Behind the Scenes Tour (Westerdam)

[ellbelle]

I tried the search feature but no hits, is it not working again?

 

Anyway, I read a review yesterday where a couple did the Behind the Scenes Tour on the Westerdam. We are boarding the Westerdam next Saturday and this is something we would like to do.

 

Is this tour typically done each sailing and on the same day each sailing? Any recent Westerdam cruisers could you tell me which day? Do we have to wait until it's posted in the daily events or do we reserve at the front desk the day we board? I also searched HAL's website for information but no luck either.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Krazy Kruizers]

If I were you -- I would go to the front desk on Embarkation and sign up for this tour -- it is very limited in the number of people who can do it.

They will tell you what day it is on.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Secretcastle wrote a REVIEW in that section -- mentioned that she did it -- but didn't say which day of the cruise it was.

[ellbelle]

Thank you, KK. I was hoping that secretcastle had an email link in her signature. We will stop by the front desk on embarkation.

[secretcastle]

Hello,

We were on the August 27th sailing to Alaska on the Westerdam.I went to the purser's desk right after we dropped off our carry on luggage to our cabin. They told us this was the first time on the Westerdam that they offered the tour. It is 3 hours long, and we did it the last day (the day we sailed into Victoria). It was between lunch and dinner. They only take 12 people total so we wanted to sign up right away. DH and I both thought it was really interesting and a lot of fun. I have seen a lot of bridges and galleys, but some of the other areas were new to me, and it was really informative. We got to chat with the people in charge of each area for a bit and also ask questions. Also, they gave us a lot of goodies at the end of the tour including cookbooks, towel folding books, martini glasses, coasters, water bottles, etc. They also took a photo of us with the captain and gave one to everyone. Plus, we had a number of drinks included and appetizers. It was a real highlight.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have more questions.

[ellbelle]

Thank you for posting! Lucky for me you were on the boards today! Hopefully they will offer it this cruise, we will head to the purser's desk as soon as we get on the ship. I hope if they do offer the tour in Victoria at the same time, since we will not be getting off the ship there.

 

Thanks Again!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am so glad that secreatcastle saw this thread an answered your questions.

[3rdGenCunarder]

If I were you -- I would go to the front desk on Embarkation and sign up for this tour -- it is very limited in the number of people who can do it.

 

They will tell you what day it is on.

 

That's what we did on Zuiderdam last year. There was a small mention of it in the daily program on embarkation day. I noticed that while we were still waiting to board. As soon as we boarded, we went to the front desk to sign up. it was on the last sea day IIRC.

 

Sooo interesting! And worth every penny.

[Beebob1]

What day does the Westerdam set sail Saturday or Sunday? This should like a nice treat and will see if DH and I can join in.

[jschm27]

Hello,

Also, they gave us a lot of goodies at the end of the tour including cookbooks, towel folding books, martini glasses, coasters, water bottles, etc. They also took a photo of us with the captain and gave one to everyone. Plus, we had a number of drinks included and appetizers.

 

Julia

 

I'm jealous! :D

 

John

[Candy]

I took the identical tour on the Noordam in March and loved every moment! Wear sturdy shoes, 'cause you'll be using the crew stairways which are scary! From my review:

Marketing Manager Marc Thompson hosted 8 curious passengers on a tour of the inner workings of the Noordam. Beginning with Stage Manager Maria's tour of the stage areas, where we learned how the sets are constructed and stored. In the dressing room area two of the dancers told us about the dancers' daily routines, contract lengths and work schedules, and then we went on to the wardrobe room which was crammed with beautiful costumes and about 100 wigs.

 

Our next stop was the laundry area where Catalina showed us the tailors' room where all the uniforms are constructed and/or tailored. In the laundry area we learned the progression of both ship and passenger laundry, how it's sorted and handled, the HUGE washing machines (133 pound capacity), dryers, ironing stations and the largest mangle I've ever seen that irons and folds linens all by itself.

 

On to I-95, the crew corridor that runs roughly from stem to stern. Lining the walls of this hall are ship diagrams of the various fire and other safety information. We also saw the flood doors that close off any area that may become flooded.

 

In the engine room, we viewed the many charts and dials on the console and all over the wall indicating things I will never understand, but are crucial to the engine and water systems.

 

In the Waste Management section we "experienced" the various ways our trash is handled. They actually go through each bag of trash, both ship and personal, by hand! Glass and plastics are sorted according to the port to which it will be offloaded. Apparently some islands are pretty picky about how their shredded plastic is bundled. We also saw barrels of discarded food.

 

"Bosco" then led us through the food storage rooms, and showed us how the items that will be readily consumed are in the middle of the room, leaving the less-used items along the walls. At the Liquor Room we were treated to flutes of Mumm's.

 

Executive Chef Thomas Schuman took us through the various kitchen areas on deck 2 (there is another smaller kitchen on deck 3) and we saw how the chilled and steam tables are organized and some of the preparation. The chocolate covered strawberries were yummy! He also explained the electronic food management system which tracks which menu items have already been served. Lining the walls of the prep areas are photos of the various dishes to show how the dish should LOOK before it leaves the kitchen.

 

The last stop was The Bridge. Hotel Manager Mark Pells met us in the elevator lobby and escorted us to the bridge where we experienced a vista no passenger is able to see. The Captain can see forwards, sideways, rearways and even downways when maneuvering the ship while docking. We spotted a small ship on the radar that was only barely seen on the horizon. Captain John Scott joined us for a little Q&A and the ship photographer took a group photo.

 

In The Crow's Nest we were treated to a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres and were given two books - one of HAL's culinary treats from the Chef and one about towel animals from Housekeeping. I absolutely loved this tour. It was 3 hours with lots of stair-climbing, but at $150 pp I think it is well worth it.

[Backstage Traveler]

This tour sounds very interesting. I did take the free galley tour on the Zuiderdam, but you only see the main galley (some pics here). We did get to taste some cookies, and had the opportunity to speak to or take photos with the executive chef (I can't remember his name, I think it was Dean something).

Next time I will sign up for the real behind-the-scenes tour, if it is offered. Does HAL usually have one on each sailing?

[Candy]

There is usually one per sailing. See your concierge or the front desk when you board to make a reservation.

[Sandi3667]

After reading the comments & reviews, this is definitely a tour I'm taking on my next HAL cruise.