Come Sail a Way with us LIVE as the Westerdam meets the Sail a Way Gang

[1of4]

We are in the airport with a 3 hour wait until our flight.

 

no customs anywhere to be found in Vancouver. Walked off the ship collected our 2 bags and were in a taxi in less than 15 minutes. $40 (including a nice tip ;)) and we were deposited right in front of the doors to the domestic terminal. Never even flashed a passport.

 

Bitter Sweet this morning. Happy to see DH tonight but sad to say goodbye to new friends. DS got his hug fix! Very special people on this trip.

 

our cabin was a quad VC, number 4163. Our water issues were minimal and restricted to no cold water in the sink in the mornings around breakfast time and hot cold flashes in the shower in the afternoon when getting ready for early set dinner.

[kazu]

We are in the airport with a 3 hour wait until our flight.

 

 

 

no customs anywhere to be found in Vancouver. Walked off the ship collected our 2 bags and were in a taxi in less than 15 minutes. $40 (including a nice tip ;)) and we were deposited right in front of the doors to the domestic terminal. Never even flashed a passport.

 

 

 

Bitter Sweet this morning. Happy to see DH tonight but sad to say goodbye to new friends. DS got his hug fix! Very special people on this trip.

 

 

 

our cabin was a quad VC, number 4163. Our water issues were minimal and restricted to no cold water in the sink in the mornings around breakfast time and hot cold flashes in the shower in the afternoon when getting ready for early set dinner.

 

 

Safe travels ans a smooth flight to you all

[frankc98376]

Debz62, I really don't think 4 hours is enough to take in Butchart's and the Inner Harbour. However, if you got a taxi at Ogden Point, and asked the driver to take you to the Empress by the "scenic route", through Beacon Hill Park, you'll see lots of flowers there, also in the gardens of the Empress Hotel, and around the museum. The drive to Butchart's alone would be 30 or 40 minutes each way. If you are here in May, things will still be in bloom. Here's my garden - still lots to come out!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

We are so lucky to live in the Northwest!!! Not hard to look at every day!

[sail7seas]

VictOriann...... your garden is gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

What a lovely setting to enjoy each day.

[sail7seas]

Thanks everyone for a great thread. It was so pleasant sailing along with you all.

 

Safe home.

[Lizzie68]

This water situation is really bad.

 

No hot water -- then all hot water -- then no cold water. HAL work on this ship and get her straightened out.

 

The ship is wonderful.:) They just need to get some of the plumbing issues - or the plumbers ;) - sorted out.

 

EDITED TO ADD.... my garden is also a riot of colour and I missed some of the rhodos in full bloom. We are so lucky to live here. My geraniums even have a few flowers on them. Thankfully, someone has cut my grass, LOL!

Edited May 1, 2015 by Lizzie68

[PathfinderEss]

Debz62, I really don't think 4 hours is enough to take in Butchart's and the Inner Harbour. However, if you got a taxi at Ogden Point, and asked the driver to take you to the Empress by the "scenic route", through Beacon Hill Park, you'll see lots of flowers there, also in the gardens of the Empress Hotel, and around the museum. The drive to Butchart's alone would be 30 or 40 minutes each way. If you are here in May, things will still be in bloom. Here's my garden - still lots to come out!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Wow, beautiful garden, I'm very jealous.

[Debz62]

So to answer the question..... our cabin is 7072 (a Neptune suite). And while we have had hot water for 6 days now they cannot get it quite right..... there is no cold water now:D we just got used to brushing our teeth using warm water. Oh well can't have it all, I guess.

 

You have to be one of the most understanding people I've ever heard from. Even so, I do hope they compensated you for the trouble.

[Debz62]

Debz62, I really don't think 4 hours is enough to take in Butchart's and the Inner Harbour. However, if you got a taxi at Ogden Point, and asked the driver to take you to the Empress by the "scenic route", through Beacon Hill Park, you'll see lots of flowers there, also in the gardens of the Empress Hotel, and around the museum. The drive to Butchart's alone would be 30 or 40 minutes each way. If you are here in May, things will still be in bloom. Here's my garden - still lots to come out!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

What a lovely picture. Thank you Ann for the information. Is Beacon Hill Park or the Empress anywhere near the wharf?

[Vict0riann]

What a lovely picture. Thank you Ann for the information. Is Beacon Hill Park or the Empress anywhere near the wharf?

 

Well, I would say no, if you mean Fisherman's Wharf. They're all sort of in an area called James Bay, which you could say is almost square, the south side is where Ogden Point (cruise terminal) is, on the west is Fisherman's Wharf, north would be the Inner Harbour (Empress, Legislature, museum, etc.) and on the east side would be Beacon Hill Park. To go all the way around on foot would be quite a walk, but you could walk across the middle from Ogden Point to the Inner Harbour, certainly, and there are little ferry boats that tootle around the Inner Harbour, and I think they go to Fisherman's Wharf or up the Gorge Inlet, where there are restaurants and pubs on the water's edge. I haven't been a tourist here for so long, I am probably not the best one to ask!:)

[sail7seas]

You have the largest, most beautiful rhododendruns I think I've ever seen.

The colors are wonderful.

[Vict0riann]

You have the largest, most beautiful rhododendruns I think I've ever seen.

The colors are wonderful.

Thanks, Sail, there were a few in the garden when we moved in, 25 years ago, but most of them are my babies.:)

[kazu]

Well, on our exploration of Vancouver we discovered a wonderful Italian eatery. Pizza is priced by the weight!

 

It is quite genuine and delicious. Forgot to take a food porn pic but this should give you a good idea.

 

 

 

Quite close to Canada Place for you future cruisers out ofVancouver

[PathfinderEss]

Well, on our exploration of Vancouver we discovered a wonderful Italian eatery. Pizza is priced by the weight!

 

It is quite genuine and delicious. Forgot to take a food porn pic but this should give you a good idea.

 

<snip>

 

 

Wow priced by weight, I see the scale there, that would be so interesting. Do you order it by weight, like 'I'll take a half pound of a cheese pizza, please'?:D:D

[sail7seas]

Wow priced by weight, I see the scale there, that would be so interesting. Do you order it by weight, like 'I'll take a half pound of a cheese pizza, please'?:D:D

 

LOL....

What kind did you have, Kazu?

 

[kazu]

Wow priced by weight, I see the scale there, that would be so interesting. Do you order it by weight, like 'I'll take a half pound of a cheese pizza, please'?:D:D

 

 

 

No, you select how big a piece you want it and they weigh it. Prices vary anywhere between $25-$35 per kg.

 

Ours was the $30 per kilogram. (2.2 pounds)

Edited May 1, 2015 by kazu

[kazu]

LOL....

 

What kind did you have, Kazu?

 

 

 

 

 

I don't remember the Italian names. But one had black olives, tapade, peppers and cheese and was spicey, another with Italian sausage and another vegetarian type. The advantage is you can have tiny pieces and tastes. You choose the size. It was worth every penny

Edited May 1, 2015 by kazu

[Krazy Kruizers]

Well, on our exploration of Vancouver we discovered a wonderful Italian eatery. Pizza is priced by the weight!

 

It is quite genuine and delicious. Forgot to take a food porn pic but this should give you a good idea.

 

 

 

Quite close to Canada Place for you future cruisers out ofVancouver

 

 

Looks wonderful!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Debz62, I really don't think 4 hours is enough to take in Butchart's and the Inner Harbour. However, if you got a taxi at Ogden Point, and asked the driver to take you to the Empress by the "scenic route", through Beacon Hill Park, you'll see lots of flowers there, also in the gardens of the Empress Hotel, and around the museum. The drive to Butchart's alone would be 30 or 40 minutes each way. If you are here in May, things will still be in bloom. Here's my garden - still lots to come out!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

 

Beautiful!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Darn, I missed everyone. Didn't know you were in the Pinnacle Bar.

 

For those that want to know our room number was 7057. We always had hot water although a couple of days the cold water was warm. No biggie.

 

Disembarkation was very smooth. Canada Place is really well organized and it was very easy to get a cab.

 

Staying at the Residence inns by Marriott and they had a room ready for us, so life is good..

 

Just realized we are a trolley stop (hip hop on and off) so our location is a good one :)

 

 

That's great for a day of touring.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We are in the airport with a 3 hour wait until our flight.

 

no customs anywhere to be found in Vancouver. Walked off the ship collected our 2 bags and were in a taxi in less than 15 minutes. $40 (including a nice tip ;)) and we were deposited right in front of the doors to the domestic terminal. Never even flashed a passport.

 

Bitter Sweet this morning. Happy to see DH tonight but sad to say goodbye to new friends. DS got his hug fix! Very special people on this trip.

 

our cabin was a quad VC, number 4163. Our water issues were minimal and restricted to no cold water in the sink in the mornings around breakfast time and hot cold flashes in the shower in the afternoon when getting ready for early set dinner.

 

 

Safe flights home.

[sapper1]

I would also like to add that the Westerdam is a wonderful ship with an amazing crew. The water issue was the only real complaint we had and they seem to be getting it straightened out.

We could tell it was a very happy ship and the crew all seemed to work well together.

 

We had left a tip for one of the stewards in the Ocean Bar because we couldn't find her the night before Victoria. We weren't going to be onboard in the early evening in Victoria.

 

Well today we were sitting in Tim Hortons in Vancouver and Maria, the steward spotted us and came over to thank us and give us a hug. We had a nice chat and we told her we really hoped she would be there next April when we take the Westerdam to Hawaii/Tahiti. I was really impressed that she would take the time to do that while off duty and enjoying her limited shore time.

 

We are pleased to think that we will be enjoying the Westerdam again next year with so many from this present cruise and others we have sailed with before.

[rkacruiser]

Well, on our exploration of Vancouver we discovered a wonderful Italian eatery. Pizza is priced by the weight!

 

It is quite genuine and delicious. Forgot to take a food porn pic but this should give you a good idea.

 

 

 

Quite close to Canada Place for you future cruisers out ofVancouver

 

Somehow, you ought to inform WCB of the Grand World Voyage Blog that they do. They travel around the world in search of the best pizza. This would interest them, I think.

[PathfinderEss]

On darn I forgot to ask, did anybody notice if the 'Keno' machines and tv's up at the Lido bar area were still there?

[sail7seas]

I don't remember the Italian names. But one had black olives, tapade, peppers and cheese and was spicey, another with Italian sausage and another vegetarian type. The advantage is you can have tiny pieces and tastes. You choose the size. It was worth every penny

 

Sounds and looks delicious. :)

 

Happy you enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

I would also like to add that the Westerdam is a wonderful ship with an amazing crew. The water issue was the only real complaint we had and they seem to be getting it straightened out.

We could tell it was a very happy ship and the crew all seemed to work well together.

 

We had left a tip for one of the stewards in the Ocean Bar because we couldn't find her the night before Victoria. We weren't going to be onboard in the early evening in Victoria.

 

Well today we were sitting in Tim Hortons in Vancouver and Maria, the steward spotted us and came over to thank us and give us a hug. We had a nice chat and we told her we really hoped she would be there next April when we take the Westerdam to Hawaii/Tahiti. I was really impressed that she would take the time to do that while off duty and enjoying her limited shore time.

 

We are pleased to think that we will be enjoying the Westerdam again next year with so many from this present cruise and others we have sailed with before.

 

 

 

It is people like Maria that make HAL's crews so special. The thank you is genuine and their fine service really is a sincere effort to make our cruises the best they can. On some other ships other than HAL that we sailed, once we gave tips, it seemed they forgot they ever met us. :eek: