. (I am a rebel at heart and I don't take to being told "we don't do that here anymore" very well.)

[Scrapnana]

 

We're cruising next week on the NA and I'm going to make a point of knitting in public just on the off chance there IS a group getting together and someone sees and invites me.

 

Or others might join you. I have had that happen.

[TheEmerson]

Or others might join you. I have had that happen.

 

My DW did that once, she was crochet at 1am or so and the Location Guide saw her then got his yarn and joined in. She crochet backwards normaly and he wanted to learn how.

[ToBe]

Packing two needlepoint projects for the 44 days of our next cruise. We have many sea days. I love to play bridge but that is gone. I will look for a well lighted public space and hope to connect for other crafters. We will have cool to cold weather so I will have to find indoor space.

 

It is nice to read that others enjoy crafting time.

[1of4]

My DW always brings her knitting and quilt work with her on every cruise. Neither of us ever saw posted in the daily programs of such meet ups. I keep teasing her to bring her Singer Featherweight each cruise we take.

 

I would bring mine if we didn't have to fly! I am sure that would be a great group starter.

 

It is just sad, as others have said, that such a quiet and usually solitary activity is being abandoned. Crafts of all sorts can bring people together no matter the participants backgrounds or even language. Sea days are a perfect time for people to get together and one of the reasons we cruise. Sad. I guess HAL wants crafters to pay the premium for a craft cruise.

[OlsSalt]

We are starting to talk about a knitting-crocheting group on the Voyage of the Vikings roll call. I wanted to learn how to crochet (some slipper-socks and coat hangers) and they said "bring your supplies" and someone will probably be there to help.

 

Since this is new craft for me, what "supplies" should I bring to try at least those two items ( coat hangers and slipper socks)? Thanks so much.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Unfortunately, a lot of HAL roll calls are pretty quiet. Our cruise last month on the Zuiderdam to the Panama Canal never reached more than a dozen or so people posting and just a few pages long. It was a big difference from our Princess cruise in December that had over 100 people signed up for a meet and greet. On our Zuiderdam cruise, the knitters met in the Ocean Bar.

I hope that changes when the baby boomers take over.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Project Linus is supported by Holland America on the World Cruise

[deck chair]

Hello

 

If you want a lot of arts and crafts and knitting/needle work sessions you really should try Cunard Line. These very popular hosted activities are announced in the ships daily program and lounge space is set aside. In addition, Cunard offers hosted water coloring sessions as well. The art work of the passengers is put on display later in the voyage. Every Cunard voyage I have been on (Countless) also has a very active hosted popular bridge program and classes. (I don't play bridge, however.) Of course Cunard only has the three ships so that does limit the opportunities. Good luck.

 

Deck Chair

Edited March 15, 2017 by deck chair
Additional information.

[bUU]

I hope that changes when the baby boomers take over.

The baby boomers? I'm not sure what you mean.

[Becabica]

Those are costs - opportunity costs.

 

Actually, HAL could also be missing a major oppportunity here. When you have people with a common interest getting together, they tend to talk about other common interests such as their cruising experiences. When we met on our last cruise, one of the passengers had taken a number of long HAL cruises and she was happy to share her experiences with us. It made me think more seriously about taking some of them. No meeting would have meant no interest being generated - a potential loss to them.

 

Also, when it is less attractive to cruise on a line, you start looking around for other lines that do meet your requirements. I am a four star mariner with HAL (over 200 days on their line), but if they keep taking away the things that I enjoy, other cruise lines might be better for me. DH and I are actively researching what cruise to take next and for the first time in years, we do not already have our next HAL cruise booked.

[bUU]

Those are costs - opportunity costs.

Actually, HAL could also be missing a major oppportunity here. When you have people with a common interest getting together, they tend to talk about other common interests such as their cruising experiences.

They're not missing that opportunity. They're simply doing it with groups of people perhaps different from those you'd prefer. I've mentioned several times that I would love it if cruise lines started serving folks who like tabletop games like they've served folks who liked card games in the past. What do you know?

 

From Nieuw Amsterdam's "today ON LOCATION" for Thursday, May 5, 2016:

 

12:00pm

Board Game Players Meet

Exploration's Café, 11

I was reading up on the activities taking place in the "library" (which is really a combined library and game room) on Freedom of the Seas last night, and it seems that they're doing something similar. So the cruise lines are just redirecting that opportunity toward evolving cruise passenger interests.

 

Also, when it is less attractive to cruise on a line, you start looking around for other lines that do meet your requirements. I am a four star mariner with HAL (over 200 days on their line), but if they keep taking away the things that I enjoy, other cruise lines might be better for me.

Have you checked into that? I keep up with the forums for Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Holland America. The same evolution is occurring throughout, because the passengers are changing.

 

With regard to some changes, folks might find what they're looking for on Cunard. How will CCL feel about you switching from Holland America to Cunard?

[1of4]

We are starting to talk about a knitting-crocheting group on the Voyage of the Vikings roll call. I wanted to learn how to crochet (some slipper-socks and coat hangers) and they said "bring your supplies" and someone will probably be there to help.

 

Since this is new craft for me, what "supplies" should I bring to try at least those two items ( coat hangers and slipper socks)? Thanks so much.

 

I do not have any experience with the two crafts you want to try but I just received a craft catalogue and for slipper socks it says you require acrylic bulky weight yarn and a 5.5 mm crochet hook.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

[sansterre]

We are experiencing this problem on the Veendam during our 48 day sailing. After many requests, a place has been created for our group on the bulletin board in the explorations area. We have continually met (4 to 8 of us) throughout the cruise in the Crows Nest where seldom are there any other events from 10-12am. Still, it is frustrating as other events such as Mahjong, Scrabble, etc. continue to be listed in the Navigator every sea day. ARGH!

[Becabica]

We are starting to talk about a knitting-crocheting group on the Voyage of the Vikings roll call. I wanted to learn how to crochet (some slipper-socks and coat hangers) and they said "bring your supplies" and someone will probably be there to help.

 

Since this is new craft for me, what "supplies" should I bring to try at least those two items ( coat hangers and slipper socks)? Thanks so much.

 

I suggest you look for a pattern for something you want to make. Look for one that is marked "easy". The pattern will list all the supplies you need. An easy source is often the yarn manufacturers who will provide free patterns with the idea that you will buy their yarn. Hope that helps.

[OlsSalt]

I suggest you look for a pattern for something you want to make. Look for one that is marked "easy". The pattern will list all the supplies you need. An easy source is often the yarn manufacturers who will provide free patterns with the idea that you will buy their yarn. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks all for these starter tips - I see eBay has packs of crochet hooks of various sizes, and now to find where they might sell yarn in this town. Or look for some great Iceland or Norwegian yarns along the way. I recall they still require teaching knitting in Norwegian schools so every little town had lovely yarn shops.

 

Update: this looks pretty much like the pair of alpaca booties I got on a South America cruise - so this gives me a good start. Thanks again. https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Socks-and-Slippers/Chunky-Adult-Slippers

[3rdGenCunarder]

Thanks all for these starter tips - I see eBay has packs of crochet hooks of various sizes, and now to find where they might sell yarn in this town. Or look for some great Iceland or Norwegian yarns along the way. I recall they still require teaching knitting in Norwegian schools so every little town had lovely yarn shops.

 

Update: this looks pretty much like the pair of alpaca booties I got on a South America cruise - so this gives me a good start. Thanks again. https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Socks-and-Slippers/Chunky-Adult-Slippers

 

 

Also consider buying a kit that includes the correct size hook. Kits are an easy way to start.

 

I see that one of your stops on VoV is Akureyri, Iceland. When we went to Iceland on a land tour I was disappointed that the only Icelandic yarn I could find in most places (including Reykjavik) was Lopi, which you can easily get in the US. I finally found some beautiful local yarn in Akureyri, so take some time to shop when you get there. And in Halifax, check the farmer's market. Sometimes there's a vendor with local yarns.

[carolcp]

On the Voyage of the Vikings there is an organized group from Craft Cruises that will be hosting a knitting group. Hazel Tindel from Lerwick Scotland will be one of the teachers.

[boards]

why are you opening an old would?? There was recently a knitting group that did a British Isles cruise on the Zuiderdam and they managed very well themselves. There is blog about it on "inside-the-cabin", check it out.