All Guests and Crew Aboard Nieuw Amsterdam Will Bless Bell and Become Part of Ship

[DutchByAssociation]

What does everyone think of the bell blessing and the way that the guests will become a permanent piece of the ship?

My thoughts:
Incredible!

[May4]

I like knowing I'll get to see the wall of signatures when I sail on the Nieuw Amsterdam someday.

I think having the dedication ceremony indoors makes a whole lot of sense.

Do you know where the dedication wall will be placed after it's prepared for display?

[kayzmarie]

I'm jealous!!! Have 3 cruises booked on her (Dec 5 & Dec 12, 2010 plus Oct 27, 2011) - just wish one of them started today!

[DutchByAssociation]

I like knowing I'll get to see the wall of signatures when I sail on the Nieuw Amsterdam someday.

I think having the dedication ceremony indoors makes a whole lot of sense.

Do you know where the dedication wall will be placed after it's prepared for display?


If I had to guess right now, I would say in a very large empty space? :)

I'm going to try and find out.

[sail7seas]

I had to think about it for a few minutes, of course, as it is so meaningful to us but as I give it thought, I like it. I initially had to acclimate to the break from a special tradition but things change and times call for changes. Like many new concepts, the traditionalists need a moment to get used to it.

What matters most is Nieuw Amsterdam's Bell be blessed and her crew sail safely and guests have our wonderfully special HAL cruises on the newest ship in the fleet.

She looks to be a very beautiful ship and we are definitely making a booking on her and will visit her bell (as we do on All HAL ships.) :)

[rich_cathybrock]

I think it is a wonderful idea! How lovely for all the lucky passengers aboard her innaugural! I would think it would be a lot of fun to go back and visit your signature again (and again and again)!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I like the idea and wish I could be on the ship right now :o

[Ocean Travler]

Interesting approach to a long standing tradition

Really don't know the last time any HAL ship actually sailed without having the Bell formally blessed at the dedication ceremony by the Mariner Ambassadors and Captain together

Somewhat innovative having the entire compliment of pax sign the wall

But, I'm still wondering .. when will the Bell actually be blessed and by whom

In any event, it was a beautiful (albeit very scaled down) ceremony

[mamaofami]

What does everyone think of the bell blessing and the way that the guests will become a permanent piece of the ship?

My thoughts:
Incredible!

I love the idea of the passengers signing the wall. I bet severyone who sails that ship will go to see who signed it.:)

[Two@Sea]

I had to think about the break from tradition for a while also. While I like the idea of the passengers (and crew?) signing a wall, and having the opportunity to bless the Bell as they pass by...

I would have MUCH preferred that the Bell be formally blessed AT the Dedication Ceremony by Mariner Ambassadors, and then have the new wall signings and blessings (two days from now?) as a wonderful new addition to the traditional ceremonies. JMO.

[COLLEYBERRY]

Sail...am I remembering correctly...didn't you have the honor of taking part in the blessing of the ship's bell for one of the Hal fleet.??

[Ine]

Great idea.
Especially since it refers to those soldiers on board Nieuw Amsterdam during WWII and left their names behind.