Westerdam Review March 28-April 4, '10

[pkluber]

We got to the port at about 11:30 and were on the ship by noon. Check-in was easy and painless. We had completed the online check-in beforehand. Staterooms were not ready until 1:00, so we had lunch and walked around the ship. We made a stop in the spa and looked around. We were impressed with the facilities, as this was our first cruise on HAL. We have taken cruises on RCL, CCL, Princess, and Celebrity. We went to out VF veranda stateroom #5055 around 1:00. We were disappointed that we had asked for a stateroom that was completely unobstructed, but found lifeboats right below us that blocked our view to the water below and a huge wench that came up above the level of our veranda.

We got over that - we were on vacation and not at home!! Our luggage showed up around 4:00 p.m., in time for dinner changing.

 

The decor of the ship is very elegant compared to other lines that we have been on. They keep the public areas in excellent condition, but the staterooms could use some updating. Ours seemed very "worn." The cleanliness was not great - it didn't seem as though our stateroom had been dusted for a few weeks. The size does not compare to those on carnival, which we have found has the largest size in comparable categories.

 

We had signed up for anytime dining, but ended up making reservations for about 5:30 every night at table #131, which has a beautiful view out of the back of the ship. All meals were wonderful and the service was great!

 

Our day to Half Moon Cay was canceled because of wind. We were disappointed, as this was the stop that we were most looking forward to. We had reserved a green cabana for the day. The cost was refunded to my shipboard account-I later spent it on a necklace. : )

 

Days at sea were sunny & great. There were still the usual chair hogs that put their things on chairs and disappeared for hours. We got out at about 8:00 and had no trouble finding chairs by the adult pool.

 

We went to the casino each night, but the smoking was too much. The casino was a big disappointment compared to all other shhips we have been on. It is small, and we saw nobody winning. Ever. Staff was not friendly. It still didn't stop us from making our nightly stop for 30 minutes to blow our $40.

 

Aruba- I love Aruba!! I have been to Aruba before a few times. We spent the morning at Eagle Beach and shopped in the afternoon. We went to Iguanna Joe's for dinner and then to the Crystal casino for a few hours. machines were not as tight there. $40 lasted much longer than on the ship. Maybe we were just lucky.

 

Curacao - went shopping in town and looked for the Nena Sanchez Gallery to buy a print, and then walked to the Renaissance Shopping Mall. It has "regular" high-end stores that you see in the states. The walk was nice.

 

Our favorite place on the ship besides the pool area was the Exploration Cafe. We went there each evening. We had our netbooks with us and had purchased internet time. I have to say that the internet was much faster than any other ship that we have been on. I posted a picture on Facebook each night so that my family & friends could see what fun we were having. There was a musician that played guitar and sang each night. He was great! We sat in the comfy leather chairs that looked out the back of the ship.

 

The ship was sold-out and because it was over spring break, there were probably more kids than usual. They were well-behaved for the most part. We had a stateroom of kids right next to us that were noisy every night (running, slamming doors, loud on veranda), but they were quiet by about 11:00 every night. We noticed that overall, the average passenger was much older than on other cruiselines.

 

We had a great time on our cruise, but we have found that it doesn't matter what line we are on, each has it's own little niche that makes it different from the rest. we enjoy them all and have never been on a bad cruise. It is all what you make of it, there is always something to do, and you are on vacation!!!

 

Two days at sea and we were back home - so sad that our trip was over! Disembarkation was simple-out with our luggage within 30 minutes. Southwest Airlines does not participate in Express Check-Out, which takes your luggage from the ship directly to the airport & you don't see it again until you get home. That service is definitely worth the fee!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for your report.

 

One thing -- when you sit in those big chairs in the Crow's Nest -- you are not looking out at the back of the ship -- you are facing the bow.

[pkluber]

Well, there you go-life is good and the view was great!

[earl_m]

Glad you enjoy your cruise . We love the 2 times we have cruise on the Westerdam!!

[smw3012]

Crow's Nest/Exploration Cafe was the best. The guitar/volcalist was great and Happy Hour BOGO. He, I think his name was Josh, played a great variety of music. My 15 year old daughter and her friends from the Loft stoped up every night to listen also.

[ugagrad98322]

We were on this cruise as well...and I agree. Great cruise! I will add that I was glad Joel Mason was on the ship. We'd seen him once before and really enjoyed his show. I had the opportunity to speak to him as Joel....instead of his alter-ego Elton John....seemed like a really great guy.

[Himself]

Thanks for the nice review. How did you like the Westerdam?

[pkluber]

We loved the Westerdam - she is very classic. The ship has a lot of wood accents and is more neutral instead of a lot of gaudy color like many of the other cruise lines that we have been on. The passengers, in general, were all very courteous and we didn't see any groups of drunks. We have experienced that before, too!