Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Trip Report w/Pics HAL Alaska June 19-26, 2022 Seattle Roundtrip Westerdam

CupKayke

By CupKayke,
in Holland America Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

CupKayke

CupKayke

Posted
Posted

Good Evening!   

I have not been active on Cruise Critic in a long time so I don't know if there is a real desire for cruise reviews anymore however, we just stepped-off the Westerdam in Alaska, it was our second HAL cruise, our first time to Alaska, and one of our top trips of all time.  I think I'm going to post a daily review with pics. 

I'd like to know if there is enough interest for me to do this?   Thanks - Kay

IMG_1373.JPEG

  • Like 15
  • Thanks 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cruise Suzy

Cruise Suzy

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, waASPCrusier said:

We were on the first sailing 6/12.  Will try to answer any questions people might have.

 

Hubbard Glacier: How close was the ship able to get? I've booked the excursion boat there, but others are still debating.

 

Sitka: With the inside pier position damaged, was the Westerdam able to use the outside position rather than tendering?

 

Pinnacle Grill: Was it open for lunch on Monday (Sea day), Tuesday (Juneau), Wednesday (Hubbard) and/or Saturday (Victoria)? Staffing on some ships reportedly has been insufficient to open it for lunch.

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
waASPCrusier

waASPCrusier

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Hubbard Glacier: How close was the ship able to get? I've booked the excursion boat there, but others are still debating.

We were at least a couple of miles out.  The excursion is the way to go, it was sold out on our cruise.  We talked to a couple of people though that went on it, she estimated they got about 1/2 mile away and it was a calving bonanza.  Still impressive from the ship, but maybe have binoculars.

5 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Sitka: With the inside pier position damaged, was the Westerdam able to use the outside position rather than tendering?

We were at the new pier, 10-15 minute free bus ride into the heart of Sitka....be aware they are still working out the kinks on this, so while decently orderly at the ship, the return is out in the open to the elements and it did take awhile for the return shuttle.

5 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Pinnacle Grill: Was it open for lunch on Monday (Sea day), Tuesday (Juneau), Wednesday (Hubbard) and/or Saturday (Victoria)? Staffing on some ships reportedly has been insufficient to open it for lunch.

We didn't do the Pinnacle(did do the filet as room service add on), but there weren't any notices about it being closed.  Overall I didn't notice that much of a staffing issue.  That being said our lead room steward was on his first assignment in 2 years, he was great but others seemed to be re-learning the ropes.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
*Miss G* "Live from...." Rare

*Miss G*

Posted
Posted

Yes please!  We have an upcoming trip to Seattle and have decided to tag on an Alaskan cruise.  Would be interested in any and all commentary you can provide, including embarkation/disembarkation details.  Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CupKayke

CupKayke

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Good Evening! 

 

A review it shall be.  I will try to get most of this finished tonight but if not, it will be in the next couple of days hopefully.  I will stop and start as I have more steps to get in tonight and I'm doing laundry, etc.   

 

First thing I want to say:   WE LOVED THIS CRUISE.   Nothing "amazing" happened... it was just a beautiful cruise and there were a few things about HAL we liked more than other cruise lines. 

 

So...let's start with us... I'm the female in this marriage and we are in the late 40~ish age and I'm older by a small bit.  We travel every year (except obviously during COVID) and seem to sway between cruises and land trips.  

Here we are:

IMG_1433.JPEG

We were not for sure where we were going this year but we kept getting mail from HAL even though we had only sailed with them one time previously.  They offered free wi-fi, free drinks, $100 per person for an excursion and one specialty restaurant free if we booked this trip.  I booked this cruise on March 6th.   

 

Our Itinerary:

Sunday, June 19, 2022 ~ Embarkation in Seattle

Monday, June 20, 2022 ~ Sea Day

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 ~ Juneau

Wednesday, June 22, 2022 ~ Hubbard Glacier

Thursday, June 23, 2022 ~ Sitka

Friday, June 24, 2022 ~ Ketchikan

Saturday, June 25, 2022 ~ Victoria, BC Canada

Sunday, June 26, 2022 ~ Debarkation

 

We live in the Midwest but we were in Los Angeles so on Saturday we boarded our Delta plane for our 7:00am flight from LAX to SEA.  (Just to note:  this flight had been delayed the evening prior to 7:50am and then the gate changed THREE times this morning).  We sat on the plane and waited 45 minutes for pilots that never showed.  The pilots for this plane had been held-up in Seattle the night previously and the FAA would not allow them to fly.  Keep that in mind when you see what happens in Seattle on Debarkation Day.  So....our flight was cancelled. They repeatedly announced they knew there were cruisers onboard who had to catch their cruises in Seattle TODAY so they were working very hard to accommodate everyone (not us obviously).  Just another reminder.... don't fly in the day of your cruise!   Luckily, as we were getting off the plane, everyone on the plane got a text that they had found new pilots and this same flight with these same people would be leaving at 10:16am.   We sat in the LAX airport waiting and later, as they started reboarding us, along comes two pilots... the crowd cheered and clapped for them!!!  Never seen that happen before.  We arrived in Seattle just before 1pm and they asked that we all stay seated while some cruisers were allowed to leave the plane first.  A very large family group left the plane and a few other people.  I will give Delta kudos because one of their reps had walked back to this large group of family cruisers on the plane (they were sitting in front of us) and told them they had been in touch with the cruiseline and the cruise bus was waiting for them at the airport and would not leave them.   

 

For us... we did not board until tomorrow... so my sister and her husband were waiting for us at baggage claim.   They live in the area.  We had a late lunch and drove to by nephew's house before they dropped us at our hotel choice for this evening which was Hampton Inn & Suites in Bremerton, WA.  This Hampton Inn is directly on the water next to the ferry, we got an excellent deal through the Hilton app, free wi-fi, free evening cookies, free lemon iced water, tea, and coffee, clean & working ice machine, etc..  and everything was spotlessly clean.  I told my husband it felt like the staff owned the hotel because they were so friendly and caring about guests and the hotel.  It has been remodeled but it is one of the best remodels I've seen in a hotel.  I would recommend it all day long.  

 

View from the outdoor seating area (also a smoking area but no one was smoking)

IMG_0224.JPG

 


There is also a large side open courtyard with tables next to the hotel... which leads to a Starbucks, a small market/convenience-type store, a frozen yogurt/ice cream place, a Subway, and an Anthony's restaurant (seafood/chowder/etc).  There is a credit union across the street.  Just down the way there are bars which apparently attract the younger crowd at night.

 

IMG_0223.JPG

 

We did not go out to dinner as my husband had leftovers and I had brought a Keto bar so we were asleep early.  Tomorrow... we take the ferry to Seattle and it's Embarkation Day!

  • Like 9
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
tundra1

tundra1

Posted
Posted
20 hours ago, CupKayke said:

Good Evening!   

I have not been active on Cruise Critic in a long time so I don't know if there is a real desire for cruise reviews anymore however, we just stepped-off the Westerdam in Alaska, it was our second HAL cruise, our first time to Alaska, and one of our top trips of all time.  I think I'm going to post a daily review with pics. 

I'd like to know if there is enough interest for me to do this?   Thanks - Kay

IMG_1373.JPEG

Yes Please!  We are taking our first Alaskan cruise in August, and first on HAL!  We would love to hear your impressions and see photos.  Would you go again?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CupKayke

CupKayke

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Embarkation Day!

(Also, Father's Day and Juneteenth!)

 

It's Sunday June 19th and we woke to clear but cloudy skies in the Seattle area.  The Hampton Inn & Suites in Bremerton included a free breakfast but I walked next door to Starbucks for iced tea.  The breakfast at the hotel was available early as I am a very early riser.  They kept it well stocked and offered hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, sausage links, waffles, cereals, yogurts, muffins, and all the usual continental breakfast items.  They offer all sorts of coffees and excellent creamers too.   It was nearly empty when I was up at 7am but it was bustling by 9am.  It was autumn weather (to us Missourians) and we loved it.  I was dressed appropriately (below).   I only mention this because packing for Alaska seemed like a crapshoot before we left but, in the end, I did okay... I just packed everything!

IMG_0976.JPEG

 

 

 

We walked next door to the Bremerton Ferry.   It's actually NEXT DOOR to the hotel.  We opted for the 11:10am ferry.  It is free going from Bremerton to Seattle on the ferry.  It's a walk-on ferry for passengers but below they also had bicyclers, motorcycles, and vehicles.  A walk-on adult passenger pays $8 from Seattle to Bremerton (it's a roundtrip fee) but if you are just traveling one way like we were, we just walked on with our suitcases and took a seat for free.   

 

IMG_0982.JPEG

 

The ferry seemed clean and everyone was polite.  I had to use the restroom and it was clean and there were several stalls on the ladies side.  The ferry was full of Mariners fans riding over to see the Mariners play the Angels (that's baseball folks).   Again, it was Father's Day so lots of family groups were out today.   The ferry takes one hour and the views all the way are beautiful homes and finally the waterfront coming into Seattle.  We were told to arrive early to catch the ferry and this was good advice.  I think we left the hotel at 10:45am and the ferry was on time, actually a little bit early.

 

IMG_1005.JPEG

 

The ferry has a cafeteria and we had read ahead of time that they serve Ivar's Chowder.  This is the best chowder you will ever have in your life so we split a bowl.  It was fabulous. 

 

Getting off the ferry is a bit of a madhouse because another ferry from Tacoma came next to us at the exact same time and it was also loaded with Mariners fans.   You can take your suitcases and carry them down the stairs but don't be like us... there are elevators you can use!  We got down to the street level and walked down to The Crab Pot (next door) and caught an Uber to the port (Pier 91 is where HAL Amsterdam was docked).   Uber total was $29 plus tip.   

 

In case you are not familiar with Seattle, this ferry drops you off at tourist central - Ivar's Chowder, Pike Place Market, The Crab Boat, etc... all within 5-10 minutes.  There are signs pointing you in the directions you need to go.  

 

It is a short drive to the port - maybe 10 minutes?  We were dropped directly in front of the entrance to the cruise port.   The porter/luggage-acceptance area was not organized very well today and it wasn't really busy.  We were there around 12:30pm (?) and no one approached us to take our luggage.   We finally walked-up to a porter stand and a guy did immediately help us.  We tipped him and left our bags.   There were two lines at this point - those who had pre-completed the VERIFLY app and those who had not.   The VERIFLY line was tiny in comparison (and it was also super duper slower than the other line).   I had not completed VERIFLY.  😕   Because we arrived at a not-so-busy time (it seemed)... this was not a big deal but I do wish I had done this ahead of time.   Once it was our turn for check-in, they wanted your boarding pass (on my HAL app)... passports (check)....COVID tests/letters (check)... COVID vaccine cards (check)..... ARRIVECAN receipt (check - this was simply a screenshot/picture on my phone as I did not download the ARRIVECAN app)... .VERIFLY... nope... it wouldn't let me complete it while we were standing it line - it had to be completed 24 hours before embarkation.  She says "Okay, I can complete that for you."  Two seconds later we were onboard.  My VERIFLY app says (at this very moment) that I have not completed the info for this cruise.  It's fine.   Here's the deal with these two apps in my opinion..... ARRIVECAN was super quick.  I did it online, on my phone, the night before cruise in the hotel room.  I did not download the ARRIVECAN app.  I took a screenshot of my little ARRIVECAN receipt, and that photo was accepted just fine.  VERIFLY needed to be completed and in the future, I will take the 15 minutes of my time and complete that app for every trip we take in the future.  If it speeds-up a line, I'm doing it.  

 

So... rather easily, we made it onboard...

 

05p00958_DR.jpg.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

  • Like 10
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
CupKayke

CupKayke

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Embarkation Day Continued...

 

 

We stepped on the boat and there was at least four or five staff members that IMMEDIATELY Warmly Welcomed us onboard and said "WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU ARE HERE!"  Throughout the cruise, at every single port, you would see this.   EVERY.  SINGLE.  PORT.   Holland America is glad you are cruising again and they want you to know it.   Frankly, I thought it was great.  It made you feel good and appreciated. 


I originally booked a verandah (unobstructed balcony) cabin.  On June 6, 2022, I received an email offering us the chance to upgrade.  I called the phone number and was immediately upgraded (for a fee) to a Signature Suite Room 6073.  I surprised my husband today with this information.  He was VERY happy because the bathroom was "huge" compared to normal cabins, in his opinion.  I am glad we were able to do this and I would probably do this again just for the bathroom space for my weird husband if the price was acceptable.  There were two showers also... (one in the bathtub).  I don't actually have a pic of that bathroom right now.  I'll find it maybe later. 

The room...

IMG_1007.JPEG

and...

IMG_1011.JPEG

 

We had preordered alcohol from HAL for drinks in our room even though we had the free drink package.  We put down our bags and headed to the Lido deck for salads.  It was not crowded AT ALL.  I immediately noticed no bananas.  I asked about it and they told me "they are being loaded now" and I would say they are working out the kinks with the food on this ship.  They put out brown bananas the next day and I did grab one but the lady in line next to me laughed and told me to "eat that immediately."   I never saw another banana the entire trip.  They had apples and oranges.  They put out plums the last day but they were not ripe yet.  Again, lots of little kinks with the food on this ship.

 

The Captain came onboard and Welcomed Us (and it was so different now than pre-COVID) and he announced this was only this ship's second time cruising since COVID... so for 2 years... this ship had not sailed until the cruise before ours!   I'm kinda glad we weren't the first cruise.   We did notice some of the staff are definitely still learning.   Another passenger told us they announced the ship was "SOLD OUT" at 1200-1300 people even though it normally can hold 2300... because they just don't have the staff to work the ship yet.  I have absolutely NO CLUE if that is true or not.   I do know the website showed this cruise SOLD OUT well over a month ago.   I do think there were staff everywhere all the time and I never felt they were understaffed until the evening we were in Victoria.  The ship never felt packed - EVER.  The Lido deck was quick to get through.  Getting on and off was easy and quick.  I thought it was fantastic.  If the ship is always like this, I love it!! 

 

 Since I'm thinking of it... someone on our hallway told us gas for this cruise was $800,000.   Again, no clue if that is correct or even close to the real figure but I thought it was interesting to hear. 

 

We ate our salads on our balcony...

IMG_1022(1).JPEG

 

We loved this cooler weather so we sat on our balcony and watched the shore as we sailed away.  They provided two warm wool blankets in one of our cabinets.  We used them on our balcony.

IMG_1029.JPEG

 

The pools and hot tubs on the Lido Deck were CLOSED today so EVERYONE was back on the Aft deck where there is another pool, one hot tub, a bar, and the smoking area.  I kinda thought it was strange that the Lido deck was closed today but it was never closed again the rest of the cruise and it was the hot spot, busy area for the rest of the cruise.... if there was a busy area?!  There never really was any long lines or a lot of waiting for too many items... just a couple of times here or there.  

 

I was immediately IN LOVE with the see-through elevators!  

IMG_1020.JPEG

 

Next up.. Pinnacle Grill for dinner tonight...

 

 

 

 

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
CupKayke

CupKayke

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I booked our free specialty restaurant for the Pinnacle Grill tonight (the first night) on purpose because I didn't want to pack dressy clothes and on the first night, you don't have to be "dressy."  I booked online before the trip.  I wore clean (unripped) jeans and a nicer top and my husband wore jeans and a top.  No jacket or suit or dresses or ties and everyone sitting around us dressed the same tonight.  This was a good idea on my part.  Our reservation was for 8:30pm and we arrived a tiny bit early and we were seated immediately.  The service was fantastic.  They brought a bread basket with various breads and two separate butters to try. I have been being healthy this year and try to eat very little bread so I only tasted one piece (it was fantastic) but my husband tried a variety plus both butters. 

 

Appetizers were an iceberg/bacon salad for me and I think he had lobster bisque.  He did not like it.  

IMG_1035.JPEG

 

Main entrees were the ribeye for me and the filet mignon for him.  They were both scrumptious!

IMG_1036.JPEG

He ordered the creamed spinach and I ordered the asparagus.  He ordered the red sauce and I ordered the Bernaise.  The ribeye was wonderful but HUGE.  I cut most of it up and he took it to the room to eat later that night (he's like a rat that eats overnight while I'm sleeping).  The Bernaise was rich-rich but soooo good.  The creamed spinach was the same way.  I was careful and only had a little of each.  My husband took a huge to go box to our cabin.   I took the key lime pie to the room and ate one-half of it only.    It was delicious and I would love to have that other half about right now...

IMG_1037.JPEG

 

My husband loves steak.  I would book this again (even for a fee).  I was asleep shortly after dinner tonight.  If you are looking on information on any of the shows, you are out of luck.  We did not attend any of the evening entertainment. 

 

Overall, it was a wonderful Embarkation Day!

  

Edited by CupKayke
  • Like 6
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
CupKayke

CupKayke

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Good Evening.  Just wanted to say something about ARRIVECAN...  we met a girl at Bingo who told us they had a letter in their stateroom mail telling them if they didn't get ARRIVECAN completed, they would not be allowed off the ship in Juneau (our first port) or any other port.  I don't know if that is true or not but that's what she said.  Also, when we were allowed to board there was a large group of people sitting in chairs with stickers on their shirts and they were told to sit there and complete ARRIVECAN and then they could board.  We only know this because this one lady told us that and then boarded with us and said "I'll do it when I get in my room.  I'm not sitting out here anymore."   So... I would recommend you go ahead and get both ARRIVECAN and VERIFLY completed at least 24 hours before your cruise. 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...