Does Holland lines do "behind the scenes"ship tours?

[scrapbags]

Can anyone tell me if Holland does any tours of the ship? I know that there are a couple of cruiselines that have tours that you pay for and I am hoping Holland has that also. Also, if they do, can anyone tell me what areas of the ship are included on the tour? Thanks!:D

[catl331]

See http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1359726

[Sage]

The Noordam offered one on our February 6th sailing. The cost is $150 per person.

[KirkNC]

They do free tours of the galley on sea days.

Kirk

[kazu]

From what I have read, sign up for it on day on as they only allow around 12 people and it does sell out quickly. It's on my to do list on day one (assuming it's offered on our ship).

[aussiedisneyfan]

On our recent Volendam cruise, not only did the offer the usual Galley Tour they also had one for the supplies storage and laundry area. It was really interesting and free of charge.

[doncarlos]

Can anyone tell me if Holland does any tours of the ship? I know that there are a couple of cruiselines that have tours that you pay for and I am hoping Holland has that also. Also, if they do, can anyone tell me what areas of the ship are included on the tour? Thanks!:D


do read the 2 linked threads herein as they contain a couple of very detailed discriptions of the tour and numerous q and a that followed these detailed postings .................these tours are very in depth and , imo , well worth it ................enjoy:)

[MrCruze]

Does anyone know if these tours are being offered on the Amsterdam during the 14 day Alaska itinery?

[we're sailing away....]

Thay do one of the galley

[Krazy Kruizers]

Does anyone know if these tours are being offered on the Amsterdam during the 14 day Alaska itinery?


I just checked my Explorer Daily Programs from our Amsterdam cruise.

Didn't see any mention about a ship's tour.

When you get on the ship -- check with the front desk.

[Typhoon1]

Galley tours are always available. The food samples offered are a great plus.

[sapete]

I signed up for it on my May 8 Oosterdam Alaska crusie but it was cancelled due to the fact that we would be in Glacier Bay the day it was scheduled.

[dobiemom]

I did this on my Sea of Cortez cruise this past April/May on the Oosterdam. It was well worth the $$! But be prepared: It was almost 3 hours of walking/standing, no sitting until the very end. The goodies we got were great! Like others have said, you need to sign up at the front desk as soon as you get on the ship. And take lots of pictures!

[Choinski]

On my cruise (Niuew Amsterdam) there was a free self-guidied walk-through of the kitchens, which was pretty much an advertisement for cookbooks and restaurant bookings. It was a neat photo-op though. The Ships tour was a whopping $150 - more than some shore excursions - which I thought was ridiculuously overpriced for something that doesn't cost HAL anything to offer. Too bad, because I was looking forward to it.

[catl331]

The Ships tour was a whopping $150 - more than some shore excursions - which I thought was ridiculuously overpriced for something that doesn't cost HAL anything to offer.I agree that it's ridiculously overpriced. I'm sure that it's set that way as a "traffic control", as too many would want to do it at a reasonable price.

[CruiserBruce]

On my cruise (Niuew Amsterdam) there was a free self-guidied walk-through of the kitchens, which was pretty much an advertisement for cookbooks and restaurant bookings. It was a neat photo-op though. The Ships tour was a whopping $150 - more than some shore excursions - which I thought was ridiculuously overpriced for something that doesn't cost HAL anything to offer. Too bad, because I was looking forward to it.

Doesn't cost HAL anything? As I recall they give you food, drink, a book and some other goodies. Are those free? I am sure they don't cost $150. But don't cost anything?

[mickeyfitz]

We did the tour in May on the Nieuw Amsterdam. It's expensive, but it was an amazing tour. Only 12 people. Almost four hours. We met with various senior officers in each Department. For instance, the Chief Engineer took us not only through the engine control room, but actually into the engine room itself, and it was the same for each Department. The tour ended with a tour of the Bridge by the First Officer and a meeting and individual photos with the Captain.

[rjmaype]

Mickeyfitz

Was the tour on a sea day or port day?

[mickeyfitz]

Sea day.

[rjmaype]

I will try the tour on the Noordam next week.

[Choinski]

Doesn't cost HAL anything? As I recall they give you food, drink, a book and some other goodies. Are those free? I am sure they don't cost $150. But don't cost anything?

Sorry, don't buy that argument. To a paying passenger, food is generally regarded free throughout the ship. The drink and goodies could be skipped - they are there to pad the experience with some material offering, because touring the ship - apart from the gude's time - does not cost anything.

[Johanna7]

We were on the Rotterdam and the first day we tried to sign up my husband as a lot of the stuff is technical. We were told that only the larger ships have that feature.

I tried to sign up for one of those cooking and tasting shows at $29 and they booked it. A sea day. I got a call that it was cancelled as I was the only one who had signed up for it and they hope I didn't mind. I was not charged for it. This was in June this year on a Baltic Cruise.

[AttorneyVin]

Wife and I took the Eurodam Eastern Carib in March 2011. I have never been on a cruise, and I LOVE back stage stuff. It cost $150, but it was totally worth it! Not only did I get a full tour, including Engine Control, Engine Room & Bridge, but I got multiple free cocktails, shot glass set and cookbook. It was totally worth it! If anyone wants more info for the Eurodam tour, I have plenty of backstage photos. You should def book it!

[scrapbags]

Do you know if you get robes on the tour? I had heard some rumors that you do. I know Princess gives robes. Not that it will matter but I just wanted to know.

[Candy]

Marketing Manager Marc Thompson hosted 8 curious passengers on a tour of the inner workings of the Noordam, beginning with Stage Manager Maria's tour of the stage areas, where we learned how the sets are constructed and stored. In the dressing room area two of the dancers told us about the dancers' daily routines, contract lengths and work schedules, and then we went on to the wardrobe room which was crammed with beautiful costumes and about 100 wigs.

Our next stop was the laundry area where Catalina showed us the tailors' room where all the uniforms are constructed and/or tailored. In the laundry area we learned the progression of both ship and passenger laundry, how it's sorted and handled, the HUGE washing machines (133 pound capacity), dryers, ironing stations and the largest mangle I've ever seen that irons and folds linens all by itself.

On to I-95, the crew corridor that runs roughly from stem to stern. Lining the walls of this hall are ship diagrams of the various fire and other safety information. We also saw the flood doors that close off any area that may become flooded.

In the engine room, we viewed the many charts and dials on the console and all over the wall indicating things I will never understand, but are crucial to the engine and water systems.

In the Waste Management section we "experienced" the various ways our trash is handled. They actually go through each bag of trash, both ship and personal, by hand! Glass and plastics are sorted according to the port to which it will be offloaded. Apparently some islands are pretty picky about how their shredded plastic is bundled. We also saw barrels of discarded food.

"Bosco" then led us through the food storage rooms, and showed us how the items that will be readily consumed are in the middle of the room, leaving the less-used items along the walls. At the Liquor Room we were treated to flutes of Mumm's.

Executive Chef Thomas Schuman took us through the various kitchen areas on deck 2 (there is another smaller kitchen on deck 3) and we saw how the chilled and steam tables are organized and some of the preparation. The chocolate covered strawberries were yummy! He also explained the electronic food management system which tracks which menu items have already been served. Lining the walls of the prep areas are photos of the various dishes to show how the dish should LOOK before it leaves the kitchen.

The last stop was The Bridge. Hotel Manager Mark Pells met us in the elevator lobby and escorted us to the bridge where we experienced a vista no passenger is able to see. The Captain can see forwards, sideways, rearways and even downways when maneuvering the ship while docking. We spotted a small ship on the radar that was only barely seen on the horizon. Captain John Scott joined us for a little Q&A and the ship photographer took a group photo.

In The Crow's Nest we were treated to a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres and were given two books - one of HAL's culinary treats from the Chef and one about towel animals from Housekeeping. I absolutely loved this tour. It was 3 hours with lots of stair-climbing, but at $150 pp I think it is well worth it.

[sswitenki]

We were on a 15 day cruise on the Rotterdam in April and we asked about this tour. They said not all ships do this tour. Rotterdam did not offer the $150 tour. Neptune concierge had not heard of it and checked for me.