First Time Cruiser on Westerdam

[Sashamcg]

I am going on my first cruise ever on February 15th on the Westerdam. I actually earned it with my sales! I am travelling alone but am very excited. This site has been a wealth of information but I have some questions that I know the experts here can help me with. Some would be specific to the Westerdam...

1. Do they provide towels for the shore excursions or do I need to bring my own.

2. Is iced tea free all day or just at dinner time? What about coffee? I drink iced tea more than soda so if it’s free all day I won’t need to buy a drink card.

3. How much cash should I bring for a 7 day cruise? If I bring traveler’s checks is there a place on the ship to get cash for them? I won't be using the casino.

4. Should I book my shore excursions before I leave for the cruise or wait until I get on the ship?

5. My flight gets into Ft. Lauderdale at 11:00am. What is the earliest I can get on the ship?

6. I will probably need to bring two suitcases so I am not overweight. Is that allowed?

7. How many pools are on the ship? Just one? If so is it hard to get a spot at the pool on the days we are at sea?

[Sashamcg]

I forgot to say...thanks in advance for your help and I am sure I will have more questions as I research more!

[newlaxfan]

1. Do they provide towels for the shore excursions or do I need to bring my own.

Yes, they'll provide towels for the ports and shore excursions. They'll be near the gangplank.


2. Is iced tea free all day or just at dinner time? What about coffee? I drink iced tea more than soda so if it’s free all day I won’t need to buy a drink card.

Iced tea is free all day. Not sure about coffee. I didn't both getting a soda card, and drank water and iced tea on my cruise.


3. How much cash should I bring for a 7 day cruise? If I bring traveler’s checks is there a place on the ship to get cash for them? I won't be using the casino.

You don't need cash on the cruise itself, as everything goes on your tab. At the end of the trip, you can choose to pay your tab with cash. If you don't, it goes on your credit card. For the shore excursions, it would be a good idea to bring cash. I just kept mine in the safe in my cabin.


4. Should I book my shore excursions before I leave for the cruise or wait until I get on the ship?

If you wait until you're on the ship, some will have sold out. I'd book prior to the trip. I think you need to do so more than five days before departure though.


5. My flight gets into Ft. Lauderdale at 11:00am. What is the earliest I can get on the ship?

Not sure.


6. I will probably need to bring two suitcases so I am not overweight. Is that allowed?

You'll be limited more by the airline than by the cruise. I don't think there's a limit on suitcases for the cruise itself.


7. How many pools are on the ship? Just one? If so is it hard to get a spot at the pool on the days we are at sea?

There are two pools on the Westerdam. Both are on the 9th deck. One is mid-ship, and the adults only one is aft.


Have a great trip!

[Koshlong]

I'll try to answer. We were on the Westerdam last year and are going on the Noordam on Friday. I hope you have as good a time as we did on the Westerdam!

I am going on my first cruise ever on February 15th on the Westerdam. I actually earned it with my sales! I am travelling alone but am very excited. This site has been a wealth of information but I have some questions that I know the experts here can help me with. Some would be specific to the Westerdam...

1. Do they provide towels for the shore excursions or do I need to bring my own. They provide towels at the gangway at departure.

2. Is iced tea free all day or just at dinner time? What about coffee? I drink iced tea more than soda so if it’s free all day I won’t need to buy a drink card. I'm pretty sure it's free all day in the Lido, coffee too

3. How much cash should I bring for a 7 day cruise? If I bring traveler’s checks is there a place on the ship to get cash for them? I won't be using the casino. You can cash traveler's cheques at the Front Desk.

4. Should I book my shore excursions before I leave for the cruise or wait until I get on the ship? I'd book beforehand unless you are unsure...some get filled fast, but if you wait you can ask questions at the shore excursion desk.

5. My flight gets into Ft. Lauderdale at 11:00am. What is the earliest I can get on the ship? I'd have said earlier, but my Noordam docks for this Friday say 1pm. I believe you can arrive at the terminal any time after 11.

6. I will probably need to bring two suitcases so I am not overweight. Is that allowed? If you can get it on the plane, you can bring it on the ship.

7. How many pools are on the ship? Just one? If so is it hard to get a spot at the pool on the days we are at sea? Two pools, Lido and aft. I don't do a lot of pool deck time, but I understand that the aft pool often has lots of loungers available.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am going on my first cruise ever on February 15th on the Westerdam. I actually earned it with my sales! I am travelling alone but am very excited. This site has been a wealth of information but I have some questions that I know the experts here can help me with. Some would be specific to the Westerdam...

1. Do they provide towels for the shore excursions or do I need to bring my own. There are towels at the gangway or just off the ship -- take as many as you think you will need. You can also pick up towels by either pool.

2. Is iced tea free all day or just at dinner time? What about coffee? I drink iced tea more than soda so if it’s free all day I won’t need to buy a drink card. The Iced Tea and Coffee are free 24/7 in the Lido.

3. How much cash should I bring for a 7 day cruise? If I bring traveler’s checks is there a place on the ship to get cash for them? I won't be using the casino. Can't predict this -- keep in mind that there will be an automatic tip of $11 per day added to your shipboard account - this is for your cabin stewards, dining room staff and what is known as the "behind the scenes" staff. If you wish to tip anyone extra at the end of the cruise -- that is up to you. Also keep in mind that any drinks like soda and/or cocktails will also have a 15% gratuity added on to the bill. The front desk will cash traveler's checks -- no fee.

4. Should I book my shore excursions before I leave for the cruise or wait until I get on the ship? If you choose to book your shore excursions before the cruise, you must do so at least 10 days before the cruise. HAL will charge these tours to your credit card and that will be one less bill you will have on the ship. Should you change your mind about a tour, you can cancel it on Embarkation day withouy a penalty --after that there is a 10% penalty before the deadline for each tour -- that will be listed in the shore excursion phamphlet that will be in your cabin. Should you wait until you are on the ship to book your tours, the cost of them will go on your shipboard account.

5. My flight gets into Ft. Lauderdale at 11:00am. What is the earliest I can get on the ship? By the time you land and get your luggage and get to the ship -- short taxi ride to the pier -- people will already have checked in and will be on the ship. Normally people can start to board the ship at 11:15 - 11:30. You will be directed to the Lido for lunch. Cabins should be ready anytime from 1 - 1:30 -- an announcement will be made.

6. I will probably need to bring two suitcases so I am not overweight. Is that allowed? You can bring as many suitcases as you want -- no limit -- only the airlines have limits.

7. How many pools are on the ship? Just one? If so is it hard to get a spot at the pool on the days we are at sea? There are 2 pools -- both on the Lido Deck. The middle pool has a dome over it which can be opened and closed depending on the weather. It is usually very crowded. The aft pool -- more lounge chair -- and much nicer -- JMO.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Enjoy your first cruise!!

[swimsimcoe]

Last week on the sea days there were no,nada,none,nyet lounge chairs available after late morning.Or tables.The only place we found chairs were on the upper decks above the pools.BUt if you watch out for chair hogs and 1/2 hour passes and no one comes back take the towel off and sit yourself down-no matter what anyone says.

[matondo]

I bring cash to tip the taxi driver, the baggage handlers at the pier, the person who brings our room service trays. I also use cash to pay for shore excursions that we take on our own. All told we brought $300 for a 7 day cruise.

We also brought a thermal coffee mug to enjoy our coffee in our cabin. If there is no coffee in the Lido during off times you can always order room service which is free.

We were on the Westerdam the first week in December and had a wonderful time. I hope you have a great cruise.

[cb at sea]

Bring more cash than you think you'll need. If you don't spend it, you can take it home--the bank will let you re-deposit it!