Tell me about the Westerdam Alaska cruise....

[MaiTaiMary]

DH is trying to talk me into an Alaska cruise. We've only sailed Carnival in the past, but since we won't have the kids, I'd like to try something else. (perhaps more 'upscale' ;) ).

 

I'm looking at the Westerdam 7 night cruise out of Seattle. I'm trying to find some reviews WITH PICTURES, but I can't find any. Just trying to learn more about the ship, dining, entertainment, etc.

 

What is the food like? What options do we have for dining? What kind of things are there to do onboard in the evening? Is this a newer ship or older ship?

 

We would definitely be getting a balcony cabin.

 

This itinerary includes Glacier Bay, which seems to be preferable over Tracy Arm Fjord. (yes? no?)

 

Can anybody help me out? :) Thank you!!

[cruisevers]

For pictures check out halfacts.com

The Westerdam is a vista class, so click on that at the top and you will see pictures from all that class. Decor may differ from ship to ship. Also check out the reviews on this site.

 

You will love Alaska, it is beautiful. We are doing our second cruise there on the Westerdam in a few weeks.

Edited April 20, 2015 by cruisevers

[Old As Dirt Mom]

The 2015 Alaska season hasn't started yet as of this posting (but will be starting very soon, so look here for future reviews). Here are some Alaska Westerdam reviews from last year (2014) The first review has photos:

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2067739

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2070595

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2060765

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done several Alaskan cruises on the Westerdam.

Breakfast -- choices are room service, Lido or main dining room. If you are in a Pinnacle Suite or a Neptune Suite you can have breakfast in the Pinnacle (no extra charge) and the menu is the same as the dining room menu.

Lunch -- Lido, sometimes the main dining room is open -- check your daily "On Location" program for times when it is open, Dive In -- hot dogs and hamburgers, taco bar, sometimes the Pinnacle Grill is open for lunch (Costs $10 per person), and room service.

Dinner - main dining room (fixed dining and open seating), Pinnacle Grill ($29 per person), Lido, Canaletto ($10 per person) and you can have dinner in your cabin -- order within the first hour of the dining room open -- can order from main dining room menu.

Edited April 20, 2015 by Krazy Kruizers

[Krazy Kruizers]

Dining Room Breakfast Menu (Also in the Pinnacle for PS and Neptune Suite Passengers)

Something Simple:

Cold Cereals: Cornflakes - Cheerios - Special K - Raisin Bran - Shredded Wheat - Rice Krispies - Frosted Flakes - Fruit loops - Granola - All Bran - Bran Flakes -- served with your choice of milk -- add sliced banana on request.

Breakfast Parfait - layers of creamy Greek yogurt, fresh berries and granola

Hot Cereals: Old-Fashioned Oatmeal - Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal - Cream of Wheat - Creamy Grits -- served with sliced banana, raisins, brown sugar, maple syrup, milk, or half & half on request

Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich - scrambles egg and Cheddar cheese served on a toasted English muffin. Add sausage patty, hickory smoked bacon or ham slice on request.

Bagel and Lox - a freshly toasted bagel served with slices of cold smoked salmon, cream cheese, sliced onion and capers.

Greenhouse Spa Selections:

Cottage Cheese and Fresh Fruit - a small bowl of creamy cottage cheese lightly dusted with cinnamon, served with your choice of sliced banana, strawberries, blueberries or diced melon

Swiss-Style Muesli - a mixture of low fat yogurt, fresh fruit, milk, toasted hazel-nuts, oatmeal and honey.

Frittata Italiana - healthy without sacrificing flavor, egg whites combined with low-fat cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, then lightly baked and served with whole grain toast.

 

International Classics:

All American Breakfast - two jumbo eggs, cooked to order, served with hash browns, hickory smoked bacon or sausage and toast.

Eggs Benedict - toasted English muffins, layered with Canadian bacon, two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.

Eggs Royal - toasted English muffins, smoked salmon and two poached eggs with creamy hollandaise sauce.

Eggs Florentine - toasted English muffins, topped with sauteed spinach and two poached eggs draped with hollandaise sauce.

Corned Beef Hash and Eggs - home-made corned beef hash topped with two eggs cooked to order and served with a side of toast.

Kippered Herring - served with two scrambled eggs and smothered onions

Dutch Breakfast - the Uitmijter, a classic open-faced sandwich with thick white bread, sliced ham, Gouda, and two eggs sunny side up.

Japanese Breakfast - hot miso soup, steamed white rice, tamagoyaki and boiled salmon served with a cup of hot green tea.

The Full English Breakfast - two jumbo eggs scrambled, English banger sausage, English back bacon, baked beans, hash browns and a grilled half tomato.

Scandinavian Breakfast - smoked salmon and pickled herring, served with hard-boiled egg and slices of dark rye bread

Three Egg Omelets:

All omelets are served with hash browns and toast. Egg whites or egg substitute available on request.

Denver Omelet - green bell pepper, onion, ham and a mixture of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Swiss cheese.

Garden Vegetable Omelet - tender asparagus, sauteed spinach, diced tomato and sliced button mushrooms with creamy goat cheese.

Southwest Omelet - diced sweet roasted bell peppers, tomato, green onion, and Monterey Jack cheese, topped with avocado, sour cream and fresh salsa.

My Choice Omelet - build your own omelet with any of the following: ham, bacon, sausage, smoked salmon, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, asparagus, Cheddar, Jack, Swiss, goat or Gruyere cheese.

Hot Off the Griddle:

Belgium Waffle - thick, crisp Belgium waffle topped with your choice of warm strawberries, apple-cinnamon or plum compote.

 

Cinnamon-Sugar French Toast - thick slices of egg bread French toast, dusted with cinnamon-sugar. Served with whipped butter and hot maple syrup.

Stack of Pancakes - three fluffy pancakes stacked high. your choice of buttermilk, banana or blueberry. Served with whipped butter and hot maple syrup

From the Bakery: toast - English Muffin - Bagel - Roll

Baked Fresh Daily: Butter Croissant - Chocolate Croissant - Raisin Bun - Cheese Danish - Fruit Danish - Danish of the Day - Blueberry Muffin - Muffin of the Day - Coffee Cake. Served with butter, margarine, jam, jelly honey, Nutella or cream cheese on request. Fresh baked sugar-free pastries upon request

On the Side:

Hickory Smoked Bacon - English Bangers - Pork Sausage Links or Patty - Carved Honey Glazed Ham - Corned Beef Hash - Turkey Bacon - Turkey Sausage links - Morningstar Farms Vegi Links - Hash Browns.

Fruits and Yogurts: Fresh Fruit Plate - Half Grapefruit - Sliced Banana - Stewed Prunes, Apricots or Kadota Figs - Assorted Yogurts

 

Beverages: Coffee - Tea - Decaffeinated Coffee and Tea - Whole, Low Fat and Skim Milk - Chocolate Milk - Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice - Apple Juice - Cranberry Juice - Grapefruit juice - Grape Juice - Pineapple Juice - Prune Juice - Tomato Juice - V-8

[Krazy Kruizers]

　

The Pinnacle Dinner is $29 per person. You can book the dinner either online, through Ship’s Services at 1-800-541-1576 or once you are on the ship.

　

Starters:

 

TOMATO BROTH WITH SPICY LEMONGRASS CHICKEN with flavors of kaffir lime and cilantro

LOBSTER BISQUE

crème fraîche and aged cognac

SHRIMP COCKTAIL

brandy horseradish cocktail sauce

CAESAR SALAD

heart of romaine, grated parmesan cheese, garlic

croutons, anchovies and house-made dressing

BEEFSTEAK TOMATO AND BASIL

sliced red onion, pesto, extra virgin

olive oil and balsamic reduction

* STEAK TARTARE

seasoned finely-chopped Double R Ranch beef

accompanied with parsley, cornichon, capers and red onion

JUMBO-LUMP CRAB CAKES

sweet chili-mustard sauce

* OSSETRA MALOSSOL CAVIAR $45

served on ice with crème fraîche and buckwheat blini

THE GRILL

DOUBLE R RANCH STEAKS

served with your choice of hand-crafted sauce:

sun-dried tomato ° master chef ’s green peppercorn ° béarnaise ° horseradish-mustard ° hollandaise ° maitre d’ garlic butter

* 7OZ. PETITE FILET MIGNON

* 10 OZ. FILET MIGNON

* 23 OZ. PORTERHOUSE

* 12 OZ NEW YORK STRIP STEAK

* 18 OZ. BONE-IN RIB EYE STEAK

 

* GRILLED COLORADO LAMB CHOPS

spiced apple chutney, fresh mint sauce

* DOUBLE-CUT KUROBUTA PORK CHOP

marinated in rosemary, garlic and pepper vinegar with scallions

ROASTED JIDORI CHICKEN WITH PORCINI MUSHROOMS

cider vinegar jus, forbiden ric

e cake with quinoa and apricot, mâche salad and toasted pistachio nuts

SEAFOOD

* BROILED ALASKAN KING SALMON

with lemon garlic herb splash

KING CRAB LEGS $20

your choice steamed or broiled served with drawn butter

* CEDAR PLANKED PACIFIC HALIBUT WITH SHRIMP SCAMPI

roasted garlic and cilantro butter

WEST COAST STYLE SEAFOOD CIOPPINO

tomato braised clams, mussels, shrimp, Alaskan crab and halibut

 

THE VEGETARIAN INTRIGUE

BAKED-STUFFED EGGPLANT

ragoût of zucchini, onion, eggplant and tomato on creamy polenta

WILD MUSHROOM RAVIOLI

in pesto cream sauce

ROASTED PUMPKIN RISOTTO

mascarpone cheese and Swiss chard

SHAREABLE SIDES

wilted spinach - sautéed mushrooms - baby carrots - grilled asparagus

Brussels sprouts with Parmesan and pancetta - classic whipped potatoes - shoestring fries with truffle aïoli

INDIVIDUAL SIDE

jumbo baked Idaho potato

Holland America Line only serves sustainable seafood

THE FINALE

NOT-SO-CLASSIC BAKED ALASKA

Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream with Bing cherries jubilee

WARM GRAND MARNIER CHOCOLATE VOLCANO CAKE

the ultimate chocolate experience

PINNACLE SOUFFLÉ

vanilla soufflé with base of mixed berry compote and finished with molten Drambuie cream truffle

LEMON-BRÛLÉE TART

blueberry whipped cream

CREAMY HOMEMADE RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE

served with fresh berries

FRESH BERRIES

with a Sabayon sauce

PREMIUM ICE CREAM AND SORBET

DAILY CHEESE PLATE

[Krazy Kruizers]

New Breakfast Cabin Menu (from Crew News - June 1, 2013)

Preferred Time Frame

6 AM - 6:30 AM; 6:30 - 7 AM; 7 AM - 7:30 AM; 7:30 AM - 8 AM; 8 AM - 8:30 AM; 8:30 AM - 9 AM; 9 AM - 9:30 AM; 9:30 AM - 10 AM

 

Juices

Grapefruit; Orange:; Cranberry; V-8; Prune, Tomato

 

Fresh Fruit & Yogurt

Half Grapefruit; Sliced Bananas; Sliced Oranges; Mixed Fruit; Seasonal Melons; Stewed Prunes; Plain Yogurt; Fruit Yogurt; Greek Yogurt

 

Bakery

English Muffin(1); White Toast(2); Wheat Toast(2); Rye Toast(2); Danish(1); Croissant(2); Blueberry Muffin(1); Bran Muffin(1); Bagel (1)

 

Cereals

Corn Flakes; Special K; Cheerios; Raisin Bran; Granola; Fruit Loops; Frosted Flakes; Rice Krispies; Shredded Wheat

With: Milk; 2% Milk; Skim Milk; Soy Milk

 

Two Eggs

Scrambled; Sunnyside Up; Over Easy; Poached; Hard Boiled

Omelettes

Cheese; Ham & Cheese; Vegetable & Cheese

Egg Substitute

Scrambled; Cheese Omelette; Vegetable & Cheese Omelette

Egg White

Scrambles; Cheese Omelette; Vegetable & Cheese Omelette

Sides

Ham Slices(2); Sausage Links(2); Bacon Strips(2); Veggie Links(2); Turkey Links(2); Turkey Bacon(2)

Condiments

Assorted Jams; Half & Half; Honey; Butter; Margarine; Cream Cheese; Peanut Butter; Ketchup; Tabasco; Nutella; Orange Marmalade

 

Beverages

Regular Coffee; Decaf Coffee; Tea; Decaf Tea; Hot Chocolate; Milk; 2% Milk; Skim Milk; Soy Milk

[Krazy Kruizers]

Available 24 hours:

 

Smoked Atlantic Salmon - pickled red onion, capers & cream cheese

 

Mesclun Garden Greens - tomato, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts & blue cheese crumbles

 

Triple Decker Club Sandwich - sliced turkey, ham, bacon, tomato & lettuce served on toasted bread of your choice

 

All American Hamburger - broiled 1/4 pound beef patty on a sesame bun with dill pickle & coleslaw - add cheddar or Swiss cheese

 

Open faced Omelet - ham & cheese or vegetables

 

Selection of assorted cheese with crackers

 

Apple tart with whipped cream

 

Chocolate cake with raspberry sauce

 

A plate of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk

 

Fruit salad - selected fruits in season

　

　

Available from 12 noon until 10 PM:

 

Appetizers & Soups:

Bay shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce

Smoked Atlantic Salmon

French onion soup baked with Gruyere cheese

Soup of the day

 

Salads:

Mesclun Garden Greens

Chef salad - mixed greens, ham, salami, swiss cheese, turkey, hard boiled egg - choice of Italian or blue cheese dressing

Caesar salad - tossed with Caesar dressing, croutons & parmesan - add bay shrimp or grilled chicken breast

 

Sandwiches & Burgers:

All are served with a choice of potato salad or potato chips

 

Triple decker club sandwich

Broiled California chicken breast sandwich on multi=grain bread with avocado & honey mustard sauce

Grilled tuna melt - tuna salad & Swiss cheese on rye bread with pickle spears

Thai Vegetarian wrap - eggplant, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts & cilantro rolled with rice & green curry sauce in a tomato tortilla

Steak sandwich - sirloin steak on sourdough bread sauteed with onion & bell pepper

All American Hamburger

 

Entrees:

Seared salmon steak - dill-lime fusion, broccoli florets, carrot batonnet & country mashed potatoes

Penne Primavera - tossed in marinara sauce with Italian roasted vegetables - add grilled chicken breast

Pizza:

margarita (tomato sauce & cheese)

Pepperoni

Vegetarian (mushroom & bell pepper)

 

Desserts:

Apple tart

Chocolate cake

Creme caramel surrounded in berry compote

Fruit jello

fruit salad

Vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce

Selection of assorted cheese with crackers

　

　

And remember that you can always order from the dinner menu. Just remember to order within the first half hour from when the dinning room opens. You can select whatever time you want to eat.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Pinnacle Lunch Menu

 

Menu - $10 per person - can not be booked until you are on the ship.

Starters:

1)Grilled Prawn Bruschetta with a primavera salsa - aged asiago cheese and balsamic fusion

2)Mediterranean antipasto plate - pesto virgin olive oil

3)Lobster creme brulee - caramelized parmesean wafer

4)Northwest five onion soup - tomato shallot soubise

5)Chilled carrot and ginger soup - creme faiche and fried sage

6)Chiffanade of greens and tomato tower salad - Italian vinaigritte

Entrees:

1)Pacific rim beef salad - mesclun leaves, mangoes and lotus fruit

2)Alaskan halibut fillet sandwich - sour dough bread, cilantro relish and cucumber potato salad

3)Lobster and shrimp cake - exotic fruit chutney, lime Thai curry sauce and orange rice with pine nuts

4)The Pinnacle burger - apple smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and bistro style shoestring potatoes. This dish can be served with a low carb bun and without the potatoes.

5)Bistro Steak with Oregon blue cheese crust - grilled asparagus and scalloped potatoes

6)Penne with grilled chicken breast, lemon basil sauce, sun dried tomatoes and arugula

7)Vegetarian couscous - grilled vegetables and fried mint leaves and harissa

Desserts:

1)Fresh strawberries with raspberry sorbet - sugar dough gaufrette

2)Chocolate brownie decadence - an explosion of chocolate

3)Orange and lime panna cotta

4)Ice creams and sorbets - ask for the day's selections

5)Fruit plate

[MaiTaiMary]

:eek::eek::eek: So what you're saying is that we won't go hungry!! LOL Wow, that looks incredible. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2067739

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2070595

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2060765

 

Going to check these out now. Thank you! :D

[MaiTaiMary]

Any idea where I can find a copy of a typical 7 day Alaska cruise newsletter of daily activities? (sorry, I don't know what Holland America calls this.)

 

Doesn't need to be the exact cruise, just trying to get an idea of what they have to offer.

 

Thanks again. The more I look into this cruise, the better it looks! :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is called "On Location" for the daily program.

I don't save my programs anymore.

[Crew News]

Any idea where I can find a copy of a typical 7 day Alaska cruise newsletter of daily activities? (sorry, I don't know what Holland America calls this.)

 

Doesn't need to be the exact cruise, just trying to get an idea of what they have to offer.

 

Thanks again. The more I look into this cruise, the better it looks! :D

 

Welcome to HAL.

 

Here is my photographic tour of the Westerdam for the exact cruise from last Alaska season:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-westerdam-tour/

 

Here are the On Locations (daily activities) from Westerdam last season:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/alaska-2014-westerdam-on-location-daily-activities/

 

Here is a link to all of the current, scanned, Specialty Restaurant, Beverage, and Room Service (free 24/7) menus:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/

 

Here are the scanned menus from that cruise for the Lido Restaurant and Main Dining Room (both lunches and dinner) as examples of what you might see this season:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-alaska-ms-westerdam-menus/

Edited April 20, 2015 by Crew News

[Alberta Quilter]

Any idea where I can find a copy of a typical 7 day Alaska cruise newsletter of daily activities? (sorry, I don't know what Holland America calls this.)

 

Doesn't need to be the exact cruise, just trying to get an idea of what they have to offer.

 

Thanks again. The more I look into this cruise, the better it looks! :D

 

If you look at the website mentioned in the first response (we're not actually supposed to mention it here on CC), under the General tab, you'll find copies of the On Location brochures for various itineraries. While not current for this upcoming season, they'll certainly give you an idea of activities.

[MaiTaiMary]

The "Lido" restaurant is the casual/serve yourself buffet?

[Old As Dirt Mom]

The "Lido" restaurant is the casual/serve yourself buffet?

 

Correct.

[Crew News]

The "Lido" restaurant is the casual/serve yourself buffet?

 

Hot items are plated by the staff as you choose them, e.g. cooked veggies, potatoes, pasta, soup, cooked eggs, bacon, grits, etc. Ice cream is not self-service.

 

Self-service items are breads/baked goods, appetizers, cheeses, salad makings, desserts, condiments, and beverages.

 

A layout drawing of the Lido Restaurant serving lines is included on the link for Specialty menus that I posted above.

[MaiTaiMary]

What is the dress code like in the MDR for dinner?

[Ky Colonel]

... on non-formal days, it is "business casual" which means (apparently) anything short of blue jeans, tank tops, shorts, and similar "beach" wear ...

 

Rod

[Ky Colonel]

 

This itinerary includes Glacier Bay, which seems to be preferable over Tracy Arm Fjord. (yes? no?)

 

 

We have done several Alaska cruises , split about equally between Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm Fjord ... IMO Glacier Bay is clearly the better of the 2 ...

 

Rod

[krazy4kruisin]

There are a lot of videos on youtube Just put Westerdam in the search engine.

I have found them to be informative and entertaining.

[donswife]

The Westerdam Alaska cruise was wonderful in so many ways. When I wasn't at the gym trying to balance on a Bosu ball while under way, I spent many hours on our aft balcony watching whales play in our wake (especially in Glacier Bay), along with many other activities.