WriterOnDeck

Yes, the wines change, and frequently there are substitutes for those listed. I always talk to the cellar master about what is available on the cruise. And sometimes, like on the cruise I'm on now, I ask if a wine I like can be substituted for one in the package. Sometimes the answer is yes and I am steered toward the appropriate package. One pro tip: Don't order the package the first night if you are still in or near port (territorial waters?), as you may be charged the local sales tax. That was the case on this cruise out of Seattle, and for the 8-bottle package it was substantial. I ordered the second night.

On the Vista ships the bridge is under the fitness center. I wouldn't worry about waking them up! Of course, if you are dropping the weights you might hear about it! bwahaha....

About the menus: My understanding is that Holland America puts more $ in the food budget for the Legendary Voyages such as this one. I know they do it on the Grand Voyages. They also make an effort to never repeat a menu (but certainly repeat some items -- just mix them up) and include lots of local food when they can.

After two months on land, I'm back on a Holland America ship -- the Westerdam for the Majestic Japan Legendary Cruise -- and blogging. I'll be on one dam ship or another until mid May 2025 (except for a brief break to get from the west coast to the east coast for the Legendary Mediterranean). My first post, from Victoria, BC, Canada, is at www.WriterOnDeck.com. I won't copy and past every post on this thread, so the best way to follow along and see all the photos is to "subscribe by email" on the site. But here's the current post: Victoria Offers Opportunity for New Adventures in Watercolor Posted on September 4, 2024 by Jo Johnston Day 2, 2024 Majestic Japan Monday, Sept. 1, 2024; Victoria, BC, Canada What a rare treat – a full day in Victoria on a cruise! Typically, ships call here for just a couple of hours in order to satisfy the peculiarities of U.S. maritime law. We docked at 7 a.m. and stayed till 9 p.m. Shame on me for not taking full advantage of this extended port call. I’m blaming it on a lack of better planning (and perhaps the fact that I have been here before and visited popular spots like Butchart Gardens). I did have a most-enjoyable few hours ashore. Instead of walking the mile and half to the inner harbor, I bought a US$15 (CAN$20) all-day ticket on the shuttle bus that dropped us in front of the famous Empress Hotel. Soon after arriving I shed my jacket. The mostly sunny day with temperatures in the 60s was too warm for it. People were everywhere at the waterfront – shopping for local goods at booths, eating at food carts and on restaurant patios and generally enjoying the day. My main goal was to return to the ship with a completed watercolor. I’m trying a new painting practice on this cruise. In the past, I’ve carried my sketchbook, pencil and ink pen, sometimes returning with a rough sketch to later finish on board the ship. There’s never enough time, so on my most recent cruises, I’ve come home with sketchbooks half finished. On this cruise I’m “channeling” Steve Broin, whom I met on the world cruise earlier this year. He is an accomplished artist who painted a watercolor en plein air in most ports. I admire not only his port objectives (“find a place to sit, ideally in the shade, where someone might bring you a drink and with a restroom nearby”), but also his ability to capture the essence of a scene without simply recreating it. Today I found a good vantage point that didn’t meet all of Steve’s criteria but worked for me. Skipping the ink pen, I jumped right into the paint and made a rough representation of The Empress hotel. I was a bit disappointed that the iconic structure has lost its characteristic ivy. Of course I am critical of my finished painting, but remind myself that it’s just a beginning and by the end of this cruise I hope to see some improvement. I couldn’t find the Maritime Museum (inaccurate map and sign), so returned back to the ship for lunch. Of course, on the shuttle ride back we passed right by the museum, but as it closed at 4:30 p.m., I didn’t have time to return. Next trip. It’s wonderful to be back on a ship, especially a familiar Holland America Vista class ship. I left the Westerdam just eight weeks ago and so know many of the crew from that voyage. I think the appeal of long-term cruising is as much for the family of crew and passengers as for the diverse ports. This cruise seems to be very popular among Holland America’s world voyage and longer cruise passengers, so I socialized instead of unpacking yesterday. One friend pulled me into a fun group of eight for dinner last night. All four (!) of my suitcases showed up. I shipped one large bag, which Luggage Forward will deliver to each of my subsequent cruises so I won’t have to schlep it through airports. Two of the bags are carry-on size, so perhaps my packing wasn’t as extreme as I thought. It’s nice to travel light, but once I realized they don’t give awards for that, I pretty much gave up and think I’ve found a happy medium. Clothes seem the be the least of the matter – it’s the art supplies, the electronics and camera, the organizational items such as a shoe bag for toiletries on the bathroom door, first-aid bag of over-the-counter remedies and bulky costume jewelry. For my convenience I bring my own blow dryer and lighted makeup mirror. Holland America supplies those, and were I on a shorter cruise they would suffice, but I do like mine. The one indulgence that got a shocked expression from a friend is my coat hangers. The ship has nice wooden hangers – too bulky and cumbersome for me. I packed most of my hanging clothes right on my flocked hangers.

In the past I have written a letter to HAL officially requesting a cruise deviation, and my TA sends it in for me. I get an official response (always yes so far) in a week or so. It's also needed to overlands during the middle of a cruise, as the visas HAL gets might only be good for a day visit, for example. You might need immigration officials to process you, for example. Go back to HAL (hope you have a good travel agent or PCC to handle it, as it makes life much easier) with an official written request. I wouldn't rely on social media for something like this, but you will get lots of opinions.

I, too, was on this cruise and blogged (www.WriterOnDeck.com). Great review! And of course reviews are personal opinions. I think most of your opinions were spot on, although some of the comments seemed to criticize entire groups of people (4*+ Mariners, "elderly"). I'm definitely in the former category and in my 60s so not sure about the latter, but I do spend about nine months a year on HAL ships. For example, I think "Elderly guests and especially 4+ star mariners simply do not like being told what to do and undoubtedly some do not even believe in COVID" is an extreme over-generalization and would be considered discriminatory in many settings. Frankly, it could be applied to some people I know in every age group. Second, I just want to correct one point for some who rely on these posts. Not all the older ships lack the Lido hand washing. I spent most of the last year on the Zuiderdam (2002) and Zaandam (2000) and both have the handwashing stations. I'm sure the Westerdam will get them in the next dry dock, as that is when they have been added to each ship. As the last ship to come back online after the pandemic pause, the Westerdam may be last in line for drydock upgrades. Thanks for taking the time to to share your review, especially about the crew. They are the best!

HAL ships are not non-smoking (try Viking and I'm sure others). The Vist class (Westerdam, Noordam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam) limit smoking to one side of the aft Lido outside deck. The Zaandam (and I think Volendam) allow smoking in the casino most days/nights. I think the same in some of the others, but don't know for sure. Usually all HAL ships go through the old locks.

I'm not sure you would get bumped to a higher category if they want your triple, but certainly not to a lower. You might end up with the same category but not a location you like as well. Look in the HAL Cruise Critic threads and you will find more than one about this new policy, which apparently doesn't grandfather earlier bookings. I use a travel agency (not the big box one as I don't use that much toilet paper!) that is wonderful to work with. I see a lot of posts about PCCs who come and go. I think since the pandemic there's more turnover. I think that's a risk you take with PCCs (who don't seem to provide as much benefit as my TA). Just my $.02 worth.

I'm on the Westerdam right now and ate at the Pinnacle last night. Yes, the menu is new as of 9/1. I'll see what I can find out of whether it's a test and perhaps with a flair for Japan/Asia, as this is a Majestic Japan Legendary Cruise. (Chef Morimoto will be on board for part of our voyage, and there will be a Morimoto popup for a few nights.) I had the Seared halibut, Scallops, Thai Red Curry Sauce. It was wonderful. I started with the Shrimp Cocktail, which was as good as always. The cranberry rolls have been gone a while -- we had lavosh and two different rolls. Butter but not the second flavored butter (peppers? something red as I recall). I'll attach the separate dessert menu. The key lime pie was great as usual. Instead of the plate of little chocolates we got a plate of macaroons. The good news is the new menus were in a new folder. The old ones were showing their age!

Non-refundable OBC can be used for anything except casino and cash withdrawal. Your pre-paid items (shorex, specialty dining for example) might be able to be refunded on board to your on-board account (refundable). It won’t be credited to your credit card. (Although once it is converted to refundable, whatever isn’t spent will go to your credit at the end of the cruise.) I have worked on board with the shorex team to have prepaid tours converted to refundable OBC and recharged to non-refundable.

This is the easiest!

I agree to look at your cabin or another in same category on halfacts dot com. I usually sail the R- and Vista-class HAL ships, and in looking at the larger ships realize some cabins are significantly smaller -- some with no love seat and sometimes only one chair or stool. It can be fine if you are just sleeping there, but please look it up so you aren't disappointed when you board.

HAL's 28-day Ultimate Alaska earlier this summer was refreshing for all the ports we visited as the only cruise ship. If you have the time, it's a great alternative to the 7-day milk runs.

No. During Lido hours.

On vista ships I usually find gelato at the free ice cream station. It might not be listed but they may have it in their cooler.

Late November meaning Thanksgiving week?

I'm so glad you got such great support from HAL, and that you shared it with us. I suggest you send an email to Gus Antorcha, the president of Holland America. His email is gantorcha@hollandamerica.com.

Balanced out by people like me who are a single in a stateroom.

I did round trip around South America from Fort Lauderdale last year.

Some people would love it. I would pass. I can't even make the HIA work out for me. But God bless those who do buy all the upgrades -- they keep the cruise lines in business and hopefully keep the basic fares lower.

The deck plan should indicate by symbol which staterooms are shower only, which will eliminate the issue of stepping into a tub. Whether or not it will be a shower curtain or glass door is not indicated, to my knowledge.

I dont typically do one because I post a blog on my own site, and it's a lot of trouble to repost here, especially with photos. I also write from a different perspective -- not "here's what I did today, starting with breakfast." Everyone has his or her own style. But I also post on the HAL forum here that I will be doing my blog. Most of my readers subscribe so they get the posts in their email. I think it has a longer shelf life and is more searchable, too. But who knows?

Also major TA groups may block rooms and release them later if not booked.

On the world cruises HAL gets a lot of the visas. The ship typically holds our passports (which lets them process country entry behind the scenes before we arrive). If the country requires a face-to-face process or for you to carry it ashore, HAL gives you back your passport. It's pretty painless. Having faced obstacles getting some visas (Brazll recently for example), I think it generally is worth letting HAL handle the process. Exceptions are NZ, Australia, Sri Lanka and India, which were easy online.

Not sure about the Volendam, but on the Zaandam, the other R Class HAL ship, the hinged portion is next to the ship, not at the railing side of the verandah. So it doesn't give the same open feeling. My sisters and I have immensely enjoyed the open verandah partition on the Zuiderdam during the last two world cruises.