just back two weeks on Westerdam

[weechloe]

Got home yesterday from my first Holland America cruise. Ten of us were on and thank goodness we were all together to make our own entertainment. We found our rooms nice but we found the ship old and outdated. The virtual tour on the internet could not have been taken recently. We found the purser's desk staff did not have enough English to be able to communicate effectively. Two weeks was too long. We loved the islands but next time we will definitely be back to Royal Carribean.

[kazu]

Wow! that's too bad. sounds like you didn't have a good cruise. so sorry. was it just the lack of 'entertainment' during the day or were there other things lacking?

 

Sorry you didn't have a good cruise

[KirkNC]

Sorry you did not have a better time. We have not been on the Westerdam but have been on two of her sister ships, the Oosterdam and Noordam and loved them. From your comments it sounds like you might like a little "livelier" crowded than you found on HAL. That actually is one of the reasons we like HAL, very laid back. Hope you enjoy RCCL better.

 

Kirk

[dixieagle]

We just got off the Westerdam, as well, after a week-long southern Caribbean cruise (3/4-3/11).

 

While it is most certainly not a "fun ship", in no way did we find the ship itself "old and outdated". It was spotless and extremely well-kept, elegant and classy. If someone was expecting non-stop excitement on HAL, they didn't do their homework. ;)

[erewhon]

Got home yesterday from my first Holland America cruise. Ten of us were on and thank goodness we were all together to make our own entertainment. We found our rooms nice but we found the ship old and outdated. The virtual tour on the internet could not have been taken recently. We found the purser's desk staff did not have enough English to be able to communicate effectively. Two weeks was too long. We loved the islands but next time we will definitely be back to Royal Carribean.

 

Thank you for your report.

May your next cruise be more to your liking.

[okiecruiser71]

We just got off the Westerdam, as well, after a week-long southern Caribbean cruise (3/4-3/11).

 

While it is most certainly not a "fun ship", in no way did we find the ship itself "old and outdated". It was spotless and extremely well-kept, elegant and classy. If someone was expecting non-stop excitement on HAL, they didn't do their homework. ;)

 

I was on her about a month ago. I totally agree with you. Some of these opinions of her condition are so....interesting. You would think the OP was a Silversea or Crystal veteran given the comments but that is apparently not the case.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

[Oceanwench]

Sorry you were so disappointed!

The Westerdam is my favorite ship and we had an awesome cruise aboard her in January.

There were 9 of us, including 4 who are 30-ish, and we all had a great time!

 

I hope your next cruise is more to your liking.

Everyone has different expectations and taste.

[weechloe]

I wasn't expecting Crystal. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and this was ours. I was not expecting a boat full of activity but after the show you can go to the Northern Lights which is adjacent to the casino or into the casino which are both smoke filled.

 

My friend asked for a regular salad at dinner time and was told that that wasn't the type of salad they were offering. This has never happened on Royal Carribean or Carnival. There was no leaway in the menu.

Now again, that might have been a communication problem.

 

We did have a great cruise. We loved the islands and we had a great group. We found our own fun.

[CtheW0rld]

I wasn't expecting Crystal. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and this was ours. I was not expecting a boat full of activity but after the show you can go to the Northern Lights which is adjacent to the casino or into the casino which are both smoke filled.

 

My friend asked for a regular salad at dinner time and was told that that wasn't the type of salad they were offering. This has never happened on Royal Carribean or Carnival. There was no leaway in the menu.

Now again, that might have been a communication problem.

 

We did have a great cruise. We loved the islands and we had a great group. We found our own fun.

 

thanks for the report. don't let the boosters bug you. i see you have a lot of RCI cruises, and hal is much more sedate. at least you tried something new. i would think a regular salad would've been easy enough.

[Cruizer Bill]

weechloe,

If you are used to the big RCI ships and like them a lot, then HAL is probably not a good match for you. HAL is more sedate and traditional, there is no "Main Street" or "Broadway" feel to them. I can completely understand your reaction. RCI has the big production shows and more music, more activity. HAL is more laid back and relaxation oriented.

Bill

[Krazy Kruizers]

welcome home

 

sorry you did not enjoy the westerdam

[Pokeynose]

five times and will do it once again when we are able to. Getting a new puppy so she comes first for a couple of years.:):D

 

Sorry the Westerdam didn't meet with your expectations. Sometimes they can be too high and then you will be disappointed.

[tcook052]

A 6 year old ship is old? And outdated? Then if that's the yardstick then it must be true of RCI's entire Voyager class, all of which entered the water before Westerdam.

 

IMHO without details or constructive input & opinions the review is worth little.

[parisienneatheart]

Hey everyone, we leave on westy in 18 days and I haven't heard anything about kids crew...does anyone have any experience with them / advice/ tips? We have 4 year old twins and have never really sent them there but they are asking to go this time, so we may send them a little. I have never been too big on it as we are on a family vacation and I like spending time with my kids and now that they are old enough to tell us what goes on I am not as worried. My parents always travel with us and help out if we want to go out a little at night so it's never been a big deal with the twins being around all the time. I think the twins want to get away from us :) b/c they have been asking about it constantly...

[fsdj1097]

I was on her about a month ago. I totally agree with you. Some of these opinions of her condition are so....interesting. You would think the OP was a Silversea or Crystal veteran given the comments but that is apparently not the case.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

 

We were on the same cruise with OkieCruiser. Our group of 14 had a wonderful cruise on an elegant and spotless ship. The service was impeccable in the MDR. Our MDR Steward handled every request (and believe me we challenged him every night ;) one way or another) with a smile. We hosted a party for our group in our cabin and the Neptune Lounge concierge took care of everything.

 

Our Cabin stewards were very responsive to our requests and took wonderful care of our cabin. The ice bucket was always full.

 

Every one has different expectations and I certainly respect the OP's opinion regarding theirs on the Westerdam.

 

While we've never cruised another line other than HAL, we've never had a reason to look elsewhere.

[smileyface1948]

We were on a b2b on the Westerdam 2/18-3/4 and had a lovely time. We were in cabin SY6092 and could not have been happier. Our room stewards were tremendous, wait staff could not have been any more helpful in the Lido and the MDR staff was very responsive to our needs. We loved everything about our voyage and would do it again in a heartbeat. We are in our mid 50's and young ones at that. You can do a much as you would like on this ship; there is always something going on. If you like hairy chest contests, this is not the ship for you. We appreciated the decorum of this vessel. Just a side note, We sailed on the Westerdam in November as well and had such a good time, we wanted to it again for 14 days! A fine ship! Have a wonderful time for those that are booked in the upcoming months.