J&Dhighdesert

Just some information that others have not mentioned. Bruce, cd, gave out a lot information in his coffee chat and book club meetings. He said next year HAL will be adding BBking and other entertainment features to this ship. These venues bring in money, such as alcohol sales. Yes, the library and explorer’s cafe will be moving to the Crow’s Nest like on other ships that have been updated. He mentioned that the Cros’s Nest is just a lot of empty space. The entertainment, lounge acts, and even the cooking shows are booked through a company on NYC. He even went to NYC to become familiar with Oprey’s Book club selections.

I had read on here that HALwas hiring crew members from Thailand. There were three new crew members, two guys and a gal. We met the young woman on the Lido deck. Her English was excellent and lived up to the standards of a HAL employee.

We have used Super Shuttle several times. Sometimes it is just us or we share with other travelers. There has never been any problems.

We were on a trans Pacific from Japan to Vancouver when this occurred. This occurred when we were leaving Japan and heading to Russia. We went to dinner and found that nothing was on the table except our place setting. The next day, in the Lido everything was being served to you. The library closed, no puzzles or games. If you wanted to see something in the jewelry department, you had to wear gloves. Everything was being cleaned constantly. Received health information all the time.

All could leave the ship in each port without any problems. The policy would continue on the next cruise, if no one became sick. This happened to be one of our favorite cruises even though this occurred.

We had table mates that bought a couple of paintings. She was telling us about her paintings. I was knowledgeable about the painter. The auctioneer told the group false information. Our other table mate worked in an art museum. She verified my information. As the saying goes,”buyer beware”

We had our 8 year old granddaughter traveling with us on the Westerdam in Alaska. She was always eager to go to the kids club. The waiters love having children on board. They are served first in the dining room. We would do this again.

The kitchen sink😉

Kathie, llke everyone else, I’m enjoying your details and pictures. You mentioned reading when you have time. I also enjoy reading while I am on the ship. What are some titles you have chosen to read on the cruise? In past, the librarian has chosen some books to read and discuss. Is this happening on this cruise?

Thanks

Jo

We have stayed at HAL’s hotel twice. The first time we stayed several days after our cruise. We met a nice young man who helped us with tours in the city. We returned several years later. The same young man was at the front desk and he remembered us. We got a very nice room.

I’m glad you two had a great trip. Sorry we couldn’t make it. Plan to rebook in 2019 and hopefully there will be no demonstrations near the port.

Jo

You hope you never will need insurance, but purchase it just in case. We were set to sail today, January 20. My BH was hospitalized Wednesday evening. We had hopes that we might still be able to go. By Thursday, no way. Contacted ourTA Thursday evening and she called HAL. We will get 90% of our money back for a 30 day cruise. There is no paperwork that has to be done. While my B.B. and wife were going to join us on the second leg of the trip, they would only get 35% back and the day after zero. We are glad we chose a more expensive plan and sorry we couldn’t make the trip.

Thanks for the update. This does effect us. We were going to drive down Saturday morning. We are now considering driving down Friday. Any suggestions where we can stay near the ship. I have read suggestions on here, but never paid to close attention because it never effected us. Please post more details when you are aware of them. Thanks much. This is a good reason to pay close attention to CC.

Used the cyber sale today.. Saved approximately $1,000.00 on a two week cruise in Alaska. Out travel agent helped us a lot.

Airborne is on sale now at Costco.

In March, we were on a 33 day cruise on the Masadam. We ate in the Lido each evening. After a while, we noticed they played the same song each evening while we were eating. There were cards in our cabin asking how we were doing. I wrote about the same song each evening. I received a call asking about my comment. The Seattle office sets up the can music and there is nothing they can really do. He said they would let Seattle know. In August, we didn't have quiet time to really listen to the can music.

How was the tendering ? Maybe faster with smaller ship?

 

 

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We didn't have to use the tender. I guess we just got lucky.

We did the Tatoo three years ago. One thing for sure, the time moves so quickly. We also felt fortunate that it didn't rain. When we got back on board well after midnight, there were three kinds of sandwiches for us to choose from. It was greatly appreciated. I wish I could remember her name. She was the best maitre'd ever. of course, this was on the Prinsendam.

I might have misspoken. We are on the Amsterdam leaving out of Seattle on that day. I take it that you are probably on another HAL Ship. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Have you tried the Icy Straits whale watching tour? The times might be better for you. We have been on both tours. You will see plenty of whales on either tour. We are on this cruise, too.

Our most memorable trip was a trip from Osaka to Vancouver. Our trip started out great. In Osaka found a door shorter than me at 5"4'. Had to have a picture. Our next port was Tokyo in which they were cellebrating a national holiday. There were so many people. Our next port was Hodaka were we received a warm welcome to the city. Young girls were there to greet us and help us through out the day. We were ready to leave. The girls were doing their squid dance for us. It was getting colder and the girls put on their coats which the parents brought them. They continued to dance for us. It was getting later and later. Japanese coins were thrown at the girls on the pier. We finally were able to leave. The rumors were there was a crew member missing. That evening at dinner there was nothing on our table. That began the adventure of the noro virus throughout the cruise . Our next port was Petropavlovsk, Russia. The Russians wanted to come on board to check our passports. They wanted to come up on one side of the ship and the the crew wanted the other. They argued for some time. Guess who won. The Russians of course. Everyone was ready for their tours, but the friendly Russians wanted to see each passenger with their passports. Everything was delayed for some time. Finally made it off the ship. There was one gentleman on our tour who met some Russian men. They told him to set, drink vodka, which he did. The rest of the cruise was unenviable. Just a side note, we also received our first medallion with so many other people.

We were on a TA from Osaka to Vancouver. After we left our third port, we went to dinner and found nothing on our table. The servers let on that they didn't know what was going on. In our mail, there was literature on the noro virus. We got reminders all through the cruise. The library and puzzles were put away. If you wanted to look at anything in the shops, you had to put on gloves. In the lido, everything was served to you. IThe lido area was always being cleaned completely. This continued till we got to Vancouver. This was the beginning of the Alaska season. I was told that everyone would be served for the next 48hrs. After a while, we got used to all the restrictions. I shouldn't want to repeat this again.

I would be most happy to show off my jacket. The seamstress is busy getting ready for a theatrical production. She should have it ready by the middle of August. I will need it for our 9th Alaskan cruise the end of August. I cantacted guest services to ask for the commemorative pin for Alaska and an orange button that the lido stewards wear. I really wanted to put the orange button on the jacket. Just received a call from guest services and nothing was available. She suggested I contact someone on the ship.

Yestetday, I went into our local costume shop. I told the owner I would like her to make a jacket out of these HAL bags. These are the beige ones from years past. She told me this story of HAL. Many years ago her shop was nearly destroyed by a fire. She received a call from a HAL representative inviting her come to LA to their warehouse. Of course, she did. It was a treasure trove for a designer and costume shop. She was told to take whatever she liked. She took as many costumes as she could. I thought this was a great story to share.

We woke up on Christmas morning to enormous glaciers with the penguins welcoming us to their home. It is one experience I will never forget. The lectures were well versed in the knowledge of the area. The ship sent transportation for the members who were on the research site. It was very interesting to hear them talk about their work. I always encourage people to take this once in a lifetime cruise.

It seems you are everyone's go to guy. My questions are a little different. What is your dog's name? Does he go with you? You mentioned that you have never been on the Westerdam. What other ships have you not been on in the fleet? I know the security team varies from different classes of ships. About what is the average size team? Thanks for your input in advance.

Jo

Does the Westerdam still have the chocolate corner? We were on the ship last June and it was there. We will be doing a B2B in January. Just curious:cool: