Need ship advice..Westerdam, Maasdam or Noordam

[crazee4cruzin]

My DH and I are in the beginning stages of planning a cruise for next year and need some info on the Westerdam, Maasdam and Noordam. Which is the best ship? They have some great itineraries. I have read that smoking is allowed all over the ship. Is this true? How would you rate the food? Is the ship large enough not to be considered crowded? What is the age range of guests? We like to have fun and we don't have kids. We are in our upper 40's. What cabin types are the best? We normally get a mini-suite on Princess so we like the extra room. We have cruised on Princess and really enjoy their ships. Any info would be appreciated. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Westerdam and Noordam are Vista class ships and are larger and newer than the Maasdam which is an S class ship. We have really gotten to enjoy the Vista class ships.

 

Smoking -- not allowed everywhere on the ships. There is no smoking in any of the lounges. You can smoke in your cabin, out on your verandah, designated areas on the outside of the ship, in the Casino and there may be one or 2 other places.

[Sails279]

I usually don't post, but I thought I would respond to this one. I can't speak for the the others as I have not been on them but I have been on the Westerdam 3 times. I am sure others can give you more info about the others...When RuthC answers, listen carefully...I don't think there is a ship she hasn't been on....

 

Yes you can smoke on the Westerdam, as Krazy stated you can't in the lounges, but your cabin, veranda, no problem...You can also smoke on the starboard side of the aft pool deck. The port side doesn't have ash tray's so it is assumed that you can't....There are ash trays all the way around the prominade deck.

 

I never really felt the ship was crowded any time I was on her with maybe one exception. Where the photo gallery is on the last night of the cruise, right after dinner, when everybody, and I do mean everybody is checking out their pictures. One other exception to this was the omlet line in the morning....Always a line.....

 

I am in my early 50's. I never quite understood the people that want to party until 3 or 4 in the morning, and sleep all day. Having said that, I am no prude, and was a frequent visitor to the Oceans lounge for 2 for 1's and the Crows nest for 2 for 1's at 9:30 at night. By the time they were over, we were ready to call it a night. Yes, you will see a fair share of people that need walkers to get around....

 

One thing you will like about the ship is the prominade deck. It goes entirely around the ship, and as a frequent cruiser on many lines, Hal is the only fleet that does this....

 

I usually don't go the suite route, the veranda is more to my taste. I don't need that much room, and the Neptune lounge is not really worth it for me.....

 

Do check out the thermal spa. That is not the Spa, but the hydro pool's, the cermaic tile chairs, and the saunas....One of my favorite things on the ship....

 

Food is to subjective to mention. Either you do or you don't....

 

Last thing, no matter where I went on the ship, I was almost always greeted with a smile, and a good morning/afternoon/evening sir.

 

I like all cruises, but would have to say that Hal is one of my favorites. From what I saw on your post, you have cruised before, and thus know, that for the most part cruising is a great time. Yes, some things will not be to your taste, but it is what you make it....

[IRL_Joanie]

My DH and I are in the beginning stages of planning a cruise for next year and need some info on the Westerdam, Maasdam and Noordam. Which is the best ship? They have some great itineraries. I have read that smoking is allowed all over the ship. Is this true? How would you rate the food? Is the ship large enough not to be considered crowded? What is the age range of guests? We like to have fun and we don't have kids. We are in our upper 40's. What cabin types are the best? We normally get a mini-suite on Princess so we like the extra room. We have cruised on Princess and really enjoy their ships. Any info would be appreciated. :)

 

 

RuthC gave great info, as she always does! I can add that a photo speaks a thousand words and you can go and look at the 3 ships at the HAL Staterooms/Cabins website and see and read for yourself here: http://joanjett2000.topcities.com/HAL/

 

The Maasdam is the oldest of the 3 ships you are asking about, but that does not mean she is old and you should not take her. Everyone who has been on her has fallen in love with her and raves about her. Of the 3 ships, I've only been on the Westerdam and will rave about her and she is newer than Maasdam. Noordam is newest of the 3 and was put into HAL service in 2006.

 

As to age range, it depends upon when you are traveling. I copied the following from another Cruise Critic member just for questions such as yours:

 

What is the average age of passengers by cruise line?

 

Passenger ages vary somewhat by sailing, but usually they are as follows:

Carnival Cruise Line: 0 - 45 years of age

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 25 - 55 years of age

Crystal Cruise Line: 55+ years of age

Celebrity Cruise Line: 35 - 64 years of age

Norwegian Cruise Line: 27 - 56 years of age

Holland America Cruises: 30 - 60 years of age

Princess Cruise Line: 35 to 65 years of age

 

Stateroom size... If you are happiest with a Mini Suite on Princess, I'd suggest that you go with nothing less than the following on the 3 different ships when making you selection:

 

Maasdam: Category S, Deluxe Verandah Suite, with approximately 556 square feet to include the verandah.

Noordam and Westerdam both: Category SS, SY, SZ, Superior Verandah Suite, with approximately 398 square feet to include the verandah.

 

Hope this helps if even a little...

 

Joanie

[E-500]

Westerdam and Noordam are Vista class ships and are larger and newer than the Maasdam which is an S class ship. We have really gotten to enjoy the Vista class ships.

 

Smoking -- not allowed everywhere on the ships. There is no smoking in any of the lounges. You can smoke in your cabin, out on your verandah, designated areas on the outside of the ship, in the Casino and there may be one or 2 other places.

 

KK covered the smoking issue well, so will not add anything to those comments.

 

Last two cruises have been on the Maasdam and Westerdam for two weeks each. Both excellent cruises but very different. W is bigger and has more venues/space/guests and is newer. M is more traditional, compact, slightly better service overall.

 

Food and entertainment was excellent on both ships.

 

M had some maintainance issues (no hot water for four hours two days running and A/C was a problem in some areas).

 

W service was sub-par in the MDR.

 

Veranda cabins were bigger on the M, standard veranda space was slightly bigger on the M but has a steel railing vs. plexiglass on most of the verandas on the W. Deck 4 verandas are bigger on the W.

 

Would sail both ships again with no concerns. Per diem rate and ports of call would be the deciding factors.

 

I posted a review on the W on CC recently (E-500) if you would like more details.

 

HAL will be provide a quality cruise experience no matter which ship you choose.

[RuthC]

Thanks for the votes of confidence, folks.

I won't repeat what's already been posted, as there's no need.

I have sailed the Noordam and the Maasdam, and will board the Westerdam in two months. Although the Noordam is too big for my taste, it is a most beautiful ship.

Don't think that just because a ship is smaller, that it will feel more crowded---it's the space/passenger ratio that determines that. The Maasdam has at least as much space per person as the Vista class ships, and may have more. It does not feel crowded at all.

The cabins on the Maasdam will be bigger, in the same categories, than the other two ships. Also, the fact that there are fewer passengers means that the crew can get to know the passengers better. It's always so nice when they know your name, cabin number, and drink preference by the second day.

[crazee4cruzin]

Thanks everyone for your help. Maybe will give HAL a try. :)

[Chelly]

I have sailed the Noordam and the Maasdam, and will board the Westerdam in two months. Although the Noordam is too big for my taste, it is a most beautiful ship.

 

 

.

 

Isn't the Westerdam the same size as Noordam?

C.

[RuthC]

Isn't the Westerdam the same size as Noordam?

C.

It is. There may be a bit of difference due to the original design of the Westerdam being changed, and the original of the Noordam being slightly larger when it was introduced. But if there is a difference, it is minimal.

[Harry1954]

Thanks for the votes of confidence, folks.

 

I won't repeat what's already been posted, as there's no need.

I have sailed the Noordam and the Maasdam, and will board the Westerdam in two months. Although the Noordam is too big for my taste, it is a most beautiful ship.

 

Don't think that just because a ship is smaller, that it will feel more crowded---it's the space/passenger ratio that determines that. The Maasdam has at least as much space per person as the Vista class ships, and may have more. It does not feel crowded at all.

 

The cabins on the Maasdam will be bigger, in the same categories, than the other two ships. Also, the fact that there are fewer passengers means that the crew can get to know the passengers better. It's always so nice when they know your name, cabin number, and drink preference by the second day.

ditto ... we have been on these ships and like them all, but the S-Class allows us to get to know the pax better, the crew, and avoid lines when boarding or leaving for excursions.

In the final analysis, the itinerary trumps all for us in ship selection as HAL runs a pretty good ship in general.

harry