Westerdam - some questions

[Avril]

I haven't sailed with HAL for a couple of years but am thinking of booking the New Years cruise on Westerdam with my Mom. :D We've only been on Eurodam (twice) and Nieuw Amsterdam. I can't remember everything (I know, it sucks, lol) so I just have a couple of questions.

 

First (and I know this topic can get nasty here on CC and I rather it didn't so if you don't have anything nice or helpful to say, don't say anything at all please and thank you), what is the smoking policy? What public areas are there on Westerdam that you can smoke and can you smoke on your stateroom balcony?

 

What activities, events, parties, etc go on during the day and in the evenings? Along the same lines, what is the atmosphere and average age on Westerdam? I'm 30 and don't really want to spend a week with people who could be my parent and/or grandparents (no offence to anyone)?

 

We got an offer for certain specials (maybe because we're 2 Star Mariners?) and the one we're looking at is offering a free Signature Drink package if we book an ocean view or higher (not a problem, we always get a balcony). What is a Signature Drink Package?

 

Do they still do a Pub Crawl (run by the ship's staff)? We did that on our previous 3 cruises and it was an absolute blast!!!! :D

 

Anything other info about the Westerdam (positives, negatives, things we should or shouldn't do and see, etc) and any pics would be great as well!! :D

 

Thanks so much!!!! :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

From HAL's site:

 

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

• Stateroom verandahs
  
• Casino (Active players only)
  
• Seaview Bar
  
• Outside Decks
  
  • Sports Deck
    
  • Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)
    

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

 

 

Signature Beverage Card

Our convenient, affordable Signature Beverage Package allows you to select from a variety of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails (including non-alcoholic), sodas & coffee! Includes any beverage priced at a $7.00 or lower menu price. Up to 15 beverages per day. * Prices are per day; Signature Beverage Package for $44.95* per day, per person a 15% service charge is not included and will be automatically applied to your purchase. The package must be purchased for the entire duration of the voyage. Up to a 15-drink maximum per day. All adults over 21 years old booked in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. Participants may order only one drink at a time. No sharing is permitted. Excludes Mini Bar, In-Room Dining, & beverages on Half Moon Cay. Packages are not transferable or refundable. Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and reserves the right to refuse service for any reason; including refusing service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated customers. Must be 21 years or older to purchase and agree not to give to minors.

 

 

There is Bingo and Trivia every day. On Sea days there are cooking demonstrations (free), cooking classes ($29 per person limited to 12 people). There are also wine tastings -- no t free.

Parties -- none.

Check out HALFacts here to read samples of the daily "On Location" program:

http://halfacts.com/general-info/

[Krazy Kruizers]

There are various shows in the evening in the show lounge.

The Queens Lounge will also have a couple of movies a day.

There are Mixology classes. If you want to just watch them make the drinks, it is free. But if you want to participate -- it costs around $12 a person.

Some ships we have been on have had pub crawls -- not free.

[Katie333]

I think HAL gets a reputation for being a line where only folks in their 80s and 90s sail (and kudos to any 80 or 90 year olds who are still able to cruise!).

 

Depending on the itinerary we have found no noticeable difference on the overall demographic. For this trip, my gut says you'll find a younger than average group but still mostly folks who are retirement age.

 

Sounds like you are reviewing the explore4 promotion that offers the signature drink package (or maybe some other package). We really enjoyed this amenity, and make great use of it, especially because you could get specialty coffee/water/tea in addition to the alcoholic selection.

[Avril]

From HAL's site:

 

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

 

• Stateroom verandahs
  
• Casino (Active players only)
  
• Seaview Bar
  
• Outside Decks
  
  • Sports Deck
    
  • Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)
    

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

 

 

Signature Beverage Card

Our convenient, affordable Signature Beverage Package allows you to select from a variety of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails (including non-alcoholic), sodas & coffee! Includes any beverage priced at a $7.00 or lower menu price. Up to 15 beverages per day. * Prices are per day; Signature Beverage Package for $44.95* per day, per person a 15% service charge is not included and will be automatically applied to your purchase. The package must be purchased for the entire duration of the voyage. Up to a 15-drink maximum per day. All adults over 21 years old booked in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. Participants may order only one drink at a time. No sharing is permitted. Excludes Mini Bar, In-Room Dining, & beverages on Half Moon Cay. Packages are not transferable or refundable. Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and reserves the right to refuse service for any reason; including refusing service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated customers. Must be 21 years or older to purchase and agree not to give to minors.

 

 

There is Bingo and Trivia every day. On Sea days there are cooking demonstrations (free), cooking classes ($29 per person limited to 12 people). There are also wine tastings -- no t free.

Parties -- none.

Check out HALFacts here to read samples of the daily "On Location" program:

http://halfacts.com/general-info/

.

 

Ok, where on HAL's site did you find that? I must have spend a good 20 minutes digging through there and couldn't find anything about any policies (smoking or otherwise) or beverage cards. Got frustrated, gave up, and came here. Thanks a lot, that's great!! :D No parties at all? I thought I remembered at least 1 deck party the last time we went but maybe I was wrong. About the beverage card, are you allowed to buy (and pay for) drinks over $7 and do they count towards your 15? Also, do drinks on Half Moon Cay count towards your 15 (it says you can't use it there but just wondering if they count towards the total even though you have to pay for them)?

 

There are various shows in the evening in the show lounge.

The Queens Lounge will also have a couple of movies a day.

There are Mixology classes. If you want to just watch them make the drinks, it is free. But if you want to participate -- it costs around $12 a person.

Some ships we have been on have had pub crawls -- not free.

 

Where are the Mixology Classes and how do you sign up? Sounds like fun!! :D

 

Ya, I remember the pub crawl wasn't free (maybe $20). It sure was a blast though, met so many of my fellow shipmates and made a few really good friends!! :D

[Alberta Quilter]

.

 

About the beverage card, are you allowed to buy (and pay for) drinks over $7 and do they count towards your 15? Also, do drinks on Half Moon Cay count towards your 15 (it says you can't use it there but just wondering if they count towards the total even though you have to pay for them)?

 

 

You can purchase drinks over $7; they will be charged on your room key card as opposed to the SBP card. Any additionally purchased drinks should NOT count against the alloted 15 drinks under the SBP.

 

You will have two cards to carry around - the room key card and the SBP card. Just use the SBP card for the drinks under $7 and the room card for the drinks over $7.

 

The reason that the Half Moon Cay, mini bar and room service drinks are excluded from the SBP is that there needs to be a Point of Sale machine (cash register) to process the SBP transactions.

[Avril]

You can purchase drinks over $7; they will be charged on your room key card as opposed to the SBP card. Any additionally purchased drinks should NOT count against the alloted 15 drinks under the SBP.

 

You will have two cards to carry around - the room key card and the SBP card. Just use the SBP card for the drinks under $7 and the room card for the drinks over $7.

 

The reason that the Half Moon Cay, mini bar and room service drinks are excluded from the SBP is that there needs to be a Point of Sale machine (cash register) to process the SBP transactions.

 

Awesome, thanks!! :D This is probably a stupid question but it's 15 drinks per day right (not per cruise)?

 

Oh No!! An extra card that I can lose, lol. :p Just kidding, it's no bag deal. I haven't lost a cruise card once (demagnatized a couple somehow but never lost one).

 

That kinda makes sense. Doesn't Half Moon Cay have POS machines though? I do remember buying drinks on the island when I was there before. Huh, maybe I'm remembering wrong.

[Host Walt]

As you all may know we are implementing a new approach for discussions of smoking policies on Holland America ships.

 

For information on how the new approach was originated, please see this thread: Poll: Single Smoking Thread on the HAL Board - a Sticky.

 

Accordingly please continue the discussion in this, now closed, thread in the new thread which you will find in this link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2084364

 

Thanks.

Edited August 9, 2014 by Host Walt