Ship tours (kitchen, engine room, bridge, etc.)

[Ken Pearce]

We are traveling with a very curious, engineering-focussed almost-11-year-old. Does anyone know if it's possible to arrange for tours of different areas of the ship? We know he'd be over the moon if he got to see any of the behind-the-scenes areas and learn about how things work. (Volendam, Alaska cruise, August 9-16, 2023)

[Ferry_Watcher]

Ship will often have sea day 'excursions' which will include a behind the scenes tour.  Cost is usually $100+.  I have been on such a tour on a Celebrity ship and it is quite interesting.  It did include the engine control room and the Bridge.  In addition, we toured the various kitchens, food and beverage storage rooms, laundry, recycling area, and walked the famous I-95 corridor.

[Colorado Klutch]

I did some looking online about such tours. I gather HAL suspended them during COVID and they have not yet returned. Also, I'm recalling a 12 years old and up policy. 

[Loreto]

22 minutes ago, Ken Pearce said:

We are traveling with a very curious, engineering-focussed almost-11-year-old. Does anyone know if it's possible to arrange for tours of different areas of the ship? We know he'd be over the moon if he got to see any of the behind-the-scenes areas and learn about how things work. (Volendam, Alaska cruise, August 9-16, 2023)

I haven't seen any tours offered since we returned to sailing with HAL July 2021 on a number of different HAL ships, 5 in all.  On our March 4th Panama Canal sailing there were coffee chats, and one was with the ship's engineer, who showed a detailed walk through video of the Zaandam engine room.

When the captain has done his chats I have seen videos included of various other parts of the ship.

[OlsSalt]

Check also with Club Hal-- the onboard programs for young people. Maybe they have at least a special galley tour for young people?

 

Typically in the past they offered open tours of the galley and the Showroom back stages.  But agree, those special and pricey "behind the scenes" tours of almost everything except the engine room (security concerns) were incredibly interesting.

 

The 24 hour nature of ships services becomes obvious when one sees that goes on behind the front of the house, and how self-contained ship must be 24/7. Can't run down to the local hardware store for a missing part, or send out for a grocery store delivery when you run out of eggs..

[Eaglecw]

It's to bad they don't do those tours anymore. I went on a behind the scenes tour the year before COVID. It was a very interesting tour, didn't get into the engine room. If I remember correctly there was a age restriction. I think it was $250 and lasted 3 hours. The tour wasn't listed anywhere, it was a word of mouth. Check with the front desk when you board the ship, in my case they had a sign up sheet and then a drawing as to who got to go. 

[Torquer]

A few weeks ago we were on a cruise in the Pinnacle Suite, which always included a free behind-the-scenes ship tour, pre-covid.  We asked the concierge about, since they were the ones who always arranged it.  She initially said no, but then talked to a ship officer.  He confirmed they are not doing them fleet-wide.  He said the bridge staff and engineering staff are considered critical resources and they are required to have limited contact contact with passengers (I guess the captain is excluded from that policy?).  I imagine they also would not want the kitchen staff to get covid since who would cook the food.

 

So you are definitely not going to get a ship tour now, and who knows if they will ever resume. 

[oaktreerb]

Watch for a Meet the Captain presentation in the showroom.  The Captain will give a video presentation of the bridge and other behind the scenes areas of the ship.  The Captain will also be interviewed by the CD who will probably have questions submitted by the audience.  Some Captains take questions directly from the audience.  Sit upfront so your 11 year old will have a good view.  

[Essiesmom]

If this something that would really make his day-or cruise,  I might suggest you take him on a Carnival cruise.  I believe they have resumed the Behind the Fun tours on most, if not all ships.  At the time we did it, it cost $95 on all but Fantasy class ships (now only Paradise and Elation) where it was $55.  It took at least three hours, lots of stairs and standing.  Group picture on the bow, and on the bridge with the captain.  You had to wear closed toe shoes,  o skirts, and no cameras/phones.  Some people do it every time.  It was one and done for me.  Not sure if Princess has resumed their tours.  EM

[ottahand7]

I was at Guest Services about 2 weeks ago on the Volendam and they were staging groups for tours in that area.  The Chief Engineer was there.  I was not part of it so I would guess it was something for 5 Star Mariners though there must have been 300 of them on our 74 day cruise.   

[iceman93]

Nothing to lose by asking!  I'd start with the guest services desk (or Neptune Lounge, if you have access).  If you bump into an officer with a lot of stripes, ask them.  Ask the Club HAL attendants.  Be polite and ready to accept a bunch of no's, but if you don't ask then the answer will definitely be "no"!

[TiogaCruiser]

You might consider writing a short note to the captain and asking. Or better yet, the young engineer might want to write a short note. 
 

I did that some years ago and asked if some of our rollcall could get a bridge tour. I sent it sealed through the front desk. Several days later, our group and another couple were invited to the front desk and escorted up, and met with the Navigator.

 

It was prior to Covid, but you won’t know if you don’t ask.

[bchandler02]

So it sounds like there's no chance of getting a behind the scenes tour on Westerdam next month. Dang. 

[Mosaic]

Correct, it will not happen.

[Oceansaway17]

On 3/25/2023 at 1:31 PM, Ken Pearce said:

We are traveling with a very curious, engineering-focussed almost-11-year-old. Does anyone know if it's possible to arrange for tours of different areas of the ship? We know he'd be over the moon if he got to see any of the behind-the-scenes areas and learn about how things work. (Volendam, Alaska cruise, August 9-16, 2023)

 

 

I would suggest going on an Oasis class ship and then sign up in advance for the all access tour.

It is worth it.  But these days no ship goes into the engine room.  But the Bridge and the Engin Control room with all the computers as well as the kitchen are really fun.

[Dobby36]

On the Oosterdam last week, the Captain said during his talk (someone asked) it’s likely Galley tours will come back at some point as things stabilize post COVID restart, but that engine or bridge tours  are likely a thing of the past. They are also working on expanded “virtual” tours for what that’s worth…

[Seasick Sailor]

On the Koningsdam this past week there was a virtual tour movie on the Main Stage, Lido Pool screen and room TV. We meet the Captain,  head chef, bakers, laundry sewing crew, (I think 3 generations), crew and everything that happens behind the scenes. Very interesting.  We saw the bakery, kitchen, engine room, laundry, bridge.. 

[DoorCounty]

Last time we did the tour was 2018. At that time it was $150 pp. You have to ask at the Front Desk if the ship is doing it. May be another year before they do it.

[cruisin'mama]

We will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam in June in a Neptune Suite. I have a young adult son who has Down Syndrome who LOVES behind the scenes tours, but especially galley tours. His two older brothers are an executive chef and restaurant general manager respectively. I plan to inquire with the Neptune Lounge concierge about a galley tour for him. 🤞🏻