Love the beach Posted August 15, 2015 #101 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Well, you know, I sort of just "lurked" on the roll call because I didn't want to participate in all the crazy activities you guys planned -- I'm not really a "walk the plank" type, and the "cabin crawl/clean the bilges" event didn't appeal to me either. Unfortunately, I was busy at the time of the meet and greet -- I had to go down to the naughty room because they found the small cask of spirits hidden in my trunk. :mad: Wouldn't give it back til the end of the cruise.... Honestly, I think the guy was a bit of a crook. Literally. He told a friend of mine that he was a convicted felon back in Spain but they'd commute his sentence (death by hanging) if he agreed to work this cruise. If I had to hear one more joke from him about whether his cabin was smaller than his jail cell, I'd have tossed him overboard myself. My poor dog is wondering why I am laughing so hard!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myne Posted August 15, 2015 #102 Share Posted August 15, 2015 My first Hal was on a statendam. 1961 Yikes! Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tika Posted August 15, 2015 #103 Share Posted August 15, 2015 As a young child I was always fascinated by the big ships docked in New York when my father drove down the West Side Highway. We always asked him to slow down as we gazed in awe of the big ships. For a surprise he booked a transatlantic crossings to and from Europe. I was totally hooked by the age of 14. Rolling forward and married I convinced my DH to try a cruise to Bermuda. He was extremely reluctant but conceded and I booked the old Statendam for a cruise to Bermuda. I think it was the end of July or the beginning of August. It was last minute booking and we were in a stateroom way forward and up on a high deck near the bow. These were the days when there were grand bon voyage celebrations at the pier with family, friends waving. streamers etc. It was so exciting!!!!!!!!! Once boarded we were informed that there was a major fire on the Homeric (anyone remember?) because of the fire "many" of the pax were transferred to the Statendam. The ship was bursting at the seams but no complaints from us, remember this is DH's first cruise. Next came some rough seas. Stateroom up high near the Bow DH became very ill..........it wasn't going good for him but he survived and we finally reached Bermuda. As we approached the beautiful island the Captain announced that there was a dock strike and the ship was not going to be able to dock! Now there is this packed ship bursting the seams and no one could disembark. The ship cruised around and around the island for I guess two days before she headed back to New York. I was happy just to be on a ship and was in awe how the crew managed the overwhelming huge crowd of disappointed pax. I don't know how I ever got my DH to cruise again but since that first cruise we have cruised many, many times. We were fortunate to cruise to Bermuda on the Veendam her very last time to dock in Hamilton a few years ago and now we are booked on the Oosterdam for a Southern Caribbean cruise Jan. 2016. Always a magical adventure being on board one of these Grand Dams of the Seas!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tika Posted August 15, 2015 #104 Share Posted August 15, 2015 As a young child I was always fascinated by the big ships docked in New York when my father drove down the West Side Highway. We always asked him to slow down as we gazed in awe of the big ships. For a surprise he booked a transatlantic crossings to and from Europe. I was totally hooked by the age of 14. Rolling forward and married I convinced my DH to try a cruise to Bermuda. He was extremely reluctant but conceded and I booked the old Statendam for a cruise to Bermuda. I think it was the end of July or the beginning of August. It was last minute booking and we were in a stateroom way forward and up on a high deck near the bow. These were the days when there were grand bon voyage celebrations at the pier with family, friends waving. streamers etc. It was so exciting!!!!!!!!! Once boarded we were informed that there was a major fire on the Homeric (anyone remember?) because of the fire "many" of the pax were transferred to the Statendam. The ship was bursting at the seams but no complaints from us, remember this is DH's first cruise. Next came some rough seas. Stateroom up high near the Bow DH became very ill..........it wasn't going good for him but he survived and we finally reached Bermuda. As we approached the beautiful island the Captain announced that there was a dock strike and the ship was not going to be able to dock! Now there is this packed ship bursting the seams and no one could disembark. The ship cruised around and around the island for I guess two days before she headed back to New York. I was happy just to be on a ship and was in awe how the crew managed the overwhelming huge crowd of disappointed pax. I don't know how I ever got my DH to cruise again but since that first cruise we have cruised many, many times. We were fortunate to cruise to Bermuda on the Veendam her very last time to dock in Hamilton a few years ago and now we are booked on the Oosterdam for a Southern Caribbean cruise Jan. 2016. Always a magical adventure being on board one of these Grand Dams of the Seas!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted August 15, 2015 #105 Share Posted August 15, 2015 As a young child I was always fascinated by the big ships docked in New York when my father drove down the West Side Highway. We always asked him to slow down as we gazed in awe of the big ships. For a surprise he booked a transatlantic crossings to and from Europe. I was totally hooked by the age of 14. Rolling forward and married I convinced my DH to try a cruise to Bermuda. He was extremely reluctant but conceded and I booked the old Statendam for a cruise to Bermuda. I think it was the end of July or the beginning of August. It was last minute booking and we were in a stateroom way forward and up on a high deck near the bow. These were the days when there were grand bon voyage celebrations at the pier with family, friends waving. streamers etc. It was so exciting!!!!!!!!!Once boarded we were informed that there was a major fire on the Homeric (anyone remember?) because of the fire "many" of the pax were transferred to the Statendam. The ship was bursting at the seams but no complaints from us, remember this is DH's first cruise. Next came some rough seas. Stateroom up high near the Bow DH became very ill..........it wasn't going good for him but he survived and we finally reached Bermuda. As we approached the beautiful island the Captain announced that there was a dock strike and the ship was not going to be able to dock! Now there is this packed ship bursting the seams and no one could disembark. The ship cruised around and around the island for I guess two days before she headed back to New York. I was happy just to be on a ship and was in awe how the crew managed the overwhelming huge crowd of disappointed pax. I don't know how I ever got my DH to cruise again but since that first cruise we have cruised many, many times. We were fortunate to cruise to Bermuda on the Veendam her very last time to dock in Hamilton a few years ago and now we are booked on the Oosterdam for a Southern Caribbean cruise Jan. 2016. Always a magical adventure being on board one of these Grand Dams of the Seas!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, what a first experience for your DH! He's a good sport if he was willing to give cruising a second chance. We were in Bermuda just after a dock strike. The only affect it had on our experience was that the pub we went to was out of Guinness--the kegs hadn't been unloaded yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollux Posted August 15, 2015 #106 Share Posted August 15, 2015 First HAL was the Statendam in Dec 1963 transatlantic NY-Rotterdam. Ship went 30 days in drydock in Rotterdam. Took the Statendam back in Jan. 1964 trans atlantic to NY. Bunk beds inside cabin with seatbelts for rough seas. Which we had going over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kensinsd Posted August 15, 2015 #107 Share Posted August 15, 2015 November 2008 - Sea of Cortez - on the "beautiful and elegant*" Ryndam! * words used by the Captain on each of his announcements... will never forget it I wonder if that was the same Captain we had in 2014 on the Westerdam, which was my first and so far only :( cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casamariposa Posted August 15, 2015 #108 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Cruisemom42, you made a lot of people on CC laugh and smile. Thank you! Brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted August 15, 2015 #109 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Cruisemom42, you made a lot of people on CC laugh and smile. Thank you! Brilliant. I want to add my thanks too, Cruisemom. Best on CC in a long while! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk cabriolet Posted August 15, 2015 #110 Share Posted August 15, 2015 2006 San Diego to Mexican Riviera on the Oosterdam in a min-suite that cruise was so fabulous, i've been cruising in mini-suites ever since then and i love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr and Mrs CIQ Posted August 15, 2015 #111 Share Posted August 15, 2015 We were the youngest on the Zaadam 15 day circle Hawaii in 2009 when we took our first cruise with HAL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Pete Cruiser Posted August 15, 2015 #112 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Tika, thanks for sharing your cruise to Bermuda memories! Most of us would have a difficult time topping that experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syesmar Posted August 15, 2015 #113 Share Posted August 15, 2015 August 2007 7 Nights Northbound Glacier Bay Discovery, Vancouver to Seward, aboard the ms Ryndam. Been cruising ever since!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sapper1 Posted August 15, 2015 #114 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Our first HAL cruise was on the Maasdam in 2002. I had always been rather lukewarm to the idea of cruising but my husband pointed out that he had accumulated a gazillion RBC points and suggested I use them to book a cruise since we were going to be in Florida for a month anyway. Well I managed to get a weeklong Caribean cruise in an outside cabin for around $190 in top up fees. It was all very pleasant but we waited until 07 to try again. This was a 10 day Panama cruise and we have taken one or two cruises every year since. In 09 we were seduced by friends into taking a 26 day cruise. We were totally surprised at how we loved the longer cruise and ever since we have mostly taken extended cruises. Discovering Cruise Crutic along the line has really added to our enjoyment since we have met so many amazing people and learned a lot of money saving tips as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FRANKIEDNYC Posted August 15, 2015 #115 Share Posted August 15, 2015 VOYAGE OF THE VIKINGS June 2004 on the Rotterdam 35 day round trip from New York. Fabulous cruise and weve been sailing almost exclusively on HAL ever since Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliver1821 Posted August 15, 2015 #116 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Did not go on HAL until 2011 and was so happy with this line, I'm taking my 3rd cruise in October on the Oosterdam. Most of my cruises have been with Celebrity and RCCL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowPrincess Posted August 15, 2015 #117 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Our first HAL cruise was on the Maasdam in 2002. I had always been rather lukewarm to the idea of cruising but my husband pointed out that he had accumulated a gazillion RBC points and suggested I use them to book a cruise since we were going to be in Florida for a month anyway. Well I managed to get a weeklong Caribean cruise in an outside cabin for around $190 in top up fees. It was all very pleasant but we waited until 07 to try again. >SNIP< Wow, and you mentioned a while ago that you are now 5 star. That didn't take long once you started cruising! Good work! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted August 16, 2015 #118 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Our first HAL cruise is next August. We are looking forward to celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on the Maasdam. :D It's great reading about all of these wonderful past experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper's Mom Posted August 16, 2015 #119 Share Posted August 16, 2015 2008 Zaandam R/T from San Diego to Hawaii. First balcony cabin for my DH and first long cruise (15 days) for him as well. He loved it! We cruised with another couple (very high maintenance). That was the beginning of our love affair with HAL.:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredkid Posted August 16, 2015 #120 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Veendam, 2010. NYC to Bermuda was the plan. Hurricane Igor had other plans. Ended up being on a "Mystery Cruise". We did the Carolinas, and then Atlantis in the Bahamas. Not what we signed up for, but it was fun anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudscraper Posted August 16, 2015 #121 Share Posted August 16, 2015 My first cruise on a Holland America ship as part of the Holland America Line was August 2012 Alaska RT from Vancouver. And we've never looked back. My odd phrasing above is be cause first Holland America SHIP was Statendam IV after she had been sold to Paquet Cruises. Again it was Alaska RT from Vancouver since the ship carried a Glacier Bay permit with it. A lot of the ship's design remained. Our cabin looked very much like this one, with batik curtains. The best part was the beautiful indoor pool made of blue, green and gold mosaic tiles. It was stunning, but seldom used. It took me 31 one years to get back on a dam ship and Im dam happy we did! I remember that pool. The ship was the Rhapsody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted August 16, 2015 #122 Share Posted August 16, 2015 November 0f 1997 on the old Nieuw Amsterdam It a western Carribean cruise out of New Orleans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topsham Posted August 16, 2015 #123 Share Posted August 16, 2015 He was extremely reluctant but conceded and I booked the old Statendam for a cruise to Bermuda. I think it was the end of July or the beginning of August. It was last minute booking and we were in a stateroom way forward and up on a high deck near the bow. These were the days when there were grand bon voyage celebrations at the pier with family, friends waving. streamers etc. It was so exciting!!!!!!!!!Once boarded we were informed that there was a major fire on the Homeric (anyone remember?) because of the fire "many" of the pax were transferred to the Statendam. The ship was bursting at the seams but no complaints from us, remember this is DH's first cruise. Next came some rough seas. Stateroom up high near the Bow DH became very ill..........it wasn't going good for him but he survived and we finally reached Bermuda. As we approached the beautiful island the Captain announced that there was a dock strike and the ship was not going to be able to dock! Now there is this packed ship bursting the seams and no one could disembark. The ship cruised around and around the island for I guess two days before she headed back to New York. ! Hello Tika, The fire on board HOMERIC was 1 July 1973. The galley was gutted and as the ship was quite old, Home Lines made a decision to scrap the ship. STATENDAM started the weekly service to Bermuda started in 1974. Before that she came on occasional runs.... going back to 1960. Unfortunately I do not have all the dates for the STATENDAM. I will have to go back to the files. Next chance in Hamilton it should be easy to find what cruise you were on... and about the dock strike roughly that period. July.August 1973. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrimp56 Posted August 16, 2015 #124 Share Posted August 16, 2015 I remember that pool. The ship was the Rhapsody. Yep. I had cruised in the Caribbean on Paquet's Mermoz so I thought why not? Little did I know :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted August 16, 2015 Author #125 Share Posted August 16, 2015 Hello Tika, The fire on board HOMERIC was 1 July 1973. The galley was gutted and as the ship was quite old, Home Lines made a decision to scrap the ship. STATENDAM started the weekly service to Bermuda started in 1974. Before that she came on occasional runs.... going back to 1960. Unfortunately I do not have all the dates for the STATENDAM. I will have to go back to the files. Next chance in Hamilton it should be easy to find what cruise you were on... and about the dock strike roughly that period. July.August 1973. Stephen I was so unimpressed by Statendam cruise in 80 or 81 that I did not sail Hal for another 28 or 29 years ( Rotterdam was so much nicer) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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