Cruising on the Westerdam ~ Opinions Welcome!

[JimAOk1945]

Hello everyone,

 

We have cruised to Alaska twice on different cruise lines and different itineraries. We love Alaska and are now considering a third cruise this summer. After looking at the itineraries offered through HAL, we like the 7 day roundtrip from Seattle on the Westerdam. We haven't visited Sitka nor have we ever seen Glacier Bay so these are the main attractions.

 

We have never sailed on HAL before. I have dropped by this forum from time to time to get a "feel" for the HAL experience. I've posted a few questions and received very courteous and helpful responses. Now that we have decided to try HAL, I have a question about the Westerdam in particular.

 

I've read several of the member reviews but most of them are dated. I'm hoping to receive some feedback from those of you who have recent experiences on this particular ship. Things like crew, cabins, entertainment, food, dining room servers, etc.

 

Your opinions and comments are welcome! Thanks! :D

Edited April 30, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[SEAEDP]

Hello everyone,

 

We have cruised to Alaska twice on different cruise lines and different itineraries. We love Alaska and are now considering a third cruise this summer. After looking at the itineraries offered through HAL, we like the 7 day roundtrip from Seattle on the Westerdam. We haven't visited Sitka nor have we ever seen Glacier Bay so these are the main attractions.

 

We have never sailed on HAL before. I have dropped by this forum from time to time to get a "feel" for the HAL experience. I've posted a few questions and received very courteous and helpful responses. Now that we have decided to try HAL, I have a question about the Westerdam in particular.

 

I've read several of the member reviews but most of them are dated. I'm hoping to receive some feedback from those of you who have recent experiences on this particular ship. Things like crew, cabins, entertainment, food, dining room servers, etc.

 

Your opinions and comments are welcome! Thanks! :D

 

I'm leaving this Saturday (May 3) on the Westerdam from Seattle. I'll be taking copious notes in my diary and will post when I return on the 10th.

[IRL_Joanie]

In answer to your questions, I absolutely love the Westerdam and have NEVER had a bad experience on her anywhere:) Saying that though, she is my 2nd favorite HAL ship, Zuiderdam being my all time favorite:)

 

We have been on Westerdam numerous times, the last being December 2012 for 7 days.

 

The crew is the very best at everything they do A to Z:) And they are the ship that has the most repeat crew and passengers out of all the 15 HAL ships. It says a lot when they, the crew, including Officers, refuse to get off of for rotation to other ships in the fleet. Seriously!! We sat with the Westerdam's 1st and 3rd Engineering Officer's Wives on the Lido one day and they told us that their husbands had refused to renew their contracts with HAL if they were forced to go to any other ship:)

 

We are back on Westerdam doing the same cruise you are in just 65 days asnd cannot wait to be back on her.

 

You have to remember when you read a review or others comments, good and bad, that your experience may be different than mine or anyone elses because we are different and enjoy different things.

 

I hope you have a great cruise and really enjoy Westerdam and your 1st experience with HAL:)

 

Joanie

[K&RCurt]

We have been on the Westerdam twice, once in 2005 when she was just months old and once a month ago. We had a great time both times and would sail on her again. We certainly saw a difference over the years on HAL (the only line we have sailed with) on the Westerdam and on the Eurodam, in crewing levels and small details which used to be present but now are not. I suspect this is the same on every line in today's economic climate.

 

In any case, The Westerdam has just recently come out of dry dock and had some Officer level crew changes, so it is not "exactly" the same as when we recently sailed.

 

I really like the Westerdam, I love the art work on the ship and the decor. The Atrium thing, I could do without, but that is very subjective! I think you will have a great time. You don't mention which other lines you have sailed with. Many people say HAL is most similar to Celebrity, if that helps at all.

[kazu]

We were on her last year and had a very good experience.

 

Westerdam has the most repeat passengers of any of the HAL ships next to the Prinsendam.

 

We have also booked her for next year.

 

There have been some issues reported but apparently there are a lot of new crew so hopefully that is only a temporary situation.

 

HAL is not known for it's entertainment, but when we were on we were very impressed with a couple of the shows. They seemed to be doing a lot of different things.

[Crew News]

Hello everyone,

 

We have cruised to Alaska twice on different cruise lines and different itineraries. We love Alaska and are now considering a third cruise this summer. After looking at the itineraries offered through HAL, we like the 7 day roundtrip from Seattle on the Westerdam. We haven't visited Sitka nor have we ever seen Glacier Bay so these are the main attractions.

 

We have never sailed on HAL before. I have dropped by this forum from time to time to get a "feel" for the HAL experience. I've posted a few questions and received very courteous and helpful responses. Now that we have decided to try HAL, I have a question about the Westerdam in particular.

 

I've read several of the member reviews but most of them are dated. I'm hoping to receive some feedback from those of you who have recent experiences on this particular ship. Things like crew, cabins, entertainment, food, dining room servers, etc.

 

Your opinions and comments are welcome! Thanks! :D

 

Just to get you started, here are the current HAL menus that I scanned to PDF format:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/?page_id=908

 

The HAL Breakfast Room Service is a huge FREE perk so take advantage of it.

 

We will on the Westerdam the first two weeks of July and I will post the daily activities (On Location) on my website so you can see what will happen on your cruise.

 

Make sure you join your Roll Call.

[kazu]

Oh dear, I forgot to mention that if you want to see some pics of the Westerdam cabins & public areas or get general information (ie. room service menus, menus, on locations, etc.) just visit HALFacts.com

 

If you look at my signature you will see the link - just click it and it will take you there. All the contributions are from cruise critic members :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have quite a few sailing days on the Westerdam.

We have always found the crew wonderful -- dining room food and service great.

We have even done your Alaskan itinerary -- which is a great one.

You won't be disappointed in the ship or the itinerary.

Love Sitka -- small and quaint.

[K&RCurt]

Oh dear, I forgot to mention that if you want to see some pics of the Westerdam cabins & public areas or get general information (ie. room service menus, menus, on locations, etc.) just visit HALFacts.com

 

If you look at my signature you will see the link - just click it and it will take you there. All the contributions are from cruise critic members :D

 

 

Which reminds me, I have to send in some photos to HALFacts!

[kazu]

Which reminds me, I have to send in some photos to HALFacts!

 

wonderful :D:D thank you :D

[runnergirl71]

Just to get you started, here are the current HAL menus that I scanned to PDF format:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/?page_id=908

 

The HAL Breakfast Room Service is a huge FREE perk so take advantage of it.

 

We will on the Westerdam the first two weeks of July and I will post the daily activities (On Location) on my website so you can see what will happen on your cruise.

 

Make sure you join your Roll Call.

 

Thank you so much for doing that!! i'm definitely looking forward to it since I'll be on her on July 26! :)

[kjw869]

We have sailed on the Westerdam four times, and are are looking forward to sailing with her again next January. We had originally booked that ship again for our upcoming cruise in a few days, but switched to the Noordam to sail with our friends who had already booked. The only drawback is we will not visit Sitka, our favorite Alaskan town.

 

It's one of our favorites ships, in fact it was our first HAL ship. We liked it so much, we were back on the "Westy" 89 days later.

 

The ship is sentimental to us, as it feels like home. We have sailed on all the Vista and Signature ships, many multiple times, and it's certainly special to us.

Edited May 1, 2014 by kjw869

[mollyanne]

The only HAL ship we have sailed is the Westerdam - in Dec 2012 and Dec 2013. Absolutely loved everything about both cruises. The best thing is the staff - they are so gracious and can't do enough for you. I certainly hope you experience the same thing.:)

[JimAOk1945]

All of this information is wonderful! We are getting so excited about going on this cruise.

 

I hope you don't mind if I ask a few more questions for my wife. :o

 

Does anyone know the cost for:

 

The Pinnacle Grill Dinner?

 

The Holland America Cookbook?

 

The Exclusive Savor and Swirl Culinary Event?

 

Thanks again for your thoughtfulness in answering my questions!

[mollyanne]

All of this information is wonderful! We are getting so excited about going on this cruise.

 

I hope you don't mind if I ask a few more questions for my wife. :o

 

Does anyone know the cost for:

 

The Pinnacle Grill Dinner?

 

The Holland America Cookbook?

 

The Exclusive Savor and Swirl Culinary Event?

 

Thanks again for your thoughtfulness in answering my questions!

 

The Pinnacle Grill is now $29.00 pp. Sorry but I can't help with your other questions.

[Krazy Kruizers]

All of this information is wonderful! We are getting so excited about going on this cruise.

 

I hope you don't mind if I ask a few more questions for my wife. :o

 

Does anyone know the cost for:

 

The Pinnacle Grill Dinner?

 

The Holland America Cookbook?

 

The Exclusive Savor and Swirl Culinary Event?

 

Thanks again for your thoughtfulness in answering my questions!

 

 

HAL now has several cookbooks for sale. They were in the Explorations but I never bothered to look at the price of them.

What is the "Savor and Swirl Culinary Event"?

[Rockfan2]

Just off the Westy this morning from an 18 night Panama Canal cruise Ft Lauderdale to Seattle. We disembarked in Victoria a day early as it is our home town.

 

Great itinerary and great crew. Super comfy beds as always. Great food with lots of variety.

 

There was a new event that was a tasting menu with wine pairings. Firs time it was offered and it was $50. Started in the Crows Nest for appy's, on to Canelletto for meat balls and ravioli, the Boardroom (next to Vista Dining room) for chilled soup, off to Pinnacle Grille for amuse bouche - mushroom espesso (SP?), choice of petite fillet mignon or salmon steak, followed by tri-flavour creme brullee. If that wasn't enough we then headed to the Explorer lounge for flaming Spanish Coffee. We were escorted by Mario, the Beverage Manager, Lauren from Culinary Dept and Melissa the Retail Manager (?)

 

A bit concerned a couple of times when I flushed the toilet during the night and nothing happened but went to bed and heard the toilet flush sometime later so really no problems.

 

We cruised San Diego to Victoria with friends who had never cruised before and they were very impressed with their experience.

 

Rockfan 2

 

PS I believe the cookbooks were $14

Edited May 3, 2014 by Rockfan2
Adding information

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just off the Westy this morning from an 18 night Panama Canal cruise Ft Lauderdale to Seattle. We disembarked in Victoria a day early as it is our home town.

 

Great itinerary and great crew. Super comfy beds as always. Great food with lots of variety.

 

There was a new event that was a tasting menu with wine pairings. Firs time it was offered and it was $50. Started in the Crows Nest for appy's, on to Canelletto for meat balls and ravioli, the Boardroom (next to Vista Dining room) for chilled soup, off to Pinnacle Grille for amuse bouche - mushroom espesso (SP?), choice of petite fillet mignon or salmon steak, followed by tri-flavour creme brullee. If that wasn't enough we then headed to the Explorer lounge for flaming Spanish Coffee. We were escorted by Mario, the Beverage Manager, Lauren from Culinary Dept and Melissa the Retail Manager (?)

 

A bit concerned a couple of times when I flushed the toilet during the night and nothing happened but went to bed and heard the toilet flush sometime later so really no problems.

 

We cruised San Diego to Victoria with friends who had never cruised before and they were very impressed with their experience.

 

Rockfan 2

 

PS I believe the cookbooks were $14

 

 

I like the sounds of this new event?

[JimAOk1945]

What is the "Savor and Swirl Culinary Event"?

 

It's something our TA is offering as a perk and my wife was interested in it. Here is a link to the info.

 

http://www.funseas.com/alaska2014/Alaska/SavorSwirlCulinaryEvent-HAL-6142014.pdf