Westerdam March 30th 2024

[nicenurse22]

Hi, occasional cruiser but never cruised with HAL before and first time to Japan (doing some land content before cruise) a few questions please:

Can I get room service on Westerdam for all meals to the cabin? Breakfast, lunch or dinner? Do they charge for this service? What is the weather likely to be in March/April off the coast of Japan? Suitable for swimming in the pool?

Is the sea known to be rough? I have a balcony cabin but wonder if it will be warm enough to use it? 

What are the drink prices like? I don’t think a drinks package would be worth it. Do they charge for juice or soda with lunch or  dinner? Is there somewhere to get a coffee or water between meals without charge? 
Are there any tender ports on this cruise? 
Very happy to hear any tips or things to avoid for this ship. 
😊💐

[jljcruise]

32 minutes ago, nicenurse22 said:

Can I get room service on Westerdam for all meals to the cabin? Breakfast, lunch or dinner? Do they charge for this service?

I haven't been to Japan, so can't answer those particular questions, but Room Service meals on all HAL ships are offered 24/7 and mostly complimentary. There are a few items on the room service menu with extra charges and they are clearly noted. The only other $ is if you choose to tip the waiter (always a nice thing to do!).

Also the Lido pool has a retractable roof, which they close in cool/rainy weather so you can swim even then.

No charge on the ship for regular coffee, tea, some juices, milk, lemonade, iced tea.

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited October 5, 2023 by jljcruise

[PalmSprings]

2 hours ago, nicenurse22 said:

What are the drink prices like?

I would say the average cocktail/glass wine price is in the $10-13 range.

[oakridger]

@nicenurse22You will find this website provided by @Crew News to be very useful with many of your questions!

 

Roger Jett Photography - Digital Images in Time Roger Jett Photography (rogerjett-photography.com)

 

 

Have a great trip to Japan!

 

~Nancy

 

 

[CruiserBruce]

Google search weather for a couple of your ports. For example,  " April Tokyo weather".

[crystalspin]

You have two potential Roll Calls (the long one should have been broken down to its components per Cruise Critic protocol, but slipped by).

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2913162-march-30-april-27-2024-hal-westerdam-28-day-japan-explorer-discovery-collector/#comment-64772774

and

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2912998-march-30-april-13-2024-westerdam-japan-explorer-14-days/#comment-64769163

 

Sodas and "squeezed" juice cost at all meals, I believe. There are juice-beverages at breakfast. I don't partake so anybody is welcome to correct me. 

[lyndarra]

3 hours ago, PalmSprings said:

I would say the average cocktail/glass wine price is in the $10-13 range.

To op. These are USD prices. USD13 is about AUD20. Wine prices are really OTT nowadays.

Unless you drink a lot the drinks package would not be worth it. On my recent HAL cruises (Alaska June, Syd/Sng Januaury) I had the occasional glass of wine but mostly had water with meals. I made an exception during happy hours and went for cocktails in the Crows Nest.

Edited October 5, 2023 by lyndarra
added info