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" The year began at sea , with a New years cruise aboard Holland America Lines Ryndam with its dazzling multi million dollar art collection and a stunningly inefficient night desk which seemed to care not a whit that hordes of teenagers were running riot in the companionways all night every night, crashing into walls, slamming doors and screaming from bowsprit to propellor. Even for this career nighthawk, it was too much, But complaints, both nicely put and shouted down the telephone, were met with deaf ears and unkept promises,I shall not sail with pal HAL again".
Since a similar catastrophe three years ago, I have succesfully avoided travelling with any cruise line that has this type of problem and tolerates it.
Guess what? We are at sea on the Holland America Volendam next week.
[ 12-29-2001: Message edited by: topgun ]
Go, have a great time and think of all of us back here in the cold weather and our poor neighbours to the south. Thank goodness that "white stuff" didn't hit us.
If these kids are running around the ship when you are there, although they should be back in school by that time, just be an old grouch and give them a piece of your mind
Have fun!
For example, just check out the Travelpage 'Readers Review' section. The 'Black Watch, for example, is a "charming classic ship" or a "rusty old tub"!
I cruised with Celebrity in 1998 when just EVERYONE rated their food as some of the best afloat - except me! I rated it as average.
Don't panic Topgun, judge the cruise for yourself!
quote:Originally posted by topgun:I have just read the annual travel review in our weekend newspaper,I quote." The year began at sea ,........ a stunningly inefficient night desk which seemed to care not a whit that hordes of teenagers were running riot in the companionways all night every night,........ Even for this career nighthawk, it was too much, But complaints, both nicely put and shouted down the telephone, were met with deaf ears and unkept promises,I shall not sail with pal HAL again".Since a similar catastrophe three years ago, I have succesfully avoided travelling with any cruise line that has this type of problem and tolerates it.Guess what? We are at sea on the Holland America Volendam next week.[ 12-29-2001: Message edited by: topgun ]
" The year began at sea ,........ a stunningly inefficient night desk which seemed to care not a whit that hordes of teenagers were running riot in the companionways all night every night,........ Even for this career nighthawk, it was too much, But complaints, both nicely put and shouted down the telephone, were met with deaf ears and unkept promises,I shall not sail with pal HAL again".
Guess what? We are at sea on the Holland America Volendam next week.[ 12-29-2001: Message edited by: topgun ]
With 3 New Year cruises behind us, we've never experienced anything like the 'career nighthawk' describes - parties, large and small, all over the ship!Guess we found our way to bed around 2a.m. and enjoyed a good night's sleep.
Maybe the 'career nighthawk' is a night watchman in some deserted factory, accustomed only to the patter of tiny (mice) feet!
Go and enjoy - please report findings on your return.
GOOD HEALTH AND CONTENTMENT IN 2002!
Happy cruisin'
P.S. The phrase 'not a whit' - an old fart maybe?
Fear not. I shall as always have a great time. As Sympatico suggests, I can well handle the "little buggers" if necessary. I believe that I may now need a big walking stick to get around.
Seriously, its too bad that we can never be sure that our hard earned vacations will not be spoiled by these potential problems. If you enjoy cruising as I do, you just have to take a chance.
On another issue, we booked confimed outside, run of the ship. We are now assigned cabin F1937. This is on the lowest deck and immediately above the engine room. Can any of the HAL boosters club tell me anything about this location. Either I have really bad mouthed Holland America at some time in the past, alternatively this could be an upgrade to provide continuous gentle vibrations all night to help me sleep.
Boy you are in the bowels of the ship, aren't you? Just looked at the deck plan and there seems to be a nice deck at the stern of the ship where you can go and sit and get away from everyone who is bothering you. Yes, make sure you take your walking stick with you - it may come in handy. Have fun!
Might I suggest that you take earplugs along, just in case. My hearing is very acute - "Fluents Quiet-Down - super soft", really block noise and very comfortable to wear.
This is tantamount to the adage 'always say something positive' Much further aft and we would be in a towed dinghy.
They say the meals are good.?????????????
quote:Originally posted by RuthPerk:This is on top of almost a $500 refund! I can't wait!
You can see why us Brits don't rush to book our cruises early. The best deals are on offer nearer the departure date. If we book early and the price drops we DO NOT get a refund! NEVER EVER!
Booking a holiday in the UK is a bit like placing a bet with a bookmaker at the side of a race track . You get the price at the time you pay your deposit.
Moan, moan, moan...
I have returned from a Christmas Cruise on the Rotterdam. Let me tell you, it is the most relaxing vacation that I have ever been on. And this is my first cruise with HAL. The other 2 cruises were with Carnival. I will write up my review sometime this week to share my experience with everyone. As for "hordes of teenagers were running riot," I have seen some of them. I expected that there will be a lot of kids because it is holidays. Age of poeple on this cruise is from 3 months young to 70+ years old. Back to the "hordes of teenagers running riot," most of them are very well behaved. There were a few I have noticed who should be on the cruise. But, I have never allow myself to be bother by these individuals.
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