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Behind the scenes tour?

dland4us

By dland4us,
in Holland America Line

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dland4us

dland4us

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Posted

Hello Sailors, we have tried to research a "Behind the scenes tour" on Oosterdam. We can't find any information on this.  Has anyone taken such a tour and if so, how did you line it up?  Many thanks for any information.

 

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I like vacation

I like vacation

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We had eleven passengers on the tour and were escorted by the Cruise Director Hamish to various locations within the ship .  We toured the bridge, kitchen, laundry, storage areas, tailor shop, waste disposal areas and engine control room.  We were allowed to take pictures in every area we toured.  Captain Sybe de Boer joined us on the bridge and added to the information already provided to us by a junior officer.  The ships photographer took pictures of us with the Captain that were given to us at the end of the tour.  At each location, the supervisor in charge, provided an explanation and answered questions.  The tour lasted about 3 hours and 30 minutes and did require some walking up and down stairways on the lower decks.  At the end of the tour we went to one of the lounges for a drink and received a HAL bag with an America's Test Kitchen apron, photo with the Captain and a HAL mug.

 

We tried to take this tour on the Oosterdam in January 2019, while on a Caribbean cruise, but they were not able to get the minimum amount of participants.  It didn't help matters that the tour was never published in the When and Where during the cruise. We knew about the tour from another recent cruise and went to Guest Services on Day #1 to sign up.  I visited the desk almost every day to see if any one else signed up but the tour never occurred. 

 

Go to Guest Services on Day #1 and sign up.  If your lucky, the tour will be published in the When and Where and generate interest.  We mentioned it to the many different people we dined with and unfortunately found an interested couple at the end of the cruise when it was too late.

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dobiemom

dobiemom

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1 hour ago, I like vacation said:

Go to Guest Services on Day #1 and sign up. 

^^This^^

Best "shorex" I ever did. (I compare  it to a shorex because of the cost and time.) Be aware that it's all walking standing: You only sit down at the end. Wear comfy shoes. (They might tell you closed-toe, I can't remember.)

Worth every penny!

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Papa Yoda

Papa Yoda

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3 hours ago, I like vacation said:

<snip> At the end of the tour we went to one of the lounges for a drink and received a HAL bag with an America's Test Kitchen apron, photo with the Captain and a HAL mug.

<snip>

 

We did this on the Oosterdam last May and didn't get any goodies!! 😞 (very used to getting a lot of goodies on Princess).  Nevertheless - it is a good "shorex" as noted.  No restrictions on taking photos, just no video.

 

 

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Alberta Quilter

Alberta Quilter

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8 hours ago, dobiemom said:

^^This^^

Best "shorex" I ever did. (I compare  it to a shorex because of the cost and time.) Be aware that it's all walking standing: You only sit down at the end. Wear comfy shoes. (They might tell you closed-toe, I can't remember.)

Worth every penny!

 

Definitely need closed toe shoes.  You'll be going into the kitchen after all.  I've done this tour twice and highly recommend it.

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3rdGenCunarder "Live from...." Rare

3rdGenCunarder

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8 hours ago, dobiemom said:

^^This^^

Best "shorex" I ever did. (I compare  it to a shorex because of the cost and time.) Be aware that it's all walking standing: You only sit down at the end. Wear comfy shoes. (They might tell you closed-toe, I can't remember.)

Worth every penny!

 

Yes! I call it a shore excursion for a sea day. I did it on Zuiderdam when HAL was first offering it. Fascinating to see what goes on to make your cruise successful. For me the coolest part was the tailor shop, way down in the bow. We could tell how far forward and down we were by the curves of the hull. 

 

Definitely ask on day 1. 

 

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rothbury

rothbury

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Interesting how much different the tour can be.  Did this on the K dam last February.  There was no real commentary throughout the 2 days the tour took place.  We were told the bridge was only available on a port day when everything was secured and also for security reasons. The only comments made by our tour guide were; "This is the laundry" or "This is the Bridge".  Never saw or met the captain or the cruise director and in the engine control room nobody spoke English.  We were told the actual engine room was off limits due to security reasons.  We also received a gift bag with a picture from the bridge, a cookbook and what looked like a used HAL plastic glass.  I wouldn't discourage you but just be prepared for differing tour descriptions.

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3rdGenCunarder "Live from...." Rare

3rdGenCunarder

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23 minutes ago, rothbury said:

Interesting how much different the tour can be.  Did this on the K dam last February.  There was no real commentary throughout the 2 days the tour took place.  We were told the bridge was only available on a port day when everything was secured and also for security reasons. The only comments made by our tour guide were; "This is the laundry" or "This is the Bridge".  Never saw or met the captain or the cruise director and in the engine control room nobody spoke English.  We were told the actual engine room was off limits due to security reasons.  We also received a gift bag with a picture from the bridge, a cookbook and what looked like a used HAL plastic glass.  I wouldn't discourage you but just be prepared for differing tour descriptions.

 

That's nothing like my tour. We did it on a sea day and went to the bridge while we were underway. We were met in cold stores by a steward with a tray of champagne flutes. The poor guy had to wait inside so our guide could open the door and have a "ta-da!" moment. We did not get to the engine room and, like you, we were told that was because of security. 

 

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sevenseasnomad

sevenseasnomad

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1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

That's nothing like my tour. We did it on a sea day and went to the bridge while we were underway. We were met in cold stores by a steward with a tray of champagne flutes. The poor guy had to wait inside so our guide could open the door and have a "ta-da!" moment. We did not get to the engine room and, like you, we were told that was because of security. 

 

So the tour is hit or miss, depending on the ship.  Would the Front Desk know which areas passengers will tour on a ship?  Could they also know how involved the commentary would be?  I'd dislike paying that much money only to be guided around to a few areas with very limited commentary.

 

Whoa!  Your pictures were wonderful, "I like vacation."  I wonder if those passengers who book those balcony cabins below that bridge appreciate the view the officers have of their "private" spaces.  

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I like vacation

I like vacation

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13 minutes ago, sevenseasnomad said:

Whoa!  Your pictures were wonderful, "I like vacation."  I wonder if those passengers who book those balcony cabins below that bridge appreciate the view the officers have of their "private" spaces.  

 

The see through floor on both wings of the bridge were a big hit.  The crew did not reveal any particular anecdotes but their Cheshire cat grins spoke volumes. 😎

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sevenseasnomad

sevenseasnomad

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Just now, I like vacation said:

 

The see through floor on both wings of the bridge were a big hit.  The crew did not reveal any particular anecdotes but their Cheshire cat grins spoke volumes. 😎

Oh, that is too funny and embarrassing for passengers who have no idea!

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