Naturalist on AK cruises?

[funcorn]

Does HAL have a naturalist on their AK cruises? We're going on Rotterdam in Sept. & wondered if one was assigned to the cruise. Thanks

[VAtravelers100]

I was wondering the same thing. We're going on the Zuiderdam in July. There is a thread on the Alaska board raving about naturalists on other cruiselines.

[nchank]

There was one on the Rotterdam last week at Hubbard Glacier.

[alexandria]

From what I understand and have recently read, they now have a "travel guide". What does that mean? According to HAL's website: The travel guide will host lectures and be a one-stop source for information on the various ports of call. A destination expert, the travel guide will be available throughout the cruise to interact with guests on a one-on-one basis, answer questions, and give presentations on the destination’s history, culture and geography. On Grand Voyages and on ms Prinsendam, rotating guest speakers fill the role of travel guide.As far as their qualifications, I don't know if the "travel guide" on the Alaska cruises is a naturalist or someone that was selected from the entertainment department...maybe someone else would know (perhaps DBA)?

[trvlcrzy]

During our Ryndam cruise to Alaska (July 2009), we had a native Alaskan who spoke about culture, art and history of the various cultures in the ports of call. We had Moses, who is an artist as well (native masks).

On our Ryndam cruise from Tampa (April 2010), we had a wild and crazy guy who served as the port expert (not the same as the shopping expert). He presented with the shore excursions manager to discuss the history of the ports of call (his wasn't just a sales pitch).

These port experts are part of the "Explorations Team" (including also the party planner, the DJ, the techspert, the cruise director, Club HAL/Teen staff...)

At Hubbard Glacier, we had a representative from the National Park Service who boarded the ship to do the narration. He had a native of the nearby village (can't remember the name) with him. They handed off the narration back and forth to one another.

[CowPrincess]

On our Ryndam cruise from Tampa (April 2010), we had a wild and crazy guy who served as the port expert

Ron? :D I think that was the name of the travel expert we had on Ryndam for the W. Carib. "Wild & crazy" makes me think it was the same fellow.

We had Moses in Alaska as travel expert, too, as well as a Park Ranger (or maybe 2???) for Glacier Bay.

[alpal1993]

This same question was asked on the 14 Night Alaskan cruises on Amsterdam.We are still awaiting an answer from those onboard the first sailing now.

[DizzyDallasDi]

From what I understand and have recently read, they now have a "travel guide". What does that mean? According to HAL's website: As far as their qualifications, I don't know if the "travel guide" on the Alaska cruises is a naturalist or someone that was selected from the entertainment department...maybe someone else would know (perhaps DBA)?

On my May 2009 Alaska cruise on Zuiderdam, we had a "travel guide" who gave lectures about Alaska's history, etc. in the theater. He was onboard the ship the whole week and worked various other jobs when not lecturing. We also had a park ranger board the ship in Glacier Bay who "walked" us through the area and what we were seeing. Neither of these people were a "naturalist" and I don't think HAL has any real "naturalists" that board or are onboard for Alaska cruises.

[CowPrincess]

On my May 2009 Alaska cruise on Zuiderdam, we had a "travel guide" who gave lectures about Alaska's history, etc. in the theater. He was onboard the ship the whole week and worked various other jobs when not lecturing. We also had a park ranger board the ship in Glacier Bay who "walked" us through the area and what we were seeing. Neither of these people were a "naturalist" and I don't think HAL has any real "naturalists" that board or are onboard for Alaska cruises.

HAL did, a long time ago, have marine biologists and such onboard for Alaska. I was fortunate to have one on my first cruise to Alaska. He had a diehard group of us on deck EVERY morning (5 a.m.-ish) as we cruised by areas known to have "resident" humpbacks. We were all frozen and exhausted every day :) but we saw more whales than anyone else onboard.

[MysticalMagic]

This is really too bad that they cut back on this, what I consider, essential part of the Alaskan cruise.

[Jimsedge]

Does HAL have a naturalist on their AK cruises? We're going on Rotterdam in Sept. & wondered if one was assigned to the cruise. Thanks

No, I think everyone wears clothes:):confused::D

[Cruz'n Couple]

We had park ranger on our Ryndam (sailing May 9), and there was a lady onboard who was a native, I think, but we missed lots of the narration--were in the wrong place at the wrong time, I guess. I know others really enjoyed it--we had been in Glacier Bay before, so were just noticing the changes to the glaciers, rather than listening, I think.

[alexandria]

HAL did, a long time ago, have marine biologists and such onboard for Alaska. I was fortunate to have one on my first cruise to Alaska. He had a diehard group of us on deck EVERY morning (5 a.m.-ish) as we cruised by areas known to have "resident" humpbacks. We were all frozen and exhausted every day :) but we saw more whales than anyone else onboard.

Was it George Costanza? I understand he is a marine biologist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omi7wePRrGA

[CowPrincess]

Was it George Costanza? I understand he is a marine biologist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omi7wePRrGA

The marine biologist we had on board looked nothing like George :) :eek: :D