En Route with Hank in Japan and the Westerdam

[Destiny0315]

19 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

On its way to restock Westerdam:

If there is anybody there to restock it...

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/shortages-us-west-coast-ports-redirecting-shipments-east-marc-holder

[REOVA]

13 hours ago, Bostonjetset said:

It’s not just “newbies” taking 7 night cruises but rather the vast majority of people still in the workforce. I get a fairly generous 5.5 weeks PTO each year and have never taken more than a 12 night cruise. I’d rather take 3 trips each year than use up most of my days on a month-long cruise all at once. And many people get far less vacation time. 

Correct. It wasn't meant to be collectively exhaustive but most of what I read in posts and blogs from new HAL cruisers is that they like the short itineraries and Pinnacle ships, which is where HAL was planning 5+ years ago. We don't usually book under 10 days unless testing a cruise line so the smaller ships and longer, port heavy itineraries are our favorite to be able to experience more places in one trip. There is a cruise for everyone but HAL's focus changed and then got broadsided. We are hoping they get back their mojo on the "new" Legendary Voyages. 

[Florida_gal_50]

15 hours ago, Bostonjetset said:

It’s not just “newbies” taking 7 night cruises but rather the vast majority of people still in the workforce. I get a fairly generous 5.5 weeks PTO each year and have never taken more than a 12 night cruise. I’d rather take 3 trips each year than use up most of my days on a month-long cruise all at once. And many people get far less vacation time. 

Exactly.  I have to try to squeeze my time in between the 2nd and 3rd week of the month.  I tire of people that have been retired for decades and decades making remarks about when people should and shouldn't take time off to avoid certain holidays.  Kind of impossible.

[Destiny0315]

Well HAL may be having trouble restocking their bars but their parent company CCL is investing their money where the money is to be made, the casino. Here is a brand spanking new craps table being loaded on and set into place on the Carnival Luminosa this morning when it reached Seattle after crossing the Pacific Ocean form Brisbane, Australia. Thanks to @EnglceDave who has been reporting from this cruise on the CCL board.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2928013-live-the-worlds-longest-trip-report-luminosa-413-54/?do=findComment&comment=65321255

[Bostonjetset]

I wonder how many of these issues Hank is having are ship specific. Or perhaps the fact that little things added up over a month on one ship start to eat at a person in a way a similar thing wouldn’t bother one on a week long cruise.  A long, port intensive cruise around Japan might also attract an older clientele due to cost and length and many of that demographic may be fine without staying up past 11. Again, there will be outliers but businesses generally cater to the majority.  The one thing I am really bothered by is the accounting issues he is having. There really is no excuse for that to happen repeatedly and they need to get it together on that front. 
 

I am just off the Rotterdam and it was wonderful. The short staffing was noticeable a little in the MDR but that’s really it. Stateroom steward was great even without an assistant. We got our Delft tiles as well. 
 

Entertainment until at least 11.30-midnight each night with the casino and its associated bar open at least that late. I didn’t stay up later than that but I don’t think the majority care of there is a bar open at 2am (there may be a few people who do of course).  Step One performed both nights they were scheduled (it was a five night cruise so only twice) though one of the male dancers must’ve been sick since there were only two men and three women. And this was in the North Sea which is not the calmest of waters. 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Bostonjetset

[Destiny0315]

10 minutes ago, Bostonjetset said:

The short staffing was noticeable a little in the MDR but that’s really it.

More help is on its way from the Philippines:

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/3/us-firms-hire-seafarers.html 

[avalon1025]

This may be ship specific,  but honestly there is nothing special about this cruise. It’s starting to feel like a nice ferry ride where you make your own fun.  The rolling stone lounge is fun,  but that’s likely the one thing to do on this ship and they play a few songs then break and finish by 10:45. I’ve overheard many thinking of cancelling their future longer voyages or asking questions about how other cruise lines are in comparison.  
 

I do not regret taking this voyage,  but I would think twice about sailing HAL over other lines. 

[Hlitner]

Heard an interesting story, while enjoying the Ocean Bar last evening.  A lady friend has been having major noise issues in her cabin and asked Guest Relations for help.  Apparently they could not or would not repair the loud banging noise.  She asked to change cabins (we are not full on this cruise) but they would only allow her to sleep in a different cabin and she has to return to her cabin to shower and dress.

 

When she again complained, the Guest Relations Supervisor just blew her off.  So, she walked a few yards to the Hotel General Managers Office, knocked

and went inside where the reclusive Hotel Manager thrives.  The Hotel Manager quickly blew her off and told

her to take the issue to Guest Relations.
 

The lady finally wrote a letter to

the Captain,  but so far no response.   Another unhappy Mariner (3*) who will not likely return to HAL.  At dinner DW ordered the Malbec only to learn we have again run out of that wine.  She later ordered Baileys only to get a cheaper substitute (out of Baileys).
 

Today we are docked in Sitga (next to the Discovery Princess) on an absolutely perfect day with mostly blue skies and temps in the mid-upper 40s.  DW and I took an excursion that started with a couple of hours on a catamaran.  We saw otters, sea lions sunning on a buoy, and 4 grey whales.  Later went to a bear rehab place and saw a few brown bears.  Than finally to the very crowded

Raptor Center.  DW and I left the tour (after telling the guide) and walked back to town via the Sitga Park route.  A

perfect day for the hike which is only a little more than a mile.  The Sitga area is breathtaking this time of year with plenty of snow in many of the mountains.

Hank

[curtdesilets]

17 hours ago, Destiny0315 said:

Well HAL may be having trouble restocking their bars but their parent company CCL is investing their money where the money is to be made, the casino. Here is a brand spanking new craps table being loaded on and set into place on the Carnival Luminosa this morning when it reached Seattle after crossing the Pacific Ocean form Brisbane, Australia. Thanks to @EnglceDave who has been reporting from this cruise on the CCL board.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2928013-live-the-worlds-longest-trip-report-luminosa-413-54/?do=findComment&comment=65321255

I think they need more people to move that thing in.  Reminds me of a light bulb joke. 

[stairMaster]

I would like to add my perspective to the Japan/Alaskan cruise. My wife and I are mid-fiftyish 3 star mariners and are on the Westerdam for the the last leg of the cruise from Yokohoma to Seattle. First off I'd like to thank the OP for the excellent posts and insights which we used to plan for our stays in Kyoto and Tokyo. 

Also, the post on the change of itinerary with an overnight stay in Yokohama was invaluable. Since we knew that we had another full day in Yokohama we were not rushed on embarkation day to visit all the touristy sites in one go. We took an early train from Tokyo station ; dropped off our luggage at the Yokohama cruise terminal at ~10:30 and leisurely explored the city for a few hours noting that we had a full night and another day in Yokohama to visit the sites we missed on the first day.

In contrast to some of the posts on this thread I find that I am at times overwhelmed with activities choices on the Westerdam. As I am not a night owl, I cannot comment on post 10pm entertainment since I'm usually back in my cabin for some night time reading and relaxation. 

Some of the daily activities include morning talks with our ever present cruise director Rachel and special guest(s)  ( ex. Head chef, engineer, entertainers, hotel manager, HAL cadets etc.) The talks were very informative and the floor was always opened to questions.

Another well attended event on the World Stage were lectures from Andy Fletcher on the Universe and everything. He touched on topics like Einstein, Newton, Gravity, Quantum particles, chaos theory and much more. Bridge lessons, orgami folding, ping pong, pickle ball, fitness classes, mah Jong and of course trivia and others were always available everyday. 

A pleasant surprise was having the Captain introduce his senior staff on the 2nd night of the cruise before the evening show. He also presented a talk a couple days ago on the World Stage and took some hard questions especially on itinerary changes. 

We did have a couple of issues with our stateroom which were resolved efficiently in a few days. 

Overall, this has been an excellent cruise and we would not hesitate on taking another HAL cruise. 

 

[Hlitner]

Good news and some bad.  The Captain got us into our last port, Ketchikan a little early.  The bad news is that the Discovery Princess and Celebrity Soltice are also here.  And, of course, it is chilly and raining.  
 

For those who have never been to Ketchikan it is an ideal cruise ship port because the ships dock right in town.  One can walk off the pier and immediately be into their shopping, eating and drinking.  It is also symbolic of the tacky stuff that surrounds cruise ships such as the “Lumberjack Show”, Diamonds International, etc.  Ketchikan was really hit hard, during COVID, since a big portion of their economy is based on cruise ship tourism.  
 

Last evening, the excellent Step One dancers finally got to perform before an enthusiastic audience.  I again ended the evening in the Rolling Stone Lounge (where the music stopped at 11.  When I finally decided to call it a night (12:15 am) the ship was like a ghost ship.  The casino was empty (accept for bored dealers), the Gallery Bar was still open with the sole bar tender the only patron, and there was not another passenger in sight.  
 

Speaking of supply issues, I did try to order Cognac, but the only remaining product was Remy XO at about twice the price of the drink package max.  HAL should change its rules to allow

passengers to bring aboard out of stock alcohol products.  If the company is not willing to supply their ships, than let passengers do the deed and HAL could

pay passengers for using their own booze :).

 

Hank

 

 

[albingirl]

19 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Heard an interesting story, while enjoying the Ocean Bar last evening.  A lady friend has been having major noise issues in her cabin and asked Guest Relations for help.  Apparently they could not or would not repair the loud banging noise.  She asked to change cabins (we are not full on this cruise) but they would only allow her to sleep in a different cabin and she has to return to her cabin to shower and dress.

 

When she again complained, the Guest Relations Supervisor just blew her off.  So, she walked a few yards to the Hotel General Managers Office, knocked

and went inside where the reclusive Hotel Manager thrives.  The Hotel Manager quickly blew her off and told

her to take the issue to Guest Relations.
 

The lady finally wrote a letter to

the Captain,  but so far no response.   Another unhappy Mariner (3*) who will not likely return to HAL.  At dinner DW ordered the Malbec only to learn we have again run out of that wine.  She later ordered Baileys only to get a cheaper substitute (out of Baileys).
 

Today we are docked in Sitga (next to the Discovery Princess) on an absolutely perfect day with mostly blue skies and temps in the mid-upper 40s.  DW and I took an excursion that started with a couple of hours on a catamaran.  We saw otters, sea lions sunning on a buoy, and 4 grey whales.  Later went to a bear rehab place and saw a few brown bears.  Than finally to the very crowded

Raptor Center.  DW and I left the tour (after telling the guide) and walked back to town via the Sitga Park route.  A

perfect day for the hike which is only a little more than a mile.  The Sitga area is breathtaking this time of year with plenty of snow in many of the mountains.

Hank

With all honesty, I was thrilled to receive a sleeping cabin when I encountererd unrelenting noise. I saw no problem with that and was happy that one was available.  Not being able to sleep is a nightmare for me, and I appreciated having an alternative.  I would have slept in a closet to avoid the clanging and banging.

[slidergirl]

Hank - you are just behind us by a day!  We were in Sitka on Wednesday (their first nice day I was told), no other ships.  I got to the Raptor Recovery Center before the masses from the ship.  I love going to rescue/recovery places anywhere I go so this and the Bear sanctuary were good for me.  Did a little walking in Sitka National Park, too.

We were in Ketchikan yesterday along with the Grand Princess.  She came about 2 hours later, so there was a little bit of time that the town wasn’t crowded too much.   The weather there yesterday was mostly sunny and high 40s, so very pleasant for walking around.  It was a little disappointing to see the main drag cluttered with either jewelry shops or cheesy souvenir stores.    Walked over to Creek Street and got my Soho Coho Tshirt.  Walked up the trail to the fish ladder to see if there was any activity - sadly no fish yet.   If I went back to Ketchikan again, I would either stay on the ship or shell out for some kind of excursion.  

The ship ran out of chai mix yesterday!  Oh No!  One guest walked away in a huff when she was told no more.  Me?  I dutifully waited 20 minutes in line to get my plain ole’ cafe latte.  

I’m not worrying about entertainment - I’m just donning my headphones, putting on some tunes and sitting out on my balcony or on my sofa until the wee hours.  My 2 bottles of wine I brought on are sufficing for additional entertainment 😉

 

[Hlitner]

We dated to go off the ship (in Ketchikan) only to discover that a 4th ship (Nieuw Amsterdam) had docked directly astern of our ship.  This effectively meant that the ships more than doubled the local population.  Town is even tackier than we

remembered, so after a few minutes of browsing we returned to the Westy.  
 

We had thought of having lunch in town, the the queues and prices changed our minds.

[Mary229]

I am always looking for something new in Ketchikan.  Last year we took the city bus out to the state park and roamed there for a few hours.  Then back on the bus and back in town we chose to get off at the “top” of town and enjoyed a walk down the creek from its far reaches down to the sea. 

[Stateroom_Sailor]

9 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We dated to go off the ship (in Ketchikan) only to discover that a 4th ship (Nieuw Amsterdam) had docked directly astern of our ship.  This effectively meant that the ships more than doubled the local population.  Town is even tackier than we

remembered, so after a few minutes of browsing we returned to the Westy.  
 

We had thought of having lunch in town, the the queues and prices changed our minds.

 

This is a tourist trap for people who don't know any better, especially if Ketchikan is their first Alaska port.  We came in at 50% of our food budget on our Yukon-Alaska cruise tour, partially by eating where the locals dine, and choosing locally sourced foods.  Given that crab is caught locally, it adds insult to injury.

 

We just dined at a Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse on the Las Vegas Strip, before heading to Vancouver Saturday.  The cost was $65 for each meal + soup.  Great food, but we paid for the location and celebrity association.  For an extra 50%, we could have held out for those baskets in Ketchikan!

[Hlitner]

This evening, DW and I enjoyed our usual pre dinner cocktails in the Ocean Bar, enjoyed the company of some new friends, and than went to Canoletto to use our last HIA credit.  Starters were fine, but then came the mains.  DW had her usual lamb chops (nothing Italian about that) and they were wonderful. I decided to try the Friday special which was cannolini stuffed with a veal mixture and topped with spinach and cheese.  The serving had 2 small cannolini which crunched when cut.  The filling was fine, but the pasta awful.

 

Our waitress offered to bring me

another entree and this offer was soon repeated by the manager.  I politely refused since I was not overly hungry.  Our server than brought me two paper bills… each for $8.15 and told me the meal was free and covered by the HIA package and the charge was just for accounting.  I did not sign the

mysterious bills and could not figure where $8.15 pp came from.

 

As we were leaving, I stopped to talk to the manager who said the $8.15 was just the accounting system and he had no clue why.  But not to worry because we would be charged zero despite the bill.  
 

We later noticed that we had been charged $14.16 for a drink (Ocean Bar) that should be charged. $1.18.  I think this is our 10th drink overcharge of the cruise.  As I write this, the Guest Relations folks have already deleted the overcharge (after I sent them a written complaint.

 

I will mention that nearly everyone with whom we have spoken (over 6 weeks) has been overcharged at least once.

 

This evening some friends said they found out this morning that their tour (today) had been cancelled and they had automatically been put on a different excursion.  They had about 1 hours notice.  Since this was their last port and they were using their HIA credit, it was either take the unwanted tour or lose the credit.  They took the tour which they said was awful.  The excursion that had been booked was cancelled because the catamaran was broken.  
 

The show tonight was the 2nd offering of a decent guitar player and his singing/dancing fiancé.  Their show was fine, but the 9:30 audience was only about 120. After the show we went to Rolling Stone to catch the last set of the always excellent group.  The room had a great crowd, the dance floor packed, and everyone having a great time when the music abruptly ended at 11!  On this ship 11 is the entertainment curfew.  Ridiculous!!!!

 

As we near the end of this 6 week cruise I would like to hug each of the 7 members of the Rolling Stone Lounge group.  Without them, I might have jumped overboard for lack of decent nightly entertainment.
 

Hank

PA.  Your assignment, if you choose to accept, is to figure out the $8.15 per person bill

 

 

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

 

Hank

PA.  Your assignment, if you choose to accept, is to figure out the $8.15 per person bill

 

 

The accounting system works in strange and mysterious ways. It is not something we mere mortals should even attempt to understand. 

[Mary229]

4 hours ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

 

This is a tourist trap for people who don't know any better, especially if Ketchikan is their first Alaska port.  We came in at 50% of our food budget on our Yukon-Alaska cruise tour, partially by eating where the locals dine, and choosing locally sourced foods.  Given that crab is caught locally, it adds insult to injury.

 

We just dined at a Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse on the Las Vegas Strip, before heading to Vancouver Saturday.  The cost was $65 for each meal + soup.  Great food, but we paid for the location and celebrity association.  For an extra 50%, we could have held out for those baskets in Ketchikan!

they canceled the crab season.   https://www.allrecipes.com/article/alaska-cancels-snow-crab-king-crab-seasons-this-year/

Edited May 6, 2023 by Mary229

[Florida_gal_50]

From the posts here Alaska sounds totally unappealing.  I’ve been a few times but I would rather go any place but there.  I’m in the cold 10 months of the year.  Not paying to do that.  I’ve had excellent meals in Canaletto but I never do pasta.  I generally have the tomato seafood soup to start and the osso bucco or the veggie risotto.  Both are excellent.  The chocolate tart for dessert is delicious.

[mcrcruiser]

On 5/4/2023 at 12:39 PM, Destiny0315 said:

More help is on its way from the Philippines:

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/3/us-firms-hire-seafarers.html 

That is very good news indeed 😀

[mcrcruiser]

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

From the posts here Alaska sounds totally unappealing.  I’ve been a few times but I would rather go any place but there.  I’m in the cold 10 months of the year.  Not paying to do that.  I’ve had excellent meals in Canaletto but I never do pasta.  I generally have the tomato seafood soup to start and the osso bucco or the veggie risotto.  Both are excellent.  The chocolate tart for dessert is delicious.

Yes when you live in cold country Alaska would definitely  be on the back burner. The Caribbean,Mexico  or Hawaii would sound much better . We just saw a ad for January   at the  Oahu Hilton Hawaiian Village  room rate was $251 for Hilton honor members & about  $ 7 more for non members . imo that is a terrific  deal  .This is truly a resort property with a lot to offer . Then add food & flights  . I would do this in a geart best than be on the old  Norwegian ship that goes island to island .Oahu is the culture center of the Hawaiian islands where there are tons of things to see & do 

 HAL has the 18 day cruise which over nights on Honolulu which also gives time to see things like the Polynesian Cultural Center , Bishop museum ,Iolani Palace  ,Pearl Harbor Memorial along with the battle ship Missouri where WW2 was ended in the Pacific  .That 18 day cruise goes ot Kauai, Honolulu  on Oahu ,  Lahania on Maui (tender port) , Kona (tender port ) & Hilo ,a deep sea port  .Aloha land😃

[mcrcruiser]

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

they canceled the crab season.   https://www.allrecipes.com/article/alaska-cancels-snow-crab-king-crab-seasons-this-year/

Wasn't that caused by the Federal government ?

[Mary229]

1 minute ago, mcrcruiser said:

Wasn't that caused by the Federal government ?

I don’t remember.  It was all over the news last year while I was in Alaska.  DH was really looking forward to king crab too.  Good to hear the Filipino news, I speculate that Marcos, on his recent visit,  asked the state department to get moving on those visa applications

[mcrcruiser]

3 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I don’t remember.  It was all over the news last year while I was in Alaska.  DH was really looking forward to king crab too.  Good to hear the Filipino news, I speculate that Marcos, on his recent visit,  asked the state department to get moving on those visa applications

Yes that order really hurt the crab industry .Yes HAL needs more workers on their ships for sure

Edited May 6, 2023 by mcrcruiser