billroddy

From Eva Jenner

Vice President

North America Field, Charter and Incentive Sales

We recently announced the transition of two of our ships — ms Ryndam and ms Statendam — to our sister brand P&O Cruises in Australia. The transition will take place in November 2015 following ms Statendam's Alaska season and ms Ryndam's Europe season. This will be shortly followed by the launch of Holland America Line's new 99,500-ton ship in February 2016. The capacity of the new vessel at 2,648 guests will exceed the capacity leaving the fleet with the transfer of ms Statendam and ms Ryndam.

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I'll miss them

Bill

Ancient Mariner

If you don't mind a few memories.

I was the radio operator on a cargo ship, the SS Pacific Victory.

We left San Francisco on June 6, 1951 and arrived in Saigon on June 28, with a cargo of bombs for the French Air Force. Going up the Saigon River the cargo hatches were covered with heavy steel plates to protect them from attacks by the Viet Cong.

Then on to Manila, Yokohama, Long Beach, Panama, Charleston, NYC, Bremerhaven, then back to NYC arriving September 15.

Bill

Ancient Mariner

My library has this book and will pick it up today,

Caribbean by cruise ship : the complete guide to cruising the Caribbean

Author Anne Vipond.

Bill

Ancient Mariner

I've written four, (none sold, of course) and once had an idea of old people deciding to retire on a ship. It cost less than in a retirement village. The word spread and soon the ship was filled with so many of them that the cruise line had to figure a way to get rid of them. That's as far as I got.

How would you end the script?

Bill

Hal's site states Callao (Lima) I was confused.

Bill

Lima airport is actually IN Callao. From the ship you can watch planes on final approach and just after take off.

The cruise from Callao to San Diego flies you into Lima.

If you add transfers to the port how long does it take? Does HAL pick up your baggage at the airport?

Bill

Ancient Mariner

It was on the Amsterdam on my Sept 12, cruise, but the Prinsendam deck plan does show a jogging track.

Bill

Ancient Mariner

On some of the ships there are signs that say "no jogging" on the promenade deck. Not sure which, but I recall seeing it...

 

:D:D:D

As You Wish dining will begin on the following dates:

Date Ship

Operational Now Noordam

Operational Now Ryndam

11/13/07 Volendam

12/18/07 Statendam

01/5/08 Oosterdam

01/27/08 Rotterdam

02/3/08 Zaandam

02/24/08 Westerdam

03/15/08 Zuiderdam

04/6/08 Veendam

04/24/08 Maasdam

05/16/08 Amsterdam

05/23/08 Prinsendam

07/5/08 Eurodam (upon delivery)

As You Wish dining - the latest addition to Holland America's Signature of Excellence initiative - makes onboard dining more inviting with options to suit every taste. Guests will be able to choose a traditional pre-set seating and dining time or a flexible, open seating schedule in the Main Dining Room.