Westerdam Review - December 11th through the 18th - Western Caribbean

[TidePrideGA]

This was my first cruise ever and we chose HAL largely on the advice of our TA. In addition, the timing, itinerary, port of embarkation and price fit our needs. I found Cruise Critic immediately (again thanks to my TA) and did tons and tons of research – almost too much, I think. Some things would better have been left more to the imagination. Anyway, here goes my first review, keeping in mind that I have no basis for comparison.

We were on the Westerdam December 11th through the 18th doing the Western Caribbean itinerary of HMC, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Costa Maya (as a substitute for Cozumel).

EMBARKATION: Could not conceivably have been easier. We drove down the day before and stayed at the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Holiday Inn. We arrived at the Park N Fly at 10:55 and were on board the Westerdam at 11:25. This included a rather lengthy (three passes through the scanner) search of DH’s carry-on for an elusive pair of scissors I didn’t even realize were in there (that’s the bag I use for business travel and they were buried in a side pocket). They confiscated them and marked them for pickup but I didn’t even bother – they were an inexpensive pair.

We were met at the entrance to the Lido by a crew member who directed us to take our carry ons if we wished to the 2nd Deck, the Piano Bar for storage. We got down there and there was no one/no luggage in there. A crew member asked what we were looking for and he said “No, that’s on Lido deck” and started to tell us where. When we said someone up there had sent us to Deck 2, he said “Come, I’ll take you” and escorted us to the Cloak Room on Lido deck. Those bags arrived in our at the same time our checked luggage arrived.

THE CABIN: SS8090. We absolutely loved this cabin. It was very convenient to the Lido (around the corner and up one flight of stairs to the entrance to the Lido). It was plenty big enough for the 3 of us and DS found the laid out sofa bed to be very comfortable. The balcony was large and was well-used during our cruise! The only disadvantage was that it was a connecting cabin and we really could have used that extra closet you lose to the connecting door. However, that space worked well as the area for our dirty clothes bag and shoes to reside.

Our cabin steward, Yakim, could not possibly have been better. He learned what we needed quickly and was there every time we were out re-icing down my perpetual bottle of champagne, etc. He even found me wandering around lost in the hall (the only time that happened) and led me to our cabin door.

FOOD: We found the food above our expectations – but then we didn’t expect gourmet restaurant food, recognizing (as they kept reminding us) that they prepare 11,000 meals a day. The Mahi Mahi on the first night was so good DS had two servings and then DH and DS split a third. The only disappointment was the lobster tails – yes, they were tiny and they had virtually no taste at all. The chilled fruit soups were wonderful, except for one (I can’t remember which, but I believe it was the Mango).

Our server, Chamdi, was excellent, as was Manny, our wine steward. As expected, they had our beverages of choice awaiting us every night after the first night. DS ordered a meat and a fish entrée each of the first 3 nights. On the 4th night, when he ordered only meat, Chamdi almost seemed disappointed when he said “No fish tonight?”

Service was very quick. Each course followed the one before it almost immediately. At times, if anything, it almost seemed too fast – no time to releax between courses.

The Lido food was very good with a lot of variety, but the Lido is hard to find one’s way around in – somewhat confusing. The food at the Wok station is wonderful – we walked right by it on the way to the pool every time and the smell would make me want to stop and eat – even if I had just eaten!

The sugar-free desserts are plentiful, varied and very good to be sugar-free. The sugar-free (read as no sugar added which is often the case – there is a difference) vanilla ice cream was far and away the best I’ve ever had!

ROOM SERVICE: We had coffee and Danish delivered every morning at 6:00 a.m. It usually arrived around 5:50, which was fine with us. DH and I would sit on the balcony with our coffee and watch the sun rise. Heaven!

We didn’t go up to the Lido for breakfast until the 4th morning, but went every morning after that. Every morning, Chamdi was waiting for me at the end of the Breakfast Express line and carried my tray, found us a table where we wanted it (not having to be told after the first morning) and got my coffee and juice. I watched him one morning when there were nine pax in line in front of me – he didn’t take a tray until I arrived and then I got the red carpet service. You better believe he got a nice tip at the end of the cruise!

PAX: I would estimate the pax to have been 70% over age 60, 85% over age 50, less than 10% under age 30. That was fine with us, but made DS’s sea days a bit at loose ends (he’s 20). The ones we met were very friendly and considerate and we saw very little rudeness of any type. We got particularly lucky with our tablemates. Fellow CCers Pat and Dan (rocks) were at our table. The first night as we were introducing ourselves I said my name was Donna and we were from Atlanta and Pat yelped “No way! You’re not TidePrideGA”! It was soooo cool and they were soooo wonderful! Our other tablemates were Joanne and Leo, who are Dutch Canadians from Ontario. They were just adorable!

DRESS CODE: From what I observed on formal and informal nights, the dress code was 90% or more complied with, although there were very, very, very few tuxes on formal night. DH grumbled a little about this as I had made him and DS rent them. I didn’t pay much attention on casual night, but I did see one gentleman stopped for having on shorts on the last night. He told them he was wearing his disembarkation clothes and had packed everything else and they let him in. That certainly seemed reasonable to me.

ENTERTAINMENT: We didn’t go to many shows and weren’t impressed with the one we did go to. The comedian (I can’t think of his name right now) was pretty good, the jugglers were lame and the singers were average. We left after a few minutes. We missed the crew shows, which I heard were very good.

We did go to the Superstar finals night because fellow CCer Two@Sea was in the cabin next to us and her DH was a finalist – and, in fact, won! Way to go, Cas!! He has a very smooth voice in the Dean Martin/Frank Sinatra style. The other finalist was also very, very good.

DISEMBARKATION: Again, I don’t see how it could have been easier. We were driving so were a late color (Purple 1), but the minute we were called we left the cabin, walked straight through Customs, straight to our luggage, porter on hand and straight to the Park N Fly shuttle – we didn’t even have to call it, it was already there. They called our number at 9:30 and were pulling out of the Park N Fly at 10:05.

MISCELLANEOUS FAVORITES:

OCEAN BAR: Lovely place to have a drink before the dinner bell, and Edwin and Roman knew us and our preferences after our first visit. They made us a lovely drawing on our last night.

INTERNET CENTER: Always available, never crowded, and very easy to pop on and check email or whatever. I found it much easier than trying to lug my laptop around to a hot spot.

CROW’S NEST: Lovely views and great place for classes and games. DH and I went to one of the digital camera classes and DS and I went to one of the Team Trivia games. We asked the host to help us find a team, which he did – and we tied for first place! We lost the tie-breaker but it was still a LOT of fun!

SHIP TV: DH absolutely loved the channel that gives the speed, location, nautical miles traveled, etc. We also loved the bow and stern cams, and watching Jennifer, the Shopping Ambassador. DH and DS also loved it that they were able to watch their beloved Falcons on Monday Night Football.

MISCELLANEOUS NOT-SO-FAVORITES:

NORTHERN LIGHTS: Way too small, too few tables.

PIANO BAR: This would be a plus for many, but for me it was a negative that it’s the only bar on the ship in which you can’t smoke.

SHOPS: Very crowded and hard to navigate. My only negative experience was here. I bought a beautiful black coral Cross in Grand Cayman and was going to by a “Gold by the Inch” chain to go with it. One clerk offered me a free bracelet, but after another clerk cut my 20” chain he informed me that the chain had to be 21” or more so I wouldn’t get the bracelet (that was not mentioned up front). He was unconcerned about the mix-up, but when I picked the chain up and explained to yet a third clerk what had happened, she gave me the bracelet, so even that was made right.

CONCLUSION:

The Westerdam is a beautiful ship with a wonderful crew and elegant ambience. The Promenade was a great treat every night after dinner when DS and I would take the full stroll around. DH and I would sail HAL again in a heartbeat, although with DS we might choose another line. There really is absolutely nothing for a 20-something single.

I will post a separate review of our port experiences, including HMC.

[RevNeal]

Thank you for your excellent first-timer's view of the Westerdam! I'm sorry that your son didn't find any more people his age ... had he been on with us our second week he would have found quite a few to hang out with. Also, from your estimate it does sound like your sailing was a little older than ours. That WILL vary depending upon time of year and length of itinerary, of course.

 

Thanks for the warning about the SS cabins that connect ... I'll be sure to avoid them in the future. :)

 

Welcome back, and thank you for a GREAT report.

[Atomica]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your first cruise experience! Thanks for the great (and very informative) review.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of cruising! :)

[LolaWiz]

welcome back!!!!

i am so happy to hear you had a wonderful time!

also, thank you for your wonderful review. its nice to see a positive review as we are sailing on her in about 3 weeks!

 

cannot wait to see your port/HMC reviews! :)

[KalenaD]

Sounds like you had a wonderful first cruise, We had a very similar time on our dec 4 cruise on the Westerdam, and it was our 5th cruise. My only problem was a clerk in the shop too, probably the same guy:rolleyes: , who asked me if I caught my new bracelet on something when it fell apart 5 minutes after I put it on. Fortunately he said this in front of one of the managers, who apologised and gave me a new bracelet.

[TidePrideGA]

CC GET-TOGETHER: HAL roped off an area of the Crow's Nest and provided us with hot hors d'oevres which seemed to be a little better quality than the standard found in the bars. Drinks, of course, were cash bar. It was nicely attended... we had 19 folks there.

 

SODA CARD: This was a negative I forgot to mention. Since no one else we talked to had this experience, we attribute it to DS's age, but we were literally HOUNDED about buying the soda card. It was still the unlimited for $28.50 (I think). We had people following us around arguing with us about it, and at one point while we were trying to have our embarkation lunch in the Lido, there were THREE crew gathered around our table trying to talk us into it. We actually caved and bought one just to get them to go away! It turned out to be about a breakeven proposition for us as DS didn't drink soda much except at dinner.

 

UNDERAGE DRINKING: We had no problem getting DS (20) served alcohol as long as we were with him, but no way would it happen when we weren't. I thought if we got to know the bartenders and they knew he had our permission he could get served, but no dice. I consider this a positive rather than a negative (smart on their part), but I think DS would have been more inclined to search out the few folks his age if he could have ordered a drink. This was the first time we had ever allowed DS to drink with us.

 

CAPTAIN: The main crew was in their first week on the Westerdam. The Captain was Captain Peter Harris and it was his first ever voyage as the Captain. He's charming, gorgeous and very personable with the loveliest British accent (he lives on the White Cliffs of Dover). DS and I got to meet and chat with him when he dropped in the Piano Bar the night we were playing TV Songs Trivia with Michael.

 

CRUISE DIRECTOR: Michele Worthly (sp?). Okay, but I don't really know what to expect from a CD.

 

HOTEL MANAGER: I have no idea who he was, but everything to do with his responsibility was PERFECT - so he must be a great one!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Donna;) , (just to show I read your entire review very carefully) I'm just wondering if you got lost in the hall because of that perpetual bottle of champagne in your cabin! LOL!!!:)

 

I'm so happy to read your review and see how much you enjoyed yourselves. I think most of us are in agreement about the layout of the shops on the Vista class ships. I honestly think the designer was smoking something the night he/she worked that out!

 

I agree with you about the Lido ... food excellent, but difficult to find your way around.

 

You wrote a wonderful review about your first cruise experience and it looks like it won't be your last. Welcome home!

[TidePrideGA]

Donna;) , (just to show I read your entire review very carefully) I'm just wondering if you got lost in the hall because of that perpetual bottle of champagne in your cabin! LOL!!!:)

 

Actually, that's a very real possibility :D

[rocks]

GREAT review! You hit on so many good points. I also agree about the Lido...food was great but they switched sides on things & I would have to circle around a few times till I found what I wanted. It seemed to me that the Vista Lidos are open & serving way more food then the other Lidos on the smaller ships. I couldn't believe they had fresh pasta & pizza from 11am till 1am! I also thought Chamdi (our waiter) was very good but it really suprised me when, on the last night he made that speach about us giving him good remarks on the review. I've never had a waiter tell us that before. Didn't really bother me, just never heard that before. He was an excellent waiter, got everything right & it seemed easy for him. I'm sure he has years of experience.

Sounds like your re-entry to the 'real' world is going easier then mine...my body is here, but my mind is still back on the ship. No one is bringing me coffee AND I have to cook diner!! We had a wind chill of 4 this morning; less then a week ago it was in the 80's! AAGGHHH!!!

It was so WONDERFUL meeting you & your family. I still can't believe that we ended up at the same table! What a bonus! It was really fun hearing about your experiences each night at diner. Your son is SO sweet( & handsome!) & a real trooper to be so pleasant & cheerful around us older folks.

I'm trying to get my Westerdam photos together to post..should get them on soon. Are you going to post any? After tossing your camera around so much, is it still working?? hehehehe

Hope you will let us know if your planning to cruise again....I've got the brochures sitting on the coffee table; after my knee operation I'll work on planning our next one.

Merry Christmas!

Pat

PS: You did a GREAT job at organizing our CC meeting!

[TidePrideGA]

I also thought Chamdi (our waiter) was very good but it really suprised me when, on the last night he made that speach about us giving him good remarks on the review.

 

I missed that! Was I just not paying attention, or had we left?

[mechcc]

TidePrideGA - what a wonderful, refreshing review! Glad you enjoyed your cruise and your son sounds like a wonderful young man. Having raised 2 boys, I had to laugh at his ordering 2 entrees. Good for him! I am impressed that HAL allowed him to drink with you but not on his own. I'm one who thinks children should experience alcohol and it's effect with parents first and no better way then on a vacation where parents and officials can set limits. Besides, one two many and they can't walk straight, you say "Can't walk now, how much could you hold and not be comfortable driving your friends?" Life's lessons.

[mechcc]

I forgot to add - if you and Rocks want to relive your cruise or anyone reading this wonderful review and want to experience the Westerdam then join one of the best group cruises there ever will be on the HAL-O-WEEN DAM CRUISE. We have some of the best CC'ers on this cruise and promises to be great fun! We welcome all of you and please see the CC group cruises for more information. Love to see you aboard.

[Charliesmom]

We were on this cruise with Rocks and TidePrideGa, too.

 

Donna - you really lucked out. David and I have been on about 20 cruises and this ranked up there as one of the absolute best!

 

The staff was incredible! We gave out more money in tips than the auto-tip added to our bill because everyone was so fantastic.

 

Our waiter (Nuir) was not in the Lido at lunch, but our Head Steward (Dedi) was and the people under his direction could not do enough for us.

 

Another lucky break we all had was the weather which was almost perfect. We had rain only once and that was for about a half hour and then the sun came out again.

 

We even found that the people at Ocho Rios were not as pushy as they had been in the past. It could be that prosperity (in the form of so many cruise ships visiting) has lessened the need for them to "make hay while the sun shines".

 

We are scheduled for three cruises in 2006. Now we have been so spoiled, I hope we are not disappointed.

 

Donna - it was nice meeting you. Thanks for organizing the CC party. We did get an opportunity to meet Boxer2. Cindy was really nice.

 

One further note - my BIL did meet a lady on the last day of the cruise at the singles and solos lunch. I liked her right away.

 

Roberta

[abteer]

how was the holiday inn stay in ft lauderdale, we are staying there in october after our cruise! great review!!!

[TidePrideGA]

how was the holiday inn stay in ft lauderdale, we are staying there in october after our cruise! great review!!!

 

It depends on what you're looking for. As a pre-cruise hotel, it suited us fine. The rooms are very basic, but clean. It's across A1A from the ocean, but there is no building on the ocean side so the view is unobstructed. I believe every room is ocean view. There's a pool and they have hamburgers, etc. and beer on special every day till 7:00 p.m..... really reasonable prices although I can't comment to quality as we didn't partake.

 

There is an alley right behind the hotel that has several restaurants in it, plus there is an Italian restaurant and a Mexican restaurant within walking distance up Sunrise. The Mexican restaurant (where we ate) is EXCELLENT but be forewarned - don't over order - the portions are HUGE.

 

The hotel is, if memory serves, about 6 mi north of the port.

 

Hope this helps.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you enjoyed your first cruise.

 

When do you cruise again?

[TidePrideGA]

When do you cruise again?

 

Ah, there's the question! I can tell you this much - you phrased the question correctly... it's definitely "when" not "if". I can also tell you "where" - DH wants to do the Eastern Caribbean, with the "must stop" being St. Maarten.

 

The when is the rub. We've got a major vacation scheduled already next year (to San Francisco) and I'm not sure we can swing two in one year from a time standpoint - neither he nor I can take the time off and still do all of the little 3 and 4 dayers that we love.

 

So, it looks like 2007 for us. But, hey, that gives me a LONG time to plan!

[Mary Ellen]

Glad that you enjoyed your first cruise. Peter Harris was the Captain of the Veendam when I sailed her in 2001. Certainly agree with you about that accent. The Travel Channel has aired a show on Alaskan Cruising. The Veendam was the ship with Peter Harris as Captain. My neighbor, who had sailed with me on the Veendam, had her TV on, but not paying attention to it. Peter Harris started talking and all of sudden she was going "I KNOW that voice!". At the Mariner party he was talking about the (then) future Vista class ships and that the Captain would finally have a private balcony too. I'm glad he has his balcony.

[TidePrideGA]

Glad that you enjoyed your first cruise. Peter Harris was the Captain of the Veendam when I sailed her in 2001.

 

Okay, then I misunderstood him. I could have sworn at the Captain's Reception he said it was his first voyage as a Captain, period, but he must have meant his first as Captain of the Westerdam. Or I was just so bedazzled by his gorgeousness and that voice that I wasn't paying attention ... one of those.

 

All I know is he is EXCELLENT!

[TidePrideGA]

Well, the when is decided. DH has decided to cancel the San Francisco trip in favor of cruising again next December! YAY! This works really well for me as I still get to go to San Francisco since it is a business trip for me they were tagging along on - the best of both worlds!

 

Just starting to look and have no idea which line or ship we'll take. I do know we'll be doing the Eastern Caribbean. DS is trying to talk some friends into coming along and if he does, we may stick with HAL if they have an Eastern that week. If it's just the 3 of us, we're looking seriously at the Radiance of the Seas and the Star Princess (which is a BEAUTIFUL ship from the outside - we saw her in Ft. Lauderdale and again in Grand Cayman), due to there being absolutely nothing on the Westerdam last week for DS to do.

 

Guess that means we're officially hooked?

[rubrrick]

Tide............what a wonderful review, especially for a first timer! I am so impressed with the small items that you picked up on. On my first cruise, I was so excited that everything was beautiful. Now I get to be a little more picky, and still, most everything on a cruise is just great!

 

Peter actually came aboard on our Westerdam voyage of 12/4 and officially relieved Captain Jack van Coevorden on our last day at HMC. We also sailed with Peter on the Veendam years ago.

 

We had sailed on the Ziuderdam last spring and were not not that impressed with the interior, and the personnel were not up to par, and we contemplated not cruising with HAL again. However, the crew of the Westerdam has given us great memories and we are looking forward to sailing with HAL again.

 

Rick

[HeatherInFlorida]

That's good news, Tide!!!:) I'd definitely say you're hooked when you're back a few days and can't wait to plan your next!!!

 

Sure you don't want to move that back a month and come with us on the Volendam (Southern Caribbean) 10-days? Kidding, really, I don't think that would be a choice for your son.

 

Bear in mind the Radiance is a very different experience, but your son would probably have a better time. So you have to consider everything. Let us know!

[TidePrideGA]

That's good news, Tide!!!:) I'd definitely say you're hooked when you're back a few days and can't wait to plan your next!!!

 

Sure you don't want to move that back a month and come with us on the Volendam (Southern Caribbean) 10-days? Kidding, really, I don't think that would be a choice for your son.

 

Bear in mind the Radiance is a very different experience, but your son would probably have a better time. So you have to consider everything. Let us know!

 

I would LOVE to join you - or the Halloween cruise - but not only is it not an option for DS, neither is it for DH. I'm more flexible.

 

Yes, of course I'm aware that RCCL is very different - as is Celebrity or Princess or NCL. If there had been even a minimal amount of activity for DS we wouldn't even be considering another line! I think even DS would prefer to stick with HAL in that case - in many ways, he loved the Westerdam, too!

 

Almost everyone I know here has cruised only RCCL, although I do know one person who honeymooned on the Miracle (not even CONSIDERING Carnival) and another who recently returned from the Caribbean Princess. All of my friends love RCCL and most are contemporaries so I have a pretty good feeling about it, recognizing *most* of the differences.

 

After studying itineraries, etc., I REALLY want to do the Westerdam again (same week - Grand Turk, Tortola, St. Maarten and HMC), so we'll see.

[KellyJ]

Hi TidePrideGA,

 

Sorry we haven't posted, but hubby and I have been under the weather with an upper respiratory infection. My began on the cruise, not so much fun. Hubby said he knew I felt BAD when I wanted to stop shopping and rest.

 

It was wonderful to meet everyone, and I totally agree with Donna's review of the ship. The staff was impeccable and my only disappointment was the Captain Harris(since he was a newbie to the Westerdam) didn't get lost on his way back to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

The Lido is confusing though-and it takes a long time to get your food-which is negative, but the positive is that your food/sandwich is prepared for you when you order-so it is better tasting and hasn't been sitting around.

 

Thanks for planning the CC get together and I am glad you are hooked. Our next trip is 348 days away on the Serenade of the Seas, but they are going to have a hard time measuring up to HAL as far as service. We'll let you know how we like RCCL-Hubby still wants to try all the lines, but I WILL book HAL in the future if they have the itinerary we are looking for.

 

I will add that we had a Butler and the Light Blue Cabana at HMC. It was such a treat for the day. Hubby and I think it was worth every penny. If anyone has any questions about the Cabana w/Butler package, you are welcome to email me at kandjjohnson@comcast.net since I realize that some may not want to add that expense to their trip.

 

Keep in touch.

 

Kelly J

[TidePrideGA]

Welcome home, Kelly, sorry to hear you and Jeff were under the weather! It was GREAT to meet you both!