Eurodam delayed arrival Feb 13, 2010

[Boytjie]

We received an email anouncing our embarkation is delayed until 3 pm due to the ship arriving late.

To avoid the madness at 3 pm what would be better time to embark? And what time could we expect to leave? I am guessing sometime around 10 pm.

At least it can give more people time to make it on the cruise; the snow storms have been causing lots of problems. We were supposed to pick up two friends at Miami at 12:24 am (coming from Charlotte) and finally landed at 4 am. (They were originally supposed to arrive Thursday afternoon) We have not slept a wink yet so at least we can sleep late!

[janiceah]

We received an email anouncing our embarkation is delayed until 3 pm due to the ship arriving late.

To avoid the madness at 3 pm what would be better time to embark? And what time could we expect to leave? I am guessing sometime around 10 pm.

At least it can give more people time to make it on the cruise; the snow storms have been causing lots of problems. We were supposed to pick up two friends at Miami at 12:24 am (coming from Charlotte) and finally landed at 4 am. (They were originally supposed to arrive Thursday afternoon) We have not slept a wink yet so at least we can sleep late!

Any idea what happened? I wonder if alot of people that are getting off the ship today will miss flights that they booked. All of a sudden I'm glad our flight is at 5:30pm the day we fly home.

[Boytjie]

Any idea what happened? I wonder if alot of people that are getting off the ship today will miss flights that they booked. All of a sudden I'm glad our flight is at 5:30pm the day we fly home.

No idea. My guess is either mechanical or noro. Hope it is neither! I think they are only coming from Half Moon Cay.

[janiceah]

No idea. My guess is either mechanical or noro. Hope it is neither! I think they are only coming from Half Moon Cay.
I agree that neither one sounds good. I guess I'd rather have it be mechanical as long as it's something they can fix. Hope everything works out ok and enjoy that cruise. We're sailing in two weeks!

[floridaken77]

you know - I may just go earlier anyway (like 200 or so) I gotta wait somewhere - so ..... May as well just pop in some headphones and wait at the port>

[jhannah]

My guess is that they were late due to having to physically drag so many people off the island to head back to the winter mess that's everywhere! ;)

[janiceah]

My guess is that they were late due to having to physically drag so many people off the island to head back to the winter mess that's everywhere! ;)
Makes sense to me. I'd have to be dragged kicking and screaming to come back to this mess in Minnesota.

[DCParky]

Based on the Port Everglades website, the Eurodam is due into port at 10:00 am. We have to check out of our hotel at 12:00, so will probably roam around Ft. Lauderdale for a couple of hours and then just head over to the ship and be ready to board at 3pm.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Oh my -- ship arriving late -- hope it is nothing serious.

[bradpole]

We received an email anouncing our embarkation is delayed until 3 pm due to the ship arriving late.

To avoid the madness at 3 pm what would be better time to embark? And what time could we expect to leave? I am guessing sometime around 10 pm.

At least it can give more people time to make it on the cruise; the snow storms have been causing lots of problems. We were supposed to pick up two friends at Miami at 12:24 am (coming from Charlotte) and finally landed at 4 am. (They were originally supposed to arrive Thursday afternoon) We have not slept a wink yet so at least we can sleep late!

Oh no! I hope everyone is ok! We're sitting in the Princess Theatre on Crown Princess waiting to debark so we can begin our week om our favorite ship. I guess we'll have a bit of waiting to do

[catl331]

It was just announced that the Disney Magic is staying in the Bahamas instead of coming back home to Pt Canaveral this morn. This is due to the very high winds we have today. So many passengers who expected to sail today will have to change their plans also.

[CruisinManiac]

Perhaps that's the reason the Eurodam is coming in late. The news last night mentioned some high wind warnings for Miami and tropical storm type weather. Flights were being delayed as well. The whole area, airport, cruise port, hotels, is going to be a mess today. :eek:

Brad - How was the Crown princess? Is it an older ship? Good thing you don't have to bother with the airport today. :) Have a great cruise. We are also on in two weeks.

PS - Just took a look at the HAL website, and there is nothing listed under Travel Advisories. Seems odd.

[CruisinManiac]

This from the Disney Magic. Makes sense that other ships would also have problems getting back. ;)


The Disney Magic will have to cruise into the northwesterly wind on its journey back to the U.S. It is expected to take 13 hours to reach Port Canaveral.

The ship was stuck at their private island - Castaway Cay - overnight. They had trouble pulling away from their dock because of high winds and waves.

Since the Eurodam tenders at HMC, they could sail away, but would still have trouble getting in on time if the wind and waves were that high. Can't wait for Eurodam passengers to report back on their experience. :rolleyes:

[Boytjie]

Brad, are you on the RSVP cruise? CC Meet and Greet in Crow's Nest Sunday at Noon.

[bradpole]

This from the Disney Magic. Makes sense that other ships would also have problems getting back. ;)




The ship was stuck at their private island - Castaway Cay - overnight. They had trouble pulling away from their dock because of high winds and waves.

Since the Eurodam tenders at HMC, they could sail away, but would still have trouble getting in on time if the wind and waves were that high. Can't wait for Eurodam passengers to report back on their experience. :rolleyes:

Update from the pier.... Eurodam had trouble with their anchor at HMC, we can drop luggage off at terminal 25

[Boytjie]

Someone posted on Facebook that it is delayed because they had problems raising the anchor in HMC. That would be a better reason than weather or mechanical issues.

If it was weather related I think it would have been more likely to have skipped HMC.

[Boytjie]

Update from the pier.... Eurodam had trouble with their anchor at HMC, we can drop luggage off at terminal 25

Brad, how reliable is that information? If good I'd post it on Facebook.

[bradpole]

Brad, how reliable is that information? If good I'd post it on Facebook.

Live from the pier in terminal 25. We www just told the following by the RSVP staff

The ship is sched to arrive at noon with boarding for the RSVP charter around 3 or 3:30. We dropped our checked luggage off with the porters and there will be free shuttles to Wilton Manors until 3, ship is sched to sail 1 hour late.

[CruisinManiac]

Someone posted on Facebook that it is delayed because they had problems raising the anchor in HMC. That would be a better reason than weather or mechanical issues.

If it was weather related I think it would have been more likely to have skipped HMC.

Having trouble with an anchor could still be weather related, and winds could have come in later in the HMC day. ;) Happens quite often at Labadee (RCCL) and Castaway Cay (Disney.)

BTW - A troubled anchor (if not weather related) would also be considered mechanical. :) Hope it was fixed. If not, the ship may not be able to stop at HMC next cruise, unless the ship doesn't drop anchor and can spin around the island all day. :D

[Boytjie]

Live from the pier in terminal 25. We www just told the following by the RSVP staff

The ship is sched to arrive at noon with boarding for the RSVP charter around 3 or 3:30. We dropped our checked luggage off with the porters and there will be free shuttles to Wilton Manors until 3, ship is sched to sail 1 hour late.

I just got similar info from a HAL supervisor after getting conflicting information (one told me the ship would arrive at Noon with embarkation starting at 1 pm!)

[Gerd]

…

Dear all,

I do not understand that the MS Eurodam did have trouble at Halv Moon Cay with the anchor.

Because modern vessels with Azipods and Bow Thrusters like the Eurodam does have, they do no more really anchor. The given position is controlled by navigation systems (GPS and charts) and then maintained while using those Azipods and bow Thrusters.

I have seen this already a lot of times that they do so.


Happy cruising

G E R D



Our marvelous cruises : :)

MS Ryndam – Wayfarer – March 1997
MS Noordam - Transatlantic Island Hook - April 2001
MS Volendam - Southern Caribbean - April 2002
MS Volendam - Westfarer Caribbean - April 2004
MS Prinsendam - Windmills & Waterford – September 2004
MS Westerdam - Western Caribbean - April 2005
MS Statendam - Hawaii Circle - September 2005
MS Rotterdam - Vikings and Czars – July 2006
MS Veendam - Southern Caribbean – March 2007
MS Volendam – Panama Canal – April 2008
MS Noordam – Mediterranean Enchantment – September 2009

136 days - 34'665 Nm :

http://www.hollandamerica.com/images/3starMariner.gif


Future Cruise : :p


3+7 / 10-day Mediterranean Prelude & Inaugural Cruise :

http://ticker.nauticalcities.com/001/3555772246558c9c770ebc7e38eba56d.png (http://www.nauticalcities.com/)


12-day Mediterranean Empires :

http://ticker.nauticalcities.com/001/a4ed661628a8d0b24f580e2daed576d0.png (http://www.nauticalcities.com/)

[Oceanwench]

Maybe one of our CC members who is on the ship will post an explanation. ;)

The winds have been pretty substantial here in South Florida the last two days. I am surprised they even stopped at HMC. When it's rough seas here, it's usually rough seas there too.

[bradpole]

Maybe one of our CC members who is on the ship will post an explanation. ;)

The winds have been pretty substantial here in South Florida the last two days. I am surprised they even stopped at HMC. When it's rough seas here, it's usually rough seas there too.

We were on the Crown Princess yesterday and stopped at Princess Cays. In the distance we could see two HAL ships and HMC (I had no idea Princess Cays and HMC were so close). The morning tender ride over to the island was fine, but the return tender ride in the afternoon was very BUMPY!! the tenders that were coming in later in the afternoon looked like they had a very interesting ride!!

[Minne Wonka Girl]

Confirming that the Eurodam is now arriving in Port Everglades as of 12:20 pm on Saturday, 2/13.

[alpal1993]

We did have a storm last night heavy rain, wind and thunder and lightening.Burr it is still windy and cool @56 Hope everyone has a great cruise

[PortFever]

No new update on why the Eurodam was late but here's a webcam capture of her maneuvering on arrival in Port Everglades at 12:22pm EST this afternoon. A very late arrival!! I would expect a very late departure too.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q170/morganhillweather/InletCam/Eurodam02132010.jpg

[donh1]

The Mercury was 4 hours late arriving in Baltimore. The captain announced yesterday that high seas had delayed their estimated arrival time. The key word is estimated. As bad as all this is I was once told that it is all part of the travel experience. Makes for interesting stories to tell and also makes people better appreciate things when they go like clockwork.

[mudscraper]

Bonine Alert.


Rich

[Vic The Parrot]

Been following the ship on inletcam, and they left around 7pm.


Bon voyage Peter ... have a great time!

[mlanz]

Gerd...In response to not using anchor. We sailed on Eurodam last spring and had the delight of a junior officer at our table for dinner every night. His family was joining him for vacation. I asked him this very question re: anchoring @ HMC b/c I'm sure HAL woundn't want to tear up shallow reefs and the water depth drops significantly off. His response was as follows: "There is a first drop from about 50' to 100' then very abruptly it drops off to significant depth (too deep to anchor), procedure is to drop anchor at the 100' mark with limited scope 1.5x (scope is amount of anchor line out, normally 2-3x's water depth on regular anchoring), they then use the azipods, and bow thrusters then to compensate, if needed, to counteract current and wind to "hold" the ship in proper orientation to island. Per his remarks Eurodam doesn't have DGPS (Differential GPS) to hold position like some vessels do. DGPS hold is a feature available on salvage, drilling and survey vessels which need this capability and precision. FYI water depths are estimated.
mlanz
I

[Copper10-8]

Have a great cruise Peter, you Springbok!! Enjoy Eurodam!

[jtl513]

I received an email that said this:

BTW, a friend just emailed us. They just disembarked from the Eurodam today. Sounds like the trip from Half Moon Cay was pretty difficult with an anchor that had gotten snagged and a motor that had burned out trying to free it. They apparently dragged the anchor for awhile and then I think they eventually had to cut the anchor loose and had a very lopsided cruise back to FTL.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sounds interesting as to what they are going to do with a burned out motor.

[CruiserBruce]

Sounds interesting as to what they are going to do with a burned out motor.

I think they would be referring to an anchor motor. That is different from an engine, like the ship's engine. The anchor motor would be a (relatively) smaller electric motor used for hoisting the anchor. If it is beyond repair, the may just hoist a new one into place at a future time.

Annoying, but not a huge deal. Unless of course you need to use the anchors. Not sure what the backup would be for use of the anchors.

[Rustynail]

We received an email anouncing our embarkation is delayed until 3 pm due to the ship arriving late.

To avoid the madness at 3 pm what would be better time to embark? And what time could we expect to leave? I am guessing sometime around 10 pm.

At least it can give more people time to make it on the cruise; the snow storms have been causing lots of problems. We were supposed to pick up two friends at Miami at 12:24 am (coming from Charlotte) and finally landed at 4 am. (They were originally supposed to arrive Thursday afternoon) We have not slept a wink yet so at least we can sleep late!

Please bring it back in time for us to board next Sat. :D

Enjoy!

Dan

[Copper10-8]

I think they would be referring to an anchor motor. That is different from an engine, like the ship's engine. The anchor motor would be a (relatively) smaller electric motor used for hoisting the anchor. If it is beyond repair, the may just hoist a new one into place at a future time.

Annoying, but not a huge deal. Unless of course you need to use the anchors. Not sure what the backup would be for use of the anchors.

They usually carry a "back-up" anchor on the bow (see pics - center - painted black or white) but those bad boys are not light. I would imagine they would have to use the deck cranes to put the spare in place and then fix/repace the motor that runs the chain

http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/74461_800/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/74461/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg")


http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/613331_800/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/613331/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg")

[Krazy Kruizers]

I think they would be referring to an anchor motor. That is different from an engine, like the ship's engine. The anchor motor would be a (relatively) smaller electric motor used for hoisting the anchor. If it is beyond repair, the may just hoist a new one into place at a future time.

Annoying, but not a huge deal. Unless of course you need to use the anchors. Not sure what the backup would be for use of the anchors.

Thank you.

[bishop84]

Per his remarks Eurodam doesn't have DGPS (Differential GPS) to hold position like some vessels do. DGPS hold is a feature available on salvage, drilling and survey vessels which need this capability and precision. FYI water depths are estimated.
mlanz
I

Do you mean Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) rather than DGPS?

DPS is a ship handling system with multiple thrusters and inputs including satellite position fixes. Whilst DGPS is a version of the Global Positioning System (GPS) combined with a correction signal from a land based station.

[Vic The Parrot]

They usually carry a "back-up" anchor on the bow (see pics - center - painted black or white) but those bad boys are not light. I would imagine they would have to use the deck cranes to put the spare in place and then fix/repace the motor that runs the chain

http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/74461_800/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/74461/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg")


http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/613331_800/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/613331/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg")



John ... love the photos!



Perfect shot of Zaandam in Vancouver (my fav city :) ).
But where is Amsterdam in the 2nd picture? I'm guessing Hong Kong. :cool:

[Copper10-8]

John ... love the photos!



Perfect shot of Zaandam in Vancouver (my fav city :) ).
But where is Amsterdam in the 2nd picture? I'm guessing Hong Kong. :cool:

You got it, Vic! Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong!

[Vic The Parrot]

You got it, Vic! Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong!



Yay!!


I win a free cruise! :D



Thanks dude! ;)

[Copper10-8]

Yay!!


I win a free cruise! :D



Thanks dude! ;)

A 'Mister Microphone' is on its way to Joysee

http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mr_microphone_spy_hack.jpg

[Vic The Parrot]

A 'Mister Microphone' is on its way to Joysee

http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/mr_microphone_spy_hack.jpg



Just what I always wanted! :cool:

[sail7seas]

I just got similar info from a HAL supervisor after getting conflicting information (one told me the ship would arrive at Noon with embarkation starting at 1 pm!)

They usually carry a "back-up" anchor on the bow (see pics - center - painted black or white) but those bad boys are not light. I would imagine they would have to use the deck cranes to put the spare in place and then fix/repace the motor that runs the chain



We were on Eurodam for this cruise and some of the reports here are somewhat correct....and, Yes, Eurodam has more than one anchor. One starboard/one port.

The wind came up quickly at HMC. We had trouble retrieiving a tender as there was a good chop and the ship positioned to provide protection.

All were safely brought back aboard (we used Henry Hudson and Ann Bonny as we were the larger ship that day - well actually, everytime Eurodam is a HMC, she's the largest.) The wind was blowing the ship toward the island, it seemed to DH and me. We were on our veranda watching them trying to bring the tender guests back aboard. As soon as the island tender left, Eurodam was ready to head back to FLL and had to pull anchor. That is when the trouble occured.


The report about the sizeable difference in depth is correct and the anchor pulled down lots of chain to a far depth. As they tried to bring it back up, it could only be raised a certain amount at a time. It doesn't come up very, very quickly though the motor was working fine, we were told. We were still for a while, went very slowly and then started to make speed. I 'heard' stories the anchor was cut but I have no way to say for sure. The ship's info map showed us traveling 21 something knots once we got really underway and arrived back at Port Everglades around 12 'ish. Obviously, I am not a navagator and have no clue about technicalities of sailing a cruise ship. These comments are based on what I understood of what we were told.


The ship's Officers, crew and staff could not have handled providing info, assistance and comfort any better. They did a remarkable job of helping everyone who needed changed flights even if they did not book with HAL air. I heard there may have been a very small number who might have stayed overnight Saturday and will travel home Sunday.

They extended breakfast hours Saturday morning and then served early lunch. Once the ship arrived, it was excellent how fast they got disembarkation going and got the ship cleared. We had planned in advance to stay over in FLL that day and our air tickets were for Sunday so we were probably the least inconvenienced.

Shore staff was outstanding. They got luggage piled into terminal guests on their way quickly.

We were out for dinner when Eurodam sailed but I think she left port around 7 or 8:00. As stated above, this is a chartered cruise and they were collecting all the baggage at next door terminal and suites guests, four star mariners and everyone as they arrived were processed, checked in and ready to board. If my info is correct, they had charter guests checking in and boarding by 3:00 CONGRATULATIONS HAL SHORE OPS for doing a TERRIFIC job with those of us leaving and those coming. These are very experienced, capable people.

Ship's crew, Officers and Staff have to be complimented for their grace under fire, their accessibility and willingness to answer all questions, free internet and telephone for everyone who needed to make alternative arrangements.

HAL was HAL doing what they do so well. Taking good care of their guests.

Lots more about our cruise(s) to follow soon.

[DCParky]

I am on the Eurodam now as we cruise along the coast of Cuba heading to Curacao. It was quite a scene yesterday at the port, but HAL handled getting our cruise passengers checked in and the off going passengers off the ship in a reasonably smooth manner. It was a bit chaotic in Terminal 25 as we tried to check our luggage and get transitioned over to Terminal 26 for check-in. I arrived at the port at 2:00, and we are onboard the ship by 4:00. The amazing thing was that all the rooms were ready when we embarked!! My hats off to the shore staff and shipboard crew of HAL who were able to turn this around so fast. For those of us who suffered a difficult journey to get to Ft. Lauderdale, it had a very happy ending. We left port by 7:00pm, and are now on schedule to arrive in Curacao ontime. Great ship, great crew... it's great to be back onboard!

[Himself]

I am glad to hear postive reports on what happened. I am glad they got everyone back safe and sound. If the ship leave HMC at 4PM they would normally be docked at Port Everglades before 7AM.

Last October I was on the Zuiderdam and we got in before 7AM and the Eurodam was already there.

[DutchByAssociation]

They usually carry a "back-up" anchor on the bow (see pics - center - painted black or white) but those bad boys are not light. I would imagine they would have to use the deck cranes to put the spare in place and then fix/repace the motor that runs the chain

http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/74461_800/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/74461/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg")


http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/613331_800/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/613331/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg")


And as you all could expect, the Eurodam has a spare anchor on her bow as well.

http://www.shipcafe.net/shipcafe/ed/ed_358.jpg

[DutchByAssociation]

They usually carry a "back-up" anchor on the bow (see pics - center - painted black or white) but those bad boys are not light. I would imagine they would have to use the deck cranes to put the spare in place and then fix/repace the motor that runs the chain

http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/74461_800/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/74461/Ship+Photo+Zaandam.jpg")


http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/thumbs/rw/613331_800/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/"http://media.shipspotting.com/uploads/photos/rw/613331/Ship+Photo+Amsterdam.jpg")


And as you all could expect, the Eurodam has a spare anchor on her bow as well.

http://www.shipcafe.net/shipcafe/ed/ed_358.jpg

[queenkarp]

I was a passenger on the Eurodam last week and I was told by one of the ship personnel that one of the anchors (I believe the starboard if it makes a difference to anyone) got hung up on possibly a sandbar while trying to dock with the tender from Half Moon Cay. The captain thought that he could perhaps free the anchor by slowing moving within a small radius, which did not work and eventually the chain to the anchor was cut. The ship was fine to sail with one anchor and a crew would be sent out to "rescue" the severed anchor in HMC.

What I am surprised no one mentioned was the horrendous vibration and noise while the captain was steering the ship around in circles for approximately 3 hours. Turned the last dinner into a shouting match over baked Alaska! I do commend HAL for the efficient and organized disembarkation once we reached Port Everglades. HMC is my favorite private island. If you haven't already, take the horseback riding excursion. Riding bareback in the ocean is a memory you will not soon (if ever) forget!

[JimInBuffalo]

A friend of mine was on the Eurodam and said that they had problems raising the anchor and ended up leaving the island with the anchor dragging behind them. At approx. 2:30 AM they heard a loud racket in the ship. In the morning they were told that the crew cut the anchor loose in order to proceed to Florida.

There was quite a commotion that evening with everyone trying to use the internet cafe or call for Airline changes. The internet got locked up and was useless to many.

My friend had to change flights when he got off of the ship and got back very late. It cost him an additional $500 for the flight. I hope that the trip insurance covers this.

Does anyone know how late the Eurodam was in departing the port on Sat.?

[Vic The Parrot]

Does anyone know how late the Eurodam was in departing the port on Sat.?



According to inletcam.com, at 7pm that evening.

[CruisinManiac]

What I am surprised no one mentioned was the horrendous vibration and noise while the captain was steering the ship around in circles for approximately 3 hours. Turned the last dinner into a shouting match over baked Alaska! I do commend HAL for the efficient and organized disembarkation once we reached Port Everglades. HMC is my favorite private island. If you haven't already, take the horseback riding excursion. Riding bareback in the ocean is a memory you will not soon (if ever) forget!

Too bad that your last dinner was so disruptive. :(

I am surprised that there have not been more passengers coming on this forum and complaining about what the delay did to their flights back home. :rolleyes: I expected the Eurodam problems to be "THE" subject of the week. So far, I have been seeing compliments for what HAL did to help get passengers off the ship in a timely manner, and help revise their travel arrangements. Cudos to HAL! Had this happened on another popular cruiseline or two, there would have been a page long of complaints! :D

[Boytjie]

Please bring it back in time for us to board next Sat. :D

Enjoy!

Dan

We did! :D

[sail7seas]

Welcome Back, Peter.
Hope your cruise was wonderful!

Happy to hear you retrieved the anchor. :)

[Typhoon1]

Despite the late start, a fabulous cruise was had by all.

Many Thanks to Peter for organizing a great Meet & Greet.

[Boytjie]

Welcome Back, Peter.
Hope your cruise was wonderful!

Happy to hear you retrieved the anchor. :)



It was a great cruise but no, I did not retrieve the anchor! When we got to HMC a week later it was cool in the morning and the water was quite cold. I don't do cold water; 20 minutes with the stingrays in a wetsuit was bad enough. :)


Despite the late start, a fabulous cruise was had by all.

Many Thanks to Peter for organizing a great Meet & Greet.

Thanks! Great attendance and it was to see old CC friends and meet the new ones.

I hope to have a review out soon.

[TiogaCruiser]

Okay, just gotta ask.... Did they attach a buoy or other flotation device to the anchor chain so it could be located? Or do they send down a dive team???

[Oslo Dutch]

Despite the late start, a fabulous cruise was had by all.

Many Thanks to Peter for organizing a great Meet & Greet.

Yep this was once again a fabulous RSVP cruise!

The shoreshide staff did a sterling job by getting everybody so fast on the ship. It might have helped a lot that this they had to embark 2000 healthy, mobile and good spirited gay men (and some women) instead of the regular older HAL crowd. Nobody complained and we were all on board within a couple of hours. (at least that's what they told me)

The safety drill was done without life jackets and roll call which made it all more bearable. Is this now common practice on HAL?

I didn't see any signs of a lost anchor at HMC but I suppose it'll be sorted in due time.

[Copper10-8]

....................
I didn't see any signs of a lost anchor at HMC but I suppose it'll be sorted in due time.

That fouled anchor was alledgedly cut off by the crew and is resting somewhere in several hundered (or thousand) feet on the bottom of the Atlantic keeping Jimmie Hoffa company

[D D]

We were also on this cruise and I agree about the noise and almost lurching of the ship when they were trying to start moving. The ride into Fort Lauderdale was very rough and the ship leaned heavily to one side. Our room vibrated all night long and we were on the 8th deck. (we seemed to have this problem throughout the cruise - vibration would wake us up in the middle of the night) There were times that I felt as if we "hopped, skipped and jumped" across the ocean. At one time the Captain said we would be dragging 400 feet of chain behind us. The Eurodam seemed to experience mechanical problems during this cruise. At one point we had to stop for about 20-30 minutes for an propulsion "adjustment". At most elevator locations at least one elevator was out at all times.

HOWEVER, all said, this was a great cruise and we enjoyed it. The crew and staff did an outstanding job trying to meet everyone's needs including those needing airline reservation adjustments due to the late arrival time - they did everything they could to help. The Captain was most apologetic and kept everyone informed. I am sure he did everything he could to make the situation better. This had to be very hard on the housekeeping staff because they had to clean the ship after everyone got off and there was still another group waiting to board. We did not get off until around 2:45 pm.

Everyone did an excellent job of handling this situation. Half Moon Cay is not in the same location as it once was - we drug it about 100 miles with us!!!

[Typhoon1]

The safety drill was done without life jackets and roll call which made it all more bearable. Is this now common practice on HAL?


This change was made sometime last year and is standard practice on all HAL cruises.

Definitely a most welcome change. Although, my DH finds it objectionable for those unfamiliar with life jacket use.

[Copper10-8]

This change was made sometime last year and is standard practice on all HAL cruises.

Definitely a most welcome change. Although, my DH finds it objectionable for those unfamiliar with life jacket use.

I'm with your DH on that one, Typhoon, but we've already crossed that bridge on this fine site;)