Behind the scenes tour?

[Northshorecruisers]

I see this mentioned on the boards once in awhile. Where does the tour go oin the ship and how do we book it?

[Doh15]

Here's a great review of one. I think you book it onboard the ship.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1639971&highlight=behind+the+scenes+tour

[Typhoon1]

A very worthwhile experience.

[feathersandnananose]

It IS expensive (last year on Oosterdam $150 / person) but we LOVED it! Sometimes, while we're in la-la land being waited on hand and foot and just floating through the ship, it's good to be reminded of how many people and how much work goes into making your lovely experience happen.

[bernie5]

We loved this tour. We booked the first day of our Noordam cruise. The tour is very limited--12 people I think.

The tour of the bridge was fabulous. We had a pic with the captain and a panoramic view. We loved seeing the backstage behind the theater. Lots of stuff about the food service with some wonderful chocolate treats.

All in all a great experience.

[cavecreekguy]

After reading that review, I am almost convinced to try to book this tour on my next cruise. It's a lot of money, but I really want to go "behind the scenes". And I'm guessing it's the only way to get on the bridge.

[Candy]

Manager of the Day - Marketing Manager Marc Thompson! Marc hosted 8 curious passengers on a tour of the inner workings of the Noordam. Beginning with Stage Manager Maria's tour of the stage areas, where we learned how the sets are constructed and stored. In the dressing room area two of the dancers told us about the dancers' daily routines, contract lengths and work schedules, and then we went on to the wardrobe room which was crammed with beautiful costumes and about 100 wigs.

 

Our next stop was the laundry area where Catalina showed us the tailors' room where all the uniforms are constructed and/or tailored. In the laundry area we learned the progression of both ship and passenger laundry, how it's sorted and handled, the HUGE washing machines (133 pound capacity), dryers, ironing stations and the largest mangle I've ever seen that irons and folds linens all by itself.

 

On to I-95, the crew corridor that runs roughly from stem to stern. Lining the walls of this hall are ship diagrams of the various fire and other safety information. We also saw the flood doors that close off any area that may become flooded.

 

In the engine room, we viewed the many charts and dials on the console and all over the wall indicating things I will never understand, but are crucial to the engine and water systems.

 

In the Waste Management section we "experienced" the various ways our trash is handled. They actually go through each bag of trash, both ship and personal, by hand! Glass and plastics are sorted according to the port to which it will be offloaded. Apparently some islands are pretty picky about how their shredded plastic is bundled. We also saw barrels of discarded food.

 

"Bosco" then led us through the food storage rooms, and showed us how the items that will be readily consumed are in the middle of the room, leaving the less-used items along the walls. At the Liquor Room we were treated to flutes of Mumm's.

 

Executive Chef Thomas Schuman took us through the various kitchen areas on deck 2 (there is another smaller kitchen on deck 3) and we saw how the chilled and steam tables are organized and some of the preparation. The chocolate covered strawberries were yummy! He also explained the electronic food management system which tracks which menu items have already been served. Lining the walls of the prep areas are photos of the various dishes to show how the dish should LOOK before it leaves the kitchen.

 

The last stop was The Bridge. Hotel Manager Mark Pells met us in the elevator lobby and escorted us to the bridge where we experienced a vista no passenger is able to see. The Captain can see forwards, sideways, rearways and even downways when maneuvering the ship while docking. We spotted a small ship on the radar that was only barely seen on the horizon. Captain John Scott joined us for a little Q&A and the ship photographer took a group photo.

 

In The Crow's Nest we were treated to a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres and were given two books - one of HAL's culinary treats from the Chef and one about towel animals from Housekeeping. I absolutely loved this tour. It was 3 hours with lots of stair-climbing, but at $150 pp I think it is well worth it.

[cmdchiefthom]

It's a great experience, and for me, well worth the $150.00;)

[detroit70]

I did this tour on the Eurodam in March and loved it! If you're interested in how the ship functions behind the scenes, it's well worth the money. (If you don't have any interest in that, don't spend the money.)

[IslandThyme]

Can I do it on the Maasdam? I seem to recall that it's not available on all ships. I'd love this tour!

[RuthC]

Can I do it on the Maasdam? I seem to recall that it's not available on all ships. I'd love this tour!

Unless something has changed very recently, then no, the Maasdam is not one of the ships offering this "excursion".

Only the Vista and Signature class ships have the tour.

[innlady1]

Ruth is correct. I haven't seen it offered on the "S" class ships we've been on recently.

[kelly94942]

For the ships that this tour is offered on, is it offered on essentially every cruise (regardless of length/itinerary)?

[CruiserBruce]

For the ships that this tour is offered on, is it offered on essentially every cruise (regardless of length/itinerary)?

 

It was offered on our 7 day N. Amsterdam, so I would say the answer is yes. It is usually held on a late in the cruise sea day.

[kelly94942]

It was offered on our 7 day N. Amsterdam, so I would say the answer is yes. It is usually held on a late in the cruise sea day.

 

Thanks - do you know how/when/where you sign up for it? My DH really doesn't want to miss this! :D

[CruiserBruce]

Thanks - do you know how/when/where you sign up for it? My DH really doesn't want to miss this! :D

 

As has been mentioned on the various discussions, you sign up at the Front Desk, or if available to you, the Neptune Lounge, as soon as you board. It can sell out quickly.

[pepsigirl64]

:rolleyes: I was disappointed, our ship the Amsterdam didn't offer it. I was really looking forward to doing it. I will have to wait until next year on the Zuiderdam.

[Typhoon1]

:rolleyes: I was disappointed, our ship the Amsterdam didn't offer it. I was really looking forward to doing it. I will have to wait until next year on the Zuiderdam.

 

As mentioned, it is a tour well worth the investment. Unfortunate you weren't offered it. Keep your fingers crossed for next year.

[Traveling Dot]

I did this tour on our cruise to Hawaii. I read about it in the Explorer the first day out and wanted to sign up. I knew my husband wouldn't be able to do it because of all the stairs and walking so I signed up myself. Didn't find out when it would be until we were on our way back from Hawaii. I was even were sent an

invitation on where and when to meet.

 

It was well worth the money

[feathersandnananose]

Just asked hubby if he thought the $150/pp was worth it. He said it would have been if it hadn't cost $150.

 

But for me, it was worth every penny! However....part of the payback is the goodie bag at the end of the tour.... and if there are two of you, you get doubles of everything (two copies of the cookbook we already owned: - which we used as Christmas gifts, two sets of menus, two sets of liqueur glasses we'd never use....)

 

But we both enjoyed it. And I might even do it again..........

[Salacia]

It IS expensive (last year on Oosterdam $150 / person) but we LOVED it! Sometimes, while we're in la-la land being waited on hand and foot and just floating through the ship, it's good to be reminded of how many people and how much work goes into making your lovely experience happen.

 

Hi feathersandnananose. Yes, seeing what goes on behind the scene and under the waterline is very educational. We took the tour on Princess Caribbeann from below the waterline to the funnel, and it made a lasting impression on me. Just my personal opinion, but anyone who enjoys ocean voyages should take at least one ship's tour if possible.

 

What got me most was being below the waterline and seeing how hard the staff worked in the laundry. So, yes I agree - we enjoy our voyage due to the hard work of many, and the ship's tour is worth the price for those who want to know and are able to take the tour which, unfortunately, might not be accessible to some with mobility issues.

 

Regards,

Salacia

[pepsigirl64]

I did this tour on our cruise to Hawaii. I read about it in the Explorer the first day out and wanted to sign up. I knew my husband wouldn't be able to do it because of all the stairs and walking so I signed up myself. Didn't find out when it would be until we were on our way back from Hawaii. I was even were sent an

invitation on where and when to meet.

[ATTACH]236528[/ATTACH]

 

It was well worth the money

 

:( Hey Dot, Oh how I wish I would have known about the tour and read the Explorer better. We would have gone with you on the tour. I didnt hear about it until after we returned home from Hawaii...that would have been a great addition to our cruise. Hopefully, they will still be doing it next year when we go through the Canal.

[3rdGenCunarder]

:( Hey Dot, Oh how I wish I would have known about the tour and read the Explorer better. We would have gone with you on the tour. I didnt hear about it until after we returned home from Hawaii...that would have been a great addition to our cruise. Hopefully, they will still be doing it next year when we go through the Canal.

 

On our Zuiderdam cruise, the only mention of the tour I saw was a little blurb on the first day's Exlorer. I read it while we were sitting on the pier waiting to board. I might not have noticed it if I hadn't read about it on CC. We went right to the front desk and signed up. Worth every penny, IMO.

 

If you don't see any notice in the Exlorer, then just go to the front desk and ask.

[LaCat3]

Hey Dot and Teri,

Someone posted pics of the back of the Oosterdam banner a few days ago but I couldn't read our signatures.

As to the Behind the Scenes Tour - - - -

The tour was great. We had been waiting since our last cruise to get to the chance to do the tour. Even though they said they wouldn't, they actually accommodated two of us with "stair" issues and we we able to use the elevators on on the Oosterdam. In addition to the items mentioned above, we each got a six-piece set of the HAL various colorshot glasses they are using now and a copy of that pic with the captain. Really glad we did it!!!