"LIVE" from the Westerdam / 3-09-08

[Radio]

Is this an optical illusion, or did Regal Empress back into something there? It sure looks like her stern is up against a pier or dock or something there... did you happen to notice?

 

Theron

 

A tugboat was pushing her into port. . . I didnt notice where she tied up.

 

I will let you know where she docks once I get to the port. . . .

 

Radio

;) ;)

[marti2282]

Radio--have a wonderful trip and take good care of the Westy for us. We sail NEXT Sunday.

[Stock Cop]

Have a GREAT cruise. I will be following your posts.

I have not seen any of your posts since we met on the Century awhile ago. That was a great cruise. (Remember us watching the commercial being filmed on the aft deck below the LIDO??)

 

I have two upcoming NOORDAM cruises, I will try to let you know how the ship is after I get back from the first trip.

 

Again, have a great cruise on the WESTY.

 

Rich :cool: :cool:

[SeaYa52]

Have a wonderful cruise. Really looking forward to reading your daily reports. We sail four weeks from today. Would appreciate information on two things. Do they offer the Martini Classes on the Westy, and which night would be the best night to skip main dining and goto the Pinnacle Grill. Wishing you warm, sunny days and smooth sailing.

Sandy

 

PS Marti2282 - love your fish design - hadn't seen that one before.

[redroses27]

have a great cruise. now i am getting excited, wasnt to keen to go on the cruise to alaska in may its my gift to hubby for our 20th, i am a tropical type person notttttt cold weather, but after reading blogs and everything on here i am getting the bug i think radio you will be putting the frosting on my cake. i am sure watching your live feeds will do the trick cant wait to see them and again enjoy im jealous :) :) :) :)

[dwdwnurse]

Hi Radio - I must admit how addicted I am to reading your live posts - I love your pictures and your unbiased reporting! I think all the cruise ships should hire you to post your live reports. I can't wait to hear more about the Westerdam!

 

Bon Voyage! I will stay tuned in:D :D :D !

[ger_77]

I have to tell you I am just blown away by your photos - they make me feel like I'm in Ft. Lauderdale rather than up here in the snow and ice. Have a wonderful trip, I can't wait to see what you have to say about the Westerdam and all it has to offer. Stay safe, and have fun!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[nlcentralchmps03]

Smooth sailing Radio!

 

Looking forward to 'coming' along.

[DocJohnB]

Radio,

 

I've been looking forward to this cruise for a month or so now. Thanks for taking me along.

 

Loved the pics of Ft. Lauderdale. When we cruise from S. Florida we normally visit my brother up in Parkland (just south of Boca). I will drive down to the harbor early on the weekend mornings and do just what you did. Watch the ships come in and take pictures. I can almost tell you where you were standing for some of those shots (on top of the causeway and below it). Great pics. I don't think you did it (because there are no pics), but a fun thing to do is go to the beach at the entrance to the harbor and watch the parade of ships as they leave.

 

On our first cruise ever, we stayed at the Pier 66 (brother wasn't living there, then). We had a garden room. Loved the hotel, its' staff and its' restaurants.

 

Enjoy the cruise! We have sailed HAL a couple of times and enjoyed both of the cruises. Staff are terrific. Only disappointing thing was that the ships band did not play Caribbean music while getting underway . . . . . either time. Let me know if they do today. Please.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Hi Radio.......once again your pictures are awesome!! I am looking foreword to sailing with you on HAL. It should be a change of pace for us since we only sail RC. :)

 

I will be gone all day helping out with a friends open house and then out for dinner so I won't be able to "tune in" until tomorrow! I 'm already in withdrawal and haven't even left the house! :eek: ( I know I need help...a cruise would be even better!!) :)

 

Hope you have smooth sailings and great weather!! Have a great time!!!

 

***

[FlorenceItaly]

Bon Voyage! I am so happy you are finally sailing HAL. I hope you love it as much as I do. The crew is the BEST.

 

 

 

Marie

[LABCHICK]

Radio

 

We have never sailed together but I have followed a number of your live trips. Looking forward to following this cruise.. Have wonderful time.

 

Judi :)

[gkm]

Hot dog! Radio is back on board. We'll be reading and watching you, Mark. Have a wonderful journey.:D :D :D

 

Garry

[marti2282]

 

PS Marti2282 - love your fish design - hadn't seen that one before.

 

Thanks, Sandy. Had a little too much time on my hands! Feel free to use it, if you like.

[cot427]

Thanks again for another live posting. I loved the Liberty of the Seas in January. I can't wait to virtually be sailing on the Westerdam.

[Fran Harp]

Hello everyone ! I arrived in Fort Lauderdale today at about 3PM, for a 2 night Pre Cruise Stay.

 

I am very excited about my First cruise with Holland America ! I have sailed many times, and have posted many "Live" reports, but Holland America Line is a first for me.

 

My "LIVE" posts will posted daily with comments and photos (internet permitting. . . )

 

The pics will include Public Rooms, Exteriors, Ports of Call, and cabin photos.

We are scheduled to sail on Sunday afternoon, and there will be several ships with us at port.

Tomorrow will be a pre cruise day to relax, and sit by the pool, and maybe go to an Orioles Spring Training Game (At 1:05PM)

 

Sit back and enjoy this Western Caribbean Cruise on Westerdam.

 

Thanks for tuning in !

 

Here are a few pics from today. . .

 

Radio .

 

Hey Radio! Are you married??? I am, but I'd reconsider....ANYTHING to get out of the ten feet of snow in Toronto!

 

Looking forward to your live posts - hope there is sunshine and warm air for you down there....

 

Fran

[Sea Island Lady]

Hi Mark! I can't believe how fortunate we are that you are doing a "Live" report from a HAL ship. You know how much I love your reports! :D

 

Wish you were on the Noordam. I take her in early June to the Mediterranean.

 

I suppose it is too late, but would have loved for you to get a photo of a VF (verandah cabin) with the steel verandah today. ;)

 

 

jerseygirl3

- Have your mother write a report and post it somewhere for all to see. This should be interesting.

 

PS - Radio is married. Sometimes Mrs. Radio and his daughters travel with him, other times they don't. For those of you that are not familiar with Radio and his postings,,,you are in for a real treat! :D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Radio, Thanks so much for taking us along. You pictures are fantastic:)

Be sure to say Hello to the Beverage Manager Hans Becker, at least I am hoping he is still on board and if he is check to see how much longer till he leaves for vacation.

Bon Voyage and have a wonderful cruise:)

[Radio]

Wow. . Thanks for all of the nice comments ! I arrived at the Pier at about 1130AM (I wanted to go up to the top of the Hyatt to take pics from the Private Function level)

 

The check in process was very easy. As soon as you walk in the terminal, they do a security scan of all carry on's, then you walk to the check in counters for a very short wait (less than a minute for me)

 

I walked up to the Passenger Lounge (waiting area), and I boarded within 10 min. The entire process from Terminal to the Ship was less than 15 min ! Wow . . . That was very efficient.

 

I went ot my cabin to drop off my electronics, and then went up to the Lido deck for a lunch buffet.( I was very impressed with the selections) I haven't viewed much of the ship yet, but I have a week to go. . .

 

 

The cabin is very nice. . . there are several bathroom ammenities, and I like the curtain that can be drawn across the width of the cabin between the bed and the door.

 

This is a regular Verandah cabin, and there is a nice LG Flat screen TV, and a DVD Player. A note was left in the cabin asking about what fruits I would like to be delivered daily. Impressive. . . .

 

The fridge is fully stocked, but I will ask to have it emptied so I can keep my Deer Park water chilled !

 

 

Here are a few pics from boarding today. . . I will post more after sailaway ! (I had to make them a little smaller due to bandwidth / connection )

 

Thanks for tuning in !

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

 

First glimpse of Westerdam

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Parking Garage

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am almost there !

 

 

 

 

 

I made it on board. . .

My Cabin. . . .Starboard FWD

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Verandah

 

 

 

 

 

More pics later !

[redroses27]

radio if its not too much trouble i will be i a quad verandah and have asked many times on info about it and have gotten no responses, if the room 4 of us are sharing is that size hmmmm looks real tight we are supposed to be in 5009, but whatever you do enjoy :) :) :)

[DocJohnB]

If'n you look reaaalllllllllyyyyyyyy hard, you can see Radio over there on the Westerdam.

 

[Radio]

Hello everyone ! We just completed the Muster Drill, and we are scheduled to sail at 5PM. Since we just turned the clocks ahead, we should still have some daylight for our sailaway. . .

 

I signed up for Dining tonight at 730PM, and the menu looks very nice. I will will try to post all menu selections if passible. The Welcome Aboard Show tonight will be late (10PM), but the shops and casino all open shortly after sailing. . .

 

I wanted to post a few more pics before we sailaway, while my connection is stable.

 

Thanks for tuning in !

 

 

Radio

 

Piano Bar / Deck 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culinary Arts Center / Deck 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atrium Area / Ocean Bar Deck 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outside Promenade Deck 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonights Show /Schedule in the Vista Lounge

 

 

 

 

There should be more pics later tonight !

[BrendiniOne]

Radio,

 

I just stumbled on to this site and I am thrilled with it! We sail on the Westerdam on March 16th and I just told my partner that your daily reports will be like doing the cruise twice!

 

(At least, I HOPE I'm sailing on the 16th! We still have no cabin assigned and I keep reading about people getting bumped. Hope we don't flt to Florida for nothing!)

 

Anyway, keep up the great reporting ~ and I'd also like to see the menus!

 

Brenda

[RuthC]

One show only? Wonder how that's going to work. It's kind of early, too. At 10:00 PM there's going to be some second sitting diners who won't get there in time.

Maybe HAL expects the first night to be an early-to-bed night for a lot of passengers?

[Radio]

Hot dog! Radio is back on board. We'll be reading and watching you, Mark. Have a wonderful journey.

 

Garry

 

Hi Garry ! Thanks :) Welcome Aboard !

 

Don't you still owe me a Martini ? :D

 

Radio

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: