Happy HALidays!

[POA1]

I think we're going to surprise our friends who are joining us on the cruise with your Eurodam song at Christmas. Of course, we'll credit you with the lyrics. Is there a specific address where we can send the royalties?:D

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

 

No royalty payment needed. Just give me a happy wave when you sail past the condos. :)

 

Also remember that it's really easy to substitute ships' names for the three syllable members of the fleet. That'll give you a few extra songs with which to work.

Edited December 7, 2015 by POA1

[POA1]

Awesome but I still need that figgy pudding substitute. Unless I missed it somewhere. Too much talent in this gang!

 

Santa says you've been good this year, so here you go:

 

We Wish You a Happy HAL Cruise

(Sung to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas")



 

We wish you a happy HAL cruise,

We wish you a happy HAL cruise,

We wish you a happy HAL cruise, a voyage of good cheer!

Hope your sailing's grand upon the Veendam!*

We wish you a happy HAL cruise, a voyage of good cheer!

 

Oh bring us a HAL Club Sandwich,

Oh bring us a HAL Club Sandwich,

Oh bring us a HAL Club Sandwich and bring it right here!

We won't go until we get one.

We won't go until we get one.

We won't go until we get one with chips and a beer!

 

We wish you a happy HAL cruise,

We wish you a happy HAL cruise,

We wish you a happy HAL cruise, a voyage of good cheer!

 

 



 

* Not cruising on the Veendam? No problem! Just swap out the asterisked line above for the one that matches your ship.

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Amsterdam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Eurodam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Konigsdam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand upon the Maasdam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on Nieuw Amsterdam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand upon the Noordam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Oosterdam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Prinsendam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Rotterdam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand upon the Veendam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Volendam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Westerdam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand upon the Zaandam!

 

Hope your sailing's grand on the Zuiderdam!

[DeeniEncinitas]

Your very talented POA!

I would love to be sitting at your table!

Any record labels endorsing you yet? 😄

On the other hand when is a novel coming!

Your words seem magic and eloquent when you speak

Or write :)

Thank you for this am reading for me and jump starting my day!

I figured it out!!!

You must be a writer for a TV sitcom right?

Have a great day!

Denise:)

[POA1]

Your very talented POA!

 

You must be a writer for a TV sitcom right?

Have a great day!

Denise:)

 

Not even close. I'm a person cursed with rewriting song lyrics in my head. It's useful at Christmas, but come the summer months, it's no longer charming. I "inherited" this skill from my maternal grandfather.

[ski ww]

Thanks POA1 that sure brought a smile to my face and adds a bit of Christmas cheer. I'll remember to wave as we pass the web cam on 14 Jan. I will still be dressing up for Gala nights, it is nice to still dress for special occasions. Not every body agrees with the new dumbing down of the dress code.

Allan

[chefestelle]

Thanks!

[POA1]

Apologies to Irving Berlin & Der Bingle....

 

I'm Dreaming of My Next HAL Cruise

(To the tune of White Christmas)

 

I'm dreaming of my next HAL cruise

With every sail away I see.

Wish I was seein' the Caribbean

From out on my balcony.

 

I'm dreaming of my next HAL cruise

With every CC post I see.

I meant to ask ya, about Alaska

Perhaps you can come with me.

 

I'm dreaming of my next HAL cruise

With every new review I read.

Think we'd be liking the Voyage of Vikings

It sounds excellent indeed.

 

I'm dreaming of my next HAL cruise

Wish I could sail around the globe.

Then I could stand-a on my veranda

And sip coffee in my robe.

[POA1]

Rejoice Ye Merry HAL Cruiser - Part 1

(To the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.)

 

Rejoice ye merry HAL Cruiser

Your sailing's almost here.

It's time to print your documents.

Departure day draws near.

Then grab the papers from your printer,

Your dancing need's severe.

O-oh document dance of pure joy

Dance of pure joy

O-oh document dance of pure joy!

 

 

It's time to go to meet the ship

You're flying up away,

But first you need to take your clothes off

For the TSA.

No belt, no shoes, no coins in pockets,

Do not disobey!

Or your carry on they'll leave in disarray

In disarray

Or your carry on they'll leave in disarray!

 

 

Now you've reached your destination

All connections made.

And your luggage made it too,

Not like you were afraid.

You step outside and hail a taxi

To Port Everglades

A taxi ride to Port Everglades.

 

 

The taxi driver seems confused.

You worry that he's lost.

Now he's driving 'round in circles.

What's this gonna cost?

The airport to the pier's three miles

It should not take all day.

I feel suspicion and distrust

Ain't got no trust

I feel suspicion and distrust.

 

 

The taxi ride it takes forever.

Oh where o where are we?

The skyline sorta looks familiar.

I crane my neck to see.

I swear to God this is Miami.

We're lost as we can be.

We are lost, and I really have to pee.

Gotta go wee

We are lost and I really gotta pee.

 

 

To be continued...

Edited December 10, 2015 by POA1

[POA1]

Rejoice Ye Merry HAL Cruiser - Part II

(Still sung to the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen")

 

We stopped to ask directions and

We're finally on our way.

Now we're driving up the coast

Back toward Port Everglades.

I hope I make the muster drill

And don't miss sail away.

That sure would wreck my holiday.

Boy you can say!

That really would wreck my holiday.

 

I'm running through the terminal

So desperate to check in

This has been an awful day

I feel like I can't win.

I grab my key card, run upstairs

I'm over half the way.

Oh, please HAL don't pull the gangway!

...Pull the gangway.

Oh please HAL don't pull the gangway!

 

Hightail it to my muster station

I'm really out of breath.

Arrive just as they call my number.

I am super stressed.

Then over to the Ocean Bar

I have to decompress.

A cocktail will help me to refresh.

...I am a mess,

A cold tall drink will help me decompress.

 

To be continued whether you like it or not.

[TylerRose]

Love them all!

[POA1]

I'm beginning to think that a story set to God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen was a little ambitious. But, it's done now. Here's the final version. I realized that I screwed up some of the verses - missing lines, wrong number of syllables - you know, the usual.

 

Rejoice Ye Merry HAL Cruiser

(To the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen")

 

Rejoice ye merry HAL Cruiser

Your sailing's almost here.

It's time to print your documents.

Departure day draws near.

Then grab the papers from your printer,

Your dancing need's severe.

O-oh document dance of pure joy

Dance of pure joy

O-oh document dance of pure joy!

 

It's time to go to meet the ship

You're flying up away,

But first you need to take your clothes off

For the TSA.

No belt, no shoes, no coins in pockets,

Do not disobey!

Or your carry on they'll leave in disarray

In disarray

Or your carry on they'll leave in disarray!

 

Now you've reached your destination

With all connections made.

And all your luggage made it too,

Not like you were afraid.

You step outside and hail a cab

Down to Port Everglades.

A taxi ride to Port Everglades

Port Everglades!

A taxi ride down to Port Everglades..

 

The taxi driver seems confused.

You worry that he's lost.

Now he's driving 'round in circles.

What's this gonna cost?

The airport to the pier's three miles

It should not take all day.

I feel suspicion and distrust

Ain't got no trust

I feel suspicion and distrust.

 

The taxi ride, it takes forever.

Oh where o where are we?

The skyline sorta looks familiar.

I crane my neck to see.

I swear to God this is Miami.

We're lost as we can be.

We are lost, and I really have to pee.

Gotta go wee

We are lost and I really gotta pee.

 

We stopped to ask directions and

We're finally on our way.

Now we're driving up the coast

Back toward Port Everglades.

I hope I make the muster drill

And don't miss sail away.

That sure would wreck my holiday.

Boy you can say!

That really would wreck my holiday.

 

I'm running through the terminal

So desperate to check in

This has been an awful day

I feel like I can't win.

I grab my key card, run upstairs

I'm over half the way.

Oh, please HAL don't pull the gangway!

...Pull the gangway.

Oh please HAL don't pull the gangway!

 

Hightail it to my muster station

I'm really out of breath.

Arrive just as they call my number.

I am super stressed.

Then over to the Ocean Bar

I have to decompress.

A cocktail will help me to refresh.

...I am a mess,

A cold tall drink will help me decompress.

 

A couple cocktails later I

Can finally unwind.

The cab ride had me so upset

I thought I'd lose my mind.

But now I'm in my room, unpacked

I think that I'll be fine

It's time for me to go and dine...

Good food and wine...

I think I'll enjoy my dinner time.

 

I am a happy HAL Cruiser

Just lounging in my chair.

I love to watch the waves go by.

I haven't got a care.

I really don't mind where we go

It could be anywhere.

Relaxing at sea is such a joy.

Much to enjoy!

Relaxing at sea is such a joy.

 

Rejoice ye merry HAL Cruiser,

On oceans deep and wide.

Just put a smile on your face.

You joy is amplified.

Then you're struck with trepidation.

Chills run up your side.

Debarkation means another ride.

You're petrified.

Debarkation means a taxi ride.

 

Nest up to be butchered: "Angels We Have Heard on High" (The sail away song "Webcams Watch the Ships Sail By") and Good King Wenceslas (because I like the challenge.)

[AlohaPride]

This has to be one of the funniest things I've read. . . EVER!!

 

Edit to add: When pregnant women laugh it's not pretty sometimes. Especially when it's their 4th baby. . . LOL

Edited December 12, 2015 by AlohaPride

[POA1]

The Good King Wenceslas Eurodam Challenge: The goal is to write a HALiday song using "Good King Wenceslas" as the basis and marrying it to a real 2015 Holland America holiday cruise itinerary. Luckily for me, Wenceslas has the same number of syllables as most of the ships' names in the Holland America fleet. The Eurodam was chosen because it's got a 14 day B2B that spans both Christmas and New Year's Day.

 

Here's the itinerary:

 

December 20, 2015 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

December 21, 2015 - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

December 22, 2015 - At Sea

December 23, 2015 - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

December 24, 2015 - Georgetown, Cayman Islands

December 25, 2015 - At Sea

December 26, 2015 - Key West, Florida

December 27, 2015 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

December 28, 2015 - At Sea

December 29, 2015 - Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

December 30, 2015 - San Juan, Puerto Rico

December 31, 2015 - Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

January 1, 2016 - At Sea

January 2, 2016 - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

January 3, 2016 - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 

 

 

The Good King Wenceslas Eurodam Challenge - 2015 Edition

(To the tune of "Good King Wenceslas")



We are on the Eurodam

In the Caribbean.

And upon the twenty-fourth

Cayman we'll be seein'.

Our first stop was Half Moon Cay

Then off to Jamaica.

We're at sea on Christmas Day

If I'm not mistaken.

 

Boxing Day will find us all

With a stop in Key West.

Then back to Port Everglades.

Santa just one request:

Let us stay another week.

Our behavior's been good.

Seven more days we deserve,

Santa please if you could.

 

Got a port stop in Grand Turk,

It's in Turks and Caicos.

Then we dock in Old San Juan

Down in Puerto Rico.

Our next stop is Saint Martin

It is French and it's Dutch.

Then that night it's New Year's Eve.

Hope we don't drink too much.

 

New Year's Day will find us all

With a day at se-ea*

Then we've got our final stop

Swimming on Half Moon Cay.**

Sunday in Port Everglades,

Final destination.

Love to stay another week...

Please make a donation.

 

"Wenceslas" five verses has.

This song's only got four.

Cruise was only fourteen days,

So I couldn't write more.

Hope that doesn't bum you out,

Make you weepy and sad.

Hate to ruin*** your holidays,

Hope you aren't too mad.

 

*Stretch out Sea to two syllables. Work with me here people. This isn't as easy as it looks.

 

**It's pronounced "Key" not "Kay." If you've ever wondered why, it's because that's the only way the song rhymes. Duh.

 

***Remember that extra syllable you added to "Sea?" Give up one from "Ruin" and make it sound like "Rune."

Edited December 12, 2015 by POA1

[POA1]

This one is cross-posted from the Westerdam Sail Away Thread for Saturday, December 12, 2015. It's kind of sail-away specific, but I wanted to have all the HALiday lyrics in one place. That way, I can simply resurrect this thread each December without doing any actual work. ;) (I suppose "resurrect" is more of an Easter concept than a Christmas thing, but I digress.)

 

 

 

Webcams Watch the Ships Go By

(Sung to the tune of "Angels We Have Heard on High")

 

Webcams watch the ships go by.

Heading toward the deep blue sea.

And the condos in reply

Honking out a jubilee.

 

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

 

Other ships don't measure up.

They might try, but can't compare.

Though we like the Princess ship,

"Love Boat Theme" - It fills the air.

 

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

 

Got two windows opened up.

Condo and the Hyatt cam.

If the sound gets interrupt'd,

Gotta hit refresh again.

 

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

 

Cruise ships we just live to watch.

Our eyes glued to the webcam.

Gladly we'll watch any HAL ship,

But our favorite's Westerdam!

 

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot!

Toot, toot, toot, toot, toot. Westerdam!

You sure make our day, oh!

Edited December 12, 2015 by POA1

[Vict0riann]

Thanks for that, POA1. With 120 toots in the carol, you are certainly keeping up with the Queen!

[dancourt]

Absolutely brilliant.

 

Susan

[superoma]

So loving this! Thanks so much.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[POA1]

Yum Yum Man

(To the tune of Silver Bells)

 

See the Lido,

And the Crow's Nest

Dressed in holiday style.

On the cruise ship, a feeling

of Christmas.

People drinking.

Toasts are clinking.

Raise your glass and a smile!

And above all the good cheer you hear...

 

Yum Yum chimes. (Yum Yum chimes.)

It's dinner time on the cruise ship.

Tink-a-link (Hear him plink)

Soon we'll be munching away.

 

It's a winner.

Christmas dinner

Served up holiday style.

On my plate there's a big slice

of turkey

Gravy, stuffing,

I'm not bluffing.

Got cranberry sauce too.

And above all my chewing I hear

 

Yum Yum Man (I'm a fan)

Saying goodbye after dinner

Have a mint. (Take the hint.)

What a sweet end to our day.

Apologies to Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.

 

In case you don't know how it goes, here's a video.

 

OqymsAwovco

Edited December 14, 2015 by POA1

[Vict0riann]

You did it again!:D

[DeeniEncinitas]

Your the best POA-1👍

Do you ever sleep?

I bet you have the lyrics running through your head while you are trying to count sheep! LOL!!!!!!

I so enjoy reading them!

Thanks for your brilliant talent!

Keep them coming!

Denise:)

[POA1]

You did it again!:D

Thank you.

Your the best POA-1👍

Do you ever sleep?

I bet you have the lyrics running through your head while you are trying to count sheep! LOL!!!!!!

I so enjoy reading them!

Thanks for your brilliant talent!

Keep them coming!

Denise:)

Thanks. I do sleep, albeit fitfully. I blame the visions of sugar plums.** Not to worry though. Eventually we hit the point in the year when you have to parody Auld Lang Syne. That always puts me off my amateur lyricist thing.

 

**If you are like me, you probably thought Sugar Plums were a sort of candied prune - you know - the prunes they'd put in a fruitcake. It turns out that sugar plums are just little oval shaped hard candies. Who knew? It's like my life has been a lie.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_plum

[chefestelle]

And I always thought they were the English version of French cremes!

[POA1]

It seemed like such a good idea at the time.... The Prinsendam is the smallest ship in the Holland America fleet, so "O Little Cruise Ship Prinsendam" looks like it could be a winner. The only problem is that we've never been on the Prinsedam, so I couldn't very well write about her unique charms - unless I made things up. (Normally, that wouldn't stop me, but in the spirit of the holidays, I figured it would be best to have some sort of basis in fact.)

 

So... I asked the CC community what they liked about the P'dam. I tried my best to incorporate as many of the comments as I could. I think I got most of them. It makes for a pretty poor song, but it does hit on almost all of the things people posted. Inside the song you'll find links to the source post from which the line originated. Thanks to everyone who helped to write this. (If you want to deny involvement, that's okay.)

 

O Little Cruise Ship Prinsendam

(To the tune of O Little Town of Bethlehem)

 

O little cruise ship Prinsendam

We love to sail on thee.

Although you've got no magrodome,

Your self serve laundry's free.

The dining room's one level,

But there's one fore and aft.

Writing carols based on posts

Is positively daft.

 

The Neptune Lounge, it has a view.

'Tis unique in the fleet.

Most rooms have walk-in closets which

Is pretty freakin' neat.

Come see the open bridge wings!

And watch the crew at work.

You order drinks with just a nod,

Which is a re-al perk.

 

The Oak Room's nice on Prinsendam.

The Pinnacle's rose-wood.

I'm not too proud of this here song.

It isn't very good.

They have some floor-length curtains

Around the Neptune beds.

They give you a private space

In which to rest your head.

 

O little cruise ship Prinsendam

With spa and gym in back.

We just can't wait to cruise on you.

I guess it's time to pack.

A nod to A-Z-Native,

Whose line I'll try to cram

"Upon the sea, there ne'er will be

Another Prinsendam."**

 

AZNative2000's suggested line was

"Up-on the sea will never be

An-other Prin-sen-dam"

 

I changed it up a teeny bit.

Edited December 17, 2015 by POA1

[rafinmd]

Excellent. For a real challenge, are you up for the Konigsdam, a ship nobody's been on?

 

Roy

[POA1]

Excellent. For a real challenge, are you up for the Konigsdam, a ship nobody's been on?

 

Roy

Sure, I can make things up then. :D