bigdipper

This an excellent thread and I cannot help responding with not an Apple but a Chrysler analogy. Both companies have been close to death's door more than once and both have a tradition of being distinct from competition as perceived both internally and externally. Chrysler (and HAL) over the decades are their own worst enemies, but those distinct characteristics do have emotional attraction to me. My guess is that the past just may repeat itself for both. Carnival, the US government, and Fiat have proven to be saviors whether deserved or not. As for me I'll continue to feel affection for both companies, patronize HAL and hope for the best for Fiat.

Ralph

Who is the current GM on the Voyager. The last time we were on the Voyager (December, 2009), the GM was very responsive (Englebert -- cannot spell last name). Franck Galzy is GM on the Navigator -- he was also responsive and available to the passengers. I do have to agree that Shore-ex can be grid-locked getting off the ship. Think I better leave that subject alone:-)

 

Rallydave: We dined with Capt. McNeill in Alaska one evening. While I do not recall when his time is up on the Navigator, he did mention that he hoped to be changing to another ship later this year. He has been mostly on the Navigator for four years (maybe he has spent all of his time on the Navigator -- don't know) and is looking forward to working on another ship.

 

Smilingcruiser: Fortunately, it was only on the thread for 12 or so hours. Whether the information was true or not, it had no place on CC.

Englebert (sp?) was GM during period we were on the ship in June/July.

Ralph

What makes you think that was a lie, and that the ship is in fact not too tall to fit through Kiel Canal? The canal's height is only 40 meters above the water line according to their website. Given Voyager's 8-9 decks above the water line, plus stacks that appear to measure about 5-6 more decks tall, if each deck is close to 3 meters, which I would think is about right, she wouldn't fit.

Just note summer, '11 itinerary when Voyager is scheduled through the canal. I rather doubt that canal will grow or Voyager shrink in next 12 months.

Ralph

Just to stir things up an bit, a week or so back when Voyager was at Flam, Norway, a crew member said Captain Dag was on the pier. Others who knew him confirmed.

To deviate a little, 30 days or so on Voyager caused me to conclude that RSSC is slipping some. Service is still great, but organization and administration seems lack luster at times. GM struck me as not particularly involved with pax. Reception seemed unresponsive at times. Shore-ex became a grid-lock getting off ship on occasion. Captain seemingly lied to everyone in stating he was too big to go through Kiel Canal. Just a bunch of issues that seemed off-key.

Ralph