curtdesilets

Look at the dates for the HAL ship reports in 2017 -four of them are for two ship for two reporting weeks in a row - not great to see, but not as bad as it first looks. If you are looking at sheer numbers to condemn an entire cruise line, keep adding up the rest of them.

We love HAL, I was simply noting the trend. Hopefully HAL is too.

I like HAL' s relatively civilized approach to embarkation and disembarkation, with cabins, in most instances, ready for passengers upon boarding at 11:30 am, and the ability to enjoy breakfast in one's cabin at leisure prior to disembarkation.

Funny you mention that. We too love HAL and were once upgraded to a large AFT Neptune Suite. On disembarkation day, we had a later flight so were enjoying our late breakfast on the balcony. Went inside for a minute and came back to a water show. They were hosing down the decks getting ready for the next guests and our (pretty much completed) breakfast was drenched. My wife and I laughed LOUDLY and said, "Well I guess it's time to get off the ship". ;p

What about the OLD Amsterdam? We sail her on Sunday. Is it smoke free?

News Article: http://juneauempire.com/news/local/2018-06-26/really-really-impressive-glacier-calving-prompted-flood-watch-mendenhall

Since HAL is the #1 Cruise line in Alaska, I thought it important for me to share this:

First: Juneau is going to be near or over 80 degrees next week. That's warm!

Second: Mendenhall Glacier, the #1 tourist destination in Juneau has something going on:

https://weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/l/USAK0116:1:US?phenomena=TSL&significance=S&areaid=AKZ025&office=PAJK&etn=0000

In a nutshell, there was a major calving event this week at the glacier which caused a minor flood. But...

(from the text)

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE BASIN HAS PERIODICALLY RELEASED LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER INTO MENDENHALL LAKE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, CAUSING FLOODING ALONG THE SHORE OF MENDENHALL LAKE AS WELL AS MENDENHALL RIVER. IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT AT SOME POINT DURING THIS SUMMER THE BASIN WILL PRODUCE A SIGNIFICANT RELEASE. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE BASIN, THE UNKNOWNS OF THE BASIN'S PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND THE FACT THAT SUICIDE BASIN HAS BEEN ACTIVELY RELEASING FOR LESS THAN A DECADE, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL NEXT RELEASE OR HOW MUCH WATER WILL BE RELEASED. CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS SHOULD REMAIN ALERT FOR STATEMENTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE INDICATION OF A CHANGE IN STATUS OF SUICIDE BASIN.

Bottom line: Alaska is ROUGH & Always has been. Be careful and alert out there.

Tourists and Bears are never a good mix. I remember a news story some time back about all these tourists pulling over in Yellowstone to get a good glimpse of some Grizzly's on the side of the road. It was a disaster in the making, believe me.

Yes, you can still walk all the way around on the ship, although it gets a little skinny in places (darn those people who don't walk in a counter-clockwise direction!).

I hate that too! Next time I am bringing football gear and will give a lead block for my wife so she can continue on. :evilsmile:

Amsterdam's Pinnacle Grill has no outside windows.

 

PS Per the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska website, the Amsterdam is scheduled to be in Yakutat Bay/Hubbard Glacier July 4th, from 1400-1800 hours (2pm to 6pm), the week you are doing your cruise.

 

http://claalaska.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-All-Ports-All-Vessels-February-8-2018.pdf

Thanks Lucy! :D So we will have an early lunch in Pinnacle and then venture outside with all of that food energy to watch some good calving! I appreciate the info. - Curt.

Note: From November 2016 until today, 7 of the last 18 reportable Norovirus cases reported by the CDC have been Holland America Ships. See for yourself:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/gilist.htm#2018

Something needs to be rectified. HAL used to be about the best at Sea. No longer it seems, statistically :confused:.

Note #2: Scanning further into the list, HAL only had 2 outbreaks in the period from April 2014 through November 2016 (31 months); Now 7 outbreaks in the last 21 months.

This quickly comes to mind:

1) Smaller Ships! The vast majority of HAL ships have 2000 pax or less. This leads to a much more intimate sailing experience.

2) Great Promenade Decks on all ships. Great for exercise or sunset strolls. Or WHALE Watching!

3) Primarily Indonesian and Filipino staff. I feel that the communication among staff members is increased by this more narrow draw of employment rather than some lines with say 30 different nationalities/languages or more. Perhaps?

4) Dutch Nautical Art abounds!

5) HAL is classier than most lines, more traditional IMO.

Perhaps it was not norovirus. CDC says it is "unknown". Maybe food poisoning or the aforementioned ice machine? Humm?:confused:

Anyone who has sailed this season, do you know the approximate time we reach Hubbard Glacier?

I ask this because we want to make a Pinnacle Lunch Reservation and depending on whether there is an Ocean View on Amsterdam's Pinnacle (or not) will determine our timing of such an event.

HAL Tip for you Glacier Bay Cruisers. On Westerdam or Oosterdam, we booked Pinnacle Lunch during a prime time viewing of the Glaciers. Very few were in the restaurant and we had a full ocean view of the glaciers while dining. It was amazing!

Hi Curtdesilets,

 

You'll have a great time on the Amsterdam to Alaska! Per your questions:

Were there a lot of kids on your sailing?

Yes, quite a few ranging in ages from 6 through teens. A few babies as well but they weren't at club HAL. There were at least 20 kids in the 6-12 range and each time I dropped off my son, there'd be about a dozen kids in the club. There were at least a dozen teens I saw - both young men and young women who roamed the ship in small groups. They were definitely a fixture at the pool/lido deck.

I've been told by staff on the Amsterdam that the ship always has a good amount of kids for the summer Alaska cruises and I definitely saw lots of multi-generational families onboard.

Also, were there any enrichment lectures, i.e. about whales, Alaska, etc?

One evening in the main stage (Queen's Lounge) we had a fantastic movie about Alaska's nature that was a BBC production and narrated; the ship's musicians played live music to accompany the non-narrated scenes and it was quite nice. Our EXC lead staff Kelly also did some brief lectures when we were cruising Hubbard, with information on seals, etc. I believe there were some naturalist lectures scheduled but I may have missed them. Most of my information on Alaskan wildlife was learned through my shore excursions. I really enjoyed the one in Sitka called Otters and Wildlife Quest - we got to see otters, seals, and a couple whales. It was with Allen Marine - the boat had indoor and outdoor seating/viewing and the captain was very informative. It also had a naturalist onboard explaining both wildlife and Sitka history/highlights.

Thanks for all of the info. We are so looking forward to some time away. Sounds like HAL still does a good job. - Curt.

The discussion has gone askew. Any more info on the specific outbreak on Zaandam?

We were on the same voyage - me, 11 yo DS, and grandparents. It was a lovely first time experience. Ship was in great condition, great crew and activities. DS did get a bit disappointed with Club HAL, too many kids under age 10 so the activities were geared primarily to that age group but on the days he did go to the club he had fun.

 

Our highlights included the sunny and warm day at Hubbard - great views of the glacier!

 

We did the wildlife safari photo and Mendenhall Glacier hike excursion but in retrospect, we could have spent the day doing a solo tour of Mendenhall with time in Juneau as we also did a whale watch in Sitka. Juneau was booked via HAL with Gastineau Guiding; Sitka also booked through HAL with Allen Marine.

 

Ketchikan - didn't have time to do more than go to the Alaska Lumberjack show, shop, and have lunch but it was ok. Enjoyed the show, lunch was delicious, and got to buy some interesting souvenirs to bring home.

 

Juneau and Hubbard were my favorite two days.

 

Onboard - favorite shows were the dance highlights and Alaska with music shows. Didn't find Roadhouse to be that great. Watched a couple of movies in the Wanjang theater but didn't catch any of the America's Test Kitchen. Loved the trivia and enjoyed time in the Exploration Cafe with a few rounds of board games.

 

Most of our meals were in the Lido with a couple of lunches at the Dive In. One dinner in the MDR and one dinner at the Pinnacle Grill - both had great food but since my DS doesn't have that palate yet we chose to only have 2 meals without him.

 

DS loved the taco bar and ice cream in the Lido. Best time at Club HAL was the evening 7:00 - 11:00pm block. He also did the polar bear plunge.

I meant this message for you, rocksteady27, the second reviewer :

Thanks for the review. Were there a lot of kids on your sailing? Also, were there any enrichment lectures, i.e. about whales, Alaska, etc? We board Amsterdam for the same cruise in 6 days!

Thanks for the review. Were there a lot of kids on your sailing? Also, were there any enrichment lectures, i.e. about whales, Alaska, etc? We board Amsterdam for the same cruise in 6 days!

Thanks for your review. What would the entrance fee be at Mendenhal be if you don't have a pass of any kind?

There is a $5 entrance fee for 16 & over at the visitor center during summer months (May 1 to September 30) when the visitor center is open from 8am to 7:30pm daily.

Editorial comment: Probably to track the Bears!

Isn't HAL the name of that computer in 2001 A Space Odyssey ?? He was a MESS also!

Thanks for that. We will be doing the same cruise on July 1st. Cannot wait.

Best tea on the High Seas used to be Crystal's Mozart Tea. But we found Oceania actually does a better job. Willing to give HAL a shot as we will be on Amsterdam in a couple weeks.

We sailed the 14 day out of Seattle on May 21. Our muster was at 3:00 pm, so 2:00 pm would be the latest I would arrive at the port.

How was the 14 day Alaska Cruise? We are seriously thinking of doing it next season.

We were in China during the Christmas Break about 20 years ago. The pollution is particularly bad in the winter months for another reason: people use coal to heat their homes. This is wear the mask can be useful. The coal soot in the air will have you blowing your nose and black snot will come out! It sort of freaked me out. On our tour, a few people were wearing masks and I thought to myself...GOOD IDEA! I noticed it more in the rural areas like Xian where the Teraacotta Warriors are. I would bring masks for that larger particulate matter..i.e. coal soot. The masks will be almost useless in terms of regular smog you do realize? They are only good for particulate pollution or dust.

This is kind of fun. Oh Boy, did we dress up back then! From 2000. Enjoy!

Yes, I'm happy to hear that. I'll be on Amsterdam in August to Alaska and I'm daydreaming about pulling into those ports and watching from the Crows Nest (sometimes it's cold on deck!).

We will be boarding Amsterdam for the same Alaska cruise in 3 weeks. I will let you know how it goes!

The Crow's Nest is the same. Did not see any of the Explorations stuff up there.

Thanks. We like older ships left the way they were intended.

As a side note: We were big Celebrity cruisers and for years, we loved the Century most of all of their ships. No bells and whistles, but charming in her own right. Unfortunately, the bean counters/executives/know-it-alls or whomever at Celebrity bid her adieu a few years ago, as she did not meet their expectations for "Modern Luxury". A shame really.

As a secondary side note: Is HAL keeping Prisendam?? Never sailed her but she seems like a treat! - OP