hummingbird_206

4 hours ago, FlaviaOfTheMonth said:

On Westerdam now and the classical trio is fantastic. Their selections are far more challenging and engaging than what the Lincoln Center groups typically offered. Every performance has been excellent, and that is saying a lot for a 28-day cruise.

Great to hear this.  Where on the ship do they play?  

1 hour ago, FirstTeacher said:

Where did you find the link for the AARP verification?

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/community-appreciation-cruise-offers/aarp-member-benefit-offer

23 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Did he offer in return to give you the extra OBC and the low priced refundable deposit?  My TA gets her commission when I reserve onboard 

He said he would check my reservation and make sure I was getting the lowest price and all of the available benefits.

Just realize that you are depriving the PCC of a commission if you don't book with the PCC.  I booked online and then asked the PCC a question.  He was very nice and helpful, but he asked that in the future I reserve online and then contact him to do the booking since he gets a commission.  I didn't know that and felt bad.  If I ever book another HAL cruise I will go through my PCC.

1 hour ago, MayW said:

Can AARP be added to an existing booking for OBC? I called and was told it would have to be added within 72 hrs after the booking. 

I applied AARP to a booking about 2 months after the booking was made.  Did you do the AARP verification on the HAL website and receive a SheerID verification email?  IF not, that's your first step.  Then wait about a week and ask HAL for a booking confirmation and the OBC should show on the booking confirmation.  It was all automagic in my experience.

5 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Nice day in Unalaska - more later

 

The Westerdam was about 2 miles from the town.   Level Ground - The Town offered an Hop On- Hop Off shuttle van for $50 

 

There were four vans like this - We arranged a private tour in advance.

 

Unalaska 

 

We saw plenty of Bald Eagles - this one was feasting on a fish on the shoreline -  He was squawking at other eagles to stay away - see photo below

 

The Big Eagle landing in this picture soon let the other eagles know who was in charge.

 

The Big Eagle is probably a female.  They are larger than the males.

Did your cruise have any HAL Excursions available?  Our Majestic Japan cruise in Sept has no excursions at Dutch Harbor, so just curious.

@The-Inside-Cabin is there any Classical Music on the Westerdam for this cruise?  

I went to the HAL AARP page (link below), clicked the Verify tab and entered the requested info.  HAL verified the info and came back with a screen saying info verified (suggest you take a screen shot of that verification page in case there is any question later.)  I talked to our PCC about something else, and at that time asked if he could verify the AARP OBC.  He said it takes about a week to show up so he sent himself a reminder to check in a week.  A week later PCC sent us a booking confirmation showing the OBC had been added.

Exclusive AARP Member Offer | Holland America Line

4 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Yes,

 

I posted the standard menu.  

 

As far as the drink goes, I'm not sure, but if the limit is $11, I think you would pay 50cents

 

 

Thanks!  I was thinking the limit was $13, but you're correct it's, $11.  But it will be worth it for me to get a souvenir shot glass on my next voyage for 50 cents.  I'll have to remember to do it, that's always the challenge.

@The-Inside-Cabin Thanks for posting the menu.  Just want to confirm this is MDR for everyone (not CO or other?)

Anyone know: Is the drink in the souvenir shot glass at no extra charge with the Signature Beverage  package?

Call HAL with the confirmation numbers for both reservations.  They can link your reservations together.  We did this and were in the same groups for excursions even when there were multiple different groups heading out on the same excursion.

Here's the standard bar menu that includes prices of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Standard-Bar-Menu-2024.pdf

HAL uses Coke products.  I saw Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite, but there may be more.  They do not have the freestyle machines.

7 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

We board early...in the first boarding groups..and lately (Oosterdam in April 2024 and Westerdam in October 2023) we have not experienced the buffet first day chaos of the past.  

 

We also grab a table on the lido pool deck area...keep walking and the crowd dissipates....and found it very calm and pleasant in the first hour or so......

 

Another option, is to order Dive in burgers on the app and then when they are ready, take them to your cabin....works great if you have a balcony.

 

We were big fans of lunch in the MDR on embarkation day but we've adjusted fine.

 

 

You can place an order for Dive In via the app?  We were on the Zaandam earlier this year and I didn't see this but I probably just missed it???

Where is the Dutch High Tea served?  MDR?

Thanks @LAFFNVEGAS  Is the noise a pretty steady sound that eventually just become white noise (or hum?) like a loud air conditioner?

Thinking about booking an aft cabin on the Westerdam.  I'm a bit nervous given the stairstep design.  For those who have stayed in these cabins, does the fact that the cabin above you can look down on your balcony bother you?  Is it very noticeable and/or annoying?

Another thing that I question is how much, if any, cigarette smoke smell wafts down from the smoking area at the Sea View bar on the Lido deck?

The views look amazing from the aft balconies, but I don't want to set myself up for disappointment.

Spa treatments are ~30% off if booked before the cruise.  I booked a massage today for my cruise in Sept, but had to use my Credit card to pay for it.  I didn't see any option to use OBC to pay.  Can I only use OBC for Spa app't booked once actually 'on board'?  If it can be used to book before the cruise starts, where would I be able to select that option?

30 minutes ago, hubofhockey said:

According to google, it’s 91 minutes each way. There are also steep slopes on the way up.  It is scenic through Motamachi (sp?).  We did it on the return with our guide.  We also took trams to Fort Goryokuku and saw the morning market.  The highlight of the day is the Fort.  It and the flowers around the Fort are absolutely beautiful.  3 hours seems like a lot of walking just for the ropeway.  It is a stunning view though.  

 

 

Our cruise doesn't dock where shown on this map.  See the discussion of the port up thread.  🙂

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Just re-reading the thread and smiles about the "why walk" if you can just take the tram comment.  At our ole age (mid-70s) we try to walk as much as possible (10 miles a day is OK) which I suspect is why we can walk that distance without too much problem.  After being cooped up on a cruise ship (we take longer cruises), DW and I usually welcome the opportunity to take long walks during port days.  I believe the Ropeway is about a mile (perhaps a bit longer) from the cruise port, which is not a biggie for walkers.  

 

Another advantage to walking is that one gets to see more of a city/town.  In fact, in Hokodate there is a local market right across the street from the port (we actually saw folks taking paid walking tours to cross the street!).  If walking to the Ropeway, one could also visit the popular Red Brick Warehouse (not far from the port) that has been converted into a cute shopping center.

 

Hank

Wow, 10 miles is a bit out of my zone, but I can easily do 5!  But yes, we really like to walk when possible.  

Thanks for mentioning the Red Brick Warehouse.  I saw that on the map and wondered if it was worth a stop.  We're not big shoppers, but will be fun to look around especially at a place so close to the ship when we're heading back.  

BTW I read your Westerdam BTBTB Live thread and found your posts about DIY very helpful (even if it was from a while back.)  I am hoping we don't have the alcohol shortages you documented!!

1 hour ago, monkey@cruise said:

Hakodate built a new cruise terminal and pier - Wakamatsu Wharf Quay in 2021-22 and operate since 2023 fall. The wharf is designated for small and medium size cruise ships. Minatocho wharf (7 km away) is for overflow (2nd cruise ship) or cruise ship over 110,000 tonnage (Royal Princess docked  there in April).

 

Westerdam will dock at Wakamatsu Wharf, if no other ship took the spot. Diamond Princess and Celebrity also docking at Wakamatsu Wharf 

Why walk to the Hakodate Ropeway? Ride a tram only cost ¥210 per trip, or you purchase a tram day pass (unlimited ride) for ¥600 from JR Hakodate station tourist center. No more concern on pedestrian and location safety .

 

Thanks for the info about the pier. 

As to why walk to the Ropeway, because we like to walk and take in the sites as we walk.  I haven't looked into the tram.  Good to know about it so we know the options in case we decide not to walk.

2 hours ago, Miaminice said:

@hummingbird_206
I think you are mistaking the pier. When we docked in Hakodate on Westerdam it would have been a 7 km or 1 1/2 hour walk along a non pedestrian friendly road! Safety isn´t really the problem in Japan but this was too far away - and we are walkers 🙂

 

This is where cruise ships dock

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7e5xENTYvvaYkp777

Here´s what we did:

https://www.travelandcruise.net/travellove_en/Our-Trips/HAL-Westerdam-Japan-01/HAL-Westerdam-Japan---Hakodate/hal-westerdam-japan---hakodate.html

 

 

Thanks for the info.  The writeup you linked was in 2019, so perhaps they have changed where the ship docks?  According to this site, the pier is where I used for my Google Maps link.  https://www.cruisetimetables.com/hakodate-japan-cruise-ship-schedule.html

Also, the cruise excursions say they walk to the Red-Brick Warehouse and the Morning Market, both of which are by the dock I used.  But I appreciate the warning so we'll be prepared in case we don't dock where I noted!

11 minutes ago, monkey@cruise said:

If you know how to use google map, why not do the "Browse street view" and see if the walk is pedestrian friendly?

 

Is this area safe to walk? If you don't jaywalking, follow the traffic regulations like the Japanese, then is very safe to walk anywhere and anytime.

 

Street signs in English? Yes, but need good eyesight to see.

 

Yeesh, I can't get Google to go into street view mode for this location.  Thanks for your help.

3 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

I've heard the "quaint little drinking town with a fishing problem" in reference to Homer.  Dutch Harbor/Unalaska isn't what I would consider quaint, but is industrial and functional.

 

We spent several days in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska in 2016.  We had taken the Alaska Marine Highway ferry the Tustamena from Kodiak to Dutch Harbor and stayed for several days.  When the weather is good it absolutely gorgeous.  But they can also experience torrential rain.  We had one day of really bad rain with the remaining days absolutely beautiful.

 

In addition the Museum of the Aleutians and the WW II Museum there is also an interesting Russian Orthodox cathedral.  We had rented a SUV for the duration, and so drove the limited road system birding.  It is a birdwatchers paradise.  A great number of WW II remnants along the road system.  Driving it really enforces how fortified Dutch Harbor was during the war.  

 

The views from Ft. Schwatka are also incredible.  Ft. Schwatka was a WW II coastal battery, and is the highest coastal battery ever constructed by the US.  It is on Mt. Ballyhoo.  Many of the buildings have been beaten down by the severe winter weather and winds, but you can still see the gun emplacements and so forth.

 

Rental cars are available at the airport.

 

And I also have been to the Falklands.  The communities are actually somewhat similar.  In Dutch Harbor the ship will be docked, but in the Falklands we had to tender.

We're birders!  If no excursions show up I'll have to look at renting a car. Thanks!

We will be arriving in Hakodate on a Wednesday on the HAL Westerdam and would like to walk from the ship to the Mt Hakodate Ropeway.  Is this area safe to walk?  According to Google Maps it's about 2 kilometers, so not far, just want to make sure it is pedestrian friendly?  Are any street signs in English (not a requirement, just curious).