Fyly Posted November 16, 2007 #1 Share Posted November 16, 2007 i feel that i am posting like crazy today :-) We are leaving in a month for our first cruise on the HAL Westerdam. What would you say we absolutely have to do or see while on board? thanks, Fyly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SheilaNC Posted November 16, 2007 #2 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Have you read this section of Cruise Critic ? http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/ It's purpose is to inform first time cruisers. You might want to start there and then ask for more specific information on the board for your cruise line. Have a good time exploring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyly Posted November 16, 2007 Author #3 Share Posted November 16, 2007 yes I did this the pre-req reading ^_^. I was hoping to get more specifics for HAL cruises (like do the tea! have their waffle or I don;t know what...), but wasn't sure if I should post under HAL or general. Fyly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhannah Posted November 16, 2007 #4 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Plan to spend some quiet time in the Explorations Cafe. It's an internet center and library with very nice listening stations. Lots of books, magazines, and newspapers. Great place to sit and relax. Oh, grab a specialty coffee, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted November 16, 2007 #5 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Spend time in the gym to work off all the food you will be eating.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GmaPajama Posted November 16, 2007 #6 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Find a quiet spot on deck, close your eyes, and soak in the sound of the sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted November 16, 2007 #7 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Go to the Crow's Nest on sea days and as you are leaving the various ports -- watch the view and maybe have a cocktail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxout Posted November 16, 2007 #8 Share Posted November 16, 2007 For me it's going out early, grabing a cup of coffee and heading out on deck to watch the sunrise and the ship coming in to port or ordering a breakfast from room service and enjoying it with DW on our verandah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NapTown Jim Posted November 16, 2007 #9 Share Posted November 16, 2007 For me it's going out early, grabing a cup of coffee and heading out on deck to watch the sunrise and the ship coming in to port or ordering a breakfast from room service and enjoying it with DW on our verandah. I'll second that! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted November 16, 2007 #10 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Try some of the Indonesian food onboard in the dining room (at dinner) and/or in the Lido for lunch: Sate ayam with peanut sauce, Nasi goreng with rice and krupuk, etc. See the Indonesian (or Filipino) crew show Try the Pinnacle Grill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxout Posted November 16, 2007 #11 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Oh, and the Bread Pudding in the Lido! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lka1012 Posted November 16, 2007 #12 Share Posted November 16, 2007 The Dam ship itself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxout Posted November 16, 2007 #13 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Also, meeting your fellow travelers can be very rewarding, after all, you already have something in common. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutrioso Posted November 16, 2007 #14 Share Posted November 16, 2007 My absolute favorite: those recliner chairs right in front of the window in the Crows Nest. Also, the iPod art tours. And, never miss trying any of the Indonesian dishes at any food venue. Penny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnvh Posted November 16, 2007 #15 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Try some of the Indonesian food onboard in the dining room (at dinner) and/or in the Lido for lunch: Sate ayam with peanut sauce, Nasi goreng with rice and krupuk, etc. See the Indonesian (or Filipino) crew show Try the Pinnacle Grill I second the recommendation for the Nasi Goreng... not many people seem to order it, but it's OUTSTANDING, and your dining room steward will be delighted that you chose it. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtl513 Posted November 16, 2007 #16 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I second the recommendation for the Nasi Goreng... not many people seem to order it, but it's OUTSTANDING, and your dining room steward will be delighted that you chose it. :) If you like spicy food, ask your waiter for Sambal to put on it. It's a very hot Indonesian chili sauce, and the waiters love to watch your reaction when you try it! Try only a very little at first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry1954 Posted November 16, 2007 #17 Share Posted November 16, 2007 relax, take it all in stride, ask questions of appropriate personnel if you have a problem, continue to relax, meet some wonderful people .. and if i forgot to mention, relax. harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted November 16, 2007 #18 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Stop and smell the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osiebosie Posted November 16, 2007 #19 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I think you know to try eating while on board. The Pinnacle Grill is very good. I guess Westerdam has the restaurant that Maasdam has. Relax and have breakfast delivered. Use the unlimited laundry option. Pack less. Stress less. Enjoy. Shay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ore-ee-gun Posted November 16, 2007 #20 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Take time to check out the art pieces and floral displays throughout the ship... Notice how the lights on the glass elevators change color as they move from one floor to the next... Order room service... As far as food items, go, another vote for the Lido bread pudding, and the chilled fruit soups in the dining room. Enjoy your cruise - you'll be planning your next one before the week is over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 16, 2007 #21 Share Posted November 16, 2007 If you like spicy food, ask your waiter for Sambal to put on it. It's a very hot Indonesian chili sauce, and the waiters love to watch your reaction when you try it! Try only a very little at first! Love that sambel.....go through lots of it at home. It's so good but really hot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovn2liv Posted November 16, 2007 #22 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Hit the lido right before midnight for a slice of pizza or a bowl of pasta. And if you really plan ahead, get the bread pudding during lunch and put it in your refrigerator for a midnight snack later on. My husband and I would go to the lido late, and I'd have a coffee and he'd have his bowl of pasta. It was fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osiebosie Posted November 16, 2007 #23 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Oh, Oh, and check out the rugs in the elevators! (If they are the same as Maasdam.) Some of the best hamburgers ever on Lido deck. Shay (again) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fyly Posted November 16, 2007 Author #24 Share Posted November 16, 2007 thank you! I love all those :-) I had no idea about the Indonesian food. Fyly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seavoyage Posted November 16, 2007 #25 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Hi Fyly: Wow - this is our 6th time on HAL - loved every cruise and looking forward to the sail on the 24th! Wooo Hoooo it's getting so close....ok with that My favorite things not to miss... The stars - don't miss the stars at night! There are more than you will ever imagine! Go on deck - you'll be surprised how many people are not out there - sometimes it's like your alone. Amazing! Depending where you will be sailing - we usually sail the (Eastern/Southern)Carribbean.. DH and I have seen dolphins following the ship - they seem to come around in the afternoon more than morning (perhaps that is when we seem to be looking?) Flying fish - they jump in the ships wake Double rainbows that is if you are lucky enough to catch some rain in the distance. Of course a sunrise and a sunset! The pizza - it's actually pretty good! Soup - if you like soup - my experience - it's all great! Try dining at the lido one night instead of the dining room - we tried it on the last cruise and was really nice - they had most of the same fare as in the dining room and they even deliver your meal to the table. Ice cream in the afternoon - I think 3pm is cookie time :-) A must do! Coffee? Espresso and Cappaccino! Treat yourself to a spa visit - can be somewhat expensive but service is good. Is this the kind of stuff you are looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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