Just Booked the Westerdam

[newcruiser452]

We just booked the Westerdam for January 29th thru February 5th. It will be myself, DW, and two son's. I have all kinds of questions. We have only cruised once before and it was on the Legend for 8 days. This time we are with a group but will only know another couple going with us. Does HAL have soda cards for soda drinker's? Also I understand that the basic tips are added to your account at the beginning of the cruise. Does HAL require a credit card hold when arriving on board? If so, how much for a 7 day cruise.

[RuthC]

Welcome to HAL. I'll try to answer some of your questions.

 

Yes, there is a soda card available. I've never used it, but understand that with rare exceptions it allows fountain drinks only. The cost will vary with length of trip; for seven days it's reportedly in the neighborhood of $27.50 plus 15% service charge.

 

There is a $10 per person, per day service charge added to your ship's account. You will be expected to present a credit card (or make cash arrangements) for your on-board account. HAL will put a "hold" on the card for $60 per person, per day. When the cruise ends you will be billed for the amount of your charges.

 

 

Hope this helps. Enjoy your cruise!

[K&RCurt]

Newcruiser:

 

You are going to LOVE the Westerdam. We went on our first cruise on the Westerrdam this past January. She is a lovely ship with a freindly and fantastic crew.

 

We got the soda cards (actually a sticker placed on your room key/ship account/boarding card). As Ruthc stated it was 27.50 + 15% gratuity and was well worth it. We used it in every bar, lounge and dining room. Sometimes it was a fountain glass, sometimes we received a can and they would even fill the large HAL sports bottles we bought on board. The only place it couldn't be used was HMC.

 

Ruthc is correct on the tips and credit hold. You can add additional gratuity to your account if desired by going to the front desk.

[crusing plantlady]

Something to think about with the soda cards... How much soda are the kids really going to drink. On a port intense cruise (4 days for the Westerdam) you are off the ship alot of the time. We sailed last year on the Grand Princess and bought for our two kids and considered it a waste of money. Easter Sunday we sail out on the Westerdam (YEA!) in an S suite and will be bringing soda on the ship which is allowed. I will not say as to whether I will be smuggling anything in. Lord knows lets not stir up that bees nest. I will say we will be bringing quite a few bottles of champage. One will be enjoyed in the pink cabana on Monday. Pink is the new black you know. Hum, does that now mean once you go pink you,ll never go back? Happy sailing to all from frozen Wisconsin.

[localady]

Thanks, you have a good point Cruising Plantlady! I think it could be less expensive to tell them they can have 2 sodas and a coffee drink a day. Thank goodness my kids are big ice tea drinkers too, I will show them the Lido and unlimited supply of ice tea!:D

NewCruiser- I will be sailing with my DW and 2 teenage boys next week on the Zaandam. After that I am planning to post a review with a focus on the teens enjoyment of the trip as well.

 

P.S. Cruising Plantlady- I just love your nick, if I wasn't "localady", I'd choose your nick as those are 2 of the greatest loves of my life...horticulture and cruising.:)

[Charliesmom]

Hi New Cruiser -

 

I, too, think you will love the Westerdam. We sailed on her in December and loved it. There are a lot of nice touches on HAL - nice lounges, nice crew and a very passenger friendly atmosphere. The food in the Lido is the best I have had on any ship and the food in the dining room was very good, although I did notice a lack of garlic in the cooking.

 

We liked it so much we have booked for the December 11th sailing in 2005.

 

Roberta

[bepsf]

crazycatgirl--

 

 

Would enjoy hearing your take on how Olivia does their cruises.

 

I did Oosterdam w/ RSVP last Feb, am booked w/ them on the O again for this September and just booked B2B's on Westerdam for next Feb...

 

I'm sure you're going to enjoy Westerdam

[newcruiser452]

Hey, I just checked out your link and noticed your travel agency has different ports listed. I wonder what's up?

[newcruiser452]

I just checked the HAL board and they match my TA. I wonder if your TA has the internary(?) wrong.

 

We are going to Jamica, St. George, HMC, and mexico. I think your TA said something about key west and some other island along with HMC and mexico.

 

I also am excited about this trip and although it will take awhile to get here.

 

Have a great week.

[crazycatgirl]

bepsf:

 

This will be my first Olivia cruise... I am very excited about it. I have only been on one previous cruise (Royal Carribbean) with my parents when I was about 18 years old. I am excited about sailing on a HAL ship. For this cruise, I will be going with my partner and we are ready to party :)

[crazycatgirl]

NewCruiser452:

 

I dont even see the cruise available on the HAL site anymore -- i was going to compare the itineraries but I don't see it.

[hsafr]

Just saw your posting for the Westerdam. We are interesred in sailing on it but were wondering about the activities , shows and food. When we sailed on it many years ago we were much younger than many of the passengers. We love p;aying trivia team games and like to be active participants. Would you happen to have a copy of an sea day program that you could refer back to? Anything you could shate would be most helpful? Perchance were you in an aft cabin or an S class?

 

Hoping to get a respone and thank you in advance.

 

Hsafr@aol.com

[dakrewser]

Just saw your posting for the Westerdam. We are interesred in sailing on it but were wondering about the activities

Hsafr@aol.com

 

In January on the O'dam (sistership to the Westerdam), the first "at sea" day schedule was:

 

8:00 AM Aerobics Class in the Greenhouse Spa

9:00 AM Catholic Mass

9:00 AM Cycling Class (extra charge)

9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sports equipment available

9:30 AM Men's shuffleboard tournament

9:30 AM Ladies' Ping Pong Tournament

10:00 AM Scattergories, Ocean Bar

10:00 AM Gaming lessons and dice school, Casino

10:00 AM- 11:00 AM Make your own Bloody Mary, Lido bar

10:15 AM Pinnacle Grill Open House & Kitchen tour

10:30 AM Snowball Jackpot Bingo

10:45 AM Shore Excursion talk

11:00 AM Ladies' Shuffleboard Tournament

11:00 AM Slots clinic, Casino

11:00 AM Men's Ping Pong tournament

11:00 AM Spa Seminar: Detox for weight loss

11:30 AM - 2:00 PM Wine Desk open at Lido pool

11:30 AM Spa Seminar: Arthritis

11:45 AM Port & Shopping talk

12:00 NN Single & Solo's Lunch

12:00 NN Signup for Ship Building

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM Slot tournament qualifying round

12:45 PM Line Dance Class

1:00 PM Martini blending class (fee)

1:00 PM Art auction preview

1:30 PM Catchphrase

1:30 PM Wine Navigator event

1:45 PM Service Club meeting

2:00 PM Wine tasting (fee)

2:00 PM Trivia games

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Card players (non-hosted)

2:15 PM Spa seminar: Time for skin

2:15 PM Ladies' Golf chipping

2:30 PM Diamond & gemstone seminar

3:15 PM Men's golf chipping

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Royal Dutch Tea

3:30 PM Snowball jackpot bingo

3:45 PM Slot tournament final

4:00 PM Volleyball

4:00 PM Pilates class (fee)

5:00 PM Friends of Bill W

5:00 PM Sculpt class (spa)

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM Captain's welcome reception, early seating

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Cocktails & dancing, Ocean bar & crow's nest

7:15 PM - 8:00 PM Captain's welcome reception, late seating

7:15 PM - 8:30 PM Cocktails & dancing all bars & lounges

8:30 PM Showtime, early seating

9:30 PM Designer watches seminar

9:30 PM - 11:15 PM Karaoke & superstar signup

9:30 PM - ?? Northern Lights Disco

9:45 PM 50's & 60's tribute, Piano bar

10:00 PM Team trivia

10:30 PM Showtime, late seating

11:15 PM - ?? 50's & 60's Prom Night

 

There's certainly enough to keep anyone busy!

[doone]

My friends sailed the Westerdam last month for their first cruise and they LOVED that ship. They are now hooked on cruising. As a matter of fact, one of them bought the lottery ticket to win a cruise, guess what, yup, they won a free cruise!!!!!!! They are so excited.

 

I learned on the Zuiderdam last month when my friend was thinking of purchasing the soda card that its now $35 for an adult. We questioned them because it shows $27.50 through ship's services, we were told that it now includes Half Moon Cay. My friend doesn't drink that much soda so she declined purchasing it. So just be aware, and it may be cheaper for children, not sure.

[RuthC]

I learned on the Zuiderdam last month when my friend was thinking of purchasing the soda card that its now $35 for an adult. We questioned them because it shows $27.50 through ship's services, we were told that it now includes Half Moon Cay. My friend doesn't drink that much soda so she declined purchasing it. So just be aware, and it may be cheaper for children, not sure.

Then maybe we should all get the children's rate---just quote this post from the Princess Board: (emphasis added)

If you think it is bad here, you should see the children on the HAL threads. And I thought HAL attracted a 'mature' crowd.