weselka

Thank you Copper for such a speedy reply! Much appreciate it.

(Fr.) Roman

Thank you Copper for such a speedy reply. Much appreciate it.

I looked at the deck plans for the Westerdam (post dry-dock), and cannot locate the Medical Center on the public decks. Would it be located on deck "A" (below Main Deck), thus does not show up on the deck plans? If so, is it mid-ship or forward? If not, then where is it located? Any and every response is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I will be the priest chaplain on the Westerdam in October (Adriatic and Mediterranean Dream). If there is no Priest/Minister (from other denominations) on board, part of my responsibilities is to lead/facilitate an Interdenominational Service on Sundays. The time and place depends on the day (sea day vs port day) In my experience (brief that it may be), the two Sunday Services are never held at the same time, allowing me to attend both. I have been on cruises where there were a Protestant Minister and a Rabbi on board, in addition to myself. They were the most enjoyable and interesting cruises.

As one of the priests/chaplains who sails with HAL, may I add that on Saturdays, there is a Vigil Mass at 5:00pm, regardless if it is a Sea Day or a Port day, with no Mass in the morning. But the suggestion to check the Daily Program the evening before is wise ... not just for the time, but for the location as well. Sometimes the rooms get changed due to program schedules. On all the cruises I have been on, there was also a Mass on the day of boarding the ship (usually at 5:00pm), but since you won't have a Daily Program in hand, I suggest asking at the Front Office (right when you board) for the Mass time and place. Hope to see you on board. We are always looking for readers. ))))

As one of the priest/chaplain who sails with HAL, may I add - the general rule is: 8:00am for Sea Days and 5:00pm for Port Days, but it depends on the time of arrival to port. Often when the ship arrives later into a port (11:00am for example) the Mass would be celebrated at 8:00am. But the previous contributors suggested wisely. Check your Daily Program the evening before ... not just for the time but also the location of the Mass celebration.

If the "S" class is history, what does the future hold for the Prinsendam? I had the privilege and pleasure of sailing on her up the Amazon. How many more years does she have before being retired? It would be a shame if she was retired without a replacement ship of similar size to take her place.

A friend just got off the Prinsendam and said that Tim Roberts told them that a new captain will be coming on board as he hasn't done a certain itinerary before. Please forgive the wording as it is probably incorrect but Captain Roberts said that he would be stepping aside to let another Captain train on the Prinsendam.

 

Apparently Captain Roberts will go to another ship?

 

Do you know anything about this and can you help with whom it would be and when?

 

Thank you very much.

 

Kazu et al,

I posed the question in an e-mail to HAL and received a reply on July 17th that it will be Timothy Roberts as Master/Captain of the Prinsendam for the Amazon Explorer cruise in November-December 2014. That at least is what is on their schedule at this time. Hope this answers your question and alleviates your fears. I'll be on that cruise as the ship chaplain. See you on board!

Cheers and good sailing!

Fr. Roman