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.......idle jottings

ho-hum

By ho-hum,
in SeaDream Yacht Club

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vandrefalk

vandrefalk

Posted
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I do know that Capt Terje has left SD, but don't know why -- glad Kris has joined the company.

 

I wonder if that is why Capt Remi did the crossing? He was supposed to go on vacation from Malaga and Capt Bjarne was supposed to take SD I across? If Capt Terje left suddenly, might explain why Remi was on board -- and sounds like a lot of stuff didn't get done if they were offering a discount. Of course, they were doing a lot of work on our voyage -- painting, varnishing, replacing teak, etc. so anything they were doing on the crossing must have really been disruptive. Also sounds like they had a major issue in drydock if they couldn't get everything done.

 

Be interesting to see where Terje pops up!

Vandrefalk

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ho-hum

ho-hum

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Sounds like interesting times on this crossing ho-hum:eek:

 

Sorry to hear about Capt. Terje departure. I wonder if he will be joining other SD alumni crew on Azamara:confused:

 

Nicely worded Jen.........cannot see it; Azamara that is....

 

 

Hoping you get well soon. We count on you for our information. Besides, you are back on SD fairly quickly, right?

 

Jim, Hum apologises for the lack of information.

 

You know, it was one of those times, when for the sake of the crew and the situation generally, it was best, this time, to just "keep a sock in it".

 

There are a host of other SD forum members here also onboard and whilst we passed the time of day with one another, none of us posted whilst onboard, let alone anything critical. It seemed we were of one mind on this, though no one talked about it.

 

It felt a betrayal and diversion to post a negative critique whilst the crew were put under the most enormous pressures and subject to rough seas, colds, lack of sleep etc...

 

Captain Remi and the crew were remarkable. Respect (as always) to them.

More so, when everything was conspiring against them.......and yet they still performed a fabulous cruise show including an amazing video (which Hum will obtain details of and post some time).

 

Yes Hum's back in just over a months time.........but by then idleness would have taken hold well and truly you know......

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ho-hum

ho-hum

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So you visited Chateaugay Lane this weekend? I knew those two could not keep anything to themselves including Gantt's hands. Are you contemplating cancellation??

 

Hum can neither confirm or deny his sources......suffice to say operatives are "buried deep" in the organisation at all levels and elsewhere.....

 

What HH is prepared to reveal is, the person in question that you refer to has no clue whatsoever of the true identity of Ho Hum (whether you believe it or not) !!

 

Yes, voyage cancelled........it took ages to get through to the cancellation phone line and when Hum did, it announced "you are 57 in the queue. Your call is important to us, please hold the line".

It seems there was a large run of cancellations just recently !

Well look at this way Jim, service will be really, really good and no "kids" (well no anybody in fact).

 

What are you kidding ol' Hum ?

Jim "The Legend" on SD....... a sell out !

 

At least Hum will have the advantage of knowing what you like as well as Ms.Lane !

 

image_zpslwa5a3f8.jpeg

 

image_zpswbvehbor.jpeg

 

Now what of Raggy ?

5 cabins left.......time runnin' out.

If you're out there Sundance.....think about it.....

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ho-hum

ho-hum

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....and just how in the "blue blazes" is a lady called "cruisin gready" or some such name is getting' more views than moi and it doesn't even relate to SD !

 

there ain't no justice !!!!!

 

Hum's first day back "in the saddle" ain't going' well....but better than one dear couple who returned home with an un-expected gift !!!

You know who you are......feel about sharin' ?

Others could fall into the same situation.

Well no mind if you prefer not to but at least keep HH informed....confidentially ALWAYS guaranteed...and especially to dearest, dearest chums.

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Jim Avery

Jim Avery

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Any information on a new Captain? Three Captains rotating two ships really cuts into their time at home so I know the three hope it works out soon. There is a "break in" period for Captains in a new company regardless of the new Captain's seagoing experience. Hoping they find one as enjoyable as Captain Smorawski.

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JES4845

JES4845

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HH, quite commendable not to report while cruise in progress. Never expect less from our favorite crew in the business. Would welcome high level comments if you feel comfortable. For example, how much of the "adventure" was due to missteps with the dry dock as opposed to weather, etc. not in SD's control or influence? We have two trips booked for next year and always wonder about where things are headed based on past ups and downs.

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ho-hum

ho-hum

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Any information on a new Captain? Three Captains rotating two ships really cuts into their time at home so I know the three hope it works out soon. There is a "break in" period for Captains in a new company regardless of the new Captain's seagoing experience. Hoping they find one as enjoyable as Captain Smorawski.

 

Hum hears that a "card" advertising the vacancy has been put up in the "sweet shop" in the village where all the Captains seem to hail from.

 

Tell 'em you're an old sea Captain from the same village and you'll be in "like Flynn" !

Remember: special rates for chums !

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Jim Avery

Jim Avery

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Hum hears that a "card" advertising the vacancy has been put up in the "sweet shop" in the village where all the Captains seem to hail from.

 

Tell 'em you're an old sea Captain from the same village and you'll be in "like Flynn" !

Remember: special rates for chums !

 

Do you think having an English Mother and hailing from Alabama will help? Have Gun, Will Travel. Wire Paladin. San Francisco.

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ho-hum

ho-hum

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HH, quite commendable not to report while cruise in progress. Never expect less from our favorite crew in the business. Would welcome high level comments if you feel comfortable. For example, how much of the "adventure" was due to missteps with the dry dock as opposed to weather, etc. not in SD's control or influence? We have two trips booked for next year and always wonder about where things are headed based on past ups and downs.

 

Well JES4845, you know HH thinks he answered your query when the official line was posted by yours truly a short while ago.

And for your information, it is posted again here below:

 

Letter from Captain Remi Eriksen received yesterday evening at 7.00pm, 11 November, 2015.

 

"I would lke to personally apologise for any dissatisfaction you experienced during this trans-Atlantic voyage from Lisbon to San Juan. Unexpected issues emerged during dry-dock which caused both our delay from Lisbon and a delay in completing all the necessary maintenance tasks. As such, you were witness to repair work, painting and the like. Compounding matters, we had a last minute change of Captain. Captain Willassen will be missed by our guests, crew and shoreside team. He wont be far from our thoughts, as we are pleased to announce, his son Kris has just joined the company in our Oslo office.

 

I am sorry the voyage did not go as smoothly as planned. Though I hope you fully enjoyed the fine cuisine and the attentive service of our crew. As a result of the unfortunate disappointments you experienced, we are providing you an additional..............."

 

Hum would add that he understands your concerns based on previous issues but "hand on heart", this was a different "kettle of fish".

However there was one issue that sent Hum quietly "ballistic" and caused quite a "brooh-haha" with one very irate guest in particular !

Hum is awaiting a reply from Oslo for an explanation and assurance that it never happens again.

HH will "tell all" (probably) when all info is in.

 

Suffice to say, engines, soot, a/c etc.... seem to be things of the past.

Most works were upgrades, carpet replacement etc....

 

You seem a "man of the world" JES4845.

Hum believes you too would have expected certain works continuing on the crossing as yours truly had earlier pronounced !

In fact a certain SD forum participant had the "nerve" to suggest that Hum had somehow "tempted fate" by the pronouncement !

 

SD will have been out of dry dock.

There is good news in that and bad news.....if they dont complete everything on time, will they be doing them on the xing with mechanical things not working, areas cordoned off, the smell of varnish sending passengers and crew "tripping" and all accompanied by "clunk, clunk, bang" sounds.

Whilst dining outside and sipping a Puligny-Montrachet premier cru will Hum's eyes alight upon a pair of greased up mechanics bending over something exposing their ample hairy buttocks above sagging baggy jeans !

No, not a pretty sight.

Will quite put Hum off the fine Bourgogne or the two poached eggs at breakfast.

 

And sailing conditions ?

Must keep an eye on them in the days leading up to departure for the High Seas.

 

One other point.

The sea conditions had 4.0-5.0m swells at the proposed original sailing time.

Everyone was relieved the "sail away" was delayed (including yours truly) !!

It was still "bouncy" the next day.

And for the next 4 days, quite a few were a tad "off their nosh" (let alone vino: not HH, the insensitive clod he is !).

 

So you see, at least we had better sea conditions because of the delay (which we made up, arriving dead on time and after stopping outside the BVI's for safety trials checking the tenders/lifeboats for the US Coastguard Inspection that would await on entering Puerto Rico).

 

Finally, you know, it is easy to say how marvellous the crew were when everything is "hunky dory" but on this voyage, they "stepped up" to a man (yes and woman) in difficult conditions and situation.

They were heroic and Hum told them so.

Maybe Hum will post his letter.......will await official reply from Oslo first (maybe).

 

Oh one other thing to consider.

There were three new couples who had never "done a crossing": each couple re-booked !

They would'nt have done that had it been hell.

There may have been more new couples. But it gives you an indication of actuality of the situation.

One lady was very worried about earlier situation and potential sea conditions but 3 days later, she was having a great time.

Another lady had advised she was bored.......but this was very early into crossing; maybe she changed her mind, Hum kept away because she was excruciatingly dullllllll (no, not Norwegian this time !).

 

Now next year the crossing is well over half-booked.

Hum knows 20 couples already booked !!!

 

"Horse"; well and truly "flogged" !

This parrot is no more, it has gone to meet it's maker.......

Fin

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ho-hum

ho-hum

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Do you think having an English Mother and hailing from Alabama will help? Have Gun, Will Travel. Wire Paladin. San Francisco.

 

So mongrel then ?

Haha

 

No seriously.

English mother: perfect.

Alabama father: well knowing two fine gentlemen from that State, Hum fully approves and admires their gentle Southern manners and courtesy.

 

Yepp, if it were down to Hum you would be third in charge of tender and part-time Activity Assistant, in charge of shooting clays on the Pool Deck !

 

That's the best Hum can do....besides your place is alongside Hum at TOYB exchanging our un-redoubtable knowledge of world affairs and their solutions !

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