HAL to return to NY in 2010

[navybankerteacher]

I'm looking forward to Hal entering the Bermuda market. I only hope that HAL maintains its dress code -- the NCL approach of "what you want, when you want" resulted in the dining rooms looking more like I-95 rest stops than good restaurants -- (and serving comparable quality food).

[navybankerteacher]

We had a 10 P.M. departure from Curacao last December on Maasdam and they permitted Maadsam to open the casino while we were in port. It was a very nice courtesy to the Dutch ship.

 

I read that, starting in 2009, ships in port in Bermuda will be able to open their stores AND casinos after local Bermuda closing times -- presumably about 10:00 PM

[sail7seas]

That's great. One of the things we minded on our Zenith cruise to Bermuda was that shops and casino were closed. It wasn't even so much we HAD to shop or necessarily intended to gamble, it was more the ship felt 'shut down' and inhospitable with large venues of that sort darkened. We didn't want to run around all over the island at night but could not enjoy the ship with such a half used atmosphere.

[innlady1]

You may recall the June 10th news release on CC regarding Bermuda which points out:

 

"In a move that signals an increased sense of urgency and -- dare we say -- desperation, the government of Bermuda has passed measures that will overturn a long-held ban on the operation of cruise ship casinos and suspend a cabin tax currently levied on ships calling on the island."

 

I suspect that Carnival Corp was eager to take advantage of a change in attitude on the part of Bermuda authorities and has utilized tha "small ship" Veendam to its advantage. It will be interesting to be on board while the casino is in operation while in port. This could be a real money maker for HAL. I agree that HAL to Bermuda is sure to be a sell out for the whole season. We will certainly take advantage of this opportunity. We are sailing Veendam in the western carribean in january and will try to book while aboard.

I didn't see that press release...thanks for posting it!

[mamaofami]

The bus prices have gone up Sheila, then again, what hasn't? I'd just like to see HAL use the Brooklyn Pier (if possible) instead of that dumpy Manhattan one. I wonder if the cruise lines will ever get off the fuel surcharges now since oil is back down lower than what it was when the lines implemented the surcharges in the first place.

 

 

 

Carol; 2010 is a ways away. Then again it'll probably give Sheila enough time to obtain "Bermuda entry approval" :rolleyes: . Personally, I'm glad to see that HAL used some thought in using the Veendam for the Bermuda runs. I haven't read all the posts yet but docking at the West End (in my opinion) doesn't really give us a warm and fuzzy. It's like your missing the whole beauty of Bermuda when your docked away from everything. Maybe it's because we've docked in St. Georges and Hamilton previously. Then when we got docked at the "West End", we just felt cheated. Bermuda isn't really an island that one can fully enjoy and experience when only there for a few hours. Glad to see your back home and safe. I believe I read a post where it took awhile for you to disembark. Was it the crowd or was it that Sam just didn't have a tight enough grip dragging you off (cause you didn't want to leave)? Just kidding! You guys take care! DJ & me

 

Hi Rob,

We left from pier 88 in NYC. It was really first class..clean, food service, excellent bathroom facilities (they even had soap and towels). What a difference from pier 92.And HAL went all out decorating it with tons of balloons.

[herb]

That's great. One of the things we minded on our Zenith cruise to Bermuda was that shops and casino were closed. It wasn't even so much we HAD to shop or necessarily intended to gamble, it was more the ship felt 'shut down' and inhospitable with large venues of that sort darkened. We didn't want to run around all over the island at night but could not enjoy the ship with such a half used atmosphere.

 

You're right....all that was missing were the "gone fishin'" signs :D

[RuthC]

Someone aboard ship should talk to a Future Cruise Consultant and find out if it can be booked NOW. It might be bookable.

 

Also, I believe TomC is on the Maasdam but I recall he said he didn't think he'd do a "Live from" this time...maybe he will check in here, though.

 

I'm sure I'll be in touch with Tom, probably tomorrow. I'll ask him to check on this if he gets a chance.

tomc checked with the Future Cruise Consultant (thanks Tom :) ) on the Maasdam. He reports that she has no more information than the press release.

He also said he was impressed by her apparent competence, so I'm guessing that the itinerary information isn't out yet.

[modelman]

It's a shame what's happened to Hamilton. I used to love Trimingham's, H A & E Smith, A S Cooper, etc. Haven't been there since we've had the inn (15 years) so haven't seen all the changes. Our favorite hotels, Glencoe and Newstead are now gone to. Condos and hotel condos. At least the Fourways Inn is still in business.

 

Probably not the shopping paradise it once was; however, still a beautiful island.

 

Well the Newstead is sort of back. As you said it is a Condo / Hotel, but there are always rooms available for guests, and the views of Hamilton are still incredible and the cottages and grounds are lovely. A.S. Cooper's is still in Hamilton and going strong, has mulitple stores all over town, but yes Trimingham's and Smith's are sorely missed. A lot of construction going on right now in Hamilton, but there are still many nice stores, and by 2010/ 2011, I think the city will look great.

[innlady1]

That's good news...about Newstead and A. S. Cooper! I had heard it was still open but figured that was incorrect, since the other two biggies, Trimingham's and H A & E Smith have closed.

 

Here's a link to the article in the news section here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2636

[medfordgirl]

I have a question. Will Veendam still be going out of Tampa part of the year??? I don't want her leaving here for good. If she does, will they replace her with another HAL ship? I love driving the crosstown and seeing her in port. I still look at my old room as I pass by. :confused:

[Desdemona01]

I'm really excited about this. The Veendam was our *first*, so she's very special to us. And, we've always wanted to cruise to Bermuda but didn't want to leave HAL--this is excellent!:D

[innlady1]

The bus prices have gone up Sheila, then again, what hasn't? I'd just like to see HAL use the Brooklyn Pier (if possible) instead of that dumpy Manhattan one. I wonder if the cruise lines will ever get off the fuel surcharges now since oil is back down lower than what it was when the lines implemented the surcharges in the first place.

 

Hey...how'd you sneak in here without me seeing you, Rob? ;) :rolleyes: ;)

Carol has reported that the terminal HAL used this time was in great shape, and I know the City of New York has plans to upgrade the Pier, so this must be the start. There are some pics on here of the terminal. In Boytije's thread about the Mariner Brunch yesterday. Very impressive.

Just curious...how much is the bus now? Academy, who operated the HAL bus, charged about $100/pp I believe. For those not wanting to drive into the city and bear the parking expenses to boot, it was definitely the way to go. No fuss/no hassle. Hi to DJ! :D

[herb]

We used the Manhattan Pier this summer for our NCL cruise. Very modern and comfortable!

[silvercruiser]

Where will VEENDAM be before and after the Bermuda runs? I'd love to sail back too Tampa after the last Bermuda cruise in October.

[RuthC]

Where will VEENDAM be before and after the Bermuda runs? I'd love to sail back too Tampa after the last Bermuda cruise in October.

As of now, I don't think anyone knows where she'll be right before/after the Bermuda runs. But one thing is sure---she can't do a cruise from NYC to Tampa without stopping at a distant foreign port.

That drat Passenger Services Act rears it's ugly head again. :(

[Colakid]

As you can see DW and I are boarding the Veendam in just over two weeks and plan on seeing what we can find out about the new routes the Veendam will be taking. We will be talking to the TA on board at least booking our future trips and asking many questions about Bermuda etc. Hope to be able to let everyone know whilst on board via updates or at the least with a full report when returning back home. We have never been to Bermuda and this new trip looks exciting. First have to get back to Alaska for the third time and see what has happened since we were last there in the early 90's. Wish us good luck.

[medfordgirl]

Where will VEENDAM be before and after the Bermuda runs? I'd love to sail back too Tampa after the last Bermuda cruise in October.

 

that sounds good!

[Luv4dacruise]

The Veendam can't go fast -- I doubt if you would be there longer than 2 or 2 1/2 days in Bermuda.

 

It takes the 1.5 days to get there going at around 19 or 20 knots. The Veendam can make that just fine.

[cruzeluvr]

We have sailed primarily on RCCL and don't frequent the HAL boards, but this news is making a HAL fan out of me. We loved sailing from NY to Bermuda on the smaller ships (Song of America, Empress of the Seas & Zenith), with ports of call in Hamilton & St George. We are looking forward to this itinerary and will definitely be booking it in 2010 or 2011.

[Rotterdam]

I chuckled when I read that your first HAL sailing was back in 1982...I first sailed to Bermuda in 1976 onboard the Oceanic & Rotterdam, then the Veendam & Volendam( in the early 1980's) then the Horizon & Zenith in the 1990's.....20 years ago I sailed on Homeric on the Bermuda run....my last Home Lines cruise....

 

At first we loved the 3.5 days in Hamilton but later on the split of Hamilton & St George was the winner...that cut into St George is a fantastic site to behold as the ship enters or leaves the harbor - the closest to that I have seen wqas on QE2 going through the Panama Canal.....

 

On the Rotterdam V we anchored in Grassy Bay ( as did the Oceanic)...

 

Hopefully HAL will return to the same type of schedule as before....we were planning a Bermuda trip this year - but NCL Dawn out of NYC spends an extra day at sea ..so we still might go to PHiladelphia & do the Majesty in the next few weeks.....

 

 

More importantly....perhaps these cruises will introduce more people to the joys of sailing on smaller ships(smaller is relative - howe big was the Volendam & Veendam of the early 1980's)...sort of tlike the history of the convertible car - they too are back!!!

 

 

 

'Fraid I have to disagree with you on this one. :o

 

The 'S' class are the only ships that HAL has that can 'fit' into St. George and Hamilton and VEENDAM is the 'newest' of the four ships!

 

Of course PRINSENDAM would also fit but she would be wasted on the Bermuda run.

 

VEENDAM is a perfect fit for Bermuda. Well done HAL!

 

My first HAL voyage was back in 1982.... Bermuda up to New York in the old VEENDAM. Cost about $300 for the two days on board. In those days, space available, locals could sail one way but could only book one or two days prior to departure from Bermuda. Heck, anything is better than flying!!!!

 

Stephen

[herb]

More importantly....perhaps these cruises will introduce more people to the joys of sailing on smaller ships!

 

you're right, it will be a pleasure to sail on a ship where you don't need to go up or down 12 flights and walk what seems like forever to get from point A to point B :D

[Vic The Parrot]

Will lots of people from CC book the first cruise to Bermuda? I don't know what it's called when it's a new itinerary but a ship already in existence!

 

 

 

 

Done deal ;)

 

 

I put some money down while on board Eurodam on Sunday.

Booked the 1st sailing in Aug 2010.

 

 

:)

[Phamer55]

Vic The Parrot,

 

You're booked already for 2010? They must have an itinerary, right?

[takemewithyou]

Done deal ;)

 

 

I put some money down while on board Eurodam on Sunday.

Booked the 1st sailing in Aug 2010.

 

 

:)

 

I have been trying to book this cruise for days :( .

My TA says it's not available to book yet.

HAL sales people say it's not ready to book yet.

They say there's no pricing yet.

They aren't even able to tell me if it's a 7 day sailing.

How are the FCC's booking it already?

Just curious.....

[Vic The Parrot]

Vic The Parrot,

 

You're booked already for 2010? They must have an itinerary, right?

 

 

 

Hi Phamer

 

 

 

The itineraries, and fares haven't come out yet.

But the FCC on board Eurodam was able to give me a reservation to be put on the list so I can get a cabin.

 

Worked out very well, and they gave me extra OBC.

 

If you're on board a HAL ship soon, give them a visit and book the Bermuda cruise. You won't be turned away. ;)