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

[1 Cruise Fan]

:) Hello Radio,

 

Wow,I'm so glad I checked out the boards today!It's so nice to see that you are on board.We so enjoyed your daily updates while you sailed RCL...We will sail Holland on the 16th....Our first time as well...Good to see theres a DVD in the cabins.What cat are you in?We have VE.Can you let me know what nights are formal,so we will know what night to make reservations for Pinnacle Grill.It feels as though we'll doing a back-to -back.Enjoy your cruise!:D

[debshomespun]

Radio: Can't wait to see your photos of HMC. When we were on the Westerdam Oct/06, we didn't make it to HMC. The private islands are my favorite stop! I sure did miss not being able to go over and enjoy it. Guess we will have to take another cruise so I get to see it in person!

[1010Transistor]

Hey Dad! Glad to see that you made it & are enjoying yourself! Try & take some pics of the spa area for me! ;)

[Radio]

Hello everyone. . . Today was a little cloudy, a little gray, but NO RAIN ! There was little sun today. . .It peeked out a time or two; but it was very nice and relaxing.

I headed over to HMS at about 11, and the tenders were packed ! I read a lot of review about HMC, and I will tell you that as a first time visitor to the island. . .I was impressed. There are tons of things to do here. I walked around a bit, and wound up over at the Stingray Center, which was very cool. The passengers are in a group of about 12, and you can come in contact (close and personal) with the rays. The Stingray encounter may be the bargain of the island ($29.)

I went swimming as well over by the Cabana’s, and took a little nap(Ooops. .), before going over to the Food Pavillion. They had a great selection of all of the favorites, and they also had a live Caribbean band there for the enjoyment of all of the passengers. I didn’t expect to see so many chickens at HMC (But there were hundreds of people taking pics and vids of them) They were very popular !

I took a long walk up to the farthest Cabana (I know, I know… It’s not that far), then I came back to the Half Moon Saloon, where I needed a large cool libation. I don’t drink, but what the heck. . . I’m not drivin’

I came back to the ship, and tried out the Spas, on deck 9. Whew. . . . What a relaxing day. (Did I just say whew?)

We are just about to leave Half Moon Cay, and I give the Weather for today a score of 5, and I give Half Moon Cay a score of 9!

ODDS and ENDS

There was a misprint in the Daily Program which read that here would be 3 Formal nights. . . That was incorrect. The Formal nights will be tonight, and Thursday night (Grand Cayman) There has been a lot of discussion about that from passengers.

I love the way the Casino works, by using you Room key card for storing your winnings. . .No more waiting in line for the cashier. It is a very smart idea.

Tonight will be the first production show (Grand Tour), and I hear it is not to be missed. Of course we will have the Captain’s Welcome Toast in the Vista lounge as well.

I must now head off to the Grand Turk Port and Shopping show at 4:30. . .

Here are a few pics from today. . . Yes , yes, yes, I know it was a cloudy day, but tomorrow is another day with a Port I have never been to. . . Very excited !

I will try to post again this evening. . .

Radio

The water was very blue !

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Half Moon Cay

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stingray Adventure

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Stingrays. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kayaker's Paddle by us at Stingray Adventures

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Here are a few more pics. . .

 

Radio

 

Prisendam anchored in front of the beach.

 

 

 

Soft sand, and calm seas. . .

 

 

 

Heading back to the ship

 

 

 

She is such a beautiful ship

 

 

 

We made it back home.

 

 

.

[Radio]

Ok. . here are just a couple more.

 

Radio

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

The Welcome Center

 

 

 

 

Entering the narrow channel

 

 

 

 

 

The Prisendam was using small Lifeboats instead of tenders

 

 

 

.

[debshomespun]

Radio--You are Great! I just love to follow your live posts. Just like we are with you. This is great to see the nice blue caribbean waters and soft sand, as opposed to all the snow we just got in NE Ohio over the weekend. So refreshing! Keep them coming!

 

HMC looks great. Guess we will have to take another HAL cruise to see it. You should love Grand Turk! We did. Margaritaville is right there with all the shopping, and they have a really nice pool you can use. There is a very nice beach right beside the pier with chairs and umbrellas. Enjoy your day tomorrow!

[CrystalWater]

Radio, you do the BEST live reports on Cruise Critic that I've ever seen! You are awesome! Enjoy HAL, it's very different than RCCL, but it's very nice, very similar to Celebrity. Love your photos too! I think many of us enjoy reading all your live reports. Just the best!

[Moriah]

Julie Barr told me last week that she would be on for 3 weeks this time but that might mean that she would be back in June.

Julie will be on the Noordam in early June... sailing the Med.

 

Moriah

[CrystalWater]

I wish Radio could see Joel Mason!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Radio, thanks so very much for your LIVE report and especially the pictures. I too enjoy adding the pictures to LIVE Reports.

I see that pretty much up till this cruise you cruised RCCL I know that you are only about 24 hours into your first HAL but what is your impression in comparison so far?

Our first cruise was with RCCL in 2002 our 2nd was with HAL, 3rd back to RCCL and then back to HAL and have not left.

[jbhcw]

Just wanted to say thanks again for the Live Report but especially the pictures:) We were at HMC 02-15-08 and looking at the pictures just brings it all right back:D My favorite place:)

 

Now I have to figure out a way to get back on a HAL ship next January or February:)

[cot427]

Thanks again for the great live posts.

 

Just wondering, how would you compare HMC to Cococay or Labadee? Just wondering, as it looks and sounds really really great.

[SeaYa52]

Radio,

I have a group of 20 family & friends who are really enjoying your posts. We'll all be on the Westy in four weeks. If at all possible - try to get a photo of the Aft Cabins. Our group has four across the back plus the starboard suite on deck five - and we'd love to see a photo if at all possible.

 

Enjoy your evening - and Thank you so much for your reports. I go right to the computer when I get home to check your posts.

:-)

Sandy

[ajk-123]

Nice pics Radio dude....... I will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriot on Ft Lauderdale Beach for 2 days before and 1 day after our cruise. Played the Priceline.com game. Regular price for this 3 star (pricelines rating) hotel is $219 per night. We got our rooms for $89/night :D . Just go to priceline and chose the Ft. Lauderdale Beach area, choose 3 star hotels and name your price. The Hyatt is also a 3 star but did not accept our offer. We're flying out of NYC and we're staying at the Crown Plaza for $89 as well ( regular Price is $239 )

 

This will be our first time on HAL and it's nice to hear good things. Last year was a Costa cruise..........not very friendly to Americans :mad: .....maybe that's why 95 % of their passengers were European.....oh well :D

 

Look forward to the pics........ Art

[NoNoNanette]

Hi Radio!

 

Just wanted you to know that I'm THOROUGHLY enjoying this thread of yours. Hope your weather brightens, and the fun continues, kiddo!:)

[BrendiniOne]

ajk-123,

 

The Priceline trick worked great for us when we sailed out of Vancouver for our honeymoon in 2004. We managed to get a 4-star hotel less than a block from the crusie terminal for $70 a night. When we checked in and they found out we were in Vancouver to get married, they upgraded us to concierge level. It was awesome.

 

For this trip we are staying at the Comfort Suites. We used our Choice Hotels bonus points and it's free : )

 

BTW, we want to make a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up a case of water for the trip. Anyone know if there are stores in the area?

 

Thanks,

 

Brenda

[Radio]

Thanks again for the great live posts.

 

Just wondering, how would you compare HMC to Cococay or Labadee? Just wondering, as it looks and sounds really really great.

 

I would say that Coco Cay, and Labadee have a few more things for kids. . . .

 

HMC, however is very very nice. . .

 

Radio

;) ;)

 

P.S. The QUAD verandah Cabins on Westerdam are the same size as a double. They just have a Pull down bed, and a Sleeper Sofa.

 

:rolleyes:

[Radio]

Were you able to get in your cabin? Normally, cabins are not available until around 1:30 p.m.

 

Toting carry-ons to the Lido for lunch was always a burden. Great if we could drop them off in the cabin.

 

Bob

 

They will store it for you on Deck 9, and give you a tag. . They will be secure.

 

Radio

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[cruz chic]

Radio,

 

Your live posts are awesome! Thank you so much!

[cot427]

I would say that Coco Cay, and Labadee have a few more things for kids. . . .

 

HMC, however is very very nice. . .

 

Radio

;) ;)

 

:rolleyes:

 

Thanks. HMC looks very very nice, but I know that RCI has a lot for kids to do on the islands, and I didn't know about HCM.

[seaisme]

thank you radio will be greatly appreciated i still have time to upgrade if ned be and like i said enjoy im jealous:) :) :cool:

really appreciate your posts (and so does our entire roll call board!). Keep up the good work...and enjoy every MINUTE of your cruise. We wait for each post...most of us are tired of winter weather and ready for SUN! Details on the food and entertainment are especially appreciated.

Cass

[redroses27]

radio we were at grand turks the beach there is very nice ,we took a van tour around the island there really isnt much there,the storea are all right there at the pier so its a relaxing day for you

[hylasgirl]

Radio... Thanks so much for your live reports! They are awesome. I love the ones of the ship. We will be sailing on her in December, and it is great to have a look at our regular balcony cabin. Thanks!!! Anyway you can check to see if Joel Mason and Julie Barr will be on board in December? I have seen them both on the Zuiderdam and I love them both.

 

Thanks again!:D

[frodo63]

Radio,

Thanks so much for the posts and the pictures. They are great. Lately I have only been on RCI and my first Holland America cruise will be April 6th.

I and curious about how the two lines compare in your opinion also. Thanks again for your posts.