HAL in three-way, four vessel swap with Carnival, Costa and P&O

[Copper10-8]

Anybody read this?:eek:

 

Holland America Line to obtain four additional vessels, lose four in internal transfer.

 

Seattle, April 1, 2009 — Holland America Cruise Line reported today that it has agreed to a four-way, three company swap of vessels. Piet Ikhebjetepakken, Vice President of used fleet replacement of the company reported at a news conference at HAL's headquarters today that the four popular 'S'-class vessels; Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam and Veendam will leave the company effective the Spring of 2010, sometime between the last day of March and the second day of April next year. Statendam and Maasdam will find new homes with the Italian subsidiary of Carnival Cruise Corporation Plc, Costa Crocieri, commonly know as Costa Cruises. They will sail for Costa under the respective names of Costa Grande and Costa Bella. Ryndam and Veendam will be internally transferred to CCC's British brand, P&O Cruises where they will be known as Sylvania and Octavia. In return for the four ships, HAL wil obtain the former Carnival vessels Imagination and Elation, to be known in the Holland America fleet as Potsdam and Pandam. In addition, Costa will be sending the Costa Allegra and Princess Cruises, the Fairy Princess Seattle's way. The latter two ships will be know in the HAL fleet as Appingedam and Alblasserdam respectively.

 

All four ships coming into the HAL fleet will receive extensive drydock periods in Alma Ata, Kazakstan where traditional Holland America touches such as a Crow's Nest, Ocean Bar and a new children's playing area known as the "Dugout" which will replace the casino, will be added. Vice President Ikhebjenogsteedstepakken added that the line is contemplating making these four vessels 'smoke free' ships due to the overwhelming responses by guests who have completed year-long onboard surveys.

 

The vice president of used fleet replacement added that the four new/used vessels will also feature a complete, 24-hour "As You Wish" dining schedule in their main dining rooms, Lido restauarnt and Pinnacle Grill. Lastly, Mr. Ikhebjetochnogtepakken stated that main Lido deck pools on the four ships will be designated "kids only". He added that HAL will concentrate on young families with children as those to fill these ships since they are known in Seattle as a 'target rich environment' and the future of the company.

 

All four of the ships leaving the company plus the ms Rotterdam VI, who is staying, were/are scheduled for part 2 of HAL's Signature of EXcellence program which included the addition of more balcony cabins, the introduction of a new category of cabin, the expansion the aft Lido Deck's pool feature with an area called The Retreat, the creation of a showroom at sea and the upgrading of cabins, bathrooms and fixtures. On the five ships, lanai cabins will be created by replacing existing windows of 42 cabins with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, and adding four additional cabins. According to Vice President Ikhebjetepakken, this schedule will be kept and they will move to their new homes with the SOE Part 2 improvementr included. If you are still reading this and haven't figured out yet that this is an April Fool's joke, let me point you in the correct direction: it is!

 

For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-HAL-APR1 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.- www.hollandamerica.com -

 

 

 

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

 

Worlds Leading Cruise Lines

The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

[cruisinjudy]

April Fools???

[mudscraper]

I read this also John.

They also stated that smoking was to be allowed in the MDR.

I wish they would rethink that policy.

 

 

Rich

[cruisinjudy]

Guess I didn't read far enough the first time through!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Also read a similar article where they were going to start sailing out of Lake Mead and have tours of the DAM ;)

[jaspersmycat]

I sure hope everyone reads the whole press release or there will be a lot of messages complaining about how much they love the "whatever"dam and how this is just another case of saving money on HAL's part.

[orangearmy]

That's too good!!!:D:D:D Ikhebjetepakken. Is he from the Indonesian office? Glad I can still remember a bit of the Dutch that was my parents first language. And that I checked the calender today.:D

[usha]

Oh, I was thinking that the two ships HAL was getting from Costa & Princess would be renamed "Hooverdam" and "Beaverdam".:confused:

Gosh, you just can't get reliable reports anymore....:rolleyes:

[bepsf]

John--

 

Tell us the truth - Did you make this up?

It seems so apropos to some of the threads we've been reading here lately...

;)

[ger_77]

Copper, you're soooo bad! I was already feeling bad for Sail7Seas that her beloved Maasdam was going to be moved out of HAL's fleet. Well done.

 

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[midgecruiser]

Bad Copper.....very bad Copper. Go to your room......

:DWendy

[Cruisin'Lady]

HA! You got me! My jaw just about dropped off as I read the first paragraph. And I didn't find it unusual that someone with a dutch heritage would be called Ikhebjenogsteedstepakken! Geez you got me good!

I am so glad that its just a joke....as I have only been on the Maasdam and loved that ship so much...I am looking forward to visiting again someday.

[Down-Unders]

You got me.

 

 

:):):):):)

[hoopman]

I have got to meet you someday. Your my kind of people.

[islandsparkler]

'

On the five ships, lanai cabins will be created by replacing existing windows of 42 cabins with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, and adding four additional cabins.'

This may be happening on the Rotterdam!!! On my Panama Canal Cruise in Nov/Dec - two fellows were onboard measuring and calculating for just that!!! Also for extending more cabins where the pooldeck and Bar area is.

[Sir PMP]

Ikhebjetepakken,

 

En ik kom uit Den Haag, dan weet je het antwoord wel!

[jhannah]

Hilarious! Simply hilarious!

[pipedreams62]

You had me going as well

 

[sail7seas]

I know for sure you are trying to give me a heart attack! :(

You came close to succeeding. :eek:

Back to your room........who said you could leave it? !@#@#

 

Clever # :D ( call 1-877-HAL-APR1 ) ;)

 

 

[ldog]

this was as good as the BBC's flying penguins.:D

[Boytjie]

'Ikhebjetepakken' - that was a dead give-away for me! :D

[Boytjie]

Ikhebjetepakken,

 

En ik kom uit Den Haag, dan weet je het antwoord wel!

 

Den Haag is a koue k*k stad. :D

[Boytjie]

Clever # :D ( call 1-877-HAL-APR1 ) ;)

 

How many mad HAL CC fans called that number?! Hopefully there's a machine on the other end.

[kakalina]

John: Step away from the joke with your hands where I can see them!

[ViolaSwamp]

You got me - until I got to the HAL-APR1 phone number. :p

 

Hilarious!!!

 

I was wondering what the heck would happen to my Bermuda Veendam cruise!!!!! :eek::D