Well, I’m back. Went to get away from the snow, so guess what, It dumped while I was away, and is ready to dump again. Wish I could have stayed on board for the Eastern Caribbean portion.
Cruise Line: Holland America
Ship: Westerdam
Sailing Dates: January 31, 2010 – February 6, 2010
Port: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Itinerary: Western Caribbean – Half Moon Cay Tender, Grand Turks & Caicos, Sea Day,
Georgetown, Grand Cayman Islands Tender, Cozumel, Mexico, Ft. Lauderdale.
I had an ocean view cabin by myself this time on Deck 1. My partner could not get off work to join me.
I must admit, the cabins location was perfect for me Mid-Ship. Directly down the hall from the tour desk, front deck and the Atrium Bar and one deck above the Tender Service located on Deck A. The show lounges main floor was immediately on the same deck at the front of the ship along with the elevators to the Crow’s Nest on Deck 10.
There were NO paper deck plans available for the guests, so you had to read the deck plan at each of the elevators to find a certain location if you were not familiar with the ships layout. Maybe another cost cutting measure? Who knows? And before you say anything, no deck plans in the cabin.
HAL has moved from bringing your life jacket to the mandatory life boat drill, to NO LIFE JACKET REQUIRED AT THE MANDITORY LIFE BOAT DRILL, or at least on this ship, anyway. Much of the cruise lines are now moving in this direction. Place cards posted on the back of the cabin door indicated otherwise, you really had to listen to the announcement.
Since this is a mainline domestic cruise, there were no sightings (what ever that may mean) of other GLBT‘s on board, who were not crew. LOL There was only two (2) GLBT meet & greets which was held on the very first night (1/31 at 9:00pm at the Pinnacle Bar), the second one was held on (2/5 at 10:00pm in the Northern Lights Disco). In fairness I did not attend any of them since I was at the 8:00 feeding and rarely finished by 10:15pm. However, I spied about four women who had the cabana next to be on Half Moon Cay. I could have sworn, oh well. There were a number of children on board but were out of the way attending the Club Hal functions during the evening or days at sea and with there parents when in port.
They had a Happy Hour from 4:00pm to 5:00pm at the Ocean Bar on deck 3. This was never printed in the Daily Program. I had to ask the bartender at the Atrium Bar if they had one. The last ship I was on had two Happy Hours one for the 6:00 eating crowd (between 5:00-6:00) and another one (between 7:00-8:00) for the 8:00 dinner sitting. They always close the dinning room 15 minutes after the starting time. The bar was always crowded (when open), and people were sloshed before 5:30 if you had the late sitting for dinner. Yes, I do drink, thank you very much! I never attempted to join the crowd up there you could never get a seat, either at the bar, or the surrounding tables unless you planted your self early. Most of the older generation did just that, “Dam if I am going to miss my Happy Hour”!
I was invited to the Pinnacle Restaurant along with four other guests, to say the least, it was not a stellar performance by the cook on duty that evening. I have eaten at the “Pinnacle” on a number of other HAL ships, but this one missed the mark by a mile. It should have been named the “Barnacle” that evening.
I guess everyone has their moments in time, guess this was not in the cards for me that evening. It wasn’t me who kept returning their food.
Steve, and 
rontom are discussing. 
friendbob is discussing. 
Steve 11:59 am on February 9, 2010 Permalink |
Thanks for this detailed information. Like you, I found on my most recent cruise on Carnival that were was no need to take your life jacket to the mandatory life boat drill. I guess that requirement is changing. I also noticed a lot of cost-cutting measures on my most recent cruise too. I guess with this economy, it’s the trend not only with the airlines but also the cruise companies. Hopefully they don’t start charging for your bedding.
I’m glad you enjoyed your cruise and also that you missed the first blizzard on the E. Coast.
Happy Hour is a great thing! Nice to know I’m not the only one who enjoy a good cocktail.
rontom 2:29 pm on February 9, 2010 Permalink |
Funny thing you mentioned bedding. I was jokeing with one of my fellow passengers… I said “Next thing you know, if you want your bed linen changed daily there will be a charge for that service as well”. LOL they said “Don’t give them any ideas, enough is enough”.
Steve 3:55 pm on February 9, 2010 Permalink |
American Airlines just announced a $8.00 fee for a blanket and pillow starting in May. It’s coming!
Steve 11:59 am on February 9, 2010 Permalink |
Thanks for this detailed information. Like you, I found on my most recent cruise on Carnival that were was no need to take your life jacket to the mandatory life boat drill. I guess that requirement is changing. I also noticed a lot of cost-cutting measures on my most recent cruise too. I guess with this economy, it’s the trend not only with the airlines but also the cruise companies. Hopefully they don’t start charging for your bedding.
I’m glad you enjoyed your cruise and also that you missed the first blizzard on the E. Coast.
Happy Hour is a great thing! Nice to know I’m not the only one who enjoy a good cocktail.
rontom 2:29 pm on February 9, 2010 Permalink |
Funny thing you mentioned bedding. I was jokeing with one of my fellow passengers… I said “Next thing you know, if you want your bed linen changed daily there will be a charge for that service as well”. LOL they said “Don’t give them any ideas, enough is enough”.
Steve 3:55 pm on February 9, 2010 Permalink |
American Airlines just announced a $8.00 fee for a blanket and pillow starting in May. It’s coming!