Nieuw Amsterdam and its invisible Captain

[Copper10-8]

Do you get upset when the first officer on your flight provides the cabin PA announcements and not the captain ? I don't. The captain is busy doing what he was hired to do, flying the plane. Same for ship's captains. Some captains are outgoing and sociable, others are strictly business. Either way doesn't matter to me. I also feel that the Costa Concordia incident, where the captain was a social butterfly, entertaining and schmoozing, mostly the women, has had an impact on all cruise ship captains. They may be concentrating more on being ship captains, and leaving the socializing to the cruise director and hotel director.

 

Thumbs up for that one!

[SilvertoGold]

Do you get upset when the first officer on your flight provides the cabin PA announcements and not the captain ? I don't. The captain is busy doing what he was hired to do, flying the plane. Same for ship's captains. Some captains are outgoing and sociable, others are strictly business. Either way doesn't matter to me. I also feel that the Costa Concordia incident, where the captain was a social butterfly, entertaining and schmoozing, mostly the women, has had an impact on all cruise ship captains. They may be concentrating more on being ship captains, and leaving the socializing to the cruise director and hotel director.

 

After much experience with many Captains on HAL and quite contrary to what would be my personal choice, I came to the conclusion several years ago that possibly it would be best if the Captains were invisible voices from the bridge.

 

I have no idea what goes into a Captain's contract, but is this really their job, to interact with the customers/pax/guests, is that their training? With no Captain's Reception now on HAL, there is little reason to have Captains involved at all.

 

The Hotel Department has everything to do with customers/pax/guests' comfort: cabins, food, spa, shops, casino, shorex, the whole lot. Aren't the HM and CD trained as hosts and in dealing with the customers?

[iancal]

I agree. It makes me snicker when I hear someone say that so and so is a wonderful Captain. What does that really mean and how would the person know?

 

Does it mean that he or she is personable, looks good in a uniform, stops for photo ops ? From my perspective that has very little bearing on how good the Captain is.

[SilvertoGold]

I agree. It makes me snicker when I hear someone say that so and so is a wonderful Captain. What does that really mean and how would the person know?

 

Does it mean that he or she is personable, looks good in a uniform, stops for photo ops ? From my perspective that has very little bearing on how good the Captain is.

 

Oops. Sorry

Edited September 11, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[SilvertoGold]

I agree. It makes me snicker when I hear someone say that so and so is a wonderful Captain. What does that really mean and how would the person know?

 

Does it mean that he or she is personable, looks good in a uniform, stops for photo ops ? From my perspective that has very little bearing on how good the Captain is.

 

Not sure if it is my post that you agree with, but that is not what I am saying at all. Each person can call another good or bad based on his or her own criteria. No need for snickering.

Edited September 11, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[iancal]

I do not see how anyone can judge a Captain's abilities etc. by his or her

public persona, looks, voice, or willingness to be seen and pose for pictures.

 

We really only care about one thing...getting through our cruise in the safest possible manner.

 

The was at least one passenger on the Costa Concordia who thought the Captain was wonderful. Alas, not based on his seafaring or crew management abilities.

[iancal]

duplicate

Edited September 11, 2016 by iancal

[serendipity1499]

Do you get upset when the first officer on your flight provides the cabin PA announcements and not the captain ? I don't. The captain is busy doing what he was hired to do, flying the plane. Same for ship's captains. Some captains are outgoing and sociable, others are strictly business. Either way doesn't matter to me. I also feel that the Costa Concordia incident, where the captain was a social butterfly, entertaining and schmoozing, mostly the women, has had an impact on all cruise ship captains. They may be concentrating more on being ship captains, and leaving the socializing to the cruise director and hotel director.

 

Exactly!:):):)

[serendipity1499]

Interesting thread. I work on a small ship (40 crew total, less than 5-10 in hospitality department depending on season - I am the Purser).

 

Someone mentionned the Captain wasn't on the bridge much as he was often seen in guest areas. It is not the Captain's Duty to be on the bridge, he doesn't do a watch. The Captain will dock the ship (on cruise ships, the Staff Captain may do that, I am not sure about that one). During fog, heavy seas or the like, the Captain will also be on the bridge most of the time or ask someone he trusts to be if those conditions last for a long time and he judges he can safely do so.

 

Also, usually the cruise line decides what they want from the Captains intereaction wise and the Captains will comply (some with great pleasure, some ''to do their job''). If the Company decreases their list of things to do for passengers, most of them will just comply; unless they are long-time Captains who really enjoyed some of those things, then they might take upon themselves to continue doing them on their ''free time''.

 

SNIP

 

In regards to the Captain not reassuring his passengers when there was a fire onboard. Sure, the Captain should act in a reassuring manner but his first duty is to over see the overall safety of the passenger, crew and vessel during this crisis. Therefore, it's perfectly normal that all his communications will be brief. As passengers, in time of crisis, it's our duty to simply listen carefuly, keep calm and follow any order.

 

Before I became a crew member, I once encountered an emergency on a ship. The QM2 lost all power (adrift in the middle of the Atlantic). The Captain made an announcement and asked passengers to stay in their cabins (I guess most people were in their cabin as it was around 1am). Personnally, what made me feel safer was to get my things ready. I cannot stress enough how much a mini flash light could help you in case of an emergency. I always have a very small one with me, even in my evening purse. I took my mini backpack, added the flashlight, cell phone, beach towel and two bottles of water. I dressed in warm clothes (wool is best if you have any with you - I bring a pair of wool socks and wool sweater). I knew I was ready and it helped me. Now, I don't wait and I prepare my small bag before each muster drill (but flashlight stays with me) and the bag stays packed until the last morning.

jp2001...Would you mind e-mailing me & tell me about your experiences with booking cruises on an Interline Rate..

 

My e-mail is: Serendipity1499 @ Yahoo.com (No spaces between 1499@Yahoo.com)

 

I'm a retired Airline Employee but have never booked a cruise at the interline Rate except for our next one.. For the first time we took an Interline Rate on our next HAL cruise in Oct., as we are cruising with another couple who also are Interliner's.. Our Friends seem to think that HAL will never bump us, but I'm not so sure, & getting a bit concerned about it especially since reading a remark you made on the Prinsendam thread about it.. Realize that we could rebook another time, but would hate to disappoint DH.. BTW HAL is still advertising our cruise..

 

I would be interested in knowing if you have ever been bumped out of any cruise? Please put in the subject line "HAL Cruise"

 

Really would appreciate your comments. & thank you.

[seapals2]

Having just returned from our latest sailing on Queen Victoria I realise that the HAL captain just wasn't doing his job in customer relations. Presumably HAL feel he does a good job on board but it should be part of a Captains job to be visible to his passengers.

Capt. Rynd on Cunards sailing was the most professional person you could have wished to find in charge of your ship. That came across because he was ... Visible .... He took the time to host a welcome aboard party and talk to his passengers. He personally made the noon announcements and when we encountered severe storms he reassurances meant more.

So I feel even more justified in my original comments ... A captain that is NEVER seen is not a Captain I want in command of a ship I am sailing on.

I hope the Eurodam Captain makes an appearance for New Year otherwise it will be my final HAL voyage.

Surely others feel the same ... How can a Captain really not make an appearance around the ship for a whole voyage or interact with his passengers.

[CaveDiving]

We sailed for the first time in August this year with HAL on the Nieuw Amsterdam and realised that after being on the ship for a few days we had neither heard or seen a Captain. No welcome party .. no photo in the daily news .. nothing. We didn't even know his name.

We had a lot of service issues in the dining room and other public areas and feel this has spilled down through the staff from the indifference of the Captain. They are taking their lead from him .. if he cant be bothered to meet and chat to his paying passengers then why should they show them any respect or do their job with a smile...

 

I suspect there may be some misunderstanding about the chain of command for the staff on HAL ships. IIRC, the sailors, and others involved in actually running the ship, work for the captain. But all of the hotel staff do not work directly for the captain, they work for the Hotel Director. Staff morale is clearly his responsibility. Of course when at sea, the Captain has the final word in any situation.

 

My opinion about ship captains is similar to my opinion about surgeons. It’s nice if they have a pleasant personality, but to me it’s far more important that they're good at their jobs.

 

Some captains are simply more outgoing and some quieter. Fortunately I have never met a HAL captain that I felt wasn’t eminently qualified to do the job.

 

Scott & Karen

[chengkp75]

I suspect there may be some misunderstanding about the chain of command for the staff on HAL ships. IIRC, the sailors, and others involved in actually running the ship, work for the captain. But all of the hotel staff do not work directly for the captain, they work for the Hotel Director. Staff morale is clearly his responsibility. Of course when at sea, the Captain has the final word in any situation.

 

My opinion about ship captains is similar to my opinion about surgeons. It’s nice if they have a pleasant personality, but to me it’s far more important that they're good at their jobs.

 

Some captains are simply more outgoing and some quieter. Fortunately I have never met a HAL captain that I felt wasn’t eminently qualified to do the job.

 

Scott & Karen

 

Close, but not quite. The deck department works for the Staff Captain. The Staff Captain, the Chief Engineer, and the Hotel Directors, as department heads, work directly for the Captain. The Captain is the CEO or mayor of the small town that is the ship.

 

I know others have expressed an opinion on this thread that the "vibe" of the crew is dependent on the Captain's appearance in guest areas, but my experience is that crew morale and performance is based on the Captain's (and HD's) interaction with the crew. A Captain that regularly greets crew by name and gives even perfunctory praise will affect the crew's attitude towards their jobs, and hence their attitudes towards guest services, more than the crew seeing the Captain hobnobbing with the guests. Many senior officers detest guest interaction, but do it for good business reasons, but these same officers will have an affiliation with the crew who share their life at sea, and who can motivate this crew to better performance through shared experience.

[ski ww]

Having just returned from our latest sailing on Queen Victoria I realise that the HAL captain just wasn't doing his job in customer relations. Presumably HAL feel he does a good job on board but it should be part of a Captains job to be visible to his passengers.

Capt. Rynd on Cunards sailing was the most professional person you could have wished to find in charge of your ship. That came across because he was ... Visible .... He took the time to host a welcome aboard party and talk to his passengers. He personally made the noon announcements and when we encountered severe storms he reassurances meant more.

So I feel even more justified in my original comments ... A captain that is NEVER seen is not a Captain I want in command of a ship I am sailing on.

I hope the Eurodam Captain makes an appearance for New Year otherwise it will be my final HAL voyage.

Surely others feel the same ... How can a Captain really not make an appearance around the ship for a whole voyage or interact with his passengers.

We are also on this New Years cruise, hope to meet you on board. We have met great Captains on HAL ships. As I look back I can only think of one cruise where we saw very little of the ships Capt. On one of our cruises on the Prinsendam the Capt. invited our table of six to have dinner with him. We found some interact more with the passengers then others.

Allan

[rkacruiser]

Close, but not quite. The deck department works for the Staff Captain. The Staff Captain, the Chief Engineer, and the Hotel Directors, as department heads, work directly for the Captain. The Captain is the CEO or mayor of the small town that is the ship.

 

I know others have expressed an opinion on this thread that the "vibe" of the crew is dependent on the Captain's appearance in guest areas, but my experience is that crew morale and performance is based on the Captain's (and HD's) interaction with the crew. A Captain that regularly greets crew by name and gives even perfunctory praise will affect the crew's attitude towards their jobs, and hence their attitudes towards guest services, more than the crew seeing the Captain hobnobbing with the guests. Many senior officers detest guest interaction, but do it for good business reasons, but these same officers will have an affiliation with the crew who share their life at sea, and who can motivate this crew to better performance through shared experience.

 

This is an interesting observation and I agree with it based upon my observations. I am of the opinion that the "vibe" we guests pick-up from the HD and the Master in whatever we experience with them may provide a clue as to their relationship with their crew.

[Topsham]

 

The was at least one passenger on the Costa Concordia who thought the Captain was wonderful. Alas, not based on his seafaring or crew management abilities.

 

 

 

Like your ability to get facts right? The person so called 'passenger' was actually a staff member.

[kira5]

We sailed on a Baltic cruise with Cunard 2 years ago. There was an interview with the Captain (on the stage) by the Cruise Director one afternoon posing questions that had been given in by guests (there had been a note on the daily schedule a few days earlier giving details as to how to submit questions). Very interesting and the Captain was charming.There was also a general introduction by the Captain of his life.

 

On top of that, on another day, there was set up a table on the main deck where the Captain would sign (autograph) an item. We had purchased an art deco style poster of the ship (Queen Victoria) for $15 from the gift shop but some people had a (free) copy of the menu or daily schedule. The Captain spent a minute with each person and signed as requested. I had the poster framed and gave it to my husband for his birthday.

 

(This was a 2 week Baltic cruise ( booked in the last month before sailing) which interestingly cost about the same as the 1 week Alaska cruise with HAL in August.

 

These are examples of things that to me, enhance a cruise, but don't cost the line anything. (I've been reading the thread about cutbacks to room service breakfasts).

[cruisun]

Is John Scott still with HAL? Had the pleasure of sailing with him on several Noordam cruises and he was very visible and so friendly, he always said hello and struck up conversation

[GUT2407]

Wow, what a way to ruin a cruise not seeing the captain, maybe he had better things to do like sailing the ship.

[Bill B]

Fortunately I have never met a HAL captain that I felt wasn’t eminently qualified to do the job.

 

Don't they get insulted when you as to see their qualifications?

[lvz2cruz]

Do you need to see the captain all the time? I don't I don't really care who the captain on any cruise I am on, as long as they are doing a their job well. Same for all the officers unobtrusive is best for me. Incidentally I was on a Celebrity cruise last December when that female captain started - you could not get away from her! talk about publicity stunts - she was more like a children's television presenter than a shops captain. Standing at the entrance to the main dining room one day, in the kids club making puppets the next. Another day in the shops working as a sales promoter. No idea who actually sailed the ship but it sure was not her. And when there was a major disaster and a couple of passengers died the whole crew brushed it under the carpet apart from a quick announcement and a note in the cabin.

 

Captain Kate is very respected and popular with cruisers. I sailed to Bermuda when she was a captain and she was at the Cruise critic party, the captain's club events, and was often around the ship. Most times there was a line to meet her and get a picture with her. You might be the only one not appreciating her.

There are often threads on the Celebrity board of future cruises who want to know if she will be onboard when they sail. She even has a Twitter account which some follow.

Captain Kate made our cruise fun with her vivacious personality and we never worried about who was sailing the ship. She did look exhausted once or twice and I think she puts in a lot of hours.

I would love to sail with her again. She made the week enjoyable.

[chengkp75]

Captain Kate is very respected and popular with cruisers. I sailed to Bermuda when she was a captain and she was at the Cruise critic party, the captain's club events, and was often around the ship. Most times there was a line to meet her and get a picture with her. You might be the only one not appreciating her.

There are often threads on the Celebrity board of future cruises who want to know if she will be onboard when they sail. She even has a Twitter account which some follow.

Captain Kate made our cruise fun with her vivacious personality and we never worried about who was sailing the ship. She did look exhausted once or twice and I think she puts in a lot of hours.

I would love to sail with her again. She made the week enjoyable.

 

Well, I hate to rain on the parade, but if she was looking exhausted, and putting in a lot of hours, then she was violating the law. The maximum hours of work, and the minimum hours of rest for any 24 hour period, any 72 hour period, and any 7 day period, as well as how many of those rest hours have to be continuous are codified in international law, and apply equally to the Captain as to all the rest of the crew, perhaps more so.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Having just returned from our latest sailing on Queen Victoria I realise that the HAL captain just wasn't doing his job in customer relations. Presumably HAL feel he does a good job on board but it should be part of a Captains job to be visible to his passengers.

Capt. Rynd on Cunards sailing was the most professional person you could have wished to find in charge of your ship. That came across because he was ... Visible .... He took the time to host a welcome aboard party and talk to his passengers. He personally made the noon announcements and when we encountered severe storms he reassurances meant more.

So I feel even more justified in my original comments ... A captain that is NEVER seen is not a Captain I want in command of a ship I am sailing on.

I hope the Eurodam Captain makes an appearance for New Year otherwise it will be my final HAL voyage.

Surely others feel the same ... How can a Captain really not make an appearance around the ship for a whole voyage or interact with his passengers.

 

I think it varies from one line to another. Cunard captains seem to do more interacting with passengers. The signings go back to QE2, where it became so popular (probably because she was in her last year or 2) that they had to limit it to 3 items because people were showing up with a half-dozen or more postcards (probably destined for ebay). And within a line, it can vary from captain to captain. On QM2, I've noticed that Capt Wells loves doing the noon announcement and always has a little nautical lesson to teach, while Commodore Rynd does the minimum and hands off to someone else.

 

A friend who sails RC every year told me that their captains usually do a Q&A of some sort, at least they did on her cruises.

 

I know the captain's main job is managing the ship (I like the CEO and mayor analogies). But it's nice PR if he's seen out and about from time to time.

[vicd1969]

Is John Scott still with HAL? Had the pleasure of sailing with him on several Noordam cruises and he was very visible and so friendly, he always said hello and struck up conversation

 

Yes, he was the Captain for my September Eurodam sailing. He participated in a very well-received "Ask the Captain" session on the main stage during our sea day, and signed for passengers the book the ship offered about the engineering behind-the scenes.

[seapals2]

Just a quick comment after our Eurodam sailing. This cruise could not have been more different in respect of the Captain and his regular appearance around the ship. We even got chance to speak personally one evening in the Silk Den bar. He held a question time session in the theatre and hosted a welcome aboard evening there too. Whether it was the captain's example or the Caribbean sunshine the staff were happier and friendly towards passengers whilst remaining professional at all times.

We did encounter very bad seas and force 10 gales, seeing the Captain around the ship and his officers keeping an eye on deck safety was a reassuring factor.

[hunt182644]

Places in my home town where I have quit shopping,:mad: Walmart, Walgreens, Target, One grocery store, an auto parts store, several gas stations, a Starbucks. The reason you are asking yourself why, because at these places either the owner or manager is not their to greet me and thank me for shopping with them:rolleyes:. The shame of it all this job is left to the lowly employee's:eek:. Then again perhaps the manager is behind the scene making sure every thing is running smoothly.:D