Btimmer's Blog of the Nieuw Statendam Inaugural Voyage

[Btimmer]

Here's a picture of the inaugural performance of the string quintet from the relocated Lincoln Center Stage.  It was formally located where the Rolling Stone Rock venue is now sited.

[Btimmer]

Orlando Asford gave an inspiring presentation about the changes over the last 4 years at Holland America and glimpses into the major programs company wide before entertaining questions.  

 

A key complaint presented to him was why the library is so small and his answer was that fleet wide they were losing $2.5 million dollars in books per year.

 

He's a charismatic presenter and appears sincere in receiving feedback. I'll write more in my blog tonight.

[Btimmer]

Here's some color from around the ship.  

 

The Christmas tree is in the Main Dining Room, Deck 2.

 

i live the Lido pool towel colors!

[cat shepard]

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your pics, info and impressions. I appreciate the time you are taking to do this.

[Btimmer]

Here's some colorful pictures of items around the Promenade deck.  Not long from now, these will lose their luster.

[Btimmer]

Here are more items from the Promenade deck.

[OlsSalt]

3 hours ago, Btimmer said:

Orlando Asford gave an inspiring presentation about the changes over the last 4 years at Holland America and glimpses into the major programs company wide before entertaining questions.  

 

A key complaint presented to him was why the library is so small and his answer was that fleet wide they were losing $2.5 million dollars in books per year.

 

He's a charismatic presenter and appears sincere in receiving feedback. I'll write more in my blog tonight.

 

Not sure I buy or even like that official excuse about eliminating the libraries- they could control this electronically,  or work with more with passenger education, as well as working with passengers who want to leave books behind that could refill the stacks. Since many of the books are well beyond their original publication date, how did he compute this alleged $2.5 million loss?

 

Plus how much was saved by eliminating the librarian staffing.  Libraries cull books all the time as well as a tremendous volume of used books that enter the marketplace - this claim of $2.5 million "loss" just seems specious and ........ punitive.

 

What else was the big picture Ashford was offering - larger and more cumbersome and more industrial ports? Any mention about the HAL website mess or the InDepth programs on the Maasdam? Is HAL trying to compete with Celebrity and Princess, or does it recognize it has its own unique niche to enhance, exploit and expand?

 

Thanks for all your work on this on-going blog and hope you get more time with Ashford because you are certainly a well-experienced HAL cruiser with a keen finger on the pulse of operations from the long-standing passenger perspective. 

Edited December 6, 2018 by OlsSalt

[Btimmer]

We received more items in our Spa Room today: vitamin water and a Bluetooth Bose Speaker system.  We also put up our Christmas tree.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Let's do some numbers with a book loss of $2.5 million per year across the fleet of 15 ships.

Let's use an average price per hardcover book of $50. (high IMO but I will use it).

Dividing $2.5 million by $50. yields 50,000 books in all HAL ship's libraries

Dividing the 50,000 books by the 15 ships gives about 3300 books per ship

 

I don't think even one of the HAL ships has 3300 books in its library.

 

I find a loss of $2.5 million in books to be unbelievable and probably impossible.

 

[OVgirl]

My guess is that the library loss was across all the Carnival brands. Because the numbers make no sense for just HAL.

[OlsSalt]

2 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

Let's do some numbers with a book loss of $2.5 million per year across the fleet of 15 ships.

Let's use an average price per hardcover book of $50. (high IMO but I will use it).

Dividing $2.5 million by $50. yields 50,000 books in all HAL ship's libraries

Dividing the 50,000 books by the 15 ships gives about 3300 books per ship

 

I don't think even one of the HAL ships has 3300 books in its library.

 

I find a loss of $2.5 million in books to be unbelievable and probably impossible.

 

 

I'll sell him a full library, with even current best sellers, stocking it from eBay for one fifth that price. 

No sale, Orlando. 

Edited December 7, 2018 by OlsSalt

[Caribbean Chris]

On 12/6/2018 at 6:59 AM, Btimmer said:

It's on the port side, bow end.

 

Thank you, Tim! Really appreciated your fast information, and I’ll share it with the “cruising with a service dog” thread on the Cruise Critic Disabled cruising forum.

[Sea42]

14 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

Let's do some numbers with a book loss of $2.5 million per year across the fleet of 15 ships.

Let's use an average price per hardcover book of $50. (high IMO but I will use it).

Dividing $2.5 million by $50. yields 50,000 books in all HAL ship's libraries

Dividing the 50,000 books by the 15 ships gives about 3300 books per ship

 

I don't think even one of the HAL ships has 3300 books in its library.

 

I find a loss of $2.5 million in books to be unbelievable and probably impossible.

 

I agree those numbers are too high. Although they may include the staff time to needed to curate the collection in those numbers.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Thanks for the updates! IMO I really can not imagine people walking off the ship taking a book!! Even if they did that is a lot of money losses! 

How is the staterooms? 

The pool area how is that area?

Thanks 

Denise😊

[Btimmer]

We haven't done the cabin crawl yet so I can't comment on any other rooms.  Our inside spa room is cozy but comes with a refrigerator, Bose Bluetooth speaker unit, slippers, and free vitamin water.  The shower is large but the rest of the bathroom is also cozy.  There is no couch or chair (just a stool).  The big flatscreen is nice.

 

The pool areas are quite nice and spacious.

 

 Below are some pictures.

[Btimmer]

6 hours ago, Sea42 said:

I agree those numbers are too high. Although they may include the staff time to needed to curate the collection in those numbers.

We may not agree with him, but in a follow up conversation tonight, he's emphatic those were real book losses for the 15 ship fleet and not the inexpensive books.

[FredT]

For the life of me I dont know why HAL does not go the way of other cruise lines (CMV for example) where they have a "library", but stock it exclusively with "Take a book/leave a book".   (And a big sign asking the passengers to leave any books they brought on board if they are finished with them)   The trip we took, the place was bursting at the seams.....   Who wants to carry home on the plane a bunch of books you are done with and wont read again?

[DeeniEncinitas]

Thanks Tim for taking the time to answer my questions and the photos

too! I like the colors of your room and the pool is nice.

How is the Promenade ? Shoot forgot to put that in my other reply😒

Smooth Sailings 

Denise😊

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just got caught up with your reports and pictures.

 

Great pictures.

 

I don't buy that $2.5 million loss of books.

[bennybear]

Thanks Tim for your pictures and follow up with Orlando.  I don’t want this to become a library thread but I too cannot buy it.  I think someone has convinced him.  I really wish they would emulate Cunard in this area.  

Edited December 7, 2018 by bennybear

[floridababa]

I no longer use the library and strictly use my kindle for fear of the antivirus. If you've ever had it- it's not fun!

I'm very excited to board on the 23rd and doing a b2b.  Looking forward to the Dutch cafe_ Apple pie and soup. Hoping they are still serving this.

Love seeing pics

[cruisingnewtoit]

I wish the pool was bigger 

[Btimmer]

Uploading pictures to CC has been exceedingly slow to impossible during this sea day. So I put a few on my photo sharing site.  While I've been in the cabin I tried out the Bose speaker system provided us.

 

There is also the conundrum of how to use the provided bath salts in a room with a shower.

 

 

Earlier today, President's Club and 5 Star Mariners got to see the first America's Test Kitchen presentation on the World Stage. A complete new set will be installed after our stop in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

 

The intra and internet were down yesterday for 8-10 hours. My blog is updated.  See the first post for the link.

 

I have had the chance to converse with Captain Albert and he's cool to chat with.

 

 

 

 

 

[Paulinda]

27 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Uploading pictures to CC has been exceedingly slow to impossible during this sea day. So I put a few on my photo sharing site.  While I've been in the cabin I tried out the Bose speaker system provided us.

 

There is also the conundrum of how to use the provided bath salts in a room with a shower.

 

 

Earlier today, President's Club and 5 Star Mariners got to see the first America's Test Kitchen presentation on the World Stage. A complete new set will be installed after our stop in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

 

The intra and internet were down yesterday for 8-10 hours. My blog is updated.  See the first post for the link.

 

I have had the chance to converse with Captain Albert and he's cool to chat with.

 

 

 

 

Seems like a  'take me home' and use it  product.   We are enjoying the blogs and pictures!  thank you

27 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

 

 

[Martezz]

Hi Tim,

 Just  back home from the Massdam...overall, a great cruise.  I am looking forward to your take on the New Statendam....  I do think the library loss was related to  how the area could be used for a money making space(ie. bar drinks!)