voyageur9

Here's a link to the NTSB preliminary report which includes some interesting details regarding modern digital displays installed in the aircraft which could/should have provided the pilot with a 'moving map' showing the aircraft's location and the surrounding terrain.

http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20150625X15034&key=1

Maasdam docked at Halifax about 1 p.m. local time

Missing reviews are one thing, what may become more significant is whether Misty Fjord air tour operators as well as HAL and other cruise lines that promoted and sold those flights were aware of and ensured compliance with the findings after the last crash that killed cruise passengers.

Here's an excerpt from the NTSB 2008 'Safety Recommendation' letter arising out of the 2007 crash.

And perhaps most sobering, the pilot of the 2007 accident aircraft had seven, only seven, hours of Alaska flying time when he was hired. His previous experience of flying in Arizona would have provided little opportunity to learn the fast-changing coastal weather of the Panhandle.

And given the single-pilot nature of small-aircraft tourist flying, as with the Misty Fjord trips and many others sold to cruise passengers, the pilot would have had no chance to learn from flying with other pilots more experienced with making turn-back decision in rapidly changing conditions.

Total flying time since hire in Alaska, 185 hours.

From the report. The Taquan Air accident pilot had been flying commercial air tours in Southeast Alaska since May 9, 2007, his initial hire date. Before being hired by Taquan, the pilot flew de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters and de Havilland DHC-8 Dash 8 airplanes in Arizona. He reported only 7 hours of Alaska flight time experience at the time he was hired by Taquan Air and had accumulated about 185 hours of flying in Alaska at the time of the accident.

After delaying departure, Westerdam has now left Ketchikan and is headed south at 22 knots.

The article says two are for AIDA.

My apologies, and thanks.

The other two won't be HAL ships, I would imagine Costa gets them

I was unaware that any of the four have been assigned. Are you assuming two for Carnival or was there some prior announcement that I missed?

Here's announcement

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=2059018

and a few extracts

Carnival Corporation Finalizes Contract with Meyer Werft to Build Four Next-Generation Cruise Ships

The four new cruise ships – part of a previously announced nine-ship strategic partnership for the world's largest cruise company – will be the largest ever built based on guest capacity

The ships will be the first in the cruise industry to be powered at sea by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

... two of the ships will be manufactured for AIDA Cruises at Meyer Werft's shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Additional information about the ships, including which new ships will be added to each brand, will be made available at a later date.

.... each of the four next-generation ships will have a total capacity of 6,600 guests, feature more than 5,000 lower berths, exceed 180,000 gross tons and incorporate an extensive number of guest-friendly features. A major part of the innovative design involves making much more efficient use of the ship's spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience for guests.

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald said, .... "At a cost per berth in line with our existing order book, these new ships will enhance the return profile of our fleet. ..."

The total is still too expensive for me, but maybe not for you.

I'm in the same boat (or not, so to speak.)

Cheers

HAL's Alaska cruises, perhaps because so many ships from various lines are competing, often have great last-minute prices. (That seems to be happening again this year.)

Does anyone have prior experience or knowledge about HAL load factors and or the probability of similar last-minute deals on the Canada/New England cruises in August?

Thanks in advance.

The lawsuit claims they put more emphasis on a toilet issue than on a 911 call... What is that statement based on? It's a really unfair statement that I believe doesn't have a basis in fact ....

The allegation of negligence, presumably contained in the lawsuit's statement of claim, is likely grounded in the victim's recollection and, perhaps, witness statements and other evidence compiled by investigators hired by her lawyers. It may, or may not, be challenged by HAL's lawyers.

But it strikes me as odd that you deem it "really unfair" unless you actually have direct knowledge regarding the handling of calls on the evening when the attack occurred. You flatly assert it "doesn't have a basis in fact." On what basis do you assert that?

The legal action apparently contends that that HAL was negligent in failing to take reasonable measures to protect paying passengers from a violent, rapist in the crew. Whether that gets adjudicated in a court remains to be seen.

Holland America Line is a business, - a very successful business that has brought good value to shareholders.

Agreed the business is successful -- but that's Carnival the mother corp. Whether HAL, the brand, within the larger operation is under-performing or not is difficult to tell from the annual reports.

However, I agree with your assessment that HAL has strong loyalty in a segment of the cruise market. Still I wonder if that segment is in serious decline and thus whether it's a 'niche' that makes good business sense going forward?

I don't pretend to know the answer but it does seem that HAL's supply far exceeds demand, at least if the current price-cutting is any indication.

With other established lines moving to focus on better-defined niches in the cruise market and the arrival of Virgin, it will be interesting to see how HAL's positions itself.

Interesting response from Carnival on Virgin. "Can Virgin Group Solve the Cruise Industry's Old-People Problem?"

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-05/bransons-virgin-group-aims-to-join-the-cruise-industry

Perhaps HAL's niche is older, mid-market plus smokers?

Or should it strive for something else?

You would not believe how often a minor typo (wrong day and/or date) would slip by, even after we had all apparently done our job with it. I would forgive the typo's, as they have to get the paperwork out to the passengers as quickly as possible and don't have the luxury of time for a lot of proofreading.[/size][/font]

 

typos, no apostrophe, it's plural, not possessive

and, I agree, typos should be forgiven

"SS" (HMS actually) Queen Elizabeth burned and sank in Hong Kong harbor ...

actually, I believe it was RMS Queen Elizabeth which stands for Royal Mail Ship a designation given to certain (usually fast) British passenger ships that had a contract to carry the Royal Mail. HMS is reserved for naval vessels and means Her (or His) Majesty's Ship.

when you consider yourself disgusted/offended/endangered by the lawful behaviour of some of your fellow patrons at a commercial establishment you frequent, you have options:

a) get over it

b) take your business elsewhere

c) attempt to convince/threaten/cajole the business into believing your are a more important/profitable/nicer client than the one(s) that offend you.

d) start/contribute to another smoking thread on CC

... Suggest to your Parents that they contact HAL a day or two before departure & ask to speak to a Supervisor.. The Supervisor may be able to contact the Port Check in Mgr. or Supervisor & ask if they would permit your Parents to standby for the departure.. However, not sure that they will get a good price ..Believe those days might be gone forever.

Nice to see hard facts clearly quoted; especially with regards to CBP notice requirements of 60 minutes.

Has anyone further knowledge of "last-minute" strategies; i.e. similar to Serendipity1499's suggestion and actually booking a HAL cruise within the last day or two prior to departure?

.... as usual for the intelligent, informative, replies and advice.

our additional family member was added with fast work by TA and good co-operation from HAL. Original solo paying single supplement now two in a cabin paying the regular fares.

thanks again to all who replied

Anyone with suggestions/experience in adding a person (after final payment date) to an existing booking for a solo paying the single supplement in an inside.

We have an additional family member who is unexpectedly available to join a 7-day march cruise.

Can it be done? Original solo booking made by a TA. Thanks in advance

.... it still can have its hiccups as it works to constantly process the output from guests, .....

Who knew that the "output" from guests and the stuff spewed by HAL's Office of the Prez when dealing with legitimate concerns from its paying customers was the same.

Complainers all, that Titanic lot

After six days of scarfing and working AC

How dare they whine now and claim things went amiss

While waiting for tenders the band was just bliss.

The should be Dam happy with the partial they got

She is a great little ship who still has her seaview pool and no cabanas at the lido pool so she seems very uncrowded. Our sailing was fully booked and we never felt crowded.

So valauble to have a measured, intelligent, and well-written, review instead of the too-common inane boosterism and excuse-making. Hope your fine example encourages others.

Many thanks

As others have suggested; keeping a scan and/or photo of your passport's photo/id page can be very valuable in the event that the passport is lost/stolen/damaged. Carry one and keep one accessible online. For U.S. citizens, there is also the passport card option which can be ordered with a regular passport. While usable only for land crossings to/from Mexico and Canada, it also provides a handy, credit-card sized, proof of citizenship should the passport book go missing and makes it far easier for U.S. consular officials to issue emergency/temporary travels document if needed.

We're in a BB GTY on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise in March.

Anyone on CC have experience with or suggestions about whether it's worthwhile or even possible to voice a preference to HAL and/or the TA who booked the cruise about cabin location.

For instance, if one prefers port or starboard (for this particular itinerary) or forward over aft, does it make sense to let HAL know. And, if so, how?

While I fully understand the perils/merits of booking a GTY, any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance

...is this not the cruise experience we all long for ..a smaller ship, gracious and spacious .... I think this beautiful ship will be filled in no time at all...! One hopes the companies take heed, and there will always be these beautiful ships, for the genuine traveller

That's refreshingly different from the chorus of HAL CLs.

Viking has now ordered two more ships; meaning four delivered by 2017. Viking claims bookings -- even with advance payment -- “selling at an unprecedented rate."

Of course that's a hard-to-measure quote. Still with four, new, ships, in effect a new class slightly smaller than but more than equal in elegance to the beloved but fading, aging, and plumbing-challenged S class. Viking may soon be eating HALs lunch. (That may alliviate Lido crowding for the hangers-on)

HAL's suitehearts may face a hard choice between paying even bigger subsidies to fill HAL to break-even with the hoi polloi or switch.

Or perhaps it will force HAL to deliver a better experience to stay competitive. Either way it's a win-win for savvy travellers.