HAL ships chartered by Inspiration cruises

[Orcrone]

In another thread a poster realized that their cruise was being chartered. Although it wasn't by this group, someone else pointed out that Inspiration cruises (a Christian organization) often charters HAL ships. So I thought I'd post their schedule for anyone who might like to join/avoid their group.

 

I'm not making judgements, just want to put the info out there.

 

Alaska

 

6/5 - 6/12 Amsterdam

6/19 - 6/26 Amsterdam

7/2 - 7/9 Oosterdam

7/2 - 7/9 Zaandam

7/23 - 7/30 Oosterdam

7/30 - 8/6 Zaandam

8/7 -8/14 Amsterdam

8/13 - 8/26 Zaandam

9/9 - 9/16 Statendam

9/17 - 9/24 Oosterdam

 

Caribbean

 

1/23 - 1/29 Oosterdam

2/12 - 2/19 Veendam

2/13 - 2/30 Westerdam

6/4 - 6/11 Carnival Glory

7/23 - 7/30 Zuiderdam

8/6 - 8/13 Zuiderdam

11/26 - 12/3 Golden Princess

 

New England

 

6/25 - 7/2 Maasdam

10/1 - 10/8 Maasdam

[ekerr19]

Wow, that's alot of charters... thank you for posting this, it will be very helpful to many who are planning on booking in 2005.

 

I am happy to say that I don't see my upcoming cruise on the list. I am not a fan of charters or escorted cruises...

[Orcrone]

Wow, that's alot of charters... thank you for posting this, it will be very helpful to many who are planning on booking in 2005.

 

I am happy to say that I don't see my upcoming cruise on the list. I am not a fan of charters or escorted cruises...

ekerr,

 

Believe me, I also breathed a sigh of relief. I'd love to find a way to determine whether a particular ship is chartered by anyone for a particular sailing. Just my luck I'll be on a cruise with the Marilyn Manson fan club.:eek:

[ekerr19]

ekerr,

 

Just my luck I'll be on a cruise with the Marilyn Manson fan club.:eek:

Yeah, but your kids might love it! :D

 

I hear what you're saying - we had a TA escorted group with us on the Noordam - several of whom are still probably looking for the Lido... ;)

[super_grover]

acutally marilyn manson is a little 1998/99..And actually, although not a fan myself, I did think that he has some good insights in "Bowling for Columbine". These days I would be more worried about preteen girls in belly shirts and more make up than I own. Eek.

[sail7seas]

:D Wonder if they have figured out yet Noordam is no longer an HAL ship?? :)

 

 

 

Thanks for posting this list. VERY helpful to anyone who wishes to avoid the large charter. Doesn't matter to me WHO the charter is.....I don't want to be aboard with ANY group which has substantially chartered the ship. It happened to us once and it was VERY unpleasant.

 

 

I think it very unfair of HAL to hold that info to themselves and 'set us up' by selling the remaining 10% or such of the cabins to unsuspecting, very unlucky cruisers.

[dakrewser]

Caribbean

 

1/23 - 1/29 Oosterdam

Um, it sails on 1/22 and it's Mexican Riviera from San diego....

 

:)

[dakrewser]

Let's remember that there are "groups" on just about every cruise ship that leaves port. Some are only 10-20 people, while others are 500 or more. Small groups (say, under 100 pax) shouldn't present much of a problem, It's just the larger contingents that can really be irritating....

 

 

-dave

[bepsf]

I wonder if this was the group that chartered the entire Amsterdam sailing prior to ours in September?

 

 

On our cruise, the crew were thrilled to have passengers would come to their shows and hang out w/ them and the bar staff were very happy to see us too, as the prior week that group put on their own 'entertainment' and did absolutely no drinking...

[Orcrone]

Um, it sails on 1/22 and it's Mexican Riviera from San diego....

 

:)

OK, caught me on two counts. On their website the link is listed as Caribbean/Mexico. In today's hectic ADD world I couldn't bother to read the second word.:D

 

As to the other mistake, I wrote it down correctly, but hit the wrong key on the keyboard.

 

I'd go back and edit it, but the EDIT link has gone the way of the dodo. I'm sure anyone on that ship will recognize the sailing.

[uncialman]

In another thread a poster realized that their cruise was being chartered. Although it wasn't by this group, someone else pointed out that Inspiration cruises (a Christian organization) often charters HAL ships. So I thought I'd post their schedule for anyone who might like to join/avoid their group.

 

I'm not making judgements, just want to put the info out there.

 

Alaska

 

6/5 - 6/12 Amsterdam

6/19 - 6/26 Amsterdam

7/2 - 7/9 Oosterdam

7/2 - 7/9 Zaandam

7/23 - 7/30 Oosterdam

7/30 - 8/6 Zaandam

8/7 -8/14 Amsterdam

8/13 - 8/26 Zaandam

9/9 - 9/16 Statendam

9/17 - 9/24 Oosterdam

 

Caribbean

 

1/23 - 1/29 Oosterdam

2/12 - 2/19 Veendam

2/13 - 2/30 Westerdam

6/4 - 6/11 Carnival Glory

7/23 - 7/30 Zuiderdam

8/6 - 8/13 Zuiderdam

11/26 - 12/3 Golden Princess

 

New England

 

6/25 - 7/2 Maasdam

10/1 - 10/8 Maasdam

 

Greetins Orcone!

 

I want to make a correction for you:

 

None of the above listed cruises are *chartered* for groups per Inspiration Cruises. Inspiration Cruises (My main competitor and arch enemy :D) has simply blocked off space for a large group on each of these ships. I know some of these groups intimately and compete for their business, so I have rather intimate knowledge of their group size. For instance, the June 19th sailing of the Amsterdam is for Dr. John MacArthur's "Grace to You" organization and is a group of approximately 300 passengers. The group does not "shut down" any bars or functions while on board the ship. The group uses the forward show lounge twice daily where Phillip Johnson teaches from approximately 8:30am - 10:00am and Dr. MacArthur teaches from the first dining time till the beginning of the 3rd, quarterly hour dining (so as not to interfere with any scheduled shows.

 

Just for your info, I am holding space for the Southern Baptist Convention Founders on the Veendam, November 12-19th for approximately 400 people (based upon double occupancy). As darkrewser properly stated, there are large groups on almost any cruise that you cruise on (in excess of 100 passengers). Charters are fairly rare and HAL makes groups pay a pretty penny for the use of their ships - and that only long in advance.

 

Please also be aware that the crews are generally very receptive to Christian groups. While SBC groups usually tend to abstain from alcohol (some, not all) Christian groups generally drink as much as alcohol as your average HAL passenger (Presby's, Methodists, Catholics, non-denoms and the like).

 

Thanks for making this board fun and informative...

[uncialman]

Something else that you might want to be watchful of:

 

If you are aware of large groups that are taking up lots and lots of cabins, be wary of the inventory and price as soon as you are within 90 days of sailings: that's when the big groups have to release or buy up their remaining inventory. Thus, the price is likely to drop. :D

[thulewx]

Do you know anything about the Stonecroft Ministries group on Westerdam 13 -20 Feb? :confused:

[Orcrone]

Uncialman,

 

On another thread a couple of posters were abhorred by the idea of going on a cruise with a Christian organiziation because of stereotypical reactions to that group. Do you find that people on these cruises tend to evangelize the other passengers?

[uncialman]

Uncialman,

 

On another thread a couple of posters were abhorred by the idea of going on a cruise with a Christian organiziation because of stereotypical reactions to that group. Do you find that people on these cruises tend to evangelize the other passengers?

 

No, I don't: but the stereotypes abound without a doubt. On our previous cruises with large groups, I can't think of any instances where there has been a problem. Now, this being said, the groups that I run are always seated together at dinner at the same dining and are generally on the cruise for fellowship and edification as opposed to evangelization.

 

On a side note, however, it appears that folks seem to have no problems expressing other non-Christian beliefs or lifestyle choices to Christians, but when a Christian chooses to express their understanding of presuppositional truth, they are instantly pegged as a "hate monger" even if the discussion is done in a spirit of love and tolerance. The reslut being, as soon as someone bows there head to give thanks before a meal (at a table that is occupied soley by the group), people take offense. In other words, I find it odd that Christians attempt to be tolerating of all others on board but many that don't hold their convictions are intolerant of the Christians. Odd, eh?:D

[peaches from georgia]

.....On a side note, however, it appears that folks seem to have no problems expressing other non-Christian beliefs or lifestyle choices to Christians, but when a Christian chooses to express their understanding of presuppositional truth, they are instantly pegged as a "hate monger" even if the discussion is done in a spirit of love and tolerance..... In other words, I find it odd that Christians attempt to be tolerating of all others on board but many that don't hold their convictions are intolerant of the Christians. Odd, eh?:D

Let's not even start to go there. This is not a religious discussion, but one about any large group taking over their ship's facilities and activities.

[uncialman]

Do you know anything about the Stonecroft Ministries group on Westerdam 13 -20 Feb? :confused:

 

Stonecroft Ministries is a non-Denominational (although somewhat well -attended and supported by many baptist organizations) Organization that blends psychology/self-help along with Marital counseling and evangelism. Larry Crab and Gary Chapman are very involved in most of their conferences/cruises and are both authors of many books dealing with relationships, marrriage etc. with a Christian worldview. They are evangelistic in nature, but usually not in a "hard-sell" sense of the word.

 

Ain't no biggee thulewx - pretty fun, easy going group for the most part and it shouldn't be that big of a group. Most of their time should be taken up by personal devotions and teaching sessions.

[uncialman]

Let's not even start to go there. This is not a religious discussion, but one about any large group taking over their ship's facilities and activities.

 

LOL! You just made my point! :D

 

Fair enough...

[thulewx]

Thanks for the info.

[peaches from georgia]

LOL! You just made my point! :D

I did no such thing. You have no idea of my beliefs or whether I agree with what you said or not. A cruise message board is simply not the place for discussion of religion, any religion. I imagine Walt would agree.

[uncialman]

I did no such thing. You have no idea of my beliefs or whether I agree with what you said or not. A cruise message board is simply not the place for discussion of religion, any religion. I imagine Walt would agree.

 

Peaches, Orcone asked me a question, I elaborated and answered it. Nuff said.

 

To be exegetically truthful, this thread started has several opinions about the actions and attitudes of *said* groups without any of us that happen to hold to those beliefs and lifestlyles that are being scrutinized reacting adversly with harsh rhetoric. This being said, I try to always never start a conversation on this board that is theological in nature. However, if a question is asked of me, I *can* answer it.

[tomc]

(e-mail just sent to Inspiration Cruises to see how big a group they expect. Might as well go right to the source.)

 

Hi Folks!

 

Looks as if we'll be sharing the same wonderful ship for the same wonderful itinerary June 25 - July 2. Been on the ship before and taken that cruise before; they're both just great, as is Holland America Line, my favorite.

 

Got one question: How many of you will be onboard with me and what effect will that have on our use of the common rooms?

 

Thanks for your reply and I'm sure your participants will have a lovely time in that beautiful part of the world.

[uncialman]

(e-mail just sent to Inspiration Cruises to see how big a group they expect. Might as well go right to the source.)

 

Hi Folks!

 

Looks as if we'll be sharing the same wonderful ship for the same wonderful itinerary June 25 - July 2. Been on the ship before and taken that cruise before; they're both just great, as is Holland America Line, my favorite.

 

Got one question: How many of you will be onboard with me and what effect will that have on our use of the common rooms?

 

Thanks for your reply and I'm sure your participants will have a lovely time in that beautiful part of the world.

 

They might "expect" 500 - 700, but I bet that one will garner around 300-350 cruisers ( just my estimate after working with such groups - this one is "Women of Faith" - so you would have some Hubby's staying at home or not participating in a lot of functions. )

 

A word of advice: buy your cabin right after their release date - good chance the price will drop. :D

[ekerr19]

A word of advice: buy your cabin right after their release date - good chance the price will drop. :D

I'll pass, but thanks for the info. It definitely comes in handy for the future. We avoid these cruises (ANY large group) like the plague, no offense intended.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Orcrone

Thanks for posting the information. A lot of try to avoid cruises that have been chartered by large groups (any large group).