Does HAL still do the kitchen tour on the first day, in particular on the Oosterdam

[Australian family]

We are looking to do a cruise this Xmas and are wondering if they are still doing kitchen tours.

I missed doing it on the Volendam as it clashed with our CC get together on the first day.

[kazu]

We are looking to do a cruise this Xmas and are wondering if they are still doing kitchen tours.

I missed doing it on the Volendam as it clashed with our CC get together on the first day.

When we were on the Ooesterdam, the galley tour was later in the cruise. Same on the Prinsendam and the Nieuw Amsterdam. any other ship is too old to compare. I am guessing this varies by ship to ship - but i don't recall seeing one on the first full day;)

[woan]

We are looking to do a cruise this Xmas and are wondering if they are still doing kitchen tours.

I missed doing it on the Volendam as it clashed with our CC get together on the first day.

On my summer Alaska cruise on the Oosterdam in 2010 and Veendam this past December the kitchen tours were in the second half of the cruise.

[Australian family]

Obviously it varies between ships.

Do they offer a behind the scenes tour, as I have read about that before?

[CruiserBruce]

I was told the Behind the Scenes tour was being done on all Vista and Signature class ships, so yes, they should be.

Not brace yourself for all the posts saying its a waste of money. Particularly from those who haven't been on the Tour. From someone who has been on the Tour, it is definitely worth it.

[Australian family]

I was told the Behind the Scenes tour was being done on all Vista and Signature class ships, so yes, they should be.

Not brace yourself for all the posts saying its a waste of money. Particularly from those who haven't been on the Tour. From someone who has been on the Tour, it is definitely worth it.

How much do they charge for it, and how long, and what do you see?

[catl331]

$150 per person. I've got better things to do with my money! :p

See: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=31724563

[NMLady]

I was really disappointed in the Kitchen tour we took on the Amsterdam. When the group was together, the leader handed us each a paper and then started walking us FAST through the kitchen area, not explaining anything. I was trying to read the explanations on the paper and walk quickly at the same time to keep up with the group.

I hope it's done differently on other ships.

Even so, by speed reading while speed walking, I did learn a lot. And I enjoyed the free samples at several of the kitchen stations.

[CruiserBruce]

$150 per person. I've got better things to do with my money! :p

See: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=31724563


Australian family, the link catl331 gave you goes to a very long post I did on our Tour on N. Amsterdam.

[CruiserBruce]

I was really disappointed in the Kitchen tour we took on the Amsterdam. When the group was together, the leader handed us each a paper and then started walking us FAST through the kitchen area, not explaining anything. I was trying to read the explanations on the paper and walk quickly at the same time to keep up with the group.



Every standard galley tour I have done has been somewhat rushed. Usually they start at 10 or 10:30, and have a limited time to move a lot of people thru. Remember, the galley goes almost 24/7- there isn't a lot of "free" time to have hundreds of people coming thru.

The Behind The Scenes Tour, being limited to 12 people, gives you a much more intimate view of the galley, and no problem hearing the Guide, or asking questions.

[GeriatricNurse]

$150 per person. I've got better things to do with my money! :p

See: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=31724563


So do I! ;)

[Crew News]

I was told the Behind the Scenes tour was being done on all Vista and Signature class ships, so yes, they should be.

Now brace yourself for all the posts saying its a waste of money. Particularly from those who haven't been on the Tour. From someone who has been on the Tour, it is definitely worth it.

This tour is very subjective. Nearly all who have been on the tour say it was worth the cost while most who have not been on the tour state that it is not worth the cost. The same situation exists for the Le Cirque.

Here is what I experienced on my 3-hour tour and it must be noted that we were met by a knowledgeable staff member at each stop for a briefing and answers to every question:

Galley - to include ALL food prep areas, free food samples, ALL storage areas, Room Service prep area, and flower cold storage (potential morgue, if necessary).
Laundry and Tailor shops - all crew uniforms are made here and 425 loads of passenger laundry a day.
Environmental Engineering - recycling processes
Entertainment - dressing rooms, entertainers, production staff
Crew area - training and classrooms
Luggage and stores area - very informative
Engine Room - full explanation of all equipment and included lots of ladder climbing down to the bowels of the vessel.
Bridge - Best part of the tour. You can look down through the glass floor and see how a little joystick can tweak the large vessel to within inches of the dock. Part of the tour was conducted by the captain.
Officer' quarters - just a quick pass by.
Ocean Bar - snacks and ALL of the alcoholic beverages you can consume with the Cruise Director. Received a "goodie" bag with books, maps, pins, etc.

After you return from trip and you can pass on your new knowledge of ship operations, I think you will agree that it was worth the cost.

[Dbedros]

Thank you for making this very clear. I had already decided to look for the tour on my up coming Oosterdam cruise and you made me more sure of my decision.

[Typhoon1]

There are normally two galley tours held during a seven day cruise. Both on sea days. One near the beginning, the other near the end.

[ellbelle]

We were on the Oosterdam for the New Years Cruise and the Behind the Scenes Kitchen tour (no fee) was offered the first sea day at 10:30am.

The Behind the Scenes Ship Tour ($150.00) was also advertised the first sea day, although the scheduled day was not announced at that time (most likely the last sea day). We did this tour on the Westerdam in September and loved every minute and for us it was worth the money, we just viewed it as an indoor shore excursion.

[mabert]

I loved it. Go to the front desk the first day to book. Sometimes it is very popular, other times not.

You also get to see the morgue. All the food storage facilities. And walk inside the liquor cabinet.

On the Z (this was in April 2011) we couldn't go into the Engine Room because someone had fallen and sued. I've heard that you can go into the Engine Room on other ships.

At least one time is terrific. Expensive, yes, but if you cruise a lot it is pretty neat to see behind the scenes.

[Australian family]

Has anyone recently done the behind the scenes tour on the Oosterdam, if so what is the current price?

[detroit70]

We are a couple who enjoy the time on the ship much more than many of the ports and, based on recommendations of friends who had done the whole ship tour, we arrived at Port Everglades early so we could be among the first to embark, in the hope of being able to book the tour on the Eurodam in March.

We succeeded in being the very first to reserve! The tour was scheduled for our second sea day but sadly, the evening before, my spouse checked into the ship's hospital with pneumonia. He was released to the cabin an hour before the tour was to begin but, although there was no way he could do the tour, he insisted that I go anyway.

I loved it! It was fascinating to see how the entire organization of the ship's crew manage to work together to provide the cruise experience we have come to so thoroughly enjoy.

Some of you might spend a similar amount of money to rent a lovely cabana, or you might enjoy an extravagent excursion at a port. We've simply made a different choice of how we'll spend our money and we hope you enjoy your choice as much as I (and my spouse will on the next cruise) enjoyed ours!

[sppunk]

Note: the behind-the-scenes tour is only offered iirc on Vista and Signature class ships. Not dine on R or S.