Port Questions

[SplitRaindrop]

We're going on our first cruise in January (HAL -Westerdam, Week 2 of the Smooth Jazz Cruise). I have a couple of questions about what happens when you're in ports. Is it possible to get back on the boat (say you forget something) and back off again. I realize it may not be easy and make take some time but I'm just wondering if it's possible. We are in one port for 20 hrs. Also do they serve food on the ship during port days or should we plan/budget to eat on shore? On our cruise there is no "as you wish" dining just an early and late seating. We are the early seating so I wondered if that mean't we'd miss out on dinner on those days.

 

Thanks for your friendly and thoughtful answers :D

[CruiserBruce]

You can get on and off quite easily.

Food is served at almost the same schedule on sea days and port days. You won't miss any meals if you are in port. If you are on an excursion at dinner, you may eat in the Lido buffet when you get back on board, or make a reservation at the alternate restaurants for a little later when you will be on board.

[Talisker92]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

You can come and go from the ship at will. If you have an overnight port, you will certainly be able to eat on board.

[Cruisin' Chick]

You're not even required to get off the ship (many cruisers who are repeating an itinerary often just cruise for the on-board experience) until the disbarkation day, of course.

 

The only real requirement is that anytime you leave the ship in port that you're back on board by the required time.

 

As for meals on port days for your ship, you may want to inquire on the Holland board. I can only speak for Princess -- you can eat in the buffet on port days at lunch if you don't want to eat in port. Same thing for dinner too if the ship isn't sailing until later. You don't have to worry about food.

[SplitRaindrop]

Thanks for all of the quick responses! Is getting on/off the ship a lengthy process? I realize this depends on a lot of factors but I'm just wondering realistically how easy it is. For example if we went swimming and wanted to change on board. Went sightseeing...got on for lunch and then got off again for the afternoon. Completely hypothetical, just trying to figure out what's possible due to some unique personal needs.

[John Bull]

Once the ship has been cleared by immigration, you can get on and off as often as you like until back-on-board time, usually 30 mins before sailing.

There's been times I've had to get off a ship every time I wanted a smoke, due to re-fuelling :rolleyes::D

Your boarding card (cruisecard/sailcard/whatever) will be swiped each time. Can be very quick & easy in some ports, not worthwhile in others, depending how far you roam.

Only time it takes a while is at tender ports, where you go ashore by boat.

 

Food is available as usual on sea days, though nothing special such as bbq lunches on deck. Pretty-well everything is up-and-running except shop & casino, and daytime entertainment will be absent or pretty dire.

 

We opt for late seating to avoid the rush to get ready for dinner on port days. If you're on fixed first sitting & you're gonna be back too late I guess you could ask if there'll be spare seats on the late sitting.

 

But Westerdam, like most cruise ships also has a buffet option.

This is not the same as "my time" / "as you wish", which is serviced in the main dining room just like your fixed dining.

It's casual serve-yourself buffet dining in the Lido restaurant, the food & surroundings are usually pretty good & you can turn up anytime during its open hours. A sensible option if you're running late or you can't be bothered to dress for dinner.There's no charge to eat in the Lido.

You could alternatively book a time to suit yourself in one of the extra-charge speciality restaurants, but generally best to save that for any special occasion.

Its common courtesy to let tablemates know you may not be joining them.

 

20 hours in port.:)

Gives you the opportunity to stray a long way - and I think I'd take the opportunity to sample the local food, but its your vacation & you've got plenty of choices

 

JB :)

[John Bull]

Thanks for all of the quick responses! Is getting on/off the ship a lengthy process? I realize this depends on a lot of factors but I'm just wondering realistically how easy it is. For example if we went swimming and wanted to change on board. Went sightseeing...got on for lunch and then got off again for the afternoon. Completely hypothetical, just trying to figure out what's possible due to some unique personal needs.

 

There's usually a line of folk anxious to be first off the ship, but after about 15 mins the line is gone & getting off is very quick, your boarding card is swiped as you walk past.

Usually no line to get back on board, unless you arrive at the same time as a couple of tour buses. Your bags go through a scanner & again your boarding card is swiped. Even if you timed it wrong, 10 minutes would be unusual.

The real crunch is how far the ship is from the shops/beach/whatever - its often a taxi ride. But quote your ports & folk can give you a general idea.

 

And tender ports, where off & back on just once can take a while - though middle of the day there's no line.

 

JB :)

[CruiserBruce]

Basically it is as easy as walking in and out of a hotel. Except you have to scan your boarding card, and any bags or packages may be scanned when you come onboard. If there is a crowd it might take up to 5-6 minutes.

 

As I stated before, it is very easy.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We're going on our first cruise in January (HAL -Westerdam, Week 2 of the Smooth Jazz Cruise). I have a couple of questions about what happens when you're in ports. Is it possible to get back on the boat (say you forget something) and back off again. I realize it may not be easy and make take some time but I'm just wondering if it's possible. We are in one port for 20 hrs. Also do they serve food on the ship during port days or should we plan/budget to eat on shore? On our cruise there is no "as you wish" dining just an early and late seating. We are the early seating so I wondered if that mean't we'd miss out on dinner on those days.

 

Thanks for your friendly and thoughtful answers :D

 

HAL

Has wonderful room service meals should you get hungry between meals.

The Lido and Terrace Grill will always be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

So should you miss your dinner -- go to the Lido -- if you miss that dinner time -- call room service.

I'll post the menus for room serice.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Available 24 hours:

 

Smoked Atlantic Salmon - pickled red onion, capers & cream cheese

 

Mesclun Garden Greens - tomato, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts & blue cheese crumbles

 

Triple Decker Club Sandwich - sliced turkey, ham, bacon, tomato & lettuce served on toasted bread of your choice

 

All American Hamburger - broiled 1/4 pound beef patty on a sesame bun with dill pickle & coleslaw - add cheddar or Swiss cheese

 

Open faced Omelet - ham & cheese or vegetables

 

Selection of assorted cheese with crackers

 

Apple tart with whipped cream

 

Chocolate cake with raspberry sauce

 

A plate of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk

 

Fruit salad - selected fruits in season

 

Available from 12 noon until 10 PM:

 

Appetizers & Soups:

Bay shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce

Smoked Atlantic Salmon

French onion soup baked with Gruyere cheese

Soup of the day

 

Salads:

Mesclun Garden Greens

Chef salad - mixed greens, ham, salami, swiss cheese, turkey, hard boiled egg - choice of Italian or blue cheese dressing

Caesar salad - tossed with Caesar dressing, croutons & parmesan - add bay shrimp or grilled chicken breast

 

Sandwiches & Burgers:

All are served with a choice of potato salad or potato chips

 

Triple decker club sandwich

Broiled California chicken breast sandwich on multi=grain bread with avocado & honey mustard sauce

Grilled tuna melt - tuna salad & Swiss cheese on rye bread with pickle spears

Thai Vegetarian wrap - eggplant, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts & cilantro rolled with rice & green curry sauce in a tomato tortilla

Steak sandwich - sirloin steak on sourdough bread sauteed with onion & bell pepper

All American Hamburger

 

Entrees:

Seared salmon steak - dill-lime fusion, broccoli florets, carrot batonnet & country mashed potatoes

Penne Primavera - tossed in marinara sauce with Italian roasted vegetables - add grilled chicken breast

Pizza:

margarita (tomato sauce & cheese)

Pepperoni

Vegetarian (mushroom & bell pepper)

 

Desserts:

Apple tart

Chocolate cake

Creme caramel surrounded in berry compote

Fruit jello

fruit salad

Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce

Selection of assorted cheese with crackers

[jdvmd]

Available 24 hours:

 

Smoked Atlantic Salmon - pickled red onion, capers & cream cheese

 

Mesclun Garden Greens - tomato, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts & blue cheese crumbles

 

Triple Decker Club Sandwich - sliced turkey, ham, bacon, tomato & lettuce served on toasted bread of your choice

 

All American Hamburger - broiled 1/4 pound beef patty on a sesame bun with dill pickle & coleslaw - add cheddar or Swiss cheese

 

Open faced Omelet - ham & cheese or vegetables

 

Selection of assorted cheese with crackers

 

Apple tart with whipped cream

 

Chocolate cake with raspberry sauce

 

A plate of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk

 

Fruit salad - selected fruits in season

 

 

Available from 12 noon until 10 PM:

 

Appetizers & Soups:

Bay shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce

Smoked Atlantic Salmon

French onion soup baked with Gruyere cheese

Soup of the day

 

Salads:

Mesclun Garden Greens

Chef salad - mixed greens, ham, salami, swiss cheese, turkey, hard boiled egg - choice of Italian or blue cheese dressing

Caesar salad - tossed with Caesar dressing, croutons & parmesan - add bay shrimp or grilled chicken breast

 

Sandwiches & Burgers:

All are served with a choice of potato salad or potato chips

 

Triple decker club sandwich

Broiled California chicken breast sandwich on multi=grain bread with avocado & honey mustard sauce

Grilled tuna melt - tuna salad & Swiss cheese on rye bread with pickle spears

Thai Vegetarian wrap - eggplant, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts & cilantro rolled with rice & green curry sauce in a tomato tortilla

Steak sandwich - sirloin steak on sourdough bread sauteed with onion & bell pepper

All American Hamburger

 

Entrees:

Seared salmon steak - dill-lime fusion, broccoli florets, carrot batonnet & country mashed potatoes

Penne Primavera - tossed in marinara sauce with Italian roasted vegetables - add grilled chicken breast

Pizza:

margarita (tomato sauce & cheese)

Pepperoni

Vegetarian (mushroom & bell pepper)

 

Desserts:

Apple tart

Chocolate cake

Creme caramel surrounded in berry compote

Fruit jello

fruit salad

Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce

Selection of assorted cheese with crackers

 

 

Thanks for posting this!

[sail7seas]

Thanks for all of the quick responses! Is getting on/off the ship a lengthy process? I realize this depends on a lot of factors but I'm just wondering realistically how easy it is. For example if we went swimming and wanted to change on board. Went sightseeing...got on for lunch and then got off again for the afternoon. Completely hypothetical, just trying to figure out what's possible due to some unique personal needs.

 

 

Come and go as much as you want. Often when you return to the ship when it is docked, you will simply walk up the gangway, have your ID card scanned and you go on your way about the ship. Sometimes there's a short line but it is very rarely a lengthy process for a docked ship.

 

We often get off for an hour or two and reboard. Sometimes we don't leave the ship at all for days.

 

We have sailed Westerdam and really enjoyed her. She's a pretty ship IMO

 

Hope you have a great cruise.

[Dayenu]

"Is it possible to get back on the boat (say you forget something) and back off again." - yes, as many times as you want. Forgot something, for a nap, for lunch, for... just for fun ;)

 

"Also do they serve food on the ship during port days or should we plan/budget to eat on shore?" - the hours may be limited, you will get the schedule the night before, but there will be food as usual. You can also make a sandwich at breakfast in the buffet and smuggle it on shore :rolleyes:

 

There are also some activitied during the day, also limited.

 

"We are the early seating so I wondered if that mean't we'd miss out on dinner on those days." - you can eat in the buffet, or order room service (a few dollars tip will be expected)

 

"Is getting on/off the ship a lengthy process?" if the ship is tendered, may take a while in the morning only. If docked, you just walk off any time.

[Colorado Kat]

When the ship is docked, I often pop back to drop off bags, change clothes, grab a quick bite, and leave again. It depends on how long you are docked for, and what else you are doing.

 

Unless you are boarding close to departure time, there should not be a line to get on the ship.

[sail7seas]

Don't necessarily rush back to the ship for lunch.

 

A lot of the fun of travel IMO is eating local cuisine.

Find a nice place and enjoy a lunch ashore. :)

[1025cruise]

"

"Also do they serve food on the ship during port days or should we plan/budget to eat on shore?" - the hours may be limited, you will get the schedule the night before, but there will be food as usual. You can also make a sandwich at breakfast in the buffet and smuggle it on shore :rolleyes:

 

Don't smuggle a sandwich ashore. Each port will list the do's and don'ts with regards to food, but generally, nothing that isn't prepackaged is allowed off the ship due to agricultural rules.

[jdvmd]

Don't smuggle a sandwich ashore. Each port will list the do's and don'ts with regards to food, but generally, nothing that isn't prepackaged is allowed off the ship due to agricultural rules.

 

Good advice that people seem to keep forgetting. Do not take anything off the ship if it is not in a sealed package. Boxes of cereal would be fine. Or bring some crackers/granola bars with you from home.

[SplitRaindrop]

Thanks everyone for all the advice! The menus are making me hungry! It's good to know there are lots of options. We're actually going on a Smooth Jazz Cruise on the Westerdam so we also have to worry about getting back on board for concerts in the evening!