weselka

My heart rejoices!!  Thank you good people for replying to my querie. Let the suds flow!

I searched the threads and found discussions on Craft Beer, but I didn't find anything on Draft Beer.  I admit that I'm not that computer savvy and could easily have missed an already existing thread on this topic.  Would / Could anyone tell me which HAL ships carry Beer on Tap?  I'm set to sail on the older, smaller ships of the fleet (Zaandam, Volendam), but might be sailing also on the Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and even the Nieuw Statendam. 

I thank you, in advance, for any and all information.

I have been truly blessed.   My first cruise as chaplain/priest with HAL was on the Prinsendam sailing the Amazon Explorer.  I also have a preference for the smaller ships and have served on the Maasdam, Veendam and Zaandam. 

Just received notice that I will be the chaplain/priest on the Zaandam for the Sept. 24th, 2023, sailing from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale.  Looking forward to meeting all on board that cruise.

Blessings to all,

Fr. Roman

The post-Prinsendam itinerary for the second half of 2019 is now available with the Rotterdam doing many of the cruises (the "Explorer" cruises) previously done by the Prinsendam. But the Baltic Explorer will not include sailing through the Kiel Canal.

I am excited by Rotterdam's Trans Atlantic repositioning cruise in November, 2019, which includes stops in Barcelona, Casablanca and the Canary Islands (amongst other ports) before reaching Ft. Lauderdale.

I saw someone on here stated the steam room was free but the sauna and thermal pools were a charge. Is that true for all ships???

 

 

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I have not sailed on the newer/larger HAL ships, but on the smaller HAL ships that I have been on, the sauna was in a public place, but the steam rooms and thermal pools were in the Spa area and there was a charge to use them.

My understanding is that the BB King group in no longer on the Rotterdam. I don't think anybody replaced them.

If that is true, sorry to hear that. Thank you for such a prompt response.

I've read in a 2017 Daily Program (for ms Rotterdam) that they offered the music in B.B. Kings. But I cannot find if the Rotterdam still has B.B. Kings or has it been replaced with another venue at the last drydock? I enjoyed them on the Westerdam last year and hope to enjoy them during the Voyage of the Vikings this July-August. If anyone can confirm its presence (or absence) on the Rotterdam, it will be greatly appreciated.

Wow, wonder who you have to pay at the Vatican to get that gig? :evilsmile: Thanks for asking the question, Dave. I've wondered the same thing myself.

 

Roz

It's not, "... who do you have to pay at the Vatican ..." but as mentioned in other posts, the priest has to join an organization called Apostleship of the Sea -USA. They vet the priests and once the priest passes the vetting process (includes the support of his bishop or superior), he applies for the cruises that he is interested in. They get assigned on the first applied for, first given basis. All cruises for a given year are posted (usually) in July of the previous year. So this July, the postings will be for 2019 cruises.

I, myself, am a parish priest who discovered the joy of spending my vacations on the sea 5 years ago. It can be a busy time: Celebrating Mass daily for the passengers (Mass for the crew is celebrated after 11:00 pm on Sundays), visiting the sick, counselling and hearing confessions [both passengers and crew]. I hear more confessions on board the ship than I do in my parish ... and for some reason, the rougher the seas, the more confessions !

But you're right! It is a nice gig and I'm grateful to HAL for providing us with the opportunity to serve.

This year, I've requested and have been assigned the Voyage of the Vikings cruise out of Boston in July. Just a few months away.

See you on the high seas!

God bless,

Fr. Roman

My doctor ordered me to drink beer. I love my doctor!!!

Draught beer is better for me than bottled beer. I've sailed on eight different cruise ships (Four belonging to HAL, but not the Rotterdam). And every ship offered different beer/ale selections.

Not all of them had draught beer.

On the Voyage of the Vikings cruise aboard the ms Rotterdam, will the Ales and Spirits Bar offer beer-on-tap? And if so, dare I hope that for the return trip from Rotterdam to Boston, they will bring on board some interesting European beers and ales?! Upon leaving Ireland, would it be too much to ask for a keg (or two or three) of Guiness to find its way on board the ship? (Guiness being the preferred "medicine" according to my doctor ... who am I to argue.)

If anyone can shed light on the matter it will be much appreciated. I have to prepare my kidneys for what lies ahead. :halo:

S018 is port side on the Sports deck. It is behind the Elevators in crew section on the same deck as the Crows Nest.. Hope this helps and have a great voyage.

Once again. Thank you! I enjoy reading your replies and comments. Informative ... with a sense of humour. You're good.

To the Good Father!

Appreciated your help with the cabin location on the Westerdam last year. Would you happen to know where S018 is located on the Rotterdam. I've been blessed with the Voyage of the Vikings sailing this year. Any help, suggestions and guidance about the ship and about the itinerary, as always, is greatly appreciated.

G.B.

(Fr.) Roman

I'm on the Voyage of the Vikings this July and August aboard the Rotterdam. Just a question to those who sailed that route (or similar routes) in previous years. How consistent/dependable is the Internet service once we get into Labrador & Greenland waters, as well as between Greenland and Iceland? All information and guidance is appreciated.

Thank you all, especially Himself, for all the help and location information. Navigation deck it is.

Thanks again and I wish all calm seas and beautiful sunsets (sunrises for the early birds)!

Thank you both for the inside scoop.

:halo: I'm not quite the saint, but I do live in hope!

As the priest/chaplain on board, I know that my stateroom is in the staff/crew section of the ship. The stateroom aboard the Westerdam I have been assigned starts with "N" (which I know is an Interior stateroom) but it is followed by only 3 numbers, starting with "0". If the first number of the stateroom refers to the deck number (Main deck being "1", Lower Promenade is "2", etc.), does that mean that my room is on "A" deck? Just curious, as I'll be boarding the Westerdam in less than 2 weeks. To those who are sailing on the Adriatic and Mediterranean Dreams, safe travels to the ship and I'll see you soon.

will you remain on the Westerdam for the transatlantic cruise leaving Rome on October 26? Thank you

Unfortunately ... no. My time on the Westerdam comes to an end in Rome on October 26th. Another priest will board her then, but I have no way of knowing who that priest will be. If you are on her for the transatlantic cruise (especially if this is your first transatlantic cruise), may it be as enjoyable and relaxing for you as they have been for me. Wish you calm seas and fair weather

Cheers!

We will be cruising on the Westerdam in October 14 from Rome. Looking forward to meeting another Canuck on board.

I pray that either the date or the place were a typo-error. On October 14th, the Westerdam will be in Venice. It leaves Rome on October 2nd and then again on October 26th for the Transatlantic.

But I also look forward to meeting both of you on board.

When do you leave for your trip? If I could figure out a way, I'd send my leftover Kunos to you! We took a ship tour in Zadar and then walked around the city a little bit, but never used up what we'd bought. It wasn't worth turning it back in. I normally keep my "leftovers" for future travels, but I'm not so sure Croatia is on the "future travel list".........not that there was anything wrong with visiting! We enjoyed our visit this past April, but don't really have any plans to visit again in the near or far future!

 

Best wishes!

I thank you for your most generous and kind offer. ( I hope that you do get an opportunity to return to Croatia some day) But my dilemma has been resolved. That is why God gave us older brothers who live in larger cities where the bank branches have all sorts of international currency on hand. I will be overnighting with him on my way to Rome, and he will be able to pass on the Kunos (or is it "Kunas") to me.

Thank you again everyone for your help. Safe travels to all.

(Fr.) Roman

Will there be a Rabbi on the October cruise?

That, unfortunately, I do not know. I will not find out if there are other ministers or rabbis on board until I actual board the ship myself. Sorry that I could not give you the answer you were hoping for.

This being Friday evening,

Shabat Shalom!

(Fr.) Roman

Thank you all for your suggestions and sound advice. I was not aware that Kunos could be purchased on board the ship at Guest Services. Live and learn. I'm uncomfortable using my credit card while abroad. The last time I did, I ended up being charged for women's lingerie (that I did not buy - I must add) ) and an expensive meal at a chic restaurant that I have never been to. The credit card company was very good at removing those charges from my account and issuing me a new card and number but that experience left me a little unnerved. For those that may not be familiar ( I was not ), women's lingerie can be VERY EXPENSIVE !!!!

Thank you again for your help and suggestions.

Where is the best place to change US dollars/Euros into Kunos? The first port-of-call in Croatia will be Dubrovnik and the last port-of-call leaving Croatia will be Split. Is it possible to change unused Kunos back into Dollars/Euros or is it a only a one-way exchange?

Thanking you ahead for any and all help and suggestions you may have.

(Fr.) Roman

Thank you everyone for your responses. On embarkation days there is usually a Mass scheduled for 5:00 pm and I was wondering if the Muster Drill would affect it. By your response it would seem that is well. Thank you again.

(Fr.) Roman

With the Westerdam departing Civitavecchia at 18:00 hrs, at what time could one expect the Muster drill to be held?

A question for someone who has sailed on the Westerdam post dry dock. If the library is gone, except for the travel guides/books, is there (at least) a place set up for a book exchange?

You're welcome! Hope you don't have to make use of it for any reason if you cruise any of the Vista ships!

That fwd public elevator btw, is the only pax elevator (barring gangway/tender operations) that stops on A-Deck, a non-pax/crew only deck with the exception of the infirmary

I'm on the Westerdam in October as the priest/chaplain for the Adriatic and Mediterranean Dreams, and one of my duties is a daily visit to the Medical Centre. I'm also a Medical First Responder (in addition to being a priest), so I'm in the habit of letting the Medical staff know of my presence and capabilities. Thanks again.

(Fr.) Roman