Veendam 'too big' to get into St Georges, Bermuda

[Copper10-8]

Well one would think that if HAL was going to make a official statement, they would address the issue on their website. Not everyone read Cruise Critic.

 

Is this HAL_PR representing HAL in a official capacity on this forum?

 

Perhaps you should contact HAL Guest Relations at (800) 599-8256 so you can voice your displeasure with this development in an official way

[ziggypup]

Perhaps you should contact HAL Guest Relations at (800) 599-8256 so you can voice your displeasure with this development in an official way

 

I think once HAL comes out with a official statement about this issue that goes without saying. So far they have made no mention of it at all on their website.

 

My wife and I will probably still go, but my disabled and elderly relatives with surely cancel their reservations. Unless we can find another cruise out of NYC that we all can agree on. At the moment I am the only one in the sailing party that is aware of this blunder. I don't want to open up a can worms until HAL gets there act together. Maybe they can work something out and dock at Hamilton for the whole cruise. Time will tell.

 

***Update***

 

Rec'd a email from Holland stating that they are looking at other options other than tendering. What ever that means. Maybe a Zipline.........lol

[fann1sh]

I have not yet booked this itinerary.

 

I will not book it if tendering is involved.

 

If HAL decides to stop 4 days in Hamilton, I *will* book it.

[podpro]

I agree with the previous poster. I've been considering this cruise but if tendering is involved, I might be out. A single stop in Hamilton is preferable and would have me pull the trigger.

[eddie]

On the initial nwspaer report from the Bermuda newspaper, te St George town spokesman states that there are a very small number of ships that are sailing into both Hamilton and St George.It would seem likely there would be docking space for 4 days at Hamilton.In the event of bad weather, precluding the use of tenders and not docking at Hamilton for the extra 2 days, would that mean we would just sail around Bermuda admiring the ocean until Hamilton becomes available.

[ziggypup]

On the initial nwspaer report from the Bermuda newspaper, te St George town spokesman states that there are a very small number of ships that are sailing into both Hamilton and St George.It would seem likely there would be docking space for 4 days at Hamilton.In the event of bad weather, precluding the use of tenders and not docking at Hamilton for the extra 2 days, would that mean we would just sail around Bermuda admiring the ocean until Hamilton becomes available.

 

LOL Eddie. It would be like the Circle Line in Manhattan.

 

Maybe the bright side of sailing around Bermuda would be the opening of the casino...........:)

[NextOne]

I think I read something once on the Bermuda board about that actually happening on a cruise. I don't remember the exact story, but they spent the whole time circling the island for some weird reason.

[iheartbda]

You guys do realize this tendering process we're talking about here is very similar to what's been going on at Half Moon Cay (tendering with private tenders from an anchorage) for years, don't you?

I'll join in the others who say yes.

Unless you've been to Bermuda and docked at St. George, (have you?), there's a big difference. Although not many stores are open at night, it's still nice to window shop, maybe a drop in at the White Horse Tavern or just walk around and listen to the tree frogs.:) There's Market Night, and if you hit it right, the Beating Retreat is not to be missed. Nothing better than just walking off the ship.

 

This year was going to be the Veendam since we would get the most time in BDA but that extra time will be eaten up with tendering. Also, we like the smaller ships and were anxious to try the Veendam. We were willing to give up perks that we get on NCL and Celebrity to sail the Veendam but now the playing field is a little more even, not to mention the higher cost on HAL.

[Copper10-8]

I'll join in the others who say yes.

Unless you've been to Bermuda and docked at St. George, (have you?), there's a big difference. ...........................

 

Yup, with RCCL's (RCI's) Nordic Empress ten years ago - I remember the town crier with his bell - Had a great time there!:)

[eddie]

This afternoon I recalled a conversation I had with a friend of ours who sailed to Bermuda in August on the Explorer .I spoke with him this afternoon to confirm what he had said about St George. The Explorer docked at the Dockyards and they took the ferry over to St George. He said that a vast majority of the small stores were closed and looked to be out of business.Apparently the lack of cruise ships and ,open hotels have had a drastic effect on that part of the island

[peaches from georgia]

We booked this cruise because HAL stated that we would be docked in St. George.

 

I personally can deal with the tendering. But I am sailing with a few disabled and elderly passengers who can't stand in line and wait to board a 700 passenger ferry.

 

If from the start the itinerary stated that passengers would be tendered into St. George we would not have booked the cruise.

 

I feel bad for the other 97% of the passengers that don't read Cruise Critic or stay on top of cruise news. Is HAL going to notify all the booked passengers regarding the change in advance? Or are they just going to allow them to check-in and board the ship without saying a word?

 

What a blunder on HALs part. This was going to be our 1st cruise on HAL. :(

I wouldn't count on HAL making any announcement about the tendering. Don't get me wrong, I think they should, but that doesn't mean they will. The cruise is going to Hamilton and St. George. HAL might think it is not necessary to mention you won't be actually docked at St G as long as the arrangements are made to get you to land there.

[Y's Owl]

When we tendered into Dominica on the Maasdam (another S class ship) on November 10th there was one passenger who used a scooter who used the tender. The passenger was helped in by stewards and then the chair was partially disassembled and put into the boat. The same was repeated at the other end after all the other passengers were let off.

 

And btw...Dominica was listed as a dock port for us too, but it became a tender port when another larger ship from Carnival was given the pier.

[iheartbda]

This afternoon I recalled a conversation I had with a friend of ours who sailed to Bermuda in August on the Explorer .I spoke with him this afternoon to confirm what he had said about St George. The Explorer docked at the Dockyards and they took the ferry over to St George. He said that a vast majority of the small stores were closed and looked to be out of business.Apparently the lack of cruise ships and ,open hotels have had a drastic effect on that part of the island

Was there in Oct. on a B2B. Yes, any number of stores have closed but for us, it's still preferable than Dockyard and even though not much is open it's a much nicer walk around in the evening.:) Even if you don't get off the ship at night, with all the houses lit up at night you don't feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.;)

[ziggypup]

I wouldn't count on HAL making any announcement about the tendering. Don't get me wrong, I think they should, but that doesn't mean they will. The cruise is going to Hamilton and St. George. HAL might think it is not necessary to mention you won't be actually docked at St G as long as the arrangements are made to get you to land there.

 

That is like Delta selling you a seat to Miami, landing in Tampa and then sending you to Miami in a bus. "But we got you to Miami"............lol

 

Well, all I can say is that I hope you are wrong. Being docked was a big selling point for a lot of people, and I am sure HAL is aware of that. So for them to intentionally try and keep that to themselves would just be wrong. Granted, it is not really a secret since it was made public in the newspaper. But from a statistical point of view, so few actually read cruise line forums. In my opinion it would be despicable not to let everybody know of the change in advance. I think it would be a low blow to allow people to check-in, board and then let them find out on their own later.

 

I did get a email from customer service stating that at some point "In The Future" they would be posting some information on the website. Whether or not I was being stroked remains to be seen.

[HAL_PR]

Holland America Line is committed to providing safe, easy, and accessible accommodations for persons with disabilities and has been rated the Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers by Porthole Cruise Magazine for nine years.

The Government of Bermuda has assured Holland America Line that the tender service they will be providing to take our guests into St. George’s is fully accessible. For more information on accessible cruising with Holland America Line, visit www.hollandamerica.com. Guests planning to travel with a wheelchair or scooter should contact our Access and Compliance Department in advance of their cruise at (800) 547-8493.

Thanks.

HAL PR (yes, we are "officially" employed at Holland America Line)

[ziggypup]

Holland America Line is committed to providing safe, easy, and accessible accommodations for persons with disabilities and has been rated the Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers by Porthole Cruise Magazine for nine years.

The Government of Bermuda has assured Holland America Line that the tender service they will be providing to take our guests into St. George’s is fully accessible. For more information on accessible cruising with Holland America Line, visit www.hollandamerica.com. Guests planning to travel with a wheelchair or scooter should contact our Access and Compliance Department in advance of their cruise at (800) 547-8493.

Thanks.

HAL PR (yes, we are "officially" employed at Holland America Line)

 

How about forgetting the tendering and docking in Hamilton for the whole cruise?

 

Just curious. How long is the tender ride expected to be from the mooring point?

 

And we will be able to enjoy the nightlife in St. George and get back to the ship at night? What will be the hours of the tender service?

[sharpasahmarble]

Holland America Line is committed to providing safe, easy, and accessible accommodations for persons with disabilities and has been rated the Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers by Porthole Cruise Magazine for nine years.

 

The Government of Bermuda has assured Holland America Line that the tender service they will be providing to take our guests into St. George’s is fully accessible. For more information on accessible cruising with Holland America Line, visit www.hollandamerica.com. Guests planning to travel with a wheelchair or scooter should contact our Access and Compliance Department in advance of their cruise at (800) 547-8493.

 

Thanks.

HAL PR (yes, we are "officially" employed at Holland America Line)

 

Sounds like one big load of cow pooh.

[peaches from georgia]

That is like Delta selling you a seat to Miami, landing in Tampa and then sending you to Miami in a bus. "But we got you to Miami"............lol

 

Well, all I can say is that I hope you are wrong. Being docked was a big selling point for a lot of people, and I am sure HAL is aware of that. So for them to intentionally try and keep that to themselves would just be wrong. Granted, it is not really a secret since it was made public in the newspaper. But from a statistical point of view, so few actually read cruise line forums. In my opinion it would be despicable not to let everybody know of the change in advance. I think it would be a low blow to allow people to check-in, board and then let them find out on their own later.

 

I did get a email from customer service stating that at some point "In The Future" they would be posting some information on the website. Whether or not I was being stroked remains to be seen.

Believe me, I agree with you. It will be interesting to see if "In The Future" is before or after final payment when you would need insurance to cancel.

[ziggypup]

Believe me, I agree with you. It will be interesting to see if "In The Future" is before or after final payment when you would need insurance to cancel.

 

Good point Peaches.

[iheartbda]

"Holland America Line understands that a potential engineering project could eventually solve this issue and believes this would be a very proactive and business-friendly step the Government of Bermuda could take."

 

This has me curious. Seems like they think that enlarging the Town Cut is a simple solution. As Topsham says in post #17, that's not going to happen, and for good reason.

[sapper1]

How about forgetting the tendering and docking in Hamilton for the whole cruise?

 

Just curious. How long is the tender ride expected to be from the mooring point?

 

And we will be able to enjoy the nightlife in St. George and get back to the ship at night? What will be the hours of the tender service?

Yes, please------can we go to Hamilton and just stay there?

[peaches from georgia]

In honor of this thread I have made Bermuda Fish Chowder with Outerbridges Original Sherry Rum Peppers Sauce like we get at the White Horse in St. Georges for dinner tonight. Can you smell it? :D

[Charles4515]

I'll join in the others who say yes.

Unless you've been to Bermuda and docked at St. George, (have you?), there's a big difference. Although not many stores are open at night, it's still nice to window shop, maybe a drop in at the White Horse Tavern or just walk around and listen to the tree frogs.:) There's Market Night, and if you hit it right, the Beating Retreat is not to be missed. Nothing better than just walking off the ship.

 

This year was going to be the Veendam since we would get the most time in BDA but that extra time will be eaten up with tendering. Also, we like the smaller ships and were anxious to try the Veendam. We were willing to give up perks that we get on NCL and Celebrity to sail the Veendam but now the playing field is a little more even, not to mention the higher cost on HAL.

 

I was planning to do the Veendam but with the tendering it will have to be a good deal to get me to book. Been to Bermuda on a bunch of cruises and walking off the ship is a feature of docking at St. George. Might as well be at the Dockyard and take the ferry.

[Charles4515]

"Holland America Line understands that a potential engineering project could eventually solve this issue and believes this would be a very proactive and business-friendly step the Government of Bermuda could take."

 

This has me curious. Seems like they think that enlarging the Town Cut is a simple solution. As Topsham says in post #17, that's not going to happen, and for good reason.

 

I would not be so sure about it not happening. It happened before. They enlarged the cut so the Zenith could fit. It may not be wise to do it again but that does not mean it won't be done.

[iheartbda]

I would not be so sure about it not happening. It happened before. They enlarged the cut so the Zenith could fit. It may not be wise to do it again but that does not mean it won't be done.

Yep, anything is possible but I'm not going to hold my breath....could be unhealthy.:D