2023 Grand World Voyage with The Inside Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We are lucky to be in Amsterdam now as the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens is only open from March 23 till 14 May 2023.   More HERE

 

We are heading out there in a few minutes

 

Big Party tonight back on the ship for the 150th anniversary of HAL

 

Edited April 18, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[cunnorl]

Keukenoff is on my list. Almost made it there but the trip was cancelled due to the pandemic.  Enjoy!!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

The 150th Anniversary Celebration kicks off in about one hour - Here is the latest pillow gift we received this evening.   You can see the other pillow gifts HERE

Duffel Bag - one shown expanded and the other closed.   Coffee mug included for scale.

 

Entry to the Lido Pool

 

 

[julia]

Wishing you all a wonderful, memorable evening of celebration!!

[Happily@Sea]

14 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

We are lucky to be in Amsterdam now as the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens is only open from March 23 till 14 May 2023.   More HERE

 

We are heading out there in a few minutes

 

Big Party tonight back on the ship for the 150th anniversary of HAL

 

 

I have been there twice - but never from a HAL ship. Would go back again, with pleasure.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Yesterday was the 150th anniversary of Holland America Line.   The ms Rotterdam was in Rotterdam, and the ms Zuiderdam was in Amsterdam.   There was a ceremony in Rotterdam at the New York Hotel earlier in the day, and you can watch the highlights on YouTube HERE

 

Zuiderdam Lido Pool Decoration

 

Tonight on the Zuiderdam there was a special menu in the Main Dining Room.   The Lido was closed for the last two days as they set up more tables, a larger stage for the band and additional decorations.

Front of Menu

 

Back of Menu (About 8 x 15 inches)

 

 

After dinner, starting at 8pm on the Lido (poolside) a local band the "Tiny Little Big Band"  entertained the crowd.   

The Tiny Little Big Band was outstanding!

 

 

Waiters were passing hot Hors d'oeuvres along with complementary wine or champagne. 

 

We had our dinner at our normal time - 7:30pm, and joined the party at a little after 9pm.   Everyone was having a great time, and the Lido was crowded, but it was still easy to move around.  

 

Around 9:40, Ian introduced HAL President Gus Antorcha, who made some brief remarks and introduced Capt Frank, who also made a few remarks.  Afterward, they cut the cake, and Gus offered a toast.

 

 

 

The party continued with the Tiny Little Big Band playing until 11, and then a DJ took over until midnight. 

 

The crowd thinned after the toast.   There were about 75 people still enjoying the party as it was wrapping up around midnight.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 19, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[LouChamp]

Aloha. So glad you had a great time. Thank you for your posts! You guys looked great as always!

[CruisingGrandmaW]

So glad you got to be part of this special celebration.

How fitting that you chose your orange bow tie etc.

[boards]

6 hours ago, LouChamp said:

Aloha. So glad you had a great time. Thank you for your posts! You guys looked great as always!

Thank you for posting Hal's 150th presentation. 

[alibabacruisers]

Thank you for your continuing blog of the WC!  It looks like it was a nice celebration for HAL 150 years.

 

You both look very nice and Judy, I like your dress.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I am in the World Stage.   Gus's presentation starts in 60 minutes.   2025 itinerary announced at the end.  Stay tuned for live updates.  
 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Gus in onstage.    
 

Opening remarks.   
 

Shows 150th anniversary video of Rotterdam ceremony 

 

 

priorities 

 

1.  Service - committed to cuurent crew recruiting area

2.  Ships - likes mid size ships

3.  Deployment - shifting to longer itineraries 

reducing 7 day cruise.   More 11 day any longer --- Introduced Lengedary cruise category.  25-59 days. 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Gus acknowledged shortfalls this cruise.   Message received.    Working to improve. 
 

coming back in 24

Dance Instructors 

Expanded TV

More theme nights 

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Two grand world cruises in 2025 

 

133 day pole to pole - Volendam

 

124day more traditional. -Zuiderdam 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Enhanced early booking 

 

surf wifi

fll transfers

$500 air credit 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Open for booking May 24

[StLouisCruisers]

That's big news.  Thank you for reporting on it.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Questions

 

1- single supplements?   No change

 

2- Bathtubs - take 'em out?    A- some like em sone don't.  
 

3- Complaint about ship condition - noted work continues. 
 

4- Guest reads his complaint letter about cutbacks -

 

main points 

 

entertainment is bad 

nickle diming in pinnacle -extra charge for appetizers 

Seattle customer service is horrible 

has done 237 days with HAL.  He is moving on 

 

Answer by Gus

Financial cutback vs Execution Cutback

HAL spends 50pct more on entertainment that competitors. 
Spends 2x on grand voyage vs standard cruise.   Maybe in wrong spots 

Hard to hire qualified customer service people

problem acknowledged- work in progress.  Training takes time.
Nickle diming.  Food inflation.  Struggle to maintain base price.   May have to raise surcharge.

Acknowdges other approaches possible. 
 

Alaska limiting passengers?  
 

No impact for HAL.  Deep roots.   Will affect new arrivals with giant ships 

 

more. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[zelker]

Pete - will they both start in January?

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Looking at a Lengedary Mediterranean in 2025.  58 days.  Not open yet 

 

Lincoln Center?   More classical on legendary and Grands.    Less on shorter 

 

complaint about smelly ship 

a) Noted. 
 

Two compliments questions and comments. 
 

suggested extra appetizer in pinnacle if you skip desert. 

 

another entertainment complaint 

bring back Dance Hosts - 

a). Hosts were controversial- not coming back 

 

Guest says Gus preso was best ever 

 

Guest asks about improved wheelchair access during tender ports. 

a).  Working on improving accessibility.   Certain ships can't be improved wrt wheelchair tendering.   He will take another look. 
 

Question about crew continuity?   working to minimize.   

 

Note - Gus presented without notes and answers questions with referring to others in room. 
 

more

 

 

 

 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Continued 

 

question/comment: request more overnights. 

complaint about long distances in certain cruise terminals.    Moving sidewalks?   
 

Re: overnights.    Certain cruise line executives want to maximize port count.   They are evaluating overnights on longer cruises. 
 

Question. - ship sizes?   We love Amsterdam size.   Will you bring back guest chefs? 
 

re: size.

bigger ship to meet demand.   Bigger ships in 24 and 25.    Volendam on poke to pole 

 

Question:   Food variety is poor on Lido in Zuiderdam - A) noted.  
 

Question:  Why no longer package cereal - All Bran ?   A) noted.  Minimize packaging waste.  Small packages not coming back.   Look at doing better with variety of cereal and more 

 

more.   75 minutes and going strong 
 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Question on Internet. 
 

A) working it hard.  Many challenges.  Acknowledges problem 

 

starlink going on 3 Ships this year. 

Koningsdsm has starlink now. 

 

Q- bring back wine stewards. 
esp on grands 

a) noted - should be better.   but emphasis on training - not bringing back stewards. 
 

Q - bring back old logo.  -  

 

a) Gus likes old logo. Too expensive to change. 

 

Q- Navigator App sucks.  Email providers sometimes don't recognize ship security 

 

A - working on Navigator improvements.  Unsure of other issue - will investigate.   Gus surprised to hear VPN won't work with Navigator 

 

Q- storage in handicap rooms horrible. 
A - noted 

 

Q - Toasters don't work in LIDO.   Only one side works. 
A - passed on to Henk for action 

 

90 minutes in - still going. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hogladyrider]

@The-Inside-Cabin....Pete this is great info....thanks so much for all you do!

[Durango Sandy]

Pete, any mention of prepaid gratuities in 2025 enhanced early booking benefits?

Which one are you and Judy going to do? 
Thanks for the live reporting!  Sandy

[weeislayman]

2 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@The-Inside-Cabin....Pete this is great info....thanks so much for all you do!

I second that.  great stuff, Pete.

One question...any info on the dates of the Pole to Pole?
Ronnie