En Route with Hank in Japan and the Westerdam

[cruisemom42]

33 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Yes the osso bucco is very, very good. I stick to a few things and they are always good.

I wish I had paid more attention to previous recommendations, probably could’ve ordered smarter but as I said my plans were sort of scrambled when they said only one small plate. And I could’ve sworn I’ve seen the short ribs and gnocchi recommended. Oh well….

[LAFFNVEGAS]

12 hours ago, Hlitner said:

After lunch on the ship, we decided to again brave the chilly wind and go ashore.  This time we walked (about 10 min) to the Redbrick warehouse shopping area and spent an hour exploring the various shops/stalls.

 

DIY ALERT.  Folks, two of the major tourist attractions in this port are a stone’s throw from the port.  Another, the cable car (called a ropeway) is also walkable from the ship and costs about $14 to ride.  The ship’s excursion that covers those 3 places costs $130 pp So a couple can save over $230 by simply crossing the street from the port and adding another couple of miles of strolling!   If you can’t handle the longer walk to the Ropeway, a taxi would cost you less than $10.  Do you really need a guide to drop you at two different market venues?  As to the Ropeway, as predicted it was closed due to high winds.

 

The other excursion options from Hakodate are somewhat underwhelming.  This is one of those ports that should be on a comprehensive itinerary, but lacks the great tourist options found in other more popular ports.  The port is right across the street from the train station, but unlike many other ports in Japan, there really is nowhere to go on a train (for cruisers).

 

Hank

We also had a cold very windy rainy day in September 2019 in Hakidate, but despite the weather we still loved that port.I can only imagine that Goryokaku park is beautiful from the tower with Sakura. I kind of wish my March 2025 cruise included heading North, instead it is more concentrated in the South. I agree one could easily do Hakodate without a tour. So many things to do in this port.At the time crab was considerably less than now my pictures are showing. I have pictures of very large dungenous crab that were 9000 yen a piece with huge legs. I remember at the time figureing that the cost was actually pretty good compared to US pricing.  

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I wish I had paid more attention to previous recommendations, probably could’ve ordered smarter but as I said my plans were sort of scrambled when they said only one small plate. And I could’ve sworn I’ve seen the short ribs and gnocchi recommended. Oh well….

It was recommended highly. I'm surprised a lot of times what people think is good.

[Copper10-8]

15 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

After a long tour yesterday, my knee was screaming so I wanted an easy day. Took a taxi to the Goryukaku fort and went up in the overlook. Probably the best cherry blossoms yet around the park there. Thick with blooms! Unfortunately I’m having issues with uploading any photos right now…

 

Unfortunately this is my last port before disembarking in Yokohama and flying home on Monday. 😭

 

Safe flight home, Mom! Enjoyed your commentary and especially, your pics! Thanks for the Japanese lighthouse ones!

[Copper10-8]

10 hours ago, Hlitner said:

............................. While I understand that safety is Number 1, this is a bridge too far.  ....................

 

Classic movie shot in my former homeland with lots of star actors in it!

 

Corporal Hancock:

Sir! (handing his general a cup of British tea)

 

Major General Roy Urquhart;

Hancock, I've got lunatics laughing at me from the woods. My original plan has been scuppered now that the jeeps haven't arrived. My communications are completely broken down. Do you really believe any of that can be helped by a cup of tea?

 

Corporal Hancock:

Couldn't hurt, Sir  .

 

Edited April 22, 2023 by Copper10-8

[BetsyS.]

cruisemom - safe trip home! Thanks for all your reporting and great pictures!

[slidergirl]

Cynthia - safe travels home!  “Talk” to later on our usual spot when you get home and I get a new MacBook.  I can’t deal with typing on my iPhone!

 

Hank - I look forward to reading about the continuing journey on the Westerdam.  Hope you get more provisions in Yokohama!!

[REOVA]

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

One other issue, meaningless to

me.  We left port around 6:30 pm,

as the Captain managed to maneuver, in significant wind with the help of two tugs.  But now, at 10:20, the casino remains closed.  Why?  We should have been in international waters before 8pm. Perhaps our smooth seas are also too much for the slots.  Strange cruise line is this.

 

Hank

The motion may "tilt" the machines, giving the passengers unfair advantage over the "house". 🥺

[Copper10-8]

9 hours ago, Hlitner said:

One other issue, meaningless to

me.  We left port around 6:30 pm,

as the Captain managed to maneuver, in significant wind with the help of two tugs.  But now, at 10:20, the casino remains closed.  Why?  We should have been in international waters before 8pm. Perhaps our smooth seas are also too much for the slots.  Strange cruise line is this.

 

Hank

 

The high pitched sound emitting from the slot machines can be easily picked up by the Russian-designed Romeo-class subs of the "Choson-inmingun Haegun" / the Korean's People Army Naval Force (KPANF) known to loiter on patrol in that part of the Sea of Japan. The subs can home in on those subsonic sounds, especially when someone would win a jackpot and all the bells and whistles go haywire! Hence, the shut down of the casino by its manager until Westie made her way out of that patrol area and could rely on the AAVP-7A1 Amtracs of the USMC for protection and perseverance! 🤓   

 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

@cruisemom42 Have a good flight home, I too have enjoyed you commentary and photos. Thanks!! 

[bennybear]

20 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

After a long tour yesterday, my knee was screaming so I wanted an easy day. Took a taxi to the Goryukaku fort and went up in the overlook. Probably the best cherry blossoms yet around the park there. Thick with blooms! Unfortunately I’m having issues with uploading any photos right now…

 

Unfortunately this is my last port before disembarking in Yokohama and flying home on Monday. 😭

Glad you saw such great blossoms!   Thanks for your interesting posts and great photos,   Safe travels,home!   

[Stateroom_Sailor]

17 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

In case I’m accused of exaggeration I took a photo with my fingers in the shot to give a sense of scale;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yikes! 

 

We're paying $29 each for Mother's Day brunch in Pinnacle Grill.  Any thoughts as to whether this is worth it?  We already have a free night at Pinnacle and Tamarind.

[Hlitner]

Today is a sea day with sunny skies and cool temps in the mid to upper 50s.  The Captain announced that he had cancelled the April 26 port day in Kushiro due to forecasted high winds and rough seas.  Since they can night find a substitute port we will spend overnight April 24-25 in Yokohama.  This means that those boarding tomorrow will get no Japanese ports. 

 

I am interested to see how HAL handles those with HIA packages.  We got $200 pp in shore excursion credit and used it to book a $220 excursion in Kushiro.  So now, we will have that credit with no decent option to spend it (most decent tours in our few AK stops are already booked.  At this point we do not even have any access to AK tour info on the Navigator app.

 

I should mention that onboard supply issues have been changing.  This morning, Earl Gray tea was available for the first time in over 3 weeks.  Beer selection has been constantly waning as has the wine selection.  We are hoping to get resupplied in Yokohama, but only time will tell.

 

Hank

[ontheweb]

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Today is a sea day with sunny skies and cool temps in the mid to upper 50s.  The Captain announced that he had cancelled the April 26 port day in Kushiro due to forecasted high winds and rough seas.  Since they can night find a substitute port we will spend overnight April 24-25 in Yokohama.  This means that those boarding tomorrow will get no Japanese ports. 

 

I am interested to see how HAL handles those with HIA packages.  We got $200 pp in shore excursion credit and used it to book a $220 excursion in Kushiro.  So now, we will have that credit with no decent option to spend it (most decent tours in our few AK stops are already booked.  At this point we do not even have any access to AK tour info on the Navigator app.

 

I should mention that onboard supply issues have been changing.  This morning, Earl Gray tea was available for the first time in over 3 weeks.  Beer selection has been constantly waning as has the wine selection.  We are hoping to get resupplied in Yokohama, but only time will tell.

 

Hank

I could be wrong, but I think that that shore excursion credit can be kissed goodbye.

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

I could be wrong, but I think that that shore excursion credit can be kissed goodbye.

Exactly.  I got 15 percent back on a shorex because there was so many complaints.  Couldn’t see it on my account and I wasn’t interested in chipping in to buy something I didn’t want.  

[cruisemom42]

8 hours ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

 

Yikes! 

 

We're paying $29 each for Mother's Day brunch in Pinnacle Grill.  Any thoughts as to whether this is worth it?  We already have a free night at Pinnacle and Tamarind.

If you read earlier posts, I went to the Easter brunch on this cruise at PG and thought it was nicely done. If it is the same, I think you are likely to enjoy it.

[Hlitner]

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

I could be wrong, but I think that that shore excursion credit can be kissed goodbye.

We do hope you are wrong.     But we shall play their games..for now.

[Florida_gal_50]

12 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

We do hope you are wrong.     But we shall play their games..for now.

I’m 99 percent sure that money is gone unless westerdam is doing something completely different.  Is the money even showing on your onboard account because mine was not?  If it isn’t then it’s highly likely it’s gone.

[ontheweb]

57 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

We do hope you are wrong.     But we shall play their games..for now.

As I said, I hope I am wrong, but I just don't think so. What about the alcohol that is not there but should be on the drink package you paid for? I don't suppose you expect anything back for that.

 

Just be prepared for a run around when you inquire about what they intend to do.

[Lido deck main]

16 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Classic movie shot in my former homeland with lots of star actors in it!

 

Corporal Hancock:

Sir! (handing his general a cup of British tea)

 

Major General Roy Urquhart;

Hancock, I've got lunatics laughing at me from the woods. My original plan has been scuppered now that the jeeps haven't arrived. My communications are completely broken down. Do you really believe any of that can be helped by a cup of tea?

 

Corporal Hancock:

Couldn't hurt, Sir  .

 

Watching it right now, no mention of the Canadians. 😔. Just like Argo, Canadians instrumental in helping the Americans out of Iran but downplayed in the movie.  Thank goodness Come from Away exists and is popular. 😊

[Copper10-8]

3 hours ago, Lido deck main said:

Watching it right now, no mention of the Canadians. 😔. Just like Argo, Canadians instrumental in helping the Americans out of Iran but downplayed in the movie.  Thank goodness Come from Away exists and is popular. 😊

 

You are correct! The part played by two Canadian engineer companies, the 20^th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, and the 23^rd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, in the evacuation of the British 1^st Airborne from Arnhem on the night of D+8 – is a story that has thus far been buried in official reports and privately published memoirs.

 

After the failure of Operation Market Garden (A Bridge Too Far) from 17 to 27 September 1944, Canadian and Allied forces defeated the Germans blocking the Scheldt Estuary in northwestern Belgium and the Dutch southwestern province of Zeeland in October and November 1944. This allowed the liberation of southern parts of the Netherlands and gave allied ships access to the vital port of Antwerp, in neighboring Belgium. After pushing into Germany in early 1945 (after the Battle of the Bulge), Canadian and allied forces liberated larger parts of the western and northwestern parts of The Netherlands in April and May 1945 until the German surrender. This included the City of Amsterdam whose inhabitants, including my mum and dad and two older sisters, had to endure the 1944-1945 "hunger winter". 

 

My mum and dad always told me of the extremely happy times when the Canadian 1st Army rolled into the City of Amsterdam liberating its delirious with joy inhabitants after five years of German occupation! They also told me of the Canadian military band which played free concerts every Sunday after the end of the war on the Surinameplein (Suriname Square) just around the corner of the Antillenstraat (Antilles Street) where I was born and lived until age 18. The Dutch love the Canadians, as they do the Yanks and Tommies for liberating their country!!

 

With apologies to Hank for the thread drift!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[avalon1025]

13 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Today is a sea day with sunny skies and cool temps in the mid to upper 50s.  The Captain announced that he had cancelled the April 26 port day in Kushiro due to forecasted high winds and rough seas.  Since they can night find a substitute port we will spend overnight April 24-25 in Yokohama.  This means that those boarding tomorrow will get no Japanese ports. 

 

I am interested to see how HAL handles those with HIA packages.  We got $200 pp in shore excursion credit and used it to book a $220 excursion in Kushiro.  So now, we will have that credit with no decent option to spend it (most decent tours in our few AK stops are already booked.  At this point we do not even have any access to AK tour info on the Navigator app.

 

I should mention that onboard supply issues have been changing.  This morning, Earl Gray tea was available for the first time in over 3 weeks.  Beer selection has been constantly waning as has the wine selection.  We are hoping to get resupplied in Yokohama, but only time will tell.

 

Hank

Thanks for the update,  waiting for you all to arrive the port of Yokohama.  It’s been wonderful here for the last five days,  weather,  food,  people.  Boarding today with little to no expectations for this cruise which is sad given I’ve sailed HAL since I was a small child. Interesting that they are cancelling a port three days from now due to the weather which seems to change here daily. 

[REOVA]

5 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m 99 percent sure that money is gone unless westerdam is doing something completely different.  Is the money even showing on your onboard account because mine was not?  If it isn’t then it’s highly likely it’s gone.

Did you do your excursion and not like it whereby the 15% credit was supposed to show?

 

If so it might be different than not getting to a port whereby HAL will credit the HIA excursion which, as Hank says, is now worthless if he cannot find another tour to use it on. We have received HIA return credits and had to just pick the least undesirable tour just to use the credit. Other than that, it's lost after the cruise (or use it if they have a transportation bus to airport or time for a post cruise tour. 

[Sir PMP]

Liberation Day in Den Haag, 1945:

 

[BetsyS.]

avalon1025 - Bon Voyage! 🥂😊