hummingbird_206

Great to hear this. Where on the ship do they play?

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/community-appreciation-cruise-offers/aarp-member-benefit-offer

He said he would check my reservation and make sure I was getting the lowest price and all of the available benefits.

Just realize that you are depriving the PCC of a commission if you don't book with the PCC. I booked online and then asked the PCC a question. He was very nice and helpful, but he asked that in the future I reserve online and then contact him to do the booking since he gets a commission. I didn't know that and felt bad. If I ever book another HAL cruise I will go through my PCC.

I applied AARP to a booking about 2 months after the booking was made. Did you do the AARP verification on the HAL website and receive a SheerID verification email? IF not, that's your first step. Then wait about a week and ask HAL for a booking confirmation and the OBC should show on the booking confirmation. It was all automagic in my experience.

The Big Eagle is probably a female. They are larger than the males. Did your cruise have any HAL Excursions available? Our Majestic Japan cruise in Sept has no excursions at Dutch Harbor, so just curious.

@The-Inside-Cabin is there any Classical Music on the Westerdam for this cruise?

I went to the HAL AARP page (link below), clicked the Verify tab and entered the requested info. HAL verified the info and came back with a screen saying info verified (suggest you take a screen shot of that verification page in case there is any question later.) I talked to our PCC about something else, and at that time asked if he could verify the AARP OBC. He said it takes about a week to show up so he sent himself a reminder to check in a week. A week later PCC sent us a booking confirmation showing the OBC had been added. Exclusive AARP Member Offer | Holland America Line

Thanks! I was thinking the limit was $13, but you're correct it's, $11. But it will be worth it for me to get a souvenir shot glass on my next voyage for 50 cents. I'll have to remember to do it, that's always the challenge.

@The-Inside-Cabin Thanks for posting the menu. Just want to confirm this is MDR for everyone (not CO or other?) Anyone know: Is the drink in the souvenir shot glass at no extra charge with the Signature Beverage package?

Call HAL with the confirmation numbers for both reservations. They can link your reservations together. We did this and were in the same groups for excursions even when there were multiple different groups heading out on the same excursion.

Here's the standard bar menu that includes prices of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Standard-Bar-Menu-2024.pdf

HAL uses Coke products. I saw Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite, but there may be more. They do not have the freestyle machines.

You can place an order for Dive In via the app? We were on the Zaandam earlier this year and I didn't see this but I probably just missed it???

Where is the Dutch High Tea served? MDR?

Thanks @LAFFNVEGAS Is the noise a pretty steady sound that eventually just become white noise (or hum?) like a loud air conditioner?

Thinking about booking an aft cabin on the Westerdam. I'm a bit nervous given the stairstep design. For those who have stayed in these cabins, does the fact that the cabin above you can look down on your balcony bother you? Is it very noticeable and/or annoying? Another thing that I question is how much, if any, cigarette smoke smell wafts down from the smoking area at the Sea View bar on the Lido deck? The views look amazing from the aft balconies, but I don't want to set myself up for disappointment.

Spa treatments are ~30% off if booked before the cruise. I booked a massage today for my cruise in Sept, but had to use my Credit card to pay for it. I didn't see any option to use OBC to pay. Can I only use OBC for Spa app't booked once actually 'on board'? If it can be used to book before the cruise starts, where would I be able to select that option?

Our cruise doesn't dock where shown on this map. See the discussion of the port up thread. 🙂

Wow, 10 miles is a bit out of my zone, but I can easily do 5! But yes, we really like to walk when possible. Thanks for mentioning the Red Brick Warehouse. I saw that on the map and wondered if it was worth a stop. We're not big shoppers, but will be fun to look around especially at a place so close to the ship when we're heading back. BTW I read your Westerdam BTBTB Live thread and found your posts about DIY very helpful (even if it was from a while back.) I am hoping we don't have the alcohol shortages you documented!!

Thanks for the info about the pier. As to why walk to the Ropeway, because we like to walk and take in the sites as we walk. I haven't looked into the tram. Good to know about it so we know the options in case we decide not to walk.

Thanks for the info. The writeup you linked was in 2019, so perhaps they have changed where the ship docks? According to this site, the pier is where I used for my Google Maps link. https://www.cruisetimetables.com/hakodate-japan-cruise-ship-schedule.html Also, the cruise excursions say they walk to the Red-Brick Warehouse and the Morning Market, both of which are by the dock I used. But I appreciate the warning so we'll be prepared in case we don't dock where I noted!

Yeesh, I can't get Google to go into street view mode for this location. Thanks for your help.

We're birders! If no excursions show up I'll have to look at renting a car. Thanks!

We will be arriving in Hakodate on a Wednesday on the HAL Westerdam and would like to walk from the ship to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway. Is this area safe to walk? According to Google Maps it's about 2 kilometers, so not far, just want to make sure it is pedestrian friendly? Are any street signs in English (not a requirement, just curious).