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View Full Version : Need Info on the Westerdam and HAL


Paul E
March 1st, 2005, 01:08 AM
Hello all, I have been on 7 cruises and always take a group with me every 2 years. We just recently sailed the Diamond Princess. This was our 3rd Princess cruise with our group. Since we have been all over the caribbean we are looking for something different. We have also sailed NCL, Carnival, RCI, and Celebrity. We have never sailed Holland America. The Eastern Caribbean itininary aboard the westerdam intrigues us very much since it is something different. We are all balcony folks and I noticed that the Westerdam has plenty of Verandah cabins. I do have some reservations about Holland America along with a few of the folks in our group. I need some assistance from veteren HAL cruisers to put some of these fears to rest.
1) The old saying of blue hulls for blue hairs!! How old are the folks aboard their ships? We are an age group that runs from 35 to 60. The rumours we hear are that HAL has an old and unlively clientele.
2) We also heard that there is no band near the pool and that the highlight of the day is vegetable carving??
3) Does the ship have a fresh water pool?
4) Are there refridgerators in the verandah staterooms?
5) How is the night life?? Is it deadsville?
6) I understand the ships are mid sized which is great considering the last 3 cruises we have done are on the Grand, Golden, and Diamond Princess. So a smaller ship would be ideal for us.
7) Does the casino have roulette? We all love hanging around the roulette table after dinner.
8) What is the smoking policy of the ship?
9) What is the liqour policy? Do they stow it or can we take it to our cabins?
10) What does the terrace grill consist of? How long is it open?
11) Is there a pizzeria aboard?
12) Is there a 24 hour food court?
13) What is Half moon Cay like? Can anyone compare it to Princess Cays?
14) What is the dress policy? Hopefully it only 2 formal nights with the rest resort casual!
15) This is a very important question. What is HAL golf program like? We love the golf program on Princess and want to ensure that we can golf. I am not in anyway trying to offend anyone however we all have seen some real crabby elderly people be rude to us and the crew. We just want to make sure that we are not getting ourselves into something where the whole ship is a bunch of crabby elderly people
I know this is allot of questions. However we are a hard working bunch that get together every 2 years to cruise and let our hair down. We come from all over the country and I have to make sure I do this right!! I thank you in advance and hopefully you all can answer all my questions. Thanks Again

dakrewser
March 1st, 2005, 01:19 AM
There are many, many, many posts on these boards answering your questions many times over. Please browse through them and you'll get quite a bit of good advice (as well as some "might be good" personal opinion).

After that, if there are still some lingering questions, post away. But let me suggest limiting a single post to no more than 2 or 3 questions else the answers may get lost ....

tiffnco
March 1st, 2005, 01:26 AM
Paul,

First of all, welcome to the HAL board...let me just warn you that you may generate some...well, let's just say that most of the folks here are HAL devotees...so some of your assumptions may offend a few.

And I'm here to also let you know that as a 31 year old...I love HAL! We're booked on our third trip and love the extra touches that you don't find on RCL (to be fair, that's really the only other line I can comment on.)

I want to address a few of your questions...and I'll let others fill in elsewhere.

1) Half Moon Cay...BEST island you will ever visit! The sand is like powdered sugar, the water is so clear you don't even need a mask to see the fish. HAL would make a fortune if they allowed people to take land vacations there...

2) Lively...unlively...who's to say what a particular sailing will consist of on a ship? I've always found plenty of activities to match my mood...if I wanted to find a place to relax or a place to dance away...I was never at a loss.

As to your numerous other questions, I know there are similar posts on the board and you may try searching for some answers as well...

If you choose to sail HAL...welcome! I know you'll be glad you did!