Review! Westerdam! Mar 15-22/2014

[Cruising Jedi]

So hi everyone. Quick review and a few pictures, not many.

 

This was our second cruise with Holland America, the first was last May on the Veendam for a Canada / New England last May. We loved that one! We have also sailed Disney, Royal Caribbean, and Princess.

 

So just a quick overview and comments, in case anyone is interested in reading about our cruise (I know I love hearing about other people’s, especially if I am thinking of going on a certain ship).

 

We had planned to arrive in Fort Lauderdale the night before and had booked one of those Park and Cruise hotel deals…however we were driving down and due to bad weather when we left we got nearly a day behind. So instead of being down the night before and taking a nice relaxing shuttle in the morning, instead when Saturday morning came we were still about a seven-hour drive away. So there we were speeding down I-75 to the Florida Turnpike until we came screaming into Port Everglades at about 2:00pm, parked the car and ran up the gangway lol. It was stressful as traffic was so bad in Fort Lauderdale every second felt like an hour we were worried right up to the last second, cursing every slow driver and traffic jam along the way lol.

 

I was all uptight until I finally saw it, and I felt myself relax and I stayed that way for the whole week…boy it felt like Christmas morning when she finally came into view:

 

 

(picture taken from parking garage)

 

THE SHIP

After being on the Veendam I pretty much expected Westerdam to be similar, only bigger and better, and it was definitely bigger and flashier but not necessarily better. I guess I have a soft spot in my heart for Veendam now because I would have to honestly say I liked them about equally. But that is a good thing, because they were both amazing.

 

Our stateroom was a balcony cabin (our first balcony) and we loved it. Don’t know if I could ever sail without a balcony again!!! For the record we had no issues with any smokers or any obnoxious people or anything like that. We heard our neighbours maybe only a few times total.

 

The ship had a nice elegant feel and a great layout. Our cabin was nearly all the way forward, we were happy with that. It made getting to a lot of our favourite places quickly and easily, of course it was the opposite for mealtimes we had to make our way all the way aft – which was fine a good walk is always welcome. Great room stewards too!

 

We loved the glass elevators overlooking the ocean so much, it was like a free excursion lol we always went midship to ride them no matter where we were headed.

 

We all found our certain favourite areas. My husband and I loved hanging out at the Piano Bar late into the evening and we had a great time there. Our sons loved ping pong, hanging out with their new friends from the Loft, chess, the puzzle in the Explorations Café. And we all loved Bingo lol.

 

THE FOOD

No complaints there – great meals every night. We do not do any specialty restaurants, just the Lido, Dining Room, Terrace Grill and occasionally room service. Never a bad meal, nor a moment of hunger.

 

One night my son ordered four desserts, the Apple Cheesecake which you can see on the left was by far my favourite:

 

 

THE PORTS

 

Turks and Caicos – we didn’t do anything here but walk around the port area. The beach is an easy walk off the ship and bam you are right there. We saw a stray dog and wished I could take him home. We were docked beside Carnival Breeze:

 

 

 

San Juan – took a rainforest tour…it was a local company not a ship excursion. The tour took about 4 hours and took us up to the rainforest and then a LONG hike down to a water fall and back out. It was beautiful but I sure realized just how out of shape I am, it was a struggle at the end. Then a quick drive through old San Juan to see the city and back to the ship.

 

 

[Cruising Jedi]

St. Martin – this was quite a different day for us because the Prinsendam was docked right in front of us, and they were offering a ship tour that day. Since we had already been to St. Martin a couple of times, we decided to tour the Prinsendam. It was beautiful! We saw all the common areas and also one of each room category (ship was not sold out). They were getting ready to sail over to Africa! So now is someone asks if we have been on Prinsendam we can say yes. Ha. Took this picture from our balcony though.

 

 

Half Moon Cay – about as perfect as a day at the beach can get. It doesn’t dock there, it is tenders but they hold a lot of people and go back and forth regularly. We went over around lunch time and had bbq on the island, then did a couple of island excursions which were great.

 

 

 

Sea Days – had great fun on the sea days. Casino, bingo, Team Trivia, all the cruise classics lol. We always had so much fun.

 

OPEN SEATING DINING

I still don’t care for it, but since we booked so late we had no choice as the fixed seatings were all taken. To me, the advantage of open dining should be the spontaneity to dine when you wish, but that is never the case it is always full or reserved. The only way around it is to sit with other people, which we really prefer not to, but we had to every night or else we’d have to wait to 8:30 to get a table. We grumbled to ourselves each night, but then each night we wound up sitting with awesome people so it all works out.

 

STAFF

Everyone was great to talk to, from the crew to the cruise director, bartender, you name it, they were friendly and seemed happy. (Well there was one exception of someone who always seemed like she just sucked on lemon but oh well they can’t all be gems). Captain John Scott was willing to chat and be out and about a few times. Seemed approachable and I would trust that man to the ends of the Earth. Rock solid.

 

My son and new friends and occasional passersby all worked on the puzzle all week and they did finally finish on the last day. Promised him I would post it. The puzzle is very difficult. More than a few torn out hairs lol. But great camaraderie by all to get it finished. Well done Exploration Café peeps!

 

 

ISSUES

If I was to be picky, I could name a couple of very minor things. Our bathroom garbage can was cracked / broken which when you first enter makes it look a little neglected. One soup bowl we had in the dining room was badly chipped. I found a piece of tin foil in my dinner one night! But you know, nothing can be perfect and these things did not weigh on me.

 

All in all, we wish we could have stayed on Westerdam another week (or two or three or…). Would love to sail her again!

 

Can’t wait to check out itineraries for 2015. We are not tied to any particular line and will go where we find a great itinerary at a good price. However, I think I will probably at least start my search right here with HAL.

 

Happy Sailing everyone!

[erewhon]

Thank you for your interesting review and sharing your photos.

 

Was there a charge to tour the Prinsendam?

[POA1]

Thanks for the review. Great photos!

[donswife]

Thanks for the upbeat review. Looking forward to my turn in June!

[Cruising Jedi]

Thank you for your interesting review and sharing your photos.

 

Was there a charge to tour the Prinsendam?

 

Hi there, no the Prinsendam tour was free!

[Cruising-along]

Thank you for your review and pictures, very much appreciated. Glad to hear you had a good cruise!

We'll be sailing the Westerdam for the first time in September. :)

[runnergirl71]

Thanks for the review! I'll be on the Westerdam July 26 to Alaska. Which cabin (and do you have pics?) were you in? I'm slated to be in 6011 - very close to the front. Just curious! :)

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review and photos.

[InTheWASide]

Was the Prinsendam tour available to all or are you somehow or another "in the know" and if so you don't have to say HOW.

 

Just curious.

[cruz chic]

Great pics! Thx for the review. I'll be on the westerdam soon.

[Seago2]

Thank you for your review. I loved Westerdam. The photos came out great! I've been to HMC three times and have never been able to do anything more than stare at it. Swells prevented tenders from leaving. Scheduled to go again in August- fingers crossed.

 

Loved those desserts!

[twinshores]

Thx for your review. My wife and I were also on this cruise…the food, stewards and cabin service was beyond our expectations!!

 

The BB Kings Blue Band are an excellent group of musicians who provided many hours of top notch entertainment throughout the cruise. Unfortunately, it would appear the lead male singer of this group did not get along with his fellow band mates…which was evident by a fist fight between band members at the midship elevators after the final performance on Friday night.

 

This was very disappointing, made my wife and I feel unsafe and really spoiled our trip. Many people observed this altercation and walked away with the look of disgust on their faces. I observed a HA employee call security….we retreated to our stateroom. Not a good experience to witness at the end of a cruise:(((((

[Globaliser]

My husband and I loved hanging out at the Piano Bar late into the evening and we had a great time there.

Was Jimmy Maddox in good voice and good humour? You lucky things - I am dead jealous.

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for taking the time to write and post a review of your Westerdam cruise. Love your photo's.:)

[sackman]

Well, that does it. I'm getting on the Westy in four days. Now I'm completely useless.

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Great pictures.

[JudiK]

"This was very disappointing, made my wife and I feel unsafe and really spoiled our trip"

How exactly did it make you feel unsafe?You would let a little thing like that spoil your trip?

I sure hope they either kiss and make up or get a need lead singer as I was looking forward to listening to them when i was on the Westerdam in May

[twinshores]

Judik

 

Coming out of the Explorers Lounge and see 3 band members into a verbal and then physical altercation it NOT something you expect on a cruise line of the reputation of Holland America…..there were other couples and families who were equally disgusted and retired to their rooms fearful that the situation would escalate. If I wanted to see a fight I could hang out at any bar at closing time….this was not something that I, I would hazard to guess, any other passenger on HA would expect..it was shocking especially from a band who have exceptional music capability. Any arguments or disagreements should be handled away from the public …violence is never acceptable under any circumstance.

[JudiK]

Not disagreeing with your statement twinshores, it is unprofessional and totally unacceptable behavior,just don't think it would be something that would make ME fearful for my safety or ruin what was up to that time a good cruise,that's all

Not that there's a chance I would get to be disgusted by the bands behavior as they will not be on my cruise anyway :0(

[Cruising Jedi]

Forgot to mention something I found interesting, they introduced everyone to the Employee of the Month, who was a Dining Room Steward because when a lady started choking in the Dining Room this steward performed the Heimlich and saved her life! What a wonderful story but I can't imagine how scary for the woman and her tablemates. Wow you just never know.

 

Thx for your review. My wife and I were also on this cruise…the food, stewards and cabin service was beyond our expectations!!

 

The BB Kings Blue Band are an excellent group of musicians who provided many hours of top notch entertainment throughout the cruise. Unfortunately, it would appear the lead male singer of this group did not get along with his fellow band mates…which was evident by a fist fight between band members at the midship elevators after the final performance on Friday night.

 

This was very disappointing, made my wife and I feel unsafe and really spoiled our trip. Many people observed this altercation and walked away with the look of disgust on their faces. I observed a HA employee call security….we retreated to our stateroom. Not a good experience to witness at the end of a cruise:(((((

 

Wow that is crazy! I guess we just have to remember that while we are in the happy bubble of our vacation, real life is going on all around us for the staff and crew. I hope you don't let it ruin all the great memories of the trip. Those responsible should be replaced though, how unprofessional.

 

Was Jimmy Maddox in good voice and good humour? You lucky things - I am dead jealous.

 

He was amazing, as funny as he is musically talented and that is saying a lot!!! We signed up for his "Piano Bar Nation" so we can keep up with what ships he will be on. As he says "Know my schedule so this doesn't happen to you again". lol

 

The magician team of Leon and Romy were also incredible, really mind-blowing. I think I believe in magic now.

 

Kevin Jordan, the comedian. I have never laughed so hard in my entire life. I had tears streaming down my face and anyone that knows me knows that never happens. I hate comedy. ha.

[Cruising Jedi]

Thanks for the review! I'll be on the Westerdam July 26 to Alaska. Which cabin (and do you have pics?) were you in? I'm slated to be in 6011 - very close to the front. Just curious! :)

 

We were in 5016...I am sure I have some pictures I will try and find one before our stuff all got thrown around lol. We also had the inside cabin across the hall, I would say that one was too small for my taste. The balcony cabin was great though, we all just hung out there anyway.

 

Was the Prinsendam tour available to all or are you somehow or another "in the know" and if so you don't have to say HOW.

 

Just curious.

 

No, I am not in the know at all lol. They made the announcement saying they had set up this tour but only for a limited number of people would be allowed. It was first come first served, and when we showed up to sign up we were told we just made it and would be the last ones. Then the next morning for the tour two people did not show up so that is too bad, a couple other people could have gone instead. Inconsiderate! It was hosted by Heather the Future Cruise Consultant so you know the purpose was hoping to create interest and sales. There was no sales pitch though, just a tour. They said it was great they could arrange it because it hardly ever happens. While we were over there we saw some officers from our ship over meeting with theirs! All the crew were so friendly and some joked to come on over to the Prinsendam because it was so much better than Westerdam lol.

[wldcat]

My husband and I were on this cruise too and had a great time. Second time on the Westerdam and were able to upsell into a Signature Suite which we had booked the last time too. Love this room and all the space it has. Only negative was that we had two chain smokers on one side so we were limited on when we could enjoy the balcony since smoke bothers us. Fortunately they went to dinner early each evening so we could reliably use our balcony around 5:30 at night.

 

We noticed some wear issues on carpet and such but understand the Westerdam is going into drydock for a couple of weeks so that will hopefully freshen things up. Sadly the "days of the week" carpet in the elevators are gone. I always enjoyed stepping into the elevator and being reminded what the day of the week was!!

 

The staff was great. All were pleasant and professional.

 

We also had booked late and ended up with open seating. WE went the first day and asked to be moved to late seating which we received the next day which made us very happy. Just didn't' enjoy the service we received on our one night in open dining. I know some have great experiences with the staff in open seating but we just didn't the one night we were there. Luck of the draw I guess.

 

Shame about the BB King Blues group. We didn't see the altercation but did enjoy their music on several occasions.

 

Only excursion we took was the Art Excursion in St Maarten. Really enjoyed this and would highly recommend.

 

Overall a pleasant getaway. Restful and warm!!!