Leaving the Westerdam 2/10 anything w/ should not miss??

[blazer10]

This will be our first time traveling on HAL and just wondered if there where any spots on the ship we should not miss checking out?

[Sale Away]

There are self-guided art tour podcasts you can download from HAL's website for a self-guided walking tour of the ship. Or I believe you can also borrow an ipod with that already downloaded from the ship's library.

As for any "hidden" spots or otherwise that you might be looking for, I'm not sure I can offer up anything. Have fun!

[geocruiser]

Hi,

We love Westerdam. One thing that my husband and I did was to walk around each deck. Even the PAX decks. We found that the whole ship was a floating work of art. We even started to look up at the ceilings because they too were pretty. So when looking at the art work on board don't forget to look at the ceiling, walls and floors too! Also we love the outside glass elavators.

Have a great cruise,

Maria

[Sprocket]

I really enjoy the Lido Deck about 11 PM or so, virtually deserted very quiet and peaceful. On the Zuiderdam we were skirting a hurricane much of the way and at night in the distance the lightning was amazing.

Enjoy your cruise, the Westerdam is beautiful.

[boco5]

Don't Miss The Boat!!!!!!!!

Thats The Most Important Thing

[O2B@C]

Hi,
We love Westerdam. One thing that my husband and I did was to walk around each deck. Even the PAX decks. We found that the whole ship was a floating work of art. We even started to look up at the ceilings because they too were pretty. So when looking at the art work on board don't forget to look at the ceiling, walls and floors too! Also we love the outside glass elavators.
Have a great cruise,
Maria

I totally agree! Look all around you! For example, there are some circular inlaid marble mosaics on the floors near the Explorer's Lounge and Pinnacle Bar that are incredible - but you could walk right over them and never notice if you weren't looking. Take the stairs in each stairwell (forward, midships, aft) and notice the sequences of artworks on the landings.

The Explorer's Lounge is great for after-dinner drinks and a little chamber music, plus chocolates. On a sea day, reading a book in the Crow's Nest or the adjacent Explorations Cafe, with a nice specialty coffee, is a real treat.

And I imagine you already know about the bread pudding. If not - you just ask the ice cream server in the Lido at lunchtime for it - it's really good.

Enjoy! I was on Westerdam in late November/early December, and I wish I could go again TOMORROW!

[ILoveScotland]

I'll be on the Westerdam for my first HAL cruise on January 27th. I am really enjoying this thread.

Thanks blazer10 for asking starting it.

[Jsipes]

Be sure to pour a little Mint Liquor on your ice-cream at the ice-cream bar....its really sensational.:)

[TracyE]

We were on Westerdam Dec. 2 -- our favorite spot for a pre-dinner cocktail and music was the Ocean Bar. Sol and Ron were just wonderful to talk with and make the best grapefruit cosmo I have ever had! If you go, please tell them Tracy and Mary said hello and we miss them!

We also enjoyed the Pinnacle Grille -- was just a delightful experience.

Happy travels,
TracyE

[Sailorgirlseattle]

I like the lounge/bar that's up above the bridge (forgetting the name now, and getting mixed up with Celebrity. Navigator? Sheesh, I'm gettin' OLD!) ... it's got a bank of windows that wrap around the bow, from side to side, to give you a panoramic view of where you are and where you're headed. GREAT place to watch for whales and sealife, plus any scenery if you're anywhere near land. We lived in these bars on our Alaska trips, especially in the Inside Passage.

[blazer10]

Thank you all - this is making me want to leave even more !!! cant wait!! we have only cruised with RCCL before so we cant wait to see what HAL has to offer.

[RuthC]

I like the lounge/bar that's up above the bridge (forgetting the name now, and getting mixed up with Celebrity. Navigator? Sheesh, I'm gettin' OLD!) ...
Crow's Nest?

[O2B@C]

I like the lounge/bar that's up above the bridge (forgetting the name now, and getting mixed up with Celebrity. Navigator? Sheesh, I'm gettin' OLD!) ... it's got a bank of windows that wrap around the bow, from side to side, to give you a panoramic view of where you are and where you're headed. ....

That would be the Crow's Nest on HAL - you're right, Navigator (Lounge) is Celebrity's version. Both wonderful, in my very limited experience.

You're not old - happens to the best of us!

[ILoveScotland]

Our Roll Call is having our Meet 'n Mingle in the Crow's Nest right after the Muster Drill. I just knew it was one of the lounges/bars. It sounds great.

And it all takes place two weeks from tomorrow which is the best part of it all.

[caribbean girl]

Thanks, everyone, for all the tips on 'what not to miss' on Westerdam. We will have the pleasure of being 'there' in March.:) Here's hoping we don't end up with tons of kids on this sailing but there isn't much we can do about it now, is there? We'll just have to make the best of being on a HAL ship in the Caribbean in March...oy vey...life is tough!;)

Does anyone happen to know who is playing at the Piano Bar on Westerdam? It's one of our favorite places on HAL ships. We quite enjoyed Cory Simon on Noordam last year.