The Happy Wanderer---Another Opening-Another Show [Archive]

RuthC

July 6th, 2008, 09:18 AM

I'm here. It took a while, but RuthC is checking in from the brand-spanking new E-dam.

So far it feels familiar. :) I met up with longtimecruiser and her DD to fly to Copenhagen. We boarded together, headed to the Lido, and were immediately greeted by friends Mary Ellen & DH, Greg and Christopher, and Scotty. It was a comfortable "familiar".
It wasn't long before I met Jim H and his DW, Donna---even though we'd never met before they already felt familiar. So far, so good.

And then for a little walk-about. That, too, felt so familiar! Once you've been on a Vista ship you will feel right at home on the E-dam.

I have a few first impressions of the ship---but you know how first impressions can be. So, I'm going to wait a bit before making any pronouncements. Just want to be sure, doncha know. ;) There's things I think I don't like, things I think I do like.
Gee, sounds a little like life! :D

Don't think I'll be posting daily this trip, but I'll be around. So, keep checking back and I'll let you know this poster's impressions of the new show at HAL.

mamaofami

July 6th, 2008, 09:22 AM

Ruth, so glad you arrived safe and are on board. Can't wait to read your impressions of the Edam. Don't forget to have a chocolate for me.:D

Krazy Kruizers

July 6th, 2008, 09:32 AM

Glad you made it safely to the Eurodam.

grannynurse

July 6th, 2008, 10:21 AM

Hi Ruth,
I'm glad to read that you and longtimecruiser made it safely to Copenhagen. I know that there are very few ports that you have not visited on this 20 day wandering through Europe so maybe you're planning to takeiteasy? I hope you have your usual happy wanderer fun and experiences without being too "underwhelmed" and "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered" by HAL's new "Puttin on the Ritz".
As always, I'll wait patiently to hear "Happy Days are here sgain"
Fondly,
GN

GmaPajama

July 6th, 2008, 10:23 AM

I'm so glad you started your own thread, Ruth. I thoroughly enjoy the compare/contrast of the various posters. So many people can see the same thing, yet see different things. I look forward to getting your take on it all.

Donna

innlady1

July 6th, 2008, 10:41 AM

Good morning, Ruth...glad you made it "safe and sound" to Copenhagen and are aboard the Eurodam. I'm sure you have had a wonderful time re-connecting with friends!

Will anxiously await your impressions of the ship...have fun, Ruth...and try to snag some extra chocolates...

sail7seas

July 6th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Glad you have safely arrived and are happily aboard.

Enjoy. Have the best time!!!

innlady1

July 6th, 2008, 10:48 AM

Here's looking at you, Ruth! ;)

BldLvr

July 6th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Ruth C., a fellow CHOCOLATE lover, have a wonderful and safe trip. I enjoy reading your entries. DH and I did the SA and Antartica adventure in 2006/07 so I really enjoyed reading about your trip last year. Eats lots of chocolate.......becareful. Marian

kakalina

July 6th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Good to hear from you Ruth. How's the chocolate supply onboard? ;)

LAFFNVEGAS

July 6th, 2008, 12:44 PM

Ruth, Welcome to the Eurodam:)
I am glad you made it safely on board.
No need to worry about posting just enjoy the ride:D

Kathyh1313

July 6th, 2008, 12:46 PM

Ruth- Im ecstatic you have started your own thread- The Happy Wanderer is back in business!

Looking forward your unique and much appreciated insight into the E-dam. You are always so well balanced and honest.

Enjoy and happy cruising! Kathy :)

PathfinderEss

July 6th, 2008, 01:06 PM

Like everyoone else has said, glad you are on board the Eurodam. We'll all be looking forward to your perspective on Hal's newest cruiseship. ........wishing you calm seas, good weather and lots of chocolate..........Happy cruising Ruth, sound like your already enjoying yourself with all the fellow CCer's.

jtl513

July 6th, 2008, 01:11 PM

I'm glad it's your turn to start the fun! How was your SAS seat? Did I scare you unnecessarily? :D

Atomica

July 6th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Nice to hear from you, Ruth! Hope you & everyone had a great day in Oslo today.

EbayCruiser

July 6th, 2008, 01:45 PM

Let us know if they have chocolate bread pudding in the Lido. I've NOT been lucky enough to find chocolate ... only the "heavenly" vanilla bread pudding!! YUM, YUM - my favorite food on HAL cruises. :)

cruznon

July 6th, 2008, 02:35 PM

Ruth,
What a delight to see your post ! Glad you had a safe trip and are aboard this beautiful, new ship. Have glorious time. Relax and enjoy and write whenever you're "In the Mood!"

fcorey

July 6th, 2008, 05:01 PM

Ruth, glad to see that you made it there safely. I've been looking forward to your posts :) Hope you're having a wonderful time

FinelyRetired

July 6th, 2008, 05:27 PM

Ruth, was thrilled to see your post today! I was hoping you'd chime in from time to time with your wonderfully unique perspective.

Have a safe, wonderful trip.

Martha

P.S. Wish I was getting one of those pillow goodies tonight. I'll have to head to the Creamery tomorrow for a choco Awful Awful.

LadyFurn

July 6th, 2008, 06:50 PM

Yessss...Ruth is here! Enjoy your cruise, you lucky girl!:)

HeatherInFlorida

July 6th, 2008, 10:11 PM

There you are, Ruth! So glad I found your thread. I'd been looking thinking you might post on Greg's thread.

I've been thinking about you and I'm so glad you made your way safely across the pond:) . So looking forward to all your impressions. Knowing you're a glass half full kind of gal, we can rely on your perception.

Have an absolutely fabulous time. How can you not? You're among friends, on a ship at sea, going to glorious ports.

AlohaPride

July 6th, 2008, 10:23 PM

Yay!! The wonderful Ruthless has posted!! Enjoy your cruise!!

Have a CHOCOLATE martini for me!!

Aussie Gal

July 7th, 2008, 01:12 AM

Ruth,

Great to hear you are safe and well and on board the big "E". Enjoy yourself and we look forward to hearing from you occasionally especially your impressions of the new addition to HAL.

Jennie

LizB1

July 7th, 2008, 07:58 AM

Hi Ruth,

Glad to hear that you and Adele made it safely to Copenhagen.

I am not able anymore to get upstairs to the computer very often but Gayle Arc is keeping me posted.

How did your dining reservations make out?? Hope by the time you got on there were no problems!

Do have a great time and give my love to Emily and Adele...Also to Mark Zeller and Stan Kuppens as I will never get to see them again.

Liz

sail7seas

July 7th, 2008, 09:39 AM

Sending my best wishes to you, Liz and Earl.
Thinking about you.

Ruth......while you are passing on greetings to Stan Kuppens and Mark Zeller, please pass along ours as well.

Oceanwench

July 7th, 2008, 10:41 AM

Hey Ruth!
I am thrilled to see you have started a thread! I look forward to your reports!

Make sure you drag Greg into the Piano Bar one night soon! He said he was waiting for your arrival before heading there.

RuthC

July 7th, 2008, 11:28 AM

It's great to hear from so many friends back home. I'm glad you decided to sail along! Welcome to my little take on the E-dam's Maiden Voyage. I have to tell you how fun it was to read all the replies---especially the all the song references. That's getting into the spirit. :D

I will happily pass along the greetings to Stan and Mark; I'm sure they'll be pleased to know you're thinking of them.
As for flying SAS goes, I have to tell you---they keep you occupied! There were scads of music channels to listen to. And get this---there was even a playlist for every station, so you could decide exactly what you wanted to listen to! You could also choose from various movies or TV shows, or even play games like Trivia and Solitare as you listened to the radio! Excellent. :)
I haven't seen any chocolate bread pudding as of yet, but I have to say, I rarely see it. :(

Liz, the dining arrangements weren't correct the first night. Late in the dinner Brian and Adele spoke to the Dining Room Manager. They kept speaking until we had three tables for eight all in a row. Now we can play musical chairs at dinner! It should not have taken what it took to get that done, but it's settled now. I hope.

The Cruise Critic folks met this morning and had a great time! :) Because we know each other so well from the HAL Board it was an easy, free-flowing atmosphere. The last of us didn't break up for over three hours!
HAL provided drinks and hors d'oeurves. The Captain, Hotel Manager, and C/D all mixed for a little bit. Thank you, HAL, for such a nice time with friends old and new.

localady

July 7th, 2008, 12:15 PM

Ruth-
What a fun CC gathering!!:D :D

Although I've only had the privilege of meeting BillS and DW, I feel as thought I "know" many more of you very well. I can only imagine what fun it was finally meeting the whole gang!!

Thanks for filling my smoke-filled summer :o with wonderful reports from my favorite place, a DAM ship!!;)

Continued Smooth seas and Sunny Skies!:D

AlohaPride

July 7th, 2008, 02:42 PM

The Meet and Greet sounds like so much fun, Ruth.

TedC

July 8th, 2008, 11:07 AM

No chocolate bread pudding? Apparently HAL didn't know you were aboard - did you use an assumed name to avoid the paparazzi?

Perhaps "ask and you will receive."

Keep your wonderful reports coming and have a great cruise!

innlady1

July 8th, 2008, 11:15 AM

Glad you're having a great time, Ruth. A three hour M & G must be a record...what fun!

Alesund is beautiful...Greg's photos have brought back so many memories for me from the trip to Scandinavia I took with my mom and sister. :)

Glad the dining issues have been straightened out for all of you! Thank you for reporting in to those of us who are green with envy on the other side of the pond. :rolleyes:

Desdemona01

July 9th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Ruth, I hope you're having a wonderful time and closing the piano bar every night :D

RuthC

July 9th, 2008, 05:41 PM

First, let me say how slooooooooow this connection is. It's taken me almost a full half-hour to connect to CC. My e-mail, which is in another window, still hasn't downloaded---and I started there first. Since the Internet Center is alongside the Crow's Nest, there ought to be bar service in here. With the connection as it is, they would probably make more money off our collective frustrations! :mad:

So, anyway, I thought I'd start to tell you a little bit of my thoughts about the new ship in town.
I'll start with my cabin. :)

I have a large double just forward of the atrium on Main Deck. It's every bit as large as the quad I had on the Noordam, and furnished exactly the same way. A perfect size for two. Even better for one. :D
The outlet in the bathroom is high up on the light fixture---high enough that this short woman couldn't reach. :( I found a nice man (had to give him back, though :rolleyes: )to plug in my toothbrush. Oops. The outlet is too high. It just dangled---won't recharge that way!
And who decided on no medicine cabinets? :confused: Sure, there's three nice shelves---but one good roll of the ship and everything on them goes flying.
Love the new, large wastebasket in the shelf under the sink, but a lip might have helped keep things from falling in by mistake.

There's two outlets at the desk, though. That's good.
And the new, very heavy and thick ice buckets are great!

All in all, I like the cabin. Tastefully decorated and comfortable.
I certainly sleep well.

I'll branch out and talk about other areas of the ship in more posts.

Krazy Kruizers

July 9th, 2008, 06:01 PM

Thanks for checking in Ruth!!

UGH!! DH is not going to like where the plugs are located in the bathroom!! I bet they are in the same place in the SA's.

I saw the pictures of the bathroom -- all shelves - don't like that. This means that we will just live out of our soldiers.

NEW ICE BUCKETS!!! That is great!! Hope HAL puts them on all the other ships. I hate those dinky little buckets we have now which don't keep ice for more than a couple of hours.

mamaofami

July 9th, 2008, 06:04 PM

Glad to hear from you Ruth. Can't wait to hear more of your observations of the ship. :) No medicine cabinets, hmmm. Guess I'll plan on bringing some of those little cosmetic bags to keep things in.

I always find the internet connection on the ship to be painfully slow.

grannynurse

July 9th, 2008, 06:18 PM

Oh MY! I can just picture you and the gent and the toothbrush playing "Dance with me Henry" in the bathroom.
I hope the e'Dam isn't planned for "Blue Hawaii" until they decide that medicine cabinets are needed....I seem to remember there was a toothbrush in that picture too or was it a pill bottle on that "rock n Roll Sea Cruise" that you took us on? You made sure we could all feel "the shake, rattle and roll" down by the "Harbor Lights".
Was Norway good for you this time?
I'm so glad you found your "piano man"
Great picture of you in the CC meeting, you know you're getting prettier every cruise. But you know "by Mir Bist Du Shayne"
"Keep on rockin that piano"
GN

HeatherInFlorida

July 9th, 2008, 07:29 PM

Hi, Ruth!:) It's all sounding real good! Can't wait to read more observations as you make your way through your cruise.

ger_77

July 9th, 2008, 07:47 PM

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your flight and you weren't left "Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay", but are happily on your "Sea Cruise". I do have one question for you - are the pillow chocolates the same as before, or are there special ones for the inaugural sailing?

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)
Gerry

cruznon

July 9th, 2008, 08:16 PM

Ruth,
It's always a delight to read your LIVE reports...Being vertically challenged myself, I would also be unhappy with that highly-placed outlet!
It must be great meeting so many CCers on this incredible voyage. Dinner must be a grand event every evening.
So, As Time Goes By, I'll await the next installment.
Thanks for sharing with us!

RuthC

July 10th, 2008, 08:51 AM

Let's take a little tour of some of the public areas of the ship, as seen through my eyes. Shall we?

Someone must have been reading 1001 Nights when they were planning some of the decor of the E-dam. There's a definite "harem" feel around here. From the cabanas at the Retreat, to the Silk Den sitting nooks---from the Lido cabanas to the aft Lido area---there's curtains dropping down in the most unexpected places.

The "Retreat" cabanas look hot to me. They look like a waterproof, canvas-type fabric---very heavy. They overlook the Lido dome, so there's not much of a view when the dome is closed. The open area in the center of the Retreat is also for the exclusive use of the renters, so no deck space for me when I'm done posting this. :(
I've seen some---but not much---activity there.

The Lido cabanas look exactly as others have described them---the teen make-out center; an emergency room; a sleep study center. They also look very hot when the curtain is closed---which it is when someone is in there.
There's plenty of room, however, for those who like to lounge without paying for it---there's two rows of loungers on each side of the pool. That's just like on the other ships, IIRC. No loss of space for the budget-minded there. There's also some tables and chairs on all four sides, for those who like to eat there. The walking space is not very wide, however. :(

The "curtain" areas on the Lido aft, the ones that look like cabanas on some versions of the deckplans, are really just pretty covers to provide shade for some of the tables. :)

Believe it or not, that's been important this trip! I almost can't believe I'm in Norway, with weather this nice. We've had four consecutive days of warm and sunny. And I'm going back outside to enjoy it. :D

Sage

July 10th, 2008, 08:56 AM

Ruth, I'm enjoying your post greatly. Thank you for taking the time and money to post your impressions.

Krazy Kruizers

July 10th, 2008, 08:57 AM

Thanks Ruth for checking in.

We appreciate you give us more descriptions of everything.

arzz

July 10th, 2008, 09:55 AM

Thanks for your posts and descriptions Ruth and your generosity in taking the time from you vacation to post. I really appreciate your perspective.

Aussie Gal

July 10th, 2008, 06:00 PM

Ruth,

I am enjoying your posts and appreciate the time and effort it takes to post so often. Thanks and continue to enjoy your lovely cruise. So glad that the weather is so mild.

Jennie

AlohaPride

July 10th, 2008, 09:15 PM

Warm, Sunny, and HAL. Three of my favorite words :D

sail7seas

July 10th, 2008, 09:30 PM

Thanks for your posts, Ruth. Enjoying reading them.

tomc

July 10th, 2008, 10:19 PM

The Lido cabanas look exactly as others have described them---the teen make-out center.

Don't come knockin'
When the cabana's rockin'.

We tried to move when Dad knocked,
But, darn it all, our braces locked.

brucory

July 11th, 2008, 04:37 AM

Ruth....

So glad to see you "made an entrance"....

Very pleased also that SAS looked after you so well... What a great advertisement for them!!!

We would love to hear what you have liked most so far about the Eurodam and also what you have liked least...

Warm regards from Australia...

Brucory.... :D :D :D

tomc

July 11th, 2008, 09:21 PM

brucory said: We would love to hear what you have liked most so far about the Eurodam and also what you have liked least...

tomc guesses:

Liked most:

Chocolate on pillow
Chocolate desserts

Liked least:

Roast beef did not come with chocolate sauce

brucory

July 12th, 2008, 04:38 AM

brucory said:

tomc guesses:

Liked least:

Roast beef did not come with chocolate sauce

I think they would do it for RuthC....:D :D :D

tomc

July 12th, 2008, 03:38 PM

You know, I think you're right. I couldn't imagine what it would be like, but --eh-- each to his or her own. My own favorite meal is a cheese omlet with peanut butter on the side. Ruth always wants me to save my pillow chocolates for her, as I don't eat (or care for) candy. Maybe I'll mail them to her after this cruise in September.

RuthC

July 12th, 2008, 07:30 PM

Who would ever think to put chili in fudge. :rolleyes: Sounds awful doesn't it? But it was chocolate fudge, and it was a free sample, so I tried it. Certain things should never be paired, and these are two of them.
The fudge was being sold on HMY Britannia. What a marvelous tour!
If you ever find yourself in Edinburgh/South Queensferry, do tour the former Royal Yacht. They did an excellent job of opening up the various decks, making it accessible to those with mobility problems, and letting the commoners see what it would be like to have an ocean-going vessel at your beck and call.
There were four honeymoons on this yacht---all four marriages ended in divorce. The yacht is rented out for corporate parties, but I wouldn't recommend holding a wedding reception there.

Now, for the "man" part of Candy Man---on the way off the ship today I ran into my old friend John Mulvaney! :) John is the corporate chef, and oversees the ships' chefs. I knew the food was good this cruise!
John promised to send me some sugar-free chocolate truffles! :D
How does that man always remember?

Tonight was the dessert extravaganza.
Has this been a good day, or what! :)

Ruth always wants me to save my pillow chocolates for her, as I don't eat (or care for) candy. Maybe I'll mail them to her after this cruise in September.
If you prefer, I could send an armored car.

sapper1

July 12th, 2008, 07:58 PM

Who would ever think to put chili in fudge. :rolleyes: Sounds awful doesn't it? But it was chocolate fudge, and it was a free sample, so I tried it. Certain things should never be paired, and these are two of them.
The fudge was being sold on HMY Britannia. What a marvelous tour!
If you ever find yourself in Edinburgh/South Queensferry, do tour the former Royal Yacht. They did an excellent job of opening up the various decks, making it accessible to those with mobility problems, and letting the commoners see what it would be like to have an ocean-going vessel at your beck and call.
There were four honeymoons on this yacht---all four marriages ended in divorce. The yacht is rented out for corporate parties, but I wouldn't recommend holding a wedding reception there.

Now, for the "man" part of Candy Man---on the way off the ship today I ran into my old friend John Mulvaney! :) John is the corporate chef, and oversees the ships' chefs. I knew the food was good this cruise!
John promised to send me some sugar-free chocolate truffles! :D
How does that man always remember?

Tonight was the dessert extravaganza.
Has this been a good day, or what! :)

If you prefer, I could send an armored car.
Ruth--Was the tour of the Britannia offered as a ship's excursion or did you do it on your own? I will be taking the same cruise next July and the excursions aren't posted yet but I am trying to get some idea of what is available. The Britannia would be top of my list for Edinburgh.

mamaofami

July 12th, 2008, 08:44 PM

Chili and chocolate in one combo... that really doesn't sound so good to me. Glad you're having fun, Ruth.:D

lettienets

July 12th, 2008, 10:55 PM

Ruth, you look as happy as a clam (chocolate) there holding court at the CC party! Wait till the meet and greet on the Noordam Voyage of the Good Nuts - there are now 79 CCers signed up! I am looking forward to seeing you and Greg, Adele and Mary Ellen again on that trip. I also notice there are 55 CCers on my b2b Jan 13 as well. I will be looking forward to all the details about the E dam then. It will be fun to meet the CCers! Have a great time on your last days and a good trip home. Loretta

jtl513

July 12th, 2008, 11:11 PM

Have a great time on your last days and a good trip home.I think both Ruth and RevNeal have another 13 days to go! :)

Krazy Kruizers

July 13th, 2008, 08:32 AM

Thanks for checking in Ruth!!

Chocolate and Chili?? Not for this person.

John Mulvany!!! Haven't seen him for a couple of years.

localady

July 13th, 2008, 10:01 AM

Chocolate and Chili?? Sounds like a delicious Mole' sauce to me!!;)

It's a great way to add more chocolate to your diet!:D :D

Didn't know the Brits liked Mole' though......;) :p

Continued calm seas and sunny skies RuthC !!

sail7seas

July 13th, 2008, 11:05 AM

Oh my goodness....... John Mulvaney. Been years since we've seen him. Would love to 'bump' into him. What a great Chef!

Between him and Chef Robert Schumann on Eurodam, you have to getting some 'dam' fine food.

Enjoy!

innlady1

July 13th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Who would ever think to put chili in fudge. :rolleyes: Sounds awful doesn't it? But it was chocolate fudge, and it was a free sample, so I tried it. Certain things should never be paired, and these are two of them.
The fudge was being sold on HMY Britannia. What a marvelous tour!
If you ever find yourself in Edinburgh/South Queensferry, do tour the former Royal Yacht. They did an excellent job of opening up the various decks, making it accessible to those with mobility problems, and letting the commoners see what it would be like to have an ocean-going vessel at your beck and call.
There were four honeymoons on this yacht---all four marriages ended in divorce. The yacht is rented out for corporate parties, but I wouldn't recommend holding a wedding reception there.

Now, for the "man" part of Candy Man---on the way off the ship today I ran into my old friend John Mulvaney! :) John is the corporate chef, and oversees the ships' chefs. I knew the food was good this cruise!
John promised to send me some sugar-free chocolate truffles! :D
How does that man always remember?

Tonight was the dessert extravaganza.
Has this been a good day, or what! :)

If you prefer, I could send an armored car.

Sounds like you're having an awesome time, Ruth! I think your itinerary is the absolute best. And to think it's a b2b for you!

I've heard of some unusual chocolate combinations lately...they were giving a tasting at the farm store here the other day and I wasn't really paying attention as the woman was explaining it to my granddaughter...I don't think it was chili chocolate though!

RuthC

July 14th, 2008, 10:37 AM

Ruth--Was the tour of the Britannia offered as a ship's excursion or did you do it on your own? I will be taking the same cruise next July and the excursions aren't posted yet but I am trying to get some idea of what is available. The Britannia would be top of my list for Edinburgh.
This was a private tour, and was very easy to do on my own.
There was a shuttle (HAL didn't advertise it) at the pier in South Queensferry; it cost $20, round-trip, and they took American money. The shuttle let us off at Charlotte's Gate, and it was a fairly short walk around the corner and up the street to catch the #22 bus. The bus let us off at the ship terminal---which is also a shopping mall.
The bus needs exact change, in pounds; there is an all-day pass available.

The Brittania entrance is up a couple of escalator levels, and at the end of the building. They take credit cards. It's a self-guided tour with a hand-held audio device, so you can go at your own pace. The tour takes about 1-1 1/2 hours. There's elevators for the various levels.

Then, back the same way you came. Very easy.

RuthC

July 14th, 2008, 10:48 AM

For several of us CC'ers tomorrow is a lovely day---while passengers are busy disembarking, we get to stay aboard and wave "good-bye". I will do everything in my power to keep from going "nah-nah-nah-nah-nah, nah!". No promises, however. ;)

Sorry to say, though, that tonight we will be saying a sad farewell to some friends old and new.
Christopher, bepsf and his parents, Jim H and Donna, Bill S and Virginia, have all been such fun to be around---if only for a little while. :)
I hope to sail with every one of them again some day.

It's a full day of activities today. I wonder how busy/how late the lounges will be tonight? If I were to complain about anything on this ship, it's the service in the lounges. It's necessary to reach out to get the attention of a steward, rather than previous years (or on smaller ships) where they notice you and approach.
I'll find an opportunity to make that comment to HAL.

Heading off to the Mariners' Party---it looks like it's going to be the old-fashioned way.
I like that.

ger_77

July 14th, 2008, 10:59 AM

It must be mixed emotions, watching your friends depart, knowing you still have another 7 days before you have to pack up and leave as well. I hope the rest of your trip is as enjoyable as the first part has been. I look forward to your continued posts if and when you have time.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)
Gerry

mamaofami

July 14th, 2008, 11:02 AM

Ruth, I hope you have as good a time on the next part of the cruise as you've obviously had on the first part.:D

sapper1

July 14th, 2008, 04:46 PM

This was a private tour, and was very easy to do on my own.
There was a shuttle (HAL didn't advertise it) at the pier in South Queensferry; it cost $20, round-trip, and they took American money. The shuttle let us off at Charlotte's Gate, and it was a fairly short walk around the corner and up the street to catch the #22 bus. The bus let us off at the ship terminal---which is also a shopping mall.
The bus needs exact change, in pounds; there is an all-day pass available.

The Brittania entrance is up a couple of escalator levels, and at the end of the building. They take credit cards. It's a self-guided tour with a hand-held audio device, so you can go at your own pace. The tour takes about 1-1 1/2 hours. There's elevators for the various levels.

Then, back the same way you came. Very easy.
Thank you Ruth--I have printed out your instructions to have with me next year. Maybe it will turn up as a new ship's excursion. I will watch for it.

tomc

July 16th, 2008, 01:44 AM

What I plan to do is rob a bank and take this cruise. They'll catch me, of course, but I'll have GREAT memories.

Sunshine91

July 16th, 2008, 08:53 AM

Ruth - John & I are missing you & the rest of the Magnificent 7 already. It was such a treat to sail with you again. :)

I'm gonna work him hard for the Rotterdam TA cruise Nov 2009, but I think he'd like to do the Panama Canal in Feb 2010. We'll see you again some day, on some dam ship. ;)

RuthC

July 16th, 2008, 09:52 AM

And they're off. The core CC group has continued on to the next cruise, to be joined by a few more CC'ers.

The new crowd won't see the differences from the first 10-13 days, but those of us who stayed aboard will.
First off, there's a whole lot more kids! :eek: And they're everywhere! They're everywhere! By late yesterday afternoon I was already known as "The lady who yelled at us to stop running". :D What "yelled"? I just told them to stop. I don't want to listen to the thundering hooves by my door. They were also running through the crowded Lido during breakfast this morning. I don't want to be one of the people they bump over, either.
Oh, this could get nasty. :rolleyes:

Second, the shows have been switched to pre-dinner---so I'll be missing most of them this go-round.
And the piano player, Jimmy Maddox (excellent, btw), has been replaced by Bob. No last name, just "Bob". He gets one more chance tonight, then I'm outta there. Too loud, too country, too can't sing. Too talking down to the people surrounding the piano.

It's as if the E-dam had an impressive send-off, but now it's business as usual. :(

Krazy Kruizers

July 16th, 2008, 10:16 AM

Thanks Ruth for checking in.

Sorry to hear that things seem to be going downhill.

Hope things improve over the next few days.

grannynurse

July 16th, 2008, 10:19 AM

Ruth,
I'm getting the "Let's Call the whole thing off" feeling! millions of rugrats on a Baltic Cruise? "Lions, Tigers, and Bears Oh My!"
I hope Adele is okay, I can see myself in the same position. Please give her a hug for me, and hug yourself too. I'm still waiting for "Happy Days are Here Again!"
GN

mamaofami

July 16th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Ruth, you guys are making me feel good that my cruise on the Eurodam is only for three days. I'm already anticit[pating the hordes of TA's, VIP's and kids over Labor DAy and all I want is a dinner at Tamarind which of course I can't pre book.

Desdemona01

July 16th, 2008, 12:45 PM

Ruth, I'm so sorry that the second leg of your trip has started off less-than-great :mad: . I had no idea that there would be many children/pre-teens/teens on this cruise--wow. I'm with you--I'd be playing hall monitor. If the parents aren't going to discipline them, someone needs to. Our friends love to go to movies with DH and me because he polices the theater--he's not shy about telling children, AND adults, to be quiet. He's actually been applauded by the rest of the audience for quieting some rowdy pre-teens.
So, you go girl!!!:D

Susie51

July 16th, 2008, 01:51 PM

I saw a picture of you in your formal attire on RevNeal's thread. You look lovely.

Good for you! I'm glad you asked the kids to stop running.

Trader Ron

July 16th, 2008, 08:38 PM

Aussie Gal

July 16th, 2008, 10:06 PM

Ruth,

I have mentioned it on Rev Neil's thread but in case you don't get to read it I will tell you here.

The photos that he has taken of you are fantastic. You look younger than ever and obviously you are having a great time.

I too agree with what the Rev said you were doing regarding telling off the children who are running everywhere. I would also be telling their parents to look after them, a ship is no place for children who "wild and out of control".

Jennie

docksider21

July 16th, 2008, 10:19 PM

What I plan to do is rob a bank and take this cruise.

So that's what happened to Indy Bank! :D

tomc

July 17th, 2008, 01:28 AM

Penthouse coming up!

CalGal777

July 17th, 2008, 02:10 AM

Penthouse coming up!You robbed the bank????

RuthC

July 17th, 2008, 07:55 AM

Today is the first of five consecutive days in ports---very busy days, indeed. We're in Tallin, followed by two days in St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm. In the midst of all this we lose another hour of sleep---by tomorrow AM we'll be eight hours ahead of NYC.

So, there's some hard choices to be made---stay out and play at night, or get some sleep? Full or half-day shore excursions? HAL or private tours? There's so much here that's worthwhile to see and do, and only so much time---not to mention energy that a body can generate!

I took the Ho-Ho bus around Tallin and saw some nice sights. Too bad it was pouring rain, and I didn't get off. It was a kind of long walk to get the bus, too. There goes some of that energy. :rolleyes:

Tonight the Magnificent Seven have an early reservation at Tamarind---all the better to get a head-start on that loss of sleep, Justin Miller's later show, and a very busy marathon in St. Pete!
You see, I don't want to choose---I've made up my mind I want to do it all! :D

Krazy Kruizers

July 17th, 2008, 08:44 AM

Good to hear from you Ruth.

Been to all those ports -- oh yes -- very busy time in them -- and we tried hard to see everything -- just not possible.

calm_seas

July 17th, 2008, 08:51 AM

RuthC All of you..... Enjoy every part of the journey! We enjoy hearing about it & thanks for posting!

tomc

July 17th, 2008, 12:34 PM

CalGal777 --

Originally Posted by tomc:
Penthouse coming up!

Then posted by CalGal777:
You robbed the bank????

Funniest thing happened today. I went to the bank to deposit two checks and casually asked them for the balance on my account. The teller printed it out and it was way high. I told her there was a big error here. She said no, I said yes.

Apparently, when she entered the numbers in her adding machine, she accidentally hit one twice, resulting in an additional $10,000 showing up on my ticket.

As I said...

jhannah

July 17th, 2008, 12:50 PM

I'd have told those rug rats to stop running, too! Once again we must ask, "Where are the parents?"

It was so nice finally getting to meet the famous RuthC. Truly it was a good time had by all on the inaugural. Sorry we couldn't stay for this sailing, but we've been in the baltic fairly recently. If things have changed (downward) it's good we came on home. But it was hard to get off on Tuesday. My knuckles still hurt from where they used a pry bar to get my fingers off the verandah railing!

I hope your remaining ports will be enjoyable.

Susie51

July 17th, 2008, 03:34 PM

Welcome back Jhannah. I hope the kid situation gets better soon.

Taxguy7

July 17th, 2008, 03:38 PM

sail7seas

July 17th, 2008, 03:45 PM

Welcome back, Jim. So happy you had such a wonderful time.

u4ea

July 17th, 2008, 04:44 PM

Looks like you were caught by the Blog!:eek::)
Forgive my if I'm wrong, is that you? If so, now your a star!
Mark...
http://www.eurodamnews.com/2008/07/17/so-much-to-do-so-little-time/

http://www.eurodamnews.com/images/ondeck.jpg

Bill S

July 18th, 2008, 01:26 AM

Hi Ruth! It was great to finally meet you! We enjoyed cruising with you and all the other CCers. I'm confident that the Mag 7 will have a grand time on your Baltic segment! Have fun! Got chocolate?

mamaofami

July 18th, 2008, 07:49 PM

double post

Susie51

July 18th, 2008, 11:25 PM

Ruth, we haven't heard from you in awhile. I hope that means you are having Sooooo much fun you don't have time to post.

Crazy

July 19th, 2008, 12:13 AM

Ruth - miss being on the Eurodam with you guys -- two of our bags didn't make it out of Chicago. They did arrive the next day, but we hated the flight back from Copenhagen - long, long, long.

It was good to meet everyone.

Auntie Em

Krazy Kruizers

July 19th, 2008, 11:00 AM

jhannah

July 19th, 2008, 12:01 PM

Yes, I do believe that's our Ruthless!

mamaofami

July 19th, 2008, 12:27 PM

Looks like Ruth to me too. One of my favorite spots on board. :D

Susie51

July 19th, 2008, 03:01 PM

Wish I was there in that deck chair! I'm glad you grabbed a chance to relax.

TedC

July 19th, 2008, 04:35 PM

Looks like Ruth - but younger!

FinelyRetired

July 19th, 2008, 09:25 PM

If that's Ruth, no wonder she hasn't posted in a few days! I wouldn't leave that deck chair either. I'm so envious.

AlohaPride

July 19th, 2008, 09:41 PM

That's Ruthless sitting on that lounger!! She looks GREAT!!

RuthC

July 20th, 2008, 05:01 AM

C'est moi. :o If I'd known my picture was going to be taken, I might have dressed a little nicer.
But then, at my worst I'm dressed nicer than so many people on this leg of the cruise. :rolleyes: I'll tell you about that later.

RuthC

July 20th, 2008, 05:16 AM

We completed two exhausting days in St. Petersburg, and had the warm welcome I remember so well. There was a band to greet us as we returned from shore excursions, and to send us on our way last night. There was also a band playing outside Catherine's Summer Palace. They played music well-known to Americans of "a certain age", and did it well. There were also a few Russian tunes thrown in for good measure. Donations were accepted. It's sad to think that this may be the way these men make a living---perhaps they have other work when cruise ships are not in? :confused:

We were promised rain, and instead had two beautiful days in which to enjoy the sites. If you have the energy to go-go-go, I recommend taking private tours which will go at your pace, and show you exactly what you want to see. It's possible to "see it all" for a decent price.
If you no longer have that kind of energy though, I found that a HAL half-day tour was very well done. I've now done it both ways here, and have decided next time I will book a private tour, but now I know exactly what I want on the itinerary---some things off the beaten path. It takes that long to know what you really want to do here.

I was saying to another passenger that I would appreciate a tour of the Hermatage that focused on the building as art, rather than the artwork displayed. Our port lecturer, Frank Buckingham, overheard me, thought it was a good idea (always figured that man was a genius ;) ), and is bringing it to the shore excursion people to see if it can be developed. Sometimes it pays to speak out. :D

Heading out soon for my tour of Helsinki.

RuthC

July 20th, 2008, 05:23 AM

Apparently, when she entered the numbers in her adding machine, she accidentally hit one twice, resulting in an additional $10,000 showing up on my ticket.

As I said...
I know just the cruise for you! Thirty-two days, Rotterdam, includes a trans-At.
Great prices. You can book a cabin to yourself, have business-class air, and still have money left over! How's that sound?

After all, the bank has insurance to cover the loss. :D

jhannah

July 20th, 2008, 07:14 AM

Hey, Ruth! Glad things are going well and that you had good weather in SPB. There truly are lots of things to see off the beaten path. We were there for almost 3 weeks and still didn't take everything in.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise. (He says, wishing he could have remained onboard.)

tomc

July 20th, 2008, 02:00 PM

Regarding the bank error when adding up my deposit and balance:

After all, the bank has insurance to cover the loss. It wasn't an official entry; just an informal "what's my balance now?" inquiry, which she dashed off on her adding machine. If it had been official, someone else would be doing my radio show and I'd be having a HAL of a time at sea.

PathfinderEss

July 20th, 2008, 04:13 PM

And the piano player, Jimmy Maddox (excellent, btw), has been replaced by Bob. No last name, just "Bob". He gets one more chance tonight, then I'm outta there. Too loud, too country, too can't sing. Too talking down to the people surrounding the piano. :(
Wow, apparently this Jimmy Maddox was just there for the send off for when all the big wigs were on board huh, what a shame. So now that the Eurodam has become just another cruise ship, we go down to what seems to be their "B" game players, like this Bob guy. Really a shame for us that love our piano bars. I have a friend that plays in Hal's piano bars, and he really wanted to do the Eurodam, requested it months in advanced of its initial sailing, but got turned down. He is an excellent piano player and very personable with Hal's guest, doesn't seem to matter with Hal though. I really don't understands Hal's thought process. This also happen once on the Oosterdam, when it was new. It was the ships first Caribbean cruise and they had Hal's top 100 travel agents on board (what a party that was). They brought in a wonderful piano bar player but on the second week when the travel agents left, he disappeared and we end up with this horrible replacement. Like you, we gave him several chances and then never went back to the bar again on that cruise.

Susie51

July 20th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Ruth, I'm glad the weather was good so you could enjoy SPB. I'm sorry to hear that the piano bar hasn't been a good experience this time. On Oosterdam in Dec., I'm planning on spending some time in there. On other cruises I have just walked by the piano bar, but your enthusiastic posts have encouraged me to try it.

Someone on the CC boards suggested pax should try Trivia. I'm glad I tried it. Now it is one of my favorite things to do while cruising. Who knows? The piano bar might become a favorite also.

lorekauf

July 20th, 2008, 06:52 PM

Thank you Ruth for spending your $$$ and time to take us along with you. It's much appreciated!

innlady1

July 20th, 2008, 07:22 PM

Ruth, thanks for your reports...I'm enjoying each and every one! What a wonderful itinerary you've enjoyed! :D

FinelyRetired

July 20th, 2008, 08:58 PM

Ruth,

Sounds like you had good weather for St. Petersburg. Hoorah.

Thanks so much for posting. Enjoy the rest of the cruise.

Don't hurry back....it's HHH here in RI. 90+ last 3 days.

Martha

innlady1

July 20th, 2008, 09:26 PM

Ruth,

Sounds like you had good weather for St. Petersburg. Hoorah.

Thanks so much for posting. Enjoy the rest of the cruise.

Don't hurry back....it's HHH here in RI. 90+ last 3 days.

Martha

Yes, Ruth, Martha is correct...it's hot hot hot here in New England. Stay on that ship as long as you can!

tomc

July 21st, 2008, 03:51 PM

Ruth reminds me each week that my music column is due for the local newspaper. I thought you might like this week's and, since it's about cruising and she just send me a reminder, I'm going to hijack her thread for a handful of lines.

TO BE “BEYOND THE SEA” ON A “SLOW BOAT TO CHINA”
by Tom Carten
Citizens' Voice Music Correspondent

Friends of mine are on a cruise from over there to over here and I’m following their adventures via a message board. Enviously.

Frank Loesser wrote a song, “Slow Boat to China,” and his daughter explained where it came from: “’I'd like to get you on a slow boat to China’ was a well-known phrase among poker players, referring to a person who lost steadily and handsomely.” Frank made it romantic, of course, and the Straight Dope staff adding, “with the idea being it would be about as long and slow a trip as one could imagine.”

“I'd love to get you / On a slow boat to China, / All to myself alone. / Get you to keep you in my arms evermore.”

Then there’s “Beyond the Sea,” a great Bobby Darin piece and the English version of a French song, La Mer (“The Sea”). I can’t find a translation of Charles Trenet’s lyrics and, although I can read French at a basic level, I don’t want to confuse the issue by translating here. I can, however, tell you they are totally unrelated to Bobby Darin’s hit song. Carnival Cruise Line used it for their commercials, wisely omitting the final verse, “And never again I’ll go sailing.” They want repeaters to fill those cabins.

“Somewhere beyond the sea / Somewhere waitin’ for me / My lover stands on golden sands / And watches the ships that go sailin’.”

We always had “Cruisin’ Down the River on a Sunday Afternoon.” The story behind this one, as told by a nameless Internet source is the song was written by Eily Beadell and Nell Tollerton, two middle-aged women who wrote the song to win a British songwriting contest in 1945. It was sung by the crew of H.M.S. Amethyst as it made its historic dash down the Yangtze River in 1949.

However: Another source says local musician Russ Morgan recorded it from words and music provided by himself and Blue Barron. But: “Jumbo Jimbo’s Song Lyrics Archive” notes that while Russ recorded the song, the writers are unknown. Aha! Score one for the ladies of a certain age.

To finish off, there’s my favorite rendition of “Up A Lazy River,” by the powerhouse Sy Zentner Orchestra that I remember from my early days at WICC in Bridgeport CT. When I hear this, usually by the Mills Brothers, I can’t help but thinking of that never-to-be trip up the Amazon:

“Up a lazy river by the old mill run / The lazy, lazy river in the noon day sun / Linger in the shade of a kind old tree / Throw away your troubles / Dream a dream with me.”

I’ve never been up the Amazon on a cruise ship, so I don’t know if it’s a lazy river or a very active flow of water. Anyone want to tell me? Or send me a ticket?

RuthC

July 22nd, 2008, 04:16 PM

It's gone by so fast! This 20-day Maiden Voyage, I mean. Today was our last sea day, and so I started to organize my packing---just as on every other last sea day. The Mariners' Parties were held in the main show lounge---as it used to be, and I believe the suite luncheon was held in the closed-off Crow's Nest.
It was a beautiful day outdoors---as so often happens that last sea day, and there were lots of interesting activities on the schedule---also as usual.

Later today I was included as on of the invitees to speak with the Captain and Hotel Manager about how the HAL things are going. I tried to organize my thoughts and present them in a thoughtful, constructive way.
I hope I carried that off.

Krazy Kruizers

July 22nd, 2008, 04:34 PM

Good to hear from you Ruth.

Wonder if all the ships may go back to the old way of having the Mariner's party in the lounge or if this is juse a Eurodam thing?

Aussie Gal

July 22nd, 2008, 06:48 PM

Ruth,

I have enjoyed reading your posts. Take care and have a safe trip home.

Jennie

codyody

July 22nd, 2008, 07:21 PM

HeatherInFlorida

July 22nd, 2008, 07:24 PM

.......................
Later today I was included as on of the invitees to speak with the Captain and Hotel Manager about how the HAL things are going. I tried to organize my thoughts and present them in a thoughtful, constructive way.
I hope I carried that off.

I have every confidence that you did, Ruth:) . I can't imagine a fairer, more non-judgmental, objective person they could have chosen.

Safe home!

Copper10-8

July 22nd, 2008, 07:39 PM

Good to hear from you Ruth.

Wonder if all the ships may go back to the old way of having the Mariner's party in the lounge or if this is juse a Eurodam thing?

The explanation we received from the Capt. as to why the Mariners reception (not brunch) was done "the old way" on Eurodam was that there were just too many Mariners on board (I'm talking the 10-day round trip Copenhagen). They couldn't accomodate everyone in the dining room for a brunch.

FinelyRetired

July 22nd, 2008, 10:09 PM

Ruth:

I would to hear what you had to say. I'm sure it was thoughtful and timely.

I wish you a safe trip home.

Martha

jhannah

July 23rd, 2008, 07:41 AM

They couldn't accomodate everyone in the dining room for a brunch. That's right. The percentage of Mariners on that sailing was in the high 90s.

INSIDERS CABIN

July 23rd, 2008, 08:47 AM

Just to fill in the gaps--and not sure what they all are, since we have just returned from travel ourselves, but i will take a break from the mail and laundry to let you know that Jimmy flew to Rome when we docked in CPH to board the Noordam--we have already had an email from him in Vilnius! He was a favorite! Also the number of Mariners at the two receptions on the maiden voyage from CPH to CPH was 1468 out of 2100; hence the ceremony in the show lounge. And the elderly lady passenger with over 900 days was not the bright star; she checked in at cph next to us and the counter agent said she remembered her from summer previous and thought she was close to 100! Sail on!

jhannah

July 23rd, 2008, 10:01 AM

Also the number of Mariners at the two receptions on the maiden voyage from CPH to CPH was 1468 out of 2100 I wish I'd written down what the Captain said ... but it was 1900-something in his remarks.

jtl513

July 23rd, 2008, 10:18 AM

Also the number of Mariners at the two receptions on the maiden voyage from CPH to CPH was 1468 out of 2100;
I wish I'd written down what the Captain said ... but it was 1900-something in his remarks.Either way, if the dining room is same size as the Vistas, it can only accomodate about 1050 people. Any future sailings with more than 50% Mariners will not fit either. Come to think of it, how are Mariner brunches done on the Vistas now, when 60% to 65% of 1848 or 1918 can't all fit? I guess they have to count on up to 200 people not coming?

silvercruiser

July 23rd, 2008, 10:35 AM

When we were on the VEENDAM in February they had more than one Mariners reception and luncheon to accomodate all the Mariners. I assume this is done on other HAL ships as well. Our reception and luncheon was for those with 100 days or more, don't know about the other one.

Copper10-8

July 23rd, 2008, 11:14 AM

I wish I'd written down what the Captain said ... but it was 1900-something in his remarks.

He said 1,995 but I'm pretty sure that was a bit of Dutch humor

AlohaPride

July 23rd, 2008, 02:07 PM

CoconutFish

July 23rd, 2008, 04:50 PM

On a Zuiderdam Panama Canal cruise of 21 days there was a different approach to the Mariner's recognition parties.
There were the usual 2 receptions in the show lounge, plus a luncheon on the upper level of the the Dining Room for Medallion holders. This was a cruise with 1200 Mariners, of whom 130 were Medallion holders.
This luncheon was the most enjoyable event we have ever been to on HAL: elegant and gracious, with a menu from the Pinnacle Grill and an officer at each table, not rushed, but sincerely presented. If a luncheon for all 1200 Mariners on board had been presented, we doubt that it could have been done in such style. Captain Donselaar and Hotel Manager Mark Pells did a fabuous job of this event.
With HAL considering an upgrade to their Mariner program, we would think this limited type of event would a step in the right direction.

Susie51

July 23rd, 2008, 08:25 PM

Thank you for posting, Ruth and have a safe trip home. I'd like to hear what the captain said about the children.

kakalina

July 23rd, 2008, 08:55 PM

I’ve never been up the Amazon on a cruise ship, so I don’t know if it’s a lazy river or a very active flow of water. Anyone want to tell me? Or send me a ticket?

Oh yes, Tom; she is indeed a lazy river. We have cruised 1000 miles on the Amazon and loved every inch of the trip. For pix click on the link in our sig.

Sunshine91

July 24th, 2008, 12:07 AM

Ruth - Wishing you & the rest of the Magnificent Seven safe travels home. It's hard to believe that 20 days have passed already. :rolleyes:

tomc

July 25th, 2008, 12:37 AM

Ruth! Are you home yet? My docs came in.

mamaofami

July 25th, 2008, 12:58 AM

Ruth, safe trip home.

sail7seas

July 25th, 2008, 10:40 AM

Travel home safely, Ruth. Thank you so much for this wonderful thread. As always, very enjoyable to follow.

innlady1

July 25th, 2008, 08:29 PM

Ruth,
Thank you for your wonderful commentary on your Eurodam Inaugural! I thoroughly enjoyed your "take" on the ship, and wish you a safe journey back to the USA! :D

cruznon

July 25th, 2008, 11:56 PM

Ruth,
Thanks so much for sharing your adventures once again! Have a safe trip home.

tomc

July 26th, 2008, 08:26 PM

Ruth just contacted me to say she is home, safe and tired. Or, tired and safe. But home.

mamaofami

July 26th, 2008, 08:45 PM

Ruth, glad you are home safe.

RuthC

July 29th, 2008, 06:19 PM

I thought I'd do a summary review, separating the topics. So, here goes---:D

She’s a brand-new ship, obviously, and looks like a HAL ship. I can’t say there’s anything special about the E-dam, though. She’s very pretty, tastefully decorated in an understated way. But there’s nothing “WOW!” about her. She’s Vista 2.0. New, not necessarily improved. And the condom centerpiece in the Atrium looks it. :rolleyes: Not at all attractive, if you ask me.
I would not go out of my way to sail, or, to avoid, her.

I felt it was crowded in too many places. :( Just as on the Vista’s, it’s very crowded on Lido Deck, both passing to/from the forward elevator bank, as well as going past the pool, and again in the dining/serving area. There’s a half-wall between the sitting area and the service stations. There’s no way that tables should be set there, but there they are! Tables for two making it very difficult for even one person to pass. Add someone going in the other direction, and you have a bottleneck on your hands. Now add a woman who puts a third seat in the passage and you really jam it up. Toss a few running kiddies in the mix and you have a potential disaster. (I saw both of these.)
I know Greg has documented the problem with the step in the center Lido dining area. I learned first-hand not to make that mistake twice! :eek: What genius thought a blind-spot step, for someone carrying a tray, was a good idea? It’s an accident waiting to happen. Free cruise coming up, anyone?

I thought the Explorations Café, while nicely located, much too small. There were 20 computer stations---which should be enough. Frequently they were all being used, but often, especially at odd hours, many were free. But there was little in the way of table space mixed in. The few tables there had either a chess set (wonder how the pieces managed to keep from disappearing), puzzle, or something in the way. If one wanted to write it was necessary to leave the area and go into the Library that was on the Crow’s Nest side. The last day that table was overtaken by jigsaw puzzles. There were few easy chairs in which to sit.
I would have taken more of the Crow’s Nest and made it part of Explorations, if I were planning the area. Since there’s little in the way of evening entertainment in the Crow’s Nest anyway, there would not have been much of a loss, and it would have made the Explorations more inviting.

I found the show lounge quite comfortable, with some oversize seats scattered about. That was a nice touch. But the stairs! Every aisle, on both levels, was stairs. For those who don’t do stairs, for whatever reason, it’s possible to enter via Main Deck, but then you’re committed to sitting on the flats near the stage. There’s one row in the back, on each level, that’s accessible with a longer-range view.

The spacing between tables in the dining room seemed adequate. The lower level has a raised portion in the center, but it is not ramped---stairs only. Guess they expect they’ll never have to seat someone with mobility problems up there. I learned a long time ago---Never say “never”.

And, of course, there’s the crowded passage through the photo gallery---just as on all the Vista’s. Nothing changed for the better here. :mad:

HeatherInFlorida

July 29th, 2008, 07:32 PM

Welcome home, Ruth!!! So glad you got home safe and sound. It's great to continue to read about your experience on the Eurodam.

Seems that word "crowded" just keeps coming up! That's too bad. Also, when I saw pictures of that "thing" in the Atrium, I thought to myself did someone have a bad dream? What could they be thinking?

Looking forward to the rest!:)

lkmamom

July 29th, 2008, 07:38 PM

Ruth, welcome home:) Thanks for taking the time to share with all of us your perspective. I really enjoyed reading all of the cruise reports. We did not get to cruise this summer, we have a new obligation this summer......college bound son.;) I had no idea it would cost this much just to get ready to leave for college. :eek: But DH and I are plannng our next cruise and it will be just the two of us. The virtual cruise with everyone was a huge help to me.

I think that it is very helpful to point out what was not convenient for you on this ship. Hopefully HAL will read your post and they can re-arrange some things. The running kids are a huge concern especially for those with mobility problems. I just hope noone gets hurt getting through those tight spaces. I loved the picture of you on formal night, you look lovely in pink:) .
Linda

Susie51

July 29th, 2008, 09:23 PM

I'm glad you are safely home Ruth. Thank you for continuing to post.

When is your next cruise? Which ship?

FinelyRetired

July 29th, 2008, 09:37 PM

Welcome Home, Ruth:

Thanks so much for posting when you were able! I loved "sailing" along w. you.

I'm looking forward to your next topic. I applaud you for your balance & fairness when you write......it does seem that the more things change......the more they stay the same?

Martha

RuthC

July 29th, 2008, 09:38 PM

When is your next cruise? Which ship?
January, Noordam Voyage of the Good Nuts.
After that I'm scheduled for the Rotterdam eastern Med followed immediately by the western Med and trans-At. :)

And thanks for the nice comments. I'll post some more thoughts as soon as I finish writing them up.

lorekauf

July 29th, 2008, 09:40 PM

Thank you Ruth for all your time and money spent covering this cruise and also for your wrap up.

Bill S

July 30th, 2008, 12:00 AM

Welcome home, Ruth! I'm glad you are home ok.

It was great meeting and cruising with you!

I hope that you will be over jet lag soon and back on a regular chocolate schedule! :)

mamaofami

July 30th, 2008, 03:40 PM

RuthC

July 30th, 2008, 04:45 PM

Where are the formal night pictures posted? I didn't see any?
Greg had at least a couple in his thread.

He and I have a deal---he takes and posts pictures; I right click to save to my computer. :D

RuthC

July 30th, 2008, 04:51 PM

IIRC I posted about my cabin while I was onboard. It was a nice little cabin for one; would have been fine for two. It connected to the next cabin, which was a triple, making it a good arrangement for families.

The location was great during the Inaugural cruise. But the second ten days was soooo different! Never again will I try for one of those lovely large cabins on “family row” during a school vacation period! :( Not only were the little darlin’s constantly running up and down (and up, then down, then up, then …) the passageway, sounding like a herd of elephants, but their parents were oblivious to the havoc! At any moment, while the kids were out of control, someone could have stepped from their cabin to be bowled over by the throng!

Then there was the screamer. Screaming in her own cabin, with the door closed, wasn’t enough, though. She’d lie on the floor, in the open doorway, letting everyone know of her displeasure. Then she’d head off, screaming the while, to her relatives’ cabins. Parents, who were there, never made one motion to stop her, quiet her down, or at least get her behind closed doors. Arrrrrrgh!!!!!! :mad:

Several of the neighbors got trays of food regularly. Then, instead of calling to ask room service to remove the debris, they just put the dirties in the passageway. Where the rest of us could trip over them. And where wheelchairs couldn’t get past. And where kids having “fun” could toss the rolls around! :eek: Sheesh!

The last morning, though, had to be the “best” (she says in her most sarcastic voice). :rolleyes: Three of us in a row, who were constantly telling the kids not to run, ordered room service breakfast that last day. All the trays were delivered on time. All the orders were wrong---not the kitchen’s fault. Every order had been changed to orders for two (two of the three orders were for one), for prune juice, bowls of prunes, bran muffins, bran flakes!
Guess they thought we were full of ****? :confused:

What a waste of food and employee time. I headed to the Lido, so not a problem for me, but, like I said, what a waste.

Mary Ellen

July 30th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Actually Ruth, our order arrived early (6 instead of 7:30). They were probably hoping to wake us up, but I was in the shower when it arrived and DH was awake. We had a 9-ish disembarkation, so going to the Lido wasn't a problem - just a waste of time/effort/materials for room service. I feel VERY sorry for those children - raised by parents like that. (Yes, we do know it was the parents, we saw the handwriting on the order forms.)

RuthC

July 30th, 2008, 05:15 PM

I feel VERY sorry for those children - raised by parents like that. (Yes, we do know it was the parents, we saw the handwriting on the order forms.)
Which explains why the children behaved as they did all cruise. Such an example to set for kids. :rolleyes:

mamaofami

July 30th, 2008, 05:27 PM

Greg had at least a couple in his thread.

He and I have a deal---he takes and posts pictures; I right click to save to my computer. :D

http://www.revneal.org/Resources/eurodam08/edam97.jpg

Fabulpous picture, Ruth, and you do look great in pink. Somehow, I missed that whole page. Those chocolates don't look to shabby either!:D

RuthC

July 30th, 2008, 05:59 PM

http://www.revneal.org/Resources/eurodam08/edam97.jpg

Fabulpous picture, Ruth, and you do look great in pink.
Thanks, Carol. I always loved pink, but never was dressed in it as a child. :( Mom always put me in blue, and my sister in pink. She had red hair, and our mother liked the look on her.
Now I get to pick out my own clothes! :D

mamaofami

July 30th, 2008, 06:06 PM

I was very blonde and my mother said red was not for blondes. I won't say what she thought it made them look like. Now, it's my favorite color.

innlady1

July 30th, 2008, 07:10 PM

http://www.revneal.org/Resources/eurodam08/edam97.jpg

That's a great photo, Ruth. Somehow, I missed it as well.

It's absolutely disgraceful about your breakfast scenario. With parents like that, no wonder the children behaved as they did. :(

birder22

July 31st, 2008, 12:07 AM

Wow Ruth,

It's sounds as if a take home message from your experience is to avoid the large J cabins on the main deck during the summer and major holidays if you want a quiet cabin. Most of the quad cabins are on that deck and you are likely to end up on "family row". And possibly get the "wrong" family on your row. The larger size is not worth the loss of peace and quiet.

I'll keep this in mind for future bookings- and I'm a mom with 2 teens :eek:

Desdemona01

July 31st, 2008, 10:11 AM

Ruth and Mary Ellen,

Just when I think I've heard/read it all, your story about the room service fiasco made my jaw drop. Once again, we have these permissive parents who think that their "little darlings" can do no wrong, and take it out on anyone who says otherwise! Gives us real hope for the future, doesn't it?:rolleyes:

mancunian

July 31st, 2008, 03:53 PM

Perhaps I am getting old, but the more I read the more attracted I am to adult only ships.

RuthC

July 31st, 2008, 07:29 PM

I’ll start off by saying I couldn’t have asked for a better cabin steward. My room was clean, with fresh towels even when I didn’t need fresh. I had a collection of towel animals all over the couch and table, to the extent I couldn’t sit down!
I asked him to tape the extension and CPAP cord down so I wouldn’t trip. Mission accomplished easily.
He even gave me a few extra pillow chocolates! :D

My table stewards on the two cruises were good enough. Nothing special, but they tried hard, did their best, and were able to take special requests without batting an eye. I didn’t come close to starving, let’s put it that way.

I wish I could speak highly of the lounge stewards, but I can’t. :( Getting waited on in some of the lounges was next to impossible. There was more than one night in the Piano Bar that the first time I was approached was when he came around for last call. And that’s after I’d been there all night! :eek:
Even the nights I managed to get a first drink there, I was never approached for another.

It was just as bad in the Crow’s Nest. If I joined the group after they’d been waited on, it was if I weren’t there. Once upon a time the stewards noticed when someone new joined a group and they came over to offer service. No longer, apparently.

The Ocean Bar had to be the worst, though. It was possible to sit there for an entire Cocktail Time and not be waited on. If they were overwhelmed with business I could understand, but I can’t say that they were. When a nearby table was served the waiter didn’t look around to see if anyone new was in the area. So I called to him; he didn’t respond at all. Just walked away. When he returned to the table a few minutes later it was almost a repeat of the first time. The only difference this time was that I was louder, and got his attention. All the while other servers were standing at the bar making napkin flowers to give out (a tip-generating gesture). :rolleyes:

Once upon a time you entered a lounge, you were noticed and approached, and offered service. Whether or not you wanted something, a napkin was placed in front of you to alert everyone that you had been waited on. It was a great system! I can’t fathom why it isn’t done this way anymore.

I will say that the couple of times I wanted a soda at the Lido area I was able to be waited on with no problem. I was even approached when I didn’t want anything! The old-style of service. Love it!

One area no one ever thinks of when talking about “service” is the Shore Excursion department, but this time I just have to. They were excellent.
The walk to the show lounge, then back to mid-ship to disembark, then (usually) another half-length of the ship, just to board the bus can be a long, slow one if you have mobility problems. When the shore ex department figured out I’m slow they made special arrangements. My excursion sticker was sent to my cabin the night before, along with instructions to be outside 15 minutes before the lounge meeting time. The bus would not necessarily be there, but I would be able to board as soon as it arrived. There was a seat reserved for me that allowed me to favor my bad leg.
I’ve never had this service before, but hope it spreads throughout the fleet. :)

readinglady

July 31st, 2008, 10:46 PM

Ruth, regarding the Shore Excursion department, I have to comment on the Prinsendam. We got off the Celtic Kingdoms cruise on July 17 and they were fabulous. They were so helpful at the office and at the time of each excursion. We could not rave enough about all of the employees of that department.

kryos

August 1st, 2008, 11:20 AM

The last morning, though, had to be the “best” (she says in her most sarcastic voice). :rolleyes: Three of us in a row, who were constantly telling the kids not to run, ordered room service breakfast that last day. All the trays were delivered on time. All the orders were wrong---not the kitchen’s fault. Every order had been changed to orders for two (two of the three orders were for one), for prune juice, bowls of prunes, bran muffins, bran flakes!
Guess they thought we were full of ****? :confused:
What a waste of food and employee time. I headed to the Lido, so not a problem for me, but, like I said, what a waste.

Ruth, please take this advice in the kind manner in which it is offered, okay? I"m not trying to start a fight here, only to offer a suggestion.

Next time you have a problem with kids on a ship -- running or whatever -- may I suggest that you politely take the matter up with the parents and leave the kids out of it?

I think what happened in your case is that you got the parents' backs up. I can well imagine a parent saying "who the h*ll does she think she is correcting my children? I'm the parent and I'll do any correcting that's necessary!" Parents today get very upset when others offer unsolicited help with their childrearing chores and maybe that's why the adults pulled this stunt on you ladies. (I seem to recall another post on this thread that alleged it was the adults' handwriting on those breakfast order forms). They were annoyed that you were correcting their kids ... when, frankly, their kids' behavior was really none of your business.

This is why it is very upsetting to read that HAL shipboard officers didn't get involved with the matter concerning the kids' dangerous behavior from day one, because that lack of action, more than anything else, told those parents that you were poking your nose into matters that didn't concern you. So, yeah, they were probably trying to tell you on that last day that you were "full of s***" ... because they probably wondered why if their children's behavior was no problem for the ship's officers, it was of such a major concern to you?

While it would be fine for a ship's officer to correct the children directly, because of his position of authority on the ship, that's not fine for you or for any other passenger. So what I would suggest in the future is that you politely take any matter of this sort up with the parents. I'll bet you get a far better reaction by doing it that way, and the undesirable behavior stops.

Just a suggestion.

Blue skies and welcome home from your cruise!

--rita

RuthC

August 1st, 2008, 11:59 AM

You think that would have worked, Rita? I don't. And I'll tell you why not:
The first time I stopped a running kid there was a man standing in the passageway, just behind my back. When the girl (who did stop running when I told her to) got closer the man asked her if I had spoken to her. He then proceeded to tell me to stay out of it. If he were going to correct his child there was plenty of opportunity to do so before I spoke. No, he had no intention of making her behave.

After that the parents weren't around to even speak to.

When a gang of running kids is about to bowl me over I tell them to stop. They did do so every time they were told, so they know how to behave. Eventually they knew enough to stop running every time they saw me---even to the point of going the long way around the dining room.
The parents' actions for that last morning only serve to show that they, too, don't know how to manuver in a group setting.

Odd Ball

August 1st, 2008, 02:22 PM

Ruth, Loved all your posts. :) :)

Odd Ball

August 1st, 2008, 02:26 PM

Oceanwench

August 1st, 2008, 03:29 PM

Parents who allow their "little darlings" to behave in such a wild manner no doubt will not listen to a kind stranger offering suggestions on how to tame them.

The children's behavior is a reflection of their parents.
Talking to such parents is a waste of time.

Just this afternoon I was in a fabric store and two little hellions were running around. I said, quite loudly, "This is not a playground."
They stopped.

SakeDad

August 1st, 2008, 03:51 PM

Hi Ruth!:D
Loved meeting you and wish I had more time for you! But I certainly enjoyed our "sing-along" and hope to meet you again. I'm home and resting and happy. Make sure you keep an eye on my Eurodam gallery as I'll be adding pics for the next couple of weeks, probably!
Nathan

RuthC

August 1st, 2008, 07:36 PM

Sure will, Nathan. You have such a keen eye when it comes to composing a great picture. And you do remember how good I am with the right click, don't you? ;)

RuthC

August 1st, 2008, 07:43 PM

Didn’t get to sample the room service food (see above). :(

I had breakfast and lunch in the Lido most days. Breakfast was fine. I like that I can order egg whites and get them without a problem. They were very good about putting them on the toast, and all that.
The waffles were great! It was nice, too, to be able to put in my order, then go get coffee while it was cooking. It’s also nice that there was a “coffee refill” steward wandering around most of the time. :)

I had the full, hot lunch a couple of times, and it was very good. The sandwiches are all right, and the hamburgers are great. They even let me special order plain fries one day when they were making flavored ones! That was nice.

Oh, and the chocolate chip cookies were sooooo good. Soft, with melty chocolate. Those became a fixture on my plate. All right, not for long, but pretty much daily.
:D
Tables were bussed fairly quickly, and I never had a problem finding a seat. I do go to breakfast at the bitter end, though, and tend to go to lunch late, too. By then most people were ashore most days.
I didn’t see a line of stewards ready to help with trays, but I did see people with an obvious need for help getting it.

The dining room food is not what it used to be. I was always able to find one thing I wanted, but never had to make a hard choice. The offerings seem to have dropped down a notch. It tasted good enough, and I certainly never went hungry, but the meals are not what they used to be. On two nights of the cruise the featured beef dish was short ribs. They were excellent, yes, but short ribs? Never have seen that in the past. I never even saw turkey on the menu. Some of those delicious desserts I used to love never appeared. :(

The Tammarind has good food, a lovely setting, and the best service on the ship. Go there!
Pinnacle food was good; service was a little slow. The restaurant is noisy, though.
Both the Tammarind and Pinnacle blew it on our reservations. The Tammarind fixed it without much of a fuss, especially when Mary Ellen said she had made the reservation, face to face, with the man we were standing in front of.
The Pinnacle gave us a lot of grief about our reservation. Mary Ellen had made it, in person, for 8:00 PM. She agreed to a slightly earlier time, if necessary, but ruled out 5:30 emphatically. The confirmation came with a 5:30 time. We marched up to get that corrected and were not getting anywhere, even when she said she made the reservation with the person we were talking to. I told him he needed to change us back to 8:00; he said he couldn’t as it was full. I told him that he would then have to move a party that was given our time after we were already booked. All of a sudden there was a spot for us. We requested a table for seven, only to arrive and find it set for eight. That left an uncomfortable empty space. This type of treatment should not ever happen at the Pinnacle. I hope they get their act together.

kryos

August 1st, 2008, 08:17 PM

I don't think Kyros's suggestion would have worked either. There is no doubt the parents knew what these children were doing and choose to ignore it.

The parents actions were as bad as the children, if not worse.
I'm not saying it would have worked; I'm only saying that I think it would have had a better chance of working ... that's all.

Blue skies ...

--rita

Copper10-8

August 1st, 2008, 09:21 PM

mamaofami

August 1st, 2008, 10:07 PM

Too bad! Dining room staff (supervision) should have nipped it in the butt immediately upon the first occurance. Intercept those kids, identify them and their cabin #s, take em' straight to mum and dad's table and lay down the ground rules. Not doing that let's kids and nice parents know it's condoned so it continues

That really is the problem. If no one from HAL stops these kids run amok, why should the parents be concerned? Clearly, they didn't see the dangers in what their kids were doing (and didn't care) and resented having anyone tell them how to parent. If any of the darlings had gotten hurt,,,,,,
Just imagine if one of them had bumped into one of the dining room stewards carrying all those trays and if those trays had fallen on one of them?

RuthC

August 1st, 2008, 10:50 PM

Just imagine if one of them had bumped into one of the dining room stewards carrying all those trays and if those trays had fallen on one of them?

Or if they had managed to trip over my cane when they were going full-tilt. ;)

(sometimes ya just can't get there fast enough, doncha know.)

AlohaPride

August 2nd, 2008, 01:14 AM

Or if they had managed to trip over my cane when they were going full-tilt. ;)

(sometimes ya just can't get there fast enough, doncha know.)

Oh you're BAAAAAD!

mamaofami

August 2nd, 2008, 10:16 AM

Rita, I see this a bit differently. If it had been me, I would first have tried what Ruth did. It would have been an instinct the first time I saw them running to tell them to stop. Then I would have maybe tried the parents. Then the dining room manager, and then the Hotel manager. If all else failed, perhaps the captain. I would have worked my way up a chain of command because this was a dangerous situation, not just some kids having fun.

It's one thing when HAL doesn't enforce a dress code, and quite another when they allow activity that has the potential to cause injury to passengers.

tomc

August 2nd, 2008, 02:04 PM

I have a glare that can melt lead (for a brief period of time, I was the office you got sent to in high school when you got sent to the office). I also have developed a voice that has periods after each word and each word is honed to a fine edge.

The combination of The Glare and the honed words with the period behind each is usually enough to stop an inappropriate action, be it bratty kids or bratty adults.

I, personally, don't give a rat's @ about parental rights when mine are being violated. They, obviously, raised their kids that way and don't care themselves. As an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Speech and Theater Department of a local college, I see the results of this, as well as the "my little angels" parents when a kid is shooting a gun out the dorm window, as well as on other occasions.

I'm sure they got their start on cruise ships, playgrounds and supermarkets.

"Hey, kid, betcha can't climb that railing..." :p

RevNeal

August 2nd, 2008, 09:24 PM

Ruth, please take this advice in the kind manner in which it is offered, okay? I"m not trying to start a fight here, only to offer a suggestion.

Next time you have a problem with kids on a ship -- running or whatever -- may I suggest that you politely take the matter up with the parents and leave the kids out of it?

Rita, I guess you just had to be there. Sometimes the immediate danger which the running little-darlings generated was too great to be ignored. I was clobbered once by one of the youth, running from the lido midships pool area into the lido restaurant. Thankfully, I'm a stout fellow and don't nock down easily. Had it been a senior citizen he rammed there would probably have been broken bones, etc. My words to the young man were on the order of "Perhaps that will teach you to stop running aboard ship." I then walked on. It didn't work. He ran BACK past me from the restaurant into the lido pool area less than a minute later. He had cookies in his hands. I guess he was afraid the cookies were going to get away?? My point ... actually impacting another passenger didn't get through to him. I doubt a lecture from an officer or from his parents would work. The only thing that would work -- and what should have been done -- was that he and his family should have been put off the ship.

I think what happened in your case is that you got the parents' backs up. I can well imagine a parent saying "who the h*ll does she think she is correcting my children? I'm the parent and I'll do any correcting that's necessary!"

What should have happened is what I've witnessed on multiple occasions in the past ... the Captain did the correcting by putting the kids and their parents off the ship at the next port where it would be legal to do so (i.e., not St. Petersburg but Helsinki).

Parents today get very upset when others offer unsolicited help with their childrearing chores and maybe that's why the adults pulled this stunt on you ladies. (I seem to recall another post on this thread that alleged it was the adults' handwriting on those breakfast order forms). They were annoyed that you were correcting their kids ... when, frankly, their kids' behavior was really none of your business.

Their kids misbehavior becomes my business the instant it impacts my enjoyment of safety. Put you in the same context and you would probably have told them to stop running too.

While it would be fine for a ship's officer to correct the children directly, because of his position of authority on the ship, that's not fine for you or for any other passenger.

Agreed regarding the officer, but disagreed regarding passengers. If a child is doing a balancing act on the rail up on the sports deck am I supposed to just wait for an officer to come along and stop him/her, or should I do something?? If I observe a child running, full bore, down a corridor where an elderly lady could come out and be clobbered (with broken bones and possible death as a result), I will command that child to stop running. I won't leave it there, I will also speak to the parents and to the front office.

So what I would suggest in the future is that you politely take any matter of this sort up with the parents. I'll bet you get a far better reaction by doing it that way, and the undesirable behavior stops.

As you were once so fond of saying ... believe me, not with these parents. The parents and the kids had no respect for their fellow passengers, the ship's officers or crew, or the regulations about running, etc., that were being played on the ship's TVs by mid-cruise. Given the elevator races, the food fights with leftover room-service orders, the manipulation of room service order cards (I know a family that was put off the ship for their kid doing that), etc., I don't put anything past them.

tomc

August 2nd, 2008, 10:06 PM

The parents taught them to act that way. Talking to the parents won't do any good. Talking to their parents years ago might have been better.

cruznon

August 2nd, 2008, 10:23 PM

Kids don't get this way by "accident."

Oceanwench

August 3rd, 2008, 11:11 AM

I agree, Greg, you had to be there ...

The rest of us can only imagine the boorish behavior of the children and the attitudes of their parents. :eek:

You make many excellent points in your post.
Those kids and their ignorant parents should have been put off the ship.
One would hope such an ending to their vacation would be a lesson to all.

Copper10-8

August 3rd, 2008, 01:23 PM

............... It didn't work. He ran BACK past me from the restaurant into the lido pool area less than a minute later. He had cookies in his hands. I guess he was afraid the cookies were going to get away?? My point ... actually impacting another passenger didn't get through to him. I doubt a lecture from an officer or from his parents would work. The only thing that would work -- and what should have been done -- was that he and his family should have been put off the ship.......................

Rev, with all due respect and using the example you've provided us with, that kid is not going to get thrown off Eurodam with his parents because he's caught running (first incident) back and forth between the Lido pool area and the Lido restauarant with cookies in his hand and because he ran into you and/or any other passenger or crew member. I doubt seriously that he and his parents would have been thrown off if he would have run into a non-stouter;) adult which would have caused injury.

"Well and why not potverdrietje?", someone might ask! Because he and his parents were never formally advised by a ship's employee in a position of authority that running on a ship (unless at/on the immediate areas of the two pool decks were "running not allowed" warnings are posted on the signs) is cause for getting thrown off at the next port of call. Kids of all ages will run, we all know that. If they're to be thrown off for doing just that, they AND their parents have to be advised of that possibility in a meeting with the Capt/HM first before that can be done!

Tag, you're it!:)

Mary Ellen

August 5th, 2008, 12:39 PM

P. 18 in the From the Captain booklet on the Eurodam:

KIDS CODE OF CONDUCT

Parents/guardians accept supervisory responsibility for their teens and children who are not participating in the advertised Club HAL and teen activities.

Parents/guardians are asked to restrain their children from engaging in any loud or disruptive behavior, running in the public rooms, open decks and passageways, or playing in the elevators.

We encourage all children to conform to the suggested dress code of the day. Children must wear cover-ups over swimwear in interior public areas.

We reserve the right to disembark any guest(s), including parents of minors, whose behavior is disruptive to other guests or crew or how cause damage to the ship.

The drinking age on board is 21. Entry into the nightclub is limited to passengers over the age of 18. Security personnel will be on duty at the entrances of the nightclub verifying photo ID.

RevNeal

August 5th, 2008, 06:05 PM

Because he and his parents were never formally advised by a ship's employee in a position of authority that running on a ship (unless at/on the immediate areas of the two pool decks were "running not allowed" warnings are posted on the signs) is cause for getting thrown off at the next port of call. Kids of all ages will run, we all know that. If they're to be thrown off for doing just that, they AND their parents have to be advised of that possibility in a meeting with the Capt/HM first before that can be done!

Tag, you're it!:)

1. See the above notice kindly typed in by Mary Ellen. Ignorance of the law (or, in this case, ship's regulations) is no excuse. :)

2. That being said, perhaps the following might shed some light on events to which we may not have been privy. About midway through the Baltic cruise the ship's staff began running a video which gave safty tips for how to conduct oneself aboard ship. One of the things that was highlighted in the video was the portion that dealt with how children should not be running in the corridors, lounges, or resturants. The video ran, on one of the ship's channels, every few hours from about day 5 until the end of the cruise. Additionally, in the crawl on the Scan Channel, where it listed weather conditions, etc., a notice began appearing advising people to please refrain from unning in the ship's corridors, lounges, and resturants. Hence, apparently there WAS some kind of communication going on. Sadly, it didn't do much good. The running and other hazerdous activities -- including vandalism in Club HAL -- continued.

3. It is not my contention that such disruptive activity should have been punished, on first offence, by ejection from the ship. However, none of these incidents were isolated ... they were repeatedly witnessed, by more than one person, on multiple occasions, over several days, all perpetrated by the same kids. Many of them occured in public, in front of dozens of people, often with dining room staff dodging to get out of their way. Based upon the above observation of notices being run on the ship's TV, I believe it likely that the parents of the offending children had, indeed, been spoken to about their kid's activities by someone in authority. It would also explain why the kids were trying to be a bit more careful about running in the main dining room (it wasn't just Ruth, Em, Adele, and Mary Ellen all in one accord warning the kids to stop running). Sadly, for whatever reason their desire to run often overcame their discipline and they would break out into skips, hops, and dashes without, apparetly, thinking about where they were or what they were doing. I've never seen such fidgity activity on the part of kids before ... WHY do they feel the need to run EVERYWHERE?

4. There once was an incident, several years ago aboard a different Dam ship where a youth had been running the halls, ripping breakfast cards off the door handles and tossing them overboard. That youth was spotted by a ship's staff person making the toss, intercepted by security during the youth's next pass through passenger country, and escorted down to security (i.e., "the brig.") where he was held until his parents could be contacted and called down. This was about 2 am. When the father showed up he was irate about the situation -- that his son was being detained and that his rest had been interrupted -- and demanded to see the Captain. The Duty Officer was called, who contacted the Captain. The Captain came down to Security, walking in during one of the Dad's tirades. The Captain, calmly and quietly, listened while the chief of security detailed the incident. The Captain then turned and asked the Dad what he was going to do about disciplining his son. The father exploded at the Captain, threatening law suits and letters to the Corporation. The Captain listened until the Dad wound down, then quietly turned to the chief of security said something close to the following: "We're due to dock at oh-seven-hundred. I want this gentleman and his family off my ship the instance we clear customs." And he turned to leave. The Dad blew up again, yelling something like "How DARE you!" The Captain turned back, smiled, and said "I'm the Captain. That's how I dare." He then left.

RevNeal

August 5th, 2008, 06:07 PM

Entry into the nightclub is limited to passengers over the age of 18. Security personnel will be on duty at the entrances of the nightclub verifying photo ID.

Hmmm ... well ... and to think that I was severely castigated on my thread by a certaiN poster who thought it horrible that I dare remark about childreN being in the NortherN Lights arouNd midNight.

RevNeal

August 5th, 2008, 06:09 PM

Hi Ruth!:D
Loved meeting you and wish I had more time for you! But I certainly enjoyed our "sing-along" and hope to meet you again.

Nathan, I just saw this again and was fondly reminded of how you and Ruth sang "Let Me Entertain You" together, right there in the Crows Nest! :D It's one of my favorite memories from the Eurodam that I'll never forget!! :D

cusyl

August 5th, 2008, 06:32 PM

. The Captain listened until the Dad wound down, then quietly turned to the chief of security said something close to the following: "We're due to dock at oh-seven-hundred. I want this gentleman and his family off my ship the instance we clear customs." And he turned to leave. The Dad blew up again, yelling something like "How DARE you!" The Captain turned back, smiled, and said "I'm the Captain. That's how I dare." He then left.

LOVE it! LOL:D

RuthC

August 5th, 2008, 07:07 PM

Hmmm ... well ... and to think that I was severely castigated on my thread by a certaiN poster who thought it horrible that I dare remark about childreN being in the NortherN Lights arouNd midNight.
No? :confused: No! :eek: You're kidding!

RevNeal

August 5th, 2008, 08:51 PM

No? :confused: No! :eek: You're kidding!

NO, Ruth ... I'm NOt kidding. ;)
Did you know that, even though it was 106 outside, I managed to play a little Golf today???? :) Thank goodness, we've got storms coming in ... the remains of the Tropical Storm that hit Galveston this morning. I'm not complaining, we need the rain.

kryos

August 5th, 2008, 09:03 PM

Agreed regarding the officer, but disagreed regarding passengers. If a child is doing a balancing act on the rail up on the sports deck am I supposed to just wait for an officer to come along and stop him/her, or should I do something??
Of course, that's a different issue. That's something where the kid is placing his life in IMMEDIATE danger and, of course, you have to act, and act quickly. You're beyond talking at that point. You just grab the kid.

As for the parents not listening to an officer ... LOL, if they are at risk of being put off the ship (i.e., the officer makes that threat), you'd better believe they will listen, and they'll make "dammed" sure the kid listens too ... by confining him to the cabin if necessary. Unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do to threaten their sense of security on the ship. You can rebuke the kids, you can even talk to the parents and maybe you are right and they wouldn't pay you any mind ... but threaten the parents with something that will hurt THEM ... missing the rest of their cruise, the added expense of flying home from the port where they are put off ... and believe me, they will "come to Jesus" and those kids will instantly morph into little angels for the rest of that cruise. Why? Because the officer can hurt the parents, and the parents can hurt the kid (by taking away his onboard privileges).

Maybe you all are right and talking to the parents might not have helped. Then again, maybe it would have. I just said it was something I would have tried initially, approaching them in a concilitory way and explaining to them that their kids could really hurt someone ... perhaps someone elderly or with mobility problems. I would have also stressed that the kids themselves could get hurt. Maybe they would have listened to me. One can always hope.

But ideally it should have been a HAL officer talking to those parents ... at the first sign of problems ... because that I am sure would have worked.

Blue skies ...

--rita

kryos

August 5th, 2008, 09:08 PM

The Captain listened until the Dad wound down, then quietly turned to the chief of security said something close to the following: "We're due to dock at oh-seven-hundred. I want this gentleman and his family off my ship the instance we clear customs." And he turned to leave. The Dad blew up again, yelling something like "How DARE you!" The Captain turned back, smiled, and said "I'm the Captain. That's how I dare." He then left.LOL ... I love it!

You DON'T wanna mess with the Captain. Guess dad at least learned that lesson ... so his cruise wasn't a total waste. :)

Blue skies ...

--rita

RuthC

August 5th, 2008, 09:28 PM

Of course, that's a different issue. That's something where the kid is placing his life in IMMEDIATE danger and, of course, you have to act, and act quickly. You're beyond talking at that point. You just grab the kid.
No, it's the same thing. Whether or not it's the kid, or the adult passenger in immediate danger doesn't matter. The danger was still immediate. As such it needed to be dealt with immediately.

I guess this comes down to what a person thinks is "the object of the game". If someone thinks it's important to go out of their way to locate absent parents to "reason" with them, hoping it will do some good, then your method may work.
If, however, the person is merely trying to stay upright and uninjured, dealing with the problem then and there is the way to go.

Different strokes for different folks.

Oh, and I read where the dear ones were also trying their best to destroy the computer games in Club HAL. :rolleyes:
The word of the day is "incorrigible".

ger_77

August 5th, 2008, 09:49 PM

January, Noordam Voyage of the Good Nuts.
After that I'm scheduled for the Rotterdam eastern Med followed immediately by the western Med and trans-At.

Just wondering if you're on the Oct 3/09 Eastern Med. sailing of the Rotterdam? That's the one DH & I will be on - it would be lovely to meet you, especially after all I've read on your thread.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

RuthC

August 5th, 2008, 10:11 PM

Just wondering if you're on the Oct 3/09 Eastern Med. sailing of the Rotterdam? That's the one DH & I will be on - it would be lovely to meet you, especially after all I've read on your thread.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)
I would love to meet you too, but alas, it's not to be on this cruise.

I was looking at the 10/3 and 10/17 b-2-b, but friends are doing the 10/31, so I booked the 10/17 and 10/31. Either way gets me what I'm looking for---two continents checked off the list. ;) And the 10/31 has 9 lovely sea days out of the 18.

Hopefully, some other year.

RevNeal

August 6th, 2008, 03:31 PM

As for the parents not listening to an officer ... LOL, if they are at risk of being put off the ship (i.e., the officer makes that threat), you'd better believe they will listen, and they'll make "dammed" sure the kid listens too ... by confining him to the cabin if necessary. Unfortunately, there is really nothing you can do to threaten their sense of security on the ship. You can rebuke the kids, you can even talk to the parents and maybe you are right and they wouldn't pay you any mind ... but threaten the parents with something that will hurt THEM ... missing the rest of their cruise, the added expense of flying home from the port where they are put off ... and believe me, they will "come to Jesus" and those kids will instantly morph into little angels for the rest of that cruise. Why? Because the officer can hurt the parents, and the parents can hurt the kid (by taking away his onboard privileges).

Rita ... I told the story in my earlier post because that was an example of where a Dad was NOT doing what you said we should believe that he would do. In short ... it's nonsense. You're expecting reasonable behavior from unreasonable people. It just doesn't happen ... and it doesn't matter how much I want to believe you.

Most children who behave like the hooligans we're describing have parents who are hooligans themselves and do not believe that there will be any consequences for their, or their children's, actions. That Dad I told the story about learned, fast, that there were consequences for his failure to discipline his own son. Sadly, nothing like this happened aboard the Eurodam (to the best of my knowledge). These same running, hazard-generating kids were also trying to vandalize the computers in Club HAL ... and, as far as we know, the worst that happened was a mild reprimand (if that). They kept running. They kept playing elevator tag. They kept having food fights with left-over room service trays. They kept trying to get booze at several of the bars. The story goes on.

Sage

August 6th, 2008, 04:19 PM

A few years ago when the Big Red Boats still had Disney characters aboard, there were a group of little darlings onboard who decided to trash the movie theater after the movie. They tore the curtains, seats, and threw food and drinks everywhere. Well, they were still at it when security arrived, and the children were held there while their parents were sent for. Upon arrival of their parents, a quick estimate was given as to the cost of repairs, and the parents were escorted to the front desk, and the cost for each child's damages was added to the onboard account. The parents were then given the option to leave the ship at the next port or to have their children in their care and not allowed to be unescorted. There were some grumblings among the parents, but each one paid up. We were informed of all this by one of the young man's parents at dinner that night. Needless to say, no more problems on the cruise.