Will The Bow Be Open?

[Overtime4me2]

I noticed on my cruises on the Statendam & Ryndam, that the bows were open all the time. When I was on the Oosterdam, it was only open when we were at Hubbard Glacier, not while sailing like on the others.

 

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I was wondering why the bows aren't open on all ships all the time? I can understand if the weather is bad, but accept for that, why do they close them for sailing?

 

Thanks! :confused:

[CruiserBruce]

They are open for particularly scenic sailing areas.

 

They are not open for docking and general sailing for safety reasons. People doing their own "I am the King of the World" production comes to mind.

[trophy_23]

I have yet to come across the bow area being closed. Maybe just lucky?

[catl331]

When doing "scenic cruising" (e.g. at glaciers or in the Panama Canal) the ship is usually moving slowly or very slowly, and the bow area does not get the wind that it does at 18>20 knots. Much safer!

[airlink diva]

Like what CruiserBruce stated,they normally open it up for scenic options.

I know in St. Luica it was open when we were near the Pitons. After a certain poinr, we had to leave the area.

[ger_77]

The last time we were on the Rotterdam, we snuck out onto the bow while we sailed away from Istanbul. It was beautiful - and the 5 of us were all alone out there. The captain saw us from the bridge and waved at us, but at no time were we asked to leave the area. We stayed there for a while, took a ton of photos, and made our way back inside. We're going to try it again when we're on the Rotterdam in a couple of weeks - will let you know if we get busted!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[Himself]

My exxperiience is that the Bow is open when we do scienic cruising, Glaceir Bay, Tracy Arm, Hubbard Glacier, The Panama Canal, Sailing into San Juan, sailing under the Lions's Gate. These are just some of the times that I have seen the Bow open. I have also been out there with many as we sailed into Juneau.

[Sophiebaby]

:)I'll be on the Rotterdam for 32 days next April. How do I get onto the bow area? I did it on the old Rotterdam V with several other PAX while cruising the Golfo Dulce. It was a marvelous experience. I'd like to be there again coming into ports like Lisbon (sailing up the Tagus River) or Naples.

Thanks.

[ger_77]

I'll be on the Rotterdam for 32 days next April. How do I get onto the bow area? I did it on the old Rotterdam V with several other PAX while cruising the Golfo Dulce. It was a marvelous experience. I'd like to be there again coming into ports like Lisbon (sailing up the Tagus River) or Naples.

Thanks.

 

I'll let you know when we return - I've heard that they've been locking some of the doors now. Might have to befriend the security people first . . . :D

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[sail7seas]

We always go to the bow on every ship we sail to 'visit' the bell. :) We've never been unable to do so.

 

[RuthC]

:)I'll be on the Rotterdam for 32 days next April. How do I get onto the bow area?

On Promenade Deck, head into the showroom. I use starboard, but expect port works, too. Head forward along the side aisle, toward the door to the right of the stage. There is a sign overhead that says either "employees only", or "do not enter", or something that lets you know you shouldn't go through those doors. Go through those doors. :D Within a few feet (I don't know, 3? 5?) there's another set of doors. Go through them.

You are now outside the backstage area. There's a staircase coming down. Head to the left of that, going forward. In about 10-15? feet you get to the door to the bow.

 

There is a very high step to climb up and over. The door, if closed, is heavy. I would not open it to go out unless it was open, and passengers had been invited to go there.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I have noticed that the last couple of years -- the bow has been opened much more than years ago.

For nearly all our Caribbean ports - it was open as we approached them.

Alaska -- same thing.

[secretcastle]

How does one get to the bow on the Westerdam?

[Overtime4me2]

Thank you all for all of the comments.

 

I hope the O's bow will be open on my upcoming Alaska cruise. I love going up there while sailing the inside passage, or even coming in or out of Sitka. Two yrs ago, I had the bow all to myself while leaving Sitka, it was beautiful, quiet and serene. :)

[djhsolara]

We just got onto the bow of Westerdam for the first time in April sailing into San Juan. We went out there for a bit but then went up a floor to get a better rail view. That is the first time that we've had the opportunity to be on the bow of any ship.

[jimd909]

I too would like to know how to get to the bow on the Westerdam.

[Vic The Parrot]

My exxperiience is that the Bow is open when we do scienic cruising, Glaceir Bay, Tracy Arm, Hubbard Glacier, The Panama Canal, Sailing into San Juan, sailing under the Lions's Gate. These are just some of the times that I have seen the Bow open. I have also been out there with many as we sailed into Juneau.

 

 

 

And don't forget sailing out of Port Everglades (or other departure ports). :)

[Y's Owl]

I have always been able to get to the bow on the Maasdam, but was not able to find the access on the Volendam. On the Massdam there was a door on the Prominade Deck that led you to stairs that took you up to the steel doors to let you out onto the bow. Sometimes the lever locks are pretty hard to get open, but it's not impossible.

 

On my first trip on the Maasdam, my parents and sister went out there on a windy day as we entered the harbor at Monte Carlo, Monaco. The ship's photographer saw us on the bow camera and came up to photograph us with our hair blowing in the wind and the Royal Castle in the background. As it turned out it was too windy for the ship to send tender in so it had to retreat to the St. John sur Mere harbor for the first night of folks looking to gamble at the Monte Carlo casinos. The ship arranged for Shuttle Buses but the next morning the winds died down and we were finally able to go back to Monte Carlo's harbor.

 

On my most recent trip on the Maasdam I could go up there pretty much anytime I wanted. But beware, while standing on the rail to see the Panama Canal locks, I managed to rub against one of the machinery there on the bow and got some nasty grease all over the front of my shorts. I never was able to get that stain out and had to throw them out. And wouldn't you know it, they were a pair of shorts bought for the cruise with the hope to wear them the next summer. Oh well!

[startwin]

I have always been able to get to the bow on the Maasdam' date=' but was not able to find the access on the Volendam. On the Massdam there was a door on the Prominade Deck that led you to stairs that took you up to the steel doors to let you out onto the bow. Sometimes the lever locks are pretty hard to get open, but it's not impossible.

 

On my first trip on the Maasdam, my parents and sister went out there on a windy day as we entered the harbor at Monte Carlo, Monaco. The ship's photographer saw us on the bow camera and came up to photograph us with our hair blowing in the wind and the Royal Castle in the background. As it turned out it was too windy for the ship to send tender in so it had to retreat to the St. John sur Mere harbor for the first night of folks looking to gamble at the Monte Carlo casinos. The ship arranged for Shuttle Buses but the next morning the winds died down and we were finally able to go back to Monte Carlo's harbor.

 

On my most recent trip on the Maasdam I could go up there pretty much anytime I wanted. But beware, while standing on the rail to see the Panama Canal locks, I managed to rub against one of the machinery there on the bow and got some nasty grease all over the front of my shorts. I never was able to get that stain out and had to throw them out. And wouldn't you know it, they were a pair of shorts bought for the cruise with the hope to wear them the next summer. Oh well![/quote']

 

On the Volendam you can get to it from the Promenade deck - obviously at the very front:D. There is a door with a bar across it that says "crew only" - or something like that. You go through, up a couple of fairly steep steps, and you are at the bow. It is always open for scenic cruising. I've never gone through it at any other time, but I have seen other pax open the door and slip through.

[rajkr74]

I too would like to know how to get to the bow on the Westerdam.

 

On the Westerdam go forward on the 4th deck (Upper Promamade) starboard side. There are a set of two doors to get to the bow. Watch out for the "knee knoker" that you need to step over. They usually put signs in the hallways directing you to the bow when its open.