| My wife and I were on the Westerdam this past February. It was
mahvulous. The ship is spectacular and the crew was excellent. The
artwork on the ship is fantastic and the decor is great. Can you tell
yet that we loved it?
We were on the eastern Carribean, we had a ball. The snorkeling at
Tortola was a blast, it was the first time for both of us and we had a
great time.
Holland America is a fantastic cruise line, the food was super and our
waiter after the first night knew who drank coffee, regular or decaf,
cream of sugar and the table was set up accordingly. I said I didn't
drink coffee and from the second day on there was no coffee cup at my
place setting. Someone else had sugar only and she had sugar near her
from then on. Holland America has a "No Tipping Required" policy and
they really mean it. It is a totally cashless society while on board
and you just sign for everything, except gambling. That includes
drinks, ships store, shore excursions, wine, everything. You settle
your account Saturday morning before debarkation. When we left we
tipped the cabin boy and our waiter and that was it. We asked one of
the crew about the tipping and he told us that Holland America pays a
little more and they take care of them so well that they truly do not
expect tips. On the first day at the welcome aboard cocktail function
I tipped the drink waiter a couple of bucks and he gave it back to me.
Anyway the ship is great and the cruise line in super, we plan on
cruising again and Holland America is going to be our first choice.
regards,
Dave
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| I can only respond to your later query as to staying a few days after
your cruise.....and your wife is right! As long as your air fare is already
paid you might as well economize and relax and use up your extra money on
a couple nights in Florida!!
About the Pier 66! What a fabulous hotel!
You picked a winner! Not only is it spacious and beautiful but it is
surrounded by an extremely large Marina and has one of the largest pools
I've ever seen. You can make and take telephone calls from a lounge chair
around the pool (how Miami Vice can you get???) and there are two bars
poolside as well. VERY sophicated. The grounds are enormous and well
planted with all sorts of tropical trees and flowering shrubs and very
well lit at night. There is a glass elevator that goes to the top of
their revolving restaurant which gives a great view of the grounds and
the layout of the marina. If you don't enjoy staying there, you'd have
to be crazy!!!!
Ft. Lauderdale is a really nice town too. Many people used to think
of it as THE spot to avoid since the beaches were covered with drunken
loud college kids, but it's since changed its image and is catering to
the older more-moneyed crowd. It's known as the Venice of America because
of the intra-coastal waterway. Pier 66 happens to be a stop on the water
taxi. It's the perfect way to see other places along the waterway and
if you go out and have too many Bahama Mama's (or whatevers) you simply
ask the maitre'd to call the water taxi for you! They pick you up at
whatever restaurant you desire (as long as it's on the waterway) and
can drop you at your hotel or another place! The water taxi drivers
are so friendly and nice. It's pretty obvious who are tourists and who
aren't.....The tourists always end up gawking at the million dollar plus
homes that are littered along the waterway. An exquisite way to travel.
$6 or $7 one way per person. There are passes you can buy that last
a full day or several days that allow you get on and off the water taxi
as many times as you wish. There are many fantastic shopping spots on
the waterway as well.
A really wonderful restaurant that is NOT publicized as it doesn't
really cater to tourists is Ponte Vecchio. It is located in a mansion
on the waterway and has many different "rooms" to dine in. We had a drink
at the bar when we were there but alas it was too late to dine. The
solicitous bartender got us the general manager to take us on a mini-tour
of the place and it is amazing. Many beautiful paintings, statuary and
in one room you dine surrounded by hundreds of bottles of rare
vintages with a chandaliere (sp?) made from rare Murano (Venice) glass in the
shape of (what else?) a bunch of grapes! Bring a SOCK full of money as
it's expensive! I've never seen anything like it and I've been to Italy
twice.
I guess it's become apparent--I really LIKE Ft. Lauderdale and I'm
WAY PAST college-age..... You may like this part of your vacation more
than the cruise.....
DFC
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