HAL NEWBIE- Westerdam info

[purr_30]

Hello everyone,

DH and I will be aboard Westerdam Oct 15 ( first HAL cruise :D ) and I was wondering what tips you can share with us? Best areas to enjoy some peace and quiet? Do they have a Fish and chips onboard? What is the entertainment like?
Bingo? We LOVED playing Bingo on our Jan cruise. ;)
Are the pools always crowded? I almost forgot, what about the thermal suite? Attire during the day? And last but not least, SHOPPING, what are the shops like? :D

Any info or tips would be greatly appreciated.

27 more sleeps until we are on our way to our first HAL cruise. :D

[riz]

Hello Purr 30

Let me see if I can start this thread off and we can get more info as we go along....really looking forward to this cruise as well.

Best areas for peace and quiet - balcony if you've got one...otherwise the promenade deck is nice. Beautiful teak loungers around the deck (and yes for a mere $400 you can have one too)...inside the many lounges are nice..the two lounges on either side of the entrance to the Crow's Nest are great...big plush chairs and huge picture windows.
Fish and Chips - I think I remember it being on the lunch menu in the dining room.
Entertainment - I didn't go to many shows but the ones I did were not bad....typical sub-Las Vegas style. The comedians are pretty good and the impersonator if he is on during our cruise is fab...worth staying up late to see.
Bingo - YES ! I'll see you there. It's actually not as expensive to play as on other lines I have cruised with...make sure you buy a ticket for the free cruise draw as well...I never win but hey someone has to each time right ? It's usually once or twice per day.
Pools- not too crowded...I find the aft pool a little less crowded but you always get the chair savers...the sundecks above both pools always have room.
Attire during the day - whatever is comfortable...suit/cover up...sundress...shorts...whatever. Not the least bit formal during the day.
Thermal Suite - never tried it all these times but may this cruise...have had services in the spa and have been very happy with them. The girls who work there are lovely...keep in mind whatever service you book they are always trying to sell product with it though.
Shopping - typical cruise shops type things. Lots of cool "dam ships" souvenirs...I thought they were cool. Duty free has a large selection and the jewelry has a good mix from inexpensive to pricey. I have always found when they have things set up outside the shops at night it is different merchandise and worth a look...ie costume jewelry etc.

Secret tips ?
- You can get to the front of the ship on DECK 4 - go all the way forward and at the end of the hall there is a large steel door. Go through it and it will bring you out to a deck that you will usually have all to yourself...and yes you are allowed to be there...I think they close it off at night when we are at sea.
- The Crew show....usually at 11:30 one night - very good and all are amazingly talented. Kind of a neat look into the different cultures of the crews
- Indonesian dishes on the dinner menu a few times during the cruise - try them they are fabulous. The waiters are usually happy to explain more about what they are and what their favourites are.

The countdown is on...

[purr_30]

Hello fellow CDN and Cruiser from our Roll Call!!!:D

Thanks for all the great info.

We do have a balcony so I guess if the pool areas are overcrowded, that's where I will hang out.

Do they have Kareoke (sp?) Not that I sing or anything but that is always great entertainment after having a few froo froo drinks....:o

Gotta LOVE Bingo!!! DH never played until our Jan cruise and always reminded me what time Bingo was starting. :D

Thanks for the Secret tip. I will lookfor it. :p

[riz]

Kareoke (sp) yes I think they have it a few nights in the Queen's Lounge. They also have sort of an "Idol" contest as well that is quite funny.....you know the drill....people with talent and lots who think they have talent...most likely because they themselves have had a few more froo froo drinks than we have. It's fun for a laugh.

[Ziggy7]

As a group leader I was invited to tour the Westerdam when it was in port here, had a great lunch and tour, photos are in the link below :)

[earl_m]

I hope you enjoy your cruise. Tells us about when you come back.
I will be cruising on her on nov12.

[purr_30]

Loved the pics!!! Thanks so much


As a group leader I was invited to tour the Westerdam when it was in port here, had a great lunch and tour, photos are in the link below :)

[purr_30]

I will post a review with pics when we return.




I hope you enjoy your cruise. Tells us about when you come back.
I will be cruising on her on nov12.

[Ziggy7]

Loved the pics!!! Thanks so muchGlad you enjoyed them, looking forward to your review :)

[papadave]

The Westerdam has a really nice piano bar (the bar stools and counter wrap around the grand piano), afternoon tea in the Explorer's Lounge, and after dinner deserts (flambes, great chocolates) in the Explorer's Lounge.

[purr_30]

oooooooooo Chocolates............ My weakness. :D


The Westerdam has a really nice piano bar (the bar stools and counter wrap around the grand piano), afternoon tea in the Explorer's Lounge, and after dinner deserts (flambes, great chocolates) in the Explorer's Lounge.

[RevNeal]

If you'd like to see some photos from my 2 weeks aboard the Westerdam in November 2005, you're welcome to view them here:

http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/westerdam05/Menu61.html

These photos include an extensive tour of the ship.

[purr_30]

Hello Revneal,

I have enjoyed reading several of your posts!!! :)
Thanks for the link to your pics. I am browsing now. They are stunning. WOW!! I love the teak furniture. Very Classy!!!
What kind of camera did you use?

We are looking forward to our Cruise Oct 15 The excitment has been building since the spring and boy oh boy the pics are getting me in vacation mode. Might be hard to get in work mode after looking at the pics.

Thanks again,

Michelle


If you'd like to see some photos from my 2 weeks aboard the Westerdam in November 2005, you're welcome to view them here:

http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/westerdam05/Menu61.html

These photos include an extensive tour of the ship.

[RevNeal]

Dear Michelle,

Thanks ... I glad you enjoy the photos. :)
I use an Olympus C-7070 Digital Camera.

and, yes ... when I get to longing for a cruise I will go cruising photo sites looking for pictures taken by other people and, as a result, I don't get much work done. :D

Speaking of which ... back on my head. :)

[geocruiser]

Hi,

We were on Westerdam last Dec. Had a great time. We spent some time looking at all the art work on board. We all so looked at the ceilings. They were even pretty. There was art work in the PAX hallways. So while on Westerdam you have to look at floors, walls , ceiling and doors, because some of them were really pretty,

Geo

[purr_30]

Thanks everyone for your response. I guess with all there is to see and do, 7 nights just is not enough. :rolleyes: Hmmmm, maybe a 10-12 days cruise will be next. :D

[RuthC]

...Speaking of which ... back on my head. :)
I remember the rest of the joke. ;)