Jump to content

A new HAL Blog! (Yes, I'm a HAL employee!)


DutchByAssociation

Recommended Posts

Are there self-service laundry facilities on the Zaandam for guests to use?

 

There are self-service laundries on Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam - these are the so called "S" Class ships.

 

No self-service laundries on Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam. These are the so called "R" Class ships. (I'm not sure about Prinsendeam.)

 

None of the Vista or Signature Class ships have self-service laundries.

Vista ships are Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam. Signatures are Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

I'm not sure about Prinsendam.

 

All the "R" class ships have self service laundries -- I have used them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hello DBA ...

 

I understand that in a couple of months, May perhaps, Charlie Trotter is closing his restaurant and moving on to another phase (non-culinary) of his life. Do you imagine HAL will replace him on the Culinary Council?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello DBA ...

 

I understand that in a couple of months, May perhaps, Charlie Trotter is closing his restaurant and moving on to another phase (non-culinary) of his life. Do you imagine HAL will replace him on the Culinary Council?

 

Charlie Trotter's menu items were still on our recent Maasdam cruise.

But maybe this chef will or has replaced him?

Culinary Spotlight Meet Culinary Council® member, David Burke

 

CC_David_Burke.jpg

Blurring the lines between chef, artist, entrepreneur and inventor, David Burke is a leading pioneer in American cooking today. His fascination with ingredients and the art of the meal has fueled a career marked by creativity, critical acclaim and the introduction of revolutionary products and cooking techniques.

In addition to his flagship restaurant, David Burke Townhouse, Burke’s other properties include Fishtail (New York, NY), David Burke at Bloomingdale’s (New York, NY), Burke in the Box at McCarran Airport (Las Vegas, NV), David Burke’s Primehouse (Chicago, IL), David Burke Fromagerie (Rumson, NJ) and David Burke Prime (Foxwoods Casino, CT).

Enjoy David’s richly flavored Roasted Chicken with Sausage‑Corn Bread Stuffing at home as you plan your next cruise or reflect upon a favorite onboard dining experience.

Other world‑renowned Holland America Line Culinary Council chefs include Jonnie Boer, Jacques Torres, Charlie Trotter and Marcus Samuelsson. Chaired by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the Council helps Holland America Line keep abreast of new trends, and assures that onboard dining continues to be one of the most rewarding, satisfying and memorable cruise experiences. These gifted chefs contribute signature recipes that are featured on the main dining room menu of all 15 ships. Find out more about Holland America Line's Culinary Council.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Charlie Trotter's menu items were still on our recent Maasdam cruise.

 

But maybe this chef will or has replaced him?

Culinary Spotlight Meet Culinary Council® member, David Burke

 

CC_David_Burke.jpg

Blurring the lines between chef, artist, entrepreneur and inventor, David Burke is a leading pioneer in American cooking today. His fascination with ingredients and the art of the meal has fueled a career marked by creativity, critical acclaim and the introduction of revolutionary products and cooking techniques.

In addition to his flagship restaurant, David Burke Townhouse, Burke’s other properties include Fishtail (New York, NY), David Burke at Bloomingdale’s (New York, NY), Burke in the Box at McCarran Airport (Las Vegas, NV), David Burke’s Primehouse (Chicago, IL), David Burke Fromagerie (Rumson, NJ) and David Burke Prime (Foxwoods Casino, CT).

Enjoy David’s richly flavored Roasted Chicken with Sausage‑Corn Bread Stuffing at home as you plan your next cruise or reflect upon a favorite onboard dining experience.

Other world‑renowned Holland America Line Culinary Council chefs include Jonnie Boer, Jacques Torres, Charlie Trotter and Marcus Samuelsson. Chaired by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the Council helps Holland America Line keep abreast of new trends, and assures that onboard dining continues to be one of the most rewarding, satisfying and memorable cruise experiences. These gifted chefs contribute signature recipes that are featured on the main dining room menu of all 15 ships. Find out more about Holland America Line's Culinary Council.

 

Charlie and David have both been part of the Culinary Council since its inception. See excerpt from the website below.

 

I have not heard anything about any members changing.

 

The Holland America Line Culinary Council® is an innovative team of top-name chefs from around the world assembled to guide and enhance all aspects of the shipboard culinary experience. The Culinary Council will enrich Holland America Line’s culinary initiatives and present signature recipes to be featured in all dining venues on all 15 cruise ships.

Culinary Council members include Council Chairman and Holland America Line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, along with renowned international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Jacques Torres and Charlie Trotter.

The Council's expertise and guidance will enhance every aspect of the Holland America Line industry-leading shipboard dining experience, from the Lido Restaurant breakfast buffet to the dinner menu of the Pinnacle Grill and everything in between.

In addition to sharing their insights on menus and culinary offerings, the Council will consult on the line’s Culinary Arts Center enrichment program to inspire new and even more creative learning experiences for guests.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Charlie and David have both been part of the Culinary Council since its inception. See excerpt from the website below.

 

I have not heard anything about any members changing.

 

The Holland America Line Culinary Council® is an innovative team of top-name chefs from around the world assembled to guide and enhance all aspects of the shipboard culinary experience. The Culinary Council will enrich Holland America Line’s culinary initiatives and present signature recipes to be featured in all dining venues on all 15 cruise ships.

Culinary Council members include Council Chairman and Holland America Line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, along with renowned international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Jacques Torres and Charlie Trotter.

The Council's expertise and guidance will enhance every aspect of the Holland America Line industry-leading shipboard dining experience, from the Lido Restaurant breakfast buffet to the dinner menu of the Pinnacle Grill and everything in between.

In addition to sharing their insights on menus and culinary offerings, the Council will consult on the line’s Culinary Arts Center enrichment program to inspire new and even more creative learning experiences for guests.

 

I just quoted an e-mail that I got from HAL a few days ago.

I really haven't kept track of the different chefs.

But it is interesting that Charlie Trotter is selling his restaurant and looking for new a venue in his life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Charlie and David have both been part of the Culinary Council since its inception. See excerpt from the website below.

 

I have not heard anything about any members changing.

The Holland America Line Culinary Council® is an innovative team of top-name chefs from around the world assembled to guide and enhance all aspects of the shipboard culinary experience. The Culinary Council will enrich Holland America Line’s culinary initiatives and present signature recipes to be featured in all dining venues on all 15 cruise ships.

Culinary Council members include Council Chairman and Holland America Line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, along with renowned international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Jacques Torres and Charlie Trotter.

The Council's expertise and guidance will enhance every aspect of the Holland America Line industry-leading shipboard dining experience, from the Lido Restaurant breakfast buffet to the dinner menu of the Pinnacle Grill and everything in between.

In addition to sharing their insights on menus and culinary offerings, the Council will consult on the line’s Culinary Arts Center enrichment program to inspire new and even more creative learning experiences for guests.

Thanks for your reply, and for your thoughts on Charlie's Culinary Council future ... I asked about it becasue the news reports here a couple of months ago seemed to indicate that Charlie would be going to graduate school and pursuing other bucket list activities, and would not be involved in the food world for some time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your reply, and for your thoughts on Charlie's Culinary Council future ... I asked about it becasue the news reports here a couple of months ago seemed to indicate that Charlie would be going to graduate school and pursuing other bucket list activities, and would not be involved in the food world for some time.

 

I read an article mentioning political science and something else if I recall correctly and saying he would be interested in starting with a restaurant again after his Masters. It also mentioned his acclaimed restaurant is not closing due to money issues but simply because he is pursuing these other things. Even with his attention elsewhere, I believe from my understanding that it would still be quite easy to contribute to the HAL fleet menus even if pursuing other interests. And frankly, a ten time James Beard award winner is an asset to ANYTHING he adds his name to :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For anyone curious, only HAL ship remotely close to this quake was Statendam. After hearing about the quake while at work I pulled up our fleet's ship tracker (no, this is not something available to the public) and took a look. Statendam was off the coast of Zihuatenejo which was 430km DRIVING distance from the epicenter. Take out the turns in the road and probably still a good 400km away... and as the ship was at sea and there were no tsunami warnings, the ship was unaffected.

 

Thought you all might like to know

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For anyone curious, only HAL ship remotely close to this quake was Statendam. After hearing about the quake while at work I pulled up our fleet's ship tracker (no, this is not something available to the public) and took a look. Statendam was off the coast of Zihuatenejo which was 430km DRIVING distance from the epicenter. Take out the turns in the road and probably still a good 400km away... and as the ship was at sea and there were no tsunami warnings, the ship was unaffected.

 

Thought you all might like to know

 

thanks DBA:D great to have you back:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
Who will be the CD on voyage # E221 Veendam 4/22/12 to Bermuda? Is there a list of the email addresses for all the onboard coordinators for HAL?

 

Thanks

Zippy

 

If DBH does not come back on-line in the next few days, you might want to ask this question on the Main Board...Perhaps Copper will answer you..

He always seems to have the Officer's schedules months in advance..

Cheers...:)Betty

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If DBH does not come back on-line in the next few days, you might want to ask this question on the Main Board...Perhaps Copper will answer you..

He always seems to have the Officer's schedules months in advance..

Cheers...:)Betty

 

 

Three Questions.....

 

During the remodel of the Maasdam, was the HVAC system upgraded. (On a Maasdam cruise we had to suplement the AC with a box fan)

 

On a back to back cruise (2@ 14 days) I get two OBC's for being a stockholder. On a 40+ day cruise will I get multiple OBC's?

 

Does HAL give free internet minutes like Princess?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Three Questions.....

During the remodel of the Maasdam, was the HVAC system upgraded. (On a Maasdam cruise we had to suplement the AC with a box fan)

I don't know about any upgrade, but on our March cruise the entire ship seemed cool enough to us. I've heard no recent complaints about her AC, either on board or here.

 

Does HAL give free internet minutes like Princess?

You can get 10 or 20 bonus minutes by signing up for a block of time on the first day, and sometimes they run "2-for-1" specials, but other than that I know of no free minutes ever given.

 

The "2-for-1" sounds good at first, but the way it works is you pay full price for the first 10 and the second 10 are free. If you're done with what you need/want to do in 8 you get nothing free, or if it takes you 11 minutes you don't get much benefit. It has never worked out well for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Three Questions.....

 

During the remodel of the Maasdam, was the HVAC system upgraded. (On a Maasdam cruise we had to suplement the AC with a box fan)

 

On a back to back cruise (2@ 14 days) I get two OBC's for being a stockholder. On a 40+ day cruise will I get multiple OBC's?

 

Does HAL give free internet minutes like Princess?

 

beilvan....Did you quote my post for a reason or was that just an error?:confused::confused:

When we did two 10 day B2B's we only received one stockholders credit because it was booked under one Booking Number..I'm sure that would be the same thing on a 40 day plus cruise...In any event if we do take the Prinsendam Ft. Lauderdale Round trip next Jan, I'm only counting on one stockholder credit of $250 according to the rules..

Perhaps if we book the trip as all different bookings with different No's, they might give us additional credits for each, but there is no guarantee we would have the same cabin for all the segments...;)

 

Figure you had two 14 day cruises booked under 2 separate booking No's for you to get 2 stockholder credits..Is that correct?

Cheers....:)Betty

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...