Today's home page Zaandam review

[elycelynne]

I copied this from today's home page. After you've had a chance to read it, please let me know if I'm the only one who did a double-take after seeing the reviewer's observation on window washing. (Unless, of course, there really is some truth to it -- then I'll just feel stupid.):rolleyes:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=84689

[maxout]

I copied this from today's home page. After you've had a chance to read it, please let me know if I'm the only one who did a double-take after seeing the reviewer's observation on window washing. (Unless, of course, there really is some truth to it -- then I'll just feel stupid.):rolleyes:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=84689

Ouch! :eek:

[hpf]

This is the Pacific Ocean they had been sailing in,the inside passage perhaps but it is windy and spray comes up on the deck's and windows. When we were there a few years ago our windows were clean but after the first night at sea they were dirty too.

I have also sailed across from BC to the Queen Charlotte Island's and the window's on the ferry were caked with sea salt as well. The crew on both ships try to keep ahead of it but sometimes it is very hard to do.

Don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy life and your cruising everybody.

Helen

[gregdude]

My guess is that they don't wash the windows when it rains! They probably wash them in Vancouver if the weather cooperates and the temperature is above freezing. It may also be that Alaska environmental laws may prevent HAL from washing the ship in Alaska waters. After all we don't want Alaska to get dirty!!!

It was obvious that the OP has not sailed HAL before since many of his comments were rather general in nature.

[GoldenLover]

I think we may have been thinking along the same lines. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to help the rest of us with an informed review of their ship and/or itinerary. The review seemed fair and honest, as well as informative. The comment on the windows just struck me as a bit "off course."

[elycelynne]

This is the Pacific Ocean they had been sailing in,the inside passage perhaps but it is windy and spray comes up on the deck's and windows. When we were there a few years ago our windows were clean but after the first night at sea they were dirty too.

I have also sailed across from BC to the Queen Charlotte Island's and the window's on the ferry were caked with sea salt as well. The crew on both ships try to keep ahead of it but sometimes it is very hard to do.

Don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy life and your cruising everybody.

Helen

What I meant was the poster's theory on why they didn't see any windows being washed -- not why the windows were dirty in the first place.;)

[piscesgal223]

"Off course" is the perfect way to describe it. And I'm willing to bet that weather/and or environmental concerns are why HAL doesn't wash the windows.

[bcd2010]

Well, they weren't washing them much last year on our cruise on the Zaandam to Hawaii (which ain't none too cold, IIRC :)), either.

That kind of comment in the review is the result of ignorance, stupidity or racism, IMO.

[ironin]

I copied this from today's home page. After you've had a chance to read it, please let me know if I'm the only one who did a double-take after seeing the reviewer's observation on window washing. (Unless, of course, there really is some truth to it -- then I'll just feel stupid.):rolleyes:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=84689

I read the reason suggested by the reviewer. It is offensive. Even if it were meant to be funny, it would be offensive. As all reviews must be approved by a Cruise Critic editor prior to publication, I'm disappointed that they not only allowed the review to be published without editing but chose to highlight it.

[rafinmd]

What I meant was the poster's theory on why they didn't see any windows being washed -- not why the windows were dirty in the first place.;)

That strikes me as a really weird stereotype. It's been a long time (2002) but when I was on the Zaandam, it seems to me the Philipino/Indonesian stewards were out on deck passing out hot chocolate. Too cold for them to wash the windows?

Roy

[the2ofus]

If I recall correctly from reading Captain Albert's blog, there are numerous ports around the world that don't allow window washing. Some don't allow painting either which can be a real headache for the maintenance staff. You have to scrape and paint constantly to keep up with the erosion caused by sea water.

[maxmia]

Could it be called "Natural Window Glazing"?.

[schoolinmy3]

I read the reason suggested by the reviewer. It is offensive. Even if it were meant to be funny, it would be offensive. As all reviews must be approved by a Cruise Critic editor prior to publication, I'm disappointed that they not only allowed the review to be published without editing but chose to highlight it.

The comment was extremely offensive. I couldn't believe it was published. :eek: The HAL cruises I have been on have been well maintained by the crew and very clean. I can imagine in Alaska with the strict environmental regulations they may not be allowed to clean some things such as the windows. I am only suggesting this as a reason, as I do not know. BUT it is not for the reason the reviewer suggested. I am appalled that that was published. Very ignorant of the reviewer.
Diane

[maxmia]

( Very ignorant of the reviewer.) In a nutshell! well said. :)
Barb.

[adrift@sea]

I copied this from today's home page. After you've had a chance to read it, please let me know if I'm the only one who did a double-take after seeing the reviewer's observation on window washing. (Unless, of course, there really is some truth to it -- then I'll just feel stupid.):rolleyes:

Oh no, you were not the only one to do a double-take! I read it this morning and just shook my head in disbelief. Ignorance is alive and well... :confused:

[piscesgal223]

Does the link not go to the review for anyone else?Looks like that review got 86'd. :eek:

[maxout]

Does the link not go to the review for anyone else?Looks like that review got 86'd. :eek:

Hey, maybe they do read this stuff! ;)

[ironin]

Oh no, you were not the only one to do a double-take! I read it this morning and just shook my head in disbelief. Ignorance is alive and well... :confused:

So it would appear.

That review, however, has now been (or soon will be) removed. That's too bad, too, because the review really was informative otherwise.

I was wrong (see above) about reviews being subject to editorial approval prior to publication. They aren't. I apologize for not double-checking the facts before writing that post.

WRT to appearing on the homepage: the policy is that links to the three most recent reviews published at any given time automatically appear there.

Kudos to Laura S. for her prompt response to my query if this review had been approved for publication. Thank you, Laura!

(I'm not proud of being the one who wrote, either. Had I known CC does not screen reviews, I wouldn't have written at all. There's a first time for everything, I guess, and after 20 years of bulletin board participation, I was probably overdue. Still, it leaves a bad aftertaste.)

[c-legs]

Does the link not go to the review for anyone else?Looks like that review got 86'd. :eek:

Agreed.....can't access it anymore;only gets directed to the ''general'' review home page...
Cheers

[elycelynne]

I'm sorry that bringing it to everyone's attention might have contributed to its disappearance from the home page altogether, but I just couldn't contain my amazement upon reading that assumption. Other than that one comment, it really was a pretty informative review. Too bad.:(

[piscesgal223]

Yeah, it was a good review, otherwise. But that comment about the crew... *shakes head*

[startwin]

The actual review was very good, but the remark about the crew was very offensive. It looks like it got pulled so evidently it did not go unnoticed.

[DutchByAssociation]

I think I'm glad I apparently missed this one... :(

[MrsMuir]

I'm proud of our board for objecting to the "off-course" comment. From the tone of the rest of the review, I don't think the writer knew what he/she was saying about HAL's stalwart crew. It shows just how insidious racism can be......

Mrs M

[piscesgal223]

I literally would be lost without the stewards.Well, that and the paintings(on a recent HAL cruise, the cruise director asked how many people found their rooms thanks to a certain painting or balloons and pretty much everyone raised their hand!It's the truth, though!)

[Rockfan2]

I looked for the homepage post and couldn't find it.

The only reference I found to the condition of the windows was the review of the Zaandam for the Sea of Cortez cruise in April. We happen to be on that cruise and did not find any problems with the sea salt on the windows at all.

In fact, even late in the cruise we were able to spot flying fish from the Ocean Bar windows. Amazing!

Going back to the Zaandam on September 25th for the 17 dqt Circle Hawaii Cruise.

Can hardly wait!

Rockfan2 :)
T-93 days

[elycelynne]

I looked for the homepage post and couldn't find it.

The only reference I found to the condition of the windows was the review of the Zaandam for the Sea of Cortez cruise in April. We happen to be on that cruise and did not find any problems with the sea salt on the windows at all.

In fact, even late in the cruise we were able to spot flying fish from the Ocean Bar windows. Amazing!

Going back to the Zaandam on September 25th for the 17 dqt Circle Hawaii Cruise.

Can hardly wait!

Rockfan2 :)
T-93 days

I originated this post three days ago, and the review was removed from the home page shortly after that, so no, you wouldn't be able to see it now.