Seawoff

After several days at sea most people find their SEA LEGS.

While visiting Volcano Park in Hawaii I was sure I felt the earth move like an earthquake before an eruption.

I ask the park ranger, "was that an earthquake?"

He replied "No we get that same question every Monday when you BOAT people visit us"

Did you feel the earth moving when you disembarked.:o

My best was from my travelling companion the one time the Evil Twin and I didn't sail together. The morning after our first night closing the Crow's Nest, she said, "tonight can we go to a bar with younger people?"

 

"Sure," I said, "I'll call the helicopter."

 

Weird thing is, we're both pushing 50 and were not obviously "out aged" at all.

Speaking of helicopters, on the Osterdam heading for Hawaii in 2012 our cruise director Eric tells us he was asked by a nice lady if the crew goes home at night.

He replied oh yes we send them home each night in helicopters at midnight.

The next night this same lady approached Eric to complain. The helicopters woke her up last night and she had a hard time getting back to sleep

If you had to list your top 5 points/tips that you wish you had known before you went on your first cruise what would they be? Examples, like binder clip for the shower curtain or that the first drink is NOT free, etc.

 

My friend is going on a cruise for her honeymoon and neither have been on one before and she just doens't have time to read these boards, wedding planning and all, so I thought I might compile a list for her. I tried composing one myself but found that I just kept forgetting things. Thanks for everyone's help!

1. Do not attend every meal, sunrise breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and mid night extraganza. my first cruiseI gained 7 lb in 7 days.

Also you are not limited to one entree, if you want two or more items, order them.

2. After they are packed, tell them to take half the stuff out. Travel light.

3. Take a triple tap plug or power bar. There are never enough plugs.

4. Pack masking tape for every thing from foot blisters to problems with suitcases, to hems in clothing coming out, cloths pin to hold the drapes shut in case the curtain don't shut tight, a langalar to clip their room key to, personal meds especially birth control if they are not ready to have a baby.

5. Suit cases can be slide under the bed, there are drawers at the foot of the bed and storage in the make up stool, also usually nice blankets in the cupboard next to the balcony door if you have a verandah.

Lastly, have fun, enjoy each other and all the nice people they are going to meet

Forgot to mention: order rubber made magazine holders from Staples or Office Max. I used them to build a travel log. They are great for displaying your daily programs and menus. If they want a copy of the menus, just ask and they will give you one.

I am going out of Seattle to Alaska on Westerdam and would like to know which nights are formal nights because I would like to eat at Pinnacle on a non formal night.

We are sailing to Alaska on the Westerdam Aug 31, 2013 Sat.

I believe that the formal nights are Sunday first sea day and Thur after visiting Ketchikan.

Pinnacle is open

Sat 530 to 930

Sun 530 to 930 Formal night in Vista Dining Rm

Mon 530 to 930 but Klondic Gold Rush Dinner in Lido 530 to 900

Tue 530 to 930

Wed 530 to 930 La Cirque

Thur 530 to 930 Formal night in Vista Dining Room

Fri 530 t0 930 but Alaska BBQ in Lido starts at 500

Menus and daily programs are posted on Cruise Critic

Just ask for Westerdam Alaska menus

Enjoy your trip