Westerdam 11/27-12/4...impressions

[db777]

Just back from the Westerdam 11/27-12/4 and just wanted to share my impressions. Everything was really nice. We had cabin 5186, the room was great and the balcony was a delight. Yes there are vibrations at times, however more than the vibration it was the engine sound, I am unsure if it is related to speed or wave action or what but the first night I put in ear plugs. I then got use to it and a couple of nights it was quiet…who knows??? The issue related to the aft not being covered is really only an issue if you are sensitive to the sun (7 days on the balcony does get you a little crisp)…however, I set in the corner a lot and couldn’t see up. We did get to chat with the person on the next floor up…and we all agreed we loved the cabin and balcony.

 

We only ate one night in the dining room and the service was good. We had one meal on the balcony and then the rest of the time we ate in the Lido which was very good. Kenneth Ly who has been on the Westerdam for 2 months is coordinator of the Lido services and I think room services. He is from Toronto and was very personable and welcoming….definitely customer service oriented:) ….like many on these boards we enjoy being casual and the Lido is a great place for that…and people do wear everything in the Lido…except I never did see the pajama and robe individuals that others addressed on this board.

 

Having not been on a HAL cruise previously, I was a little concerned about the “refinement” and the “senior choice”, however, I found it was a great mix of people and activities. I loved the culinary center with two group classes. Enjoyed the casino and graciously accepted my money;) , however the slots were a lot of those with bonus opportunities and a lot of fun…by the way Roberta is a very nice dealer….The Spa was great. The exercise facilities were very good and they had good classes (pilates instructor very helpful and supportive:rolleyes: ). Did not attend many of the large entertainment activities, but did enjoy a couple of movies and music on the lido deck.

 

As for excursions we stayed on the beach at Half Moon Cay, went tubing in Jamaica (Phil) which was quite fun. Our best excursion was on Grand Cayman it was with someone we found on this board “Grand Cayman Cruise Excursions.” We did the jeep safari and our guide was Gino…he called himself a 25 year “Italian” Cayman. He took us around the island and to the bluffs and then ended up at Rum point…oh my gosh what a beautiful beach and the facilities were outstanding. I was a little concerned with taking this excursion as we were to leave Cayman by 4:00pm and the tendering issues are just awful:( . However, Gino made sure to allow us plenty of time to get back. There were 8 ships in port, I had friends that missed excursions because there were so many tenders and not many spots to unload…since Cayman must approve the number of ships they really need to add a couple of additional places for tenders… We were to go to Costa Maya but we could not dock because of the berth and the swells…went on to Key West.

 

I will say this was the most relaxing cruise I have been on. The staff on the Holland is absolutely great. The ship is beautiful. I was definitely able to meet my goal of getting plenty of rest and having a great time. Would I go again on the Westerdam…in a heartbeat!!!!!:D

[Charliesmom]

Hi DB777,

 

We are going on the Westerdam on 12/11, which has the same itinerary and we have the opposite room to yours - 5187. Hopefully, the engine noise will be enough of a drone so that it is a white sound. Last year we were in 7133 and being two stories up, we didn't hear it at all.

 

I am hoping for great weather. Tell me more about not being able to go to Costa Maya because of the berth - was it damaged in the hurricane or was the weather bad?

 

We had the same problem at Grand Cayman last year on the Carnival Miracle - there were just too many ships and too few docking places on land. One year, we docked at another place at the end of the island. It was an expensive cab ride to town, but at least we didn't have docking problems. We were on Princess and they had their own tenders which were very fast.

 

Roberta

[db777]

Roberta, you are so lucky the cabin will be wonderful.... as for costa maya, there were two ships already docked and were faced into the surge...so they were fine...when we got there we would have to pull in lengthwise perpendicular to the the other ships (I am not very good at explaining this)...according to one of the officers the wave action was such that they would run the risk of the side of the ship being continually pounded into the dock....the pilot at costa maya did not think it was safe for us to dock... Captain Jack quickly made the decision not to dock and started arranging a spot in Key West... I guess a couple of weeks before the pilot had said it should be ok, but they had to continually fight the wave action (I think they said something about thrusters) to prevent the ship from hitting the dock....perhaps things will be better when you go... DB

[LolaWiz]

Thank you for your review! it sounds as though you had a wonderful time!

I cannot wait to cruise on the westerdam next month!

 

tell me, at HMC, how many ships were there? just you or one more? was it crowded?

 

thanks again :)

[db777]

There were two ships...We arrived around 8 or 9 they arrived around 11. It didn't seem too crowded, however, if you want a clam shell or floatie mat you need to reserve ASAP as they ran out....

[nevis92]

Charliesmom,

 

We are booked on an aft verandah on deck 7. We could have had deck 8 but opted for the larger balcony although no shade. Any thoughts on deck 7 aft and also, any reason why you are on deck 5 this time?

[nevis92]

sorry, duplicate post.

[db777]

Perhaps Charliesmom has other reasons, however, the 5th floor corner aft balcony rooms are supposedly the largest of any of the others....I have read by approximately 30sq feet....however, I am unsure, I do know the room was very roomy for us....the advantage of the 7th floor and being in a suite is being closer to the Neptune lounge which was very nice....my DH loved the chocolate and cookies...they also have all sorts of nice treats as well as a coffee machine that will make excellent cappicinos and lattes..DB.

[BCEagle78]

We were on the Westerdam 11/27, in cabin 5179...

 

We heard the engine noise mostly in the dining room. Our table was on the port side, very close to the back. On nights that we knew we had to go at full throttle, the vibrations were quite noticable. From our cabin, we only felt vibration when we were approaching port.

 

We had a great time although we did have some problems... (you might check out my thread on the souvenir tiles).

 

One thing that really annoyed me involved the hot tubs. My wife and I generally like to spend some time as a way to relax. First, getting access to one was a challenge because they were often filled with children. The kicker for me was on our first full day when I saw a man with his diapered child in the hot tub. That was enough for me. I did not go near a hot tub for the rest of the week.

 

I spoke up and said to the child's father that diapered children should not be in the hot tub. He told me that he didn't care. I could not believe my ears. What is it with people like him? Have they never heard of e-coli bacteria? They are putting others at risk and have no concern except for themselves... Obviously nobody from HAL took any action to deal with this. I ended up being the "bad guy".

 

Anyway, this took place in the Lido pool so my wife and I moved to the aft pool. Although the number of children was less, they still were everywhere... Don't get me wrong, I am the father of three children (grown) but being around so many unsupervised children made it difficult for me to enjoy either pool and any of the hot tubs... The daily program referred to the aft pool as "adult only" yet that didn't seem to make any difference.

 

Anyway, just some observations from my time on the Westerdam.

[nevis92]

It seems as though there is no one from HAL that takes responsibility for what goes on in the pools. Nobody from HAL ever wants to confront the parent of a diapered baby in a pool. It is absolutely disgusting. Why not make one of the hot tubs a baby pool, designate it just that, and let the parents and the babies play in the giant toilet.

 

It should not be tolerated and it will only be stopped by fellow passengers confronting the idiotic parents that allow it. If you are afraid of seeming rude, don't be.

[TidePrideGA]

I totally don't understand this. I "sort of" understand why HAL (or any other line) employees are reluctant to stop the chair hogs, non-dress-code-compliers, etc. - but those things are just rude and irritating. A diapered baby in the pool and ESPECIALLY in the hot tub is a serious health hazard! Why in the world would a line be willing to risk that?

[mrsbunder]

I'll be on the Westerdam on Sunday the 11th, what is the culinary center? It sounds like fun, if they have classes to attend.

[TidePrideGA]

I'll be on the Westerdam on Sunday the 11th, what is the culinary center? It sounds like fun, if they have classes to attend.

 

mrsbunder, it's not too late to come on over to our roll call and say hello! We have get-togethers planned on HMC and Tuesday.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=124008

[BCEagle78]

I'll be on the Westerdam on Sunday the 11th, what is the culinary center? It sounds like fun, if they have classes to attend.

 

There are a couple of cooking demonstrations that take place in the "Queen's Lounge" which is on Deck 2. Check the daily program for the actual events. They seemed to be well attended and well done.

 

The "Queen's Lounge" is a medium sized theater, smaller than the main "Vista Theatre". This room is a nice size for the culinary demonstrations. The same room is used for a number of different activities during the week including daily movies, some fun "game show" types of events as well as audience participation events. One of the more notable was the "What would you do for a drink?" event. It was fun.

[cruisecache&squash]

Hi there! We were on the 11/27 cruise, too! My first cruise. My wonderful mom took me for my 35th birthday-how can I ever thank her? The cruise with her was the best time I've ever had in my life and now I am hopelessly addicted. The food was wonderful, especially the mango sundae on either the first or second night. Also the lemon bars with the cheesecake topping that they served during tea. And the filet mignon. And the caesar salad. And pretty much everything else.

 

We were in room 7030. I only saw kids running amok one time. They were running up a stairwell and they looked to be about 12--old enough to know better, but too old for constant parental supervision. And I'm not much for pools and hot tubs but eeeew about that diapered baby!!! :eek:

 

Now if I can just find enough money in my couch cushions to book another cruise, then all will be right with the world! :D

 

db777, I wonder if we saw you at all?

[FlorenceItaly]

Thanks for the review. We sailed on the Zuiderdam the week of Dec 3, and there were very few children, a handful at most, that I saw. I prefer to sail HAL for that very reason, but it sounds like that was not the case on the Westerdam. Btw, it was also the MOST relaxing cruise I have been on.

 

Marie