Welcome Home, Sail7Seas!!

[HeatherInFlorida]

If my mindclock isn't completely out of whack, it's about that time for Sail7Seas to return home to hearth and fire.

Sail, I want to welcome you home and let you know you were missed. But you've been away during a time that the boards have been very difficult to access so you haven't missed too much because it was hard to get on to post!!!

So, welcome back and when you've come down to earth from what I hope was a wonderful experience, please tell us all about it! http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201e05b9a/01

[Sage]

Welcome home Sail. I hope that you had a wonderful cruise.

[adamsmark]

Shouldn't you be welcoming home everybody who has been cruising? I enjoy hearing everybodys storys and they all have valuable tales to tell, no? I love this message place and read a lot more than I post, but sometimes it seems to be more for some people than others. :confused:

[HeatherInFlorida]

Yes, of course I welcome home everyone:) . But I don't know everyone who's coming home this weekend. That would take more research than I have the time for right now.

Sail is a valuable member of this board who has contributed an enormous amount and I particularly wanted to welcome her home. If there is someone who you feel has helped you personally, I wish you would welcome them as well.

[adamsmark]

I'd take it to email and I know others here who feel the same. ;)

[boards]

Welcome back from us to, we are all waiting to hear from you. We hope that all is well and that the cruise was an enjoyable experience.

[tommy]

I'd take it to email and I know others here who feel the same. ;)
I felt the same way just wasnt going to say it.This board is becoming a chat board. TOM

[HeatherInFlorida]

Adamsmark and Tommy: I'm going to try to explain this thread another way. Many of us are very anxious to hear how Sail felt about her recent cruise. She has cruised HAL many, many times and so we are interested to hear how she felt this cruise measured up to past cruises. If you follow these boards regularly you probably know there have been many threads and posts about people disappointed in HAL recently. As a loyal HAL cruiser, I believe Sail's opinions are very important.

Many on this board feel the same way and this thread is my way of soliciting her feelings. I don't have her email address since I am not a personal friend of hers.

You will see on another thread that Grumpy and Slinkie are sharing their current experience on the Prisendam and many of us are very interested in that as well. This is not a personal note to Sail. It is of interest to everyone.

[ekerr19]

I felt the same way just wasnt going to say it.This board is becoming a chat board. TOM

Gee, you think? ;) What else is it supposed to be? How can you complain about cruise related topics, such as welcoming someone home from their much anticipated cruise.

If you don't like the topic, simply move on.

[ekerr19]

Shouldn't you be welcoming home everybody who has been cruising? I enjoy hearing everybodys storys and they all have valuable tales to tell, no? I love this message place and read a lot more than I post, but sometimes it seems to be more for some people than others. :confused:

Well, get in there and post and get to know others if you feel it "is more for some than others!"

Those of you objecting to someone welcoming home a fellow cruiser and CC poster are just too much.

Again, if you don't like the topic, it's not that hard to change the page to another thread.

[ekerr19]

Oh, and by the way - Welcome home Sail! Hope you had a great cruise, we can't wait to hear all about it. :)

[jhannah]

Heather, dear lady, you do not have to answer to anyone for your posts but the forum moderators. And for the record, I'm also interested to hear Sail's feelings about her cruise.

[localady]

I have a theory that it's been a full moon!!!:eek:

Welcome Home S7S! Can't wait to hear how you enjoyed your cruise!:cool:

[gizmo]

Maybe it is a full moon, but I see their point.

If people want to do the welcome routine, why not welcome everyone back?
Dramamama was on the same cruise and has posted some comments on a thread started by Tommy "Veendam". Why not welcome her also?

I feel everyone's comments are important. First time cruisers, second time cruisers and those with many cruises.

[tommy]

Heather,I dont think she needs to be asked she has well over 5000 post,and I did not have anything against your posting.Ekerr if you dont like a reply you could have not replied also right. No big deal.It does seem the people with the most post have a one sided opinion,and are very confrontational with those who dont agree.I know this is getting way off topic and I will stop.Welcome back to everyone off the Veendam we are booked on her in Oct. TOM

[SANDY BEACH]

I would like to welcome S7S home also. She has answered many questions I have had in the past and I value her reviews. S7S, hope your trip was filled with much pampering and relaxation for you and your DH. Now tell us all the many details of your cruise. Can't wait to hear.

[dakrewser]

I'd take it to email and I know others here who feel the same. ;)

Last I looked there was no requirement that you read every thread. But if there are others you'd like to welcome back, then start a thread and do so - no one will stop you...

You too, Tommy - you can start any thread you'd like, and so can Heather.

[dakrewser]

Maybe it is a full moon, but I see their point.

If people want to do the welcome routine, why not welcome everyone back?
Dramamama was on the same cruise and has posted some comments on a thread started by Tommy "Veendam". Why not welcome her also?

If you want to welcome "everyone" back, go ahead and do so. I don't know Dramamama; I'd feel uncomfortable offering a welcome home to someone I've never had an exchange with.

-dave

[iluvcruzin]

Tommy - I understand your point of view and don't disagree. It does seem silly when selected posters are made out to be like a celebrity with fan-fare welcome homes and bon voyages. The thing is.. the HAL board doesn't get much action like the other cruiseline boards. A few of the regulars have become friends. As such.. because there is no Private Messaging, this is the only forum they have for communication. I would encorage anyone who thinks a Private Message feature for this board would be good to let the webmasters know. In the meantime while there isn't such feature just skip to the next topic.

Welcome home everyone who just came back from their recent voyages. I hope you all had smooth sailings and a positive experience.

[adamsmark]

..... A few of the regulars have become friends. As such.. because there is no Private Messaging, this is the only forum they have for communication....


This is really not the only forum for communication between posters. When personal relationships develop on a board then that is the time to take it to email. I read this board a whole lot and have learned so much, but this is not the first time this subject of personal posts has come up, most often involving some of the same people. I think emailing is what most people who have been active on a board like this for a long time do to continue their conversations. Sorry if I was 'out of line' for speaking up when I don't have thousands of posts. :eek:

[SANDY BEACH]

Sail, Wait till you read these replies. You will be shocked that your return has caused so much attention. You are a true celebrity. Now, on with the review.

[gizmo]

This is really not the only forum for communication between posters. When personal relationships develop on a board then that is the time to take it to email. I read this board a whole lot and have learned so much, but this is not the first time this subject of personal posts has come up, most often involving some of the same people. I think emailing is what most people who have been active on a board like this for a long time do to continue their conversations. Sorry if I was 'out of line' for speaking up when I don't have thousands of posts. :eek:

I don't think you are out of line at all. You are entitled to your views just as others feel they are entitled to theirs.
Yes, this subject has come up and I do agree there are times that there is too much personal chit chat that does not belong on the board. I think email should be used for those types of conversations.

[HeatherInFlorida]

For those who missed it, may I reiterate ... I don't know Sail personally, I do not have her email address ... this is not a personal post. This is a "welcome home", tell us about your trip thread. I'm sad that a few of you have chosen to spoil it.
Incidently, if you visit the Celebrity boards (the only other board I read) you will see many, many very personal threads that have absolutely nothing to do with cruising.

This does. this is not "personal". Please let it be.

[RuthC]

A regular poster makes a nice (cruise-related) gesture to greet another regular poster and gets criticized for not mentioning others?????:eek:

Doesn't this sound a little bit petty? :(

If anyone has a problem with any given thread or post, instead of criticizing, the little "alert" triangle can be used to notify the moderators. The hosts can decide what stays or goes.

[jimmy2x]

Ruth C. - I do not believe it either. It seems that we have become a society of the easily offended. The whines would be laughable if not so pitiful.

[dakrewser]

This is really not the only forum for communication between posters. When personal relationships develop on a board then that is the time to take it to email. I read this board a whole lot and have learned so much, but this is not the first time this subject of personal posts has come up, most often involving some of the same people. I think emailing is what most people who have been active on a board like this for a long time do to continue their conversations. Sorry if I was 'out of line' for speaking up when I don't have thousands of posts. :eek:

Could you please edxplain why this thread is so offensive to you? Are you unable to simply pass it by (as I pass by dozens of threads every day?). Could you explain how to email someone whose address you do not have?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I really don't care what others think, WELCOME HOME SAIL!!!!!

Yes, this is a MESSAGE BOARD and YES many of us have become friends just like any other board. We just all happen to love cruising and especially this cruise line. If you stick around long enough you too will get to be friends with us:) Cruise Critics has disabled being able to get emails of fellow members so in many cases this is the only way we do have to communicate. Like Dave said if a thread does not interest someone they DO NOT have to read the thread. There are many threads I do not read.

Sail I am so sorry this had to happen on what was a very gracious thought by Heather, if she had not done it I had planned to do it this evening when I returned from being out and about. As a matter of fact I think I have done it for Sail myself in the past and others, why should it suddenly be a problem???:confused: And quess what!!! I am sure one of us will do it for KK next weekend. Probably me because I am really interested in hearing about the second half of their cruise doing the Western Caribbean on the Westerdam and their cabin is just 2 doors down from where we will be.

Again, Welcome Home Sail, you were miss!!!!


Also Welcome anyone else that just arrived home:)

[cruznon]

I find the welcome home greetings to those who are "regulars" a great way to open conversations about recent cruises experiences.

If I get on a thread and I have no interest, I move on. I haven't posted that much here. (My first HAL cruise is next month.) I have enjoyed the back-and-forth chatter. It's made me feel that my choice for a cruise on HAL was a good one--I like the friendly atmosphere on this board.
E-mailing is cold and formal--this is spontaneous fun. If you don't enjoy the personal chatting...find another informative thread.

We don't all get a specific "welcome home".
I'm a relative newbie to these boards and it's understandable that those who've been on these boards a bit, do greet each other. (Shocking!)

When I recently posted my excitement about my docs arrival, I had a big smile when I heard from many on this board. :)

This isn't all just about choosing cabins, dining times and shore excursions!

Oh, yeah...
"WELCOME HOME S7S!" :D

[dramamama]

I, too, was on the cruise with Sail and unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to meet her. I always enjoyed reading her posts as I am new to HAL. She has helped many of us along the way. I'm sure I passed her many times on that 12 day cruise. One of the best features of the Veendam is its small size. We made many friends and ran into the same people each day. I am completely sold on HAL. It offers so much more than my previous cruises on Princess and Celebrity in terms of service, refinement, quality of food, room service options and stateroom size. These are the things that are important to me. I feel that Princess has better entertainment but I've been around theatre all my life and I enjoy anyone who takes the stage to make our evening a bit more enjoyable.

Welcome home Sail and all others lucky enough to be on a HAL cruise recently!!!

[Aussie Gal]

Sail,

Welcome back to the Board. We are looking forward to hearing all about the cruise and your experiences on the Veendam. We are looking to sailing on her in September, 2006 so am very interested in what you have to say about her.;)

Jennie

[SHayesShip]

WELCOME HOME SAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES, this is a chat Board. YES, I get a lot of info from here. NO, I will not take it to e-mail.
I am VERY interested in what Sail has to say about her cruise since I am going on a traditional 10 day cruise with HAL shortly.

Steve Hayes

[Ziggy7]

Welcome home Sail!!!

I take offence to the implication this is a personal board, myself and many others wish bon voyage to those who has let it be known when they are crusing, we welcome home and enjoy reading their reviews, and say so. Which is alot more than the complainers to this thread do, so before you critisize someone's posts get your facts straight.
I'm sorry if this offends anyone but this is the silliest objection I have seen in a long time, with all that has been going on in this world lately, more of us should be thankful we still have a home, computer, and this board to share on.:)

Welcome home dramamama as well, glad you enyoyed your cruise :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

........I'm sorry if this offends anyone but this is the silliest objection I have seen in a long time, with all that has been going on in this world lately, more of us should be thankful we still have a home, computer, and this board to share on.http://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/smile.gif .......

Ziggy, I just have to tell you this is so well said. Thank you. What is life, really, without just a few "personal" toucheshttp://boards2.cruisecritic.com/images/smilies/redface.gif ?

I have learned that Sail is safely home and I'm sure she'll post soon. Dramamama, so glad you had such a great time and welcome home. Having cruised as much as I have I don't have a lot of specific questions about embarkation and dining times, but I do so love reading everyone's reviews of their experiences. Between cruises I live vicariously through all of your cruises.

[lipoppop]

Today when we honor a man who dedicated and gave his life so that this could be a better country and all people could live like brothers and sisters can't we put this petty bickering to rest?

[ekerr19]

Ekerr if you dont like a reply you could have not replied also right. No big deal.TOM

tommy- Sorry, but I just had to say something - this is just so silly to me. These "welcome home" and "bon voyage" threads have been a part of this board for a very long time - a lot longer than I've been posting. What is so offensive about them? I enjoy reading who is leaving and coming home. I don't always get a chance to post on those threads - but I do enjoy them.

To object when a person posts "can't wait to hear about your cruise" by telling them to "take it to email" defeats the whole purpose of the board - which IS sharing information & experience.

dramamama - welcome home as well, I'm glad to hear you had a great cruise on HAL, I look forward to hearing more about it.

[Lisa63]

sail, assuming you've made it all the way down to this post... Welcome Home! I am eager to hear your impressions of Veendam as to how it compared to your last cruise on this ship three years ago.

And welcome home, Dramamama! Glad to hear you enjoyed the same cruise. I was sold immediately on HAL, too. :)

[elmorejj]

Lipoppop, thank you, very well said.....jean :cool:

[sail7seas]

Thank you, Heather, and everyone who posted such nice messages. I am sorry they annoyed some folks.


We enjoyed our cruise as well as our stay in Tampa. I surely will write a lengthy review which includes many, many kudos and praises as well as a few disappointments.

I contracted Norwalk Virus which broke out on the ship toward the end of the cruise. I have strong opinion as to how and why I got it. My opinion involves selfish and inconsiderate FELLOW PAX who refused to remain in quarantine despite being strenuously requested to do so in order to keep others healthy and to prevent the spread of the virus.

I'll be back in a few days after I get us organized at home to tell........the rest of the story.

[Ziggy7]

ok Sail, take your time and get well. So sorry to hear you got sick, glad it was atleast at the end!:)

[ekerr19]

Sail-

Sorry to hear you contracted Norwalk virus. I hope you are feeling better and are back to 100% soon. I look forward to hearing all about this cruise.

[cruznon]

Welcome home Sail. Take care of yourself. We all look forward to hearing about your cruise when you feel better.

[jhannah]

Get well soon, ma'am. I know it wasn't a fun experience for your getaway. I'm always amazed at folks who don't have the sense to keep to themselves when they're contagious. It's so thoughtless and inconsiderate ... whether it's on a cruise ship or at work/school.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Sail, so glad you are home safe. I am so sorry to hear you got ill. We want you to start feeling better really quick, get organized. We look forward to hearing your full report. Thanks,

[HeatherInFlorida]

Good to hear from you, Sail:D . And again, welcome home. Really looking forward to hearing all about it when you've gotten all your ducks on the homefront in a row.

Enjoy the snowy North.

[flamingogal]

MARCIA, MARCIA, MARCIA !!!!! (Jan said it best!)


I'm home too, and we had a wonderful time on the Westerdam!

[Vic The Parrot]

Welcome back


Sorry to hear about the virus.
Hope you're feeling better


vic

[pollux]

Sails, sorry you got sick. I hope I can stay away next week from sick PAX who insist on spreading the virus.
I think I have to tell them off. And not in a nice way either.
Anyway welcome home and get well soon.

[bellebaby]

Do they charge for an infirmary visit if you go for Norwalk treatment?

[lcruiser]

Welcome back Sail7seas, hope you are feeling better by now. Looking forward to your review. HAL is definitely changing, some for the good, some so so and some not good.

[bepsf]

http://www.rtx1.com/whoo/i-who/1972bw.jpg
S7S - Get well soon!

Welcome home everyone!!!

[bepsf]

Do they charge for an infirmary visit if you go for Norwalk treatment?

You bring up a good point - does anyone happen to know?

[Oceanwench]

Glad you are back, Sail.
I don't know you personally, but you are one of the people whose posts I always read.
And I have missed you!

And Heather ... you are another whose posts I enjoy!
Glad you started this thread.

[jhannah]

Brian, I seem to remember someone mentioning that they were charged for an infirmary visit for treating the virus. Hopefully someone with first-hand experience can confirm one way or the other.

[Sandycruise]

Today when we honor a man who dedicated and gave his life so that this could be a better country and all people could live like brothers and sisters can't we put this petty bickering to rest?

That statement deserves to be repeated. For goodness sakes!

[JDee]

On the Amsterdam 11/02 cruise, DW was a victim on day 7 of the 10 day cruise. That was the arrival day in St.Thomas which required attendance with immigration & wife too ill to participate. Called for front desk for guidance. In no time at all, nurse arrived, made prelim diagnosis, said Dr. would be up shortly & was, injection provided, litter of some liquid told to start consuming & to remain in cabin until further notice.

To make a long story short, was disembarked, taken to hotel, arrangements made for return flight to Tampa. Capt provided letter to disembark, HAL would refund entire cost of cruise, pick up tab for all food, lodging, misc expenses & 25 percent voucher for next cruise. There were at least 15 or 20 of us in the same situation in St. Thomas....

While in cabin, authorized to use phone as desired at no cost and no charge for medical services.

That 2002 was a very bad period, HAL & Disney both cancelled entire cruises to have ship decontaminated, rebooked or refunded pax monies, etc., a real mess......

It took a while, but HAL came through with the promised refund, etc....

Since that time, probably due to the cost, to the best of my knowledge, pax are no longer disembarked at the foreign ports, but required to stay in their cabins until OK'd to leave, and just continue to be miserable for the rest of the cruise until return to home port....It took DW at least another week or 10 days to feel back to normal......

Happy cruising....

[Vicar]

Sail,

Been away a few days and just saw this thread.

So sorry to hear you are sick, hope you are feeling better very soon, I am also looking foward to your review.

take care and feel better

:)