swom

Generally speaking, yes. But if you tell us what port, someone can let you know if there are particular restrictions at that port that wouldn't allow it.[/Q

 

Port Everglades/Ft Lauderdale.

Can a friend of mine pick me up at the port after my cruise? I have a friend that said they will pick me up and take me to the airport, but I don't know if they are allowed inside the cruise port.

Anyone know?

Also, are their prices about the same as the village bar were? Is it worth stopping at? Didn't want to do Jack's again and Margaritaville is just too crowded for my taste.

so Barefoot Cabana is right next door to Jack's

Does anyone know the name of the bar that's right beside Jack's? Before you get to Jack's Shack?

Also, is there a sidewalk we can walk to it on?

Thanks!

Thank you very much!!!!!

What kind of TV shows do they have on Westerdam? Any movies or do we have to order our own?

Also.....and I think the answer is no.........do they have a channel that will show you what your charges are thus far?

Thanks!

I've been cruising on Princess for the last 3 cruises and I really enjoyed dinner the first night because they always did the seafood buffet.

Does HAL offer anything like that? I truly can not remember......it's been about 8 years since we were on HAL.

Can you take dog treats for the dogs a Jack's Shack?

We brought dog biscuits to feed the fish while snorkeling and we tried to give Topher one but he wouldn't eat them. Maybe they weren't his brand. But you are allowed to yes.

I've been reading a lot of things on cruising in Feb and the water being on the chilly side etc...

I've never cruise in Feb before so hoping someone can tell me if the water will be warm enough to get in.

I'm talking about Grand Turk, St Maarten, Bahamas, San Juan....

I'm a water baby and love the water.

I'm sure the air temperature will be nice and warm, but what about the water in Feb?

My husband and I were talking about it...she had to be sitting on the rail to fall overboard... The rails are just too high and she did admit to drinking........a lot!!! Yet she is suing Carnival for "allowing" her to drink too much. REALLY???

Looks like 20/20 on ABC is about to do a special on cruise ships and people going overboard...

It just came on here. I'm in EST.

I'm sure it will be very one sided, but might be interesting.

I gave him a letter of appreciation from his Cruise Critic and PE Webcam friends for being the PE SailAway Master Tooter.

I love it!! Did you see where even Port Everglades on Facebook said the Westerdam had the BEST horn blowing ever!!! I agree 100%.

That was Captain Rens van Eerten on the Westerdam. I just returned for the Westy, Jan 4 sailing.

Captain Eerten is the Master Tooter. We loved him.

Yes, he was outstanding!!! Can't wait to meet him myself!! I do believe Captain Henk has some major competition now. :)

Thank you!

Thanks! It so sounded like Captain Henk, I was hoping, but if this Captain keeps this up, I'll be very happy in 5 weeks.

Incredible is a good word for it!! :)

I just watched the Westerdam leave out of Port Everglades via this link:

http://portevergladeswebcam.com/

and WOW what a fantastic horn performance.

Has Captain Henk returned to the Westerdam?

This was my experience with Jack's Shack. Please don't flame me. I know many folks love Jacks, but this is my honest, candid review of my experience. The free shot of rum coupon is a joke. It should say "free 'sip' of some cheap rum". And, btw, it is a very easy and nice walk to reach it.

 

My review:

After reading all the reviews here and on Trip Adviser, my wife and I decided to fore-go Margaritaville and venture down to Jack's Shack. What a BIG disappointment. Where do I start? First, no one greeted us and made us feel welcome. There were some locals sitting at the bar and gabbing with all the help. Finally, a young gal came over to us to see what we wanted to order/drink. We told her we had read fantastic reviews about the jerk chicken. She replied "It won't be ready for another hour". Are you kidding me? Our ship pulls into port at 12 noon and we walk over by 12:30 and they just fired up the BBQ? You'd think that they would have lunch ready to go by noon when a ship full of people pulls up at that time. So, we decided to wait as we had nothing else to do. She took our order for a diet coke and deserted us for the next 45 minutes. We finally placed our order for the chicken and by 2:00 were eating lunch. Chicken tasted great, but was chopped up very differently and most pieces had bone splinters sticking out from them. The whole time there, we felt like we were intruding on their little party as not one worker ever engaged us in any type of conversation. Now, I don't need to have my hand held and ego stroked, but if your business is dependent on cruise ship tourists, you would think that Jack's staff would go out of their way a bit to make the tourists feel welcomed and try to show some interest in them and appreciate them walking past many other food and beverage stands to go to them. The only redeeming part of the visit was watching their cute dog, Topher. digging his head in the sand time and time again. I can not recommend this place. In fact, a few other competitors have opened up on the sand nearby and we should have tried one of them, but had read nothing but great things about Jack's. After spending 3 hours of being bored and ignored, we headed back to the ship and decided to stop by Margaritaville. It was lively, colorful, full of people, good music playing, great swimming pool and lots and lots of folks having a good time. Should have gone there instead. Final HIT or MISS review:

1. Location = MISS

2. Atmosphere = MISS

3. Friendliness = MISS

4. Customer Service = MISS

5. Food = HIT

6. Topher the Dog = HIT

7. Overall = MISS

I had the very same experience and also reported it here. We paid ...10.00 I think for a broken chair and umbrella and ordered a bucket of beer. After 20 mins our beer arrived and was hot....we took it to the bar to request cold beer. It was hard to get Jack's attention because he was busy with his " buddies" and finally his wife got us some cold beer, even though it wasn't our brands...(our brands weren't cold yet....at 2:00 pm)

Over all, the beer was overpriced as were the broken chairs and we won't be back......and yes, we are going back to Grand Turk in a month. We will stop at the bar before Jack's this time. Free chairs and cheaper beer.... I'll be sure to report on that bar when I return.

I have a Princess credit card from Barclay, same company as Holland America's credit card.

Is it possible to just have it changed to Holland America instead of Princess?

It's the one I will be using on our upcoming cruise and would like to get the points to use.

Has anyone ever done this before?

Thanks!

Yes, 4164 and 4166 are the double-wide balconies, but they are not right at the aft, they are about 4 cabins back.

I have this one on the Westerdam coming up and I'm very excited to have the extra long balcony. It should be wonderful!!!!!

I did notice people with their own cups on the Lido -- I suppose those who were well informed! I wonder if the Lido staff will frown on refilling a mug-- there are signs at the drink station advising against re-using glasses?

That's a very good point!!!

Loved your review. We haven't been on the Westie before so love reading review of this ship.

If you're going to the Caribbean, you have GOT to go to Hal's private island Half Moon Cay..........it's the best island in the Caribbean and I have plans to live there one day...........just got to talk Holland America into letting me. :)

I don't care which ship, but you've got to go to Half Moon Cay!

OK, I can't remember, do you get more motion closer to the water or up high? I think I remember it being less motion up high and more closer to the water, but not sure, so I come to the all mighty wise ones. :)

Thanks!

I'm just glad to hear all turned out well.

Thank you so much! :)

swom-- did your booking number change? If not it ought to be still there. Have you used HAL's site to check or called 1-800-541-1576 Ship Services as I bet they can also check for you.

no it didn't and I did find the massage listed. Sorry, couldn't delete the post.