recent thoughts and opinions of the Westerdam

[natski]

Mornin all

If I may ask of some that have been on Westerdam recently what you thoughts are on the ship , crew , food , casino, entertainment and anything else you can think of Please

First time on this ship for My Prettyone and I

We have cruised 4 times with Hal we leave on March 7, 2015.

We are not all that intrested in shore excursions this trip as we have been on the Eastern cruise before it will be a rechare thaw out cruise more then anything for us .

Love the one arm bandits and Balcony for Me and My Prettyone loves just to be there lol

Thanks in advance for all help and opinions of the ship

Nat

[Jinty684]

I was on the Westerdam January 10 - 17th this year and had a great cruise....ate in the MDR in the early seating and had great service and really, really enjoyed the food. Can't say I got even one disappointing meal.

 

I thought the ship was in great shape, the crew were as always so helpful and so friendly. I too like the casino and spent more time than I should there and probably increased HAL's profit margin for that cruise! :D We were on a Dancing with the Stars cruise and I found those shows to be better than the ship's song and dance shows. There was a very funny comedian on board and most seemed to like him.....

 

One final note, I went with my cousin who has never cruised and she loved everything about it...so much so, that we've booked a cruise on the Eurodam next January!

 

Enjoy your cruise and I completely understand the desire to get out of our deep freeze/deep snow nightmare up here in Ontario!

[natski]

I was on the Westerdam January 10 - 17th this year and had a great cruise....ate in the MDR in the early seating and had great service and really, really enjoyed the food. Can't say I got even one disappointing meal.

 

I thought the ship was in great shape, the crew were as always so helpful and so friendly. I too like the casino and spent more time than I should there and probably increased HAL's profit margin for that cruise! :D We were on a Dancing with the Stars cruise and I found those shows to be better than the ship's song and dance shows. There was a very funny comedian on board and most seemed to like him.....

 

One final note, I went with my cousin who has never cruised and she loved everything about it...so much so, that we've booked a cruise on the Eurodam next January!

 

Enjoy your cruise and I completely understand the desire to get out of our deep freeze/deep snow nightmare up here in Ontario!

 

Thanks so much for your reply appreciated penny and nickle slots here I come lol think it was -30 something here yesterday brrrr

[kazu]

We won't be on until after you are back, but I have been watching reports here and don't recall seeing any negative ones on the Westerdam.

[natski]

We won't be on until after you are back, but I have been watching reports here and don't recall seeing any negative ones on the Westerdam.

 

 

thanks Kazu

I will post when we get back

[DaveOKC]

Just off the W on Feb 7 - for 7 days.

 

I thought the ship was in good shape and overall the cruise was fine. However, we were on the Zuiderdam (Z) in Nov. and I must say that she was in better shape and IMO has a better crew than the W, so I was a bit disappointed.

 

Again, there was nothing "bad" about the W, except that some of the small touchs we experienced on the Z were missing. For example, the cabin furniture on the Z was nicer. The ship's crew were friendlier and more attentive, and overall service was better. The new burger place (forget the name) was far more organized on the Z. The muster drill was better organized on the Z and we did not have to stand as long (they scanned our cards when we got to our station on the Z versus a cabin number roll call on the W.

 

Would I sail on the Westerdam again - yes , but I would prefer some of the other HAL ships over it.

 

DaveOKC

[solocanadian]

thanks Kazu

I will post when we get back

Would you kindly ask who will be in the Piano Bar on the April 11/15 cruise, please. Many thanks. Enjoy your cruise.:)

[natski]

Would you kindly ask who will be in the Piano Bar on the April 11/15 cruise, please. Many thanks. Enjoy your cruise.:)

 

Will do Solocanadian no problem , i guess that info the front desk would know ?

[natski]

Just off the W on Feb 7 - for 7 days.

 

I thought the ship was in good shape and overall the cruise was fine. However, we were on the Zuiderdam (Z) in Nov. and I must say that she was in better shape and IMO has a better crew than the W, so I was a bit disappointed.

 

Again, there was nothing "bad" about the W, except that some of the small touchs we experienced on the Z were missing. For example, the cabin furniture on the Z was nicer. The ship's crew were friendlier and more attentive, and overall service was better. The new burger place (forget the name) was far more organized on the Z. The muster drill was better organized on the Z and we did not have to stand as long (they scanned our cards when we got to our station on the Z versus a cabin number roll call on the W.

 

Would I sail on the Westerdam again - yes , but I would prefer some of the other HAL ships over it.

 

DaveOKC

 

Thanks , We sailed Zuiderdam her 2nd year out , lol was a wonderful ship but Hal had to decided to try going for " the families " like RCI has . Was brutal Club Hal was terrible My kids hated it compared too Rci , we also had alot of I will say POOR dinning room staff could not get orders right the whole cruise, one night I ordered twice same guy was still wrong I was not happy , went back to the suite and ordered something to the room they got that right lol , Nice ship tho and to My surprise was a Canadian Captain at the time . thanks for your help Dave.

[Crew News]

Mornin all

If I may ask of some that have been on Westerdam recently what you thoughts are on the ship , crew , food , casino, entertainment and anything else you can think of Please

 

Thanks in advance for all help and opinions of the ship

Nat

 

Since you have not been on the Westerdam, here is link to my photographic tour of the ship:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-westerdam-tour/

 

We were on the Westerdam last year in Alaska and loved the crew and especially Hazel in the Neptune Lounge. The ship has one feature not found on other HAL ships, Chocolate Seduction. It specializes in chocolate candy and beverages. It is located on Deck 3 just forward of the Shops (if you are walking quickly, you will miss it).

 

Here is the Chocolate Seduction menu that I photographed last year:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_0756.pdf

 

On another note, the ship's laundry was the quickest we have encountered in all of our HAL cruises.

[natski]

Since you have not been on the Westerdam, here is link to my photographic tour of the ship:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-westerdam-tour/

 

We were on the Westerdam last year in Alaska and loved the crew and especially Hazel in the Neptune Lounge. The ship has one feature not found on other HAL ships, Chocolate Seduction. It specializes in chocolate candy and beverages. It is located on Deck 3 just forward of the Shops (if you are walking quickly, you will miss it).

 

Here is the Chocolate Seduction menu that I photographed last year:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/IMG_0756.pdf

 

On another note, the ship's laundry was the quickest we have encountered in all of our HAL cruises.

 

Now you have My attention Chocolate , I love Chocolate ! Walk slowly got it

Thanks so very much for those links My Prettyone will love that as will I

[natski]

Wow great photo,s Crew News very well done , When I retired after 35 years in the Graphic arts business I decided to buy a nicer camera and got a Nikon P510 too start the Hobby and am very much still learning ( have the tri-pod packed lol) Thanks very much for this appreciated .

Nat

[Crew News]

Wow great photo,s Crew News very well done , When I retired after 35 years in the Graphic arts business I decided to buy a nicer camera and got a Nikon P510 too start the Hobby and am very much still learning ( have the tri-pod packed lol) Thanks very much for this appreciated .

Nat

 

Thanks for the compliment, especially from one in the graphic arts field. I'm just an advanced amateur with lots of retirement time on my hands to work on my 30K+ photo archives. I am currently using an Olympus OM-D M-1 and honing my Photoshop skills.

 

Not sure if you need the latest menus but here is a link to the Specialty Restaurant, Beverage, and Room Service menus:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/

[JVilleGal]

Was on Westerdam last Sept. And thought she was very well maintained and had an "old school" ocean liner feel to her. Dining room lovely, food good and staff very good.

[PathfinderEss]

Was on the Westerdam last fall and she was in wonderful shape. She had been in dry dock since we were on her last and all soft goods were updated. Food is subjective but we though it was good. She had an awesome Captain and crew.

I think you and your PrettyOne will really enjoy cruising on her. Please come back and tell us all about your cruise.

[natski]

Was on the Westerdam last fall and she was in wonderful shape. She had been in dry dock since we were on her last and all soft goods were updated. Food is subjective but we though it was good. She had an awesome Captain and crew.

I think you and your PrettyOne will really enjoy cruising on her. Please come back and tell us all about your cruise.

 

Thank you appreciate Will let you know how it was TY

[Kate 1]

Hi , we were on Westerdam in the fall, and love that ship. Great crew, food terrific.. wouldnt say that everything all the time was perfect but it depends on what kind of glasses you are wearing. We prefer to see things through rose coloured glasses and everything then looks perfect.

Seriously though , the only one issue we had was our waiter for fixed seating late was a bit befuddled and would bring the wrong dish to the neighbours table instead of us.. we thought it was a bit funny and we all started to laugh and we made friends with the tables close by .. otherwise the room stewards ;) were amazing , the size of the ship ideal. The CD was awsome, the captain honked the horn going into some ports which we thought was magical, the entertainment was fun. Also lots of nice touches like free bubbly when the crew were introduced .. and smiles all around.. you will have a wonderful time on the as the captain says " The Beautiful Elegant Westerdam ";

[bluejeans]

Last week was my first sail on HAL,,,enjoyed my time on her.

Food about the same as on Carnival, most desserts were nice to look at, but not so much to eat, so I stuck with fresh fruit :D

All stewards and wait staff were very friendly..

 

Really no complaints about this cruiseline at all,,,would love to cruise all the cruiselines at least once,,,

[sammygoose]

Thanks Natski for staring this thread. We are leaving on the Westerdam Saturday and I have enjoyed the feedback.

 

We have been in a Eurodamvortex the last 3 cruises and are looking forward to trying a new ship... by vortex I mean the itineraries we want mean we can't escape that ship and she's a great one.

 

So we are excited for a new ship but wonder how it will compare?

 

We'll try and leave it in one piece for you lol. :D

 

Happy for you escaping the Freeze of 2015.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited February 26, 2015 by sammygoose
grammar

[natski]

Thanks Natski for staring this thread. We are leaving on the Westerdam Saturday and I have enjoyed the feedback.

 

We have been in a Eurodamvortex the last 3 cruises and are looking forward to trying a new ship... by vortex I mean the itineraries we want mean we can't escape that ship and she's a great one.

 

So we are excited for a new ship but wonder how it will compare?

 

We'll try and leave it in one piece for you lol. :D

 

Happy for you escaping the Freeze of 2015.!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Very welcome

Check out a thread here by Crew News , He has some links you might want to check out of photos, well taken photos i might add I believe there are three different links . Well worth looking thru to give you a idea of the Westdam . Have a great cruise let us know how it was will you please .

Edited February 26, 2015 by natski

[natski]

Well i looked and did not come up with anything rule wise, might be Me of course.

The post was of photo,s of Westerdam from there cruise , they are members here , there is no soliciting involved AT all for anything other then helping Me see there personal photo,s of there cruise on Westerdam. If there is a rule about that format i can not see it

I mentioned it to another cc member that they were excellent photo,s of the ship as they will be comming up on there cruise on the same ship and they were happy that i posted this thread .

shakes head !

[natski]

Thanks Qsuzi appreciated

And looking forward to the cruise been 3 years since the last ( 25th aniv Noordam ) was as I have found out sister ship too westy thru said Photo,s

Thanks again !

[Host Walt]

You are not promoting a site that is in any CC violation. You are talking about another CC member's PERSONAL/HOBBY web site in which he posts his own cruise photos, menus, etc... Per LauraS's reply to an email regarding this site, Crew News is good to go.

 

Please feel free to continue to enjoy the Web Site free of worry:)

 

Joanie

 

Joanie's correct.

 

Please refer to this thread for more specifics:

Clarification of Promotion of Third-Party, Cruise-Related Websites on Holland America

[natski]

Thanks very much Walt and Joanie very much appreciated have a great next cruise .

[IRL_Joanie]

Joanie's correct.

 

Please refer to this thread for more specifics:

Clarification of Promotion of Third-Party, Cruise-Related Websites on Holland America

 

Thank You Walt:)

 

Nat, I hope you also have a great cruise. The Westerdam is my 2nd favorite HAL ship. Favorite is the Zuiderdam:)

 

Joanie

Edited February 27, 2015 by IRL_Joanie