Do you like the idea of...

[ekerr19]

Some of the other premium lines offer things like Cordon Bleu cooking classes, golf instruction, etc. for passengers.

I'm curious if these things are appealing to HAL cruisers. Many times we just want to get on the ship and relax, but I will admit to being a bit intrigued by the cooking classes, just not sure I'd want that kind of structured activity on my cruise...

Anyone else?

Any other thoughts?

[dakrewser]

Some of the other premium lines offer things like Cordon Bleu cooking classes, golf instruction, etc. for passengers.

I'm curious if these things are appealing to HAL cruisers. Many times we just want to get on the ship and relax, but I will admit to being a bit intrigued by the cooking classes, just not sure I'd want that kind of structured activity on my cruise...
It would depend on the cruise. For a port-intensive one, then no - these activities wouldn't interest me. But for multiple-days-at-sea-in-a-row (transatlantic, circle Hawaii, etc.) it could break up the routine...

[FoxyTerrier]

We would love the cooking classes!!!

[rkacruiser]

I agree: for a port intensive itinerary, nothing more than the normal cruise entertainment would be necessary. But, for a several-days-at-sea itinerary and/or an "exotic" itinerary: yes, some alternative programming would be enjoyable.

One of HAL's major advantages over other cruise lines (with whom I am familiar) on their longer itineraries is the quality and diversity of lecturers that are part of the Flagship Forum series. On the 2002 Asia Pacific cruise, the lecturers made an already wonderful cruise experience even better. They added an element of learning about the areas we were visiting. By contrast, on Royal Princess's recent Amazon-Trans-atlantic-Africa-Mediterranean positioning cruise, the lecturers were only good to fair and their talks had nothing to do with our itinerary. I was disappointed in that aspect of the cruise, having been spoiled, I guess, by Holland America.

[peaches from georgia]

I would love it! I completely enjoy myself reading and relaxing, but do none of the activities presently offered such as Trivia, Newlywed Game and on and on. There are many many worthwhile choices HAL could offer that would keep us interested in cruising HAL. Cooking classes would be fabulous. Doesn't the SofE program have an area of the ship that is supposed to be used for things like this. I need to reread it on the website.

[ekerr19]

I agree: for a port intensive itinerary, nothing more than the normal cruise entertainment would be necessary. But, for a several-days-at-sea itinerary and/or an "exotic" itinerary: yes, some alternative programming would be enjoyable.

One of HAL's major advantages over other cruise lines (with whom I am familiar) on their longer itineraries is the quality and diversity of lecturers that are part of the Flagship Forum series. On the 2002 Asia Pacific cruise, the lecturers made an already wonderful cruise experience even better. They added an element of learning about the areas we were visiting. By contrast, on Royal Princess's recent Amazon-Trans-atlantic-Africa-Mediterranean positioning cruise, the lecturers were only good to fair and their talks had nothing to do with our itinerary. I was disappointed in that aspect of the cruise, having been spoiled, I guess, by Holland America.

rkacruiser-

We have enjoyed the lectures too. One of of favorites was the Panama Canal transit that was done outside, as we were making our way through the canal. My DH thoroughly enjoyed the talk, which was done on one of the very the upper decks. The lecturer used a microphone, yet it was not intrusive. We found it fascinating. :)

[jhannah]

I agree that having them for cruises with multiple sea days would be a nice diversion. The normal cooking demonstrations are fun enough for me, however. I'm not particularly interested in taking classes while on a typical 10-14 day cruise.

[ekerr19]

I would love it! I completely enjoy myself reading and relaxing, but do none of the activities presently offered such as Trivia, Newlywed Game and on and on. There are many many worthwhile choices HAL could offer that would keep us interested in cruising HAL. Cooking classes would be fabulous. Doesn't the SofE program have an area of the ship that is supposed to be used for things like this. I need to reread it on the website.

Peaches-

I thought I read that HAL was to add cooking classes too. I'm not sure where I saw it, but it rings a bell.

We get brochures from Radisson and they offer the Cordon Bleu cooking classes on select sailings. I always wanted to try something like that. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Would not mind the cooking classes on cruises where you have multiple sea days. But cruises where you have only 1 sea day - no good.

[iluvcruzin]

If we really had the opportunity to cook it would be interesting to do. If it's just a demo where the Chef does the work.. I'd pass.

[sail7seas]

I'd like some computer classes.....maybe I'd finally learn how to use this laptop of mine. :D I agree that classes of any kind would appeal to me only on cruises with a number of sea days.

[elmorejj]

On the Zaandam repo cruise in May, they had a cooking class. It cost $27 for the 2 hour class given by the head chef on board. I didn`t go to it, but the sign up sheet was at the doorway of the DR and it looked as though quite a lot of pax had signed up.....jean :cool:

[Cameron-by-the-Sea]

Ballroom dancing classes for us, please. We were "shown up" on the dance floor by some spectacular dancers on our HAL cruise!!

[peaches from georgia]

I reread the S of Exc on the HAL website, especially the areas re expanded activities. There will be a Culinary Arts Program fleet wide and an Exploration Enrichment Program.

The CAP will appeal to gourmet food and wine lovers and will be conducted in ''Culinary Arts Theaters'. It is set to begin on the Ryndam in October 2004.

The EEP will be held in the ships' Exploration Center so that pax can learn more about the destinations they are sailing to. There will be an Exploration Guest Speaker Series on all cruises of 10 days or greater. This I think is very much needed- other than where to shop HAL currently tells you next to nothing about the countries you are visiting.

Both these additions sound very interesting to me. :)

[rkacruiser]

I wonder if there will be a charge for any of these activities. Like sail7seas, I would be interested in some computer classes, too. But, not ones for a charge. On Royal Princess(and I think the other Princess ships), they offered a "Scholarship at Sea" program, which did include computer classes. But, except for the first one, an introduction to the future offerings during the cruise, they were classes that you had to pay for. Not interested, thank you.

[lipoppop]

Cooking class sound great. Since we are on a ship I can see the recipes now:

For scrambled eggs, start by breaking 12 dozen eggs in a large vat....

For potatoes, mix 50 pounds of dehydrated potatoe mix ....

Sorry, wrong type of ship.

Seriously I would appreciate some lectures by the ships crew regarding navigation, the ships propulsion systems etc.

[dougnewmanatsea]

I would not mind seeing more enrichment/intellectually oriented activities added. I do understand that on HAL's longer cruises (IIRC, only on ROTTERDAM, AMSTERDAM, and PRINSENDAM?) they do offer the "Flagship Forum" series, but on the shorter cruises there is not too much in the way of lectures etc.

I would particularly appreciate port lectures that do not have to do with shopping or selling shore excursions - that is, the history of the area, local culture, etc. Other lectures, that are not port-related, would probably only be useful on cruises that are not port-intensive.

The idea of a lecture on the subject of the workings ship itself, conducted by an officer (or several, from different departments) is an interesting idea. Back in the good old days bridge tours were de rigeur but those are not done any more on most large ships so far as I know, for security reasons. A lecture/question and answer session, safely conducted in a lounge, would be an interesting alternative.

One feature that I would like to see HAL add that is not related to lectures at all:a minimal-announcements policy.

[v702]

I would love a cooking class, coupled with a wine tasting for the food we cooked and I would be in heaven!

[Cruiseoften]

Time was when HAL gave 'cooking' instructions for Swiss Fondue (with delectable Dutch cheese!) - of course the results were to be sampled and were to die for! You could/should skip lunch that day! I always left the ship with a good supply of Dutch cheese.

Not good for port intensive schedules but most interesting on 'many sea days' cruises. :)

[dougnewmanatsea]

Time was when HAL gave 'cooking' instructions for Swiss Fondue (with delectable Dutch cheese!)Quite an international dish then ;) .

I guess that was back in the good old days when HAL was really Dutch (before my time).

I do remember a demonstration in Italian cooking given on SKY PRINCESS back in 1998 though. I believe it involved the executive chef preparing a very elaborate, and very delicious, pasta dish. Of course everyone tasted afterwards, etc. Not especially educational but very pleasant, particularly for the taste buds.

[RevNeal]

Cooking classes???
Cordon Bleu cooking classes??

Make that classes on EATING Cordon Bleu and I'll be there.

[kryos]

I would particularly appreciate port lectures that do not have to do with shopping or selling shore excursions - that is, the history of the area, local culture, etc. Other lectures, that are not port-related, would probably only be useful on cruises that are not port-intensive.

I recently received a mailing from HAL ... about their Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises. I read it with interest since I am booked on one of their Circle Hawaii cruises in October of 2005.

They mentioned that on the Hawaii cruises, they bring in lecturers to talk about the culture of the islands and its people ... history of lei making, an authentic Hawaiian Luau right onboard, talks about the culture of the islands, etc.

Hearing about that program made me even more excited about doing the itinerary.

But lectures on some of the shorter cruises ... or the more port-intensive ones? I don't think they would be very well attended. On those itineraries, I believe most people either just want to relax, or want to explore the ports and do interesting things. For example, in preparation for the Caribbean cruise I leave for on Saturday, I've tried to book shore excursions that would let me try new experiences ... some rather exciting ones ... that I would never get to do at home ... intro to SCUBA, flightseeing from a helicopter, piloting a speedboat, parasailing, and even flying aerobatics in a Pitts biplane in Key West. These experiences make for a memorable vacation experience for me ... far more than listening to a lecture can.

But, for multiple days at sea ... such as on the Circle Hawaii cruise ... I would sure like to gain some unique insights into the culture of the people and places I am journeying to visit.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[sail7seas]

Cooking class sound great. Since we are on a ship I can see the recipes now:

For scrambled eggs, start by breaking 12 dozen eggs in a large vat....

For potatoes, mix 50 pounds of dehydrated potatoe mix ....

Sorry, wrong type of ship.



Funny .....:D

[xpcdoojk]

I am not a good student anymore. College and gradual school took all of my desire for formal education away from me. So it would depend on how the classes were structured. Cooking for example, I am an excellent cook, so to watch Emeril or similar on TV is boring, however if Emeril and I were to mix up something together with me actually learning new techniques, I would be all over that! In other words for me it needs to be hands on. Golf lessons where a pro works with my swing, absolutely. Golf class where I watch some pro demonstrate a proper turn and club selection while sitting on my butt in a bar, boring! I do enjoy learning from a true expert on a topic in a lecture mode, but only if he is entertaining and enlightening. Again, I think all of this is completely wasted on a 7 day cruise. On a 14 day or longer with a lot of at sea time, bring the good stuff on!

jc

[the2ofus]

I'm in agreement with Host Doug on the idea of having truly informative talks about the ports of call. I'd like to know more about the history, politics, people and culture of the places we visit. I don't travel to shop, I travel to broaden my understanding of the world I live in.

[dakrewser]

I am not a good student anymore. College and gradual school took all of my desire for formal education away from me.
I know it was a typo, but the concept of "gradual school" intriques me. I envision sort of a slow learning-while-doing formula not unlike what you describe as "if Emeril and I were to mix up something together with me actually learning new techniques, I would be all over that!"

At least, it works for me! :)

[ekerr19]

I reread the S of Exc on the HAL website, especially the areas re expanded activities. There will be a Culinary Arts Program fleet wide and an Exploration Enrichment Program.

The CAP will appeal to gourmet food and wine lovers and will be conducted in ''Culinary Arts Theaters'. It is set to begin on the Ryndam in October 2004.

The EEP will be held in the ships' Exploration Center so that pax can learn more about the destinations they are sailing to. There will be an Exploration Guest Speaker Series on all cruises of 10 days or greater. This I think is very much needed- other than where to shop HAL currently tells you next to nothing about the countries you are visiting.

Both these additions sound very interesting to me. :)

Peaches-

Thanks for posting this. I am very excited about these additions too. I think they will offer a bit more than the usual trivia, bingo, cruise crafts, etc. I am not knocking these activities - my daughter loves cruise crafts and has made some really cute things - and we do enjoy the team trivia - but DH & I would like the cooking and lectures, without a doubt. DH would also love "hands on" golf instruction.

[ANSalberg]

Oh BOY- Did YOU rattle the right cage! HAL offers "Enrichment Lectures" on its crossings -and Tim Hughes from South Africa gave 4 lectures on 1. Diamonds and the diamond cartels 2. South Africa TODAY. They were extremely well attended and fascinating lectures on an emerging Democracy- thanks to the leadership of -among others - Nelson Mandella, who unselfishly gives of his talents to LEAD. WE returned home [ Colorado] July 10th -and since then I have seen NOTHING in OUR Newspapers [ I read 2 a day] on South Africa in any way shape or form. To become informed about global politics and "our" world -these enrichment speakers literally open a new world TO us! One that we are NOT reading about in our own newspapers!

[ekerr19]

ANSalberg:

Unfortunately, our local papers don't seem to think world news is too important - something I just can't fathom. Lately, we seem to get more Kobe Bryant trial coverage than anything else. I just read a great article yesterday in the new Smithsonian Magazine about the current plight of many displaced persons and the genocide happening in Africa. I would have loved hearing the lectures you were able to experience on your cruise.

[xpcdoojk]

I know it was a typo, but the concept of "gradual school" intriques me. I envision sort of a slow learning-while-doing formula not unlike what you describe as "if Emeril and I were to mix up something together with me actually learning new techniques, I would be all over that!"

At least, it works for me! :)
Well, I was in graduate school and the spelling was not a typo, I meant it exactly the way I wrote it! :D Graduate school is exciting and the classes are intense, and then you work on things beyond class work, and trust me gradual is the best that can be said about that!

jc

[ASM]

I would also like more meaningful port lectures. More history and culture, less shopping. I wouldn't be interested in classes onboard. I can do that at home.