Trip Report w/Pics HAL Alaska June 19-26, 2022 Seattle Roundtrip Westerdam

[CupKayke]

HOLLAND AMERICA told us we could use our toilet paper from HOME.  

 

END.  OF.   STORY.

 

I will not address the posts on the toilet paper again because people are not reading what I am writing. Times change.  Maybe they developed some sort of agent that breaks down toilet papers.  It does say on the package of most toilet papers now that they are safe for septic tanks (they did not used to be).  Toilet Papers Change.  Life Changes.  Go ask Guest Services the next time you are on a cruise and see what they say. IF you will read my signature, you will see we've been cruising for 15 years.  

 

I'll finish my review later.  Maybe.  Geez. 

[Dunmore2]

We’re appreciating your write ups and photos. So many details that I haven’t read before. Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

[CupKayke]

Victoria, BC

 

We were scheduled to be in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada from 8pm to midnight.  We were ready to get off early and along with hundreds of other people… headed down to Deck 1.  They had been making overhead announcements but neither of us heard them and just assumed the ship was cleared.  We learned our lesson to never do this again.  There was a glitch with getting the ship cleared and no one was allowed off until 8:30pm. It was wall-to-wall people waiting. 

It had been unseasonably warm for Victoria and was 82 degrees when we got off the boat.  That’s like a heat wave for them.  We were parked between a Princess and an NCL boat.

 

We did not have an excursion so we walked off and saw a line for a shuttle bus.  It was $13 per person and US dollars or cards were accepted.  We got on the shuttle bus and it was 2-tiered and crammed packed.  The ride into town took a bit.  We saw the walkway... the beach where people were busy swimming....Beacon Hill Park... an old-time car cruise-in...then we reached the downtown area and it looked SO much like Vancouver to us!  We like Vancouver.  Lots of Thai restaurants, Starbucks (I counted three), some shopping, etc.   The stores (for shopping) were closed.  One of the Starbucks was closed.   Just as the bus stopped downtown to let everyone off, it was 9:05pm.  We both looked at each other and realized there was nothing we felt like seeing this late (it was 11pm to us).   We let everyone else off the bus and we were kind of embarrassed but then... there was this group of 6 adults that got back on and said... we are just too tired... we are going to ride this bus directly back to the port!  We laughed and told them we were going to do the same.  We came downstairs this time and they went upstairs to see the sites.   The bus then took us by Parliament and the Empress Hotel.  

 

 

 

There were pedestrians and traffic everywhere so the bus was slow.  Basically, we paid $13 each for a 20 minute tour around Victoria.  I realize that's lame but we were sleepy and we had a long day the next day flying home.  We took the bus back to the port and walked back on the ship.  Just a couple of things about Canada entry.... there was NOTHING different about it than any Alaskan port.  You didn't need your passport or your ARRIVECAN or anything. We had our ship cards dinged when we walked off... we showed a card our ship cards to get through into the port area (actually, he didn't even look at them)... and we got our ship cards dinged when we walked back on the ship.   Nothing more.  We had been told it would be a hassle and blah blah blah by previous cruisers.  Nope.  Easy Peasy.

 

The Princess ship..

 

Night had fallen and the NCL ship next to ours was pretty at night...

 

 

If we ever return to Victoria, I would like to see Buchart Gardens.

 

We hated most of the dinners they offered the last 3 or 4 nights of the cruise.  Roasted pork tenderloin, salmon in a mustard sauce, Alaskan cod, pasta, vegetarian options.  The lunches and the dinners on the main menu were unimpressive this cruise.  HAL used to do a lot better.  The Lido deck offered the exact same food as the MDR.  THE EXACT SAME FOOD.   Today, we did not like lunch at all.  I had a hot ham and cheese I had them make me in the panini area and a bowl of fruit.  I'm not sure what my husband ate but we returned to the ship hungry for dinner because we had skipped dinner out of disgust.  We ordered room service (like a sandwich, a cheesecake, and a cheese tray).  One hour later and it had not arrived.  I called.  10 minutes later someone called me back and said it had been lost.  20 minutes later it arrived.  They took over an hour and a half to bring room service.  We were not happy campers.  

 

The last time we cruised HAL we were super impressed with their MDR menus.  They offered some excellent selections.  NOT so this time.  It was the opposite.  Even though I am glad they offered a sugar-free dessert every night... they were not impressive.  Previously (not sugar free), they would offer things like the Golden Nugget butterscotch sundae and other marvelous items.  No such thing.  Carnival has better food than HAL.  10 cruises.  This was the worst food we ever had on a ship.   This is the one area they need to improve more than any other area.   I was not in bed until around midnight tonight.    Next post... debarkation mishaps and my opinions of HAL..

 

[CupKayke]

DEBARKATION.... We were in Seattle early-early...I took this at 6:17am...

 

It was a clear and warm day in Seattle.. temps were to be in high 80s which is also a heat wave for them!  It was sunny and warm. 

 

We had a flight out of SEA (Seattle Airport) at 12:50pm.  We signed-up for the airport transfer with HAL on our second day.  Notices were put in everyone’s room that you had to sign-up by Thursday evening I believe.  It was $29 and when we signed-up they told us there would be an 8am, 8:30am, and 9:00am transfer.  I chose the 9am transfer.  

I don’t know how to tell about the mishap correctly so I’ll try to write it simply…

All the transfers to the airport for HAL had brown tags.  There were 3 groups.  We’ll call them Group A, Group B, and Group C.   Each group had a different time picked to leave the ship.  I’m assuming someone with an 11am flight chose that 8am Brown Group. 

They announced overhead when each group could leave the ship and they had given you a paper the night before explaining this and they did go in perfect order -  like the Lime A group were people going on an excursion or the Lime B group were people getting a bus transfer to the Hilton Hotel at the Seattle Airport etc.   They let the self-debarkation people off.  Blah blah blah.   Everything moved quickly and in order.  Like, they let the 8am Brown Group off and 8:30am Brown group people off and then they announced we could get off - within minutes of them getting off.  I would say we were all off the ship by 8:40am if not sooner.

 SO….. there’s two big issues with that…. (trying to keep this short)

1^st Problem – HAL problem – The brown tag people had nowhere to go when they got off the ship.  There was no one from HAL helping anyone.  There were no signs posted saying which bus to get on.  There were no big signs in the bus windows saying Airport or Group A or whatever.  There was a long line and a big mess of people with brown luggage tags just standing around in the sun looking unhappy.   I saw people with Group A, Group B, and Group C tags just standing around.  This means the people who were supposed to be off at 8am… were still standing around while those that were supposed to be off at 9am were getting off early… and no one knew where to go.  We were all just out there together with our luggage.   Now, keep in mind…. Those people had earlier flights to catch than we did… anyway… this one guy who had a luggage trolley with suitcases and a family following him says to my husband… if you are going to the airport… just follow me.   We followed him.  We followed this guy and got on a bus to the airport with no signs, nothing.   It was almost completely packed when we got on.  My husband goes back out and says to the guy – Hey we are the 9am transfer – and he says – it doesn’t matter what group you are in – you paid for an airport transfer so you better take this bus because those people are going to be waiting at least an hour for another bus.  What?!  We took the bus.  When we got off we looked around and the Brown A, B, and C group were all there.  We were all just crammed on one bus.  I can assure you that if any of those people had to wait an hour for the next bus, they didn’t make it to their flight.  WHY?

 

 

2^nd Problem - Seattle airport was the biggest mess I have ever seen it to be in all the times I’m flown in and out of it and I’ve done that a few times.  TSA stations were crammed packed.  I don’t know what was going down but even the locals were freaking out.  We did see several people miss their flights.  People were complaining, calling people and saying they weren’t going to make their flights, etc.   Two locals told us they had never seen it like this.  I am not one to ever complain about TSA but they were on high alert.  I got a complete pat down and was told my jeans were too baggy.  ME?  What?  I have never been given such a thorough screening in all my life. They pulled me aside?  Okay.  Whatever.   I got home alive and safely so no complaints about the patdown in the scheme of things.  I’m just glad we caught our flight on time.    From the time the HAL bus dropped us off at the Seattle airport… which was around 9:30am….it took 2 hours and 20 minutes until we were through security.  Our flight started boarding < 30 minutes after we got through security.  We thought we would have hours in this airport to just relax.  No.   We spent hours in line.  

If you had signed-up for Group A or Group B and you didn’t catch an airport bus until sometime AFTER we caught ours… you did not make your flight.  That really can’t be blamed on HAL but can it?? I mean… the area of debarkation was a gigantic mess.  What cruise ship doesn’t have signs or lines or labels on the buses?  That was a gigantic mess.  Had that guy not seen our brown tags and told my husband to follow him, we would have missed our flight. 

 

Luckily, we did not...

 

Well, we are off the ship... we got home safely and on time... despite the tiny mishaps, we had an AMAZING cruise... we LOVED Alaska... we will sail to Alaska again... and I have lots of positive things to say in one more final post.  

[tundra1]

Thanks for this great trip report!  I am learning so much!  😀

[CupKayke]

Final Thoughts On This Alaskan Cruise and HAL this time around..

 

 

A few things we love about HAL

·         Top Shelf liquor on the drink package, no questions asked

·         Actual towels in the public bathrooms to dry your hands

·         The feeling of being genuinely appreciated

·         Being able to order from the dining room menu and have it delivered to your stateroom for dinner

·         I WANT to write “The HAL app” here but I don’t love it JUST YET… you’ve got some work to do in this area but so far, your concept is fantastic

·         Dive-In is good.  Keep it up!

·         The hot tubs were HOT!

·         I found that iced tea was available every day all day even if it wasn’t labeled that way… there was only one day I didn’t find tea when I woke-up.   Tea is my coffee.   Your tea is good.  A little strong but nothing water and ice can’t fix.  Thank You

·         Sugar Free Dessert choices daily       

·         The elevators that say the day of the week

 

 

 

 

A few things we question about HAL

·         The food on the Lido Deck and the dining room options have been greatly reduced.  Sliced lamb… sliced pork tenderloin…. You can do better.   The turkey was fantastic but it was also gone almost immediately and was only available one day.   You offered meatballs in the pasta section ONE day at lunch and no other time. 

·         WHY do all the mailings arrive to Mr. XXX Doe?  MISTER has never booked a vacation in 14 years and he isn’t going to start now.  I book everything, pay for everything, and manage it all.  If you want to attract me, send the notices to me.  I find it a bit insulting that I don’t get anything in the mail and he gets so much from you. 

·         Bananas

·         Lettuce.  What is going on?  Is there lettuce shortage?  The chop-chop lettuce even at Dive-In is like two or three pieces.  The lettuce the day of Embarkation seemed old and almost too old to eat frankly. 

·         You need to get the Internet to be more user friendly.  If I had issues, I can only imagine how many others had issues.  Several of our friends were complaining.  I spent a good thirty minutes showing two couples how to use it one day.  The Navigator App is nice, however.  I liked it and would highly recommend everyone download it pre-cruise.

·         Why aren’t you selling HAL tall drink cups or HAL water bottles or something people can use to refill with water or lemonade or tea? Is that still a COVID no-no??  Listen…. We are on a CRUISE.   We are taking the risk.  Let us refill our water bottles and sell us one so we don’t have to pack one!  Actually, you did let us fill our bottles and cups (thank you for that) but you didn’t sell any of your own.  Go ahead and sell them. 

·         The last night of the cruise you closed the Lido Deck and the Sea View Deck bars… long before 9:30pm.  WHY?  We were looking for a drink and finally, the one bar on the 3^rd deck was open and it was PACKED.  It was standing room only.  It’s a good thing you had some excellent bartenders and waitresses working.  Closing the Lido deck bar the last night of the cruise leaves a bad taste to a great cruise.  Don’t do this.  Hire more people if others were working on luggage.  Maybe that’s the issue?  I don’t know but if you are going to have ONE bar open… make it a bar on the outside deck.

 

Suggestion for future cruise ships…

·         A LOT of people walk.  A LOT of us.  It is so boring when you are out there by yourself unless you can find someone to silently compete with or possibly lap.  I know that’s strange but true.  If you build a new ship someday… especially in today’s world of step counters and healthier living… consider making the walking track a bit more fun…. Like have an area setup where you go and “check-in” with your room key or maybe you just take “Spot 3” and your name is “Kay” and it will show how many laps “Kay” is currently on… so maybe at 8am it will say Kay is on lap 3 and Scott is on lap 9 and Eric is on lap 4…. Believe me when I say this will create motivation and competition that people like myself like…. I mean…. If I can see how many laps I’ve walked and I’m close to beating someone else or just want to not be last in my group that hour… I’m IN!  Make this something attractive to those of us who are interested in this kind of thing.  I think you would be surprised at how popular this would become!!  The cruise ship dreamers need to be thinking about something along these lines… for beginners to the professional athlete… but keep it fun and don’t make it too intimidating for those of us that only walk 1 or 2 miles every day.

 

Offer ONE place that offers 24/7 dining so room service can stop or be cutdown.  ONE

 

 

A few thoughts about this trip… we LOVED it.  Maybe it was the great weather, the beautiful scenery, the ability to sit on our balcony 24/7, and our general state of mind of being able to travel again… but it was one of our nicer trips.  I fail to pinpoint one reason why we enjoyed this trip so much… but it just felt good.  We liked the HAL clientele on this ship, we liked most of the ports (I wasn’t keen on Juneau), and we loved traveling together again.  Being an avid reader, I cannot believe I forgot to pack a couple of books (my husband reads his Kindle, I don’t like Kindles) so I was a teeny bit bored at least one day.   That’s on me.  There is plenty to do if you take the time to read the programs they put in your stateroom every day.  We saw bears, bald eagles, whales, otters, gulls, ravens, crabs, glaciers and totem poles... we both saw everything we wanted to see on our list.  We'll still be back... 

The End

[oakridger]

Fabulous review!!  Thank you.

 

~Nancy

[wenzi]

Thank you for the review. Very informational!

[*Miss G*]

Thank you so much for the great review and the awesome pictures.  Love the idea of a lap check-in for the walkers!  I sure hope SeaTac gets their act together soon.  They weren’t that great pre-covid either.

 

You have discovered the reason why you are not getting the mailers but your husband is.  You do the bookings but you both have mariner #’s.  So, to the computer, you are booking trips but your husband is not.  I look at it as twice the opportunity to book a private sale because you’ll each get different ones.  😂  You’ll have to log into his account to see them though.  Anyway, great trip report!  Thank you.

[Cruise Suzy]

7 hours ago, CupKayke said:

WHY do all the mailings arrive to Mr. XXX Doe?  MISTER has never booked a vacation in 14 years and he isn’t going to start now.

 

Do you or your TA list your DH as Passenger #1 and you as Passenger #2?  If so, that is why he get all communications about your booking. Also, that's how you are listed in the Check-In online/app process. And once onboard how your financial account is available.

 

You can either have yourself listed as Passenger #1 or change his e-mail to one you use. 

[1ANGELCAT]

Thanks for the great review. As far as the bar issue in Victoria. I think I remember reading in another post it has to do with Canadian regulations.

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Thanks for the great review. As far as the bar issue in Victoria. I think I remember reading in another post it has to do with Canadian regulations.

 

Yes, there’ll be outdoor drinking establishment ordinances they need to comply with.

[rubytue]

Your luggage tag and transfer story has me pondering. I’ve downloaded our luggage tags, which say they will also be used for debarkment. We do not have a transfer (family member picking us up. No rush to airport). And we are group A, brown. I wonder what this is going to me. And honestly, I saw that bit about it being for debarkement, too, and thought “great intentions, I’m sure it can be changes”

[Florida_gal_50]

If you do get to Victoria again I really suggest Butchart Gardens.  I’m not a garden person by any stretch of the imagination but it is beautiful. 

Edited July 3, 2022 by Florida_gal_50

[rubytue]

We did Butchart Gardens on a 2009 cruise (same Seattle r/t). It was super tight and rushed then, before they shortened the port time.  It seems like the shortened port times must be more realistic, because I think I remember being about an hour late getting there. But, it’s the kind of place you really need all day, IMHO (but I am also a garden person). 
 

 

[rubytue]

I’m kind of surprised I found it, but here is my review of the zaandam with comments about the Victoria stop.  (Edit to add: full speed run at 23 knots from Ketchikan down, and didn’t get in until 8pm, since it was before Memorial Day, Butchart closed at 10pm. So we got 1:15 in the gardens)  

 

Edited July 3, 2022 by rubytue

[ginmil]

Great report thank you!

[SLOTheta]

On 6/29/2022 at 9:15 PM, CupKayke said:

Juneau, continued...

 

We had signed up for the Mendenhall Glacier Trail Walk and Whale Watching Tour (or something like that).   It was a small group tour of only 20 people and we were guaranteed to see whales or we get $100 cash from the tour operator.  We walked off the boat and met Phil, our guide.  He was excellent.  We took a small van to the water first (they reversed the tour in hopes the clouds would lift so we could see the glacier later).

Thank you for your awesome review! We landed in Seattle last night and boarding today. 

 

 

This is the excursion we booked (Whale Quest and Mendenhall Glacier). What time did you leave the ship to meet your guide at the port? Our paperwork shows departure at 1:30pm. Did your excursions and dinners show up in the app? None of mine are showing.  Are there signs pointing you where to go to find excursion check-in? 
 

How long did you have at the Mendenhall Glacier? My mom uses a cane to walk, is it pretty easy to get around? I would like to peel off and try to hike around a bit. Should we bring anything with us? How was the temp on the whale quest and walk around the glacier? What would you suggest we wear? The weather seems all over the place, I’ve definitely overpacked! It currently shows 80 degrees in Juneau for our day. 
 

Thank you! 

[SLOTheta]

17 hours ago, Loreto said:

 

 

We enjoyed the cruise with the only complaint being that Port Valet was no longer offered at disembarkation which made for a nightmare at SEATAC with 3 ships checking in there at the same time. They offered it last summer, don't know why they didn't do it this year.

I booked the Port Valet in advance online for our cruise. We leave today and come back on Sunday. Was there a notice that Port Valet wasn’t available? I entered in all our information and received a confirmation 

[SLOTheta]

13 hours ago, CupKayke said:

Victoria, BC

 

I realize that's lame but we were sleepy and we had a long day the next day flying home.  We took the bus back to the port and walked back on the ship.  Just a couple of things about Canada entry.... there was NOTHING different about it than any Alaskan port.  You didn't need your passport or your ARRIVECAN or anything. We had our ship cards dinged when we walked off... we showed a card our ship cards to get through into the port area (actually, he didn't even look at them)... and we got our ship cards dinged when we walked back on the ship.   Nothing more.  We had been told it would be a hassle and blah blah blah by previous cruisers.  Nope.  Easy Peasy.

 

 

The last time we cruised HAL we were super impressed with their MDR menus.  They offered some excellent selections.  NOT so this time.  It was the opposite.  Even though I am glad they offered a sugar-free dessert every night... they were not impressive.  Previously (not sugar free), they would offer things like the Golden Nugget butterscotch sundae and other marvelous items.  No such thing.  Carnival has better food than HAL.  10 cruises.  This was the worst food we ever had on a ship.   This is the one area they need to improve more than any other area.   I was not in bed until around midnight tonight.    Next post... debarkation mishaps and my opinions of HAL..

 

I’m glad to hear it was easy to get off the ship without a passport check. My sister had to send her passport back, only has a copy and her original naturalization papers and she didn’t want to have to carry those around in Victoria.

 

I am sad to hear that food wasn’t good. Our last cruise was December 2019 on the Koningsdam and the food in the MDR was amazing each night. We always have set seating for 8pm in the MDR and many nights we ordered two entree each since we both love to eat! Hopefully, they are just figuring out the food kinks and the food will be back to normal soon. 
 

Thanks again for your amazing post. I can’t wait! 

[Nickelpenny]

4 hours ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Thanks for the great review. As far as the bar issue in Victoria. I think I remember reading in another post it has to do with Canadian regulations.

Yes that is the reason (the crew told us this and warned us ahead of time). The ship can only have 2 bars open once they get within 10 miles of Victoria (by Canadian “law”). Stupid if you ask me!!!

[CupKayke]

SLOTheta...  Thank you.  I will try to answer your questions...

 

This is the excursion we booked (Whale Quest and Mendenhall Glacier). What time did you leave the ship to meet your guide at the port? As soon as the shipped docked which was 1pm.  Our paperwork shows departure at 1:30pm. Your Nav App will tell you to be there at 1:15pm Did your excursions and dinners show up in the app? Yes.  All of them.  It's a great tool.  Just look at your Itinerary.  None of mine are showing.  Are there signs pointing you where to go to find excursion check-in? All of the excursions (except Hubbard Glacier) met on the docks.  You just get off and there are people standing there with signs.  Super easy to find the correct excursion.  
 

How long did you have at the Mendenhall Glacier? One hour My mom uses a cane to walk, is it pretty easy to get around?  Yes.  A lady with us had a cane.  I would like to peel off and try to hike around a bit.  You won't be able to do this.  No time.  There have been bears in this area recently too.  NOT a good idea.  Our guide met a bear on our trail just a week or so prior.   Should we bring anything with us?  A poncho?  Maybe binoculars?  How was the temp on the whale quest and walk around the glacier?  Chilly.   It can get extra chilly on the boat because the windows open ALL THE WAY so you are out in the elements for a couple of hours but I had on a very warm fleece jacket. I took off the fleece and wore a t-shirt and long-sleeved cotton shirt ONLY on the walk to the glacier and I was cold.  I regretted not wearing my fleece jacket on the trail.  You will need it.  What would you suggest we wear? Most people wore an outer jacket.  My husband wore his full coat.  I would have been fine if I would have kept on the fleece.  The weather seems all over the place, I’ve definitely overpacked! It currently shows 80 degrees in Juneau for our day.  Well, check your weather that morning on the TV just to make sure.  I still recommend a thin outer layer for the boat and the walk.  You never know.  We had cold and rainy in Juneau - it was our coldest day the entire 7 days. 

 

Just another thing... there are NUMEROUS Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching Tours.  The ship offers two that I know of - one has a trail walk and one does not.  We may not be on the same type of boat or walk to the same viewing area, depends on which tour you chose.   

 

I hope you have a WONDERFUL cruise.   

Edited July 3, 2022 by CupKayke

[Loreto]

5 hours ago, SLOTheta said:

I booked the Port Valet in advance online for our cruise. We leave today and come back on Sunday. Was there a notice that Port Valet wasn’t available? I entered in all our information and received a confirmation 

Hi,

You should be cruising now...have a great time!  I have never seen ability to book Port Valet ahead of time.  For the past several years it is a free service offered by the Port of Seattle in conjunction with several airlines.  As we have sailed with HAL 8 times to Alaska, we are familiar with the program.  HAL used to have Luggage Direct, but you had to pay for it (we have used that service before, too)  The 2nd day of the cruise you would get a letter explaining the service, you gave them all your flight info and they picked your tagged bags up from outside your room the night before disembarkation, they printed out your boarding passes, walked through security flew and your luggage was sent to your final destination.  They offered it last year for our July HAL Alaska cruise.  I asked our Neptune concierge about it and he said nothing was being offered this year, and the it was the same company that did Luggage Direct.  My husband pointed out that SOMEBODY has to pay and maybe the airlines didn't want to this year.

I hope whatever you have it works for you!

[CupKayke]

The above info on Port Valet is interesting but it still would not speed-up TSA.  If it was offered, I didn't see it but would consider it in the future.   Our big change to make life easier while standing in line for 2 hours is no more backpacks.  I already gave one away and sold the other.  We will be using tiny rolling carry-ons from now on - our backs can't take the backpacks anymore.  

[Loreto]

CupKayke: thank you again got you detailed review and fantastic pictures!  We did not get off the ship in Victoria because things got cancelled due to late arrival.  My DIL and grand daughter did and were disappointed with the shuttle and closures.

Your disembarkation adventure and SEATAC nightmare accurately described HAL'S lack of direction!  Our flight wasn't until 2:20, but the Neptune concierge put us in brown group B.  We left the room at 8:30 and found our luggage quickly.  There was a guy with a trolley  right by the Suite Bag area, and after 32 cruises of never using a porter, I told by husband we would this time...thank goodness!!!  Like you we jumped the line as the porter took us past the huge line of waiting people...I have never seen it that bad...I think we were combined with Princess and taxis.  I was very embarrassed as we walked past the line, our bags were stowed, we got on a 1/2 filled bus which slowly filled and by 9 we were off to the airport for the next nightmare.

 

I would advise future Seattle  cruisers to use a porter and tip generously.  I always write a follow up letter to HAL, in addition to the survey and mention the airport transportation problem.