Back from westerdam sept. 6 review

[Susie51]

This was a wonderful cruise largely due to the friendly staff and crew, and the lovely Westerdam. We had a lot of wind, rain, and fog, so the breathtaking views outside the ship were "dulled" by the weather. However, nothing took away from the sparkle of life aboard the Westerdam.

From the very begining, embarkation day started out with a bang - literally - THUNDER, and of course, rain. The Seattle Express driver was extremely helpful with loading and unloading mom's wheelchair and walker plus all of our luggage. At the pier, he found a porter for us and brought him over to the van. The porter took us directly to the podium and helped us get our luggage tags and fill them out.

Inside the terminal HAL staff continued to be very helpful. One draw back to the terminal design is after getting off the elevator there is still a lot of zigzagging to do on the ramp leading to the ship.

Finding a place to eat is difficult in the Lido buffet, especially with the rain and chilly weather. No one was eating outside by the pool. Our rooms were ready at 1:30 and our luggage arrived before dinner.

We had AYWD and went at 5:30 PM to dinner. Anton and Paul provided excellent service at table 158. We were able to sit in their section each evening and usually at table 158. After eating each night I would ask the host for a reservation in Anton's section and the time we wanted to eat. This worked out well for us. The host knew our room number and names by the third day.

We enjoyed the first night's show and our Cruise Director Johnnie Quinn.

Next time I post, I will tell you about our M & G.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome home.

looking foreward to the rest of your review.

Sorry about your weather. We did an Alaskan cruise once the first week of September -- bad weather as well.

[COLLEYBERRY]

Thanks for posting , I think your upbeat attitude helped make this cruise so wonderful for you. Looking forward to reading more.

[Sirdar]

Thanks for the review. We are sailing on the Westerdam for the first time in January and look forward to all of your comments.

[IRL_Joanie]

Great to hear everything started out well. Cannot wait to hear more

[Susie51]

M & G

HAL provided coffee, tea, and ice water and cookies for our M & G on the port side of the Cow's Nest. Johnnie Quin, the Cruise Director, and the Beverage Manager, Primn attended our M & G. Primn (please forgive my spelling) shared interestesting details of what life is like back home in Dubai which is very different from other cities and countries of the Middle East. They welcome visitors, and currently cruise ships visit this port and it is becoming a popular resort area.

The first sea day began with breakfast in the dining room which is served from 7:30 - 9:00 AM each morning. I tried the omelettes two different mornings and they weren't cooked in the middle. We ate at the lido buffet the last three mornings and the omelettes were cooked perfectly. Anyway, the rest of the mornings in the dining room I ordered eggs and they were cooked just right. Mom and my DD enjoyed their breakfasts each morning. DH said the blueberry pancakes were very good.

We signed up for the weekly pass to the hydro pool and thermal suite. This is such a peaceful place to relax and to meet "warm" and friendly people also. After using the hydro pool, I would shower and change in the locker room. There are 3 showers and two dressing rooms are available. Inside there are robes and plastic slippers to use while in the spa area. In the thermal suite are heated tile loungers that face a huge window. Whenever, Mom, DH or I wanted to use a heated lounger there was always one available.

This first sea day was also the first formal night. The lobster was excellent. Many people that night commented on the taste and texture and mentioned it was the best they had tasted at sea.

Next Glacier Bay

[jmps]

Thanks for posting. We will be on the Westerdam next March and it is nice seeing the updates.

We were on the Zuiderdam in June and also thought the lobster was excellent. It was very large and tender and the best we have ever had on a cruise. I guess the downturn in lobster sales is helping HAL get good quality.

I think from now on, even though you get directed to the Lido, we are heading to the Dining Room for lunch after boarding. The crowds are just not a pleasant first experience.

[Susie51]

The dining room was not open on embarkation day for our cruise. In Dec. 2008 on Oosterdam the dining room was open for lunch on embarkation day. I much prefer the dining room, but when it is not open there is no other choice, but the Lido.

Glacier Bay

Having a port side balcony enhanced the cruise through Glacier Bay. Waking up with the mountains right outside our window was a fantastic way to greet the morning. We had breakfast in the dining room and then headed for the Crow's Nest. We had three folding chairs just behind the fixed chairs. It was nice listening to the explanations of the park ranger, but then we went back to our room when we were at Marjorie Glacier. It was cold and drizzly out on the balcony, but it was well worth standing out there to hear the BOOMS, GRINDS, AND POPS of the glacier.

Juneau

Another rainy, cool day, but the trip to Mendenhall Glacier was a first time experience for my daughter, so I was glad to do it again. We walked out to the observation point and then took the beach trail to the waterfalls. Mom stayed inside the Visitors Center and a bear came right up to the building. She met a man who we had breakfast with during open seating in the dining room, and they had a nice time visiting together while his daughter was, also, walking the trails. There is an elevator that goes up to the observation room in the Visitors Center. It is just past the restrooms on the path that connects the parking lot with the VC.

Sitka, Storm, and Tracy Arm next.