HAL Captains, Hotel Managers and Cruise Directors - ship assignments

[mjs125]

Hi Copper and Meg:

 

Abe Books, at www abebooks com (you know where to put the "dots";) ) has 9 copies of the book for sale - but, I'm warning you that they are not inexpensive.

 

Valerie:)

 

Thanks for that info Valerie!! I did find it on that site (finally) and you were very right about your warning. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that maybe I'll find it somewhere else for a little less, but you never know.

 

Thanks!!

Meg

[doorcountydi]

Does anyone know who will be captain, CD on the Noordam in late October? Sounds like there's some future information out there, but don't know how far out.

Diane

[mjs125]

Meg.......

 

If you don't find it before I go to Veendam in November, I'll be happy to get one for you also.......if they sell them in the gift shop.

 

 

Thank you so much or the offer S7S! After checking the site Valerie mentioned, it looks like the book is out of print. All those for sale are previously-owned, so I doubt they will be selling them on the ship. I guess if I want one I will just have to order one from AbeBooks! I really appreciate the offer to help though!

 

Thanks,

Meg

[Copper10-8]

Hi Copper and Meg:

 

Abe Books, at www abebooks com (you know where to put the "dots";) ) has 9 copies of the book for sale - but, I'm warning you that they are not inexpensive.

 

Valerie:)

 

Thanks a lot, Val! I went ahead and did order one from Abe Books. It supposedly has the signature from the Maasdam captain back in 1993 in it. Thanks again for the offer, S7S

[Copper10-8]

Does anyone know who will be captain, CD on the Noordam in late October? Sounds like there's some future information out there, but don't know how far out.

Diane

 

Captain will be John Scott (until 10/31/07) and the hotel manager Simon de Boer (until 12/31/07). Unknown on the C/D

[Krazy Kruizers]

John

Are you going to be able to update the lists at least once a month? I notice that many names have dates that are in the past? It is hard to keep hunting through for updates.

Thanks.

[SDHALFAN]

Hi there, again, John and Meg:

 

You are both welcome and I am glad that I could help.

 

Abe Books is a great place to find "hard-to-find" books. I found a series of books about a Scottish family that I had been searching for for many years. I had to order from an Australian bookseller, but hey: if you really want the book(s) the extra cost is worth it:D .

 

Valerie:)

[sail7seas]

Happy it looks like you will be able to get Captain Schoonderbeek's book. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[sail7seas]

Happy it looks like you will be able to get Captain Schoonderbeek's book. Hope you enjoy it.

 

[WillieF]

WillieF, you are not alone in your curiosity. I've had a great deal more interaction with CDs and their staff than with the captain and hotel manager. The CD expertise or lack thereof has a much greater effect on my day to day enjoyment of a cruise, but I still wouldn't choose a cruise based on who the CD might be.

 

I'm relieved to hear that others too are curious! I agree the CD can make or break cruise enjoyment, particularly when it comes to Bingo calling, pool activities etc. Some have voices that nearly shatter the eardrums.

 

I just assume the captains and hotel managers have the expertise to do their job well, so which one is assigned to my ship really doesn't matter to me.

 

We too assume that the Captain and Hotel Manager are well qualified for their positions.......after all we're cruising with HAL (no sarcasm intended) some are more outgoing and regularly visible than others.......some appear only at functions.......guess they're 'private' people.

 

While it might be interesting to get to know the captain and hotel manager better and to enjoy their stories of shipboard life, I have never had the opportunity to say more than "Hello" in the various receiving lines. Maybe after I get my next medal......?

 

I wouldn't hold your breath on having greater opportunity for more conversation after your next medal (unless it's a real big one!) :)- personally I think you have to be, for lack of a better expression, real pushy, curious people! How else, almost within a day of being on board, do some know whose wife is on board, who has a girlfriend in tow or is working on his 3rd marriage!!! More power to them, I'm really not interested.

[SDHALFAN]

personally I think you have to be, for lack of a better expression, real pushy, curious people! How else, almost within a day of being on board, do some know whose wife is on board, who has a girlfriend in tow or is working on his 3rd marriage!!! More power to them, I'm really not interested.

 

 

Now it is my turn to be interested: why on earth would you assume that someone has to be "real pushy, curious people" in order to have an interesting conversation with an officer aboard the ship? Could you, yourself, not be an interesting person and someone that they might enjoy talking to for more than just a moment or two during the course of a cocktail party?

 

Perhaps you will be invited to have dinner with the Captain; Hotel Manager; Chief Officer or Chief Engineer and you will have an opportunity to have a lengthy chat with your host. Believe me, if you have dinner with the charming Captain Gundersen, of the ms Prinsendam, by the end of the evening you will know a lot about his wife and daughter, both of whom he clearly adores and both of whom he is justly proud.

 

So don't be so quick to judge unless you know all the facts, and if you are really not interested then why did you post this question in the first place?

 

Valerie:confused:

[doorcountydi]

Thanks, John, for the answer on the upcoming Noordam.

 

To chime in on getting to know the crew, especially with the entertainment crew and spa girls, I think it's fun to find out how they decided to take this career route (if only for a short while), a little about their lives and where they're from.

 

I can vouch for the fact that even though I'm not a veteran cruiser yet, the crew DOES remember you from cruise to cruise--Doug Dunnell, our CD on only 3 cruises so far, has told us accurately each time on which cruise he saw us last, even though they were a year or two apart. Many of the bartending and service crew remember us (hmmm, that doesn't sound good, does it, oh Ocean Bar staff?)... It probably helps that my sister and I are identical twins (and NO, we don't dress alike).

 

I think getting to know the crews is part of the familiarity of HAL--the routines, the same people, the "Love In Any Language." Every time I get on board I say "Hi honey, I'm home!"

[doorcountydi]

Thanks, John, for the answer on the upcoming Noordam.

 

To chime in on getting to know the crew, especially with the entertainment crew and spa girls, I think it's fun to find out how they decided to take this career route (if only for a short while), a little about their lives and where they're from.

 

I can vouch for the fact that even though I'm not a veteran cruiser yet, the crew DOES remember you from cruise to cruise--Doug Dunnell, our CD on only 3 cruises so far, has told us accurately each time on which cruise he saw us last, even though they were a year or two apart. Many of the bartending and service crew remember us (hmmm, that doesn't sound good, does it, oh Ocean Bar staff?)... It probably helps that my sister and I are identical twins (and NO, we don't dress alike).

 

I think getting to know the crews is part of the familiarity of HAL--the routines, the same people, the "Love In Any Language." Every time I get on board I say "Hi honey, I'm home!"

[mjs125]

Hi there, again, John and Meg:

 

You are both welcome and I am glad that I could help.

 

Abe Books is a great place to find "hard-to-find" books. I found a series of books about a Scottish family that I had been searching for for many years. I had to order from an Australian bookseller, but hey: if you really want the book(s) the extra cost is worth it:D .

 

Valerie:)

 

Abe Books is a good find, Val....it does seem like they have more info on those hard-to-find things than anything else I've run across. Thanks again for the link! Hmm...Australian bookseller...didn't volunteer to go get that one yourself?? :D

 

Thanks!

Meg

[mjs125]

Happy it looks like you will be able to get Captain Schoonderbeek's book. Hope you enjoy it.

 

 

 

Thanks, S7S! I have no doubt that I will enjoy it, as I'm sure John will enjoy his too.

[SDHALFAN]

Thanks, John, for the answer on the upcoming Noordam.

 

To chime in on getting to know the crew, especially with the entertainment crew and spa girls, I think it's fun to find out how they decided to take this career route (if only for a short while), a little about their lives and where they're from.

 

I can vouch for the fact that even though I'm not a veteran cruiser yet, the crew DOES remember you from cruise to cruise--Doug Dunnell, our CD on only 3 cruises so far, has told us each time which cruise he saw us on last, and he's been right even though they were a year or two apart. Many of the bartending and service crew remember us (hmmm, that doesn't sound good, does it, oh Ocean Bar staff?)... It probably helps that my sister and I are identical twins (and NO, we don't dress alike).

 

I think getting to know the crews is part of the familiarity of HAL--the routines, the same people, the "Love In Every Language." Every time I get on board I say "Hi honey, I'm home!"

 

Thank you for your post since you do understand that every once in a while someone will "make a connection" with someone onboard the ship - and it does not have to be "elitist".

 

I was aboard the Amsterdam for 49 days earlier this year and I did manage to make a lot of friends (most of whom I am hoping to see again in about 6 weeks). I did spend some time "chatting" with the Captain and his wife; the Culinary Operations Manager; and the Chef of The Pinnacle Grill and learned a lot about their lives, both aboard ship and when they are back home. However, I also spent many enjoyable hours chatting with my Cabin Steward, Jay (Jayadi) and my Dining Room Steward and his assistant (Aga and Artha), also the wonderful Guntoro who brought me my room service coffee every morning. I also got to know, very well since I also got to meet their families in Padang Bai and Semarang, the guys in The Lido. I know that a lot of them will still be on assignment and thus on board and, quite frankly I can't wait to see them again. There is also a lovely young lady who works in the Casino, who is from Estonia (I think I have that right) and I am looking forward to seeing her again if she is still aboard ship.

 

How could I forget Christine, the Hostess for the GWV, who remembered me from a cruise aboard the Prinsendam back in 2001 and welcomed me aboard like an old friend who was thrilled to see me again? Oh and then Captain van Zaane who shook my hand and said "welcome back" - but then he did do that with everyone boarding the ship for the GWV - it still felt good anyway:D .

 

Valerie:)

[the2ofus]

Now it is my turn to be interested: why on earth would you assume that someone has to be "real pushy, curious people" in order to have an interesting conversation with an officer aboard the ship? Could you, yourself, not be an interesting person and someone that they might enjoy talking to for more than just a moment or two during the course of a cocktail party?

 

Perhaps you will be invited to have dinner with the Captain; Hotel Manager; Chief Officer or Chief Engineer and you will have an opportunity to have a lengthy chat with your host. Believe me, if you have dinner with the charming Captain Gundersen, of the ms Prinsendam, by the end of the evening you will know a lot about his wife and daughter, both of whom he clearly adores and both of whom he is justly proud.

Valerie:confused:

 

Valerie, I agree that it might be possible to enjoy a pleasant conversation with the captain or hotel manager during the course of a dinner. I'd love to have the opportunity sometime. Realistically though, how many pax have the opportunity to enjoy a meal at the captain's table?

 

I have occasionally had short conversations with officers at the black and white ball, but not enough to say I have gotten to know them.

 

I guess I am always mindful that although I am on vacation, the officers and crew are on duty. I feel I am interfering with their work if I engage them in conversation other than a polite request or greeting. The cruise director and staff on the other hand have job descriptions which require social interaction with passengers so I relax and talk more freely with them.

 

With the exception of one bar steward, I have never been remembered from one cruise to the next, nor do I remember the people who have served me from one cruise to the next, and that fact doesn't bother me in the least. Maybe I just have to start cruising more than once a year and on the same ship several times.

 

As long as HAL continues to offer the same quality product with the same excellent level of service I am happy and I don't really need to know who is in charge of the ship.

[WillieF]

Now it is my turn to be interested: why on earth would you assume that someone has to be "real pushy, curious people" in order to have an interesting conversation with an officer aboard the ship? Could you, yourself, not be an interesting person and someone that they might enjoy talking to for more than just a moment or two during the course of a cocktail party?..............

 

So don't be so quick to judge unless you know all the facts, and if you are really not interested then why did you post this question in the first place?

Valerie:confused:

 

 

 

Hi Valerie; Perhaps it is you, not I who is conclusion jumping!

 

Over our many years of cruising HAL we've dined at the tables of the Officers you mention and been invited to Captains Tables. We have in fact on occasion requested seating at a particular Officers table and been accommodated. Are we perhaps in the 'interesting people' category?

 

I checked you profile and we are of the same 'vintage'. During one time events, Cocktail Parties etc., I was brought up to believe that it was extremely bad manners to monopolize the attention of ones Host.

 

We've also sailed the elegant Prinsendam and been invited to Cocktails and dinner with the charming Captain Gundersen. He is, without doubt, among the most charming, entertaining Captains we've ever sailed with. He shares wonderful little stories and most obviously

 

As to why I posted my question - I was (and still am!) interested and curious:D!

[Copper10-8]

Willie, hope all is well, Sir!

 

The questions you ask have been asked in the past and will, no doubt, be asked by others in the future. They are good questions! Speaking only for myself, I realize that there are many, many HAL (and other cruise line) pax who couldn't give a rat's behind who their captain, hotel manager, cruise director, or any other person wearing a name tag is, and still have a great time onboard a dam ship. More power to you all! Like the saying goes: to each his/her own.

Val (SDHALfan) & Doorcountydi have already supplied some of the answers to your questions as to why others (myself included) would like to know who some of those folks will be for their/our future cruises. Why? Here's some more: We might have had multiple conversations with them (and that doesn't always mean having been invited to break bread and/or drink tea and eat crumpets with them) on prior cruises. They might have sought us as pax out to start a conversation/ask a question. We might have done the same in reverse. Heck, we might even still be in touch with some of them. Doesn't necessarily mean that we are "pushy" persons and/or think ourselves as overly important, 'cause we're not!

Again, speaking only for myself, we do a lot of interacting with the crew onboard, from stewards in the Lido, to Deck Dept guys varnishing the woodwork on LP deck, to some of the officers. I have another reason: with the Dutch officers, it gives me a chance to speak my first language. It's just interacting, being sociable, you name it. For some of us, that's also a part of cruising, for others, again, it's not their cup of tea and that's perfectly fine. That's the nice thing about cruising. And just to add, I am not naive enough to think that every crew member we happen to talk to, however briefly, is going to remember us for the rest of their natural lives and therefor will put our framed pics on the mantel back home in Surabaya, Indonesia, Subic Bay, the P.I. and/or Assendelft, the Netherlands (hi Ine;) ). I fully realize that some have alternative motives for being so friendly that will reappear as soon as the next load of pax board when our cruise is over.

Now, to finish up (and sorry for being long winded again - a very bad habit!), I seem to recall that you, yourself was interested enough in the same question " Who is the Hotel Manager on your Prinsendam voyage" to pose it to Travellinjones because, I believe you were wondering if that person would still be around for your November cruise on Prinsendam. I remember because I answered the first part of your question;) Now, you must know why you asked that question. Is there a difference? Don't know but you do! BTW, happy to supply the second part of that question now if you're still interested: Prinsendam's H/M until 11/24/07 will be Frits Gehner (nice guy!) He wil be replaced on that day by Francois Birarda, the new guy from Windstar. Have an awesome cruise on a great ship!

 

Happy cruising to you, Willie!:)

[mjs125]

Well said, John. To each his own. I think this is one of those things that we all know why we are curious and we all have different reasons, which I think John pretty well covered. I don't think either way is right or wrong, just one of those curiousity things. :)

 

 

 

ps....John, did you by chance see my question on the other related thread?

[WillieF]

Willie, hope all is well, Sir!..............

Now, to finish up (and sorry for being long winded again - a very bad habit!), I seem to recall that you, yourself was interested enough in the same question (quote)" Who is the Hotel Manager on your Prinsendam voyage" to pose it to Travellinjones because, I believe you were wondering if that person would still be around for your November cruise on Prinsendam.(/quote) I remember because I answered the first part of your question

All is well, thank you! :) You're right on - I did ask because I was interested! Why? Because on a previous P'dam cruise the HM and I got into conversation at a Meet the Officers coffee ‘do’ and found we had some mutual acquaintances. I’m delighted to know that Frits will be on board in November.

Like you, I tend to be long winded – bad habit I quess :D, a ‘people person’ (stray dogs come to me too!), I have no problem having chats with Deck Hands and on up.

 

My point in all of this was that I just don't go out of my way to get all their personal details the moment I meet them. They tell what they choose and we can go from there. As the "2ofus' says – (quote) I guess I am always mindful that although I am on vacation, the officers and crew are on duty. I feel I am interfering with their work if I engage them in conversation other than a polite request or greeting. The cruise director and staff on the other hand have job descriptions which require social interaction with passengers so I relax and talk more freely with them.(/quote)

 

I am still amazed at how some first timers on board seem to have it all down pat on the second day at sea! I’ve actually chatted some of them up in an effort to find out how they do it – now there’s an admission. We've had long and interesting talks with Stewards, Bartenders etc. and been recognized and remembered by them and are always thrilled to board and find that so and so has risen through the ranks since our last meeting. At the first opportunity we offer congratulations.

 

I can relate to your enjoyment of meeting up with countrymen and talking in your native tongue. My only 'real' language is UK English but I too enjoy a chat with 'locals' from my neck of the woods.

 

To be honest, I'd never thought of enquiring ahead of time as to Who's On Board' until this thread started!

 

Happy cruising to you!

[WillieF]

Thank you for your post since you do understand that every once in a while someone will "make a connection" with someone onboard the ship - and it does not have to be "elitist".

 

I was aboard the Amsterdam for 49 days earlier this year and I did manage to make a lot of friends (most of whom I am hoping to see again in about 6 weeks). I did spend some time "chatting" with the Captain and his wife; the Culinary Operations Manager; and the Chef of The Pinnacle Grill and learned a lot about their lives, both aboard ship and when they are back home. However, I also spent many enjoyable hours chatting with my Cabin Steward, Jay (Jayadi) and my Dining Room Steward and his assistant (Aga and Artha), also the wonderful Guntoro who brought me my room service coffee every morning. I also got to know, very well since I also got to meet their families in Padang Bai and Semarang, the guys in The Lido. I know that a lot of them will still be on assignment and thus on board and, quite frankly I can't wait to see them again. There is also a lovely young lady who works in the Casino, who is from Estonia (I think I have that right) and I am looking forward to seeing her again if she is still aboard ship.

 

How could I forget Christine, the Hostess for the GWV, who remembered me from a cruise aboard the Prinsendam back in 2001 and welcomed me aboard like an old friend who was thrilled to see me again? Oh and then Captain van Zaane who shook my hand and said "welcome back" - but then he did do that with everyone boarding the ship for the GWV - it still felt good anyway:D .

 

Valerie:)

 

As yet I have not been sufficiently fortunate to spend over 20+++ days on any cruise. However, a fair stretch (minimum 7) of reasonably fair or mirrorflat sea days is certainly conducive to lengthy chats with all Ranks and I've enjoyed many of those! We long ago gave up 'port a day' itineraries.

 

As has been said' to each his own'!

 

I wish you many more glorious voyages!:)

[wayzer]

I was on one of the Wind Ships a couple of years ago, the Doctor and his wife would look up om the Ship Manifest to find out who were the V.I.P's or the pax's in the higher end cabins. Then they would phone them to invite themselves for dinner or drinks. It was a big joke for the rest of the crew and officers.

[SDHALFAN]

Hi Valerie; Perhaps it is you, not I who is conclusion jumping!

 

Over our many years of cruising HAL we've dined at the tables of the Officers you mention and been invited to Captains Tables. We have in fact on occasion requested seating at a particular Officers table and been accommodated. Are we perhaps in the 'interesting people' category?

 

You requested seating at a particular Officer's table? Now, where I grew up (and it seems as though we both hail originally from the U.K.) that would be considered extremely pushy - one should always wait to be invited.

 

I checked you profile and we are of the same 'vintage'. During one time events, Cocktail Parties etc., I was brought up to believe that it was extremely bad manners to monopolize the attention of ones Host.

 

Once again having been raised in the U.K.,apart from a polite "Good Evening" I would not presume to speak until spoken to so sincerely doubt that I could be accused of monopolizing the attention of my Host.

 

We've also sailed the elegant Prinsendam and been invited to Cocktails and dinner with the charming Captain Gundersen. He is, without doubt, among the most charming, entertaining Captains we've ever sailed with. He shares wonderful little stories and most obviously

 

As to why I posted my question - I was (and still am!) interested and curious:D!

 

I'm sure that Captain Gundersen must have spoken of his wife and daughter - that is how I found out about them. Actually he spent most of the dinner talking to my husband who was a retired U.S. Naval Officer and they had a great time telling "sea stories".

[SDHALFAN]

As yet I have not been sufficiently fortunate to spend over 20+++ days on any cruise. However, a fair stretch (minimum 7) of reasonably fair or mirrorflat sea days is certainly conducive to lengthy chats with all Ranks and I've enjoyed many of those! We long ago gave up 'port a day' itineraries.

 

As has been said' to each his own'!

 

I wish you many more glorious voyages!:)

 

 

Sorry - I missed this post. Thank you for your well wishes: I have a 65-day "glorious voyage" planned for next year and no doubt will be chatting with some crew members during that time.

 

Valerie:)