Random Westerdam questions...please help!

[Pintish_Cruiser]

I’m new to cruise critic, but this will be my fourth cruise (I’m going with my Mom and sister). I have a couple of random (and possibly stupid!) questions and I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me answer them.
1. Is there soymilk available on the Westerdam? If so, any details on where/when?
2. I have a question about Visas. I’m a US citizen traveling to Greece, Croatia, Italy, and Spain. I’ve gathered that some countries require a visa to enter them, but I couldn’t quite find anything that said definitively that I would or wouldn’t need a visa to enter those countries. I’m leaving very soon now, and I’m just freaking out a little bit about making sure I have the proper documentation.
3. I have Euros, however, I do not have any Kuna (at least, I think that’s the currency) to spend in Croatia. Can I buy these on the ship and if so, is the exchange/fees reasonable? Would I be better off trying to buy them in the airport? Or actually in Croatia?
4. Can I use the sauna without buying the whole thermal treatment package? I just really like saunas.
5. Is there still one day per cruise that serves lobster? Since I know the Pinnacle Grill serves lobster, I was worried that the MDR wouldn’t serve it at all.
6. Is there a Wii on board, and if so, is it in an area that is generally for children. I think that a glass of wine and 100-pin bowling would be a fantastic idea… :p
7. Does anyone know if tip is already included in the cost of the Pinnacle Grill? I’ll probably leave a little bit extra, but I really want to make sure the “extra” isn’t the entire tip.
8. Does anyone know if Joel Mason is still performing on the Westerdam? I heard that he was really good.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any additional comments about the Westerdam or Mediterranean cruising in general would also be welcome.
Thanks!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic -- I can help with a few questions.

I’m new to cruise critic, but this will be my fourth cruise (I’m going with my Mom and sister). I have a couple of random (and possibly stupid!) questions and I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me answer them.
1. Is there soymilk available on the Westerdam? If so, any details on where/when? No Soy Milk
2. I have a question about Visas. I’m a US citizen traveling to Greece, Croatia, Italy, and Spain. I’ve gathered that some countries require a visa to enter them, but I couldn’t quite find anything that said definitively that I would or wouldn’t need a visa to enter those countries. I’m leaving very soon now, and I’m just freaking out a little bit about making sure I have the proper documentation. Have your TA check this out.
3. I have Euros, however, I do not have any Kuna (at least, I think that’s the currency) to spend in Croatia. Can I buy these on the ship and if so, is the exchange/fees reasonable? Would I be better off trying to buy them in the airport? Or actually in Croatia?
4. Can I use the sauna without buying the whole thermal treatment package? I just really like saunas.
5. Is there still one day per cruise that serves lobster? Since I know the Pinnacle Grill serves lobster, I was worried that the MDR wouldn’t serve it at all. The last formal night of the cruise there will be a lobster/fillet combo offered in the main dining room. The lobster tail is about 3 ounces.
6. Is there a Wii on board, and if so, is it in an area that is generally for children. I think that a glass of wine and 100-pin bowling would be a fantastic idea… :p No Wii on board any HAL ship.
7. Does anyone know if tip is already included in the cost of the Pinnacle Grill? I’ll probably leave a little bit extra, but I really want to make sure the “extra” isn’t the entire tip. There is no tip included in the price of the dinner at the Pinnacle. The Pinnacle staff get a few pennies for the $11 per person per day Hotel Service Charge -- we always give them a tip.
8. Does anyone know if Joel Mason is still performing on the Westerdam? I heard that he was really good.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any additional comments about the Westerdam or Mediterranean cruising in general would also be welcome.
Thanks!

Have a great cruise.

[CruiserBruce]

No Visa is required for any of the ports you mention. A valid (for 6 months beyond the date of your return) passport is required. This needs to have been addressed a while ago.

Rumor has it Joel is going to in Alaska on one of the dam ships.

[Koshlong]

We did a similar cruise last year on the Noordam, and enjoyed it very much. I think I can answer some of your questions.........

In Croatia, we got Kuna from an ATM; easy and ATM's weren't hard to find.

On our cruise, they were introducing Wii games in the Crow's Nest......I'm assuming they are still offering some, and have possibly expanded.

I used the whole thermal suite, but I believe that there are saunas available separately........I think somewhere between the pool deck and the spa.

Marnie

[Koshlong]

Pintish, if you haven't visited the Roll Call section of the boards, you might light to check in on the Westerdam roll call for your sailingl That way you can talk with people who will be on board with you.

[Essiesmom]

I did a B2B on Westerdam in Feb. and the second week we had surf & turf one formal night, and another night just lobster. I believe soy milk is available on most ships, but you might have to ask for it. EM

[schoolinmy3]

I’m new to cruise critic, but this will be my fourth cruise (I’m going with my Mom and sister). I have a couple of random (and possibly stupid!) questions and I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me answer them.
1. Is there soymilk available on the Westerdam? If so, any details on where/when?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any additional comments about the Westerdam or Mediterranean cruising in general would also be welcome.
Thanks!

We were on the Westerdam in 2008 for our first cruise to celebrate our 20th anniversary. We loved the cruise and are going on our second cruise in less than 2 weeks! :D I use soymilk in my coffee instead of cream or milk. What I did was buy 2 of the 3 pack of single serve vanilla soy milk that does not need to be refrigerated. That was enough for our cruise since I just use it for coffee. I usually have to get that particular soy milk at Walmart but it just depends on the grocery stores in your area.
For your last comment, we are going on a Mediterranean cruise shortly on the Eurodam and will most likely be posting our impressions when we get back at the end of the month! Just keep that ash cloud from blowing toward Rome so we can get to our ship!:eek:
diane

[cprofits]

We were on the Westerdam in March and they had a wii tournament several times. I didn't pay attention to where it was held but it wasn't in the children's area. The children's area has several wii's as well.

[pj-atsea]

If you have a US passport you shouldn't need a visa. We have Canadian passports and don't need visas for those countries. About the Kuna, we just ordered the equivalent of $40 worth at our bank. We just wanted to have some to be able to buy coffee and other small things without having to use a credit card. For all other purchases we'll just use our credit card. When are you travelling? pj:)

[ssneiderma]

I’m new to cruise critic, but this will be my fourth cruise (I’m going with my Mom and sister). I have a couple of random (and possibly stupid!) questions and I would really appreciate it if anyone could help me answer them.
1. Is there soymilk available on the Westerdam? If so, any details on where/when?
2. I have a question about Visas. I’m a US citizen traveling to Greece, Croatia, Italy, and Spain. I’ve gathered that some countries require a visa to enter them, but I couldn’t quite find anything that said definitively that I would or wouldn’t need a visa to enter those countries. I’m leaving very soon now, and I’m just freaking out a little bit about making sure I have the proper documentation.
3. I have Euros, however, I do not have any Kuna (at least, I think that’s the currency) to spend in Croatia. Can I buy these on the ship and if so, is the exchange/fees reasonable? Would I be better off trying to buy them in the airport? Or actually in Croatia?
4. Can I use the sauna without buying the whole thermal treatment package? I just really like saunas.
5. Is there still one day per cruise that serves lobster? Since I know the Pinnacle Grill serves lobster, I was worried that the MDR wouldn’t serve it at all.
6. Is there a Wii on board, and if so, is it in an area that is generally for children. I think that a glass of wine and 100-pin bowling would be a fantastic idea… :p
7. Does anyone know if tip is already included in the cost of the Pinnacle Grill? I’ll probably leave a little bit extra, but I really want to make sure the “extra” isn’t the entire tip.
8. Does anyone know if Joel Mason is still performing on the Westerdam? I heard that he was really good.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any additional comments about the Westerdam or Mediterranean cruising in general would also be welcome.
Thanks!

Hi Just returned from westerdam
No visas needed. In Croatia they took euros.
There was Wii on board. Check daily paper.
No Joel Mason when we were on board.
We tipped at Pinnacle but dont think it is necessaryOUr cruise was 20 days and had 5 formal nights. 2 had lobster

[Redsailstheseas]

Joel Mason was on board in the Caribbean in February and I believe he will be doing some tours in Alaska this summer. We have had the pleasure of being on 2 cruises with him and he is hilarious and very talented.
His website is www.eltonjoel.com (http://www.eltonjoel.com).
Hope this helps.

[schoolinmy3]

Joel Mason was on board in the Caribbean in February and I believe he will be doing some tours in Alaska this summer. We have had the pleasure of being on 2 cruises with him and he is hilarious and very talented.
His website is www.eltonjoel.com (http://www.eltonjoel.com).
Hope this helps.

I followed the link (thank you :)) and there is a schedule of his appearances.

http://www.eltonjoel.com/assets/images/NEWS.gifMarch 8th through April 27th 2009
Westerdam in Carribean and Panama Canal




May 10th through June 28th 2009
Westerdam 7-day cruises in Alaska sailing out of Seattle





July 12th through August 23rd 2009
Westerdam 7-day cruises in Alaska sailing out of Seattle





August 30th through September 27th 2009
Westerdam 7-day cruises in Alaska sailing out of Seattle

diane

[Infi]

We were on the last cruise of the Westerdam before drydock and Joel Mason left the ship for good as we disembarked. I think he will be in Alaska this summer. Sorry to say you will miss him, he was really great!

[kjw869]

I followed the link (thank you :)) and there is a schedule of his appearances.

http://www.eltonjoel.com/assets/images/NEWS.gifMarch 8th through April 27th 2009
Westerdam in Carribean and Panama Canal




May 10th through June 28th 2009
Westerdam 7-day cruises in Alaska sailing out of Seattle





July 12th through August 23rd 2009
Westerdam 7-day cruises in Alaska sailing out of Seattle





August 30th through September 27th 2009
Westerdam 7-day cruises in Alaska sailing out of Seattle

diane



Joel should update his website. All of these dates were last year.

[Pintish_Cruiser]

Thanks for all the answers! I think I will check out my roll call. I'm just really new to the whole message board thing.

PJ-It looks like we'll be on the same sailing (5/16/2010). Only a few more days!

[pj-atsea]

Hi, why don't you go over to the Roll Call Board and look up Westerdam Mediterranean with our sailing date. You can post there and join the group.. There will be an informal 'meet and greet' in the Crow's Nest on the 17th at 4pm...pj (Pat)

[schoolinmy3]

Joel should update his website. All of these dates were last year.

Silly me:o That's what I get for reading cruise critic before coffee. In any case in 2008 we sailed on the Westerdam and really enjoyed the piano bar. I don't know if the entertainer was Joel Mason, but he was good.:D

diane

[luannsimon]

Joel Mason was on board in the Caribbean in February and I believe he will be doing some tours in Alaska this summer. We have had the pleasure of being on 2 cruises with him and he is hilarious and very talented.
His website is www.eltonjoel.com (http://www.eltonjoel.com).
Hope this helps.
He was amazing!

[fredzy]

We had soymilk on the Westerdam in January. In the dining room you have to ask for it - we did for our cereal. In the Lido they may have it - if not - ask one of the captains and he will send someone downstairs to get some. ENJOY your cruise.:D
Fred

[jtl513]

3. You can get foreign currency at the front desk (and change left over back to $US later) but the exchange rate will be poor compared to a shore ATM.

[LordSpain]

Last March on the Rotterdam there was actually a Wii bowling tournament that was held up by the Crow’s Nest (plenty of wine there!). Participants in the tournament were allowed to practice at certain times but it wasn’t available for anyone to use at anytime.

Bruce