March 2016 update: HAL dry docks, charters and groups

[CJcruzer]

DRY DOCKS AND CHARTERS

 

Eurodam : 29 July 2016 - 06 August 2016 : Mediterannean : Atlantis charter

Eurodam : 04 February 2017 - 11 February 2017 : Caribbean : Olivia charter

 

Koningsdam, 22 January 2017 - 29 January 2017 : East. Caribbean : Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise charter

Koningsdam : 05 February 2017 - 12 February 2017 : West. Caribbean : RSVP charter

 

Maasdam : 15 August 2016 - : Prairie Home Companion charter

 

N. Amsterdam : 30 October 2016 - 06 November 2016 : Malt Shop Memories charter

 

Oosterdam : 05 April 2016 - 17 April 2016 : DRY DOCK, Fincantieri, Palermo, Sicily

Oosterdam : 28 August 2016 - 04 September 2016 : Mediterranean : Gertrude Byrne Promotions Irish charter

Oosterdam : 07 January 2017 - 14 Janaury 2017 : Country Music charter

Oosterdam : 27 January 2017 - 03 February 2017 : Country Music charter as listed on the website

 

Prinsendam : 05 May 2016 - 16 May 2016 - DRY DOCK : Bahamas

 

Veendam: 28 March 2016 - 08 April 2016 : DRY DOCK, Bahamas

 

Westerdam : 20 October 2016 : vegan charter

 

Zaandam : 25 September 2016 - 02 October 2016 : Pacific Coastal : Olivia Charter

 

GROUPS ONBOARD

 

Amsterdam : 04 Janaury 2017 - 26 April 2017 : Grand World Voyage, all segments : 55, 56 and entire 111 days : Road Scholars

 

Eurodam : 24 April 2016 - 06 May 2016 : Mediterannean : Road Scholars

Eurodam : 06 May 2016 - 18 May 2016 : E. Mediterranean : Scientific American Travel - Bright Horizons group

Eurodam : 30 May 2016 - 10 June 2016 : Mediterannean : Road Scholars

Eurodam : 15 September 2016 - 27 September 2016 : Mediterannean : Road Scholars

Eurodam : 28 October 2016 - 04 November 2016 : Mediterranean : Continuing Education Oral Dermatology & Pathology (26-50 pax)

Eurodam: 11 March 2017 - 18 March 2017 : E. Caribbean : Inspiration cruises : Sandi Patty & friends

Eurodam : 19 August 2017 - 26 August 2017 : Alaska : Quilt Seminar at Sea group

 

Koningsdam : 19 June 2016 - 04 August 2016 : Baltics : knitting group

Koningsdam : 10 July 2016 - 17 July 2016 : Norse legends : Kosher cruise group

Koningsdam : 7 August 2016 - 14 August 2016 : Norse legends : Road Scholars

Koningsdam : 14 August 2016 - 28 August 2016 : Northern Isles : Quilt Seminar at Sea group

Koningsdam : 18 September 2016 - 30 September 2016 : 12 day Iberian Discovery : NW Anesthesia seminar

Koningsdam : 15 January 2017 - 22 January 2017 : Caribbean : Mercy Me Inspiration group

Koningsdam : 25 June 2017 - 03 July 2017 : Viking Sagas : kosher cruise group

 

Maasdam : 15 March 2016 - 29 March 2016 : Panama Canal : Road Scholars group

Maasdam : 20 June 2016 - 04 July 2016 : 14 day Alaska : Road Scholars

Maasdam : 04 July 2016 - 18 July 2016 : Alaska : square dancers group

Maasdam : 18 July 2016 - 01 August 2016 : 14 day Alaska : Road Scholars

Maasdam : 01 August 2016 - 15 August 2016 : 14 day Alaska : Road Scholars

 

N. Amsterdam : 20 March 2016 - 27 March 2016 : Caribbean : NW Anesthesia seminar

N. Amsterdam : 10 April 2016, 15/19/20 day Panama Canal :RCAF 1st Air Division group AND New York Times Journeys group

N. Amsterdam : 25 June 2016 - 02 July 2016 : Alaska : Inspirations group

N. Amsterdam : 23 October 2016 - 30 October 2016 : Caribbean : Storytellers Inspiration group AND Hialeah High School Cruising the 50's again, alumni, family & friends

N. Amsterdam : 06 November 2016 -13 November 2016 : Caribbean : Master Chef sailing

N. Amsterdam : 13 November 2016 - 20 November 2016 : Caribbean : National Review post-election cruise group

N. Amsterdam : 20 November 2016 - 27 November 2016 : Caribbean : the Rebel cruise, political/activist group http://www.therebelcruise.ca

N. Amsterdam : 04 December 2016 - 11 December 2016 : Caribbean : The Weekly Standard group ( political-conservative )

N. Amsterdam : 13 December 2016 - 20 December 2016 : Caribbean : The Nation group

N. Amsterdam : 08 February 2017 - 19 February 2017 : 11 day S. Caribbean : Quilt Seminar at Sea group

N. Amsterdam : 19 February 2017 - 26 February 2017 : Caribbean : Fresh Grounded Faith Inspiration group

 

Noordam : 25 March 2016 - 08 April 2016 : NZ discovery : Road Scholars

Noordam : 25 October 2016 - 09 November 2016 : Australia/NZ : Road Scholars

Noordam : 07 December 2016 - 21 December 2016 : Australia/NZ : Road Scholars

Noordam : 01 February 2017 - 15 February 2017 : Australia/NZ : Road Scholars

Noordam : 14 March 2017 - 26 March 2017 : Australia/NZ : Jazzdagen Tours group *** note about group http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41008065&postcount=17

 

Oosterdam: 09 December 2016 - 16 December 2016 : W. Caribbean : "the Nation" liberal political magazine group

 

Prinsendam :19 November 2016 - 18 December 2016 : Amazon Explorer : Road Scholars

Prinsendam : 06 July 2016 - 20 July 2016 : Irish/Scottish explorer : Road Scholars

Prinsendam : 06 October 2016 - 20 October 2016 : Black Sea explorer : Road Scholars

 

Rotterdam : 04 June 2016 - 11 June 2016 : Norse legends : Road Scholars

Rotterdam : 11 June 2016 - ? : Viking sagas/fjords : Musical cruise - several Dutch musical entertainers performing as a promo for Dutch TA Cruise Travel's 30th anniversary

Rotterdam : 02 July 2016 - 20 July 2016 : Viking Passage TA : knitting group

Rotterdam : 17 September 2016 - 24 September 2016 : Canada/NE : Road Scholars

Rotterdam : 01 October 2016 - 08 October 2016 : Canada/NE : Road Scholars

 

Veendam 14 May 2016 - 21 May 2016 : Bermuda: Road Scholars

Veendam : 11 June 2016 - 18 June 2016 : Bermuda : Road Scholars

Veendam : 25 June 2016 - 02 July 2016 : Canada/NE : Inspirations group

Veendam : 08 October 2016 - 21 October 2016: 13 day Atlantic coast : Road Scholars

 

Volendam : 31 March 2016 - 16 April 2016 : China, Korea, Japan : knitting group

Volendam : 03 August 2016 - 10 August 2016 : Alaska : Christian fellowship group

 

Westerdam : 02 April 2016 - 02 May 2016 : 30 day Hawaii, Tahiti,Marquesas : Road Scholars

Westerdam : 07 May 2016 - 14 May 2016 : Alaska : Shriners' group

Westerdam : 14 May 2016 - 21 May 2016 : Alaska : Quilt Seminar at Sea group

Westerdam : 25 June 2016 - 02 July 2016 : Alaska: wine and run cruise groups ( destination races, Montrose travel. touring and tasting)

Westerdam : 02 July 2016 - 09 July. 2016 : Alaska : Pathway to Victory/ Inspirations group

Westerdam : 09 July 2016 - 16 July 2016 : Alaska : Inspirations group

Westerdam : 16 July 2016 - 23 July 2016 : Alaska : In touch Ministries Inspirations group

Westerdam : 30 July 2016 - 06 August 2016 : Alaska : Thrive/Inspirations group

Westerdam : 06 August 2016 - 13 August 2016 : Alaska : Stand to Reason / Inspirations group

Westerdam : 20 August 2016 - 27 August 2016 : Alaska : NW Anesthesia seminar

Westerdam : 18 October 2016 - 29 October 2016 : Pacific Coast : Scientific American Travel - Bright Horizons group

Westerdam : 12 November 2016 - 19 November 2016 : Mexican Riviera : Gospel Music Celebration group

Westerdam : 31 December 2016 - 07 January 2017 : Mexican Riviera: Jazzdegan group *** note about group http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41008065&postcount=17

 

Zaandam: 12 June 2016 - 19 June 2016 : Alaska : Road Scholars

Zaandam : 10 July 2016 - 17 July 2016 : Alaska : Road Scholars

Zaandam : 07 August 2016 - 14 August 2016 : Alaska : road Scholars

Zaandam : 04 September 2016 - 11 September 2016 : Alaska : Road Scholars

Zaandam : 10 January 2017 - 31 January 2017 : SA/Antarctica : knitting group

 

Zuiderdam : 08 April 2016 - 18 April 2016 : Panama Canal : Christian fellowship group

Zuiderdam : 05 May 2016 - 17 May 2016 : Baltics ; Road Scholars

Zuiderdam : 17 May 2016 - 29 May 2016 : Fjords & Highlands : Knitting group

Zuiderdam : 29 May 2016 - 10 June 2017 : Baltics: Road Scholars

Zuiderdam : 10 June 2016 - 22 June 2016 : Baltics : Road Scholars

Zuiderdam : 04 July 2016 - 16 July 2016 : Baltics: Road Scholars

Zuiderdam : 08 August 2016 - 21 August 2016 : Baltics : Road Scholars

Zuiderdam : 07 October 2016 - 19 October 2016 : Canada/NE : knitting group AND Christian fellowship group

Zuiderdam : 30 November 2016 - 11 December 2016 : Panama Canal sunfarer : Road Scholars

Zuiderdam : 09 April 2017 - 19 April 2017 : Panama Canal : Continuing Education, Cardiology issues (26-50 pax)

Zuiderdam : 11 August 2017 - 23 August 2017 : Baltic : kosher cruise group

 

------------------------------------------

 

If anyone has any further information, please post it here and I will update.

 

Carol

Edited March 8, 2016 by CJcruzer

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the update, we will be on the Prinsendam right after dry dock. I hope there is no hammering still going on ;)

[Happily@Sea]

Thanks for the update, we will be on the Prinsendam right after dry dock. I hope there is no hammering still going on ;)

 

Especially since we are leaving 2 days earlier than originally scheduled.

 

Hope some of the workers aren't transferring to Europe - or there could be. :D :eek: :D [as in earn their passage over.]

Edited March 9, 2016 by Happily@Sea

[Happily@Sea]

Going out of Tampa next winter has seemed to relieved the Oosterdam of a lot of these charters and groups - or they're just not organized yet for the change in port.

Edited March 9, 2016 by Happily@Sea

[summer slope]

Thank you so much for this list. Always check it before even thinking about booking a cruise.

[tamsno]

Just spoke with HAL. Even though this week shows available on other online booking sites, Westerdam Mexico March 4-11, 2017, is JoCo Full Charter.

Thank you for all your work on this list.

[frankc98376]

:confused: Confused about OCT 20 2016 Vegan charter. Westerdam is scheduled to leave Vancouver on 18 OCT for 11 night Mexico cruise (Scheduled to be in Santa Barbara on Oct 20). Supposed to be a large Scientific American group on board. We are booked on the cruise (not with group) in our favorite NS and have heard nothing about this. HAL site still showing all categories available. Will be very disappointed as we have a GREAT OBC and the Explore 4.

Edited March 12, 2016 by frankc98376

[Happily@Sea]

:confused: Confused about OCT 20 2016 Vegan charter. Westerdam is scheduled to leave Vancouver on 18 OCT for 11 night Mexico cruise (Scheduled to be in Santa Barbara on Oct 20). Supposed to be a large Scientific American group on board. We are booked on the cruise (not with group) in our favorite NS and have heard nothing about this. HAL site still showing all categories available. Will be very disappointed as we have a GREAT OBC and the Explore 4.

 

 

If you follow this link - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49067559&postcount=24 - you'll see the date is Oct 29th. Our poor overworked thread person just hit a 0 instead of a 9. Nice catch though.

[Moonlight Beach]

I found that there will be a vegan group on the Zuiderdam, Panama Canal, 30 October 2016 - 9 November, 2016 Website is www.vegancruiseplanners.com. Looks only to be a group, not a charter.

[frankc98376]

If you follow this link - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49067559&postcount=24 - you'll see the date is Oct 29th. Our poor overworked thread person just hit a 0 instead of a 9. Nice catch though.

 

Thank you Carole!! :D

[Sundagger]

The Nation group shows up on 2 ships on different dates.

 

The Nation Magazine (political-progressive) Cruise is correctly listed as being on the Oosterdam from 12/9/16 to 12/16/16.

 

It also shows up on the list as being on the Nieuw Amsterdam:

 

"N. Amsterdam : 13 December 2016 - 20 December 2016 : Caribbean : The Nation group"

 

But the dates of the Nieuw Amsterdam cruise around that time are 12/11/16 - 12/18/2016.

 

Thanks for the detailed information you post.:)

[CJcruzer]

I am so sorry for the mix-up in dates - and for any errors. I will correct the list beginning of April and hopefully everyone will read these posts to get the corrected information.

 

These groups are growing by leaps and bounds -

 

Thank you everyone for keeping an eye out for discrepancies.

 

Carol

[freestyling]

Thanks for keeping up with these ever changing schedules.

Edited March 22, 2016 by freestyling

[the2ofus]

I see that our May 14 Veendam cruise to Bermuda has a Roads Scholars group. Can anyone tell me how big the group is likely to be and if those groups have any real impact on the cruise experience of other pax?

[Happily@Sea]

I see that our May 14 Veendam cruise to Bermuda has a Roads Scholars group. Can anyone tell me how big the group is likely to be and if those groups have any real impact on the cruise experience of other pax?

 

 

I'd be surprised if there are more than 40 - more likely in the 20-30 range. On sea days they should take up one of the meeting rooms or smaller entertainment venues for a couple of hours, usually in the am.

 

They will have different looking nametags, otherwise you probably wouldn't even know they are there.

 

The cruise I am on next will be my 40th Road Scholar [used to be called Elderhostel].

[Sir PMP]

I found that there will be a vegan group on the Zuiderdam, Panama Canal, 30 October 2016 - 9 November, 2016 Website is www.vegancruiseplanners.com. Looks only to be a group, not a charter.

 

One week no meat available!!

[DeeniEncinitas]

Thank you so much for the updates!

I have learned to always check with a cruise up coming!

Denise:)

[the2ofus]

Thank you Happily@sea for the info on Roads Scholars. Looking forward to our cruise even more, knowing this interesting group will be on board.

[Zippercat]

Anyone previously cruised with the Weekly Standard group (political-conservative; scheduled on NA 7 day 12/04/16)?

 

I don't care about the politics. I can use enough of the correct/incorrect buzzwords to annoy almost any pushy liberal or conservative enough to leave me alone. Just concerned whether the group is large enough to take over the ship.

 

Thanks!

[Moonlight Beach]

One week no meat available!!

 

Only if that's what you want!

[lahlah57]

Is it just me or do you do a sigh of relief when no groups or charters are highjacking your cruise?

[richarduk]

I read somewhere recently that Westerdam is also getting Neptune Suite upgrades whilst in dry dock sometime next year I think. Could someone confirm what date it will be and whether it will be all Neptune suites, including the aft wrap-arounds? Thanks.

[jtl513]

I read somewhere recently that Westerdam is also getting Neptune Suite upgrades whilst in dry dock sometime next year I think. Could someone confirm what date it will be and whether it will be all Neptune suites, including the aft wrap-arounds? Thanks.

 

I am recalling from memory here, so if I'm wrong, someone else please correct me:

 

Westerdam's dry dock will take place in Palermo, Sicily, in early April 2017. Her Pinnacle, Neptune, and Signature suites will be updated. Additional cabins will be added behind the Crow's Nest on deck 10 (I think they will be verandah cabins). The Cabana club will be added on deck 11, forward. The Northern Lights disco will become the Gallery Bar. I suppose the usual dry dock inspections and maintenance will take place.

The schedule gap is from 14 to 26 Apr.

[jhsocal]

Thank you for all your time and effort in updating this info. we are on July 9th Westerdam Alaska cruise, one of five in a row cruises with Inspirations Group.Recently contacted them, indicated they could book up to half ship capacity. Closer to sailing hope to find out how many. Waitlisted late set seating, will hope for the best.

[Globaliser]

This isn't HAL-specific, but some of the regulars who subscribe to this thread may be interested to read this article from the BBC News website today: Whatever floats your boat - the unstoppable growth of themed cruises.