SS Exeter Posted August 8, 2015 #1 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I just read that some cruise lines are informing passengers that they are not to shake hands with the Captain. While this was a lovely experience in the past, in the new world of norovirus and other germs, I think it is a smart move. This is not the Captains choice but company policy. Probably no one on a ship should shake hands. Maybe bowing will be the new thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted August 8, 2015 #2 Share Posted August 8, 2015 This is nothing new on HAL, at least. Most captains have been refraining from shaking hands, and encouraging others to do likewise, for years now. It reduces the opportunity to exchange germs, including the norovirus germ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted August 8, 2015 #3 Share Posted August 8, 2015 For years, many Captains have requested no handshaking. I find it appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted August 8, 2015 #4 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Not shaking hands with the Captain was the case on the Noordam in May. The Captain did hug Marcia when she received her Gold Medal though. On the other hand, the ship's crew had no problem shaking hands with all of the Neptune Suite guests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted August 8, 2015 #5 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) This is not the Captains choice but company policy. Probably no one on a ship should shake hands. If it is company policy then Capt Edward van Zaane and all in the receiving line at the Neptune cocktail party violated it on our 12/7/14 cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam. He said he doesn't do the elbow bumping. (We had no Noro problems.). Edited August 8, 2015 by jtl513 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnKen3 Posted August 8, 2015 #6 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) No hand shaking with the ships officers has been the formal policy on Crystal Cruises for several years now unless you are very well know to the them Edited August 8, 2015 by JohnKen3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUPY48 Posted August 8, 2015 #7 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Imagine how awkward this would be if one didn't know of this policy? Standing there with your hand extended.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockdoctor Posted August 8, 2015 #8 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Old news. The captain on the Volendam, in fact none of the officers, shook hands on our last cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momatibm Posted August 8, 2015 #9 Share Posted August 8, 2015 one of the concierges relayed to us one night at the smoking side of the seaview bar that one of the suite guests didn't go to a reception because the invitation didn't say 'no handshaking'. I guess he didn't understand you could decline -- and btw, the receiving line at that event and all previous event's was 'no handshaking'. I am always amazed when there is handshaking on board - having been sailing with HAL since 1988 .. it's the norm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxo Posted August 8, 2015 #10 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Are elbow bumps permitted? I would have suggested the staff wear gloves when exiting the bridge if this was a concern. Perhaps not the plastic ones worn by the cleaning staff, but perhaps the white cloth gloves would be OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted August 8, 2015 #11 Share Posted August 8, 2015 If it is company policy then Capt Edward van Zaane and all in the receiving line at the Neptune cocktail party violated it on our 12/7/14 cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam. He said he doesn't do the elbow bumping. (We had no Noro problems.). While it has been the norm for some time on most ships, there have been a few Captains, like Captain van Zaane, that still shake hands. I have sailed with Captain van Zaane 3 times, first on Rotterdam V in 1996. I can hear him say: "I don't do elbow bumping." He is a very traditional Master and an expert Mariner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted August 8, 2015 #12 Share Posted August 8, 2015 For the last 3 or 4 years, the captain, hotel manager, etc., have not shaken hands with anyone on the ships we have been on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearmy Posted August 8, 2015 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2015 When we departed the Zuiderdam in Barcelona, they had some of the crew/staff lined up to thank us for sailing with them. They were pretty cool with giving each of them a fistbump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted August 8, 2015 #14 Share Posted August 8, 2015 When we departed the Zuiderdam in Barcelona, they had some of the crew/staff lined up to thank us for sailing with them. They were pretty cool with giving each of them a fistbump. That is great to hear! That should happen on every ship as well as at least a couple of staff/crew to welcome one during embarkation. Do you recall the name of your Hotel Director for the Zuiderdam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearmy Posted August 8, 2015 #15 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Checked my documents & the Hotel Director in May was Frank Ulbricht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted August 9, 2015 #16 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Not shaking hands with the Captain and other officers as been the norm for many years on HAL and on most other cruise lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted August 9, 2015 #17 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Checked my documents & the Hotel Director in May was Frank Ulbricht Thank you. I appreciate your effort in answering my question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dockman Posted August 9, 2015 #18 Share Posted August 9, 2015 In my opinion shaking hands is a practice whose time has come and gone. Frankly I have NO DESIRE to swap germs with people I have just met and have no idea where their hands have been lately. (and likewise they have no idea what i may have touched recently) I live in Thailand half the year and personally MUCH prefer the Thai custom of a simple wai...place your hands together in front of your face in a prayer type motion and with a slight bow acknowledge the other person. A VERY civilized practice in my opinion. Of course it can be difficult when people thrust their hand out for you to shake and you don't want to do so. Often I will beg off by saying oh I have a cold so you don't want to shake my hand. The fact is i am more afraid that THEY have a cold and I for one don't want to take a chance on catching it. I realize many are absolutely convinced that hand shaking is the polite/correct thing to do when meeting new people. But please understand that not everyone agrees with the practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted August 9, 2015 #19 Share Posted August 9, 2015 I live in Thailand half the year and personally MUCH prefer the Thai custom of a simple wai...place your hands together in front of your face in a prayer type motion and with a slight bow acknowledge the other person. A VERY civilized practice in my opinion. An excellent custom. My late brother suffered greatly from arthritis. Shaking hands was extremely painful for him. What you suggest would have been a great solution for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakrewser Posted August 9, 2015 #20 Share Posted August 9, 2015 In my opinion shaking hands is a practice whose time has come and gone. You mean like formal dress in the MDR? :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted August 9, 2015 #21 Share Posted August 9, 2015 DH and I don't "do" fist bumps or elbow bumps. If people choose not to shake hands to exchange germs, we simply keep ours at our sides and say hello through our surgical masks. Smooth Sailing! :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted August 9, 2015 #22 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Maybe we should kiss instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted August 10, 2015 #23 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Maybe we should kiss instead. Or we could rub noses as the Inuit do. Smooth Sailing! :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browser495 Posted August 10, 2015 #24 Share Posted August 10, 2015 (edited) or we could rub noses as the inuit do. Smooth sailing! :) :) :) lol Edited August 10, 2015 by Browser495 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted August 10, 2015 #25 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Can you imagine how nice it would be to exchange butterfly kisses? So much more civilized than fist bumps or elbow bumps. ;) Smooth Sailing! :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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