Experience on the ms Westerdam

My experiences on the ms Westerdam

Getting to Ft. Lauderdale

I flew out of the Salt Lake City International Airport on Southwest Airlines. The flight was comfortable however with Southwest most schedules make a few stops along the way. I wouldn’t have minded this so much until I realized that my luggage did not arrive when I did. Luckily I had purchased Travel Guard Insurance which turned out to be very helpful in trying to track down my luggage. Luckily it arrived a few hours prior to boarding the ship. WHEW!!!

Because you are traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast you are forced to arrive a day earlier to allow enough time to board the ship. This trip I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Airport and Cruise Port. I was very pleased with the cleanliness of the hotel and my room. The staff was very accommodating if you needed anything. The hotel offers complimentary airport shuttle and also complimentary shuttle to the Port Everglades Cruise Pier. Breakfast is not included at this hotel however they do have a breakfast buffet every morning for around $10.00 per person.

I have stayed in Ft. Lauderdale several times. In addition to the Courtyard by Marriott I can also highly recommend the Springhill Suites by Marriott and the Hilton Garden Suites. Both properties are only a few minutes from the airport and the Port Everglades Cruise Port. Both offer complimentary shuttles and breakfast. The Springhill Suites is by far the best for a family. The rooms offer a king bed or 2 double beds plus a sofa sleeper.

Boarding at the Port Everglades Pier

In my option, Port Everglades Pier is one of the easiest piers to depart from. The pier is so close to the airport and the neighboring hotels. The porters who take your bags as you arrive to the pier are paid “salary” which means they do not expect a tip. Your bags are quickly taken to a holding area where they will be boarded and delivered to your stateroom later that day. Embarking was very quick and organized. I was on the ship within 15 minutes of arriving to the pier.

ms WESTERDAM

Upon entering the ms Westerdam I realized that I have not been on a ship of this size for over 15 years. This ship is one of Holland America’s Vista-class ships, which are one of the largest in the Holland American fleet with a gross tonnage of 82,500 grt. She holds 1,916 passengers and 800 crew members. My more recent cruising experience has been on ships that are almost twice the size of the ms Westerdam. I noticed very quickly some of the differences.
I entered the ship in the Atrium which wasn’t gigantic like some of the other ships I have been on but it was very beautiful with a sculpture in the center. Holland America is known for their wonderful collection of art work and signature sculptures by Sedona artist Susanna Holt. The ship’s art collection is Dutch heritage in the New World. Art ranges from painting of historic Dutch ships, such as Henry Hudson’s Half Moon, to a huge Indian silver-overlaid wood palace doorway, a bone tobacco pipe carved in the shape of a woman’s head to a collection of 5,000-year old pre-Columbian carved limestone figures for Ecuador and contemporary pieces include an original Any Warhol portrait.

Atrium

MY STATEROOM

My stateroom was a large interior cabin which was very roomy. The cabin had 3 big closets, make up vanity with more storage, mini-refrigerator, hairdryer, small couch a table and chairs. The colors were nice and modern. The beds and the linens were up very nice. The 3rd and 4th beds were the in desperate need of new mattresses. The bathroom was the same size as the other cabins that I have stayed in.


DINING

The VISTA DINING ROOM features impeccable service and five-course menus include continental cuisine, vegetarian and low-carb options. The meals were fantastic. I felt like this cruise had the best dinner menus than my other cruise experiences. All of my meals in the dining room were fantastic! The presentation was incredible and the flavor and temperature was perfect. The service was also top notch. I was amazed at the beautiful attention that was given to all the food; it looked like a masterpiece from the salad and soups to the outstanding desserts.
The ship offers early dining, late dining and as you wish dining, all offer the same menu and excellent service.

Vista Dining Room

For a more relaxed meal experience the LIDO RESTAURANT serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner buffet style. I ate breakfast every morning in the Lido restaurant and some lunches. The food was really good. The Lido offers ice-cream and cookies until about 10pm. After 10pm the fresh pasta and pizza grill stays open until about midnight. The pasta and pizza grill was fantastic. Fresh made pizzas, sauces, pasta and breadsticks. If you wanted to mingle with the entertainment staff, dancers and performers you could always catch them after the shows at the grill.

The ships also offers a at the Terrace Grill located next to the Lido Pool featuring hamburgers, hot dogs and polish dogs along with all the fixings. The lunch grill would always have nachos, Chinese or Mexican food as an additional option.

For the intimate dining experience the PINNACLE GRILL is fantastic. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. The Pinnacle Grill offers a level of elegant sophistication, beautifully appointed with Bvlgari® china, Riedel® stemware and Frette® linens, the intimate, reservations-only Pinnacle Grill is ideal for a romantic dinner for two or a special group celebration. Creative and innovative menus, drawing from regional ingredients, hand selected aged Sterling Silver Beef, fresh seafood and an extensive, world-class wine list. For this exquisite 5-star dining experience, guests pay a modest surcharge. Adults dine for $20.00 per person or lunch for $10.00. Children under 12 dine free of charge. A rate of 50% applies for children between 13 years and under 18 years of age. The Pinnacle Grill is available by reservation only for both lunch and dinner. I recommend making your reservations as soon as possible after booking or immediately upon embarking the ship.

Pinnacle Grill

The pool on this ship is great because it has a clear dome above which can be open for good weather and closed for bad. The dome is ideal for pool lovers even in a colder destination.

Lido Pool

VISTA LOUNGE

The Vista Lounge offered several different variety shows, comedians, and Broadway style shows. I wasn’t too impressed with the quality of the shows and entertainment. If you are an avid cruiser you may feel a bit let down by the quality as compared to some of the cruise lines competition.

GREENHOUSE SPA & SALON

The Greenhouse Spa & Salon was fantastic! It features facials, hot stone massage, beauty and wellness rituals, teeth whitening and acupuncture. The best part pf the Greenhouse Spa was the Thermal Suite and Hydro-therapy pool. I decided to splurge and purchase Thermal Suite and Hydro-therapy pool pass (about $125.00) which allowed unlimited access to the steam and sauna rooms, the therapy shower, the hydro-therapy pool and my favorite the thermal suite. The thermal suite was incredible…talk about relax. The thermal room contains 6 mosaic tiled lounge beds which are heated. Aromatherapy scents and tranquil music fill the room. When laying on the beds you can gaze out of the floor to ceiling windows and watch the ocean go by. What a fantastic way to relax and rejuvenate. The pass was cheaper than the basic massage and could be used unlimited throughout the entire sailing. The pass is a must for anyone who wants to relax and enjoy an unbelievable spa experience.

There are several more public areas including the Piano bar, Sports bar, Ocean bar, Northern Lights Nightclub, Explorer Lounge, Ersus Library, Fitness Center and Casino.

You can also enjoy….

The Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows: Guests will be able to show and tell" their vacation memories, learning how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking - so friends and family can see where they've been cruising even before they return home. Free workshops taught by Microsoft-trained "techsperts" make it easy and fun, even for novices

The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine: A state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen offering interactive gourmet cooking lessons taught by a Master Chef or culinary guests

Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times: a comfortable, coffee house environment where you can browse through an extensive library, surf the Internet and acts
Crow's Nest: offers sweeping 270° views during the day, and a hip, fashionable nightclub each evening

Club HAL®: dedicated youth facilities and activities for kids ages 3 - 12; activities are supervised and age appropriate

The Loft: designed exclusively for teens (13 - 17) to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age

** Even though this ship offers youth and teen facilities I didn’t see very many children on board.

EASTERN CARIBBEAN ITINERARY

Day Port Arrive Depart
0 Ft. Lauderdale 5:00pm
1 At Sea
2 Grand Turk 8:00am 2:00pm
3 Road Town Tortola Noon 9:00pm
4 Philipsburg, St. Maarten 8:00am 5:00pm

5 At Sea
6 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00am 4:00pm

7 Ft. Lauderdale 7:00am

GRAND TURK, TURKS & CAICOS

Named for the fez-like scarlet blossoms of the cactus that grows here, Grand Turk is a pristine place of simple pleasures. Float dreamily over vibrant coral reefs, dine on conch fritters, and set your watch to "island time." The island is very small and can be explored on your own by scooter or golf carts. Rentals are available at the pier. We rented a golf cart and explored on our own. The island was very friendly and very safe. Be careful….you drive on the left hand side of the road!

Grand Turk really doesn’t have a bunch of activities. Most of the ship spent the day at the beach which was right at the pier. The beach and water was wonderful and an excellent place to collect a conch shell. Another big attraction was Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville which offered a large meandering pool, bar and entertainment during the day.


Sample shore excursions: 4-wheel-drive Safari; Horseback Beach Ride & Swim; Dune Buggy Safari, Hop-on Hop-off Island Tour.



ROADTOWN, TORTOLA & VIRGIN GORDA

An enticing mix of pink and blue buildings, yachts, rum cocktails and pirate lore. Play on a soft-sand beach or sail away to islands of buccaneer legend.

I took the Virgin Gorda & the Bath’s shore excursion which was awesome!

An excursion launch picks up shipside for a 40-minute cruise along the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. There I boarded an open safari bus for a short drive to the Baths for swimming and snorkeling. The unique atmosphere at the bath’s were mammoth boulders, palms, sand and sea caves. To get to the beach you roam through the intricate network of trails and boulders. You can get really daring and crawl through the hidden caves and sea pools to another side of the beach.





Sample shore excursions: The North Shore & Pusser s Landing; Wreck of the Rhone Two-tank Certified Dive; Virgin Gorda & The Baths; Swim with the Dolphins.

PHILLIPSBURG, ST MAARTEN

An island under two flags. On the Dutch side: chocolates, cheeses and casinos. On the French side: bistros, boulangeries and boutiques. Because I hadn’t had much time to souvenir shop I decided to shop. The pier in St. Maarten was the biggest therefore the busiest. The ms Westerdam shared the pier with the Carnival Valor, Carnival Miracle and the gigantic Liberty of the Seas. There were literally thousands of tourists shopping however with the ships rotated schedule it didn’t feel too congested. When you get off the ship in St. Maarten there are several shops right at the pier. I took the water taxi (about $3.00 per person for the entire day) to the heart of Phillipsburg. The shopping in St. Maarten is fantastic if you are interested in purchasing any jewelry. Like St. Thomas, St. Maarten is filled with diamond shops, tanzanite, watch, gold and electronic shops. You can easily barter the price even in a nice shop. St Maarten also has a small straw market just off the beach. It is really easy to spend the day at the beach. After getting off the water taxi you are literally on a fantastic beach.

Sample shore excursions: Golden Eagle Catamaran Sail to Tintamar Island; Hidden Forest Adventure Hike & French Marigot; America s Cup Regatta; Around the Island Art Tour; Harley in Paradise.

HALF MOON CAY

Holland America Line's pristine private island offers everything you need for a day of play in paradise: a two-mile crescent of perfect beach; an interior lagoon; private beachside cabanas with butler service, showers and misters; and all manner of water sports and activities, including a children's aqua park and a buoyed personal watercraft course.



Sample shore excursions: Horseback Riding by Land and Sea; Deep-sea or Flats Fishing; Stingray Adventure; AquaTrax Watercraft Adventure.

SUMMARY

I would recommend this cruise for the travelers looking for a ship with understated elegance, excellent food, incredible service (except for room service, it was the worst I’ve experienced), no additional charges for extras like ice-cream, very upscale and unique spa experiences, relaxing atmosphere and art lovers. Because the passenger to crew ratio is very 2 passengers to 1 crew member the staff was extremely helpful. I noticed many crew members would help passengers with their plates, drinks and escort them to an open table. Ideally the age group would be the “more mature”. However I did notice quite a bit of motion on the ship. I didn’t see anyone sick but this could cause a problem for motion sensitive passengers.

I had a fantastic cruise!

Report written by: Carrie Booth

Riviera Maya Report

Riviera Maya

What an amazing week! As a test we purchased our tours prior to leaving the United States. There were several to choose from and the question was if pre-purchasing them was a good idea. The answer….absolutely YES!

I’m going to share my day by day itinerary and looking back I would not have changed a single thing.

Day 1

I have to say that Frontier Airlines had the most helpful and friendly staff that I have seen in quite awhile. They made the flight enjoyable and entertaining.

Upon arrival in Cancun we made our way through customs and “pushed the button” for bag screening. Once we cleared customs we exited the airport and met our Lomas Travel representative. We were directed to a new deluxe motor coach that would transfer us to the Grand Princess Riviera.

The transfer took approximately 45 minutes. During the transfer we were able to see the area and get a small glimpse of the local culture. Our transfer stopped at a few resorts along the way which gave us additional opportunities to see different locations.

When we arrived at the Grand Princess Riviera we were greeted with a cold drink by an extremely friendly staff. We were promptly checked in and our luggage was delivered to our room before we got to our room.

After we checked in we stopped at the Lomas Travel Tour desk to set the dates for our tours. Jose and Luis were fantastic to work with. They quickly exchanged our vouchers for the date and times we wanted each tour and gave us complete details of when to meet in the lobby and exactly what was included in each tour.

At this time my husband decided to add ½ day deep sea fishing tour and they explained to us that the boats they use have special permits to fish near the reef. This makes the possibilities of catching fish greater.

After scheduling our tours we then went to the concierge desk and made dinner reservations for the week at the specialty restaurants. We wanted to try each one and our requests were quickly confirmed.

We enjoyed a dinner buffet and spent the rest of the evening exploring the beautiful resort.

Day 2

Today we relaxed, walked on the beach and swam in the ocean. We also spent time at the swimming pools people watching and taking in all the different cultures that had come together to vacation at this amazing resort.

Throughout the resort the pathways are lined with Mayan Statues and incredible landscaping. Brilliantly colored flowers and foliage accent the beautiful tile and architecture that surrounds you. The resident iguana provided plenty of photo opportunities from his home in a tree.

The variety at the breakfast and lunch buffets is endless. Fresh fruits and vegetables, grilled specialties, dessert bars and plenty of traditional and international options are always available.

The specialty restaurants amazed us each time with delicious appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts. Each day we sampled something that we had never tasted before. Getting dress up for dinner was a nice change to your day. A tie was not required.

After dinner the resort provided evening entertainment, dancing and plenty of time for a romantic stroll on the lighted pathways or the beach.

Day 3

After our restful day yesterday we were ready for some activities and culture. Today our tour was The Maya Zip-Line. The transfer from the resort to our destination took approximately 30 minutes. Part of this transfer was through the jungle areas and we saw several small homes of the locals along the way.

Upon arrival we were suited up for the first of three zip lines. The first jump off the rock ledge was the scariest and my fears were quickly diminished as I took in the beautiful view of the water and trees below.

We hiked a short distance through the jungle to the next zip line. This one took us over a large ravine with large rock formations, trees and the sounds of birds. The third zip line started from a high tower that we climbed. This time we were several feet above the treetops and had views of all the surrounding area. It was incredible!

After the zipline we rode mountain bikes through the jungle to a traditional Mayan home. Along the way we viewed local plantations and saw their diverse cultivation while learning about their heritage from our tour guide. When we returned to camp we hiked to a cenote to witness and participate in a traditional Mayan purification ceremony.

Following the ceremony we swam and snorkeling in the cool waters of the cenotes. We had plenty time to explore the extraordinary system of cenotes in the area before enjoying a traditional Mayan lunch.

Throughout the day we had been photographed and our pictures were available to purchase after lunch. In addition to our personal photos you could purchase a CD that had all group photos as well as professional photos of the area and animals. The CD could be purchased for $45.00.

We were given the opportunity to meet several new people and talk with them on the return transfer to the resort.

Later that night we enjoyed an incredible dinner at the Las Olas (seafood) restaurant. The Princess Special included, octopus, lion crab, shrimp, red snapper and scallops. It was delicious and finished the day perfectly.

Day 4

Today was an early morning. Our transfer from the hotel left at 7:50am and we were on our way to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen-itza. Lomas Travel provided a very entertaining and knowledgeable guide. The drive to the Mayan Village took about 2 hours and we learned all about the Mayan culture along the way. Our tour guide joked and visited with the group while providing pastries and cold beverages including sodas, bottled water and beer.

The bus drove through a small Mayan town so we could see their culture in action. Small children walked along the road smiling and waving at the bus. Older women and men sat outside their stick homes visiting and watching us as we passed by. Some of the older homes were simply made of sticks. Due to tourism in the area they are now starting to build homes from cinder blocks. The Mayan people were very friendly and although they seemed shy, they always smiled. They seemed genuinely happy.

We enjoyed a Mayan buffet lunch while being entertained by traditional dancers. They wore colorful costumes and also performed the Ribbon Dance. Our lunch was included in the cost of the tour. Beverages were extra.

After shopping for a short time we boarded the motor coach to the ruins. It was a short 5 minute drive. Our guide had already purchased our entrance bands which saved time for the group. He escorted our group through the ruins for about 1 ½ hours. He shared incredible information about the Mayans that we had never known before. The escorted part of the tour was the perfect length and provided the most important information.

We were then able to explore the ruins on our own and take as many pictures as we liked. There were several Mayan vendors selling their crafts around each monument. It was exciting visiting with them and learning about the skills involved in making their crafts.

At the entrance to the ruins were gift shops, ice cream vendors and snack vendors. Once back on the bus we were again offered cold beverage for the drive back to the resort. We arrived back at the resort about 8pm. What an incredible day!

Day 5

Today we took the day off. We slept in and spent the day at the pool and beach enjoying the 88 degree weather. The service at the pool was frequent and friendly. While on the beach we collected seashells and small pieces of coral to use on a picture frame of our favorite vacation photo.

For dinner we ate at the Italian restaurant, Mamma Mia. It was incredible! The appetizers were creative and delicious, the cannoli was amazing and the veal was perfect.

Tonight at the resort there were several vendors in the main square that had all types of crafts, leather goods, silver, and unique items available to purchase. As always, barter…you can always get the price lower than the original offer.

Day 6

Today we were off to Xcaret. The best way I can describe it is the Yucatan version of Seaworld and Polynesian Cultural Center combined. Make sure you have the Xcaret plus package. This will include admission to the park, 2 beverage vouchers, 1 snack voucher, locker and towel rental, snorkel gear and buffet at your choice of several restaurants. There is no need to bring you own mouth piece as each piece is new and you keep it as a souvenir.

There are several different types of animals that can be seen in the park, sea turtles, jaguars, monkeys, deer, wild pigs, Poloc, manatee, lemon shark, stingrays, dolphins and more. There is also a butterfly sanctuary and bat cave.

Papantla Flyers perform a pre-Hispanic ritual dedicated to the Sun God as they circle their way to the ground from high above in a unique show of courage and faith. There is also a horseshow with traditional riders and trick ropers.

You can take a 20 minute float down a tropical river on the Paradise River. It is a peaceful, quite ride surrounded by lush vegetation, waterfalls and beautiful jungle. As you turn a corner you will see iguanas resting quietly on shore and hear the sound of birds flying overhead.

The underground river’s light current lets you gently float and snorkel at your own pace while admiring the limestone formations on the ceilings and fossil encrusted walls. Peaceful caves open up to jungle and mangrove surroundings throughout the tour. Be sure to use the locked bags for your towel and flip flops to be transferred to the end of the river so you will have them for your continued walk through the park.

As if all that wasn’t enough there are still beaches, natural pools and inlets, a coral reef aquarium, Mayan Village and a beautiful stained glass butterfly display. You can pay extra to swim with the dolphins, scuba dive or get a relaxing massage nearby a lagoon.

We used our snack and drink vouchers for a light lunch and then enjoyed a delicious Mexican buffet before attending the Xcaret Mexico Espectacular. What an incredible event! More than 280 performers dressed in authentic costumes entertained and told of the history of the Mayan culture and the different dances from each region of Mexico.
Don’t miss this one!

After the show we transferred back to the hotel and arrived by 8:30pm.

Day 7

Our final full day we decided to incorporate our personal hobbies with the Yucatan. We departed the hotel at 9:30 am and went to Maromoa Beach, voted one of the best beaches in the Yucatan. The beaches were groomed and beautiful! Take bug spray……that was the only downside to this area.

We started off on an ATV ride through the jungle. The course took us through heavily wooded areas and exciting trails, around ponds and down country roads. We then drove a course on the beach weaving in and out of palm trees and sand hills. I could have spent the rest of the day riding ATV’s it was so much fun. We finished the ride through the mangrove area and thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

After the ATV’s we went to the beach and took speed boats out on the beautiful Mexican Caribbean. These small two person speed boats were fantastic! We were jumping waves and circling all around the coast. Photographers captured our excitement as we splashed by their small sail boat. This was a great activity to compliment the ATV experience.

When we finished with the speed boats light snacks and sodas were waiting for us in the beachside restaurant. From here I went back to the hotel for my last chance to enjoy the beach at the resort while my husband set sail for some deep sea fishing.

The crew was very friendly and took care of all the details. They were able to fish near the reef and he caught red and yellow snapper, groupers and other tropical fish. After a few hours the boat went out to sea even further to try for larger fish. My husband hooked into a beautiful sail fish and two hours later had it on board. That was the perfect finale for the trip!

Day 8

Our transfers were right on time to take us to the airport. We were bid farewell by our Lomas Travel representatives and we can hardly wait to return.

Report written by: Launa Walquist

Disney Night Overview

Our Disney Night was fun for all those who attended! Even the front desk had fun seeing the kids all dressed up! Check out our pictures from out night of Disney fun!

120th Tournament of Roses

The 120th Rose parade themed Hats Off To Entertainment, will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. (PST) featuring spirited marching bands from throughout the nation, majestic floral floats, and high-stepping equestrian units.Come & join Morris Murdock Travel on an exclusive tour to the Rose Parade filled with unforgettable experiences! You'll be dazzled by the sights and sounds of the 120th Tournament of Roses Parade. Our exciting tour includes a performance of The Glory of Christmas at the Crystal Cathedral, admission to Aquarium of the Pacific, a visit to the Reagan Library and much more. Plan to ring in the New Year in Sunny California!
Tour Details: December 29, '08-January 02, '09
From: $1199 pp/double occupancy $1399 pp/single Includes:

• Rountrip air from Salt Lake City
• 4 nights hotel accomodation at The Hampton Inn
• Reserved grandstand seating at the Rose Parade
• Post-Parade float viewing excursion
• And much more!
  

For more information call our office at 800.999.8801 or visit our website at www.morrismurdock.com and view your itinerary.

Traveling Hat in Alaska

The traveling hat of Morris Murdock Travel in Pocatello recentely visited Alaska on an Alaskan Cruise Tour on August 13-24. These pictures are the adventure it experienced!


Haines, Alaska at the White Pass Rail and Gold Camp


Fairbanks, Alaska at the Alaska Salmon Bake & Palace Theatre



Alaskan Bears


The Kenai Peninsula Glacier Guide


At the Fairbanks Rail Station


The Alaska Salmon Bake Bus in Fairbanks

We hope to see the traveling hat on many more vacations!

Highlights of China

Come visit China and the home of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Morris Murdock has great deals for you, family, and friends. Check out our 3rd Annual Highlights of China Tour in April 2009! Come experience the cultural, historical, and geographical sights of China. While on this tour you will visit the life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, Great Wall of China, Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and so much more!

For more information, inlcuding pricing and intinerary, please visit our website at www.morrismurdock.com under our Asia/Pacific Tours or you can call our office at 800-999-8801 or 208-232-2171

2008 Beijing Olympics

USA's women's beach volleyball team does is again. As defending champions, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh were determined to become the 2008 Beijing Olympic Champions. The final round of the women's beach volleyball was USA vs. CHINA. The downpouring rain and rowdy home crowd was NO match for our Americans. They came out on top, playing only 2 games and winning with the scores of 21-18 and 21-18. WAY TO GO USA!