Westerdam to Alaska Questions

[JDBooks]

Headed to Alaska next month on the Westerdam and first time on HAL. I'm trying to sort out a few questions that I'm sure those here have the answers to. :)

:confused:Wine. I've read that you can take your own wine on board for your stateroom. Is this true? If so, HOW do you bring it on board? Is it a carry-on or do you have to clear it through HAL? I'm not too sure about putting bottles of wine in my luggage while the luggage gorillas toss it around to get it on board...

:confused:Laundry. Yep, I've seen a bunch of topics on this lately but we were upgraded to a SB category room and I read that one of the perks is "complimentary" laundry and dry cleaning service. Anyone out there experienced this? Is there a limit on the amount of "complimentary" laundry?

:confused:Embarkation. Seems that embarkation begins around 11:30 to noon? If we arrive at 11:00 would that be a good time? We dont mind waiting a short while to get on board but want to beat the crowd, especially for the Lido to get some lunch! Any "secrets" anyone has about embarkation, or disembarkation for that matter...

:confused:Formal nights. Which two nights are the "formal" nights on the Westerdam?

Thanks for any and all help toward making this a GREAT cruise!

[FloridaAdGuy]

We were on the Zaandam out of Seattle last week and can help on a number of points based on our experience.


Wine - We brought 14 bottles (two champagne and a case of wine) with us through the entire check in process. Two bottles were in a backpack and the case I carried on my shoulder. With the price of the wine purchased we didn't want to chance broken bottles. No problems at all...in fact, we made a number of friends!
Embarkation - We arrived at 12:15pm and were ushered right on board. There were many folks on board already. We tried to get on sooner but found big delays at the new Pier 91.
The two formal nights on the Zaandam were the first Sea Day (Day 2) and our Sitka Port Day (Day 5). I was actually pretty disappointed with both HAL formal nights compared to other cruise lines we'd been on (NCL & Carnival) as it was pretty much the same dining scenario but with folks wearing suits versus polo shirts.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Headed to Alaska next month on the Westerdam and first time on HAL. I'm trying to sort out a few questions that I'm sure those here have the answers to. :)

:confused:Wine. I've read that you can take your own wine on board for your stateroom. Is this true? If so, HOW do you bring it on board? Is it a carry-on or do you have to clear it through HAL? I'm not too sure about putting bottles of wine in my luggage while the luggage gorillas toss it around to get it on board...

You can bring on as much wine and champagne as you want (or can carry). There is no linit and you do not have to clear it through HAL. There will be an $18 per bottle corkage fee in the dining room (or any bar you take your bottle to).

:confused:Laundry. Yep, I've seen a bunch of topics on this lately but we were upgraded to a SB category room and I read that one of the perks is "complimentary" laundry and dry cleaning service. Anyone out there experienced this? Is there a limit on the amount of "complimentary" laundry?

Yes -- there is complimentary laundry service for all people in PS, SA, SB and SC cabins. Also free dry cleaning. There is no limit. But the last day to send out laundry/dry cleaning is 2 days before the end of the cruise as it is a 48 hour turn around time. One time on the Westerdam we didn't get items back for 3 days.
:confused:Embarkation. Seems that embarkation begins around 11:30 to noon? If we arrive at 11:00 would that be a good time? We dont mind waiting a short while to get on board but want to beat the crowd, especially for the Lido to get some lunch! Any "secrets" anyone has about embarkation, or disembarkation for that matter...
You can begin checking in at 11 AM and boarding should start around 11:30. Things have not been going well at the new Pier 91 -- so expect delays. All PS, SA, SB and SC passengers have their own check-in line in the terminal. It is getting through security that is a hassle. The Star Princess will also be there.

:confused:Formal nights. Which two nights are the "formal" nights on the Westerdam?

Your formal nights will be the first sea day after you leave Seattle and the evening of Ketchikan -- we did this cruise last year.

Thanks for any and all help toward making this a GREAT cruise!

Have a great cruise.

[leokin]

The formal nights on the Westerdam are Monday and Friday.

[bergen66]

The formal nights on the Westerdam are Monday and Friday.

Thanks for confirming this! I'm going on Westerdam August 9th and I had the same questions. The agent told me Mon and Fri as well (see below). I imagine it's the same itinerary some of you are on. I can't wait!

Hey JDBooks, I can't wait to see your post after the cruise! Look forward to hearing about your June cruise (sounds like you're going in June). I've heard that's the best month (for wildlife and even LONGER days of sunlight). Try to get some rest when the sun's up, OK? Thanks for the other tips everyone else..I'll be sure to check back for more before August!
Paul

1 Sun, Aug 9 Seattle 5:00 P
2 Mon, Aug 10 At Sea FORMAL NIGHT
3 Tue, Aug 11 Cruising Glacier Bay 11:00 A 8:00 P
4 Wed, Aug 12 Juneau 7:00 A 8:00 P
5 Thu, Aug 13 Sitka 8:00 A 4:00 P
6 Fri, Aug 14 Ketchikan 7:00 A 1:00 P FORMAL NIGHT
7 Sat, Aug 15 Victoria 8:00 P 11:00 P
8 Sun, Aug 16 Seattle 7:00 A

[Beowulfpk]

I just got off the Westerdam this weekend and I had a great cruise.

The food was exceptionally good. I had Fillet Mignon and beef tenderloin for 3 nights and every other night they had plenty of high end items to choose from.

Pier 91 was a total disaster. I left my hotel (1 mile from the pier) around 10:20am and didn't get to the drop off point until 11:00. It should have been a 5 minute drive, but it was literally a parking lot with all the traffic for the Westerdam and Princess funnling into one lane and one drop off area. It drove me nuts watching the taxi fare climbing every minute....

There wasn't a line at the check in which took less than 5 minutes. There was a decent number of people who seem to have gotten there earlier. The boarding started around 11:45am and it went quickly. We were not able to get to our rooms until around 3pm, but we were able to sit in the Lido and had a very long lunch.

We got off the ship around 9:45am this Sunday and didn't have any problems with traffic getting out of the pier.

[Three's company]

How was the weather? I am going in July 5th wonder what the degrees will be?

[bergen66]

I just got off the Westerdam this weekend and I had a great cruise.

The food was exceptionally good. I had Fillet Mignon and beef tenderloin for 3 nights and every other night they had plenty of high end items to choose from.

Pier 91 was a total disaster. I left my hotel (1 mile from the pier) around 10:20am and didn't get to the drop off point until 11:00. It should have been a 5 minute drive, but it was literally a parking lot with all the traffic for the Westerdam and Princess funnling into one lane and one drop off area. It drove me nuts watching the taxi fare climbing every minute....

There wasn't a line at the check in which took less than 5 minutes. There was a decent number of people who seem to have gotten there earlier. The boarding started around 11:45am and it went quickly. We were not able to get to our rooms until around 3pm, but we were able to sit in the Lido and had a very long lunch.

We got off the ship around 9:45am this Sunday and didn't have any problems with traffic getting out of the pier.

Thanks for the heads up. Do you think it was so crowded because of two ships? What day of the week was that taxi nightmare getting to the boat?
Paul from NJ

[legalslave]

JD, we just got off the Westerdam this past Sunday. We arrived at the pier very early to avoid the congestion that could come later. We arrived about 9:30 am. We were in the terminal and checked in about 10:00 am. They started boarding the ship a little after 11:30. There was lemonade and coffee for passengers to drink while waiting to board. You will have prioority embarkation and will be in the first group to board after those with special needs are boarded.

We were in an SA and yes, unlimited laundry means unlimited. You need to have the laundry picked up by 9:00 am if you want to get it back the following day. There will be a cloth bag clipped to a hanger in your closet. Be sure to fill out the form that goes inside the laundry bag. You only keep the pink copy and the rest goes into the bag. Next to each type of clothing item on the form is a space to write how many of each item you have put in the bag. We only used the laundry, did not use the dry cleaning. The last day you can send out laundry is Friday before 9:00 am.

Formal nights were Monday night and Friday night. We saw a lot of whales and dolphins from the crows nest on Tuesday on our way to Glacier Bay. Hope you will see them also. Have a wonderful time!

Diane

[JDBooks]

Thanks Much Folks!!:D

Good information all around. About the only thing I haven't got nailed down is the disembarkation. We are staying the night Sunday in Seattle after getting off the ship so no hurry. What is the approx time they start disembarkation? Wanted to give our ride an idea of time to come and pick us up.

Any other tips from you recent Westerdam cruisers that we need to know?? Thanks again for all the help!

JD

[Krazy Kruizers]

Another note on the laundry -- and it is the same on all ships.

Yes -- get your laundry out by 9 AM. Our cabin stewards picked up our bag by 7:30 - 8 AM when they came on duty -- there is no guarantee that you will get it back the next day!!

Disembarkation from our recent Westerdam cruise:
Sunday, May 10 -- Time to leave the ship. We really didn’t want to -- it was a fabulous cruise!! The food was great!! I am not a fan of soups but I did fall in love with the chilled soups. Everyone was called by colors and numbers after the self disembarkation people left. It was stressed that you should not get off the ship before you were called as your luggage would not be on the pier. We were called around 9 AM and were off the ship quickly. Went through customs quickly -- they barely looked at our passports. But trying to get a porter was another matter. Pier 91 has a lot of details that need to be addressed. There were very few porters there and it was hard to get one. After about 10 minutes we were able to flag one down. As we left the terminal we handed our customs declaration slip to the person at the door and called for our limo. The line-up for taxis is something else!! Instead of having the taxis pick you up near the entrance to the terminal, they have you walk down quite a long line of taxis until you get to the head taxi. This is should be reversed. Limos and cars are in another lane -- headed in the right direction -- pick up is near the terminal. But too many people just plain parked and wouldn’t keep moving around the circle until their friends came off the ship. Our limo driver had to actually block another lane as there was no place for him to pull over and pick us up. It was about a 35 minute drive from Pier 91 to the Airport Hilton where we stayed the night before our flight home.

[bergen66]

Thanks for all this info! Does anyone know how far it is driving time from the terminal to the airport? Any any recommendations on whether to book a transfer with HA or to just hail a cab to get to the airport? We're a party of 3 so we'd need a mini-van.
Paul

[JDBooks]

I've heard Holland lets you stay in your cabin till disembarkation, is that true? I really hate that everybody cramming into the hallways, stairwells, lounges, etc scene...please tell me it'll be different this time...

[Mary Ellen]

I've heard Holland lets you stay in your cabin till disembarkation, is that true? This has been our experience the past few years. It is a WONDERFUL thing!!!

[sunviking90]

:confused:Embarkation. Seems that embarkation begins around 11:30 to noon? If we arrive at 11:00 would that be a good time? We dont mind waiting a short while to get on board but want to beat the crowd, especially for the Lido to get some lunch! Any "secrets" anyone has about embarkation, or disembarkation for that matter...


The best "secret" I know (which I got from this board;)) is that the main dining room (lower level) is open on embarkation day for lunch. I think it opens at 12 pm with a limited menu. A great way to avoid the hoards in the lido and have a relaxing lunch. On our cruise last year there were only about 4 tables of people initially, and more later as were were done lunch. (I think they started directing people there later).

Have a great cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for all this info! Does anyone know how far it is driving time from the terminal to the airport? Any any recommendations on whether to book a transfer with HA or to just hail a cab to get to the airport? We're a party of 3 so we'd need a mini-van.
Paul

I did not see any mini vans -- just tons of taxis -- three people with a lot of luggage -- won't work. But if the three of you have just one suitcase each -- you are good to go.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for all this info! Does anyone know how far it is driving time from the terminal to the airport? Any any recommendations on whether to book a transfer with HA or to just hail a cab to get to the airport? We're a party of 3 so we'd need a mini-van.
Paul

The Airport Hilton Hotel is right next to the airport -- it was a 35 minute drive from the pier to our hotel.

[rootbear]

Just got off the Westerdam yesterday and for last week's cruise they changed the last formal night from Friday to Thursday. It was the first week they did that.