Max2003

I have noticed recently that the "special mariner pricing" has become fairly meager. When I scanned the European cruises in 2016 I didn't see one price in green when signed in. Am I mistaken or could it be that HAL's new management is deemphasizing the Mariner Program. It seems strange because that benefit was so prevalent in the past. I can't blame them if the new marketing emphasis is on the newer younger cruiser, since they tend to have higher on-board spending.

Thanks for the video link VTcruisenut! THat aircraft was going nose down to the drink before that parachute fully deployed

 

Just an awesome job by everyone involved; the pilot of the Cirrus aircraft by being prepared (life vest and life raft), the Coasties out of NAS Barbers Point, Hi (great video capture by the air crewman in the HC-130 Herc), and by the captain and crew of the VEDM, especially the rescue boat crew for a smooth rescue! All those hours drilling paid off here!. Bravo Zulu!

I hope this thread doesn't get lost before we get some feedback from folks who board after February. How HAL handles this issue will be very important to all who are planning future cruises.

Regards Barbara

Disembarked the Noordam on Friday (15th) in FLL. I had the same long line at CBP and couldn't help notice the several signs noting that the budget cuts from the sequester etc. might cause delays. Could it be that they are making a political statement?? Sort of a "make it hurt" approach. They certainly got my attention and not in a positive way. I didn't see much urgency!

That delay was followed by a disorganized transportation situation to the airport. Long cab lines and vans that waited for a half hour to get at least 6 passengers.

I have never experienced this kind of chaos in Tampa with the Ryndam.

Copper, can you post the officers for the Noordam TA in October/November, 26 day out of Athens.

Thanks

Semper Fi

Just for clarification, is it green, as in unripened apples, or green in color, apples?

:o

As in color. They are normally available at the front desk in rough weather. As a matter of fact if you see them there expect rougher seas. A leading indicator of sorts.

Packets of bonine/meclizine are also available at the front desk. Normally only the person suffering from seasickness can pick them up however, which could be problematic.

 

After a little more than a decade of service that included 377 transatlantic crossings, the economics that doomed the North Atlantic ocean liner generally caught up with the ss France. It was decided to take her out of service resulting in massive protests from the French population and even a hijack by her crew. On 7 December 1974 however, she was moored at a distant quay in Le Havre, known colloquially as the Quai de l'oubli - the pier of the forgotten. The ship sat in the same spot for approximately five years, with her interiors, including all furniture, still completely intact.

 

 

In late 1974 my young family and I were present in Southampton with tickets in hand to board the France, due in the next morning from LeHavre, on it's way to New York. We had been in Europe for 5 months, vacationing in a VW camper. The France was one of two ships that would (could) transport a vehicle and we planned to bring the camper with us as it had been purchased with US specs from Shipside at Schiphol. The next morning we arrived at the debarkation site only to informed that the french crew had mutinied and there wasn't going to be a cruise and that they would refund our money on the spot or we could put ourselves in the hands of the company to somehow get us back. There was no provision for the transport of the vehicle as yet, if ever.

 

I took the refund and got my family (wife and 2 small children) aboard the next British Airways flight to the US. I must say that BOAC, as they were called then, were very gracious in giving us a huge overweight baggage allowance. We had everything we could pack from the van including a very large trunk. We had planned that all of the gear and items we had purchased would ride with the bus and we didn't have to worry about weight. Surprise!!!

 

I had to stay and unscramble the vehicle situation. After numerous visits to the corp. headquarters of the French Line in London, the Gen Manager helped me find and book a container ship on an affiliate. After about a week of hassle I was on my way.

 

So, although the Rotterdam V was my first cruise ship, it was only courtesy of the french crew of the SS France. That crew, as I recall, stayed on board for several months!

Kinda surprised no one has mentioned Bruce Alan Scudder, former musical director on HAL, turned cruise director. Been on several of the long voyages

Is this the "Bruce" that was aboard the Prinzendam in 2004?? That "Bruce" was great. I don't recall his last name. We saw him later on one of the "S" class ships when he was hastily moved in to replace a CD who left prematurely. ;)

My vote for the overall best is still David Lawton ex of the Rotterdam in the 80s.

My first cruise was in 1983 on the Rotterdam 5 on a Caribbean itinerary. And yes I got hooked. She still is the most beautiful ship I have ever cruised on. I still remember the Cruise director (David Lawton) and Asst CD (Elizabeth Lindsey Kearns (sp?)) and they were the best ever. The Captain was VanDerNordt (sp?) (whose nickname was "pipey" since he always had a bowl of tobacco going) who I met again on a subsequent Veendam (prior to the current) cruise.

Maitre'D Nicholi from South Africa

Waiter Preston from Goa, India

Ass'r Cavi from Mauritius

Table 527

The best!!!