Just back from Westerdam, short review

[caviargal]

We were aboard the Westerdam for the three night Bahama cruise and are in the car now, headed home. This was my fourth Vista class ship and we had a nice weekend.

I liked the changes they made during drydock. The Exploration Cafe is now located in a side section of the Crows Nest and is a delightful use of space. There is a new upscale jewerly shop, located inside the old shop but separate and more of a showroom. I noticed some higher end lines have been added in both the jewelry store and in the giftshop. Even the perfume store now carries more European brands, a nice touch.

The crowd was quite a bit different on this short cruise. More families, more casual atmosphere, more active in the evenings. Staff was just terrific overall. We opted for the PG all three nights and were not disappointed in either food or service.

The aft pool was designated as adults only and we did not see kids there the two times we visited, a real contrast to the main pool which was mostly kids.

It was our first visit to HMC and it was simply beautiful! We spent the day swimming in the crystalline waters and walking the powder sand beaches. What a special spot! Nassau was quiet since we visited on a Sunday. We had a day pass to Sandals and enjoyed the visit very much. The Captain extended our stay til 9:30 pm from 6pm but we did not know than when disembarking so were back onboard early.

We had a small but very nice group of CC'ers aboard whom HAL graciously treated to cocktails and appetizers. It was so nice to meet everyone and we wished the cruise had been longer.

I am happy to answer any questions.

[Solo Cruiser]

Sounds like you had a great time. I need to pay more attention for the short cruises. I didn't think HAL offered anything shorter than 7 days unless it was a repo. Thanks for the review.

[Sir PMP]

Just a short answer, 3 days is not a cruise!

[Boytjie]

Just a short answer, 3 days is not a cruise!

It's on a ship, its a cruise. :D

[momofmeg]

Sounds like you had a great time. I need to pay more attention for the short cruises. I didn't think HAL offered anything shorter than 7 days unless it was a repo. Thanks for the review.

The Westerdam is repo-ing through the Panama Canal to Seattle to do Alaska. I was on the cruise before this, a 6 day, but yes normally the Westerdam had 7 day cruises, I guess with the 18 day repo to Seattle HAL was left with 9 days so they decided to do a 6 day and a 3 day.


Caveirgal I loved the ship but was NOT impressed with Half Moon Cay. I can't be in the sun much and was major disapointed there were no shaded areas unless you rented a cabana. But it was no big deal. I went back to the ship and enjoyed the pool there.

We had a nice meet and greet and the Captain came and visited us. Did you meet Heidi H? She was doing both cruises.

I also saw where that person who does the roll calls for all the HAL ships here on the HAL board posted that you will be back on the Westerdam in June for an Alaska cruise. So I guess you just got a little "preview" this weekend. So forget that post who said 3 days is no cruise-LOL! He does not know you and that you cruise very often! Hey I would take a 3 day cruise as a bonus to another cruise! Heck, I was wishing we had booked the 3 day too like Heidi H! I hated getting off Saturday!

I read another thread here that the Zudierdam is in drydock right now and will be fitted out like the Westerdam-so I am now glad now we did not take that cruise back in January but was to get on the Westerdam which had already been in drydock and refitted. We loved the Explorer's cafe.

[caviargal]

I am glad you enjoyed the ship and I knew you were on just before me. Yes, we are going to Alaska with a large group in June so it was nice to get a feel for the changes as it caused me to rethink some of the plans I made for them. I wished we had had more time to hang out in Explorations. It was soi inviting and had a great book selection. I will be enjoying that in Alaska for sure!

DH and I are both big beach and water people so enjoyed what HMC had to offer, especially farther down the beach where it was almost deserted. I can understand that you would not like it if you could not be in the sun for very long.

Glad this HAL cruise was a good one for you!

[hammybee]

It's good to hear that the 3 dayer turned out well, for you.

Welcome to the HMC Fan Club.

[mamaofami]

I'll take a three day cruise any day, as opposed to no cruise. In fact, I will be going on the Eurodam's three day cruise out of NYC and think it's going to be great.

I also can't stay in the sun too long, but love HMC. I usually rent one of those umbrella thingys. It's hot under them, so we raise the back of it to get some air.

Caviargirl, it sounds like you had a good time. Glad to hear the Explorations Cafe in the Crow's Nest was nice. I was concerned about that change and wondered if there would be enough room for it up there. Seems like you thought it was fine.

[momofmeg]

I'll take a three day cruise any day, as opposed to no cruise. In fact, I will be going on the Eurodam's three day cruise out of NYC and think it's going to be great.

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]I also can't stay in the sun too long, but love HMC. I usually rent one of those umbrella thingys. It's hot under them, so we raise the back of it to get some air.

I guess because I have been to other private islands that had palm trees large enough to provide shade so I liked them better. Princess Cays, Coco Cay, and Castaway Key are great private islands with plenty of free shade.

yes I know you can rent a cabana for $100 but since I only stay on the island about 2 hours at the most-(my medication I am on makes it hard on me to be in the sun AND the heat) I would see this as a waste of money. I would rather spend that on dinner in the Pinnacle grill.

Hopefuly though, in a few years those trees will be taller and then I will enjoy Half moon Cay.

I also found Grand Turk too hot as I had foolishly done the hop-on hop off bus- and found there is nothing there to see really in the town area. It is dry and hot, it does not rain much there and there are very few trees, EXCEPT by the ship's dock. Now at the dock there is a nice beach with tall palm trees toward the back that provide good shade and ofcourse you can rent the cabana for those who want to be right on the beach in the sun.

Grand Turk is great for snorkling, scuba diving, and a beach day, but very little else is there.

[caviargal]

FYI, you can rent a Clamshell at HMC for 10 bucks for the day and it gives a shady spot for two. Cabanas are $200.

[momofmeg]

FYI, you can rent a Clamshell at HMC for 10 bucks for the day and it gives a shady spot for two. Cabanas are $200.

Okay what is a clamshell? what is the differance? LOL! My stupidity again! I would spring for $10 for a couple of hours. All I knew about was the cabana and that other thingie that would be for a group that rented for a $1000.

My guess is I would looking at clamshells and thinking they were cabanas! I guess I should have done more research.

But you know, I am used to dealing with my condition and not overdoing it in the direct sun. I still like cruising to the caribbean and seeing the beautiful beaches even if I can't enjoy them much and my hubby LOVES scuba diving so I normally do fine.

[Boytjie]

Okay what is a clamshell? what is the differance?


The blue things on the right....

http://www.02cruise.com/lines/holland%20america/holland%20america%20half%20moon%20cay/photos/holland%20america%20half%20moon%20cay%20lounges.jp g

[sail7seas]

Clamshells are the blue canvas canopy type covers that are all up and down the beach. Would be impossible to not notice them.

We adore HMC and welcome every opportunity for a day there.

Happy you enjoyed your cruise so much. It sounds wonderful and I would hop on any HAL ship for a three dayer for sure. Of course, it is brief but certainly better than not being there.

Welcome back and thanks for your report.

[momofmeg]

As I said. My stupidity. I thought those were the cabanas.

[Boytjie]

As I said. My stupidity. I thought those were the cabanas.

Nope, this is a cabana!

http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/24700/2121749320054551263S425x425Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2121749320054551263DGJijB)

[middle-aged mom]

As I said. My stupidity. I thought those were the cabanas.

ps You're not stupid. You have helped a lot of people with your question by helping to clarify the difference between a clamshell and a cabana. Thank you.:)

[yortkrause]

ps You're not stupid. You have helped a lot of people with your question by helping to clarify the difference between a clamshell and a cabana. Thank you.:)
Just to make things more confusing, on Grand Turk they call the "clamshells" Cabanas....so go figure. We just had one at both locals. $14 at HMC and $20 at Grand Turk. However, Grand Turk will set you up in the first row right infront of the water if you wish....NICE.;)

[momofmeg]

Nope, this is a cabana!

http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/24700/2121749320054551263S425x425Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2121749320054551263DGJijB)

Okay no wonder it is $200! I was mad that they wanted what I thought for what I now know is a clamshell!

[momofmeg]

Just to make things more confusing, on Grand Turk they call the "clamshells" Cabanas....so go figure. We just had one at both locals. $14 at HMC and $20 at Grand Turk. However, Grand Turk will set you up in the first row right infront of the water if you wish....NICE.;)

What was that thingie that some on our roll call were going in together on? I would have thought the cabana shown to me in the previous post picture was that. I know they said it would hold 12 people comfortably. It seemed like Reg and Julie and some others were going in together on it.

[momofmeg]

ps You're not stupid. You have helped a lot of people with your question by helping to clarify the difference between a clamshell and a cabana. Thank you.:)

No ignorance I guess-so we can say ignorance is NOT always bliss!

[momofmeg]

What was that thingie that some on our roll call were going in together on? I would have thought the cabana shown to me in the previous post picture was that. I know they said it would hold 12 people comfortably. It seemed like Reg and Julie and some others were going in together on it.

Okay I found it. It is called the Grand Oasis Cabana. That is the one that costs a $1000 to rent. Next time I will check out things better and not just expect bits I read in the roll call to answer everything for me.

No one mislead me, I just assumed.

[yortkrause]

Okay I found it. It is called the Grand Oasis Cabana. That is the one that costs a $1000 to rent. Next time I will check out things better and not just expect bits I read in the roll call to answer everything for me.

No one mislead me, I just assumed.Yes the grand cabana. It has more perks however than does the regular cabana including a hot tub, butler etc plus first tender reservations

[cruiseapril]

We enjoyed the swimming at Half Moon Cay, very much, this year and last. Just beautiful sand and water- so many say this. Glad you enjoyed it.

[jerseygirl3]

We were at HMC 2 weeks ago on Westerdam. Just for the record, the cabanas are $249...we rented the purple one.

For the poster who said there wasn't enough shade, there was lots of shade in front of and to the side of our cabana. You just needed to walk down a bit further and you'd find plenty of shade.

We love HMC.