day one live from Westerdam

[Gramsk]

Cruise to Alaska from Seattle May 28th 2006 Day ONE

Flight from Corpus Christi, Tx to Seattle Washington , was not the best of times. Started with the Corpus Christi Airport, the AA agent wanted to see the dry cell batteries on my DH power chair, had to take the chair apart to get to the battery. ( This is the first time for this to happen and we have flown with chair many times). Then when we arrived in Dallas no chair, found out they had sent it straight through to Seattle. Okay we can deal with this, got a n airport chair and we were on our way to the gate. Upon arriving in Seattle we were told they would bring the chair to the plane. As I watched through the window I saw them take the chair off the plane and set it down in the rain, about five minutes later an agent came out and looked over the chair and started disconnecting wires. I asked the flight attendant if there was anyway to contact this guy to tell him how to make the chair free wheel, which they did and he brought the chair to us. When my DH got in the chair and turned it on it would only go to the left. The agent disconnected and reconnect wires and it seems to be okay, he left and we headed to baggage. My DH went about three feet and it started going left only. So we free wheeled it and I pushed him to baggage. We made our complaint known and no one seemed to know what to do. First they tried to get someone down to see if they new anything about the chair, HER response was do you have the manual? Which we didn’t, then they said they would try to get us a rental, but its Sunday and nothing is open. tWe’ll give them a B for effort. We decided to head for the ship and worry about all this later ( can’t miss out on the cruise). We arrived about 1:00p.m. and everyone was very friendly and helpful with luggage etc. Waited about ten minutes to check in and we were on our way to Lido deck. Our friends took about thirty minutes to get through check in. Soon we were given the all clear to go to our cabins. We are in a handicap Cabin, nice size not as big as some other ships, but room enough to get around with chair., Not much closet, shelf or drawer space. Bathroom again not as large as other ships but adequate . I do like the medicine cabinet instead of shelves for bathroom items. Had lunch at Lido, very good and the service was above excellent, smiling friendly people everywhere. Went to Dinning room for table location, found we had a table for six and we requested a table for four. Many people waiting in line and all were unhappy with their dinning times. Most wanted first seating and it was completely booked and no changes could be made. Walked around and toured the ship, found out luggage was already in our cabins, went back to unpack until life boat drill. That was called at 3:45 and it was painless except trying to get an elevator after the drill. Went back to cabin and sat on balcony and watched the ship depart Seattle. Then went to dinner, everyone again was friendly and personable, I think this is the best crew we have ever had. They are quick witted, very helpful and always smiling. After dinner went to the casino for a short time, then toured the ship in areas we missed earlier. Beautiful ship, nice layout and does not seem crowded at all, even though it is completely sold out.,

Getting ready to try the amazing bed, let you know if what they say about the beds is true.

The seas are calm and we are moving at a pretty fast pace. Have not felt any motion. If any of you read my thread earlier and remember the problems I had with my travel agent, all is well, we have four not one bottles of wine, two drink stickers for unlimited sodas and a $50.00 credit to our account..

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry to hear about the power chair. Hope that it works for the entire cruise.

 

Don't drink all those bottles of wine - we want to keep hearing from you as you cruise Alaska.

[nanashirl]

Thanks So Much For You Post. We Will Be Getting On The Westerdam The Day You Get Off So Keep Up Informed.

Glad You Finally Made It Will All Your Problems.

I Know You Will Have A Wonderful Cruise.

Shirl

[love2relax]

I'm surprised to hear you say that the bathroom and cabin are smaller than usual. What category of cabin are you in?

[Gramsk]

Alaska cruise 2006, live from the Westerdam Day 2

 

Woke up at 7:00 this morning after a wonderful nights sleep, had room service bring juice and tea and breakfast rolls, it took maybe 15 minutes for delivery. We took our time getting ready and enjoyed the light breakfast. Met our friends on Lido deck about 9:00a.m for breakfast, we had omelets that were very good. My friend and I then went to the shopping area and checked out the sales and all the shops. They were having a big gem sale 40 to 70% off and of course the gold by the inch for $1.00 per inch didn’t buy anything.

I then went to the internet room and purchased my minutes on wireless $70.00 for 100 minutes. Got my computer set up and sent my first CC day 1 thread.

We went by the casino, DH was not doing real good. My friend won a 1000 on the poker machine last night. She is always lucky.

Went back to the cabin ( all cleaned up) and visited with DH until lunch time. Ate at the Vista Dinning room. Met two lovely woman from Florida and had an interesting conversation with them. Lunch was really good. Again the crew were extremely wonderful and fun. Went back to the Casino and made our deposit and then to the cabin for a quick nap. Tonight is the Captain’s Champagne party and formal night.

The weather is cloudy and dreary nothing to see but water. It does look pretty choppy but we don’t feel it at all on the ship. The thing I noticed most on the ship it never seems crowded. We had no problem in the buffet line or finding a table and there are so many nice places to go. The ship is clean and very elegant. All the beautiful people are out, wearing very formal to nice dressy Met the Captain and enjoyed a nice glass of wine and watched people dance. Captain introduced each of his Officers with warmth and humor. Went to dinner, tonight they had Crab Legs, Duck, Lamb, I had crab legs, good but not great but I really like my crab legs cold, these were served hot. Also tonight they had Shrimp Cocktail, French onion soup and Caesar Salad all my favorites. Desert included cheese cake, a chocolate cappuccino Bombe and chocolate soufflé. I don’t think the deserts in the dinning room are anything great, but maybe after eating everything else I’m just to full to appreciate. The midnight buffet will have cold crab legs but I don’t think I’ll be hungry for some reason.

We then went to the Lounge for the show. Tonight was the Grand Tour of Europe, very good and enjoyable, the singing wasn’t great but good (The lead Male singer was very good and the male dancers and back up singers were better than the girls, but all in all it was a good show and we enjoyed it.

There is nothing to see during this sea day but water, going the inside passage you will see beautiful mountains with snow, waterfalls and forest.

We did see some mountains at a great distance this afternoon and could see a little snow on them, but they were to far away for pictures.

Tonight we set the clocks back one hour. Tomorrow we will be at Glacier Bay, I sure hope the sun comes out.

Time to hop in that oh so comfortable bed.

 

We are in cabin 5137 catagory VA

[shg]

Thanks so much for the updates. We are on the cruise next week and really enjoy reading your comments. How cold is it? We are trying to decide what to bring with us.

[minniegirl]

It is so great to read your daily review! My husband and I are anxiously awaiting our documents for a trip the week of July 4th. Did you book any excursions? Also, we were thinking of reserving the Pinnacle Grill for the first night out as I understand it is half price. Have you heard any comments from passengers on the food? We don't want to miss the formal night, which sounds like is the second evening aboard. Keep enjoying your trip!:)

[TLHB]

Hi. Thanks so much for your reviews and information.

I will board with nanashirl and shg on Sunday when you get off ship. :)

 

I have a few questions for you:

 

Did you receive slippers beside the bed? I am trying to decide if I need to pack mine or not.

 

Did you receive a tote bag? I have read other places that they are out.

 

Where was hot chocolate available on glacier day? I know that it is free, but is it only in one place on deck? Or is it located several places. I am looking forward to the hot chocolate that day. I love hot chocolate! :p

 

Thanks!

[doone]

TLHB I have never had slippers in my cabin on my other cruises. Where did you hear about the slippers? I have recently had bathrobes.

[TLHB]

I cannot remember who posted it. However, it was one of the HAL threads that said slippers were a surprise found by the bed. I don't know if it was a special S suite or not. I am sorry that I cannot remember more. Let me do some searching and I will see what I can find.

 

I will gladly bring mine. I just don't want to pack them if it is not necessary.

[doone]

I must have missed that thread. If you find it, I'd be curious to read it, thanks. As of this past February, we had no slippers on the Volendam, I'd pack them if I were you. Enjoy your cruise.

[TLHB]

I found the thread where the cruiser received the slippers.

Here is the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=342895&page=3

 

See post # 45.

 

This is my first HAL cruise so I do not know what is normal HAL or not. I just remember reading about the slippers, and I wondered if it is all ships or not. I wondered if it was all cabin categories or not. It may be only certain ships or perks for certain suites.

[doone]

That's very interesting, I haven't received slippers before as I said in my other post. I'd be curious to hear of anyone else having them.

[Gramsk]

Hi. Thanks so much for your reviews and information.

I will board with nanashirl and shg on Sunday when you get off ship. :)

 

I have a few questions for you:

 

Did you receive slippers beside the bed? I am trying to decide if I need to pack mine or not.

 

Did you receive a tote bag? I have read other places that they are out.

 

Where was hot chocolate available on glacier day? I know that it is free, but is it only in one place on deck? Or is it located several places. I am looking forward to the hot chocolate that day. I love hot chocolate! :p

 

Thanks!

 

 

no slippers, did get a bathrobe, hot chocolate and pea soup on glacier day and the tote bag appeared on day 3. Hot chocolate is available in the Lido buffet every morning.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We got slippers on our Zuiderdam cruises May 2005, Ryndam Nov 2005, and Amsterdam cruise Mar 2006 - we were in suites.

[Williebill]

TLHB I have never had slippers in my cabin on my other cruises. Where did you hear about the slippers? I have recently had bathrobes.

 

The only time that my DW and I have received slippers was on 2005 GWV.

[Tinknock50]

no slippers, did get a bathrobe, hot chocolate and pea soup on glacier day and the tote bag appeared on day 3. Hot chocolate is available in the Lido buffet every morning.

 

Enjoying reading your posts.....thanks for filling us in.:)

 

So was the hot chocolate free on deck on Glacier Bay day?

 

It wasn't free on my recent Zaandam cruise, so now I am curious about other ships. I had room service bring me some and being that our cabin was on the promenade deck, I could just step outside and watch the glaciers with hot chocolate in hand.:)

 

Did you see much calving?