Digital Workshops

[Jackiealu]

I have read that HAL offers digital computer workshops on many of the cruises. I am wondering if there is an extra charge for this. I can't locate any fee information. Also, do the workshops fill up fast. How early should someone go that wants to make sure to get in. Any information appreciated on this.
Jackie

[luvs2travl]

HAL offers their Digital Workshops for no extra fee ("free") and they are on a first-come, first-seated basis. They will be advertised in the HAL Newsletter as to day, time, and location on board.

Get there at least 30 minutes early if you expect a seat for that day's class, as they do fill up very quickly.

[Krazy Kruizers]

On some days there were more than one workshop -- the type of work shop will be listed in the daily program.

On our last cruise too many of the workshops were during dinner -- and I really wanted to go to a couple.

[Jackiealu]

Thank you luvs2travel and krazy kruizers, that is exactly the info I was looking for.
You people are awesome.
Happy travels!

[saturn5]

I have taken part in the Digital Workshops on our last 3 or 4 cruses. The last cruise had 3 or 4 classes each day, at different times. Also they offer 1 or 2 sessions of 'techspert' tech help each day. The classes are based on the Windows Live (free) programs. They even show you how to make your own web page. Watch the daily program for classes. There are about 13 different classes being taught.

[E-500]

Have done them on 2 cruises. Information presented and the handouts are excellent. Novices to advanced uses will find value in the classes. The "Tech Time" one on one sessions are great to work on projects or get extra help.

Go early, go often!

[user8]

Like others have said, get there early if you want a seat at one of the computers. If you are late getting there though, there are usually vacant seats where you can sit and follow the presentation from the video screen that the instructor is using.

In any event, the sessions are very worthwhile and you can't beat the price.

[3rdGenCunarder]

On our cruise, I went to just one, the intro to Windows 7, because I was about to buy a new computer. I got there too late to get a computer to practice on, but it didn't matter. I could follow everything she said just by looking at the big screen. Her descriptions and instructions were very clear.

When she took questions, I asked a few and got good answers--since I've had Win 7, I have not discovered anything that contradicts what she told me. I did ask about one small detail and she admitted she didn't know about that. It was a VERY picky question (something I was curious about, not inteded to trip her up), so I didn't mind that she didn't know. In fact, I respect her honesty. I've come across a lot of computer "experts" on ships, and a lot of them knew less than I know (and I'm not an expert), but make stuff up to avoid saying "I don't know."

I will travel with my new Win7 laptop this fall. Does anyone know if I can do the lessons using my own computer? On Veendam, the lessons used laptops, but I didn't check to see if they were hardwired on connected via wireless. Or not connected to each other at all.

[Copper10-8]

HAL currently has Digital Workshops in fourteen of its fifteen ships. The only ship that doesn't have one is Prinsendam due to her longer, world-wide itineraries. On the four "S" and four "R" class ships, the workshop is located inside the former Queens (private) dining room, while on the Vistas and Signatures, it is located in the Stuyvesant room. Great programs for folks who want to learn more about the capabilities of their computer and/or expand their own knowledge and, it's free!

[E-500]

I will travel with my new Win7 laptop this fall. Does anyone know if I can do the lessons using my own computer? On Veendam, the lessons used laptops, but I didn't check to see if they were hardwired on connected via wireless. Or not connected to each other at all.

I believe the ship's laptops are a wireless network thru a router and no you can't use your own computer. The don't want to infect the network and available bandwith were the reasons I was given.

[Mary Ellen]

HAL currently has Digital Workshops in fourteen of its fifteen ships. The only ship that doesn't have one is Prinsendam due to her longer, world-wide itineraries.Gosh - they told us on the Prinsendam it was because they didn't have space. We were also that the area that had been used for the Art Gallery was going to be converted for the Digital Workshop. But what do they know. Thanks for setting the record straight.

[3rdGenCunarder]

I believe the ship's laptops are a wireless network thru a router and no you can't use your own computer. They don't want to infect the network and available bandwith were the reasons I was given.

I've been hearing this for years. Th inability to use any sort of media to download the product of a workshop is why I stopped going to computer workshops on cruises. the HAL presentation on Win 7 was probably the first computer class I've been to in 5 or 6 years.

No matter how good the instruction is, I find that I don't learn anything. They take the group through a process and you make a product--powerpoint, collection of photos, etc. But they won't let me save my "product" on removeable media. By the time I get home to my own computer, I won't remember how I made the "product" in the workshop, and I won't even have the "product" to look at to help me remember. If I could use my own computer, I'd have something to practice with during a little free time on board and I might actually retain some useful info.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Gosh - they told us on the Prinsendam it was because they didn't have space. We were also that the area that had been used for the Art Gallery was going to be converted for the Digital Workshop. But what do they know. Thanks for setting the record straight.

Do you mean the gallery for the art in the auction? They were going to replace something so important and esssential to the cruise just for some silly little computers?? :rolleyes:

[Copper10-8]

Gosh - they told us on the Prinsendam it was because they didn't have space. We were also that the area that had been used for the Art Gallery was going to be converted for the Digital Workshop. But what do they know. Thanks for setting the record straight.

Hey thanks Mary Ellen!:) You know, there's nothing like getting updated info from the horsey's mouth! Any trays in the Lido of that fabulous ship or did you do As You Wish dining?

[Mary Ellen]

Do you mean the gallery for the art in the auction? They were going to replace something so important and esssential to the cruise just for some silly little computers?? :rolleyes:It was completely empty - NO 'art', no auctions. It was WONDERFUL!

[3rdGenCunarder]

It was completely empty - NO 'art', no auctions. It was WONDERFUL!

WOW! I can only hope that is a change that will spread.

[CapKAOS]

Here is some info on the digital workshops that you may not have seen:

http://haldigitalworkshop.spaces.live.com/

You can access the handouts too. This link can be changed by substituting the name of the ship you are sailing on:

http://mseurodam.spaces.live.com/

I took my own laptop and was able to follow most of the stuff on it. On the Westerdam there was enough seats that one could share a computer with someone.

Hope this will help...

[tcook052]

Good to hear there's plenty of instruction for novices as sadly I still am one and want to learn how to organize and display my pictures online. Thanks for the input. :)

[funlovin'cruiser]

HAL currently has Digital Workshops in fourteen of its fifteen ships. The only ship that doesn't have one is Prinsendam due to her longer, world-wide itineraries. On the four "S" and four "R" class ships, the workshop is located inside the former Queens (private) dining room, while on the Vistas and Signatures, it is located in the Stuyvesant room. Great programs for folks who want to learn more about the capabilities of their computer and/or expand their own knowledge and, it's free!

If this is off the HAL website, it's not right. I just got off the Noordam and the DW was in the old "smoking room" on deck 2 aft, starboard side next just outside the dining room.

For the poster that was all upset about not being able to connect their own laptop - it's because Microsoft actually has to pay the internet provider on board (on most lines it's MTN) for each of the lines that it uses. The internet connection requires logging in as a user. If you were to connect your computer to the ethernet cords there, the system would not recognize you as a user unless you had the password. I don't know why you just couldn't use their computers and then save everything that you had worked on to 1. a flash drive/USB stick (which is allowed), 2. your camera memory card (which is allowed) or 3. a Window's sky drive which the Techspert can show you how to set up. It doesn't sound to me like you really have a valid excuse other than most people who just want free internet. Our Techspert, Brent, explained on board just last week that that's the reason most people want to use their own, considering that they can save everything and easily transfer it over to their own computer.

[Iafarmer]

We bought a flash drive in Juneau to save our project on for this very reason.
The techspert tries to make sure you go thru the process--hands on, and gives you handouts so you can know just how to do it at home. Plus, he had us make a personal DVD to bring home of our trip, so we would actually have a finished product. Billy burned ours & had it delivered to our room in the middle of the night before disembarkation!
Upon return home, I was able to follow his handout directions and actually make my own DVD and "erase" people from photos, which he showed us how to do.
I was almost glad it was foggy outside so we didn't feel so guilty spending so much time in the Digital Workshop!

[GeriatricNurse]

Have done them on 2 cruises. Information presented and the handouts are excellent. Novices to advanced uses will find value in the classes. The "Tech Time" one on one sessions are great to work on projects or get extra help.

Go early, go often!


Handouts are no longer being done in the Digital Workshops! If you want the material, you have to download it yourself, (of course, at your own cost)! Much like the printing of your e-docs and luggage tags!:mad:

[Krazy Kruizers]

If this is off the HAL website, it's not right. I just got off the Noordam and the DW was in the old "smoking room" on deck 2 aft, starboard side next just outside the dining room.

.

You are correct in the location of the Digital Workshop on the Noordam -- the old smoking room.

And I am trying to think back -- I think on the Zuiderdam that it is also located in the old smoking room.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Okay -- I went and pulled out my old Daily Programs.

The Digitial Workshop is located on Deck 2 Aft - Portside -- on the Noordam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam.

Haven't been on the Oosterdam in years.

In 2008 when we were on the Eurodam the Digital Workshop was located in the Stuyvesant Room. I do not know if it has been moved.

[funlovin'cruiser]

Handouts are no longer being done in the Digital Workshops! If you want the material, you have to download it yourself, (of course, at your own cost)! Much like the printing of your e-docs and luggage tags!:mad:


Untrue. I have mine sitting right in front of me from the Noordam last week. Maybe they were having a printing problem on your cruise - but you are wrong.

[Ship Buddy]

On a previous HAL cruise the Windows Digital Workshop instructor allowed us to use the large computer monitors to share photos of the adventure with a dozen-or-so ship mates in an exclusive ‘after-hours’ gathering. For a couple hours we had a fabulous time, each of us taking turns showing pictures. (We brought a bottle of wine also for the instructor who of course stayed to monitor use of the equipment. He enjoyed the party.) It was such a good experience we recommended it be available to all passengers to use when display equipment is idle, PERHAPS even the side screens in Franz Halls Lounge (Now wouldn't THAT be fun. ;)) A new Digital Workshop instructor has a different take on allowing passengers to share images of their travels ashore using Workshop monitors. Has anyone else had luck sharing travel images using equipment aboard their HAL ship? :confused:

[tcook052]

Should this rank novice who boards the Eurodam in a few days invest in a USB flash drive/memory stick? I will be travelling with my Canon digital camera with a memory card but am not that advanced to tell how many megabites (or whatever) it is.

[Ship Buddy]

Yes, I would recommend getting extra memory, of BOTH types, for insurance and for extra memory capacity. Who know how many photo treasures you may want to keep those happing cruising memories fresh. Besides, digital memory becomes cheaper every day! It is cheap insurance. So always set your camera to take pictures at the maximum size. You can always shrink the images later if for some reason (which I think is unlikely) it is necessary. Cheers,

[jayteeaitch]

After searching for a while I found this thread which appears to be the latest - but looking for up to date info

The question I have is - during the workshops can we download our own stuff into a Flash drive/passport.

I intend to take quite a lot of photos of my cruise and peripheral days - but I also want to take quite a bit of HD video as well - which chews up memory capacity like mad.

I don't really want to buy a multitude of SD cards -or limited flash drives - and I thought I would bring along a small passport hard drive - and keep downloading from the camera to that - but I can't find a drive that will do that - so I have to go thro a computer and the drive uses the computers power.

What do those who have done these workshop RECENTLY think would be best - will I find that this is allowed during the sessions.

[RAJKR74]

After searching for a while I found this thread which appears to be the latest - but looking for up to date info

The question I have is - during the workshops can we download our own stuff into a Flash drive/passport.

I intend to take quite a lot of photos of my cruise and peripheral days - but I also want to take quite a bit of HD video as well - which chews up memory capacity like mad.

I don't really want to buy a multitude of SD cards -or limited flash drives - and I thought I would bring along a small passport hard drive - and keep downloading from the camera to that - but I can't find a drive that will do that - so I have to go thro a computer and the drive uses the computers power.

What do those who have done these workshop RECENTLY think would be best - will I find that this is allowed during the sessions.

We were on the Westerdam in April and the Amsterdam in July and went to many of the classes. Each laptop computer has a SD card reader slot and numerous USB ports that will allow you to transfer from your SD card to to the Passport hard drive with no problems. You can do this during the techspert class time. We saw a number of people with external hard drives and they probably were doing just that. They don't let you use the internet in the class unless it is for class instruction during class.

Do take some of the classes, I always learn something new in them. Frank the tech on the Amsterdam was one of the best we have seen. He even took time to help a passenger who could not read an SD card full of pictures on his camera or on the computer. This indicated that the card was unreadable and he may have lost the pictures. Frank took the SD card went on line with a program that recovered 90% of the pictures. Boy was that passenger happy! Frank went way overboard to help.

I just enjoyed going to a class and listening because he was a wealth of knowledge and could usually answer all questions fired at him.

[Nancyquilts]

HAL currently has Digital Workshops in fourteen of its fifteen ships. The only ship that doesn't have one is Prinsendam due to her longer, world-wide itineraries. On the four "S" and four "R" class ships, the workshop is located inside the former Queens (private) dining room, while on the Vistas and Signatures, it is located in the Stuyvesant room. Great programs for folks who want to learn more about the capabilities of their computer and/or expand their own knowledge and, it's free!
That's too bad if Prinsendam has changed since May. We had great classes on the African/Mediterranean cruise this spring. ( A much better use of the Art salesroom).

[Krazy Kruizers]

That's too bad if Prinsendam has changed since May. We had great classes on the African/Mediterranean cruise this spring. ( A much better use of the Art salesroom).

The person you quoted posted that information about 1 1/2 years ago.

If you saw the digital work shop when you sailed on the Prinsendam -- than it was porbably added since that time.

[Nancyquilts]

The person you quoted posted that information about 1 1/2 years ago.

If you saw the digital work shop when you sailed on the Prinsendam -- than it was porbably added since that time.
Wouldn't it be nice if some of us would note the dates??????????:o

[Mary Ellen]

The information quoted was also incorrect (even 1.5 years ago). It wasn't her worldwide itineraries that prevented the Prinsendam from having the Digital Workshop. There are other ships in the fleet that also sail Grand Voyages, and to other ports worldwide, that somehow managed to offer this despite the claimed cause. :rolleyes:

The Prinsendam once lacked the space to offer the Digital Workshop. When HAL ended the art auctions, the 'art gallery' space was converted into the Digital Workshop.

[Copper10-8]

No, it wasn't Prinsendam's world wide itineraries; Hey, what does HAL know;)

Seattle, WA, January 12, 2008 – Holland America Line announced today the roll-out schedule for its popular Microsoft Digital Workshops. The successful program begun last April has already been implemented on five of the ships, ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Eurodam and ms Noordam. Installation on 12 of the 14 ships will be completed by May 27, 2009. While ms :)Prinsendam:) and ms Rotterdam are not currently scheduled for implementation :eek:due to itinerary lengths:eek:, Holland America Line aims to ultimately apply the program to the entire fleet.

[Mary Ellen]

In Aug. 2010, when the incorrect information was posted, the Prinsendam was scheduled to get the Digital Workshop. I'm sorry you relied on out of date (over 2 years) information.

[Copper10-8]

The reason, Dear! The reason she and Rotterdam didn't get a DW at the same time as the other ships, was due to her "intinirary lengths". Tag, you're up!;)

[jayteeaitch]

Shall I start a new thread to get a few more answers on my question:rolleyes:

Anybody been on the Zaandam lately - and tried the workshops.:confused: