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I am deciding between the Mandarin Oriental and The Four Seasons. 

Thank you for this post!  Just picked up an extra $500 in ship credit for a total of $1,000 for the two of us!  Everything else stayed the same on my booking. 

4 hours ago, DivotMaker said:

We've been on about 15 cruises since our first in 1999 - Carnival, Royal, NCL, Princess, and Celebrity.  We're both about to turn 50, and we've noticed our ideas of the ideal cruise have changed over the years. 

Hi Jason 

We have been on several cruises ourselves,  while for the most part we book based on itinerary and not line.  We have another Hal cruise booked for March of 21 on the Westerdam Santiago to FLL. We always look forward to returning to Hal it is the right mix of good food, warm service, classic ship design, interesting ports and the right size ships.  While certain lines do excel in certain areas we really feel that Hal does an overall nice job in all areas.  We always enjoy our fellow cruisers on Hal as well. While Hal has the worst Suite Perks of their competition I still rather sail on Hal than a ship with better perks. Neptune Lounge is great! Tamarind is imo one of the best specialty restaurants at sea. I just turned 50 last year and do not feel too old or young for Hal.  Based on your previous cruises I think you will like Hal, enjoy your cruise! 

Fred

1 hour ago, ZSandy25 said:

I've not had a cabana on the Westerdam but on other ships and love them.  We are on the Koningsdam sailing in Feb.  and have rented a family cabana for just the two of us.  The cabana retreat space is much smaller on the K'dam. You will have a much larger area on the Westerdam with plenty of room for two couples.  You will enjoy the views from two sides.  Personally I would choose #5 as it's not near the stairs.  Pax will still find those stairs and use them to cross over and see what's there.   

There are loungers and a table for four in the cabana and outside loungers for those who want to sunbathe.  You won't need to move your loungers from sun to shade.

Yes, you can request which cabana you want to reserve thru ships services.  If you haven't already I would call to make sure they are available, instead of waiting to book onboard. 

Have a great cruise.

Thank you!  Great info! 

16 hours ago, Andi Land said:

We had family cabana number 5 on the Oosterdam and it was great. We choose it because it was the furthest family cabana from the entrance but it wasn’t busy up there so I think either one would be fine. We called ships services ahead of time to book it and pay for it and we requested the one we wanted. 

 

The cabana area area had been redone since our cruise a few months earlier also in the Oosterdam.  In December there were only two loungers in the cabana. It also had a couch and a table with 4 chairs. 

 

There were other chairs in the center of the retreat area where we sat to get some sun. 

Thank you so much for the information! 

Sailing on the Westerdam, Panama Canal 17 day Santiago to FLL.  March 21,  A couple of questions.

1. When you book the retreat for the length of the cruise can you request which number cabana you would like? 

2. If booking the family cabana would you recommend #5 or #11

3. Do the Family Cabanas come with 2 loungers or 4 and can they be in the sun or are they only in the cabana? 

We will be 2 couples. 

Thank you in advance, planning a special trip.

Fred

Hello All

I was following this as we will be sailing the Westerdam March of 21.   On the Website it lists Tamarind as one of the dining venues so I was a little confused if it will be on the ship or not? 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-ships/ms-westerdam/5.html