Westerdam 4/1 to 4/16 Cruise - Just Got Back

[bulldogatl]

I'm going to make this short and post a longer review in the near future (when I recover from the jet lag).

 

Overall Grade - B+

 

This was a very good cruise. We didn't have any problems and had great weather for all but one day. The food was acceptable ©, ports were fantastic (A plus -except for Casablanca which was very boring to me). The ship was very clean (A). Entertainment on board was acceptable (B-). The staff was very friendly and accomodating (A). The tours offered by the ship were well run and a decent value ( A - for 35 euros you could do a highlights tour in every port).

 

This was our first trip back with HAL since switching to Celebrity five years ago. I'm impressed with the VISTA class vessel despite it's quirky layout. Ship never seemed crowded although over 1800 passengers this trip.

 

Westerdam is now in drydock for three weeks to get a "ass lift". Forty cabins are being added to the back of the ship. Capt Harris said all the existing VISTA ships will be getting the remodel. Also flat screen tvs, a new Pinnacle grille (the current one got horrible reviews from those who went), new casino, new shops, and an internet cafe in the crows nest.

 

All in all, a wonderful, relaxing trip for 16 nights. I was afraid I'd be bored being at see for six days crossing the Atlantic, but found the ability to do nothing quite relaxing. Would do this trip again in a heartbeat if I could manage the time off again.

 

Word of Advice: When in Rome, do not take the Tour of Rome by night with Dinner option. THE FOOD WAS HORRIBLE. The Opera singers in the restaurant we're not as good as the food. Although Rome is pretty at night, find your own place to eat.

 

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

 

Kevin

[InTheWASide]

When you mention the new pinnacle grill...

 

Are we talking new layout/design/furniture?

 

New staff?

 

New menu??

 

Details please:cool: :cool:

[grannynurse]

Thanks Kevin,

I've been patiently waiting to hear from someone on your cruise.

How was the trip from the hotel to the port? Did you take a HAL transfer?

 

And thank you for the "ass-lift" details. I wasn't sure about the changes to the public rooms.

 

Is Captain Harris in the middle of his tour? I'm trying to figure out if he'll be on for the return trip in October.

 

Waiting to hear mor, thanks again,

GN

[spcl4cs_gal]

When I was on the Westerdam in March, Capt. Harris left the ship midway through the week to attend a conference in San Diego. Apparently he has returned however. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home.

 

Sounds like you had a great time.

[bulldogatl]

Captain Harris is staying on board and "managing" the face lift.

The pinnacle is getting an extreme makeover - as to details, I'm not sure.

Our HAL transfer from Miami to Fort Lauderdale was long as our flight got in at 9am and the bus left to the ship at noon.

On the other end, from the ship in Rome to the Hotel .. was pretty fast. Only problem was there were no rooms ready yet at the Sheraton Golf. Charming hotel though.

I hear those who try to say by doing things direct .. however, the HAL transfers are the best deal. Otherwise, the cost from the peir to the hotel in Rome would have been 300 euros a piece. Outrageous but true.

Hope that helps!

Kevin

[grannynurse]

Thanks Kevin,

Could you tell me a little more about the Sheraton Golf Parco De Medici? I've read some mixed reviews. Where do they put HAL pax, Is it in the new wing? How were the inhotel restaurants? Was there a hairdryer in the room? I'm thinking about all the plug adaptors and convertors for camera equipment etc, any details would be helpful.

If Captain Harris is overseeing the refit and goes on leave after that we'll probably have him on the fall repo. That would be good news.

If you can think of anything else we should know I'd appreciate it.

Thank you again, GN

[bulldogatl]

It's about a forty minute drive from the port with no traffic. I fell asleep. We were put in the one story villas surrounding the pool with walkout doors to a nice patio. Very quaint. Exposed beams in ceiling made it very rustic. Our room did not have the sheraton sleep beds .. just two single beds. Bathroom did have a hairdryer. You would need to bring your adapters.

 

The bathroom also had an extra long deep tub, but we didnt have time to use it. The free breakfast was just ok .. we only had five minutes to enjoy it as the bus was picking us up at 7:10 and the buffet opened at 7:00.

 

Overall, a nice hotel, I'd stay there again. Just don't take dinner tour at night of downtown rome (no 9 in the catalog).

 

We really didnt have enough time to explore anything else. I did hear there was a WB movie theatre rigth next door as well as some shops worth looking into.

 

As for the converters, I just charged everything on the ship with no problems.

 

Enjoy your trip and say hi to Capt Jack for us!

 

Kevin

[grannynurse]

Thanks Kevin,

The villa sounds good, I was worried after reading a review on trip advisor about the "old" wing of the hotel.

Could you recommend any specific tours in Barcelonw,Monte Carlo or Marseille? I'm not even sure how different our ports will be from yours. We're not stopping in Africa.

Our ports are Livorno, Monte Carlo, Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia, Almeria and Porta del Gada in the Azores, then HMC which we've been to.

Our Europe experiences have all been northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, and the Arctic, we've never been to the Mediterranean.

We'll be flying in early and doing the precruise package at the Sheraton.

Were you going to write a more in depth review?

GN

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Welcome Home Kevin:) , glad to hear that your cruise portion was relaxing. If you are interested I posted some pictures of her Dry Dock, here is the link to the thread.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=540589

 

Sorry to hear about your Rome tour. I would have been dissappointed with that as well.