Best Naturalist on Board?

[CruisinMama7]

Anyone have experience with David Hancock? He's on my upcoming Diamond Princess sailing.

 

How do you find out the name of the naturalist who is on your particular ship? Just so happens that we are on the July 10th sailing of the Diamond Princess.:D Please correct me if my assumption is wrong, but don't the naturalists have to sign a contract for the entire summer on the same ship? If so, then I'm assuming that David Hancock will be on our sailing, as well, right?

 

Last year on our first cruise to Alaska aboard the Coral Princess our naturalist was Barbara and she was great! I learned so much from her and she greatly enriched our cruise.:) Really looking forward to our return trip this summer.

 

Cruisin'Mama

[kruzinRiva]

Anyone have experience with David Hancock? He's on my upcoming Diamond Princess sailing.

 

We sailed with David Hancock 2 years ago on the Diamond and he was FABULOUS!!! You are very lucky! He has been studying eagles (etc) in Canada/Alaska since he was a grad student (SEVERAL decades ago) and there's not much he doesn't know about his beloved Alaska, in all it's glory. On our cruise he frequently broadcast from the bridge spotting whales, dolphins, orca etc as we were cruising along in addition to his lectures and slide shows.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Yukon]

Please correct me if my assumption is wrong' date=' but don't the naturalists have to sign a contract for the entire summer on the same ship? [/quote']

 

No, there are lots of possibilities. I just got off the Infinity, am on the Coral Princess June 12 through Juily 3 and then the Radiance for the repositioning sailing September 10th.

[Coral]

How do you find out the name of the naturalist who is on your particular ship? Just so happens that we are on the July 10th sailing of the Diamond Princess.:D Please correct me if my assumption is wrong' date=' but don't the naturalists have to sign a contract for the entire summer on the same ship? If so, then I'm assuming that David Hancock will be on our sailing, as well, right?

 

Last year on our first cruise to Alaska aboard the Coral Princess our naturalist was Barbara and she was great! I learned so much from her and she greatly enriched our cruise.:) Really looking forward to our return trip this summer.

 

[i']Cruisin'Mama[/i]

 

In the past, Princess has generally had 1 main naturalist per ship but sometimes due to committments, they can't make the first sailings or last sailings or maybe can't work one week or two in the middle of the summer.

 

For example - one of the naturalists I had was a university professor and couldn't make the first few sailings of the year and the last but was there for the majority of the summer. Another time, one naturalist had to leave in the summer to attend a wedding so they had a sub for a week or two.

 

I agree about Barbara - she is excellent and has been on the Coral Princess for many years.

[Coral]

No, there are lots of possibilities. I just got off the Infinity, am on the Coral Princess June 12 through Juily 3 and then the Radiance for the repositioning sailing September 10th.

 

So you are finally trying Princess! Are you filling in for Barbara?

[Yukon]

So you are finally trying Princess! Are you filling in for Barbara?

 

The regular naturalist (Barbara apprently) is off for 6 weeks - I turned down the 6-week contract but accepted half of it. I'm looking forward to trying Princess :)

[Coral]

The regular naturalist (Barbara apprently) is off for 6 weeks - I turned down the 6-week contract but accepted half of it. I'm looking forward to trying Princess :)

 

She has been on the ship since day one - so I assume she is on it this summer..... I could be wrong.

 

At least the reputation of the Coral Princess having a great naturalist will continue :)

[jeffbrig]

How do you find out the name of the naturalist who is on your particular ship? Just so happens that we are on the July 10th sailing of the Diamond Princess.:D Please correct me if my assumption is wrong' date=' but don't the naturalists have to sign a contract for the entire summer on the same ship? If so, then I'm assuming that David Hancock will be on our sailing, as well, right?

[/quote']

 

I got an email from Princess a week ago announcing who the cruise director and other staff/entertainers would be for our sailing. Under ScholarshipAtSea it has "David Hancock: Alaska Natural History and Wildlife".

 

I googled him and found his website, and it looks like he's doing the Diamond through June at least.

[LindaandJeff]

No, there are lots of possibilities. I just got off the Infinity, am on the Coral Princess June 12 through Juily 3 and then the Radiance for the repositioning sailing September 10th.

 

 

Yeah! We are on your Coral Princess cruise on July 3. Since you probably don't join roll calls, we (CCers) are meeting in the Wheelhouse Bar/Lounge 30 minutes after the completion of muster drill. Please come join us!

[Yukon]

Yeah! We are on your Coral Princess cruise on July 3. Since you probably don't join roll calls, we (CCers) are meeting in the Wheelhouse Bar/Lounge 30 minutes after the completion of muster drill. Please come join us!

 

Thanks but July 3 is the day I disembark :(

[LindaandJeff]

Thanks but July 3 is the day I disembark :(

 

 

Bummer! Do you know who is getting on when you get off?

[Yukon]

Bummer! Do you know who is getting on when you get off?

 

As of 3 days ago they didn't have anyone (but I'm fairly sure that will change).

[Bald Eagle54]

Milos join the Millie in San Diego reposition cruise to Alaska end of April. He said he would be on the Millie the entire summer season. He spend a lot of time up in Cosmo point out whales on sea days. He is limited on the amount of announcements on the PA by Celebrity and rules (Tracy Arm.).

[FunwardBound]

Hi, I'm on the August 16 sailing of the Island Princess. Does anyone know whether each sailing of the Island Princess has a naturalist on board? Thanks.

 

John

 

 

Yours (and ours) will be Kathy Slamp: http://www.kathysalaskaadventureandtravel.com/page/403063572. Has anyone had Kathy as their naturalist and what did you think?

[LindaandJeff]

As of 3 days ago they didn't have anyone (but I'm fairly sure that will change).

 

Wow...that is not good news. If you hear of any change, would you please post it here? Thanks! Have a good trip...

[JudyU]

Anyone know anything about the naturalist on the Carnival Spirit?

[stpointer]

I just received notice that Ann Burgess will be on the Royal Princess. Has anyone had experience with her?

[MysticalMagic]

It could change but a posting of the Oosterdam schedule for last week only showed 'Travel Guide Spencer' doing the talks other then the Park Ranger.

[wolfie11]

It could change but a posting of the Oosterdam schedule for last week only showed 'Travel Guide Spencer' doing the talks other then the Park Ranger.

 

Travel Guide Spencer sounds like the port shopping person who pushes stores that pay off the cruise lines under the guise of "port talks". The park rangers in Glacier Bay do a great job but hopefully that won't be your only chance to talk to a real naturalist.

[skierT]

does cruiseline publish the name of naturalists on their website so we can google some feedbacks on them?

[Yukon]

It could change but a posting of the Oosterdam schedule for last week only showed 'Travel Guide Spencer' doing the talks other then the Park Ranger.

 

That's the shopping guide - his brother "Evan from Heaven" was on the Infinity (really, that's the name they use for him!)

[MysticalMagic]

"Evan from Heaven" was on the Infinity (really, that's the name they use for him!)

 

:eek::D Really?

 

I think there was a shopping guide listed as well. Maybe Spencer just got a promotion. I'll copy what was in iam2qt's Dailies image from the Oosterdam (second page of the first day)...

 

...Your Travel Guide Spencer will present informative talks and narration. He is also available to answer your individual questions in the Atrium. Lance, your Port Shopping Ambassador, provides the inside scoop on great deals in port.

 

 

This is a little long but it looks like it's an 'improvement' going along with there Signature of Excellence Upgrades....

 

Holland America Line Launches Explorations Team

 

Seattle' date=' WA, June 1, 2009 — With today’s traveler looking for more enriching experiences and activities, Holland America Line has broadened its onboard programming with the new Explorations Team. As part of the premium line’s ongoing Signature of Excellence initiative, the Explorations Team will be comprised of event staff with specific, niche expertise ranging from technology to travel who will offer guests a menu of “edutainment” programs.

 

The Holland America Line Explorations Team will be a cohesive team dedicated to enhancing the overall cruise experience and includes an onboard party planner, a travel guide, a “techspert” and dance directors. On cruises lasting 14 days or more, a book club leader will also join the team.

“People learn through experience and our guests are looking for programs, events and activities they can personally connect with,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “Our goal is not only to entertain guests but to offer them the opportunity to learn a new skill or discover something about a new port or country; the choice is theirs, and the Explorations Team is there to help our guests enjoy that experience.”

 

The onboard party planner will schedule, implement and host events in the Culinary Arts Center, significantly expanding the innovative program which already brings more than 70 culinary experts on board each year for cooking demonstrations and seminars. The line has invested more than $14 million in the professional show kitchens found on each ship and will use the space for more activities such as wine tasting, craft classes, floral arranging, and table and lifestyle presentations such as creating the line’s beloved towel animals.

 

[b']The travel guide will host lectures and be a one-stop source for information on the various ports of call. A destination expert, the travel guide will be available throughout the cruise to interact with guests on a one-on-one basis, answer questions, and give presentations on the destination’s history, culture and geography. On Grand Voyages and on ms Prinsendam, rotating guest speakers fill the role of travel guide[/b].

 

The “techspert” will be on hand to teach guests how to take advantage of technology, whether helping guests make the most of their vacation photos, arranging a digital scrapbook, blogging, creating a slideshow or editing a movie. Classes and personal workshops will be available throughout the cruise. Novices can learn about Web 2.0 and how to work with digital photos. Those with more experience will enjoy the opportunity to learn new shortcuts and techniques.

 

Dance directors show guests how to dance the night away. Classes are available throughout each cruise. Whether teaching line dancing in the Crow’s Nest or ballroom dancing in the Ocean Bar, the dance instructors will ensure guests of all experience levels enjoy themselves while learning new steps. After class, guests will find dance events on the ship’s activity schedule where they may show off their new moves.

 

Starting in mid-2009 on cruises lasting 14 or more days, a book club leader will host lively book discussions in the Explorations Café powered by the New York Times. Book titles will be posted online before the cruise so guests interested in joining the discussion will have time to read the chosen book. The book club leader will plan and facilitate two to three discussions for each book. Books chosen will relate to the sailing destination whether by author or topic. For example, on an Australian itinerary the book may be “In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson or in Asia, “Saving Fish from Drowning: A Novel by Amy Tan.”

 

With the addition of this new team of experts, Holland America Line guests now will have even more memories to take home from their cruise plus the personal experiences that have enriched their lives to share with family and friends. The Holland America Line Explorations Team will be implemented fleet-wide.

 

And again in March 2010, Holland America Line’s ms Ryndam Receives Latest Signature of Excellence Enhancements ...

 

Explorations Team Expands the Exclusive Activities on Ships

The Explorations Program – onboard Ryndam and all Holland America Line ships – features a team of specialists with an expanded menu of programs to educate and entertain guests. Each team consists of a Party Planner, LifeStylist, Travel Guide, “Techspert” and Dance Director. On cruises lasting 14 days or more, a book club leader also joins the team.

The Party Planner host events in the Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, significantly expanding the innovative program which brings more than 70 culinary experts on board each year, in addition to demonstrations and classes held on every sailing. As the destination expert on board, the Travel Guide is the one-stop source for port-of-call information. The “Techspert” leads classes in the Digital Workshop, powered by Windows®, teaching guests how to blog, work with digital photos arrange a digital scrapbook, create a slideshow or edit a movie. Other activities range from dance lessons to wine tasting, floral arranging and craft classes. The LifeStylist leads the Mind, Body and Spirit Program. Developed in cooperation with the Greenhouse Spa, the program focuses on many forms of well being.

 

April 8th...

As the destination expert on board under Explore Our World, the Travel Guide will give dynamic multimedia presentations about the ship’s itinerary and be a one-stop source for port-of-call information.

[wolfie11]

It would be interesting to find out if the "Travel Guide" is a real naturalist or if they have cloned the shopping guide and turned them into a shore excursion guide to push shore excursions in ports. Maybe someone returning from a HAL ship can enlighten us.

[Sacramento_Kat]

We just got off the Millennium Alaska northbound and Milos Radakovich was wonderful. His lectures (3 of them) were timed to not interfere with shore activities. They were also recorded and could be played back on the cabin TV if you missed any. The only time he spoke over the PA system (or at least the only time I heard him) was when we were at Hubbard Glacier and his comments really added to the experience.

[Coral]

No, there are lots of possibilities. I just got off the Infinity, am on the Coral Princess June 12 through Juily 3 and then the Radiance for the repositioning sailing September 10th.

 

I just saw this: http://www.kathysalaskaadventureandtravel.com/page/403063572

 

as someone asked about her on the Princess board and found that she will be on the Coral before you.

 

Kathy is on the ship until June 12th. So I wonder if Barbara will even be on the Coral Princess this year or maybe she jumped ship.