Live onboard Zuiderdam -- "Friends of Dorothy" party request DENIED!!

Charlie,

I have all of the daily planners from our Westerdam cruise and there was a
"Friends of Bill W." meeting every day but the first.

To the best of my knowledge there were no other "special interest" programs
listed in the guide, but I'd bet that there were more gays among the
passengers than recovering alcoholics though it is not a point I can prove.

If HAL's corporate position is that they would rather have a venue be empty
and generate no revenue than to advertise promotions for what they consider
to be an "unpopular" portion of their passengers, I must say as a
stockholder that I disagree.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ



"Charlie Funk" wrote in message
...
per Holland America corporate policy in Seattle (my paraphrase) about 6-7
weeks ago they can no longer host and publicize such gatherings.

If they had ANYTHING anywhere about "Friends of Bill W" meetings or
gatherings, the corporate policy would seem, on the surface, to be
discriminatory. Is there any chance you have any of the daily newsletters
and can check for Friends of Bill W meetings or maybe remember if they
were
publicized?

--
Charlie Funk
Just Cruisin' Plus
800 888-0922
615 833-0922
www.justcruisinplus.com
We prefer the MasterCard card
"JEFFCOUD" wrote in message
...
Hey folks...I'm writing live onboard the Holland America Line Zuiderdam.
We
are at sea today (having not been able to tender at Half Moon Cay).

This morning I wrote a nice note to the Cruise Director Pete (can't
remember
last name....) requesting a Friends of Dorothy party to be scheduled for
tomorrow, which is also a sea day.

Pete was kind enough to leave me a voice mail letting me know that, per
Holland
America corporate policy in Seattle (my paraphrase) about 6-7 weeks ago
they
can no longer host and publicize such gatherings. He said he would be
happy to
put such a party together in a public room, but they could not put it in
the
daily bulletin!

At this moment....I am damn angry! Which I certainly don't need on my
long
awaited vacation. At great splurgy expense to myself I have booked as a
solo
in a Cat S suite....not exactly chump change! But this is absolutely my
2nd
and last Holland America cruise unless this policy is changed asap! I
can't
believe in this day and age such a policy would exist. I think in
today's
program, for example, they've had meetings for people who like to play
bridge,
and for veterans. So what is the big deal -- we are but yet another
group
of
people who have some common interests. Isn't the cruise line's job to
bring
people together for an enjoyable vacation experience?

I do want to be clear I do not harbor any ill will towards the CD...he
was
kind
enough to respond to my note and was just relaying a corporate policy --
which
he did not create -- to me.

In any case, Pete said I could call him at various times this evening,
but
really why bother? The whole point is to get a room and have it in the
daily
program....it's not like I have some magic ability to "spread this by
word
of
mouth", using his words....to every gay and lesbian passenger on the
ship.
I
don't want to go around making presumptions about people right?

Holland America -- wake up!!

Jeff Coudriet -- taking my $$ back to Celebrity which has never turned
down my
request to host such a party.

Charlie,

I have all of the daily planners from our Westerdam cruise and there was a
"Friends of Bill W." meeting every day but the first.

To the best of my knowledge there were no other "special interest" programs
listed in the guide, but I'd bet that there were more gays among the
passengers than recovering alcoholics though it is not a point I can prove.

If HAL's corporate position is that they would rather have a venue be empty
and generate no revenue than to advertise promotions for what they consider
to be an "unpopular" portion of their passengers, I must say as a
stockholder that I disagree.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ



"Charlie Funk" wrote in message
...
per Holland America corporate policy in Seattle (my paraphrase) about 6-7
weeks ago they can no longer host and publicize such gatherings.

If they had ANYTHING anywhere about "Friends of Bill W" meetings or
gatherings, the corporate policy would seem, on the surface, to be
discriminatory. Is there any chance you have any of the daily newsletters
and can check for Friends of Bill W meetings or maybe remember if they
were
publicized?

--
Charlie Funk
Just Cruisin' Plus
800 888-0922
615 833-0922
www.justcruisinplus.com
We prefer the MasterCard card
"JEFFCOUD" wrote in message
...
Hey folks...I'm writing live onboard the Holland America Line Zuiderdam.
We
are at sea today (having not been able to tender at Half Moon Cay).

This morning I wrote a nice note to the Cruise Director Pete (can't
remember
last name....) requesting a Friends of Dorothy party to be scheduled for
tomorrow, which is also a sea day.

Pete was kind enough to leave me a voice mail letting me know that, per
Holland
America corporate policy in Seattle (my paraphrase) about 6-7 weeks ago
they
can no longer host and publicize such gatherings. He said he would be
happy to
put such a party together in a public room, but they could not put it in
the
daily bulletin!

At this moment....I am damn angry! Which I certainly don't need on my
long
awaited vacation. At great splurgy expense to myself I have booked as a
solo
in a Cat S suite....not exactly chump change! But this is absolutely my
2nd
and last Holland America cruise unless this policy is changed asap! I
can't
believe in this day and age such a policy would exist. I think in
today's
program, for example, they've had meetings for people who like to play
bridge,
and for veterans. So what is the big deal -- we are but yet another
group
of
people who have some common interests. Isn't the cruise line's job to
bring
people together for an enjoyable vacation experience?

I do want to be clear I do not harbor any ill will towards the CD...he
was
kind
enough to respond to my note and was just relaying a corporate policy --
which
he did not create -- to me.

In any case, Pete said I could call him at various times this evening,
but
really why bother? The whole point is to get a room and have it in the
daily
program....it's not like I have some magic ability to "spread this by
word
of
mouth", using his words....to every gay and lesbian passenger on the
ship.
I
don't want to go around making presumptions about people right?

Holland America -- wake up!!

Jeff Coudriet -- taking my $$ back to Celebrity which has never turned
down my
request to host such a party.

Dick Goldhaber wrote:
Charlie,

I have all of the daily planners from our Westerdam cruise and there was a
"Friends of Bill W." meeting every day but the first.

To the best of my knowledge there were no other "special interest" programs
listed in the guide, but I'd bet that there were more gays among the
passengers than recovering alcoholics though it is not a point I can prove.

If HAL's corporate position is that they would rather have a venue be empty
and generate no revenue

I didn't see where he said he was paying for the meeting space?

Dick Goldhaber wrote:
Charlie,

I have all of the daily planners from our Westerdam cruise and there was a
"Friends of Bill W." meeting every day but the first.

To the best of my knowledge there were no other "special interest" programs
listed in the guide, but I'd bet that there were more gays among the
passengers than recovering alcoholics though it is not a point I can prove.

If HAL's corporate position is that they would rather have a venue be empty
and generate no revenue

I didn't see where he said he was paying for the meeting space?

"Chrissy Cruiser" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 18:15:38 GMT, kuki wrote:

I don't believe the "policy" is aimed specifically at the gay cruiser at
all. Several times we've asked the CD or Hotel Manager's onboard to
publicize "Net Buddy" get togethers in their daily newsletters as well,
and
have been turned down.

You're serious.

They feel once they open the door to this type of thing, they'll be
flooded
with requests from "interest groups" for the same treatment, even though
there may only be one person onboard with that interest. ie.. net
buddies,
FOD, fisherman, bowlers, poker players, swingers, fascists... whatever.

Think Friends of Bill W is a bit different, because it's offering a
support
group, in an environment where the propensity for having a drink may be
higher.

So they can pick and choose at will. They chose to pick on homosexuals.

As someone stated earlier, They threw the jews off, and on a holy day, that
was the door opener. I think people forget, it's their boat. When they
figure out how much money they will lose from the biggest spenders and
biggest pain in the ass groups, jews and homo's, things will change again.

"Chrissy Cruiser" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 18:15:38 GMT, kuki wrote:

I don't believe the "policy" is aimed specifically at the gay cruiser at
all. Several times we've asked the CD or Hotel Manager's onboard to
publicize "Net Buddy" get togethers in their daily newsletters as well,
and
have been turned down.

You're serious.

They feel once they open the door to this type of thing, they'll be
flooded
with requests from "interest groups" for the same treatment, even though
there may only be one person onboard with that interest. ie.. net
buddies,
FOD, fisherman, bowlers, poker players, swingers, fascists... whatever.

Think Friends of Bill W is a bit different, because it's offering a
support
group, in an environment where the propensity for having a drink may be
higher.

So they can pick and choose at will. They chose to pick on homosexuals.

As someone stated earlier, They threw the jews off, and on a holy day, that
was the door opener. I think people forget, it's their boat. When they
figure out how much money they will lose from the biggest spenders and
biggest pain in the ass groups, jews and homo's, things will change again.

"Merry Christmas" wrote in message
. com...
Dick Goldhaber wrote:

If HAL's corporate position is that they would rather have a venue be
empty
and generate no revenue than to advertise promotions for what they
consider
to be an "unpopular" portion of their passengers, I must say as a
stockholder that I disagree.

I didn't see where he said he was paying for the meeting space?

Joe Coulter said "Good luck with Holland (which never struck me as terribly
uptight since
the only ones who knew what went on in the disco were the crew and the
5-10 pax that stayed up that late.)"

My point was that if that was true, and there was a group that could put the
room to use, I disagree with HAL's decision to forbid promotion on behalf of
the group.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ

jcoulter wrote:
ojunk (JEFFCOUD) wrote in
:



Holland America -- wake up!!

Jeff Coudriet -- taking my $$ back to Celebrity which has never
turned down my request to host such a party.


Unfortunately the storm clouds are gathering. This mornings paper
reported on the unlikely and unholy alliance of Baptists and Catholics
to stomp out the spector of GASP! "homosexual marriage."

Life as we knew it is changing and in no time the dread dark ages of
not so long ago may be viewed as the golden age!

Good luck with Holland (which never struck me as terribly uptight since
the only ones who knew what went on in the disco were the crew and the
5-10 pax that stayed up that late.)

What the hell does that have to do with her question? Why drag that into
it? Her question is a legitimate one with a genuine concern whereas the
issue you bring up (homosexuals) is a 100% political/religious one. You
shouldn't be ramming it down peoples throats . . . .pardon the pun.

jcoulter wrote:
ojunk (JEFFCOUD) wrote in
:



Holland America -- wake up!!

Jeff Coudriet -- taking my $$ back to Celebrity which has never
turned down my request to host such a party.


Unfortunately the storm clouds are gathering. This mornings paper
reported on the unlikely and unholy alliance of Baptists and Catholics
to stomp out the spector of GASP! "homosexual marriage."

Life as we knew it is changing and in no time the dread dark ages of
not so long ago may be viewed as the golden age!

Good luck with Holland (which never struck me as terribly uptight since
the only ones who knew what went on in the disco were the crew and the
5-10 pax that stayed up that late.)

What the hell does that have to do with her question? Why drag that into
it? Her question is a legitimate one with a genuine concern whereas the
issue you bring up (homosexuals) is a 100% political/religious one. You
shouldn't be ramming it down peoples throats . . . .pardon the pun.

You own what, a few shares of each cruise line so you can get a discount?
You are what Hal and the rest do not want. A cheap jew and a pervert. Even
if you got a free cruise you would bitch. Shut up dick......Just shut up.

BTW.......How is my sweetie today? Can the slut bring the dog to work for a
nooner?


"Dick Goldhaber" wrote in message
...
Charlie,

I have all of the daily planners from our Westerdam cruise and there was a
"Friends of Bill W." meeting every day but the first.

To the best of my knowledge there were no other "special interest"
programs
listed in the guide, but I'd bet that there were more gays among the
passengers than recovering alcoholics though it is not a point I can
prove.

If HAL's corporate position is that they would rather have a venue be
empty
and generate no revenue than to advertise promotions for what they
consider
to be an "unpopular" portion of their passengers, I must say as a
stockholder that I disagree.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ



"Charlie Funk" wrote in message
...
per Holland America corporate policy in Seattle (my paraphrase) about 6-7
weeks ago they can no longer host and publicize such gatherings.

If they had ANYTHING anywhere about "Friends of Bill W" meetings or
gatherings, the corporate policy would seem, on the surface, to be
discriminatory. Is there any chance you have any of the daily
newsletters
and can check for Friends of Bill W meetings or maybe remember if they
were
publicized?

--
Charlie Funk
Just Cruisin' Plus
800 888-0922
615 833-0922
www.justcruisinplus.com
We prefer the MasterCard card
"JEFFCOUD" wrote in message
...
Hey folks...I'm writing live onboard the Holland America Line
Zuiderdam.
We
are at sea today (having not been able to tender at Half Moon Cay).

This morning I wrote a nice note to the Cruise Director Pete (can't
remember
last name....) requesting a Friends of Dorothy party to be scheduled
for
tomorrow, which is also a sea day.

Pete was kind enough to leave me a voice mail letting me know that, per
Holland
America corporate policy in Seattle (my paraphrase) about 6-7 weeks ago
they
can no longer host and publicize such gatherings. He said he would be
happy to
put such a party together in a public room, but they could not put it
in
the
daily bulletin!

At this moment....I am damn angry! Which I certainly don't need on my
long
awaited vacation. At great splurgy expense to myself I have booked as
a
solo
in a Cat S suite....not exactly chump change! But this is absolutely
my
2nd
and last Holland America cruise unless this policy is changed asap! I
can't
believe in this day and age such a policy would exist. I think in
today's
program, for example, they've had meetings for people who like to play
bridge,
and for veterans. So what is the big deal -- we are but yet another
group
of
people who have some common interests. Isn't the cruise line's job to
bring
people together for an enjoyable vacation experience?

I do want to be clear I do not harbor any ill will towards the CD...he
was
kind
enough to respond to my note and was just relaying a corporate
policy --
which
he did not create -- to me.

In any case, Pete said I could call him at various times this evening,
but
really why bother? The whole point is to get a room and have it in the
daily
program....it's not like I have some magic ability to "spread this by
word
of
mouth", using his words....to every gay and lesbian passenger on the
ship.
I
don't want to go around making presumptions about people right?

Holland America -- wake up!!

Jeff Coudriet -- taking my $$ back to Celebrity which has never turned
down my
request to host such a party.