12 days on the Westy

[PathfinderEss]

12 days on the Westy.

 

Ship

Everything seem to be in ship shape condition as they say. It was clean,

updated carpets and furniture were seen all over the ship. I think Crew

News posted lots of picture of the new carpets, etc..

 

Cabin

Another area that looked updated with dark gray/blackish type of

carpeting, Light grayish tan furniture. We were in a Neptune Suite not to

far from the Neptune. Everything seems to be back to normal in the Neptune

now that it has it's sneeze bar cover. Had toaster hooked up in the morning

for bagels/english muffins and likes.

Deck chairs, tables, and loungers were the same as when we were on several

years ago. One thing I did notice was or should say didn't remember was that

the carpeting went right up to the cabin door. No granite/marble/tile entry way.

I know both the S/R class have a granite type entry ways but for some reason I

thought so did the Vista's. Am I wrong? or is this new or not? It looks rather

cheap to me, but that's just my opinion

 

Food

Very subjective, we tend to eat in the Pinnacle most nights. Food was great

in most cases. Still trying to get use to the smaller menu. I don't understand

why they have limited it down so much. Certainly not good for those of us who

eat in there often. We had a great food steward and Glen were our Pinnacle Manager.

I have to stop here and make one observant. I always get a souffle on the last

night. I not much of a sweet eater, give me meat and potatoes, I am a happy

woman. Back to the souffle, I ask for a vanilla one, I got vanilla with a chocolate

stick around an inch in diameter, probably that long stuck in the center of my

souffle, which had fruit on the bottom. It was awful, that's all I'm going to say.

I spend the rest of my eating hours at the Taco bar, it was great and the

'Dive In' was getting lots of use every day. Love the french fries.

There was no 'code orange' on either cruises. It was nice to be able to have the

taco bar available for the entire cruise.

 

Entertainment

Had a really great guitarist that played up in the Crows Nest, named Mare.

Enjoyed listening to her every night. Did not make it to the Piano Bar who had

Diane Fast playing.

There was the Adagio's in the Explorer's Lounge. No separate band for the Ocean

Bar, now just using the HalCats for that venue. Probably not a bad idea, as I

always thought they were a bit under used.

 

Ports

San Francisco beautiful day there. Was hoping to dock at the new docking facility

but the Zuiderdam was in also, so we were at the old dock. I think San Diego

is old but that one up there had to be build in the 20's.

Catalina another beautiful day but very hot. Not much to do there except rent a golf

cart to drive around the island.

San Diego was a drop off port and pick up to continue on to Mexico.

Cabo lots of damage but they are working hard to put it back together as this is

the beginning of their season. Lots of restaurants still not open. Didn't see many

people in the hotels.

Mazatlan very hot and humid, still a little early to be doing Mexico in my opinion.

Puerto Vallarta again very hot and humid.

 

Other things

When we were parked up at Vancouver, the Oosterdam and Statendam were also there.

I noticed that the Oosterdam has all new black wicker furniture on their outside decks.

Really looked nice, to bad the Westy didn't have the same.

 

..............and last but not least by any means, while we were on board they were

setting up 3 TV's and a Keno machine on the wall next to the Lido bar. I'm sorry

I did not get a picture of it but trust me it is really tacky. When the sun is shining

I doubt you will even be able to see the screens. Talking to the Captain, he said they

will not stay........time will tell. Seems to me you should keep that kind of stuff

in the Casino or the Sports Bar.

 

Final thoughts

Seems to me that this was one of the most diverse passenger cruises I've seen in a while.

I'd say the age group was around 40 to 50. Very active at the bars, lido, and 'Dive Inn'.

Makes me wonder why Hal is not having any ships doing Mexico in the spring of 2016.

 

We had a great time, made even better by some great passengers we met, friends

that came on board later to join us, and all the great tooting done by

Captain Rens Van Eerten.

[Mmtrip]

Really enjoyed reading your comments on the ship. I like how you break it down in easy to read sections.

 

Thanks

[InTheWASide]

Great review. Thank you. No sign of everything by the lido bar but I know what area you must be referring to.

 

Glad to hear the vista class ships are FINALLY starting to get new deck furniture. They are beyond worn.

 

For the life of me I can't think of the entry to the suite and if there was tile or not for this ship class.

 

 

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[InTheWASide]

Correction. Looking at virtual tours carpet does go all the way to the door. And the virtual tour is very old and pre flat screen tvs so its not a new one with a change or anything. Had never noticed that before

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Forums

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

That vanilla soufflé does sound awful.

[POA1]

Thanks for the review. Very informative!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Melodie

Did you have 2 different screaming HAL Cats on board? When we did a 21 day cruise on the Westerdam in 2013 we had 2 groups.

Glad to hear that the Neptune Lounge is back to normal with toaster and all the goodies.

[dobiemom]

Thanks for your review of the "Queen of Horns." :) Can't wait to sail again with you and your DH next May! ;):D

[puppycanducruise]

Thank you for taking the time to post your thoughts.

Very informative.

[RuthC]

Entertainment

Had a really great guitarist that played up in the Crows Nest, named Mare.

Enjoyed listening to her every night. Did not make it to the Piano Bar who had

Diane Fast playing.

There was the Adagio's in the Explorer's Lounge. No separate band for the Ocean

Bar, now just using the HalCats for that venue. Probably not a bad idea, as I

always thought they were a bit under used.

Thank you for posting who the entertainers were.

Much appreciated.

[George C]

Thanks for info, Westerdam is a great ship

[sail7seas]

Thanks for your report, Melodie. I really enjoyed reading it.

 

Like you, I enjoy the Taco Bar. Great you were able to enjoy it each day.

 

Keno at Lido Bar....... interesting. Could be a nice money maker. Probably doesn't look

so great but no one has to play if they don't want. At least it is silent and won't be

disruptive. :)

 

Welcome Back.

[SilvertoGold]

Thanks for the super review: great format and very informative comments.

 

As when we were both on the Westerdam Tahiti cruise some time ago, a good time was had on a beautiful ship. Glad you enjoyed and glad you took the time to write your impressions!

[PathfinderEss]

Melodie

Did you have 2 different screaming HAL Cats on board? When we did a 21 day cruise on the Westerdam in 2013 we had 2 groups.

Glad to hear that the Neptune Lounge is back to normal with toaster and all the goodies.

How did you know KK, yes we did have two different Hal Cats or at least 2 different singers.

 

 

Thanks for your report, Melodie. I really enjoyed reading it.

 

Like you, I enjoy the Taco Bar. Great you were able to enjoy it each day.

 

Keno at Lido Bar....... interesting. Could be a nice money maker. Probably doesn't look

so great but no one has to play if they don't want. At least it is silent and won't be

disruptive. :)

 

Welcome Back.

 

Thanks Sails, hadn't thought about it but your right the Keno is not disruptive.:D

 

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks everyone for your kind words about my review.

Ruth, I knew I had to put in the entertainers for you.:D

Yes Dobiemon, we'll see you in May.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I was hoping that they would do away with the 2 HAL Cat concept.

The cellar master had a special dinner one evening and their screaming made it next to impossible for all 50 of us to hear the cellar master explaining the different wines with each course.

Maybe we had 2 different singers -- but they never seemed to take a break. That is way I thought there were 2 different HAL Cat groups on board.

[PathfinderEss]

I was hoping that they would do away with the 2 HAL Cat concept.

The cellar master had a special dinner one evening and their screaming made it next to impossible for all 50 of us to hear the cellar master explaining the different wines with each course.

Maybe we had 2 different singers -- but they never seemed to take a break. That is way I thought there were 2 different HAL Cat groups on board.

I love the Cellar Master dinners, can't imagine how disruptive the Hal Cats would be. Very surprised they use them for that dinner, more appropriate would be the Adagio's, I would think.

[RuthC]

Ruth, I knew I had to put in the entertainers for you.:D

It's much appreciated, Melody.

 

It's rare that people even mention the entertainment in a review :(, and rarer still to mention the names :( :(. Which is a shame, since we are likely to run into those people on our cruises, and it's nice to have an idea who is playing where.

 

Diane Fast was on the Amsterdam when I was there late August/early September, and was on the Oosterdam when I was there in April/May this year. She's good! The people sailing soon on the Westerdam now know that they have some decent entertainment to look forward to.

Thanks for that.

[RuthC]

I love the Cellar Master dinners, can't imagine how disruptive the Hal Cats would be. Very surprised they use them for that dinner, more appropriate would be the Adagio's, I would think.

There's a real problem of too close for comfort on the Vista/Signature ships.

The Pinnacle Grill isn't enclosed, and is right below the Ocean Bar---where the band is playing, and the singer is screeching. It can be very distracting from a quiet meal, and would be worse if someone were trying to listen to a speaker.

[footer6]

What is a HAL Cat?

[qsuzi]

Thank you so much Melodie for being so descriptive and informative. Will you please comment about how the Westerdam does on coastal waters which can be rougher. One cabin review I read mentioned because of the size of the ship they noticed more ship movement (they mostly sailed NCL and don't know what NCL ships they had been on). We haven't got sea sick yet in rough seas but regardless of size I have been on some ships where you do feel more movement.

 

Also, can you purchase alcohol in the Neptune Lounge?

Edited October 15, 2014 by qsuzi

[Himself]

Thanks for your review of the Westerdam III. I was on the Westy last for the trip from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale and I really enjoyed the voyage. The Captain was John Scott and he was quite good.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Himself

[PathfinderEss]

What is a HAL Cat?

It's a musical band usally including a girl singer.

 

Thank you so much Melodie for being so descriptive and informative. Will you please comment about how the Westerdam does on coastal waters which can be rougher. One cabin review I read mentioned because of the size of the ship they noticed more ship movement (they mostly sailed NCL and don't know what NCL ships they had been on). We haven't got sea sick yet in rough seas but regardless of size I have been on some ships where you do feel more movement.

 

Also, can you purchase alcohol in the Neptune Lounge?

 

Hi qsuzi, coming down from Vancouver or Seattle to San Diego is usually a pretty smooth ride (south) and the Westerdam handled the seas beautifully. I find going the other way (north) from SD to Vancouver is usually the rougher of the two rides but to me Hal ships handle most sea's fine.

We have done around 10 repo cruises, most have had relatively calm sea's. I love repositioning cruises as they are a good sampling for those cruisers who have never cruised before and can be reasonably priced. For us we usually do a continuation cruise after the repo cruise, so it works well to lengthen out a 7 day cruise by adding on 4 or 5 more days.

 

They do not stocked liquor in the Neptune but they can get you liquor for your cabin.

[PathfinderEss]

There's a real problem of too close for comfort on the Vista/Signature ships.

The Pinnacle Grill isn't enclosed, and is right below the Ocean Bar---where the band is playing, and the singer is screeching. It can be very distracting from a quiet meal, and would be worse if someone were trying to listen to a speaker.

You know your right Ruth, I hadn't thought about that but now that you mentioned it, we did hear them while eating in the Pinnacle. Totally forgot about both being more open venues than on the R/

S class ships. da...........is it the same on the Signature class?

[erewhon]

Melodie,

 

Thank you for reviewing your Westerdam cruise.

That dessert sounds horrible.