Big Al's Westerdam quick peak review 11/20:A mixed bag

[RevNeal]

big al, do you feel like you're being attacked?

[agathasmum]

Hi,

 

We were on the same sailing as you and I guess reviews are very subjective. We had a great time. Will post my review when I get chance after doing the laundry. We've sailed Celebrity 7 times and were worried HAL might not "measure up".

 

I thought the dining room food was excellent for lunch and dinner, but not great for breakfast. Infact I didn't really rate room service breakfast and don't like fighting for a table in the lido first thing so we often skipped breakfast.I loved the portion size in the dining room. I hate it when you order an appetiser that feeds 6 and fills you up before you've eaten anything else. I also liked that the waiters didn't chastise you for skipping a course or bring extra food that you didn't order.

 

Lido lunch was OK, especially the wok, but I preferred the dining room. Lido evening casual dining was poor, the food tasted like it had been hanging around too long. Didn't try the pinnacle as we liked the main dining room.

 

We had 8:30 dinner and found the shows too late too. I also thought the bar entertainment was poor. If they want to attract families they need to liven things up a bit, maybe get a singer guitarist type and a Caribbean band in. I did like the string trio in the explorers lounge. Nightclub was used more for karaoke than dancing, unfortunately.

 

Never used the pools. They were always crowded and loud, I preferred my aft balcony, my ipod and my book.

 

Cabin was super, loved the bath. We had amazingly good water pressure, it must vary depending on where you are on the ship!

 

Library, jigsaw, quizzes and trivia were fun (how sad am I!).

 

Kids enjoyed Club HAL teens and tweens, altho the hours were very limited. No activities on port days was disappointing.

 

We've cruised Celebrity 7 times so I was a bit worried about switching. Celebrity are very professional, the HAL staff are friendlier and make up for being less professional with their enthusiasm

 

I loved the hot hors d'ouevres in the bar, the leather recliners in the crows nest, and the promenade deck that stretched all round the ship.

 

I think HAL may have snagged a Celebrity customer here as I can't face a piddly balcony again after the HAL aft verandah, big enough for a lounge chair, wicker armchair, table and 2 small chairs.

 

I did notice a smell but I smelt it up on the open Deck 10 and outside the Crows Nest.

[RevNeal]

I know it is a matter of opinion but......one night I had a steak - absolutely could not be cut so I didn't eat it. Head waiter asked if something was wrong and I just said "if I can't cut it with a steak knife, I sure can't chew it" - so he picks up the knife to try to cut it - nada - steak skidded around on plate. He laughed and said, yes, it isn't very good, is it?

 

LOL

Something like this happened to me on the Volendam once. The steak was so touch it was like trying to eat shoe leather. HORRIBLE. So ... being the pro-active kinda guy I was ... I waved over the area supervisor and told him that if the ship needed a new anchor they could use my steak? The humor was a bit thick for him to get through, so I spelled it out ... "this steak is horrible." He asked what I meant, because I clearly hadn't had a bite of it. I told him to try and cut it. He tried, and the steak nearly slid off the plate. "Yes, sir, this is bad. Would you like be to get you another one?"

 

"Yes, please."

 

The next one was just perfect ... hot, tender, medium ... exactly as it should be.

 

Yes, food is a HIGHLY subjective thing. HIGHLY subjective.

[big al]

big al, do you feel like you're being attacked?

 

Rev-Attacked is probably too strong a word..perhaps scolded is a better word..kind of like a little boy who disrupts the class and the teacher disciplines him..People who know me know I speak my mind..I have been to 5 star hotels that stunk,and I've also stayed at Holiday Inns that were very good.....Yes,food is very subjective....BUT waiting 45 minutes for salad and 60 minutes for your filet mignon is not...amazingly,my wife's boss told me she had the EXACT same expierience on the Westerdam in February-food was terrific,but she said the service was very slow-not bad,just slow....those of you who thought the food in the Vista dining room was good,you would've needed an angioplasty after the meals on the NCL Sun's alternative dining venues.....while I was eating the escargot on the Westerdam,my wife asked me if they were as good as NCL's..I just stared at her and she said,"sorry-stupid question"..the escagots were pretty good..one of the better appetizers I had,in fact I gave it a B+,but nowhere near The Sun's A+++....When I posted my review of those meals,I got about 50 responses saying "yes,the escargots were to die for"........I will NEVER forget those escargots....NOR the seafood fettucine alfredo with lobster & shrimp...uuuuummmmm,pure cholesterol!!!! I'm happy to say that I kept my promise of NOT exceeding 10,000 calories per day or 25 adult beverages....I only consumed about half of that!!!!

 

Big Al (Very big now)

[afgirl]

Did anyone else notice that the ceasar salad (much less any of their salads) didn't have enough dressing? Couldn't even tell it was a cesar salad.

[peaches from georgia]

And it would have tasted a lot better if it had been served cold (or even cool) as salads should be. It was room temp.

[RevNeal]

Did anyone else notice that the ceasar salad (much less any of their salads) didn't have enough dressing? Couldn't even tell it was a cesar salad.

 

Actually, I appreciated being able to taste lettuce. Sometimes the caesar dressing can be so strong that one can't taste anything else. :) And, I thought the temperature was about right ... might have been a bit colder, but mine were never "room temp."

[pschimke]

Hi Al,

 

I agree, not my favorite cruise.

 

In my opinion, the ship was beautiful, our room steward was outstanding as was the Pinnacle, but the positive feedback ends there.

 

We had late seating. It seemed like we received the dregs of the meals, the sides generally didn't coincide with the menu. Service in the dining room was terrible. Maybe the waiter was tired, the dining room understaffed, or our waiter was inexperienced, but we were consistently one of the last tables in the dining room. We had to ask for ground pepper, he didn't remember who wanted water, iced tea, tea or coffee. The wine steward attached to our section of the dining room could never get to us before the salad. Our servings were miniscule. I agree about the lobster tails. The tiniest I have ever seen, not that we didn't ask for and receive more. We only ate at the Pinnacle once. We had reservations for 8pm, didn't get seated till 8:45. The food was outstanding. How can the Pinnacle be so good and the main dining room be so mediocre. Regarding the Lido, although I liked the food there, particularly the Asian counter, I looked too many times for a place to sit, had too many Lido staff members just push me out of the way to be happy there.

 

I encountered numerous rude and incompetent crew members including the Lido, cruise director, and front office staff. The entertainment left a lot to be desired. The only show I liked was the illusionist Leo Ward. I thought the HAL Singers and Dancers were "high school". The Cruise Director Michele was neither vibrant nor interesting. Didn't help that she did nothing for the Cruise Critic group. I know that there is no comittment for Cruise Lines besides Celebrity and RCCL to sponsor CC parties, but she didn't have the common decency to get back to me that HAL would not support a party. Seems strange that the budget of a Cruise Director can not handle a small party. There was a party for travel agents. I guess cruise critic members are not as important as Travel Agents.

 

I am glad I traveled with friends, they were the saving grace of the trip. Also, we had great excursions in ST. Maarten and Tortola. But HAL--- we won't be taking a HAL cruise again...

 

Pat

[willowoodf]

We are going to be on the Westerdam less than a week from today, on the same cruise as rubbrick. I am curious to see how the Westerdam measures up. We have been on the Ryndam 2x in the past 6 months, and were very happy with it. We thought the dining room was very good. Especially the cruise last month. I had a filet one night that was as good as any I've had in any steak restaurant. And I live in Kansas City, where we know steak. We had a table for 8, with some veteran cruisers. On two different nights two of the other people at our table said that the (whatever it was they ordered) may have possibly been the best they ever had.

 

I didn't think the individual portions were all THAT small. If that was all I ate, then yes, but after an appetizer, a soup, the entree and the dessert, I was FULL. And trust me, I can eat a lot - see my picture! A couple of nights I had two desserts, and one night I had two entrees, because I couldn't make up my mind. But I always left that dining room FULL. Our dining stewards were wonderful and were happy to bring more of anything, including the lobsters on lobster night, where they would bring as many as you wanted.

 

Yes, I know that one doesn't go on a mass cruise line for gourmet food. That's not what I expect. But I never had anything bad, most things were pretty darn good, and there were a few standout, exceptional items.

 

I am just curious to see if the Westerdam is really that much worse than the Ryndam. It seems from what I have been reading, that it may well be. I'll let you know when I get back!

 

Mary

[big al]

Pat-I see you had similar experiences like me...and yes,HAL did nothing for us CC people,did they?You would think around 75 members times all the $$$ we spent would get us at least a cocktail and a 1 hour formal gathering.....FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THOUGHT I WAS A BIT NEGATIVE,YOU CAN SEE THE "NEGATIVE" REVIEWS ARE STARTING TO COME IN...almost ALL about the food & service & entertainment...sometimes it's just luck-if you get great dining room staff waiting on you,things go fine...our guys were real good,and our cabin steward,Farid,was outstanding.One thing for me I liked about the Westerdam-the ship was COLD!!! I like rooms to be cold,and that was probably the coldest ship I've ever been on!!My wife was freezing,but more noticeable were the elderly/senior male citizens with their sweaters......YES,the sweater brigade was out!! About 85% of the male senior passengers had their green sweaters with blue pants,pink shirts,red ties,brown shoes w/black socks out....and some people have the nerve to comment on what some people wear to dinner??!! I needed sun glasses when I walked by some of them......

[agathasmum]

I loved the salads being cool rather than ice cold. You could actually taste what was in them for a change.

 

I've never understood what all the fuss is about the caesar salad, it's just a bit of lettuce with a crouton and some parmesan. At least the HAL salads were interesting altho one of them was missing the artichoke heart that the menu boasted!

 

Susan

[csg99]

We are going to be on the Westerdam less than a week from today, on the same cruise as rubbrick. I am curious to see how the Westerdam measures up. We have been on the Ryndam 2x in the past 6 months, and were very happy with it. We thought the dining room was very good. Especially the cruise last month. I had a filet one night that was as good as any I've had in any steak restaurant. And I live in Kansas City, where we know steak. We had a table for 8, with some veteran cruisers. On two different nights two of the other people at our table said that the (whatever it was they ordered) may have possibly been the best they ever had.

 

I didn't think the individual portions were all THAT small. If that was all I ate, then yes, but after an appetizer, a soup, the entree and the dessert, I was FULL. And trust me, I can eat a lot - see my picture! A couple of nights I had two desserts, and one night I had two entrees, because I couldn't make up my mind. But I always left that dining room FULL. Our dining stewards were wonderful and were happy to bring more of anything, including the lobsters on lobster night, where they would bring as many as you wanted.

 

Yes, I know that one doesn't go on a mass cruise line for gourmet food. That's not what I expect. But I never had anything bad, most things were pretty darn good, and there were a few standout, exceptional items.

 

I am just curious to see if the Westerdam is really that much worse than the Ryndam. It seems from what I have been reading, that it may well be. I'll let you know when I get back!

 

Mary

 

Mary, I don't think you need to worry. We were on the 11/13 Westerdam cruise, and even with Norwalk on board, 27 ft. seas, canceled ports, and Gamma chasing us around the western Caribbean, we still enjoyed ourselves immensely. The food in the main dining room was excellent, from our point of view. We didn't do the Pinnacle this time because we enjoyed the Main Dining room so much. Our wait staff was wonderful. Our steward had to leave after the 3rd night because of a death in the family, and the rest of the staff stepped up and the service did not miss a beat. Our wine steward had our coke and diet coke waiting when we got there, and appeared immediately to take our wine order. While I missed the sweet & sour tofu I've enjoyed on previous HAL cruises, the menu was interesting and varied. As a vegetarian, I truly appreciate the originality the chef shows when preparing dishes. Several of the people from my party were even ordering from the vegetarian menu after seeing the items I was enjoying. I don't cruise for the CD--I honestly can't name many I've cruised with. Our biggest disappointment has been the poor quality of entertainment in the Piano Bar on our last two cruises--is that enough to ruin our cruise? Of course not! To be in a lovely stateroom, having breakfast on our verandah daily, completely disconnected from work and outside problems (except for the aforementioned pesky tropical storm)--what more can one expect from a vacation? We have NEVER experienced rude or indifferent staff on HAL cruises. While we prefer the smaller HAL ships, we've sailed on two Vista-class ships and have enjoyed it thoroughly. If you go with an open mind and the desire to enjoy yourself, you will have a wonderful time! :D

[gizmo]

At least the HAL salads were interesting altho one of them was missing the artichoke heart that the menu boasted!

 

Susan

 

LOL. Our table all ordered Peach Melba for dessert. Not one of them had any rasberry sauce.

[MikeT718]

When we were on the Zaandam last spring after the first night in the main dinning room I learned the portions were small and I just ordered 2 of what ever I ordered or I'd order 2 different main courses..But I can say I never walked away from the main dinning room hungry. Anyone who does it's their own fault because the waiters have no problem bring out extra food or even bring back something that was cooked wrong and replacing it..:)

[Oceanwench]

One thing for me I liked about the Westerdam-the ship was COLD!!! I like rooms to be cold,and that was probably the coldest ship I've ever been on!!My wife was freezing,but more noticeable were the elderly/senior male citizens with their sweaters......YES,the sweater brigade was out!! About 85% of the male senior passengers had their green sweaters with blue pants,pink shirts,red ties,brown shoes w/black socks out....and some people have the nerve to comment on what some people wear to dinner??!! I needed sun glasses when I walked by some of them......

 

Yes, the ship was cold. Knowing how cold I've been on HAL Vista ships in the past, I packed FLANNEL PJs. :p Even then, I was cold. DH likes the room cold, so I didn't mess with the AC too much.

I found the dining room and casino very cold also.

 

Although I am not a "senior," I guess I qualify for your sweater brigade.

After growing up in the Boston area, living in N.H. and Northeast Ohio, I moved to Florida -- and now anything less than 70 degrees outside has me running for a sweater.

 

As far as negative comments, many of us have said our Westerdam experience was mixed. It's just that we differ on what was good and what was bad. For me, the weather and the presence of the virus onboard [and the sense of dread it left in me] were the negative factors. And those were beyond HAL's control.

 

I found the food to be wonderful in the dining room -- but I do not eat beef or shellfish, so I am basing my comments on chicken, a few fish dishes and the vegetarian entrees.

 

And I never encountered a rude crew member the whole week. Even on the last day, as we were waiting to disembark and were peeking into various cabins to check them out, the crew members were all very polite and helpful.

[debjo]

Not having sailed with HAL yet, but booked on the WESTERDAM for Oct '06, I'm wondering if the dining room food isn't as good as one might expect to be because of the "pay-for" Pinnacle Dining. Might this just be a way that HAL makes more money...having "better" food in the "additional fee" dining establishments on their ships?

 

Debjo

[RevNeal]

I think I was hotter on the Westerdam for my two weeks in November than I've been on any cruise since the Maasdam 2000. One night, the first week, I had sweat rolling down my back because it was so hot ... at least in our area of the dining room. Mom was comfortable -- but she's in her 70s and is still cold in Texas in Spring when it's 85 degrees out. Christopher was even too hot, and he's NEVER too hot. Perhaps it was just our area of the dining room that first week, but I was HOT. The second week I was perfectly comfortable most nights, but most of the ladies were freezing.

[Oceanwench]

Not having sailed with HAL yet, but booked on the WESTERDAM for Oct '06, I'm wondering if the dining room food isn't as good as one might expect to be because of the "pay-for" Pinnacle Dining. Might this just be a way that HAL makes more money...having "better" food in the "additional fee" dining establishments on their ships?

 

Debjo

 

I think the Pinnacle sells out most nights regardless of the food in the dining room ...

I don't think HAL needs to motivate pax to book the Pinnacle.

 

DH and I have decided no more Pinnacle for us, unless we are sailing with family/friends who insist. I don't eat beef, he eats very little red meat. Not much on the menu [other than the chocolate volcano cake] appealed to me.

[aaerobear]

I have only one comment (well 2, but will keep the second one quiet for a bit)

 

We were on the Rotterdam last summer for the baltic cruise. We had a group of 5 of us in the Pinnacle and 2 of the guys ordered one of the main courses to be split as an appetizer. They charged an extra $10 (no big deal) and then just plopped the plate down between them and gave them each a small plate. We are all in the service industry and are totally capable of splitting an entree, but it just grated us to see the lack of service. The waiter could have served them already separated or , at least, offered to split them when they were served. other than that, the food was great and the rest of the service was excellent. We really did like the Dining room food and we had late seating and were able to relax and enjoy ourselves.

 

My second comment is in regards to the CD, we all disliked her "big time" and I posted about it when I returned and was "nailed to the cross" by folks who thought she was the best thing since sliced bread. Just gfoes to show you how impressions are different.

[Oceanwench]

I keep forgetting to mention the towel animals!

We had them on the Westerdam every night, courtesy of Luki, our fabulous cabin steward.

 

Wasn't there a thread once upon a time in which people swore they'd give up cruising HAL if there were towel animals? :eek:

[agathasmum]

I keep forgetting to mention the towel animals!

We had them on the Westerdam every night, courtesy of Luki, our fabulous cabin steward.

 

Wasn't there a thread once upon a time in which people swore they'd give up cruising HAL if there were towel animals? :eek:

 

Oh yes! Last week we had an elephant, octopus and butterfly! kept the kids amused....

 

Susan

[General Max]

We had the towel animals on the transatlantic Oct. 22nd cruise. We had the sofa couch full of them by the end of the cruise. These were made by WaiYoui.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[Bobblsc]

We were on the same transatlantic cruise with General Max and Cindiedee. So, if anyone still reads this site, we have some comments. Yes, some of the colors were a bit bright but we got used to them. The flowers placed all over the ship were outstanding. Our cabin steward was outstanding and gave us little towel animals, also. The main dining room service was very good. Our junior suite was very nice; we didn't use all of the storage space. The bathroom, with tub, shower and two sinks and expansive counter was also very nice.

 

We ate at the Pinnacle the first night and were disappointed, although I have read many comments from others who really enjoyed it. I had a filet mignon which was so-so and a bit overcooked for my medium-rare order. Probably the worst thing in the Pinnacle was the service by the wine steward and the waiter. I ordered a glass of wine and, when the wine steward bought it, he plopped it on my left side, saying, "There you are." I think he wanted me to buy a full bottle, and was disappointed that I did not do so. Our after dinner coffee was also served on the left side. This would be OK at Sloppy Joe's Café but I don't think so at a supposed five-star restaurant.

 

As I wrote in my ship's evaluation, there seemed to be about two minor irritants each day. For example, I sent a bag of laundry and received it back short one item. Even though their total count was one more than the sum of their item counts. It took me five telephone calls and trips to the front desk to get a small credit. Another irritant occurred when I checked my bill a day before the end of the cruise and they had charged $25 or $30 for the mini bar. I believe they had four or five waters and several of something else for the one day charge, and there weren't that many of those items available in the bar. In any case, I went to the desk and said that we had never consumed anything from the mini bar. They finally agreed to subtract the charge. On checking out immediately before disembarking, I received a final copy of the bill and they had taken only part of the charge off, leaving about $10 on. I, of course, objected and the charge was omitted from my credit card billing.

 

There were other minor irritants. A few minor irritants would not be negative for the cruise but some, every day, totaled to be the equivalent of a major irritant.

 

It was great that our Cruise Critic group supplied three of the ten performers for the talent show. We were all great and Mrs. General Max was really funny and entertaining. (I can prove this with a somewhat poor recording if anyone wants to hear it.)

[ROZO'SBEAU]

I was also on the Oct 22 TransAtlantic and have refrained from commenting til now.

Michelle was the worst CD we ever cruised with (any line including many previous on HAL).

All the comments about stage presence and how she performed were right on. Very studied "performance" with practiced hand gestures and an "aren't we having fun now" attitude.

Some have said her job is supposed to be administrative, not entertaining. Let me tell you how screwed up the schedules were, how she didn't follow through on actions, etc.

At disembarkation we were given numbered departure slips that are now used for luggage as well as sequencing to depart from the gangway.

She announced, "Adam will be at the gangway to check your slips, Go down when you numbers are called." We had an early number. There are 1800(?) passengers. Poor Adam is over at the side of the passageway leading to the gangway having been corralled by some passenger with a problem(?) or maybe thanking him(?) for a great cruise. Nobody is checking the slips. Hence other early birds are departing with us with some late birds mixed in who didn't wait to have their numbers called. Nobody is checking. I have never been on a HAL ship where at least two cruise staffers weren't at the gangway collecting (old system) the disembarkation cards.

Under Michelle's administration, it's like at crucial points in the voyage. there always seemed to be a need for at least one more cruise staffer.

At ports of call, there is typically always a cruise staffer (or two) at the gangway with extra copies of those maps (shoppers guides) in case you need one on shore. Not on this trip (most notably at St. Maarten).

With regard to scheduling....errors on the daily program vs the daily happenings sheet distributed at the same time to your cabin, putting big groups in small function rooms and small groups in big rooms, mismanagement of the (paid) cooking class schedule, and many others.

I know of many other passengers who shared similar thoughts with me and they told me they wrote her up in their critiques. Me too.

I loved the cruise...I am a foodie and there was nothing wrong in the dining room, everything came as ordered, rare if that's what you wanted, extra tastes, extra lobster tails, extra rack of lamb, extra escargot, you name it, I got it. I loved my cabin. I loved my stewards. I loved the big band.

I always have at least one meal in the Pinnacle (sometimes at lunch on sea days). I agree the beef is spectacular. But, I echo some others' thoughts on here. We always feel like we have had a poor experience at the meal....cold, diffident service (maybe it's the Europeans vs.,the Indonesian servers). I felt disdain from the server when I ordered only a glass of wine. The volcano cake has always been a disappointment....either cool, or not gooey enough, or too gooey.

We reserved two days in advance for lunch this trip (therefore no volcano cake). We showed up at 12:45 (two of us). The Pinnacle had five tables taken (and on a Vista ship, that means almost empty). We were shown to a two-top away from the windows. We asked if we might have a window table....we were told those were for four people and others were coming. Guess what? No one else showed up and those tables remained empty. Something is wrong here, and has been; I don't care which ship. My wife feels exactly as I do. We are from the East Coast U.S. and we have been to our share (maybe more than our share) of big city fine dining establishments. Fine dining is not an "oh wow" experience for us. I expect more from this restaurant (and I know the price is certainly reasonable considering the quality of the beef). One other thing, one poster said the Pinnacle was well patronized...not from my observation. A fellow passeger commented to me that they were "hurting" on this cruise for lack of patronage. I can't say for sure.

I have other comments on this cruise...very positive comments ...and some comparisons with our previous HAL experiences. I'll get around to them in time. I just had to make the above comments on this thread.

Beau

[General Max]

Bobblsc; Mrs Max would like to hear the recording. Do you need to e-mail the file to us or can you just upload it to a post.

 

Cheers

 

General Max