Westerdam April 10, 2005- updates-Western Excursions and Happy HOurs!

[mpduquaine]

Hello! I haven't been on Holland In 1 year. We went on the Zuiderdam and very sorry to say it was a very bad experience. But we are trying HAL once again. we are going on the Western Carribbean and was wondering the best excursions to try in Jamaica, Cozumel and grand Caymans.....We love to snorkel! also, does the Westerdam have the happy hours as stated by another thread. That this maybe something they are trying to start.......Any need to knows a head of time! Thanks! And also, any book a guarentee and what cabin did they actually get!

Thanks

Michele

[woodburykt]

hi mp,

we just got back from the Westerdam last sunday, W Carribean and had a terrific time.

i've posted some pictures in the photo gallery that include some from our excursions in Ocho Rios and Cozumel. if you cant find the link, let me know and i'll type it another reply to this thread for you.

for Jamaica, we did the Enchanted Gardens with Dunns River falls tour. The gardens tour was nice......it was at an old resort that is no longer open....very nice shots of some waterfalls. We did NOT climb the falls at Dunns River, just watched. The locals can be agressive in soliciting you for purchases/tips, proceed with caution.

for Cozumel, we did the 4x4 Jeep Tropical Safari Tour and had a good time. The guides called it "the mexican massage" because those jeeps are a rocking at some points as you're driving to the other side of the island where they serve you a nice little lunch at a very nice beach. (again, i have pix posted of it) If someone from your group doesn't want to drive the jeep, you can ride with another person in the tour group. I was in the back seat and had a blast just riding and bumping along.

Im sorry you didn't have a good experience on the Z'dam...we sailed her 2 years ago and had a good time. I'm sure you'll have a good time on the W'dam.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Enjoy your trip!!

[rothbury]

Hi Michele,
just wanted to let you know we have a thread on the Roll Call board for this cruise.
Gary

[Stevesan]

But we are trying HAL once again. we are going on the Western Carribbean and was wondering the best excursions to try in Jamaica, Cozumel and grand Caymans.....We love to snorkel!
Thanks
Michele

Grand Cayman and Coz are excellent for snorkeling. There are a number of dive/snorkel operators in both locations. I've used Capt Marvin for his two reef plus Stingray City trip. Good guides and small boat so not too many people. The first stop was Coral Gardens and the second the Barrier Reef followed by the inevitable Stingrays. Lots of folks recommend Capt Bryan. Choose whichever best meets your schedule.

http://www.captainmarvins.com/
http://www.cayman.org/captainbryan/

There is also excellent shore snorkeling at Georgetown, GC just a few minutes stroll from the tender docks. The site is known as Devil's Grotto. Facing town at the docks, turn to the right and walk along the shore path. There are two dive shops within a couple hundred yards of each other. I went to the second (identified by an apple logo). Locker rentals, rinse tank and ladder entry (this is all hard pan). Lots of scuba divers enter from here.

In Coz I've boat snorkeled Columbia and Palancar reefs with Fury. Large cats. Lots of people, but good guides. I've booked my next trip with Eagle Ray Divers. They're smaller and nearly unanimously praised by those who don't mind slow boats.

http://www.eagleraydivers.com/

There's excellent shore snorkeling at Coz. the best I've found is at Dzul Ha Beach, but the tide can be pretty swift when the wind is right. Chankanaab is not as good, but it's very popular and the shore is sheltered. A good web site for Cozumel:

http://cozumelinsider.com/

Can't help with Jamaica -never been there.

Enjoy your cruise!:)

[mpduquaine]

Wooburykt-
Could you tell me anything about the Westerdam- What the best to do and what to stay away from:) Do they also promote happy hour, like I have heard on other ships?
Also- do they sell the duty free liquor, like I have experienced on the eastern? Just wondering if Ineed to go off ship to buy or can do it right on board?
Also- I couldn't find your pictures, could you send me the info.
Thanks

[woodburykt]

hi mp,

The only happy hours that I knew of were at Bingo.........2 for 1 drinks...I can't remember if I won or not one day after 3 1/2 Gin and tonics.......oh yea, I didn't win. : ) I don't recall any other type of happy hour/drink specials.

Now.....on our sailing there was a large religious group on board as well as a lot of retired folks.......not that I minded, I'm 43 and my partner is 53.....we had a good time. We didn't go to bed at 9:30 but we didn't party till 2am either. Most of the lounges were pretty much empty after our 2nd seating dinner. We didn't go to the shows.........just not our thing, so I would give them a try if you like that kind of stuff. We spent time in the casino and gave HAL our money.......most evenings on our veranda with drinks.

We brought our liquor on-board via our suitcases and bubble wrap based on prior reports that liquor was being taken away from pax at embarkation. We brought soda and tonic water with our carry on luggage with no problem. Since we arrived 2 days early and stayed at the Hyatt Pierr 66, we didn't have to pack our liquor until sunday morning, sail away day. You can bring wine and beer on board. Now......having said all that.........we saw and heard of several pax who went right through the security checkpoint with liquor and did not have it taken to be returned the last day of the cruise. So I can't explain the differences. You can buy duty free liquor from the gift shop and it will be delivered to your cabin the last day. You an pre-purchase liquor packages gin/scotch/vodka from ship services and it will be in your cabin the day of sailing. The prices aren't that bad. You can also go to one of the bars and buy whatever bottle of whatever and take it back to your cabin. If you bought liquor at one of the port stops....doubt you'll get it through the x-ray machines upon returning to the ship without it being taken from you. There, I think I've covered it.

Here's the link that's on this websites photo gallery section for our pix

http://community.webshots.com/user/woodburykt

we probably sound boring........we played team trivia most days (and lost to team Thule most times, thanks a lot) or layed out on the observation deck to get some sun and we had a very relaxing week.

I would suggest at least one dinner at the Pinnacle Grill. Very good food and service. The clam chowder is very good.

The ship is beautiful although some of the interior design schemes are a little.....well, um......different? Deck 3, Promendade deck is nice for walking the entire ship. Walking at the stern while the ship is moving is cool although I wasn't brave enough to stand at the railing.........I was pressed up against the glass windows of the dining room as I watched.

Wow, I ramble on haven't I?

If you have any other questions, just let me know. We had a great time on the Westerdam and I'm sure you will too!

[matwags]

Anyone have any other possibilities for shore excursions in Grand Cayman? I called Capt Marvin and Capt Bryan and they are booked for 3/31/05 when the Westerdam comes into port.

We were thinking Paradise Beach in Cozumel.

We still haven't figured out what to do in Ocho Rios. Some of these threads suggest that the inhabitants are a little pushy and I want none of that. Anyone been to Mahogony beach? If so, how far is it from port and how much to get there?

Cheers,

Matt

[Stevesan]

Anyone have any other possibilities for shore excursions in Grand Cayman? I called Capt Marvin and Capt Bryan and they are booked for 3/31/05 when the Westerdam comes into port.
Matt

Matt, visit the Grand Cayman board under "Ports of Call". There are a number of other good snorkel/dive operators, Soto's comes to mind. You'll get more names from the other board.
As an alternative there is excellent shore snorkeling only a few minutes walk from the tender pier at Eden's Rock, After disembarking the tender port, turn right while facing inland and follow the pathway. Many scuba divers enter from here. The dive shops have locker rentals, rinse tanks, etc. I like to use the second one with an Apple Computer type logo. This is all hard pan. Entry is by ladder from a cement dock.

http://www.edenrockdive.com/

[loisswanson]

We are on this cruise. I read the lengthy report by LAFFNVEGAS and now am apprehensive. It's our first HAL cruise. We have an SS suite. They made it sound as if all meals were just "ok". We like gourmet food and thought HAL was a bit up from the Dawn Princess (which is our only other cruise).

Can anyone comment?

They also made it seem as if the staff (especially in the Main Dining Room) were overworked, not very friendly, and at times they had not received their main course when the dessert showed up.

We had excellent service on the Dawn Princess and we hope for the same on this cruise. What can anyone tell me about this.

Thanks all in advance for your comments.

Lois

[dakrewser]

If you experience problems in the DR, speak to your steward about them. If that doesn't help, speak to the asst. Maitre d' (the guy in the white coat who will come around to your tab le from time to time). If it's still not fixed, write a note to the hotel mgr and leave it with the front desk.

Problems do sometimes occur, but can usually be fixed or cleared up.

Bon voyage!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Anyone have any other possibilities for shore excursions in Grand Cayman? I called Capt Marvin and Capt Bryan and they are booked for 3/31/05 when the Westerdam comes into port.

We were thinking Paradise Beach in Cozumel.

We still haven't figured out what to do in Ocho Rios. Some of these threads suggest that the inhabitants are a little pushy and I want none of that. Anyone been to Mahogony beach? If so, how far is it from port and how much to get there?

Cheers,

Matt

Try Nativeway, we wer extremely impressed with this excrusion. We did it just last THursday in Grand Cayman. Here;s there web site
http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/index.html

I hope to finish uploading pictures into Web Shots tonight , although I need to go and have my underwater camera film processed which hopefully has lots of pictures of the Swim with the Stingrays.

[JDee]

If you experience problems in the DR, speak to your steward about them. If that doesn't help, speak to the asst. Maitre d' (the guy in the white coat who will come around to your tab le from time to time). If it's still not fixed, write a note to the hotel mgr and leave it with the front desk.

Problems do sometimes occur, but can usually be fixed or cleared up.

Bon voyage!

And if those procedures don't work by day 6, just make a return trip to the front desk and remove the tips.....they certainly should have a record of your prior visit when they inquire why the tip removal.... Good Luck.....