KenNMB

They always say the casino is smoking allowed "if you are playing" but plenty of people duck in there for a smoke and never drop a dime. They don't get kicked out.

Expect more casino playing non-smokers to be more watchful in light of that post and HAL's revised policy. At least one evening in the casino is NO SMOKING.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thoughtful of you, GJ!

But, the anger from smokers is as palpable as that previously exhibited by us non-smokers before the policy change announcement. Makes sense. The unfortunate gloating by non-smokers reminds me of the previous gloating by smokers.

No wonder partisans stopped compromising. It seems anger and hate, sarcasm and retribution are far more satisfying, to far too many. I'm old enough to remember when folks were more interested in harmony, considering principled adversaries as friends, and even love. Sad.

Bon Voyage!

Thanks, and Ciao! Civitavecchia! Loved passing through there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bon Voyage!

Thanks, and Ruff-Ruff, Pup! That's a dog-gone nice thing you did!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bon Voyage!

rwams, Appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bon Voyage!

Thanks, Kirk, our neighbor to the north!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bon Voyage !

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

EB, Thanks for that!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bon Voyage Everyone!!

Thank you, KK!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, KZ

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Found this earlier. Not sure where it went. FWIW::rolleyes:

New Smoking Policy For Holland America

NEW SMOKING POLICY

Holland America Line will implement a new smoking policy beginning in January 2017. No smoking of any kind will be permitted on any stateroom verandah. Smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes is already not permitted in any stateroom. We are announcing this new policy to better align with guest wishes and health concerns.

http://f.e.hollandamerica.com/i/41/1010169812/Smoking_Policy.pdf

September 29, 2016

Holland America Line will implement a new smoking policy beginning in January 2017. No smoking of any kind will be permitted on any stateroom verandah. Smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes is already not permitted in any stateroom. The new policy has been announced to better align with guest wishes and health concerns. The new smoking policy takes effect on all ships on the following dates (as well as any combination cruise spanning these dates):

SHIP NEW SMOKING POLICY BEGINS

ms MaasdamJanuary 2, 2017

ms RotterdamJanuary 2, 2017

ms VolendamJanuary 3, 2017

ms NoordamJanuary 4, 2017

ms VeendamJanuary 4, 2017

ms ZuiderdamJanuary 4, 2017

ms Nieuw AmsterdamJanuary 6, 2017

ms EurodamJanuary 7, 2017

ms WesterdamJanuary 7, 2017

ms KoningsdamJanuary 8, 2017

ms ZaandamJanuary 10, 2017

ms OosterdamJanuary 13, 2017

ms AmsterdamApril 26, 2017

ms PrinsendamMay 6, 2017 For guests who wish to smoke, the designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted:

Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars and pipes)

Permitted Outdoors •Sea View (Retreat) Bar/Pool on starboard side. On ms Prinsendam, ms Koningsdam and ms Nieuw Statendam, smoking allowed on the port side. Smoking is never on both sides.•Sun Bar on ms Koningsdam and ms Nieuw Statendam.

•• Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow’s Nest on starboard side on ms Maasdam,

ms Veendam, ms Volendam, ms Zaandam, ms Rotterdam and ms Amsterdam, aft of

Crow’s Nest starboard side.

Permitted Indoors

• Oak Room on ms Noordam only.

• Designated areas for active slot players in Casinos. ms Oosterdam and ms Eurodam

casinos are completely non-smoking, however.

Not Permitted:

Inside all staterooms/suites.

On any stateroom/suite verandahs.

E-cigarettes and Vaping devices

Permitted:

Inside all staterooms/suites.

Designated smoking areas listed above.

Not Permitted:

On any stateroom/suite verandahs.

Other public areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms or verandahs in violation of our policy will be

charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation and will risk being removed from the ship

for repeated violations.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=http%3A%2F%2Fboards%2Ecruisecritic%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Fp%3D51197349&share_tid=2408006&share_fid=24703&share_type=t&share_pid=51197349

Ken Skelly

No problem! Thanks for your thoughtfulness! We have over 70 cruisers signed up for our M&G, and I can't wait to meet Don and Judy who posted the spreadsheet, as well as Copper10-8; both have been extraordinary in their service, and not just to us lucky HAL customers. Thanks, Kazu!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Zuiderdam 07-Oct.-16 12-Day Atlantic Coast (KenNMB)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Heavy. I feel safer already.

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

I have been away from the HAL boards for awhile, so I am not current on everything that goes on here.

 

Can someone please tell me just what it is John does while on contract. I sail on the Zuiderdam on 11/9 and if he is still on board will have to look him up.

I am only responding to thank you for asking. We also live in SC, and will be in the Zuiderdam for the Oct. 7 sailing. As best I can describe him, he is the best Good Will Ambassador for Holland America, at least on social media. I have looked forward to meeting him, shaking his hand and thanking him for all he does to inform and excite us about past AND future cruises. He seems a genuinely good guy who does whatever the hell does well, and throws in the Ambassador job b/c he loves it. I appreciate him.

Copper 10-8 is back working on a HAL ship (Zuiderdam, I think) so you are not likely to get a response from him for awhile.

Is it likely that John will stay on the Zuiderdam at least through October? I'd be excited finally to meet him. Thanks!

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

Sorry forgot, if you're still awake that night and, depending on your religious preference of course, Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in the main show lounge, always attended by both pax and crew

John, think you just talked me into trying to get my family (21, and counting) on a 2018 Christmas Cruise; only our 40th, but there's no guarantee we make it. Thanks!

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

Maybe 'cause there ain't enough liquor in the world to last a bunch of HA Cruisers on a RT TA?

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

Once seated, Fixed and Open Diners look pretty much alike. As do the tables, except those are numbered. The nicely dressed man at the podium knows how to keep them straight and, at his direction young folks, differently (but as nicely) dressed will see all to their seats. Didn't experience much chaos; anyway, a little whets the appetite.

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

Obviously, on GALA Nights, what with professionally snapped

pictures, and whatnot, you'll want to switch to something more appropos; I'm thinking gold lamé ...

HAL PAX, at least the ones we've been fortunate enough to meet at meals, are pretty interesting, pleasant folks. We always show up when we want to eat, accept sharing a table of any size and never regretted it. Also, we like the aft window tables and usually arrive early enough to be seated at one. There was one, very smart gentleman, who did talk through most of dinner. He boor-dered on being tedious, but eventually admitted he had won most or all prior ship trivia contests, invited his table-mates to join him, and I spoke my only sentence in 70 minutes: "Just what I wanted -- to play trivia with you!" Was still fun. I finished dessert to grateful smiles -- from the other diners.

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

There's obviously some strong "anti bath robe" opinions here. Hard to figure out why my choice of a cover up is so offensive to some.

 

But I've also noted some "tut-tutting" when I'm not wearing a tuxedo on gala night.

 

Takes all kinds, and I'll wear what I'll wear to the hot tub. Ciao!

U BE U!

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

I'm happy to see that most wear a bathrobe to/from the ship's pool/hot tub. Whew!

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

John, Thank you, Sir! What a project you've taken on for yourself! I am sure that those of us you've gifted with both a photo and a bio of our first cruise-ship crush are as grateful as I am. Do you ever post your future cruises? Appreciate your kindness! Ken & Mary

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

Officer John, We were hitched and hooked in July 1978. Volendam, NYC to Bermuda. TA knew we had just about two pennies to rub together (state employee and Catholic school teacher), and had paid for our wedding. We had a high, small porthole in our "honeymoon" cabin. We had to pull the mattresses off singles and put them together on the floor between their bed frames. It was magical. Together, we built a career, raised four kids, who've now had 10 or 11 of their own, and we are Three * now. Hope to meet you someday. Thanks for the chance to think back.

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

Great! Thanks, Copper 10-8! I agree!

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)