Westerdam dining and drinks q's

[bkreader]

Will be on 5-day Jan. 4 cruise.

1. How many formal nights on a 5-day cruise?

2. We are booked for lower main seating at small table. Will that be at 8:00?
Does "small" mean 2 or 4 people? (There are 2 of us)

3. My last time aboard HAL was 4 years ago on the Ryndam - The food was so spectacular, and the waitstaff were wonderful too. Is it really true that the food is on the downslide since then? What about the service?

4. Is iced tea only served in the dining rooms or can you get it in the bars or by the pool, etc.?

Jane

[TedC]

I would guess one formal night, but your documents will spell out the exact number. If you can't wait call HAL, they may be able to tell you. If you don't get the answer you want, call again, you could possibly get a different answer.

As I recall, iced tea was available in the Lido. Sometimes, by the pool, they come around with lemonade and/or iced tea.

I've found that food tends to vary by ship and by chef. Cruise prices have softened over four years, although I think they're headed back up now. I have a feeling that the food budget could be linked to revenue the ship is taking in on a particular cruise - just my opinion.

We have noticed a slippage in service in the dining room sometimes, but nothing too serious, for the most part.

I still think that cruising is a convenient and comfortable way to travel at a reasonable price. This is particularly true in Europe, where our dollar has been very weak against the Euro (One Euro now costs almost $1.30) . Your food, accommodation, entertainment, etc. is all paid for in U.S. dollars on a cruise.

The Westerdam is a beautiful, comfortable ship. I think you're in for a real treat. We were on her in May and will be on her again next month.

[Esme]

No ice tea in the bars, but it's always available in the Lido and you can request it in the dining room. If you are out by the pool, it's very easy to walk inside and get yourself a glass of ice tea.

Lower Main is 8:30pm, but then again, they have been changing times so often, it's best to wait until you get on the ship and check with the Maitre'd or check out the daily program.

No idea what "small" means. It could be 2, 4 or 6.

As Ted said - probably only 1 formal night.

[elmorejj]

Table size is by request only. You won`t find out what size table you have until you board. There will be an envelope in your cabin and on the outside, lower corner it will have something like 69/2 or 108/6, that is the table number and size. You can go to the outside of the DR and look at the map of the layout of the tables.....jean :cool:

[bkreader]

Thanks all for the good info. I was just drooling over my old souvenir menus from my Ryndam trip. Stuff like Pheasant Pate and Pan Roasted Five Spice Duck Breast. No meatloaf! I wonder if Chef Wolfgang Rappl is still there, and whether they still serve a yummy dessert called Lemon Cheese Xongo.

Great memories.

Jane