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

[kittymom65]

Radio

I cannot thank you enough for this live report! I am a big fan of your live Royal Caribbean reports, you are great.

You have the best timing for this report. We are starting to research our options for our Feb 09 cruise......We docked beside the Westerdam in Cozumel last month on Mariner of the Seas, and we were really intrigued by how nice a ship she looks to be. We have already checked schedules and prices for next February, we may be trying her out next year.

I am very very appreciative of this report!:D

[Radio]

Hello everyone ! One of the things that I like about Holland America is the Navigation Report from the Daily Program. Here is an excerpt:

 

“During the evening we sailed past numerous Bahamian Islands including Rum and Samana Cay on our passage to Grand Turk. After passing the Caicos Islands, we will make our approach to Grand Turk’s newly constructed pier”

 

Welcome to Grand Turk ! We have arrived at the pier at 10AM. The ship should be cleared by 1030AM. They have also announced that the onboard shops will be open all day. . . I didnt think they ever did that. . .

 

There is so much to do here; I have still not decided what I will be doing ! I will probably try to see as much of the Island as I can; by bus, taxi, rental or scooter.

 

I will also try to find a local internet café, as I have heard there are many here. I will report on the location(s). We have to be back on board by 4:30PM, and HAL will be hosting a Tropical Sail Away.

 

Tonight is also SHOWTIME with Joel Mason. The Superstar sign ups begin this evening as well.

 

The weather forecast is wonderful. It is currently 80f, and will rise to about 86f, with a bright sun, and a warm breeze.

 

Here are a few pics from this morning and our arrival. . . More pics to follow later.

 

Thanks for all the nice comments, and thanks for tuning in . . . .

 

 

Radio

 

 

 

Early morning on Westerdam

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks like it will be a sunny day !

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are approaching quickly

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Grand Turk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovely blue water

 

 

 

 

.

[Radio]

Here are a couple more . . .

 

Radio

 

 

 

Slowly approaching. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officers guiding us to dock

 

 

 

 

 

More pics later !

 

 

.

[seadog67]

Awesome shots radio!! I am so jealous, but I bet your gonna have a great day as the weather looks spectacular! Thanks for taking us along, looking forward to hearing all about Grand Turk!!

[GmaPajama]

I can't begin to tell you how much I'm enjoying this photolog. Fantastic work!

[msweeble1]

I am loving yur Live thread! We will be on the Westerdam in July & I can't wait to hear more about the ship. Also could you explain a little about your room key in the casino. Can you still use cash if you don't want to use your card?

 

Thanks!

 

Debbie

[RevNeal]

Radio, as someone who loves photography and enjoys sharing images from his cruises, I'm greatly enjoying your report from the ship! Thank you so much for being willing to take the time and energy and expen$e to post not just text but pictures from the ship. From personal experience I know that it's not easy and takes a time and money to do so! I just wanted to say that you're doing an excellent job!

 

Just a technical note ... your photo uploads of images t19.jpg and tt3.jpg in your subdirectory GT (URLs : http://cruisingwithradio.com/pics/Westerdam2008/GT/tt3.jpg and http://cruisingwithradio.com/pics/Westerdam2008/GT/t19.jpg) didn't quite completely upload to your server. Something interrupted the uplink and you've got only partial images on those two pictures. You might want to re-FTP them up to your server.

[jslovescats]

Radio-

What a great service you are providing! You must be a wonderful and giving person...spending so much of your precious cruising time giving info to us all! You are very much appreciated! If the world had more people like you, it would be a much happier place. :p

I am sailing on the Westie for the first on time April 19th! You don't know how much of a thrill your daily posts and pics are. Just gets me all the more excited.

You brighten my day...and I hope your days continue to be as bright!

Jodi

[Coolcruise02]

Thanks Radio....I always enjoy your "live" reports and pictures!

[CrystalWater]

Radio, thanks so much for these pictures, they're just awesome. Do not miss Joel Mason by any means tonight and get there early. He is by far the best entertainment I have ever seen on any ship on any cruise line ever!!! Do not miss it! :)

[redfox50]

Radio, We are going on the Westerdam next week (3/16/08) for our first HAL cruise. I can’t tell you how much we are enjoying your post. We check it out several time each day.

Thanks and keep up the great work :)

[Fruitcake]

I second the comment on Joel Mason. Get there early, get a good seat up front and enjoy! He is such a talented entertainer. A great musician and a great comedian as well. :) He sells his DVD after the show right by the Piano Bar on Deck 2. He is so nice, so genuine, stop by and talk to him.

Then afterwards, do be sure to stop into the Piano Bar to see Jimmy Maddox. He is the best piano man I have ever encountered on a HAL ship. He'll have you singing along with "Sweet Caroline" before you know it! :D

Please, if you do go into the bar, get a pic of Jimmy and post it! :p

[Fruitcake]

Also could you explain a little about your room key in the casino. Can you still use cash if you don't want to use your card?

 

Is it okay for someone else to answer? I don't want to be rude. :p

Yes, you can still use cash in the casino. In fact, say you put $20 into a machine and played it down to $10, then decided to cash out. You could upload the balance to your room key and avoid all those coins. Then you have the option of going to the cashier and cashing out from your card. The cashier will swipe it and hand over your money. Or you can keep the money on your key card and use it on another machine.

I was a little skeptical when I first started using it on the Westerdam a couple weeks ago, but once I got the hang of it, I was happy to have this new system.

You can also charge money to your onboard account, and you don't get charged 3 percent. But be warned, it adds up. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Sea Island Lady]

Radio, from your photos, I see that your verandah must be near the bow of the ship. Would you mind aiming you camera straight down the side of the ship and take a photo of the metal clad verandahs below you? I'd like to see how much they stick out beyond the upper verandahs. Remember, I was asking about VE 4022, because I will be in that cabin on the Noordam? ;)

[RevNeal]

Please, if you do go into the bar, get a pic of Jimmy and post it! :p

:eek: That can be DANGEROUS :eek: ;)

[Fruitcake]

No, Jimmy is the piano man. He would be happy to have his picture taken for this board. He's an entertainer and so much fun! :)

[RevNeal]

No, Jimmy is the piano man. He would be happy to have his picture taken for this board. He's an entertainer and so much fun! :)

 

I know ... I was just having a little fun at my own expense. :D

[Radio]

Hello everyone!

I made it off of the Ship at around 11, walked around the Cruise Center for a while. There have been several reviews on the Cruise center since it opened a couple of years ago, so I won’t go into details. . . . What I will tell you is that it is much like Costa Maya (Cruise Passenger Shopping galore!) It is well laid out, and very nice. The Margaritaville facility is a goldmine. . . .It was packed all day.

I took a cab downtown to stroll the streets, and I have to say that if I wanted to move to an Island down here. . .This is where I would come. There is no traffic; it is very quiet, and serene. I visited the Library, the prison, and the National Park.

I took a cab back to the Cruise Center, and took a relaxing swim in the warm, clear water. (The water here is much like St Maarten, but calmer)

It was a very enjoyable day, and I am very happy that I was able to come here. . .I want to came back. . .SOON!

I must go up to the Sail Away party, so I will try to get back on later tonight.

I have lots of photos to post, but I will do so when a get a better connection; (hopefully Cozumel. . . they have a great internet Café (Free))

Thanks for tuning in. . . .

Radio

We were the only ship in port today.

 

 

 

The beach looks inviting. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great pool at Margaritaville

 

 

 

 

 

 

Columbus Landfall National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Beautiful Westerdam

 

 

.

[PH8]

Heard the rumor there was another Radio "LIVE report,so I moseyed over from the RCCL boards...........I must say the ship looks beautiful....more like a classic liner with all the wood.....

 

Super posting job,as always!!! Thanks Radio!!

[Radio]

Here are a few more pics. . .

 

Radio

 

The National Museum the National Capitol of Cockburn Town

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Columbus Landfall National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several people rented Golf Carts for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her Majesty's Prison in Cockburn Town

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue water everywhere !

 

 

 

More pics later !

.

[Radio]

Radio, as someone who loves photography and enjoys sharing images from his cruises, I'm greatly enjoying your report from the ship! Thank you so much for being willing to take the time and energy and expen$e to post not just text but pictures from the ship. From personal experience I know that it's not easy and takes a time and money to do so! I just wanted to say that you're doing an excellent job!

 

Just a technical note ... your photo uploads of images t19.jpg and tt3.jpg in your subdirectory GT (URLs : http://cruisingwithradio.com/pics/Westerdam2008/GT/tt3.jpg and http://cruisingwithradio.com/pics/Westerdam2008/GT/t19.jpg) didn't quite completely upload to your server. Something interrupted the uplink and you've got only partial images on those two pictures. You might want to re-FTP them up to your server.

 

Thanks for the nice comments, RevNeal. . . I corrected them. They should show now.

 

 

 

Radio

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[seaisme]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Three weeks until we're on the Westerdam...it's so much fun seeing your pics. Our itinerary is different, but it's fun seeing the ports and the ship. Was in Grand Turk last year and spent a wonderful day at the Grand Turk Inn. It's what the Caribbean used to be! Did you get to the lighthouse?

Cass

[Radio]

Radio, from your photos, I see that your verandah must be near the bow of the ship. Would you mind aiming you camera straight down the side of the ship and take a photo of the metal clad verandahs below you? I'd like to see how much they stick out beyond the upper verandahs. Remember, I was asking about VE 4022, because I will be in that cabin on the Noordam?

 

I have already taken that photo. . .I will try to post it for you soon.

 

My connection is a little slow (95kbps WiFi) . . . Ouch !

 

Radio

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Radio]

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.

 

I will post a report card style of comparison when I return. . . .

 

Thanks for the nice comments.

 

 

Radio

;) ;)

[superchief]

Radio,

I greatly appreciate your review and photos. I board the Westerdam on Sunday, so you reviews are very helpful. At some point during the week, please list the menu items (esp. dinner) you highly recommend, and those to avoid. Thanks again.