My Solo Cruise Westerdam 12/6/09 (LONG)

[Coastalbreezes]

Hi all,

Just some thoughts about my recent solo cruise on the Westerdam 12/6/09 – 12/13/09. This was my second time in two years on this beautiful ship and the décor and artwork all around impressed me as much as the first time! The ship was all decorated for the holidays and everything from stair rails to all the brass simply shined the whole week!

The trip began on a sour note starting with my non-stop flight from Providence to Ft. Lauderdale on Southwest the day before sailing. Our plane coming into Providence from Baltimore was delayed over two hours because of snow and double de-icing in Baltimore. Not really an issue for me except our luggage in Providence was left on the tarmac in pouring rain for that entire time. By the time I got to my Florida destination for the evening, it was late. I opened my suitcase to find every single thing for my cruise soaking wet, many items totally ruined, dyes from clothing running into other clothes. Tried calling Southwest who said I had to return to baggage services right NOW with my luggage to file a claim. Well, that was impossible so I dried what I could and tossed what was irretrievable. My own fault that I was so tired, it did not occur to me to take photos to send to the airline for proof!

Arrived at the port at 11:30 and was on board at noon. As I boarded, I asked if there was a Mariner luncheon in the MDR but was told no and only the Lido was open. Several hours later, I discovered that there was indeed a Mariner luncheon. No big deal, but would have been nice to have been given the correct info. Met a great group of people in the Lido and had a good lunch and conversation.

Cabins were ready just before 2:00. I was in SS #8061 and when I arrived so did my two stewards, Thudi and Ramidi with my luggage which was great! The cabin was spacious with a TV, DVD player (free DVDs but I never had time to get any) with lots of closet space and storage. The bathroom had double sinks, Jacuzzi tub and two showers…nice! The only two negatives were the bathroom floor had not been swept prior to my arrival, but Ramidi took care of that immediately. Secondly, because of it’s location on Navigation deck, I constantly heard the scraping and moving of chairs on Lido deck above me. I was unpacked by 2:30. My stewards were wonderful the entire week and I gave them extra tips at the end.

THE GREAT

* I had pre-purchased three nights at the Pinnacle for myself beginning with our first night. I spoke with Sanjay the maitre d’ and was able to secure dinner there for all 7 nights. I just love the intimacy and level of service at Pinnacle and was totally impressed by my wait staff: Rocky, Ida, and Ronald. Enjoyed perfect meals and exquisite wines every single night! Had both the chocolate and vanilla soufflés – both highly recommended!

*The casino was very, very good to me! On day three, I hit a Blazing Sevens dollar machine for $2000!!! Wow! Think I am still in shock. Also hit a couple of mini-progressives over the course of the week. Any time you come out of a casino ahead is a good thing!

* Met some wonderful people through our Cruise Critic roll call. While we did not have an official meeting, a group of us got together at sailaway for a drink. We would meet up occasionally throughout the week – a great bunch of people (hi to David, Pierce, Howard and Elyce).

*I am an early riser (usually by 6:00 a.m.) so each morning, I headed up to Lido, grabbed coffee and sat aft with my book for about an hour, headed back in at 7:00 and enjoyed a leisurely, quiet breakfast before the crowds got there. There has been much discussion about the lack of trays, but I found it to be a good thing as I think it cut out a lot of food being wasted. Oh and I should mention: the poached eggs were perfectly divine…in fact they offered about 6 or 7 varieties of eggs benedict…delicious!

*At Half Moon Cay, I was able to get on one of the first tenders around 8:30 and enjoyed several hours of reading, swimming, and relaxing…the beach was immaculate, staff was wonderful…just heaven!

*Mixology Classes – I signed up for all three on Day 1 (Martini, Margarita, and Cocktail)…what a blast! We laughed, learned, drank some great drinks, sang songs, and I thoroughly enjoyed each session. Our hostess for the event, Linda, was a riot as were the bartenders mixing and singing.

*Curacao’s Cas Abao beach excursion – well worth the $54 to take this trip. There were 24 of us on the 8:45 a.m. trip. We boarded a brightly painted old school bus and had a wonderful driver and guide. On the approx. 40 minute trip, we got a lot of history about the island and saw some wonderful sights. The beach, which we had entirely to ourselves was one of the nicest beaches I have ever been on anywhere in the world. One word of caution: bring water shoes as the coral underfoot on both the sand and in the water is extremely rough on your feet.

*The staff: one of the reasons I love sailing HAL is because of the incredible staff and the service. No matter where I went or what time, I was always greeted, often asked how my trip was going, etc. In particular, and in addition to my stewards and the wait staff at Pinnacle, I would like to acknowledge Roy and Daniel, bartenders extraordinaire in the Sports Bar. Every night, Roy had my grapefruit cosmo ready to go immediately upon my arrival. The best martini anywhere! When I came back from my excursion in Curacao, I ran into Roy who was going ashore. I asked him if he knew where I could get a local hot sauce called Pika. He wasn’t sure, but would find out. When I saw him again later, he presented me with two bottles of it! Talk about above and beyond the call! He was a fantastic person! If anyone is going on Westerdam, please tell him Tracy said hi!

THE NOT SO GREAT

*Bingo on the second day was completely disorganized and run by people who had obviously never done it before. They called wrong numbers, messed up the count for the snowball jackpot. I only went one other time to bingo and the lines were so long to get cards because they had only 1 person selling them. For the amount of $$$ they took in selling cards, the prizes were fairly low.

*Internet: the option I chose was $55.00 for 100 minutes. Well, it would take at least 5-6 minutes just to log on. It was frustrating on many days, and IMHO it should be cheaper to allow for the length of time wasted trying to check email.

*At muster drill, the captain was shouting at passengers over the intercom to KEEP QUIET or else! While I respect what he was trying to accomplish, his tone of voice and treating passengers like school children was unacceptable.

*Speaking of the captain, I will relate an event I personally witnessed. One evening in the Pinnacle, the captain and some of his officers were at a nearby table loudly mocking and laughing at passengers including fat passengers, women with facial hair and on and on. I was in shock! Hey, everyone has war stories and needs to let off steam about work, but certainly not in a public venue such as the Pinnacle.

*Passengers: As many nice people as there were on this particular cruise, there were twice as many not-nice-at-all passengers. Chair hogs had their towels draped by 6:30 every morning. I witnessed so many episodes of rude behavior, I cannot list them all. “Mr. & Mrs. Entitlement” screaming at a bartender because he would not give them his only wine opener to take to their cabin; people pushing to the head of a line whether it was to get off in port or get into the Mariner Brunch; screaming at staff for the most miniscule reasons, sitting (not playing) at a slot machine so they could watch their spouse play and refuse to get up so someone could play, etc. HAL should offer chill pills in every cabin.

*One other thing I want to mention is that on day 2, I ordered a monogrammed HAL bathrobe for my mother as a Christmas gift. She was too ill to travel with me and I thought she would love the robe. By Thursday, I still had not received it and called to inquire as to its whereabouts. Was told they “ran out” of robes, and I would not get mine. I told them they could embroider the extra robe I had in my cabin, but was told that was impossible! My cabin steward made many calls on my behalf yet was unsuccessful in getting me my order.

The good totally outweighed the negative on this trip for me. I loved Curacao and HMC more than Aruba and would go back again for sure. I loved having 3 sea days where I could just relax and catch up on books I never got around to reading. There is so much to be said for traveling solo: get up when I want, eat when I want, do whatever I felt like doing at the moment. I met some wonderful people and outstanding staff. After reading here on Cruise Critic the behind the scenes with a crew member, I fully appreciate how hard the crew works just to make MY trip enjoyable.

I apologize for the length of this, but wanted to get everything said. I am happy to answer any questions!

Tracy

[Cruzin Terri]

Thanks for a very good and honest review. I have never sailed solo and it makes me feel that if I choose to do so, it would still be a great trip.

Terri

[DrTee]

Traveling solo is the best.

 

What was the name of this awful captain? Did you say anything to this rude crew about their behavior? I think I would have. I wouldn't have ten years ago, but now I'm pretty sure I would have.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for your review.

 

Just can't believe that the captain had the gall, along with officer friends, to talk about passengers. They should have realized that people could hear them.

[Coastalbreezes]

Traveling solo is the best.

 

What was the name of this awful captain? Did you say anything to this rude crew about their behavior? I think I would have. I wouldn't have ten years ago, but now I'm pretty sure I would have.

 

It was Captain Peter Harris. And yes, a few times, when people cut in lines, I did say something, but in all honesty, they did not care; they were going to be first!

 

As I mentioned, I met so many, many wonderful people on this trip and tried to not let the rude ones get to me. I paid a lot for this vacation and wanted to have fun and relax which I did.

Tracy

[Mooguy]

Some of the other reviews from cruisers on the B2B's mentioned that the muster drills were completely different then the one for the 6th. I think the captain knew the crowd he had on board for our sailing and had to say something to get them all to shut up long enough to listen.

 

We will be sure to stay in cabin SS8072 if we ever go back on the Westerdam or sister ship because we heard no noise at all from the Lido above. The only noise we had every so often was the neighbors going in and out and letting their balcony door SLAM.

[luvcruisn']

Tracy: I'm glad you had a good time sailing solo. I travelled with a roommate I had just met on another cruise, and felt compelled to do things more her way than mine. I, too, met lots of wonderful people on my cruise.

[DrTee]

I meant the captain. I would have certainly let the captain know his behavior was unacceptable--making fun of passengers.

[scopewest]

Tracy:

 

Re suitcases in the rain, I had that happen once. I now pack everything inside Ziploc type see-through bags (they make some really large ones). This way if it rains or whatever you've got a layer of protection. Works great!

 

To save money, use old plastic dry cleaner garment covers. Or free plastic food shopping bags, etc.

[Oceanwench]

Thanks for posting your review!

 

Shout out to Sanjay in the Pinnacle!!! :) He's awesome.

 

Maybe you should have told Sanjay discreetly about the captain and officers' conversation that was so upsetting ... and let him inform them that their behavior was inappropriate in a public venue. How awful to witness something so rude!

 

As far as some of your fellow pax -- I think they were aboard the Westerdam in early November too! I saw so much pushing and boorish behavior.

[IRL_Joanie]

I thoroughly enjoyed your review and did not feel it was to long at all. In fact, I do not think there is any such thing as to long when it comes to a review:)

 

I am glad you were able to overcome and triumph literally in the face of a disastrous start to your cruise!!

 

I love the Westerdam!! And will be on her in 42 days. That said I will also enjoy her to the fullest:) And this time, I might even have to pull a couple of one armed bandits to see if I have any luck;)

 

Thank you for the wonderful review, both the good and bad makes it seem like a real review!! I want perfection, but know that is an impossibility so I strive for the best attitude possible, which is exactly what I see that you did:)

 

Any stateroom photos??

 

Joanie

[mnport]

Thanks for you honest and very informative review. I too travel solo and never had the nerve to go to the pinnacle grill. Were you by yourself at a table or were you with others when you went there? Just curious, you sounded like it was a great time for you.

[Coastalbreezes]

In response to your comments:

 

drtee and oceanwench: sorry, I misread your comment, drtee. I probably should have said something to Sanjay (who I inadvertently referred to as the maitre d' when in fact he was the Pinnacle manager)...but did not.

 

scopewest: great idea! I will definitely remember your suggestion next time.

 

IRL_Joanie: have fun on your cruise! Believe it or not, I took very few photos this trip...the stateroom though was exactly as pictured on the HAL website.

 

mnport: I had a corner table all to myself each night. After night one, I requested the same table each night so I could have Rocky, Ida, and Ronald as my servers. They were absolutely fantastic people! One evening I went with 3 fellow CC members and we sat at a lovely table in another room. Definitely go...you will not be disappointed...my attitude is so what that I'm by myself?! Life is too short to deny yourself ;)!

 

Tracy

[onthegogirl]

I too love to sail solo. While I love being with my DH, he doesn't like to take the long cruises I do and gets restless. Since he's cool with my adventures I cruise solo whenever I can for all the reasons you listed. I find there are plenty of opportunities to meet people and visit and often attend the Single's and Solo's lunch on sea days. It's great to have all my own space to spread out and to keep to my own schedule. The only drawback is the PRICE!:eek::eek:

[Coastalbreezes]

I totally agree with you about the price! I would cruise solo way more often if only that darn single supplement would go away (which it never will, unfortunately).

 

I wish I had attended the Solo lunch but there was a conflict with something else I wanted to do. Will definitely give a try next time!

Tracy

[mnport]

Thanks for the encouragement Tracy, I think I will try the Pinnacle next time. I have gone to the solo/single lunch and I did meet up with people to do some things with but no dinners at all.

[cruz chic]

Thanks for the encouragement Tracy, I think I will try the Pinnacle next time. I have gone to the solo/single lunch and I did meet up with people to do some things with but no dinners at all.

I'm another one that goes to the Pinnacle solo. It's such a great experience that I don't want to miss out in case I don't meet others that I can go with. I ended up at the single/solo lunch by accident one time and that is something I can do without.

[Coastalbreezes]

I see you are on Zuiderdam in February -- I liked that ship a lot! Are you going solo on that trip?

[DrTee]

In response to your comments:

 

drtee and oceanwench: sorry, I misread your comment, drtee. I probably should have said something to Sanjay (who I inadvertently referred to as the maitre d' when in fact he was the Pinnacle manager)...but did not.

 

scopewest: great idea! I will definitely remember your suggestion next time.

 

IRL_Joanie: have fun on your cruise! Believe it or not, I took very few photos this trip...the stateroom though was exactly as pictured on the HAL website.

 

mnport: I had a corner table all to myself each night. After night one, I requested the same table each night so I could have Rocky, Ida, and Ronald as my servers. They were absolutely fantastic people! One evening I went with 3 fellow CC members and we sat at a lovely table in another room. Definitely go...you will not be disappointed...my attitude is so what that I'm by myself?! Life is too short to deny yourself ;)!

 

Tracy

 

I wouldn't put Sanjay in the uncomfortable position of talking to the captain. But you shouldn't feel bad about not saying anything. You didn't do anything wrong.

[DrTee]

I appreciate this encouragement to go to the Pinnacle solo. I think I'll try it this time.

[mnport]

I see you are on Zuiderdam in February -- I liked that ship a lot! Are you going solo on that trip?

 

Yes I will be going solo on this trip, this will be my second cruise going solo. I was on the Ryndam solo last time and really enjoyed it.

[twodogmom]

I really enjoyed your review. I have taken 2 recent cruises solo, I really like having the whole cabin to my self. In fact, it would now be hard for me to share.

 

The captain and his staff really didn't have any class. They should have never made those kind of comments either in public or private. It appears he isn't a very classy person, nor his staff. If he is that way I would not want to sail on a ship he heads. I always thought HAL had more class than to have some one like that heading up one of their ships.

 

I have gone to solo luncheons, probably will again in March on my 33 day cruise. I also went to the military/vet thing they had a few times in the afternoon (I'm a female). Really enjoyed meeting people at that, except one guy loved to hear himself talk. Once he started no one else got a chance. They served free drinks at it. I'll go if they have it on the next cruise.

 

Thank you again for the review.

[Coastalbreezes]

Twodogmom, I know what you mean about having to share a cabin again with someone. I usually cruise with my mom, but the last couple of years she has not been well enough to travel. She is 84 and has been on over 18 HAL cruises and is very set in her ways! She MUST have late seating at dinner and go to the late show, she MUST eat breakfast at 9:00 a.m., she MUST do certain things at certain times every day...I think that would drive me crazy now, haha.

 

I hope you have an awesome time on your next cruise -- 33 days, wow, lucky you! How exciting!!!

Tracy

[robcool]

Thanks for the great review! Looking forward to being on the Westerdam in just a few days!

[Coastalbreezes]

Thanks for the great review! Looking forward to being on the Westerdam in just a few days!

 

 

Have a wonderful cruise! If you stop by the Sports Bar, please tell Roy and Daniel I said hi!

Tracy