Power Strips on Board - Vaandam

[artloversf]

Greetings to All, I'm on the Vaandam November 19 and have a few devices that require charging, Will I be able to bring a power strip (no surge protection) on board? If not, how many power outlets are available in my stateroom (Main Deck, Ocean View).

 

Thank you in advance,

Guillermo

[Crew News]

If your power stip looks like a power strip, it may be confiscated.  I use a two-piece device that includes USB ports as well as AC plugs.  The round base goes into my checked luggage and the cord is placed in my camera bag.  It had never been questionsed.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071YPQ4KS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[OlsSalt]

Veendam or Zaandam? No Vaandam.  

 

Zaandam had more outlets recently added, plus a table lamp with a UBS port. Veendam is older and if it is like her sister ship the Maasdam - only one 110 outlet at the desk and one 220 outlet under the desk - no UBS.

[chengkp75]

I posted this answer on your other thread in the general forum, because you specifically mention getting one from Amazon:

 

Be very careful when purchasing a power strip on Amazon, as their descriptive ad copy does not always accurately depict the product.  In particular, there is a product with power outlets and USB ports sold by "Cruise On" that claims to be "cruise ship compliant" and "not surge protected".  Yet one of their own photos clearly shows a "VPN" (voltage protection number) printed on the back of the device.  VPN is a rating of surge protection.

[iflyrc5]

You can have your TA request a power strip and it will be in your room when you arrive or ask you room steward on the first day and they will get you one.  We have done that on may cruises.  Sailing the Koningsdam in 2019 and it has plenty of USB outlets and 110.

[artloversf]

Thank You!

[artloversf]

I spoke with HAL and they told me - no issues bringing one on-board.  Suggestion by IFLYRC5 to request one via my TA. Done - seems like much less hassle.  Thanks everyone. Now I have to figure out how the "Roll Call" stuff works on this site . . . 🙂

[Copper10-8]

5 minutes ago, artloversf said:

I spoke with HAL and they told me - no issues bringing one on-board.  ..........................................🙂

 

As long at the one you are bringing onboard does not have a surge protector 

[bflo john]

3 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

As long at the one you are bringing onboard does not have a surge protector 

Not true. I just had my power strip confiscated by security when I boarded the Veendam last Monday 10-29-18. My power strip dis not have a surge protector and it wasn't the only one they confiscated.

[Copper10-8]

19 minutes ago, bflo john said:

Not true. I just had my power strip confiscated by security when I boarded the Veendam last Monday 10-29-18. My power strip dis not have a surge protector and it wasn't the only one they confiscated.

 

Contract (non-Hal) security runs luggage/personal screening at the ports (FLL comes to mind), so prior to boarding the ship on embarkation day. They will generally set aside luggage with power strips inside, observed by the X-ray machine operator on his/her screen. Surge protectors on power strips are not always distinguishable inside suitcases. That luggage then winds up in the infamous "sin bin" adjacent guest services onboard the ship, for you, as pax, to  open up in order for ship security to take a closer look at the item flagged.

 

If that occurred to you and others, and your power strip did not have a surge protector as you say, the strip should have been handed back to you by ship security during this visit for you to subsequently take to your cabin and use throughout your cruise. If this wasn't done, someone dropped the ball and you have a valid complaint

Edited November 5, 2018 by Copper10-8

[bflo john]

15 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Contract (non-Hal) security runs luggage/personal screening at the ports (FLL comes to mind), so prior to boarding the ship on embarkation day. They will generally set aside luggage with power strips inside, observed by the X-ray machine operator on his/her screen. Surge protectors on power strips are not always distinguishable inside suitcases. That luggage then winds up in the infamous "sin bin" adjacent guest services onboard the ship, for you, as pax, to  open up in order for ship security to take a closer look at the item flagged.

 

If that occurred to you and others, and your power strip did not have a surge protector as you say, the strip should have been handed back to you by ship security during this visit for you to subsequently take to your cabin and use throughout your cruise. If this wasn't done, someone dropped the ball and you have a valid complaint

The above process that you mentioned is exactly what unfolded. I took it the power strip out of my luggage and handed it over to the Security Officer who said power strips are not allowed and he took it and gave me a receipt for it. There was no mention of the surge protection and mine clearly doesn't have it. I've brought this same power strip on over 20 HAL voyages and it was never flagged nor was it ever an issue. Quite frankly, having only one outlet in a stateroom in this day and age is a joke. If they don't want passengers to bring their own power strips then they should provide each stateroom with more outlets or a power strip that they feel is safe. I did let it be know to the front desk that I am upset and that when we return home I will send a letter to Seattle. Thank you for your reply and guidance. Just another example of HAL's selective enforcement and interpretation of their rules. 

[artloversf]

thanks bflo john. earlier today a HAL rep I spoke with said . . . no problem, I do it all the time! Perhaps they re-sell them! I'm going to bring an extension chord that has a couple of slots for plugs. No electrical parts. I also contacted the TA to ensure HAL had an extension cord for the room as I use a CPAP .

[Copper10-8]

I would send your letter of complaint to Seattle outlaying your experience on the Veendam with ship security, if I were you. You can't have what you refer to as "selective enforcement" in a company of fifteen, soon to be sixteen, cruise ships. It creates unnecessary confusion, anxiety and complaints for/from guests. Every ship's security staff needs to be on the same page. Unless policy changed within the last three months (and I will find out for you), power strips without surge protectors are allowed onboard. That has been communicated more than once to staff onboard  

[mamaofami]

What is wrong with having a power strip that has a surge protector?

Edited November 6, 2018 by mamaofami

[Langoustine]

11 minutes ago, mamaofami said:

What is wrong with having a power strip that has a surge protector?

Surge protectors aren’t safe for a rather ironic reason. The circuit breaker that is supposed to protect you from fire due to short-circuits or overload may not work right on a ship. These breakers generally rely on disconnecting the ‘hot’ wire in your AC circuit, leaving only the neutral and ground wires connected. Because a ship generates electricity in a different way, and has a somewhat different method of grounding, there is a chance that the circuit could become overloaded, but tripping the power strip’s built in breaker will not stop the flow of electricity. You could then die in the ensuing fire in your cabin.

Edited November 6, 2018 by Langoustine

[chengkp75]

7 minutes ago, Langoustine said:

Surge protectors aren’t safe for a rather ironic reason. The circuit breaker that is supposed to protect you from fire due to short-circuits or overload may not work right on a ship. These breakers generally rely on disconnecting the ‘hot’ wire in your AC circuit, leaving only the neutral and ground wires connected. Because a ship generates electricity in a different way, and has a somewhat different method of grounding, there is a chance that the circuit could become overloaded, but tripping the power strip’s built in breaker will not stop the flow of electricity. You could then die in the ensuing fire in your cabin.

While this is completely true about US consumer power strips, the fact is that the ship's circuit breaker is a two pole breaker that will disconnect both legs if overloaded.  That is not the reason that surge protectors are dangerous.  They are dangerous because they are not designed to experience a "reverse voltage" that can be experienced between the neutral and the ground of the wiring due to a ground fault elsewhere on the ship, and this reverse voltage can cause the MOV semi-conductors in the surge protection circuitry to go into "thermal runaway", where the semi-conductors overheat, even at current levels too low to trip the circuit breaker, and can then melt the power strip and start a fire.

 

Besides, a surge protector is not needed on a ship, since the types of power surges that are experienced on land are not experienced on a ship, and none of the ship's electronics are protected by surge protectors.

[Crew News]

There are two security checks.  One for carry-on luggage and another for checked luggage.  If it looks like an extension cord or multi-plug adapter, the carry-on luggage Security has always confiscated mine.  If your adapter looks like just a cube, it has not been a problem.

 

For checked luggage, the Front Desk person that observes you opening your suitcase in the "naughty room", has no training as to what devices have a surge protector or not, meaning everything identified by x-ray is confiscated.  Ship's Engineering staff that could identify "surge protectors" are not available for appeal.

 

On an interesting note, I asked when my confiscated items would be returned and I was told on the last day of the cruise.  A blank stare by the Front Desk person doing the confiscation greeted me when I asked if I could then use them on the last night.  FWIW all liquour purchases from the Shops are returned on the last day .... just in time for an evening cocktail party.

 

If you want to bring extension cords without surge protectors, bring some in both checked and carry-on luggage and assure that they do not resemble the typical adapters that HAL's Security video playing your stateroom says is not allowed:

 

Edited November 6, 2018 by Crew News

[Copper10-8]

15 minutes ago, Crew News said:

There are two security checks.  One for carry-on luggage and another for checked luggage.  If it looks like an extension cord or multi-plug adapter, the carry-on luggage Security has always confiscated mine.  If your adapter looks like just a cube, it has not been a problem.

 

For checked luggage, the Front Desk person that observes you opening your suitcase in the "naughty room", has no training as to what devices have a surge protector or not, meaning everything identified by x-ray is confiscated.  Ship's Engineering staff that could identify "surge protectors" are not available for appeal.

 

On an interesting note, I asked when my confiscated items would be returned and I was told on the last day of the cruise.  A blank stare by the Front Desk person doing the confiscation greeted me when I asked if I could then use them on the last night.  FWIW all liquour purchases from the Shops are returned on the last day .... just in time for an evening cocktail party.

 

If you want to bring extension cords without surge protectors, bring some in both checked and carry-on luggage and assure that they do not resemble the typical adapters that HAL's Security video playing your stateroom says is not allowed:

 

 

 

You are correct in that there exist two security screening points at the majority of embarkation ports used by HAL, both run by private security companies, contracted by HAL. That security company (or companies) is/are in possession of the most up-to-date HAL prohibited items list. The "people" screening point consists of a metal detector known as an "archway" where the passenger is screened minus carry-on and, hopefully, any metallic objects in his/her possession. Any carry-on luggage taken by the passenger is screened at that same checkpoint by an X-Ray machine and operator. If any items on the HAL prohibited items list are discovered during this process, they are set aside by shore-side security.

 

In the past, these confiscated items have included handgun and long rifle ammunition, dope (Marijuana), O.C. (pepper) spray, stun-guns,  switch-blade knives, handcuffs, you name it, which have resulted in the notification of local law enforcement, as well as the ship's security officer, followed by an interview of the owner.  These confiscated items, with the exception of the ammo and dope (which is taken by local law enforcement and destroyed) are handed over by contract security to ship security prior to the ship departing. These items will be documented, the owner given a receipt, and stored in the security office for the duration of the cruise.

 

Checked luggage undergoes it own screening in a separate location, also by shore-side security, as I described in the prior post. Narcotics as well as explosives-trained detection K-9's are also used during this process in selected ports. The same process is used for all stores brought onboard.

 

Here's a misconception: Guest Services staff is used to contact (by phone) the owner of any confiscated items and/or luggage and, upon that owner's arrival at the counter, will escort him/her/them to the "naughty room" / "sin bin". They, guest services staff (usually one individual), will remain in this room however, it is a ship security guard who will inspect the item(s) flagged and, if on the prohibited items list and confiscated, will write out a property receipt for the owner. The confiscated items from this room will also find a home inside the security office (duration of the cruise) along with similar items confiscated from crew (duration of their contract).

 

Here's another misconception: It is true that policy used to have all confiscated items returned on the evening of the last day prior to disembarkation the next morning. Like you, I always shook my head at this process because yes, here we are, giving back confiscated items with about twelve plus hours remaining in the cruise. Having said that, about a year ago that process was changed and all confiscated guest items are now handed to shore-side security upon the ship's arrival at her turnaround port. Shore-side security will set up a table inside the terminal and pax who had property confiscated will be instructed to claim their items there. Booze is another story! Ship security does not get involved; it is the Beverage Dept. as well as onboard shop policy to still return that stuff on the night prior to disembarkation.

[sail7seas]

15 hours ago, artloversf said:

thanks bflo john. earlier today a HAL rep I spoke with said . . . no problem, I do it all the time! Perhaps they re-sell them! I'm going to bring an extension chord that has a couple of slots for plugs. No electrical parts. I also contacted the TA to ensure HAL had an extension cord for the room as I use a CPAP .

Many of us here on CC have learned we  cannot always depend upon answers given by HAL phone reps.  Ask three and get different answer from each (sadly) many of the reps  are inexperienced and have little training.

[SeaSharp]

18 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Contract (non-Hal) security runs luggage/personal screening at the ports (FLL comes to mind), so prior to boarding the ship on embarkation day. They will generally set aside luggage with power strips inside, observed by the X-ray machine operator on his/her screen. Surge protectors on power strips are not always distinguishable inside suitcases. That luggage then winds up in the infamous "sin bin" adjacent guest services onboard the ship, for you, as pax, to  open up in order for ship security to take a closer look at the item flagged.

 

If that occurred to you and others, and your power strip did not have a surge protector as you say, the strip should have been handed back to you by ship security during this visit for you to subsequently take to your cabin and use throughout your cruise. If this wasn't done, someone dropped the ball and you have a valid complaint

So John, if this exact scenario had happened to me while onboard and in the “sin bin room”, who should I go to when I’m confident that my power strip does not have surge protection, yet security says that it does??  

[Copper10-8]

9 minutes ago, SeaSharp said:

So John, if this exact scenario had happened to me while onboard and in the “sin bin room”, who should I go to when I’m confident that my power strip does not have surge protection, yet security says that it does??  

 

I would start with a Guest Services supervisor and/or the Guest Relations Manager and request to speak to the Security Officer (in Crew News' case, it appears the decision to confiscate was made by the security guard conducting the inspection)

[SeaSharp]

Thank you, John, for your quick response. I will do if ever in that circumstance. With all the electronics we all travel with, it’s bound to happen. 

 

[Copper10-8]

Look, for all of you who want to bring a power strip onboard - make sure it Does Not have a surge protector - print out a copy of the HAL prohibited items list (see below), highlight the part on the very bottom that deals with electrical devises, and bring it with you in case there is an issue. It is spelled out:

 

Electrical devises such as small fans, power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors, and extension cords without surge protectors are allowed onboard when used with proper caution.

 

There is one caveat:

 

However if such devices are determined to pose a hazard they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise prior to debark

 

The person onboard who will make the decision that an electrical devise poses a hazard is the ship's chief electrician

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq.safety-and-security.prohibited-items.html

 

[mamaofami]

John, do you recommend bringing the actual prescription for pain medicine or is it good enough if the medication is in it's original bottle with your name on it? I've never run into any issue before.

[Copper10-8]

1 minute ago, mamaofami said:

John, do you recommend bringing the actual prescription for pain medicine or is it good enough if the medication is in it's original bottle with your name on it? I've never run into any issue before.

 

You can't go wrong with the original bottle, name and dosage of med, plus your own name on it, Ma'am