Need Info - thinking of switching from RCCL Jewel to HAL Westerdam??

[blazer10]

We are thinking of booking on Westerdam - in an SY suite for next spring or the RCCL Jewel of the Sea a D-1 we have done the Jewel previously but are looking for something different - can anyone tell me about the Westerdam - and the honest pros and cons - thank you.

[RetiredMustang]

blazer10,

I've not sailed RCCL, so cannot compare the two lines, but DW and I recently did a b2b on Westerdam, and I wrote a lengthy review that is on the member review section of CC. http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=26653

Many others, of course, have also reviewed the ship. I encourage you to read several of those reviews to get a feel. I of course was totally objective, coming from the perspective of someone who loves sailing on HAL :D , but you should also read the ones from people who were not as pleased to get a better balance. http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=306

One thing -- Westerdam either just finished or is about to finish a yard period wherein several upgrades are due to be made. Afterwards, she sould resemble Noordam more, but I don't think anyone has been on her post refit.

Hope this helps,
Dave

[blazer10]

Dave - Thank you so much for the info - I read your review and it really helped - we are in our mid-forty's, my best friend and her family sail with us we both have 11 year old girls - I should say they are more like 40, they love the formal nights getting dressed up - ordering different food and acting like princesses - RCCL was like party like for us the girls even commented on the actions of some of the teenagers - we like it alittle more quiet and what you wrote really helped. Thanks again.

[sab490]

We have not been on Westerdam or Jewel, but have been on sister ships Noordam and Brilliance. While we loved Brilliance and have always enjoyed RCCL, we found Noordam to be even better in the areas which mean the most to us, primarily service and food quality and selection. We also found the rooms larger and the beds much more comfortable. We did think Chops was far superior to the Pinnacle Grille, but the food in the main dining room on Noordam was so good it didn't really matter. Even though we have booked a second straight cruise on Noordam, I would not hesitate to go on one of the Radiance class RCCL ships again in the future.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We sailed on the Westerdam a couple of years ago and loved her!!!

[caviargal]

I was recently on Jewel and have been on the Oosterdam and Zuiderdam.

My opinion:

- Jewel is a gorgeous ship, more open to the sea and contemporary
- The no charge sauna and steam rooms are wonderful
- The Solarium is very nice
- Two specialty restaurants on board are great, and we had dinner there every night since we did not enjoy the noise in the main dining room

HAL's Vista Class:

- Far less crowded due to fewer passengers
- Far fewer kids on most sailings
- Much more elegant and service oriented overall
- FABULOUS staterooms, bedding and bathrooms
- Much better food in the main dining room
- Passengers more sophisticated overall
- Wonderful Library

Frankly, I am not planning to sail RCI again. It has been very casual, very nickel and diming, and my last 6 or so sailings have had far too many out of control kids and teens. It is first and foremost a family cruise. Though the perks are very good for their most frequent guests, the overall quality and service has declined.

I like being able to bring a few bottles of special wines aboard and RCI does not permit that; I like being served with nicer linens, china and wine glasses. HAL is much more elegant in these aspects.

The only real edge IMO is that RCI has a larger variety of quality live music aboard.

[caviargal]

I was recently on Jewel and have been on the Oosterdam and Zuiderdam.

My opinion:

- Jewel is a gorgeous ship, more open to the sea and contemporary
- The no charge sauna and steam rooms are wonderful
- The Solarium is very nice
- Two specialty restaurants on board are great, and we had dinner there every night since we did not enjoy the noise in the main dining room

HAL's Vista Class:

- Far less crowded due to fewer passengers
- Far fewer kids on most sailings
- Much more elegant and service oriented overall
- FABULOUS staterooms, bedding and bathrooms
- Much better food in the main dining room
- Passengers more sophisticated overall
- Wonderful Library

Frankly, I am not planning to sail RCI again. It has been very casual, very nickel and diming, and my last 6 or so sailings have had far too many out of control kids and teens. It is first and foremost a family cruise. Though the perks are very good for their most frequent guests, the overall quality and service has declined.

I like being able to bring a few bottles of special wines aboard and RCI does not permit that; I like being served with nicer linens, china and wine glasses. HAL is much more elegant in these aspects.

The only real edge IMO is that RCI has a larger variety of quality live music aboard.

[MercedMike]

We recently cruised the Westerdam, and also have cruised her twin sister Zuiderdam. We have also cruised on Radiance and Serenade, twin sisters of Jewel of the Seas. They are all wonderful ships! You would be very happy with either Westerdam or Jewel. I would suggest you choose between them on the basis of itinerary, dates or other convenience items, because the ships themselves are very comparable.

You can read our reviews of both classes of ships at the link in my sig below.

Have a GREAT cruise!