bUU Posted June 16, 2017 #101 Share Posted June 16, 2017 No just that they were unwilling to do what was required to keep the service going for the guests, another way of saving money for the company at the clients expense!What do you think was "required to keep the service going"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxmantoo Posted June 16, 2017 #102 Share Posted June 16, 2017 How much would it cost to retrofit all their ships to provide this occasional and not universally welcome benefit? I really don't have a dog in this fight and could not care either way if buffets were offered or not. However, I can safely say that the cost to retrofit the ship would probably be less than they are currently spending to retrofit the Crow's Nest into the EXC Tours space which is also not quite universally seen as a benefit, but rather a loss of current amenities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swice Posted June 19, 2017 #103 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Got off Westerdam a few days ago. Fantastic cruise but we did note that there was no deck party/picnic. Over the past few years, we enjoyed food on the deck when cruising the Greek Isles and again during our Baltic cruise (food matched to each port) on HAL. Also there was a dessert night on deck (yes, admittedly pared down each time). This year, nothing-- not even the charade of "try a local specialty," being passed around on trays in hopes you would also buy a drink. These european cruises are so port intensive that we thought it was nice to come in from a day of touring and not have to rush to the cabin and shower and change to eat in the dining room. With all of that said, generally the food on this cruise was the best we've ever had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canada 59 Posted June 20, 2017 #104 Share Posted June 20, 2017 On Avalon Illumination in Durnstein Germany [emoji629] yesterday and we had the best BBQ on the sky deck I have ever had, Hamburgers, Salmon, Steak, Chicken . Potato Salad Cold Slaw Corn on the Cob,AMAZING! and they are going to do it again tomorrow in Bratislava! First river cruise and will not be my last every thing first class nothing to complain about what so ever! The Chef and staff are brilliant ! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted June 20, 2017 #105 Share Posted June 20, 2017 The general public has a difficult time understanding how the United States Public Health Service really works.Indeed, and yet the general public is quick to criticize authorities when something happens that they feel the authorities should have guarded against. It's kind of like a corollary to someone wanting consumer protections to apply when that someone is purchasing products or services but wanting them to not apply when that someone is selling products or services to the public. Do you see a pattern forming here??I see one person's perception. The problem is that I have seen people posting corresponding criticisms against every other mass market cruise line, with regard to what those cruise lines have done to contain costs. If you read everyone's perspectives, paying especial attention to those of people who have cruised a similar number of times on a number of cruise lines, you get the clear message that they're all basically the same (with some minor compromises vis a vis Carnival and some minor biases in favor of Celebrity). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlsSalt Posted June 20, 2017 #106 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Does this mean the Mexican Food Kiosk is gone as well.?? or is it close enough for the washing sinks at the Dive In window ?? One of my favorite things to do on HAL is to swing by the Mexican station around 4:30 and pickup a plate of chips, salsa etc.for a cocktail in my cabin before dinner. Say it ain't gone please !! It is not gone. Food is preprepared at this station and does not have the same deficiencies CDC is apparently reviewing.. The issues seems to be the actual cooking of food outdoors, as in the occasional outdoor cookouts . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFBayAreaShipLover Posted June 20, 2017 #107 Share Posted June 20, 2017 This is HAL choice. We don't need to be. Negative toward them. HAL has there own marketing ways and so many repeat folks including my partner and my self. It really looks lot cleaner and nice with out all that food stuff and BBQ,s dragged out in deck. There big difference between Hal and carnival, princess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 21, 2017 #108 Share Posted June 21, 2017 This is HAL choice. We don't need to be. Negative toward them. HAL has there own marketing ways and so many repeat folks including my partner and my self. It really looks lot cleaner and nice with out all that food stuff and BBQ,s dragged out in deck.There big difference between Hal and carnival, princess Umm, I never saw a messy lay out. check out my live thread on the Westerdam. There were live pics taken. It was well done. And FRESH food. On a Caribbean cruise you might not see it. On longer itineraries you do and speaking for myself (that usually abhors buffets), I will miss them. there was nothing dragged out to the deck, but a nice arrangement of beers for our port, the bbq with the lovely choices, etc. Everyone of our bbq's was a unique and lovely experience and NOT available in the MDR or Lido. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozNut Posted June 21, 2017 #109 Share Posted June 21, 2017 check out my live thread on the Westerdam. There were live pics taken kazu, can you point me to this thread? I'd love to read it! Yes, I admit that I'm technically challenged! ;) Thanks!;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted June 21, 2017 #110 Share Posted June 21, 2017 kazu, can you point me to this thread? I'd love to read it! Yes, I admit that I'm technically challenged! ;) Thanks!;) Sure - from 2016 cruise on Westerdam. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2335667 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozNut Posted June 21, 2017 #111 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Sure - from 2016 cruise on Westerdam. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2335667 Thanks much. Looking forward to checking it out! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir PMP Posted June 21, 2017 #112 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Here is the CDC write up for the poor Amsterdam which did not do so well on the last inspections :Score 86(Other HAL ships did much better - all in the mid or high 90's - and several got the perfect 100 scores) AMSTERDAM: Item No.: 13Site: Food Service General-Lido Poolside Luau BBQ Violation: A BBQ function occurred last on 25 November on the pool deck, which is not a food area. Staff explained how grills were staged next to a food employee-served buffet station. Although the area had a retractable roof, staff explained how this area is opened for the function since the function is done weekly and only weather permitting. This setup does not provide adequate protection for food and the nearest handwashing stations for the food employees were over 8 meters away. Recommendation: Because of the risks for foodborne illness inherent to the food operation, ensure the supervisor or person in charge of food operations on the vessel demonstrates to VSP - during inspections and on request - knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Point principles, and the food-safety guidelines in this manual. Ensure that the person in charge demonstrates this knowledge: (1) By compliance with these guidelines; (12) Identifying critical-control points in the operation from purchasing through service that when not controlled may contribute to the transmission of foodborne illness and explaining steps taken to ensure the points are controlled in accordance with the guidelines in this manual. This is pure retaliation for a Princess ship dumping stuff in the ocean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catl331 Posted June 21, 2017 #113 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Here in Port Canaveral the seagulls are known to dive bomb the restaurants along the water for Splenda pkgs! Yes, they seem to be able to tell the differences of the pkgs!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted June 21, 2017 #114 Share Posted June 21, 2017 We think buffets (which would include the ole BBQ) are fine...but our personal preference is to relax in a comfy dining room and have waiters see to our needs. Standing in queues for BBQ ribs, water logged corn on the cob (with no corn holders)...and then trying to find a clean table....etc etc....if just not our idea of a great time. If there is a BBQ on deck we will stroll past, eye the offerings, and usually end up in the MDR. If I want a BBQ I can do it at my own home and have what I want cooked to my own specifications, served hot, and with no hassles. We will admit that we once experienced an amazing exception to our rule...and that happened on the Grand Med cruise (Prinsendam) where they had a very nice BBQ luncheon. They opened the aft doors of the MDR and had the grills on the aft of the ship just behind the MDR. One could get their food (all served hot off the grills) and then walk a few feet into the MDR where there was plenty of seating and decent waiter service for drinks, extras, etc. The surprise at that particular BBQ is that they had BBQ Lobster Tails (as much as one wanted) which were terrific. I Hank I love the sound of this. So civilized and nicely done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozNut Posted June 22, 2017 #115 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Alas... no more of these.. :loudcry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted June 22, 2017 #116 Share Posted June 22, 2017 There is a very good chance you are correct. I was working on Oosterdam several years ago when they received an 86 score from USPH. The Captain and Hotel Manager were very concerned that they might lose their jobs - until the Lead Inspector announced that the score was a retaliation for HAL Senior Management refusing to follow suggestions from USPH Inspectors who were monitoring HAL newbuilds in Italy. After a very painful conference call with Seattle, all was sorted out. Your post makes me loose a bit of faith in the USPH scores that we see. Retaliation by a government agency has no place in a process that is supposed to protect public health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted June 22, 2017 #117 Share Posted June 22, 2017 There is a very good chance you are correct. I was working on Oosterdam several years ago when they received an 86 score from USPH. The Captain and Hotel Manager were very concerned that they might lose their jobs - until the Lead Inspector announced that the score was a retaliation for HAL Senior Management refusing to follow suggestions from USPH Inspectors who were monitoring HAL newbuilds in Italy. After a very painful conference call with Seattle, all was sorted out. Interesting that you say USPH was making "suggestions", when the construction guidelines are very clear and very detailed, and required to be met in order to qualify for VSP inspections. Your post makes me loose a bit of faith in the USPH scores that we see. Retaliation by a government agency has no place in a process that is supposed to protect public health. Was the 86 score a "false" score, or was it accurate given that USPH management requested the inspectors to be "extremely vigilant" in inspecting and applying the guidelines. I don't think there were any "made up" infractions, just that the inspectors looked more closely at every single item, which is actually the way they should do all inspections. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted June 23, 2017 #118 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Or at least we know what one person wants people to believe about it. This message may have been entered using voice recognition. Please excuse any typos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrill Posted March 21, 2018 #119 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Resurrecting this thread to find out if anything has changed. Have the outdoor deck BBQ's returned ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted March 21, 2018 Author #120 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Resurrecting this thread to find out if anything has changed. Have the outdoor deck BBQ's returned ? Not as of Dec on the Veendam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seavoyage Posted March 21, 2018 #121 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Regulations suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 21, 2018 #122 Share Posted March 21, 2018 (edited) What could b e the big deal to insall a few hand wash sinks? Put in some sinks instead of wasting money on changing the long honored HAL logoThat had to have cost a lot of money to change for no obvious reason. The former logo was just fine and far better than the current . iMO. it's a convenient excuse to take away another popular feature from our cruises. Would have been fun night on our Bermuda cruise and would have been so suitable. The DID nothing !! The whole time we were docked There WAS nothing offered. and there should have bee.n. It was Very lackin g IMO What kind of cruise ship offers no fun activities on a 7 day Bemuda cruise with those days docked in port? answer: Veendam Edited March 21, 2018 by sail7seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted March 21, 2018 #123 Share Posted March 21, 2018 What could b e the big deal to insall a few hand wash sinks? Put in some sinks instead of wasting money on changing the long honored HAL logoThat had to have cost a lot of money to change for no obvious reason. The former logo was just fine and far better than the current . iMO. it's a convenient excuse to take away another popular feature from our cruises. Would have been fun night on our Bermuda cruise and would have been so suitable. The DID nothing !! The whole time we were docked There WAS nothing offered. and there should have bee.n. It was Very lackin g IMO What kind of cruise ship offers no fun activities on a 7 day Bemuda cruise with those days docked in port? answer: Veendam Unless there's a way to have portable hand wash sinks that could be brought out for BBQs, there could be complicated (and expensive) plumbing involved in such an installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 21, 2018 #124 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Unless there's a way to have portable hand wash sinks that could be brought out for BBQs, there could be complicated (and expensive) plumbing involved in such an installation. IF they wanted to continue putting on the barbeques for us, they could find a way to have wash sinks . Changing the logo was a costly step to take. I think it is a handy dandy excuse to discontinue that feature along with so many others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankc98376 Posted March 21, 2018 #125 Share Posted March 21, 2018 (edited) Unless there's a way to have portable hand wash sinks that could be brought out for BBQs, there could be complicated (and expensive) plumbing involved in such an installation. Our local fairs, festivals, and even farmers markets bring in portable hand wash sinks. Caterers use them all the time to satisfy health regulations. I read about other lines doing deck BBQ and sailaway parties. Edited March 21, 2018 by frankc98376 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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