Pinnacle Class Ship?

[Copper10-8]

We sailed the Inagural on Veendam in 1996 in the Caribbean and Captain was Jonathan Mercer, a very handsome young man. Did wedding renewal on that cruise.:)

 

Captain Mercer is currently co-flagship AMDM's Master

[Copper10-8]

John,

 

 

I agree.

 

SCHIEDAM

SPAARNDAM

SLOTERDAM

STATENDAM

 

 

SLOTERDAM ... a new one, but there was a SLOTERDYK

 

If we forget the history of HAL we end up with all the horrible names being on most cruise ships today. If you love this ship you will soon to learn her name!

 

Take care and be safe Captain! :)

[frankc98376]

Captain Frederik “Freek” van Driel took NADM III on 10 JUL 1983 from Le Havre, France across the pond to New York City. She arrived in New York Harbor, complete with two stowaways from the African country of Ghana, on 18 July where she received the traditional fireboat welcome from the FDNY. As part of her inaugural visit and maiden voyage festivities, Nieuw Amsterdam sailed two cruises to ‘nowhere’ on 19 and 20 July 1983 from New York for VIPs, travel professionals and media representatives.

 

On 21 July 1983 she departed New York with her first revenue passengers on her maiden voyage, a roundtrip bound for Hamilton, Bermuda, Philipsburg, Sint Maarten and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI. For the 1983 winter season, Nieuw Amsterdam repositioned via the Panama Canal to San Francisco, CA on the U.S. west coast, from where she operated 14-day cruises to the Mexican Riviera, as far south as Acapulco in the state of Guerrero.

 

I guess it was more than a month after she started service- we were on her first 14 night Mexico cruise our of SFO. I remember all of the passengers on deck singing "We are Sailing" with Rod Stewart playing over the loudspeakers at sail away from SFO. Also remember Dede Thatcher the Social Hostess. Sigh..great times

Also remembered that on one of our Mexico cruises on Noordam III there was a huge casino scandal (I believe it was casino related). They didn't let any details out but it sounded like pretty major embezzlement by employees. Was quite the talk of the ship.

[solocanadian]

Thanks for remembering... and also good friend Paul Ray. Not like today today!

 

 

We will remember your loss and you cruise in September.

 

Hope we will meet on the new ship!

 

Best thoughts,

 

Stephen

Thank you Stephen.

[2 old to drive]

Very interested in hearing the possible new names but has anyone considered using the "Who gives" You can finish this one at any time.

[sail7seas]

Very interested in hearing the possible new names but has anyone considered using the "Who gives" You can finish this one at any time.

 

 

 

Oh Yes, that has been suggested several times in the past. :) :D

 

[Typhoon1]

Just remember you're responding to a senior HAL officer ...

 

John ?

[Cruiser Bruiser]

Now that Princess has announced their third Royal-class ship, it makes HAL's silence even more deafening.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5932

 

Obviously the Princess brand is enjoying quite a bump in interest/buzz from their new builds in much the same way Norwegian is from its eventual six (:eek:) Breakaway/Plus builds. One wonders why HAL isn't trying to ride the same wave, if only to say "hey, we're building, too!"

[2 old to drive]

Holland America is going to have a new ship but not until early 2016 but I am sure it will be beautiful and can not wait to sail on it, so keep watching.

[frankc98376]

Now that Princess has announced their third Royal-class ship, it makes HAL's silence even more deafening.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5932

 

Obviously the Princess brand is enjoying quite a bump in interest/buzz from their new builds in much the same way Norwegian is from its eventual six (:eek:) Breakaway/Plus builds. One wonders why HAL isn't trying to ride the same wave, if only to say "hey, we're building, too!"

 

Really makes me wonder if the new ship will indeed be under the HAL flag. Perhaps moving Statendam and Ryndam is just downsizing.

"Normally" any company would be providing regular updates and shouting "Look what we are doing" with artist renderings and CGI. Unless the new ship is a radical departure from the "traditional" HAL and they are still working on how to spin it....

Edited July 31, 2014 by frankc98376

[jtl513]

Holland America is going to have a new ship but not until early 2016 ...

Yes, that's the subject of this thread. We are wondering why we aren't hearing more about it.

[InTheWASide]

Unless the new ship is a radical departure from the "traditional" HAL and they are still working on how to spin it....

 

Everything I have heard from people in key positions that would know says it will be quite a departure but doubt they're figuring a way to spin it. They're past the point of changing things on the newbuild without MAJOR penalties in the process - assuming it follows the same timelines as Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam - so if they felt they wouldn't know how to spin it then they likely wouldn't have decided to do something a certain way.

 

Keep in mind, the main architects are those that brought us the more stunning areas on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam (Tamarind, Silk Den, Crow's Nest decor specifically on these 2 ships, etc) and Adam Tihany who created the beautiful main dining rooms on all 5 ships in Celebrity's Solstice Class. These areas are not "traditional."

 

There is also talk I've heard that September will be the start of the reveal. No idea when in September and it would probably only make sense if it's September 30th given how it seems to be "late" according to the consensus and anticipation here

Edited July 31, 2014 by InTheWASide

[Krazy Kruizers]

Everything I have heard from people in key positions that would know says it will be quite a departure but doubt they're figuring a way to spin it. They're past the point of changing things on the newbuild without MAJOR penalties in the process - assuming it follows the same timelines as Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam - so if they felt they wouldn't know how to spin it then they likely wouldn't have decided to do something a certain way.

 

Keep in mind, the main architects are those that brought us the more stunning areas on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam (Tamarind, Silk Den, Crow's Nest decor specifically on these 2 ships, etc) and Adam Tihany who created the beautiful main dining rooms on all 5 ships in Celebrity's Solstice Class. These areas are not "traditional."

 

There is also talk I've heard that September will be the start of the reveal. No idea when in September and it would probably only make sense if it's September 30th given how it seems to be "late" according to the consensus and anticipation here

 

 

So hopefully we may start to get information in Oct??

[InTheWASide]

So hopefully we may start to get information in Oct??

 

As I understand it, by the time 10/1/14 comes, we'll already know SOMETHING additional about it... but I had previously heard all the same things said about August...

[Tarpeian Rock]

Suppose they're looking for a way to spin the loss of the midships external elevators and a "modified" promenade deck?

[Cruiser Bruiser]

Everything I have heard from people in key positions that would know says it will be quite a departure but doubt they're figuring a way to spin it. They're past the point of changing things on the newbuild without MAJOR penalties in the process - assuming it follows the same timelines as Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam - so if they felt they wouldn't know how to spin it then they likely wouldn't have decided to do something a certain way.

 

Keep in mind, the main architects are those that brought us the more stunning areas on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam (Tamarind, Silk Den, Crow's Nest decor specifically on these 2 ships, etc) and Adam Tihany who created the beautiful main dining rooms on all 5 ships in Celebrity's Solstice Class. These areas are not "traditional."

 

There is also talk I've heard that September will be the start of the reveal. No idea when in September and it would probably only make sense if it's September 30th given how it seems to be "late" according to the consensus and anticipation here

 

This all sounds very intriguing. And perhaps this is the source of all the silence? Lots of brands are hitting their stride right now. Norwegian has been reinvented as a more affordable/less uptight version of Celebrity; Princess is succeeding wildly with their Ann Romney aesthetic; Carnival is rocking it with their Fun Ship 3.0 burgers and Hasbro; etc. The only brand that seems to be in search of an easy brand identification is HAL. Perhaps this new ship (along with the selling of older ships) is meant to completely reinvent the brand? If that's the case, I want something cataclismic! A true paradigm shift that still retains a hint of the 140+ year tradition. Is this possible? I'm dying to know.

Edited August 1, 2014 by Cruiser Bruiser

[ASIWISH]

 

 

 

Think back the last two new builds, the two Signatures. There was plenty of hype and blogging leading up to the launch by this time.

 

 

Yes, I remember there was even a digital video on the web page with an artist rendering for quite a while on the HAL homepage.

[ASIWISH]

I so get it, Host Walt. :D

 

 

 

We were at Maasdam's Inaugural Parties in Boston when she made the crossing from Fincantieri. We sailed Inaugural Year (though not Inaugural Voyage) on all four "S" class sisters. Same for Rotterdam VI. We were aboard for her first New Year's Eve. :) GREAT party!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Hold on... then how can you still be 29-years old..?!???

[Commodore]

Choose the name you like:

Amsterdam (3) - 2000 Eurodam - 2008 - new! Maasdam (5) - 1993 Nieuw Amsterdam - 2010 Noordam (4) - 2006 Oosterdam (1) - 2003 Prinsendam - 2002 (ex-Royal Viking Sun and Seabourn Sun, built 1988) Rotterdam (6) - 1997 Ryndam (3) - 1993 Statendam (5) - 1992 Veendam (4) - 1999 Volendam (3) - 1999 Zaandam (1) - 2000 Westerdam - 2004 Zuiderdam (1) - 2002 Nieuw Amsterdam (2) (1939-1974)Maasdam (4) (1952-1968)Ryndam (2) (1951-1973)Statendam (4) (1956-1982)Rotterdam (5) (1959-1997):)

[sail7seas]

 

Hold on... then how can you still be 29-years old..?!???

 

 

 

I was a mere young 'un.

 

Actually, in comparison, we really were young 'uns. :D

 

At least we had the good sense to have as much fun as often as we could and started our traveling and cruising first chance. Loads of incredible memories. Priceless! :)

 

I hope the new Pinnacle ship stops in Boston after her first Transatlantic and HAL repeats some of the wonderful parties/Inaugurals they have hosted when introducing new ships. Several stopped in Boston and it was very exciting to visit on board and see the new ship.

 

Edited August 1, 2014 by sail7seas

[InTheWASide]

Yes, I remember there was even a digital video on the web page with an artist rendering for quite a while on the HAL homepage.

 

They still exist:

 

eurodam.hollandamerica.com

nieuwamsterdam.hollandamerica.com

[serendipity1499]

1983.... Nw AMSTERDAM III... maiden cruise to Bermuda. I was Harbour Master at the time. Came aboard for welcome cocktail party. Best part of the job! ;-)

 

1984 A year later I was not HM at that time and I asked the port agent if I could get an invite to the party for NOORDAM maiden visit. To 'bribe' I gave the agent a small painting to present to Captain Huilderrink. I got the invite and the small painting was presented. The Cruise Director introduced me to Mr van der Vorm, the owner of HAL. He asked me if I could three paintings for his office? Sure. I'd never sold a painting and this was just a hobby. And so it went.

 

By 1991 I was a bit more 'established' and was a full time painter so.... five paintings were done for the newbuild STATENDAM 1992.

 

Since then... almost 100 large paintings for the HAL ships.

 

The rest is 'history' . That is why one should attend ALL cocktail parties!!!!!:)

 

Stephen

 

What a wonderful story Stephen..Thanks for sharing it with us!

 

 

Suppose they're looking for a way to spin the loss of the midships external elevators and a "modified" promenade deck?

 

OH NO! :eek::eek: Please don't even think that HAL would modify the Promenade deck! ;);)That is our favorite spot!

[ASIWISH]

I am solidly behind the theory that the new ship will be called the Grand Statendam...

 

... but that's only because I am stubborn and posses no relationships that provide me with "inside information". (except my relationship with all of you!)

[sail7seas]

There are certain signatures that make HAL ships what they are and the wrap around Promenade Deck is almost mandatory IMO

 

I surely hope they don't continue to include that. What is an HAL ship without it? :eek:

[Modern_Viking]

HAL hasn't even released all their itineraries for 2015 yet. Perhaps they will make a bigger announcement for the new-build ship at the same time as when the 2016 itineraries are released.