MaiTaiMary Posted April 20, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 20, 2015 DH is trying to talk me into an Alaska cruise. We've only sailed Carnival in the past, but since we won't have the kids, I'd like to try something else. (perhaps more 'upscale' ;) ). I'm looking at the Westerdam 7 night cruise out of Seattle. I'm trying to find some reviews WITH PICTURES, but I can't find any. Just trying to learn more about the ship, dining, entertainment, etc. What is the food like? What options do we have for dining? What kind of things are there to do onboard in the evening? Is this a newer ship or older ship? We would definitely be getting a balcony cabin. This itinerary includes Glacier Bay, which seems to be preferable over Tracy Arm Fjord. (yes? no?) Can anybody help me out? :) Thank you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisevers Posted April 20, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) For pictures check out halfacts.com The Westerdam is a vista class, so click on that at the top and you will see pictures from all that class. Decor may differ from ship to ship. Also check out the reviews on this site. You will love Alaska, it is beautiful. We are doing our second cruise there on the Westerdam in a few weeks. Edited April 20, 2015 by cruisevers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted April 20, 2015 #3 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The 2015 Alaska season hasn't started yet as of this posting (but will be starting very soon, so look here for future reviews). Here are some Alaska Westerdam reviews from last year (2014) The first review has photos: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2067739 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2070595 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2060765 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 20, 2015 #4 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) We have done several Alaskan cruises on the Westerdam. Breakfast -- choices are room service, Lido or main dining room. If you are in a Pinnacle Suite or a Neptune Suite you can have breakfast in the Pinnacle (no extra charge) and the menu is the same as the dining room menu. Lunch -- Lido, sometimes the main dining room is open -- check your daily "On Location" program for times when it is open, Dive In -- hot dogs and hamburgers, taco bar, sometimes the Pinnacle Grill is open for lunch (Costs $10 per person), and room service. Dinner - main dining room (fixed dining and open seating), Pinnacle Grill ($29 per person), Lido, Canaletto ($10 per person) and you can have dinner in your cabin -- order within the first hour of the dining room open -- can order from main dining room menu. Edited April 20, 2015 by Krazy Kruizers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 20, 2015 #5 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Dining Room Breakfast Menu (Also in the Pinnacle for PS and Neptune Suite Passengers) Something Simple: Cold Cereals: Cornflakes - Cheerios - Special K - Raisin Bran - Shredded Wheat - Rice Krispies - Frosted Flakes - Fruit loops - Granola - All Bran - Bran Flakes -- served with your choice of milk -- add sliced banana on request. Breakfast Parfait - layers of creamy Greek yogurt, fresh berries and granola Hot Cereals: Old-Fashioned Oatmeal - Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal - Cream of Wheat - Creamy Grits -- served with sliced banana, raisins, brown sugar, maple syrup, milk, or half & half on request Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich - scrambles egg and Cheddar cheese served on a toasted English muffin. Add sausage patty, hickory smoked bacon or ham slice on request. Bagel and Lox - a freshly toasted bagel served with slices of cold smoked salmon, cream cheese, sliced onion and capers. Greenhouse Spa Selections: Cottage Cheese and Fresh Fruit - a small bowl of creamy cottage cheese lightly dusted with cinnamon, served with your choice of sliced banana, strawberries, blueberries or diced melon Swiss-Style Muesli - a mixture of low fat yogurt, fresh fruit, milk, toasted hazel-nuts, oatmeal and honey. Frittata Italiana - healthy without sacrificing flavor, egg whites combined with low-fat cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, then lightly baked and served with whole grain toast. International Classics: All American Breakfast - two jumbo eggs, cooked to order, served with hash browns, hickory smoked bacon or sausage and toast. Eggs Benedict - toasted English muffins, layered with Canadian bacon, two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Eggs Royal - toasted English muffins, smoked salmon and two poached eggs with creamy hollandaise sauce. Eggs Florentine - toasted English muffins, topped with sauteed spinach and two poached eggs draped with hollandaise sauce. Corned Beef Hash and Eggs - home-made corned beef hash topped with two eggs cooked to order and served with a side of toast. Kippered Herring - served with two scrambled eggs and smothered onions Dutch Breakfast - the Uitmijter, a classic open-faced sandwich with thick white bread, sliced ham, Gouda, and two eggs sunny side up. Japanese Breakfast - hot miso soup, steamed white rice, tamagoyaki and boiled salmon served with a cup of hot green tea. The Full English Breakfast - two jumbo eggs scrambled, English banger sausage, English back bacon, baked beans, hash browns and a grilled half tomato. Scandinavian Breakfast - smoked salmon and pickled herring, served with hard-boiled egg and slices of dark rye bread Three Egg Omelets: All omelets are served with hash browns and toast. Egg whites or egg substitute available on request. Denver Omelet - green bell pepper, onion, ham and a mixture of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Swiss cheese. Garden Vegetable Omelet - tender asparagus, sauteed spinach, diced tomato and sliced button mushrooms with creamy goat cheese. Southwest Omelet - diced sweet roasted bell peppers, tomato, green onion, and Monterey Jack cheese, topped with avocado, sour cream and fresh salsa. My Choice Omelet - build your own omelet with any of the following: ham, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, asparagus, Cheddar, Jack, Swiss, goat or Gruyere cheese. Hot Off the Griddle: Belgium Waffle - thick, crisp Belgium waffle topped with your choice of warm strawberries, apple-cinnamon or plum compote. Cinnamon-Sugar French Toast - thick slices of egg bread French toast, dusted with cinnamon-sugar. Served with whipped butter and hot maple syrup. Stack of Pancakes - three fluffy pancakes stacked high. your choice of buttermilk, banana or blueberry. Served with whipped butter and hot maple syrup From the Bakery: toast - English Muffin - Bagel - Roll Baked Fresh Daily: Butter Croissant - Chocolate Croissant - Raisin Bun - Cheese Danish - Fruit Danish - Danish of the Day - Blueberry Muffin - Muffin of the Day - Coffee Cake. Served with butter, margarine, jam, jelly honey, Nutella or cream cheese on request. Fresh baked sugar-free pastries upon request On the Side: Hickory Smoked Bacon - English Bangers - Pork Sausage Links or Patty - Carved Honey Glazed Ham - Corned Beef Hash - Turkey Bacon - Turkey Sausage links - Morningstar Farms Vegi Links - Hash Browns. Fruits and Yogurts: Fresh Fruit Plate - Half Grapefruit - Sliced Banana - Stewed Prunes, Apricots or Kadota Figs - Assorted Yogurts Beverages: Coffee - Tea - Decaffeinated Coffee and Tea - Whole, Low Fat and Skim Milk - Chocolate Milk - Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice - Apple Juice - Cranberry Juice - Grapefruit juice - Grape Juice - Pineapple Juice - Prune Juice - Tomato Juice - V-8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 20, 2015 #6 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The Pinnacle Dinner is $29 per person. You can book the dinner either online, through Ship’s Services at 1-800-541-1576 or once you are on the ship. Starters: TOMATO BROTH WITH SPICY LEMONGRASS CHICKEN with flavors of kaffir lime and cilantro LOBSTER BISQUE crème fraîche and aged cognac SHRIMP COCKTAIL brandy horseradish cocktail sauce CAESAR SALAD heart of romaine, grated parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, anchovies and house-made dressing BEEFSTEAK TOMATO AND BASIL sliced red onion, pesto, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction * STEAK TARTARE seasoned finely-chopped Double R Ranch beef accompanied with parsley, cornichon, capers and red onion JUMBO-LUMP CRAB CAKES sweet chili-mustard sauce * OSSETRA MALOSSOL CAVIAR $45 served on ice with crème fraîche and buckwheat blini THE GRILL DOUBLE R RANCH STEAKS served with your choice of hand-crafted sauce: sun-dried tomato ° master chef ’s green peppercorn ° béarnaise ° horseradish-mustard ° hollandaise ° maitre d’ garlic butter * 7OZ. PETITE FILET MIGNON * 10 OZ. FILET MIGNON * 23 OZ. PORTERHOUSE * 12 OZ NEW YORK STRIP STEAK * 18 OZ. BONE-IN RIB EYE STEAK * GRILLED COLORADO LAMB CHOPS spiced apple chutney, fresh mint sauce * DOUBLE-CUT KUROBUTA PORK CHOP marinated in rosemary, garlic and pepper vinegar with scallions ROASTED JIDORI CHICKEN WITH PORCINI MUSHROOMS cider vinegar jus, forbiden ric e cake with quinoa and apricot, mâche salad and toasted pistachio nuts SEAFOOD * BROILED ALASKAN KING SALMON with lemon garlic herb splash KING CRAB LEGS $20 your choice steamed or broiled served with drawn butter * CEDAR PLANKED PACIFIC HALIBUT WITH SHRIMP SCAMPI roasted garlic and cilantro butter WEST COAST STYLE SEAFOOD CIOPPINO tomato braised clams, mussels, shrimp, Alaskan crab and halibut THE VEGETARIAN INTRIGUE BAKED-STUFFED EGGPLANT ragoût of zucchini, onion, eggplant and tomato on creamy polenta WILD MUSHROOM RAVIOLI in pesto cream sauce ROASTED PUMPKIN RISOTTO mascarpone cheese and Swiss chard SHAREABLE SIDES wilted spinach - sautéed mushrooms - baby carrots - grilled asparagus Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and pancetta - classic whipped potatoes - shoestring fries with truffle aïoli INDIVIDUAL SIDE jumbo baked Idaho potato Holland America Line only serves sustainable seafood THE FINALE NOT-SO-CLASSIC BAKED ALASKA Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream with Bing cherries jubilee WARM GRAND MARNIER CHOCOLATE VOLCANO CAKE the ultimate chocolate experience PINNACLE SOUFFLÉ vanilla soufflé with base of mixed berry compote and finished with molten Drambuie cream truffle LEMON-BRÛLÉE TART blueberry whipped cream CREAMY HOMEMADE RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE served with fresh berries FRESH BERRIES with a Sabayon sauce PREMIUM ICE CREAM AND SORBET DAILY CHEESE PLATE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 20, 2015 #7 Share Posted April 20, 2015 New Breakfast Cabin Menu (from Crew News - June 1, 2013) Preferred Time Frame 6 AM - 6:30 AM; 6:30 - 7 AM; 7 AM - 7:30 AM; 7:30 AM - 8 AM; 8 AM - 8:30 AM; 8:30 AM - 9 AM; 9 AM - 9:30 AM; 9:30 AM - 10 AM Juices Grapefruit; Orange:; Cranberry; V-8; Prune, Tomato Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Half Grapefruit; Sliced Bananas; Sliced Oranges; Mixed Fruit; Seasonal Melons; Stewed Prunes; Plain Yogurt; Fruit Yogurt; Greek Yogurt Bakery English Muffin(1); White Toast(2); Wheat Toast(2); Rye Toast(2); Danish(1); Croissant(2); Blueberry Muffin(1); Bran Muffin(1); Bagel (1) Cereals Corn Flakes; Special K; Cheerios; Raisin Bran; Granola; Fruit Loops; Frosted Flakes; Rice Krispies; Shredded Wheat With: Milk; 2% Milk; Skim Milk; Soy Milk Two Eggs Scrambled; Sunnyside Up; Over Easy; Poached; Hard Boiled Omelettes Cheese; Ham & Cheese; Vegetable & Cheese Egg Substitute Scrambled; Cheese Omelette; Vegetable & Cheese Omelette Egg White Scrambles; Cheese Omelette; Vegetable & Cheese Omelette Sides Ham Slices(2); Sausage Links(2); Bacon Strips(2); Veggie Links(2); Turkey Links(2); Turkey Bacon(2) Condiments Assorted Jams; Half & Half; Honey; Butter; Margarine; Cream Cheese; Peanut Butter; Ketchup; Tabasco; Nutella; Orange Marmalade Beverages Regular Coffee; Decaf Coffee; Tea; Decaf Tea; Hot Chocolate; Milk; 2% Milk; Skim Milk; Soy Milk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 20, 2015 #8 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Available 24 hours: Smoked Atlantic Salmon - pickled red onion, capers & cream cheese Mesclun Garden Greens - tomato, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts & blue cheese crumbles Triple Decker Club Sandwich - sliced turkey, ham, bacon, tomato & lettuce served on toasted bread of your choice All American Hamburger - broiled 1/4 pound beef patty on a sesame bun with dill pickle & coleslaw - add cheddar or Swiss cheese Open faced Omelet - ham & cheese or vegetables Selection of assorted cheese with crackers Apple tart with whipped cream Chocolate cake with raspberry sauce A plate of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk Fruit salad - selected fruits in season Available from 12 noon until 10 PM: Appetizers & Soups: Bay shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce Smoked Atlantic Salmon French onion soup baked with Gruyere cheese Soup of the day Salads: Mesclun Garden Greens Chef salad - mixed greens, ham, salami, swiss cheese, turkey, hard boiled egg - choice of Italian or blue cheese dressing Caesar salad - tossed with Caesar dressing, croutons & parmesan - add bay shrimp or grilled chicken breast Sandwiches & Burgers: All are served with a choice of potato salad or potato chips Triple decker club sandwich Broiled California chicken breast sandwich on multi=grain bread with avocado & honey mustard sauce Grilled tuna melt - tuna salad & Swiss cheese on rye bread with pickle spears Thai Vegetarian wrap - eggplant, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts & cilantro rolled with rice & green curry sauce in a tomato tortilla Steak sandwich - sirloin steak on sourdough bread sauteed with onion & bell pepper All American Hamburger Entrees: Seared salmon steak - dill-lime fusion, broccoli florets, carrot batonnet & country mashed potatoes Penne Primavera - tossed in marinara sauce with Italian roasted vegetables - add grilled chicken breast Pizza: margarita (tomato sauce & cheese) Pepperoni Vegetarian (mushroom & bell pepper) Desserts: Apple tart Chocolate cake Creme caramel surrounded in berry compote Fruit jello fruit salad Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce Selection of assorted cheese with crackers And remember that you can always order from the dinner menu. Just remember to order within the first half hour from when the dinning room opens. You can select whatever time you want to eat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 20, 2015 #9 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Pinnacle Lunch Menu Menu - $10 per person - can not be booked until you are on the ship. Starters: 1)Grilled Prawn Bruschetta with a primavera salsa - aged asiago cheese and balsamic fusion 2)Mediterranean antipasto plate - pesto virgin olive oil 3)Lobster creme brulee - caramelized parmesean wafer 4)Northwest five onion soup - tomato shallot soubise 5)Chilled carrot and ginger soup - creme faiche and fried sage 6)Chiffanade of greens and tomato tower salad - Italian vinaigritte Entrees: 1)Pacific rim beef salad - mesclun leaves, mangoes and lotus fruit 2)Alaskan halibut fillet sandwich - sour dough bread, cilantro relish and cucumber potato salad 3)Lobster and shrimp cake - exotic fruit chutney, lime Thai curry sauce and orange rice with pine nuts 4)The Pinnacle burger - apple smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and bistro style shoestring potatoes. This dish can be served with a low carb bun and without the potatoes. 5)Bistro Steak with Oregon blue cheese crust - grilled asparagus and scalloped potatoes 6)Penne with grilled chicken breast, lemon basil sauce, sun dried tomatoes and arugula 7)Vegetarian couscous - grilled vegetables and fried mint leaves and harissa Desserts: 1)Fresh strawberries with raspberry sorbet - sugar dough gaufrette 2)Chocolate brownie decadence - an explosion of chocolate 3)Orange and lime panna cotta 4)Ice creams and sorbets - ask for the day's selections 5)Fruit plate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaiTaiMary Posted April 20, 2015 Author #10 Share Posted April 20, 2015 :eek::eek::eek: So what you're saying is that we won't go hungry!! LOL Wow, that looks incredible. Thank you! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2067739 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2070595 http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2060765 Going to check these out now. Thank you! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaiTaiMary Posted April 20, 2015 Author #11 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Any idea where I can find a copy of a typical 7 day Alaska cruise newsletter of daily activities? (sorry, I don't know what Holland America calls this.) Doesn't need to be the exact cruise, just trying to get an idea of what they have to offer. Thanks again. The more I look into this cruise, the better it looks! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 20, 2015 #12 Share Posted April 20, 2015 It is called "On Location" for the daily program. I don't save my programs anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted April 20, 2015 #13 Share Posted April 20, 2015 (edited) Any idea where I can find a copy of a typical 7 day Alaska cruise newsletter of daily activities? (sorry, I don't know what Holland America calls this.) Doesn't need to be the exact cruise, just trying to get an idea of what they have to offer. Thanks again. The more I look into this cruise, the better it looks! :D Welcome to HAL. Here is my photographic tour of the Westerdam for the exact cruise from last Alaska season: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-westerdam-tour/ Here are the On Locations (daily activities) from Westerdam last season: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/alaska-2014-westerdam-on-location-daily-activities/ Here is a link to all of the current, scanned, Specialty Restaurant, Beverage, and Room Service (free 24/7) menus: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/ Here are the scanned menus from that cruise for the Lido Restaurant and Main Dining Room (both lunches and dinner) as examples of what you might see this season: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-alaska-ms-westerdam-menus/ Edited April 20, 2015 by Crew News Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted April 20, 2015 #14 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Any idea where I can find a copy of a typical 7 day Alaska cruise newsletter of daily activities? (sorry, I don't know what Holland America calls this.) Doesn't need to be the exact cruise, just trying to get an idea of what they have to offer. Thanks again. The more I look into this cruise, the better it looks! :D If you look at the website mentioned in the first response (we're not actually supposed to mention it here on CC), under the General tab, you'll find copies of the On Location brochures for various itineraries. While not current for this upcoming season, they'll certainly give you an idea of activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaiTaiMary Posted April 20, 2015 Author #15 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The "Lido" restaurant is the casual/serve yourself buffet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted April 20, 2015 #16 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The "Lido" restaurant is the casual/serve yourself buffet? Correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted April 20, 2015 #17 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The "Lido" restaurant is the casual/serve yourself buffet? Hot items are plated by the staff as you choose them, e.g. cooked veggies, potatoes, pasta, soup, cooked eggs, bacon, grits, etc. Ice cream is not self-service. Self-service items are breads/baked goods, appetizers, cheeses, salad makings, desserts, condiments, and beverages. A layout drawing of the Lido Restaurant serving lines is included on the link for Specialty menus that I posted above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaiTaiMary Posted April 21, 2015 Author #18 Share Posted April 21, 2015 What is the dress code like in the MDR for dinner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ky Colonel Posted April 21, 2015 #19 Share Posted April 21, 2015 ... on non-formal days, it is "business casual" which means (apparently) anything short of blue jeans, tank tops, shorts, and similar "beach" wear ... Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ky Colonel Posted April 21, 2015 #20 Share Posted April 21, 2015 This itinerary includes Glacier Bay, which seems to be preferable over Tracy Arm Fjord. (yes? no?) We have done several Alaska cruises , split about equally between Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Fjord ... IMO Glacier Bay is clearly the better of the 2 ... Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazy4kruisin Posted April 21, 2015 #21 Share Posted April 21, 2015 There are a lot of videos on youtube Just put Westerdam in the search engine. I have found them to be informative and entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare donswife Posted April 22, 2015 #22 Share Posted April 22, 2015 The Westerdam Alaska cruise was wonderful in so many ways. When I wasn't at the gym trying to balance on a Bosu ball while under way, I spent many hours on our aft balcony watching whales play in our wake (especially in Glacier Bay), along with many other activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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