Holland America Cruise Line

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 8:14pm

Anybody sailed on it?

I'm taking my father on a cruise to Alaska in May. We have a great balcony room at a great price (I booked it early). We're on the Westerdam.

Tell me stories! Are they good, bad or indifferent?

Personally? I can't wait!

Although I'm keeping my expectations in check. I've only been on Crystal Cruises so far (top of the line), because my partner used to work for Crystal. I KNOW they're not going to be that good... but are they okay?? Fine? Fantastic?

Checking them out on line, they look to be pretty great.

So... I'm prepared for the worst. Tell me your seafaring tales!

By the way, I'm watching "The Love Boat" now to get in the mood. And GOD those '70s Princess ships were TACKY. I'm prepared for 21st century tacky, though!

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 8:18pm

Not sure how old you (or your father) are but Holland America tends to be on the older side. When I went last year during the holiday season (New Years), I'd say the average age was 75.

Compared to the other cruise lines I've been on, Holland America was "dull" (for lack of a better word), but I believe it's because it wasn't as lively as the others.

No matter what, you'll have a great time! When you are taken care of like they do on a cruise, how can you not enjoy?

Have fun!

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 8:21pm

Thanks, SweetQ! While I'm not of the geriatric set just yet, my father is 76.

And Crystal's average age was just the same. I'm not worried about that in the least. It suits my style anyway. I've always related to the older generations more than the younger. If that's the worst of it, I'll be great!

[artscallion]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 8:47pm

I went on the Rotterdam several years back. They had a casino, several theatres, limitless food and activities. The crowd was a mix of ages. I had a great time and would do it again in a second. I've never been so well taken care of. I don't know your age SweetQ, but I'd guess that big cruises, in general, are not too exciting for younger adults.

If the ship makes stops, it breaks up the trip. We did one day in Bermuda and one day in the Bahamas. Both places had plenty of things to do. And, bottom line, nothing beats standing at the railing on a clear night, watching the moon reflect in an ocean that goes on forever, with stars brighter than you've ever seen shining down on you.

Updated On: 4/26/08 at 08:47 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 9:06pm

arstcallion---So true. And nicely put.

Yes, we have several stops: Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Victoria, BC... plus sailing through Glacier Bay.

Thanks for the recap of your adventures on the Rotterdam! It's one of the main reasons I love cruises. That---plus having a "floating hotel" where you can visit many cities, yet pack and unpack only once, not have to worry about getting to the next destination, etc.

We took my dad to Europe 3 years ago, and it was the vacation of a lifetime. I'm really looking forward to Alaska now.

[Mistress Overdone]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 10:09pm

My grandparents went on a Holland America cruise a few years ago, and had nothing but good things to say about the experience.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/08 at 10:14pm

Lord, I'm feeling like an octagenarian.

But it sounds like I'll have a great time, nonetheless. Thanks, Mistress!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 12:17am

We've been on the Oosterdam twice on RSVP cruises and loved everyone connected with Holland America. I think the Westerdam is just as nice.

The second of our cruises was the Alaska cruise you're on. It was literally life-changing for me. If your father is able to do some hiking, take the shore excursion that is a helicopter ride to a glacier and a 1-hour glacier hike. If he isn't, do it on your own. If you can't leave him for a few hours, make sure you both wake up early for the glacier viewing. The chance to see the ice cap in its natural state is awe-inspiring.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 8:41am

Wow, that's great, PJ! We're not doing the helicopter ride, mainly because it's crazy-expensive. But we are doing plenty of shore excursions, including nature walks through forests, the glacier museum (which is out by a glacier), whale-watching excursion, an early morning boat trip through the fjords near Ketchikan, a salmon bake by a river, lots of good things. I can't wait.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 10:28am

We have also been on the Oosterdam twice on RSVP cruises and loved everyone connected with Holland America. The Westerdam is just as nice. The food was decent enough. The inside passage is gorgeous. You will have a wonderful time. Check that peice of paper they put under your door every morning for "friends of Dorothy meetings".

[DAME]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 10:29am

Also.. you don't have to book all your excursions thru the very pricey ship. Plenty of private companies will be available at each dock. And they get you back in plenty of time and are usually more than half the price.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 10:52am

LOL. We'll this isn't an RSVP cruise, so I don't think they'll be slipping notices about "meeting up with Dorothy and the gang" under the door.

Wouldn't that just shock the guests, though? Or more likely just confuse them. They would all think they'd signed up for a Wizard of Oz Theme Cruise.

Besides, I'm not looking for a gay scene while I'm with my father. Not that he'd care, but I want to spend time with him. Aside from the scenery, that's the other main point this cruise.

He's 76 now, and I want to appreciate and take advantage of his good health for as long as I can.

EDIT: Good advice about the shore excursions though!

Updated On: 4/27/08 at 10:52 AM

[DAME]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 12:56pm

Best,
There are always "Friends of Dorothy" meetings on straight cruises. It will be listed along with the AA meetings and all that stuff. Were you really not familiar with that term?

"Who are the "Friends of Dorothy" anyway? And why does this mysterious lady seem to be popular enough to have friends onboard so many cruises today? Amid the jumble of special interest groups listed in ships' daily programs -- from singles to card clubs to even Alcoholics Anonymous' "Friends of Bill" -- the appearance on any onboard schedule of a Friends of Dorothy (abbreviated as FOD) gathering is a sign that the cruise line and/or the cruise director is open-minded and progressive. That's because FOD meetings are informal gatherings for gay and lesbian passengers to meet and mingle."


Friends of Dorothy

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 12:57pm

I've been told to be warfy of the Alaskan Air Force (mosquitos)

[TomMonster]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:01pm

Definitely see the glaciers...while they're still there.

It's a beautiful cruise, Besty. Wish I could join ya!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:13pm

Besty,

I took a cruise on the Holland America Line. It was glorious.

You are going to have such a wonderful time with your dad. It's so lovely of you to do.

Xooo
Penny

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:19pm

"The evolution of the term "Friends of Dorothy," however, reaches back a half a century or more. Gay historians say that the term came into popular use in the 1950's as gays and lesbians developed a special connection with Judy Garland, whose ballads of hope and despair and whose relentless spirit, and tragic history, mirrored their struggles in everyday life. She wasn't the first diva or drama queen, but certainly the one who resonated the most to a generation of gays and lesbians. Garland's most famous role -- as the ever-optimistic and wistful Dorothy in the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz" -- gave gays and lesbians a "secret" code word which they could use to refer to themselves."


Sorry, but that is wrong. I ran the FOD meeting on the cruise ship I worked on, and would offer a free drink to anyone who could give me the CORRECT answer, which is:

Dorothy had nothing to do with TWOO, since it was being used BEFORE the film ever came out. It refers to Dorothy Parker, when she used to do her private readings or her cabaret shows.


And how do I know this? Lorna Luft told me. And if Judy Garland’s daughter says it's the truth, I tend to believe her.

Then she said, “I don’t know how that ever got attached to my mom!”

I leaned over and whispered, “In case you didn’t know, your mother had a very large gay following.”

wink wink.

Dorothy Parker

[NYadgal]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:20pm

Besty, I haven't been on the cruise line, but I HAVE taken my parents on different trips, and I have to say that the times spent sharing a travel experience with them have been some of the most precious and important times in my life.

I took my Dad to Normandy a couple of years ago, and sharing the experience of being in the American Cemetery and exploring D-Day landing beaches with him was so incredibly moving! (He's 76 also!)

I've travelled with my Mom as well, and the time spent talking and sharing and being together is such a gift.

I am planning another trip with both of them this September. And I am aware every day of how blessed I am to have the relationship with them that I do.

Enjoy the cruise! I can't wait to hear ALL about it!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:21pm

Yes, the helicopter excursion is crazy expensive, and we were worried it would seem like a waste of money after the fact, but we ended up grateful for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But you don't have to pay for the helicopter ride to experience the glacier. One early morning, the ship will pull into an inlet by the Hubbard Glacier and a guide will give a talk on the geology and topography of the glacier--and its history. You can see the glacier from your balcony, and the ship's television station will broadcast the talk on one of the channels.

But I suggest waking up early with your dad and going to the observation deck where the guide is giving the talk. The ship serves hot chocolate, and it's great to be in a group of people when the glacier "calves"--as exciting as being in a group of people when a what "breaches," another no-cost early-morning activity.

The sound when that chunk of glacier calves into the bay is deeper and more primeval than any thunder you've ever heard, and it sends a 100+-foot-high splash up into the air. It's just spectacular.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:23pm

Alaska is the only state of the 50 United States I haven't been to.

I think it just moved to the top of my travel list!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:30pm

I have fantastic footage of calving in the bay, and PJ's right, the crack and roar that it gives off is something you will never experience anywhere else.

It's awe-inspiring.

Avoid the touristy shopping because it’s all the same in every port.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:33pm

A blue like you've never seen before.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 1:39pm

I wish I could post my video footage.

The one shot is fantstic, with a smaller (huge) piece came off then another bigger piece and then the whole mile high chunk let loose.

You can hear the people around me going "wow." then "WOW!" and then just screaming "WOOOOOW!"

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 2:06pm

Wow, thanks so much to all of you for the great advice and sharing of your experiences. I really can't wait!

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 2:07pm

Are you leaving from Seattle, besty?