Hal " Onboard Enrichment Programs"????

[TCF]

We're booked on the Veendam five week reposition cruise from Vancouver next September. This will be our first HAL cruise and the longest we have taken, and while there are a lot of port stops, we would like to find a list of the types of "onboard enrichment activities" HAL offers on its longer cruises. We know about the culinary classes and the mixology classes...but are there others...and where can we find a list?

Thanks for the help!

[RuthC]

I've taken several long cruises, including four over 30 days, and had enrichment lectures on every one of them. There have also been lectures on more mid-length cruises of 15-20 days. I would fully expect there will be several series of lectures on your cruise.
But, I've never found a list of them in advance.

The lectures have covered a variety of topics about the history/art/culture/geography of the areas visited. I have also attended several on the European Economic Community, oceanography, marine life. I don't remember them all!

Usually on a long cruise there will be several different series, by several different lecturers. Sometimes there are two series going on at the same time---one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.
Frequently, too, the port lecturer tells you so much more than just where to shop (i.e. who has paid them off for a plug).
It becomes a very busy schedule!

Hope this helps.

[sassyredhat]

I've taken several long cruises, including four over 30 days, and had enrichment lectures on every one of them. There have also been lectures on more mid-length cruises of 15-20 days. I would fully expect there will be several series of lectures on your cruise.
But, I've never found a list of them in advance.

The lectures have covered a variety of topics about the history/art/culture/geography of the areas visited. I have also attended several on the European Economic Community, oceanography, marine life. I don't remember them all!

Usually on a long cruise there will be several different series, by several different lecturers. Sometimes there are two series going on at the same time---one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.
Frequently, too, the port lecturer tells you so much more than just where to shop (i.e. who has paid them off for a plug).
It becomes a very busy schedule!

Hope this helps.

Ruth we found that to be the case on our recent Hawaii cruise. The lectures were all about different Hawaii topics, but there were 3 different speakers.

Pat

[TCF]

Ruth and Pat....thanks so much for the information.

We are so pleased to hear that there will undoubtedly be a substanial opportunity to hear good lectures on our cruise.

Although we are still five months away from leaving....the excitement is mounting weekly. I hope I don't pop somethng before the Veendam pulls away!

[ilovhywd]

I very much enjoyed the port lecturer on the Westerdam in 2004 because she was NOT pushing the ship's tours. In fact, she didn't even mention them!

We learned about the highlights of each city and she told us how to get there using our feet or public transportation. Some other cruise lines only tell you about their shore excursions and ignore the needs of independent travelers!

I wish there was a list of speakers for each cruise on the website. Some other lines, such as Cunard and Crystal do list them. It would be helpful if you were trying to choose between different cruises.

[Nonie]

I have been on two long cruises - Panama from FLL to Vancouver. There was a wonderful lecturer on the ship before we reached the Canal. He did at least 4 sessions on the history of the building of the canal and much, mch more. During the transit he was out and aboutthe ship and explained things and answered questions. He was not the "Narrator" but was there for us. It was WONDERFUL and so much enhanced that trip.

On our Hawaii cruise from Vancouver return, we had a travel photographer (my friend's neighbourfrom West Vancouver) who gave classes in digital photography which were very much fun and we learned a lot. He was around the ship and would give tips or help any time he could. At the same time there was a Hawaaian lady on board who was teaching Hula. Before our first Port of Hilo the class gave a "dance recital" in the theatre!!!!! On the way home there was also a lecture series but I think it was something in the way of American Polatics which I was not interested in (being Canadian and on holiay!!!).

On Alaska cruises no matter how long or short, there is always a Naturalist (we have a friend from Victoria who does hese for HAL). We also had a native artisan aboard each of my Alaska cruises. These were great as we saw all sorts of native arts and crafts. On one cruise the artisan got on and off at Ketchikan and did either the beginning or end of a 7 day trip.

I have been on RCCL and NEVER had anything like this - only Port Shopping talks which I never pay attention to. :D :D

[kakalina]

We have attended lectures on astronomy that took us out on deck and showed us the Southern Cross ( thanks Donna ) ; we have learned about military experiments with dolphins and all about how they survive, we have been lectured to about reefs, coral, countries, Natives, languages, birds, constellations, how to tell a good joke and how to arrange a floral boquet. We even attended a lecture on prostitutes and houses of ill repute ( it was very interesting ) and of course Pirates on the high seas.

I think HAL has a great enrichment program and I always look forward to attending many lectures on a long cruise. They are usually entertaining, provacative and thought provoking.

[kryos]

I think HAL has a great enrichment program and I always look forward to attending many lectures on a long cruise. They are usually entertaining, provacative and thought provoking.
From what I understand, since Terry Breen (formerly with Regent) took over as the director of HAL's enrichment programs, she is revamping the whole program. Shorter itineraries are gonna focus on lecturers who will be based onboard ship, and will be HAL employees. They will not only give talks, but will be experts on the destination the ship is sailing for that season. They will keep "desk hours" in the Exploration's Cafe so that they can help passengers individually to plan port experiences, as well as provide lectures on the port highlights. In some cases, they may even lead optional shore excursions in their area of expertise.

Then, for the longer cruises ... like our Hawaii/South Pacific this coming September, HAL will supplement the "destination specialist" with other lecturers, simply because they itinerary is long and to provide some variety. Supposedly, even in that case, the lectures are supposed to be on topics related to the itinerary, such as perhaps Hawaiian culture and stargazing on a Hawaii cruise.

It'll be interesting to see what we get on this upcoming cruise. I'm sure hoping we get the "Star Lady" back. She's great.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Volcano Man]

I think I know the answer to your question and will post it in the roll call when I can confirm.....

[kakalina]

I think I know the answer to your question and will post it in the roll call when I can confirm.....

Hi Volcano Man: I think there is a different cruise that Donna will be going on at that time if I recall correctly ;)
How ya' doin'? We keep checking out your website. It is really cool. Good to see you online.

[Volcano Man]

Hi Guys!!

It looks like The Star Lady and Dan will be on the ms Veendam Vancouver/Panama/Amazon/Tampa Cruise starting September 26 in Vancouver.

As you already know, The Star Lady covers everything above the horizon, I cover everything below the horizon.

So, the Star Lady (Donna) will be up to her usual tricks, talking about the stars and giving tours on the sky deck. The Amazon skies should be pretty good this time of year. And then there's the birds of Central America and the Amazon. So Donna has her plate full.

I will be presenting my 3 lecture Panama Canal series that played very well this spring going the other direction with the same ms Veendam. I will also be covering the Volcanoes of Costa Rica, and will also be presenting 3 or 4 lectures on the Amazon River, the rain forest, and the exotic flora and fauna. My plate is pretty full as well!

So I think you will be well informed and entertained concerning the high points of this very special cruise.

(There is a slot for another lecturer, and I am unaware of his/her/their topics at this time.)

Sad new is that we will miss kakalina on your trip to Tahiti!
So many Cruises, so little time!

Cheers

[engprof]

A friend just returned from a West Caribbean cruise on Veendam and complained about chipped furniture and dirty cabin--any experiences like this? We're booked for December???