Oosterdam leaving San Diego empty

[alohadad]

Today the Oosterdam will be leaving San Diego empty on its way to Vancouver for the Olympic's. Wonder if they had a crew day off. Canada is now going to get two more "5 star" hotels.

[cruz chic]

They are not really going to be used as hotels are they? I think they are being used to house security staff. Maybe I'm not understanding your post.

[Krazy Kruizers]

The crew really doesn't get any time off.

 

They will still be cleaning -- polishing -- etc.

 

And once they get to Vancouver -- working and working -- cabins -- serving food -- and no extra tips for all their hard work.

[RuthC]

Wonder if the stabilizers will be pulled in on the run up? Wouldn't want to be riding on the ship if they are. :eek:

[ceeceecruiser]

We have the Statendam at Ballantyne Pier and anxiously awaiting the Oosterdam soon as the excitement is building for the Winter Olympics.

[jtl513]

Why wasn't this sold as a short coastal cruise? :confused: It wouldn't violate the PVSA.

[cruz chic]

Why wasn't this sold as a short coastal cruise? :confused: It wouldn't violate the PVSA.

You'd have to pay me to be on that cruise. I would think it would be cold and rough.

[alohadad]

Would anyone know if there are any web cams in Vancouver showing the HAL ships

[mudscraper]

Just got off the Oosterdam this morning. Code Red the last few days but a great cruise on a wonderful ship. The RCMP will live on the Oosterdam for 5 weeks.

Lido dining only for the RCMP.

 

 

Rich

[tarps14]

As Mudscraper stated, no time off for crew. We also just got off this morning and they were closing up basically everything except cabins and lido restuarant. No casino, no shows, very limited bar service and even taking out the minibars in the cabins. Our waiters, asst's and room steward were not too overly thrilled with this coming experience. Salaries will be handled differently (which is to be expected) and unfortunately will certainly impact them all. We were told by the maitre'd at the Pinnacle last night that some of those not in waiter or room steward positions will be getting some time off here and there. He was headed home to Romania for a week or so.

[solocanadian]

You'd have to pay me to be on that cruise. I would think it would be cold and rough.

I have to agree with you. Don't mind the rough but the cold is too much of a bad thing. :eek:

[jtl513]

Would anyone know if there are any web cams in Vancouver showing the HAL ships

This doesn't seem to be working at the moment, but I know it has worked in the past, and maybe will return:

 

http://www.kroooz-cams.com/ports/vancouver3.php

 

Here's another, looking south:

 

http://www.vancouver.com/webcam-display/34_camtroniccom/

 

and another:

 

http://www.northvancouver.com/webcams/cruisecam/

[shootr]

As Mudscraper stated, no time off for crew. We also just got off this morning and they were closing up basically everything except cabins and lido restuarant. No casino, no shows, very limited bar service and even taking out the minibars in the cabins. Our waiters, asst's and room steward were not too overly thrilled with this coming experience. Salaries will be handled differently (which is to be expected) and unfortunately will certainly impact them all. We were told by the maitre'd at the Pinnacle last night that some of those not in waiter or room steward positions will be getting some time off here and there. He was headed home to Romania for a week or so.

 

I'm on the first cruise in March - Tell the room stewards and the waiters I tip on the first night (in addition to the normal daily stipend) so they can start the season on the right foot (plus I like them to know they are appreciated right up front)

[iamaqt2]

You'd have to pay me to be on that cruise. I would think it would be cold and rough.

 

 

Actually my family would be willing to pay extra for a rough cruise lol:D

 

We like extreme rides, and are all seaworthy sailors. It comes from growing up in the PNW where seas are rough all the time in the winter.

 

Some of my best boating memories were of crossing Puget Sound in our little 38 footer in high seas and having to hold onto the lamps in every swell so they didn't topple. One time, I thought we were really going over, but we righted just fine!

[babyorca]

oh news of this makes me want to go to the piers to take a peek at the ships. funny how that is. it's not like i go on the weekends to go see the ships when they're there on a regular basis. maybe it's something special cause the olympics are almost here. :p

[cruz chic]

Actually my family would be willing to pay extra for a rough cruise lol:D

 

We like extreme rides, and are all seaworthy sailors. It comes from growing up in the PNW where seas are rough all the time in the winter.

 

Some of my best boating memories were of crossing Puget Sound in our little 38 footer in high seas and having to hold onto the lamps in every swell so they didn't topple. One time, I thought we were really going over, but we righted just fine!

Yikes....30 foot waves have been the worst seas for me. It's not an experience I would like to repeat:eek:.

[Kentchikan]

I have to agree with you. Don't mind the rough but the cold is too much of a bad thing. :eek:

 

Being one who doesn't mind rough seas and loves cold I'd sign up in a trice.

[jjb415]

You'd have to pay me to be on that cruise. I would think it would be cold and rough.

 

I have to agree with you. Don't mind the rough but the cold is too much of a bad thing. :eek:

 

Being one who doesn't mind rough seas and loves cold I'd sign up in a trice.

 

Count me in, too !! Thanks OP for posting this, I wasn't aware that the Oosterdam was headed to the Olympics !!

[Kentchikan]

, I wasn't aware that the Oosterdam was headed to the Olympics !!

 

Me either. I thought that they were chugging away in Mexico until Alaska season started.

[scottndsky]

Holland America is marketing the same trip later this spring:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?voyageCode=O037B

 

Why didn't they take passengers on this trip?

 

Regards,

Scott

[jaspersmycat]

There are no passengers so that Canadian security can clear the ship during the repositioning so its ready as soon as it gets to Vancouver. They will be housing 2200 Canadian Mounted Police. (not their horses)

 

As of this morning the Oosterdam is off the coast of Oregon. You can follow its path on http://www.sailwx.info/shiptrack/shipposition.phtml?call=PBKH

[scottndsky]

Thanks for the info!

 

I was tracking it here:

 

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?zoom=10&mmsi=245417000

 

We're booked on the Oosterdam in July for an Alaskan cruise.

 

Regards,

Scott

[NMLady]

Why wasn't this sold as a short coastal cruise? :confused: It wouldn't violate the PVSA.

 

Probably because then the crew wouldn't have time to get it all spiffed up for the folks using it during the Olympics.

I think the crew is using the cruising days to clean, scrub, polish, etc.

[solocanadian]

This doesn't seem to be working at the moment, but I know it has worked in the past, and maybe will return:

 

http://www.kroooz-cams.com/ports/vancouver3.php

 

Here's another, looking south:

 

http://www.vancouver.com/webcam-display/34_camtroniccom/

 

and another:

 

http://www.northvancouver.com/webcams/cruisecam/

I doubt these will be active due to security reasons during the Olympics .

[ceeceecruiser]

The Oosterdam is here! She is passing Canada Place and on her way to Ballantyne Pier. Let the Games Begin!