redleader74

So I just got back from our first cruise ever (and also our first time to Alaska ever) and I wanted to share some thoughts from the perspective of a first time cruiser.  This was with Holland America, onboard the Westerdam, departing Seattle for a 7 night Alaska cruise:

-    Cruising in general:  I heard so many people say, omg, I couldn’t cruise for more than a week, I’d be so bored!   My wife and I, on the other hand, could have used more time, as we say with every single trip we’ve ever been on, anywhere.  Even though Holland America seems to be more geared to a mature crowd, I still found many things enjoyable.. read on.
-    The shear novelty of living on a boat (ok, ship), with room, food, activities, and the view, was something I really enjoyed.  Though, on our very first night at sea, I decided to capitalize on our veranda room and stepped out onto the deck.  It was one of the more if not most, horrifying things I’ve ever witnessed:  a pitch black windy/howling sea, where you can’t see where the sea ends and where the sky begins, it was windy so the slithery wave crests floating by looked like spirits in the night.   But ahhh…when the waters were clam and the sun was setting or when we woke in the morning to find ourselves docked in a place we’d never been before….it was shear bliss.
-    Of all the places on the ship I loved most, it was the tucked away cozy little bars (such as the Ocean Bar), especially in the evenings, and also the Crows Nest.  Our 5 year old daughter learned to play chess there during our cruise.  She also really loved the art classes that were taught in one of the areas next to the Crows Nest.  Equipped with binoculars, I also enjoyed some fantastic whale watching from there.   I ordered a fantastic irish coffee from the bar there.  When the bartender asked me Bailey’s or Jameson? I knew I was in the right place.
-    Alaska’s natural beauty is stunning.  Nearly every place I’ve ever visited I always thought “I could see myself moving here” and the same was said for Alaska.  One thing I didn’t expect to see were all the Russian influences in places like Sitka and having been to Russia before, the visit brought back fond memories.
-    Many of you are seasoned cruisers I’m sure, but do you still remember that first time that you got to the terminal, to see that giant ship waiting for you?  The excitement!
-    Food was great, it was very, very hard not to overeat, whether it was the Lido buffet or the dining room.  And, most fortuitously, on our very last meal in the dining room, one of the dessert options was baked Alaska.   Naturally, I had to try it, having heard about it since I was child but never having actually seen it on a menu anywhere.  Imagine that, eating baked Alaska on an Alaskan cruise (too bad we  physically were not in Alaska by then, but rather, Victoria).  

I could go on for about another 10 pages but I just wanted to share with all of you who have collective in some way or another provided great advice and helpful tips leading to this trip.   We are now doing research for the next cruise!  Where to go? With which cruise line?  I’m pushing for a Cunard 80+ day around the world cruise…ok, one can dream!

So i just learned that Cedarbrook Lodge is not in Seattle Express' network and so we won't be able to use them.  Do you all have any other recommendations?  Like, the runner up to Seattle Express?  I'd like to avoid uber/lyft if possible.  THanks!

18 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

we have sailed with RCI before and after the pandemic, and our luggage was always left by our door, just like in the good old times.

check out the Family cruising board for more advice on traveling with kids. Don't forget to bring a booster if you are planning on taking taxis/ubers.

Ok great info...we'll check on that too.  7 days goes by just like that and I'd hate to find out only during the last day or two that there was something fun to do on the ship that I didn't know about.

17 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

To see the map, go to hollandamerica.com and search for your cruise as if you were going to book it.  If it's still there, you can click through the information to find the ports of call and see the map.

To see the ports of call and excursions, login to your account, click on "my account" in the upper right hand corner.  On the next page, click on "My Bookings".  Next click on your confirmation number.  And then on "itinerary" in the upper left corner of the next page.  If that doesn't work (HAL's website can be flaky), scroll through "Select a Date" in the shore excursion section.

Great thanks!  I'm seeing the itinerary now.  Now, is this same info availale and in this format, on the Navitor app?

First time cruise here, and first time with HAL.  We dept 7/21 from Seattle for 7 day Alaska cruise on the Westerdam.   I've completed all of the check-in items on the website and am on this webpage.  Is there another page/site that has information related to the itinerary?  For example, I want to see a map showing ports of calls, etc., I couldn't find this information anywhere in the page shown, it seems this is strictly a check in/pax info area.   Thanks!!

38 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Logistics of boarding the ship:  

 

Before you leave for the port, attach your luggage tags -- you want to move through all steps of check-in quickly.  Since you have a small child, I suggest wearing swimsuits + cover ups to board; this'll allow you to go straight to the pools /splash areas.  

 

Arrive at the port.  Adjacent to the parking /drop off area you'll see the porters.  Drop off your checked bag -- do not leave until you see your bag go on the cart.  Once it's on the cart, the chances of it going astray are very small.  I always tip the porters; this is a controversial subject.  

 

When you enter the terminal, you (and your tote bag) will go through the X-ray machine.  

 

Next you'll go through check-in.  You'll show your documentation, have your picture taken, and answer a few questions.  

 

If you're boarding early, you'll sit down and wait for boarding to begin.  If you're boarding later in the day, you might be able to walk straight onboard.  

 

As you leave the terminal and approach the ship, you'll get the chance to take a group photograph.  

 

You'll walk up the gang plank and onto the ship.  I'd be sure the 5-year old is in sturdy tennis shoes /not flip-flops for the gang plank -- it's not really challenging or anything; that's more of "an abundance of caution thought".  

 

Most people head up to the pool deck and /or to the buffet first.  At this point, the ship feels quite full, but that'll get better.  Two things you need to do right away:  Go to your Muster Station.  Go to the Kids' Club and register your daughter.  

 

Sometime 1:00 - 1:30ish the captain will announce that the staterooms are open, and you'll be amazed at how fast the crowds will dissipate.  

 

Your ship ID cards will be in an envelope outside your room.

 

Your checked luggage will appear in the hall at some point.  We are always among the first (non-special) groups to board, and our luggage always beats us to our room.  If you board later, things get busier, and your luggage could take longer -- but it's always delivered pretty quickly.  

 

Thanks! great info.  That's another thing I'm always wondering, which is the logistics from arrival at cruise port to ultimately being your stateroom.  So as I understand it, you don't just enter the ship and go straight to your room.  What is a "Muster Station?"  

Also do the staff put the luggage in your room or does it just sit outside your room until you get there?

1 minute ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

As someone who works at the cruise pier, I do have a thought re the two wheeler suitcase and the extra large backpack: both are fellow traveler unfriendly.

 

Let me explain.  The two-wheeled suitcases are usually behind the person pulling it.  This can become a tripping hazard to the person walking directly behind the bag, especially if the person pulling stops or slows down.  I can't tell you how many times I have to caution  passengers to be careful not to trip over a two wheeler carry-on type bag while passengers are stopped so we can look at passports/boarding passes etc.

 

 As for the extra large backpack - please just drop it off with the porters.  Those backpack are so unyielding that you could knock someone over if they were standing too close to you and you turned quickly.  Also, it really could be problematic walking around the ship, or trying to get on an elevator with that thing on your back.  (In fact, on most foreign public transportation systems, riders will move their regular backpack from their back to their chest so they can avoid bumping fellow passengers). 

 

So, please check your large pieces of luggage with the porters, carry on your meds, valuables and whatever baby related things that you need.  Make sure everyone has their passports/birth certificates in hand.

 

I know that you said that you are not quite ready to upgrade your luggage, but you might want to start planning to do so in the not-too-distance-future.

 This is funny, you know whenever I travel, especially after marriage and kids, I'm always "visualizing" the logistics of my plan and they way you described the bumping into the luggage, the unwieldness of my large backpack, etc., I've actually thought of so it's nice to hear it from actual staff.  To be honest I have in the past several days taken some looks at "modern" luggage and they sure are nice and I do recall in times past, even recently, going through airports and seeing people just smoothly glide their 4 wheels luggage effortlessly through the terminal. 

27 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

Wow I admire your persistence! You joined CC almost nine years ago, and are finally taking your first cruise!

 

You do not need to check bags before boarding IF they can go through a regular x-ray machine. If I were checking a backpack (old school or modern convertible), I would tighten all of the straps to minimum or even cinch them down with a strap. Probably more convenient just to wear it.

 

Depending on the size of your roller bag, you can bring it on too. They say the x-ray machine will take a larger bag than airline carryon size. Someone will be along with the actual maximum!

 

HAL does a very good job of having rooms ready when you board or soon after. If the stewards are still tidying your cabin, you can even leave the bags in a closet and go in search of food or drink!

 

Your plan will work! If you keep your bags with you, you can unpack as soon as you like, perhaps while watching the safety video on your TV. Do watch it, though. Then go to the muster station indicated to sign in (scan in). You will not have to stand outside in the sun.

 

Have a wonderful cruise! You have chosen a good one!

Thanks for your speedy and helpful reply.  I'd hate to shell out more money on new luggage, but the roller case we do intent on using is the older style (2 wheels intead of the four wheel type that is most common now), which means it's not as maneuverable and it ways a lot by comparison.  But one thing I do like about it is that its the old school form factor, meaning, there's a thin lid, as oppose to the four wheelers now are all claim shell, where you cannot use the full dept of the case because it opens in half.  This part has always bothered me because it limits versatility of the space. 

Has it been 9 years??? Wow!  

Greetings!  We'll be heading on our first cruise ever in a couple of weeks (HAL, 7/21, 8-day Alaska, Dep: Seattle).   I had a question regarding luggage.  For the most part we typically use rolling cases like everyone else.  But with a 5 yr old child in tow, I am thinking of using one roller case, which my wife will manage, and I will use one of the large backpacking-type backpacks, which will allow me to keep my hands free for everything else from helping our daughter to dealing w/ passports/etc.   Because this is our first time, I have no idea what hte process/logistics are with regards to physically boarding the ship.  When/where do we drop off luggage, etc.  Also, are large backpacking backpacks frowned upon by cruise staff?  For example, maybe it's convenient for me, but not for the staff?   At the same time, since I'm already wearing it on my back, can I leave it that way and wear it all the way to our room? Or are we required to check it before boarding?

Thanks!

On 12/23/2023 at 1:39 AM, Crestawave said:

We're in our mid 60s and about to take our first ever cruise. We're going with Viking to central America. From what I can see from the ship roll call we might stand out because we're Brits and everyone else seems to be American. Is there other things that might give us away ?

We'll be first time cruisers too and you bring up an interesting point about travel in general.  When I first starting going on international trips with small tour groups, one thing that I really didn't expect was the people in the group that I would meet.  Because the tour groups I used weren't american companies (I went with Intrepid a few times, even Contiki!), I was able to meet a lot of people from different countries.  That in itself was just as much a part of the travel experience as the actual tour. Had a fantastic time on these trips hanging out with new friends from: the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands....to name a few!   We'll be heading out on our very first cruise too (7/21, HAL/Westerdaam, Alaska dept: Seattle) and I'm looking forward to meeting people from all over, from down under to the continent, to pockets of the U.S. I've never heard of  before.

Excellent info everyone!  Sounds like Seattle Express is the way to go.  And also thank you for allaying my child/carseat etc. fears.   She's like 45+ pounds now and I think 45" or so, and will be more by the time July rolls around so, the MiFold or similar shoudl be well more than enough.  I just briefly checked Cedarbrook and my what a nice place.   Seeing as we're flying in in the afternoon for the predeparture night, we'll probably stay near the airport as it's not enough time to have a meaningful stay in downtown Seattle and do the tourist thing (that'll need to be a completely separate trip).   Once this segment of the trip is planned I can get down to the joy of picking which packages I want to order for the cruise (laundry? internet? drinks? etc. etc.)

We are first time cruisers and will be departing on 7/21 from Seattle on the Westderdam for an Alaska cruise.   We are flying into Seattle from Oakland, CA, the day before departure and I’m trying to figure out logistics.  Mainly, which hotel is best for the night before, in terms of proximity to cruise port, cruise port transportation, etc.   In particular, we have a 5-year old that requires a car seat so transport like shuttle buses/coaches, would be preferred over private passenger vehicle/van since the later requires car seats.   Thanks in advance for any suggestions/tips.  

Ok that sounds good too.  Thanks!

Great! Thanks for the info.  They're seniors so i need to help them with their luggage so maybe I park across the street or some other place and meet them at disembarcation on foot. 

Greetings!  My post isn't really about SF shore excursions etc., rather, my folks are returning from a Hawaii cruise this coming Monday and I will be picking them up from the SF cruise port (Pier 27).  I dropped them off their as well but my guess is there's a bigger window for drop off than arrival/pickup.   Does anyone here have experience with picking up, whether the pick up area is really packed or if we are allowed to wait in the parking lot for them?  I'm not to sure at one time they will be coming off the ship.  Thanks!

Ok great! thanks for the tip.

Everything sounds great!  For these hotel shuttles, is it like a mini bus, or is it an actual car (sedan, SUV, minivan, etc.)?  We have a 5 year old who is currently still using a car seat.  So if it turns out that the shuttle service is using a car, then we'd need to bring along a car seat or booster (she's borderline booster territory now).  But if it's more like a bus, where there are no seatbelts anyway, then we won't need to bring it.  Thanks.

I have a question regarding HAL's Kids Club.   I know the age range go from toddlers up to teens.  For the smaller kids, is a parent required to stay with them or be allowed to stay with them?  We're going to be on the Westerdam but my guess it might be same for all the ships.  Thanks!

Great! Thanks for your fast and helpful response.  I've got a few months here to do my research.   I also need to figure out hotel in Seattle for the night before departure as well as transport to/from airport-hotel-cruise port.....

Greetings.   So this will be our first time on Holland America and first time cruising ever.   It'll be an Alaska cruise, departing on 7/21 from Seattle.  The cruise is a gift from my folks and its going to be me, wife, 5-year old daughter and both sets of grandparents and my brother in law.  My dad's the one doing all the booking since he's an experienced cruiser and he's booked us in room 4155 on the Westerdam.  I have no idea where in the ship this is, is there a map or something that's available online that I can look this up? THANKS!

GREAT! thanks for all the helpful tips.  Coincidentally, last, last Saturday I had to drop off my parents for their SF to Hawaii cruise at the San Francisco Cruise Port and just being amid all the cruisers and next to the ship I could feel the excitement.  I have been watching a bunch of Youtube videos on HAL's Alaska cruises and on the ship we're going to be on at least to get an idea of what to expect.  

Thanks everyone!  I'm excited and daunted as I'm one of these super over the top preparers...to a fault 😕.   

Nearly everyone I know has been on a cruise or multiple cruises.  Finally my wife and I and our 5 year old daughter are going!   We've talked about it countless times over many years but other trips always won out.  This time, my parents (who've been to a number of cruises and love is treating all of us to a cruise.  My dad has picked Holland America, 7-day cruise, departing out of Seattle on July 21st.  It's so ironic that I've always been curious about cruises and very  much attracted to "not having to packing up and move out of a hotel every 1-2 nights and food/drink around the clock"  yet can't seem to prioritize it and now it's being "forced on us" ha ha ha.   So I'm excited but also clueless as I have no idea what to pack, what to expect, etc.!