new to holland and have questions

[melsmom303]

im booking a carribean in october, the choices are eurodam or westerdam. can you tell me what one you would choose for my first holland experience its for my 25th anniversay so its gonna be special no matter what. but i can tell you that we like to do the casinos and pools alot what ship has the bigger or better casino for slots and a nicer pool area. ty so much. also is it worth paying the extra for a signature suite over a veranda cabin. oh so much research to do but that will be half the fun i guess. :D

[kazu]

im booking a carribean in october, the choices are eurodam or westerdam. can you tell me what one you would choose for my first holland experience its for my 25th anniversay so its gonna be special no matter what. but i can tell you that we like to do the casinos and pools alot what ship has the bigger or better casino for slots and a nicer pool area. ty so much. also is it worth paying the extra for a signature suite over a veranda cabin. oh so much research to do but that will be half the fun i guess. :D

 

These are two different classes of ships. The Eurodam is a Signature ship and the Westerdam is a Vista ship.

 

Signature Suites are very nice - they are just a larger room, not really a suite in the true sense of the word but they have a lot more space than the verandahs and bigger verandahs too :)

 

Which ship? hmm that's a tough one. The Eurodam is newer but we prefer the Westerdam. She has the highest return passenger ratio in the fleet next to the Prinsendam.

 

If you want - you can see cabin pictures for both types of ships at http://www.halfacts.com as well as public pictures of Lido areas, etc.

 

don't worry if it is a different ship - just as long as it is the same class of ship.

 

As to the size of pools and casinos, it is all relative as the Eurodam holds more passengers than the Westerdam.

 

The Eurodam does have the Tamarind specialty dining while the Westerdam does not.

 

hope this helps:D

[freestyling]

I prefer the Eurodam because of Cabana Retreat area (extra charge) and Tamarind Restuarant 9extra charge). Check out two additional websites for more detailed information. Halfacts - link is under my signature and http://www.rogerjett-photography.com

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Which ship? hmm that's a tough one. The Eurodam is newer but we prefer the Westerdam. She has the highest return passenger ratio in the fleet next to the Prinsendam.

 

 

:D

 

Not that I doubt you at all kazu, but where do you find these facts? Just curious. Thanks, Barbara

[Alberta Quilter]

I would choose Eurodam because it has the Tamarind restaurant which is very good. Yes, it has an extra charge ($20) but it is soooo worth it!

 

I also find the Lido selections, on the Eurodam, to have more choices (more salad bar offerings and more cheeses, to name a couple that I noticed) than the smaller ships that I have sailed on, including the Westerdam.

[Pam in KY]

Haven't been on the Westerdam but love the Eurodam! We like the cabanas by the pool (not the retreat cabanas) and spend most of our time there. They are also close to the Lido but if you rent a cabana the cabana stewards will bring you anything you need! If you want a cabana, I suggest you book it when you book your cruise. We also like the Tamarind and the Pinnacle Grill restaurants.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have sailed on both ships. We are partial to the Westerdam -- especially for longer cruises.

But for a shorter cruise, I would choose the Eurodam -- we love having cocktails in the Silk Den and dinner in the Tamarind Restaurant.

[kazu]

Not that I doubt you at all kazu, but where do you find these facts? Just curious. Thanks, Barbara

 

From the Mariner's Medallion Ceremonies and the Mariner's luncheons on the ships as well as from reports from CC members here who have been to them as well. Those two ships have held their places for repeat passengers for at least the last 4 years.

 

The two top ships are quite proud and mention their stats at any Medallion ceremony I have been to.

Edited February 5, 2015 by kazu

[melsmom303]

wow ty all and love that website thanx :D

[IRL_Joanie]

Not that I doubt you at all kazu, but where do you find these facts? Just curious. Thanks, Barbara

 

Barbara, After the last discussion here on the boards a week or so ago, hubby emailed our PCC and asked if she could verify that the Westerdam did have the most repeat customers over all other HAL ships including Prinsendam.

 

Her reply was that it is Prinsendam followed closely by Westerdam.

 

Hubby is still eating his words:D

 

Joanie

[freestyling]

hope it was ok to share website.

[Viesczy]

HAL's brand is pretty consistent boat to boat.

 

The newer Eurodam has a few little add'l things, but we're partial to the Westy.

 

Why?

 

Our last real vacation was 30 days on her and they were the best 30 days EVER.

 

Now if they were both going the same places and the price was the exact same for your first experience... you can't make the call!! That's like deciding do you want a million dollars with the bills face up or the bills face down!

[jtl513]

We haven't been on the Westerdam in 10 years so I can't really do a fair comparison, but on identical itineraries I would choose the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam over any Vista ship just because of the Tamarind.

Signature Suites are very nice - they are just a larger room, not really a suite in the true sense of the word ...

Neither are Neptune Suites in the "true sense of the word": a group of rooms occupied as a unit. IMO the only space on any HAL ship that comes close to a "true suite" is a Pinnacle (Penthouse) stateroom.

.

Edited February 5, 2015 by jtl513

[kazu]

We haven't been on the Westerdam in 10 years so I can't really do a fair comparison, but on identical itineraries I would choose the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam over any Vista ship just because of the Tamarind.

Neither are Neptune Suites in the "true sense of the word": a group of rooms occupied as a unit. IMO the only space on any HAL ship that comes close to a "true suite" is a Pinnacle (Penthouse) stateroom.

.

 

 

Except the Prinsendam NS - they are divided somewhat and with the curtain they are a very nice, well laid out room and definitely a separate bedroom type area.

 

HAL like Princess and others uses the term suite loosely. I just wanted to alert the OP who is looking at a Signature Suite which is what I replied to.

 

Nevertheless the larger (substantially) rooms are very nice and certainly room to have guests.

[CowPrincess]

>SNIP<

Neither are Neptune Suites in the "true sense of the word": a group of rooms occupied as a unit. IMO the only space on any HAL ship that comes close to a "true suite" is a Pinnacle (Penthouse) stateroom.

.

 

Maybe those comments should be addressed to the HAL marketing department, not to another CC poster.

[Crew News]

im booking a carribean in october, the choices are eurodam or westerdam. can you tell me what one you would choose for my first holland experience its for my 25th anniversay so its gonna be special no matter what. but i can tell you that we like to do the casinos and pools alot what ship has the bigger or better casino for slots and a nicer pool area. ty so much. also is it worth paying the extra for a signature suite over a veranda cabin. oh so much research to do but that will be half the fun i guess. :D

 

Here is a link to a photographic tour of the Westerdam to include casino pics:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-westerdam-pre-2014-dry-dock/

 

Here is a link to a photographic tour of the Nieuw Amsterdam which is the sister ship to the Eurdam to include casino pics:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

 

I hope this helps in making your decision. We like the Westerdam.

[jtl513]

Maybe those comments should be addressed to the HAL marketing department, not to another CC poster.

Oh, it's not just HAL. Most if not all other cruise lines abuse the word too. Even many "all suite" hotel chains simply have one large room with some sort of a sight-line obstruction between the sections laughingly called separate rooms. The last time I was in a suite that had a real, closable door between rooms was about 20 years ago I think. I stayed in two so-called suites just this December.

.

Edited February 5, 2015 by jtl513

[freestyling]

Oh, it's not just HAL. Most if not all other cruise lines abuse the word too. Even many "all suite" hotel chains simply have one large room with some sort of a sight-line obstruction between the sections laughingly called separate rooms. The last time I was in a suite that had a real, closable door between rooms was about 20 years ago I think. :(

 

I do enjoy the closed door offered at all Embassy Suite rooms :D

[zookiebird]

As for the ships both are great but we prefer the E-Dam because of the Tamarind and Silk Den.

The itineraries for both are the same except the E-Dam visits St. Maarten and the Westie visits St Thomas. Don't know if this makes a difference to you. JMO, but we prefer St. Thomas as we love taking an excursion to Trunk Bay on St. John.

Tough choice but you won't be wrong either way. You're going to have a great cruise!!

[melsmom303]

i just realized that euro does st martain ive never been there but i have been to st thomas lol so im thinking euro :D quick question is it me or are the casinos on hal small :eek:

[kazu]

i just realized that euro does st martain ive never been there but i have been to st thomas lol so im thinking euro :D quick question is it me or are the casinos on hal small :eek:

 

First of all, I'd rather go to St. Marteen any day of the week.

 

Why do you say the casinos are small?

 

small compared to bigger ships yes, but with more passengers.

 

They are a decent size. Remember there are only so any passengers on the ship. I've never had a problem finding a spot;)

[melsmom303]

ty all eurodam it is yeah i decided :D:D now for the hard part picking a cabin i see many different ones :eek::eek::eek:

[zookiebird]

ty all eurodam it is yeah i decided :D:D now for the hard part picking a cabin i see many different ones :eek::eek::eek:

 

Last Feb. we took an aft facing veranda cabin on the E-Dam. Totally loved it.

[VTcruisenut]

We haven't been on the Westerdam in 10 years so I can't really do a fair comparison, but on identical itineraries I would choose the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam over any Vista ship just because of the Tamarind.

Neither are Neptune Suites in the "true sense of the word": a group of rooms occupied as a unit. IMO the only space on any HAL ship that comes close to a "true suite" is a Pinnacle (Penthouse) stateroom.

.

 

Can you elaborate on your experience at the Tamarind? it is DH birthday and we never book a specialty restaurant because we LOVE the MD, however, I am seeing great comments about the Tamarind on the Eurodam!

[VTcruisenut]

We haven't been on the Westerdam in 10 years so I can't really do a fair comparison, but on identical itineraries I would choose the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam over any Vista ship just because of the Tamarind.

Neither are Neptune Suites in the "true sense of the word": a group of rooms occupied as a unit. IMO the only space on any HAL ship that comes close to a "true suite" is a Pinnacle (Penthouse) stateroom.

.

 

Can you elaborate on the Tamarind? I've seen several posts saying how wonderful it is, but the menu on Halfacts is from October 2013 and I wonder if it has changed? it is DH birthday during our cruise and I have never booked a speciality dinner, but I am considering it this time..............Thanks!