En Route with Hank in Japan and the Westerdam

[albingirl]

13 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I complained frequently about the over salting and lack of spices in the food.   I was told that is how the majority of passengers want it and, you know, they might be right☹️.   I will just say this as I fear any further comments I have on this subject will be controversial 

They do oversalt the food...and I agree about the Pinnacle.  I saw no reason to go there after the good food we had in club orange. Which was food from the MDR!  I liked the service there much better, as well.  It was warm and inviting.

[cruisemom42]

Hank isn’t kidding. I did a lap around the Lower Promenade deck at 11:10 pm and the only person I ran into was a crew member varnishing some woodwork outside the Rolling Stone room….

[JRG]

Maybe passengers have retreated back to their cabins to log on and see what the recap was for today?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[avalon1025]

Reminds me of my one and only Oceania cruise when the ship had zero entertainment and we asked if there was a disco and the CD handed us an iPad and said to plug it in.  We did and the lounge was packed.  I’m sailing the transpacific and look to have some fun after 10:45!

[macaroni]

We got off the Rotterdam recently in the Caribbean. We had the best food in the MDR. 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hank, I know you have mentioned that your table mates have been Aussie and Canadian but I am curious are there any Japanese guests on board. I was wondering if HAL sold to the Japanese market like Princess does? My first cruise on the Diamond in 2017 was mostly made up of US passengers many from Hawaii and only about 10% Japanese so after the first day annoucements were only in English. Our second cruise in 2019 was totally different about 65% Japanese, they told us 20% North American and the remaining Australia/New Zealand. That second sailing was totally different from our first 2 years prior. Demographics makes a huge difference. All annoucements were first in Japanese, they had two Cruise Directors one was Japanese that did all the annoucements and the second was Canadian. Princess has always had far more going on compared to HAL but just wonderingif demographics make a difference.  

[Cleckie]

8 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Adding there is also Seek by National Geographic which tells you which plant, animal or insect you are looking at.   Compass is called Compass and the best free sky viewer is SkyView lite 

Thanks, I just put them on my phone 🙂

[Ottawa traveller]

1 hour ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Hank, I know you have mentioned that your table mates have been Aussie and Canadian but I am curious are there any Japanese guests on board. I was wondering if HAL sold to the Japanese market like Princess does? My first cruise on the Diamond in 2017 was mostly made up of US passengers many from Hawaii and only about 10% Japanese so after the first day annoucements were only in English. Our second cruise in 2019 was totally different about 65% Japanese, they told us 20% North American and the remaining Australia/New Zealand. That second sailing was totally different from our first 2 years prior. Demographics makes a huge difference. All annoucements were first in Japanese, they had two Cruise Directors one was Japanese that did all the annoucements and the second was Canadian. Princess has always had far more going on compared to HAL but just wonderingif demographics make a difference.  

I spoke to a woman who told me that she was part of a group of 30 on the last leg of the cruise. She said they had to book through an American agency. They cannot book in Japan. I met some individual travelers who said the same thing. This was their third HAL cruise. On this leg, I have cabin neighbors who are from Hong Kong. I think there are more Asians on this leg.  One night the Lido had a Japanese dinner. Announcements are only in English. 

[CNSJ]

23 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

The best thing is to be very specific. Saying  “involves half a mile of walking over rough terrain” or “must climb 120 steep steps to reach the site” make it much easier to judge whether one can participate than just saying “strenuous”.

Totally agree.  List the physical requirements in reasonable detail. 

[Copper10-8]

On 4/8/2023 at 5:48 PM, cruisemom42 said:

As if to make up for the earlier lousy weather, the gods smiled on us this morning on our way in to Shimizu and granted lovely views of Mt Fuji. The captain opened the bow area on deck 4 and I got this lovely photo:

 

 

Happy Easter all!!!

 

Awesome pic Ma'am! Where was this taken in Japan if you don't mind? Trying to i.d. the nice lighthouse for my collection, arigato! 

[cruisemom42]

10 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Awesome pic Ma'am! Where was this taken in Japan if you don't mind? Trying to i.d. the nice lighthouse for my collection, arigato! 

It was taken on our way into Shimizu port. They didn’t say anything about this particular lighthouse but I thought the red color was so pretty against the background.

 

There was another lighthouse earlier in the trip that was featured — I will try to find the info on that one.

[slidergirl]

Between Cynthia and Hank talking about the lack of nighttime activity, I guess I had better stock up on my music and kindle books before my Alaska trip!!!  I'm an up-until-midnight person, thanks to my work schedule.  

[cruisemom42]

12 minutes ago, slidergirl said:

Between Cynthia and Hank talking about the lack of nighttime activity, I guess I had better stock up on my music and kindle books before my Alaska trip!!!  I'm an up-until-midnight person, thanks to my work schedule.  

HAL does have quite a selection of free movies for in-cabin viewing, if you don’t mind being in your cabin. Better than most lines. I just don’t like sitting in my cabin in the evening (or any time really). On one sea day on this cruise, I left my cabin around 8:30 for breakfast and never returned the whole day until it was time to get ready for dinner around 6:30 pm….

 

They have “Everything, Everywhere, All the Time” which is one I wouldn’t mind seeing & is very current, as an example. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet (in 18 days onboard lol).

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

It was taken on our way into Shimizu port. They didn’t say anything about this particular lighthouse but I thought the red color was so pretty against the background.

 

There was another lighthouse earlier in the trip that was featured — I will try to find the info on that one.

 

 

Thanks for that! Found it 🙂 Shimizu Ko outer breakwater - south end lighthouse

 

Date unknown. Active; 52 foot round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery. Entire lighthouse is red. Located at the south end of the detached main outer breakwater of Shimizu; the entrance to the harbor is between this light and the Miho Breakwater Light. Accessible only by boat. 

 

Edited April 13, 2023 by Copper10-8

[oakridger]

They really need to have at least one venue/bar open later.  My first HAL cruise on Zuiderdam in 2006 I was at the disco until almost 2 am most nights. The bartender said he was to stay open until everyone left!  I left when the last of the others left because I didn't want him to stay there just for me....but he would have!!!  If there's music I want to stay up!!

 

~Nancy, the Night Owl

[cruisemom42]

13 minutes ago, oakridger said:

They really need to have at least one venue/bar open later.  My first HAL cruise on Zuiderdam in 2006 I was at the disco until almost 2 am most nights. The bartender said he was to stay open until everyone left!  I left when the last of the others left because I didn't want him to stay there just for me....but he would have!!!  If there's music I want to stay up!!

 

~Nancy, the Night Owl

Careful now — with posts like that you’re liable to called a person of questionable morality by some on this Forum. 🤣

 

In a recent thread I was all but called a drunk for wishing there was a least one bar open after midnight. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[oakridger]

@cruisemom42 I hope to meet you on a cruise someday!  We can hang out at the bar until the wee hours talking about the history of the world!!!  😎

 

~Nancy

[Hlitner]

3 hours ago, slidergirl said:

Between Cynthia and Hank talking about the lack of nighttime activity, I guess I had better stock up on my music and kindle books before my Alaska trip!!!  I'm an up-until-midnight person, thanks to my work schedule.  

You might (I emphasize "might") be able to find one bar open until around midnight, although it will likely be very quiet.  On this ship the Gallery Bar (Deck 2/casino) is listed as being open "late" and we have heard (by the rumor mill) that one can get a drink there until around midnight.

 

I have long wondered (and asked this question in the past) whether HAL's evening hours are the product of a clientele that simply goes to bed early or if it is the HAL policy that drives folks to bed early.  We have met several folks who have told us they have no clue about the evening activities because they return to their cabin right after dinner to read or watch the TV.   Last evening, DW and I "closed" two lounges (where they had the only entertainment and they were not very crowded by closing time (10:15 and 10:45).

 

A few updates about our cruise.  I have never been a big fan of how HAL makes its "fou-fou" drinks by using "Sunsational" mixes that come out of 32 oz cartons.  So, for example, a strawberry daquiri made without strawberries leaves something to be desired as does a banana based drink that has no banana.  On some other mass market lines they will actually use real fruit (either fresh or frozen) which makes a big difference in the final product.  HAL does generally make a decent Bloody Mary, but this is a case where they do not use a mix and prepare the drink with tomato juice, Demitri's spice mix, tobasco, etc.   

 

On a happier note, a fellow cruiser reported seeing one of the Maitre d's shopping for tea (in Yokohama) and we now have some Black Tea aboard.  However, there is still no Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea.  DW pointed out that if a ship ran out of coffee there would likely be a mutiny, but tea drinkers always seem to play 2nd fiddle.  It does boggle the mind that there would be any kind of tea shortage when cruising around Japan, where tea and tea shops are in abundance.  

 

Hank

[tamadig2001]

56 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

You might (I emphasize "might") be able to find one bar open until around midnight, although it will likely be very quiet.  On this ship the Gallery Bar (Deck 2/casino) is listed as being open "late" and we have heard (by the rumor mill) that one can get a drink there until around midnight.

 

I have long wondered (and asked this question in the past) whether HAL's evening hours are the product of a clientele that simply goes to bed early or if it is the HAL policy that drives folks to bed early.  We have met several folks who have told us they have no clue about the evening activities because they return to their cabin right after dinner to read or watch the TV.   Last evening, DW and I "closed" two lounges (where they had the only entertainment and they were not very crowded by closing time (10:15 and 10:45).

 

A few updates about our cruise.  I have never been a big fan of how HAL makes its "fou-fou" drinks by using "Sunsational" mixes that come out of 32 oz cartons.  So, for example, a strawberry daquiri made without strawberries leaves something to be desired as does a banana based drink that has no banana.  On some other mass market lines they will actually use real fruit (either fresh or frozen) which makes a big difference in the final product.  HAL does generally make a decent Bloody Mary, but this is a case where they do not use a mix and prepare the drink with tomato juice, Demitri's spice mix, tobasco, etc.   

 

On a happier note, a fellow cruiser reported seeing one of the Maitre d's shopping for tea (in Yokohama) and we now have some Black Tea aboard.  However, there is still no Earl Grey or English Breakfast Tea.  DW pointed out that if a ship ran out of coffee there would likely be a mutiny, but tea drinkers always seem to play 2nd fiddle.  It does boggle the mind that there would be any kind of tea shortage when cruising around Japan, where tea and tea shops are in abundance.  

 

Hank

 

On our past cruises they always had a big jar of PG Tips at the coffee and tea stands on the Lido Deck. We loved its rich and refreshing flavour and prefer it to other English teas. Don't tell me it's no longer available.

 

Monica

[Florida_gal_50]

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Careful now — with posts like that you’re liable to called a person of questionable morality by some on this Forum. 🤣

 

In a recent thread I was all but called a drunk for wishing there was a least one bar open after midnight. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Yes, clearly if you want to stay up past midnight you must be 😛🤪😉.  I’m the last person that would ever be called a night person but even for me I understand it’s important and I think it’s very little to ask that at least one venue be open late.

[Florida_gal_50]

On a cruise I’m one of those people that don’t do any of the entertainment on board.  It’s a luxury for me to get comfy and watch a movie or do nothing.  I generally don’t do much after work at home either.  The amount of time spent either getting ready for work, being at work or exercising is about all I have time for.  Just as I wouldn’t put anyone down for staying up late there is no reason to put others down for calling it an early night.  It’s all in what you like to do.

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

On a cruise I’m one of those people that don’t do any of the entertainment on board.  It’s a luxury for me to get comfy and watch a movie or do nothing.  I generally don’t do much after work at home either.  The amount of time spent either getting ready for work, being at work or exercising is about all I have time for.  Just as I wouldn’t put anyone down for staying up late there is no reason to put others down for calling it an early night.  It’s all in what you like to do.

And this can be especially true on a very port intensive cruise.

 

And Hank, do they still have those BBC presentations. (DW like them. But they bored me to tears.)

[Copper10-8]

8 hours ago, Hlitner said:

You might (I emphasize "might") be able to find one bar open until around midnight, although it will likely be very quiet.  On this ship the Gallery Bar (Deck 2/casino) is listed as being open "late" and we have heard (by the rumor mill) that one can get a drink there until around midnight.

 

..........................................

 

So, why don't you go find out for yourselves at the GB, instead of relying on the "rumor mill?" 

[Hlitner]

3 hours ago, ontheweb said:

And this can be especially true on a very port intensive cruise.

 

And Hank, do they still have those BBC presentations. (DW like them. But they bored me to tears.)

They had a BBC Documentary early in our first cruise (3/27 embarkation) but it has not been repeated.  DW and I actually enjoy those kinds of films, but that is what we can watch in our home where we have a decent large screen TV and good sound system.  We do not pay the big bucks for cruise vacations to watch TV, movies, etc.  When HAL had their onboard movie theaters, that was the perfect venue for moves, documentaries, etc.  But we think that the large theaters, that were constructed with the lights, stage, and sound systems necessary to support shows should be used for that purpose.  

 

Hank

[Hlitner]

1 minute ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

So, why don't you go find out for yourselves at the GB, instead of relying on the "rumor mill?" 

Fair question.  I guess we could have walked to the back of the closed casino (not sure why) tonight, after leaving the Rolling Stone Lounge at 11:30 (when it closed).  But we prefer bars where we can hear some live (or even recorded) entertainment.  I will check it out on some other night, perhaps when the casino is open. 

 

 That Gallery Bar is in a strange location on this ship.  We tend to stick to things along the so-called Music Walk which extends from the main theater, past the Billboard side of the Casino, and past the Rolling Stone Lounge!  The Gallery Bar is located on the opposite side of the ship in a place that works for those at that side of the casino (which seemed to be closed at 11:30 tonight) but is hardly noticed by folks seeking out entertainment along music walk.  

 

Speaking of strange, we now have the Lincoln Center Stage (in a heavily trafficked part of the ship) which is dead space.  There is no more Lincoln Center group on this vessel (they went home after the last cruise and apparently will not be replaced) so that space just sits empty!  

 

Hank