En Route with Hank in Japan and the Westerdam

[Californian]

On 3/22/2023 at 10:31 PM, Hlitner said:

Today (Thursday) is a complete rain-out.  We knew, from the forecast, that today was likely to be a bad weather day, and since we are spending 6 days in Kyoto, we actually looked forward to a quiet day with no temples/shrines.  So, this morning, we walked down the main street, which has covered sidewalks, and did a lot of window shopping and browsing.  

 

Eventually we reached the large Nisiki Market which is over 1/2 mile long with hundreds of vendors under cover.  It is the perfect place on a rainy day (and it was packed with folks) to browse, snack, dine, etc.  DW and I have long had a habit of going to food/farmers markets around the world and Nisiki can hold its own against much of the competition.  You learn a lot about a culture in this kind of market place and the food can be amazing.  For lunch, we stopped at a place that had all kinds of yakitori (food on a skewer) including King Crab.  I had crab and DW had a freshly made shrimp.  It was divine, although one had to deal with the sardine-like crowding.  In fact, it was so crowded that DW and I decided to "mask-up" which is something we have not done most of our time in Kyoto.

 

It is only a few days until we board the "Westy" and we have started to mentally get into cruise mode.  I reviewed the current HAL protocols for our COVID test (we will take a self-test the day before we board the ship).  One of our private tours (organized by another cruiser) in Taiwan, requires that we pay in Taiwanese Dollars. While browsing the main street of Kyoto, I walked into a major bank, went to the foreign exchange counter, and traded more than 20,000 Yen for a 5000 Taiwanese Dollar note.  Quite convenient.  Getting Asian currency in Asia is a lot easier than in the States and the rates/commissions are better than at home.

 

One interesting tidbit today.  While standing in front of a major department store, a local senior man asked us, in pretty good English, "where are you from?"  When DW responded, "USA" he broke into a big smile, bowed, and said "welcome to Japan."  I responded with the appropriate small bow and the usual "arigato gozaimasu" (thank you very much) and he grinned and thanked me for speaking Japanese (two words?).  What we have learned, since landing in Tokyo, is that Japan has been locked-away from the world for over 3 years and most people are happy to again welcome "gaijin" (foreigners).   One other tidbit.  I had mentioned in an earlier post that we did not book the breakfast plan offered by our hotel.   Yesterday, we finally stumbled on a nearby coffee shop/bakery that makes its own pastries and croissants.  The croissants are among the best I have had anywhere (including France).  Who knew?

 

Hank

I have just joined the party.  Thank you so much for posting your adventure.  Do you remember the name of the coffee shop/bakery where you got your croissant?

[slidergirl]

13 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

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).

I'm not one for sitting in the cabin, either. And, it could get a little chilly sitting out on my balcony.  I'd rather sit in a bar/lounge and listen to the ambient "noise".  I can make a vodka rocks last a long time...

[2inSETexas]

23 hours ago, macaroni said:

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

I suppose it is a matter of taste. We recently did the Zaandam Panama Canal cruise. On one occasion the MDR menu was unappealing enough that we booked last minute ressies at PG (at the time 3-star Mariner discount) and another occasion paid the up charge for the lobster tail. Loved both the extra charge selections. I’d rather pay a bit extra for a good meal and be happy with it than grumble about what was offered at cost. We also sailed the Rotterdam 150th TA last October and it seems all the meals were great: OC, PG, Tamarind, Canaletto, and Rudi’s.

[floridatravelersforlife]

Hank yesterday your time, Thursday 8 AM was there any notice of a North Korean missle launch? Apparently Hokaido had miilions receive a J alert.  Just curious about the locals reactions.

[SusieKIslandGirl]

10 hours ago, Hlitner said:

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.  

Hank

I so agree. I was introduced to the “Dirty Banana” on a Princess cruise last fall. Ordered it on the Noordam last month and didn’t even finish it! I felt guilty raving about it to my trivia team and then having it turn out so bad.

[gunna9]

Hi Hank and fellow HAL Westerdam cruisers. I’ll be on the Westerdam Oct 1-28 this year. It’s been so helpful following this forum. Thank you for all the postings. 
I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me if cabin 6099 is across from any crew doors or potential noise areas. Deck plans don’t show this. Thank you. 

Edited April 13, 2023 by gunna9

[Hlitner]

5 hours ago, floridatravelersforlife said:

Hank yesterday your time, Thursday 8 AM was there any notice of a North Korean missle launch? Apparently Hokaido had miilions receive a J alert.  Just curious about the locals reactions.

Did not even know about that issue and heard nothing on board or when we were in Kochi.  Today we are docking in a city on Kyushu which is a long distance from Hokkaido.

 

Hank

[Hlitner]

6 hours ago, Californian said:

I have just joined the party.  Thank you so much for posting your adventure.  Do you remember the name of the coffee shop/bakery where you got your croissant?

Egads no.  It was just a coffee shop that was part of a much larger book store (the book store was closed early in the morning when the coffee shop was open).  It was along the main street about 3 blocks from our hotel (Intergate) but Google maps displays most of specific info in Kanji.

 

Hank

[cruisemom42]

7 hours ago, 2inSETexas said:

I suppose it is a matter of taste. We recently did the Zaandam Panama Canal cruise. On one occasion the MDR menu was unappealing enough that we booked last minute ressies at PG (at the time 3-star Mariner discount) and another occasion paid the up charge for the lobster tail. Loved both the extra charge selections. I’d rather pay a bit extra for a good meal and be happy with it than grumble about what was offered at cost. We also sailed the Rotterdam 150th TA last October and it seems all the meals were great: OC, PG, Tamarind, Canaletto, and Rudi’s.

I haven’t said much about the food onboard lately, so maybe it’s a good time for an update on my impressions.

 

Dinners in the MDR leave something to be desired. I have not had to wait long for a table on any night (open seating), whether sharing or dining alone - I tend to eat between 7:00 and 7:30 most nights. So that’s fine.

 

Service still seems rushed and hectic. Servers lack the finesse I have recently enjoyed in the MDR on Celebrity. As mentioned earlier, there are little omissions often. Not having bartenders (I won’t call them sommeliers as most aren’t) working the room slows things down with regard to getting your wine with your first course. The current system is that your waiter takes your drink order, places a wine glass, then someone else comes by with a pre-poured portion and fills your glass with it. Arrival times vary greatly.

 

Food is also rather variable. Some apps and entrees have been good, some not so much. Portion sizes are all over the map. Sometimes an app will be three small bites of chicken on a tablespoon of Asian slaw. And sometimes an entree (like the pork tonkatsu) will be an unappetizingly large portion. Very few of the soups have been worth ordering. Last night’s Thai shrimp bisque being an exception.

 

Waiters do not seem to have the time, knowledge or often linguistic skill to discuss menu items or make recommendations, which basically means you place your order and take your chances….

 

Before I leave the MDR topic, one peeve for me is the sides. Veggies are sparse and are cut without any attempt at finesse. Some pieces will be huge and others small. This isn’t just a pickiness issue: veggies of different sizes do not cook evenly. And they are rarely seasoned.
 

I feel service is rushed too much, but I suspect this is a preference of HAL’s base. I would prefer a few moments between courses to have some wine, talk, etc. Most folks seem to be in some kind of a rush (to get where?)

 

I try to avoid the Lido but it has been adequate on the few occasions I’ve grabbed a quick lunch there. 

 

Dive-In is perhaps overhyped but still it is slightly better than the average burger grill on most ships I’ve sailed.

 

I’ll be honest - my biggest disappointment has been Tamarind. On Westerdam Asia cruises they are alternating between Canaletto and Tamarind in the same space about every two weeks. Granted, the Tamarind menu is abbreviated. But having eaten there twice, it lacks authentic flavors and spice levels are nonexistent. (Bringing me a side of sambal does not equal a higher level of spice!) Perhaps again my expectations were too high based on all the raves here…. Or perhaps I am just spoiled with a very vibrant Asian dining scene in my hometown.

 

PG has been probably a bit above my expectations, TBH. It’s not my favorite specialty, but food and service there have been a step above the other options. 

All things considered, I would rate HAL food and food service as “ okay”. I can usually find a least one good dish in the MDR although one or two nights were s bit of a challenge. I have been able to avoid the dreaded “homestyle Lasagna” even though it is listed daily. 😄

 

And as a postscript, I’ve ordered room service on a few early mornings and do appreciate the dependable delivery timing and the fact that it is available at no charge. I’ve found one tasty breakfast option is the egg-white frittata with spinach and asparagus topped with Humboldt goat cheese and chili flakes. Surprisingly good! Unfortunately the hash browns delivered on the side have not been equally tasty (at times have tasted almost like they were fried in rancid oil).

 

[Florida_gal_50]

Agree with you cruisemom. I’m very lukewarm on tamarind now.  It’s up there with the pinnacle. Pinnacle seems to always be disorganized.  I really love Canaletto.  That frittata is one of my favs.

Edited April 14, 2023 by Florida_gal_50

[Betty in Cozumel]

Just spent the last hour or so reading through this entire thread.  Very informative and I thank all of the posters. I am currently in Taiwan solo doing a 5 week DIY land tour and am just starting to think of my transpacific cruise on the Westerdam leaving April 24th.

 

I sailed the Westerdam in 2019 from Shanghai to Hong Kong and loved it.  So much so that we booked it again for 2020.  Obviously that one was canceled.  I chose this cruise to return to North America because who wouldn't choose a 14 day cruise vs a 15 hr flight???

 

I'm sad that there will no longer be any classical music in the LCS and that the food is not up to par.  I'm not a drinker but like to socialize with fellow travelers.   Does anyone here play cards?  5 Crowns is my go to game and I'll have them with me.  Good for 2 to 7 players.  It was a big hit on my recent 19 day Antarctica  cruise.

 

Look forward to meeting you soon. 

 

 

 

Edited April 14, 2023 by Betty in Cozumel

[Copper10-8]

14 hours ago, Hlitner said:

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

 

 

 

Fair 'nough! You prob knew this already, but on the Vistas the Gallery Bar took the place of the former Northern Lights night club which itself had a much smaller bar aft of the dance floor. Hence the current location of the GB

Edited April 14, 2023 by Copper10-8

[USN59-79]

Thought I would mention some things from a different perspective.  We have had fixed dining since boarding in March.  Have had waiters who know our preferences.  Did the Pinnacle twice and enjoyed the food and service.  Bought the 8 bottle wine package at half price so no complaints about wine.  I enjoy sake and similar drinks sold in convenience stores in containers like milk cartons.  Some are as much as 60 proof.  Never had a problem bringing them aboard as the X-ray is looking for glass bottles.  That is my CC tip for today.  
Ray

[tamadig2001]

42 minutes ago, USN59-79 said:

Thought I would mention some things from a different perspective.  We have had fixed dining since boarding in March.  Have had waiters who know our preferences.  Did the Pinnacle twice and enjoyed the food and service.  Bought the 8 bottle wine package at half price so no complaints about wine.  I enjoy sake and similar drinks sold in convenience stores in containers like milk cartons.  Some are as much as 60 proof.  Never had a problem bringing them aboard as the X-ray is looking for glass bottles.  That is my CC tip for today.  
Ray

 

That's one advantage of having a fixed table. You have the same waiters and they know what to get you without your asking. Also, they would go the extra mile hoping to get an extra tip from you. With open dining you get a different waiter every night and they know they wouldn't get much extra. Perhaps the more experienced waiting staff are assigned to fixed seating?

 

Monica

[tjcox9]

8 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

And as a postscript, I’ve ordered room service on a few early mornings and do appreciate the dependable delivery timing and the fact that it is available at no charge. I’ve found one tasty breakfast option is the egg-white frittata with spinach and asparagus topped with Humboldt goat cheese and chili flakes. Surprisingly good! Unfortunately the hash browns delivered on the side have not been equally tasty (at times have tasted almost like they were fried in rancid oil).

 

Are you really getting Humboldt Fog as stated on the menu? Unusual if you are as it is usually plain goat cheese when I've had them. It's been Humboldt Fog a very few times. 

[cruisemom42]

2 hours ago, tamadig2001 said:

Perhaps the more experienced waiting staff are assigned to fixed seating?

 

Monica

I wouldn’t be surprised if that is true. I was seated upstairs one night and it did seem somewhat less harried. Unfortunately I’m unwilling to give up the flexibility of anytime dining. 
 

It’s not so much that I have fixed preferences - I have very few. I don’t always want the same wine and don’t have any food quirks. I just think a trained waiter should be able to answer some basic questions about items on the menu. One night I asked if a listed entree was served on the bone or as a stew, as the menu used contradictory terms. I was told it was a stew. It came on the bone…..

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, tjcox9 said:

Are you really getting Humboldt Fog as stated on the menu? Unusual if you are as it is usually plain goat cheese when I've had them. It's been Humboldt Fog a very few times. 

A fair question and one I’m not sure I can answer. But I’d say what I’m getting is more flavorful than plain feta.

[USN59-79]

An interesting thing is that many ports have excellent free shuttles to downtown when the ship advertises a $25. shuttle to what I assume is the same place.  At Kochi yesterday the free shuttle took us to the main shopping area about ten miles from the ship.  There were guides at the bus stop and signs posted on walls every 400 feet or so saying Westerdam bus stop with an arrow pointing in the right direction.  Not sure what those who paid for a shuttle got but it couldn’t be as nice as the free one.

Ray

[tamadig2001]

1 hour ago, USN59-79 said:

An interesting thing is that many ports have excellent free shuttles to downtown when the ship advertises a $25. shuttle to what I assume is the same place.  At Kochi yesterday the free shuttle took us to the main shopping area about ten miles from the ship.  There were guides at the bus stop and signs posted on walls every 400 feet or so saying Westerdam bus stop with an arrow pointing in the right direction.  Not sure what those who paid for a shuttle got but it couldn’t be as nice as the free one.

Ray

 

That's good to know and thanks for the information as I'll be on a similar cruise on the Westie in October. On the Diamond Princess in November 2019, the ship's shuttle was free. They took us to somewhere near the Harimaya Bridge which is two or three tram stops to the market and Kochi Castle. I think HAL's shuttle must have stopped there too because it looked like a waiting area and convenient for picking up passengers returning to the ship.

 

Monica

[ontheweb]

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if that is true. I was seated upstairs one night and it did seem somewhat less harried. Unfortunately I’m unwilling to give up the flexibility of anytime dining. 
 

It’s not so much that I have fixed preferences - I have very few. I don’t always want the same wine and don’t have any food quirks. I just think a trained waiter should be able to answer some basic questions about items on the menu. One night I asked if a listed entree was served on the bone or as a stew, as the menu used contradictory terms. I was told it was a stew. It came on the bone…..

Obviously, the waiter did not want to show he did not know and felt he or she had a 50/50 chance of getting it right. The proper thing to do is to say you don't know, but can ask in the kitchen and find out.

[Hlitner]

Quite a day.  Nasty rain and we decided to stay aboard since we have visited enough shrines and temples to last a lifetime.  My laptop crashed (blue screen of death) and I will not be able to fix the problem until we get home which is a reason we always preach to have some kind of backup. The port was Fukuota.

 

Tonight we left the Rolling Stone Lounge

around close.  There were about 25

folks at that venue, which was the only entertainment on the ship after 10:15.  We did checkout the late night gallery bar where there were 6 patrons. So this

lively ship had fewer than 50,

out and about, after 11:15.

 

Dinner tonight in the MDR was pretty good and we had a good table with 2 Brits and 2 Aussies.  Since it was 7:45, there were few Americans ( a table topic).  Truly enjoying our open seating

with no waits after 7:15, and mostly fantastic shared tables.  There

was a show, but it was a violinist we

heard last week, so we skipped

the show to enjoy more time In the Rolling Stone Lounge.

 

Hank

 

 

 

 

[syesmar]

@Hlitner thanks again for sharing your adventures! Did they say how long they would keep the Gallery open? Was it a set time or until the last person left? Thanks!

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, tamadig2001 said:

 

That's good to know and thanks for the information as I'll be on a similar cruise on the Westie in October. On the Diamond Princess in November 2019, the ship's shuttle was free. They took us to somewhere near the Harimaya Bridge which is two or three tram stops to the market and Kochi Castle. I think HAL's shuttle must have stopped there too because it looked like a waiting area and convenient for picking up passengers returning to the ship.

 

Monica

It was a nice 15 minute walk from that shuttle drop to the Castle.  The walking route was through a series of covered shopping streets and a nice walk. No

issue with the shuttle except the $25

cost.  Tough on those with mobility issues, but decent exercise for others.

 

Hank

 

 

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, tamadig2001 said:

 

That's good to know and thanks for the information as I'll be on a similar cruise on the Westie in October. On the Diamond Princess in November 2019, the ship's shuttle was free. They took us to somewhere near the Harimaya Bridge which is two or three tram stops to the market and Kochi Castle. I think HAL's shuttle must have stopped there too because it looked like a waiting area and convenient for picking up passengers returning to the ship.

 

Monica

Yes, the HAL shuttle drop off point in Kochi was at Harimayabashi bus terminal near the pretty bridge you mention and the nearby market.

 

While the shuttle cost is an annoyance, I have a lot of OBC to use up. Had I known in advance about the free shuttle I might’ve used it, but had already bought the pass. Looking at taxi prices for one person, the shuttle was still less $$$$

[Hlitner]

7 minutes ago, syesmar said:

@Hlitner thanks again for sharing your adventures! Did they say how long they would keep the Gallery open? Was it a set time or until the last person left? Thanks!

No specific time announced, but we would assume around midnight