WorldByBike

Gosh, thank you for all the responses. I do wish to hear different peoples' concerns and considerations. I know passengers who are bicyclists on cruises are a very small minority. As I mentioned our intent during retirement was to use the ship as transportation from one cycle tour location to another. We are "cycle tourists" that is we used the bicycles as transportation and carry all of our required needs. However, these days we are "credit card" campers - no tent and sleeping bag, we bed in hotels, motels, B&Bs, Air B&B, by invitation, etc.

Perhaps I should have used the term "repositioning" to describe our preferred "cruise". Also we only planned to use the bicycles to ride to the port of embarkation, roll our "luggage carriers" to our cabin, then ride/tour again upon disembarking. This is how we have performed in the past on Holland America. And yes, like carolcp, we are and were very conscientious regarding the cleanliness of our luggage carriers and provided additional gratuity to our cabin steward to "work around" the bicycles. If and when we had ports of call we would spend the time walking through neighborhoods, cemeteries (in Barcelona, fascinating), taking public transportation (in Kusadasi to Ephesus) rather than risk missing the departure time. We look at our travels as an adventure and would enjoy sharing our day and hearing about fellow passengers' adventures while dining, particularly on the smaller Prinsendam. It has been an experience we were looking toward during retirement while we still can tour by bicycle to reposition from Montreal to San Diego, San Diego to Sydney, Lisbon to Ft.Lauderdale, etc. Its a different way to see the world and, actually, a very non-threatening way to interact with people in most of the world. We will still make the travels, we'll just need to adjust our plans - isn't that part of travel - accommodating changing conditions?

Anyway, we have not completely given up on Holland America. I would still like to hear from Mr Orlando Ashford before we relinquish our Mariners Society status.

Safe and amazing adventures to all!

Bolding is mine. The response seems quite clear to me. It alludes to issues and problems so...

 

They had issues with a few "bad apples" and unfortunately those "bad apples" spoiled the opportunities for the rest of the barrel. Sounds like what we experienced with the segway which I mentioned previously happened with inconsiderate bicycle users as well, sadly.

 

A shame that a few have to spoil it for the rest.

Thanks for a response. I am sure passengers such as yourself are pleased with the new policy. Next will be wheelchairs and other mobility devices as, I suspect, others have been "mowed down" by those inconsiderate few. However I doubt it was just a bicycle that was involved in the "bad apple" incident - suspicions are that alcohol was involved and that is where I have seen issues on board. And, of course, alcohol will not be banned as it is a significant source of revenue, despite the "bad apples". Typically the remedy is to ban the individual. As I mentioned we have a history of safe and respectful travel with bicycles prior to HAL's recent ban which was not taken into account. I am aware that travelers of our sort are extremely minor and of no consequence to HAL. I wish you well on your Prinsendam excursion. It is truly a fine vessel and I will miss it.

Regarding bicycles on board a HAL cruise, we were looking forward to our retirement years to travel the world by bicycle and using HAL to transit between destinations. Although transport by boat is timely, it is so much more comfortable than the "cattle call" that flying has become. Also it was so much safer for our bicycles.

First off, I must admit that I am not a "cruiser". I am one who prefers to immerse myself, as much as possible, in the local culture and to meet the local people. In my personal view, a cruise does not allow that. I see it, perhaps, as a sampler of a region when a few hours are spent in a port allowing and promoting the shopping aspects of travel. I understand some individuals enjoyment of cruising, the safety aspects, the ability to see many locations with ones residence at hand. We have traveled with HAL a couple of times and via contact with Ship Services gained permission to bring and store our touring bicycles in our cabin for the duration of the cruise. Mind you, we did transition cruises, San Diego to Vancouver and Vancouver to Los Angeles. The return trip would be by bicycle. The bicycles remained in our cabin for the duration and were only seen upon embarkation and debarkation. I am aware we were noticed because during meals, we always took our meals in the dining rooms rather than the buffets, we sat with other passengers and shared life stories which included travels by bicycle. I could expand on the benefits of travel by bicycle, however I am aware that such an discussion may be lost on those who have not or are unable to experience this mode to touring.

I was made aware of Holland America's change in policy as we booked our travel last year for this past spring. I have gone through the process to gain an explanation and understanding of the ban on bicycles with minimal response:

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line concerning your concern. I went ahead and looked more into this matter for you this morning. When speaking with my Ship services department it was recently update back in august that bicycles will no longer be allowed. Based on a lot of complications and issues that we have had with several other guests we had to make the tough call to not allow them on board anymore. I do apologize for any inconvenience that this might cause.

Thank you for contacting Holland America Line. Please feel free to contact us if we may of additional assistance, or visit us online. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future!

Savor the Journey,

Nick

I did respond requesting Orlando Ashford's office for explanation to no avail. In initial requests we offered to sign waivers, obtain liability insurance and to meet personally with HAL representatives. We have a history of traveling safely with bicycles on board with HAL, we are respectful of others and are willing and able to follow directives which will allow us to travel with bicycles. Mind you, the bicycles function as luggage carriers, as they do when we check into hotels, and not as mobility devices on board. I have not heard further from HAL. BTW, HAL, Holland America Lines, not allowing bicycles is very much an oxymoron as Holland is one of the foremost places in the world for travel by bicycle, as is Seattle. I am disappointed in HAL's policy change.

My reason for posting is to chime in with the minimal response I have received from HAL and perhaps see what alternatives are available.

We are working on a formal letter and will pursue the conversation. If I'm going to ask via the phone, I've learned that having the TA make the formal request means it is documented.

Any progress with HAL regarding transport of bicycles?

Have cruised with HAL and have brought our bicycles on board with the stipulation by Ship Services at the time reservations were made that bicycles are stored in your cabin. We were planning our retirement years to travel the world with our touring bicycles (actually "luggage carriers" when boarding and checking into hotels) using HAL's repositioning cruise. As of last August (or May 2016, depending on HAL contact), Holland America Lines has classified bicycles as a prohibited item. I have tried to inquire as to the reason to no avail. I initially want to understand the reasoning for the change in policy. There are a few other lines that allow bicycles, however we have an "investment" with the Mariners Society. We are respectful of other passengers and property on board (as well in every day living). I have offered to sign waivers, insurance and discuss and have only received a "canned" response. I would be curious to know if others have had this experience either as a cyclist or as a passenger observing a cyclist on board. I am still trying to obtain answers, hopefully from Mr Orlando Ashford. Thank you for your input.