Westerdam 2/11-2/18 mini review

[retiredldo]

I am going to post a mini review of the above trip and saw that minitor has addressed many of the points but I will add my 37 cents to the mix. This was our 14th cruise and 3rd on Hal (we have been on the Z the O and now the W dam ships)

 

Embarkation was smooth and if you do fill our your immigration forms online, you will have a choice of two lines one for paper work filled out and one not. Now the line with paper work filled out had about 50-60 folks in line, so even though my stuff was filled out I went to the other line and right to the front. The land staff was a bit rough to say the least, even asked one handing out paper work about if you had been sick before etc and questioned her about the virus on the ship her lie was "nothing like that on the westerdam" they need to improve their customer service skills and Likeability factor.

 

We ate in the lido about 12 and went out in the aft pool till 2 when they announced the cabins were ready, went to the cabin and unpacked our bags as they had all arrived. Roamed the ship and waited for the life jacket drill, well conducted.

 

The sail away was fun, point here get near one of the staff , they were at the four corners of the lido deck pool mid ship Questions are asked and first one up to them with the correct answer wins a prize, I got a Dam Mug, there were shirts, rolling bags drinks alot of fun

 

Service very good through out the ship with one exception, our waiter was terrible, terrible. Asst waiter was off and running for the meals and stuff really did not see much of him. The head waiter best we have ever seen, I think as I have on other HAL trips that they have the wait staff stretched out to thin. We were on the early dining 545 top floor.

 

Food was good it is mass produced cruise food, they even tell you that they produce 1200 meals per day. I know this going in so it is not a complaint but what it is. The beef is one area that they can improve in for both quality and taste. The portions have really gotten smaller over the years and that is a good thing I guess. Good dining experience and great table mates. Food was good in the Lido for both breakfast and lunch, that is where we ate those meals every day. But ate in the dining room for breakfast once, like to try the eggs benedict. Not very good, as eggs were over cooked and hollandise sauce was ok. Did see them asking a couple of gents to leave that were wearing shorts, that was good. I wear a tux but would say that was not prevalent outfit for men, dark suit although therer was one guy with shorts a tie and sports jacket and he was not tossed so who knows The chocolate feast was ok, they had problems with the chocolate fountain, so they shut it down, good selection, but not sure why they dont bring some coffee out there (out there being lido deck pool) You have to get your snacks and then into the lido dining area for the drinks.

 

Entertainment was excellent great shows, went to them all, Darlene and the Hal cats play great music, we would do some dancing to them up in the crows nest. The group they had playing in the ocean bar played good music but the songs went on forever, shorter songs more variety would have been better. The hal cats did that, variety with shorter tunes. Good mix with the comedians, juggler and staff shows, the dancers and the singers had 2 very energetic shows and both were well received. We found the comedians (Julie and the one from the UK very funny) in this day and age you are not going to please everyone.

 

The idol competion was packed, and the judges added a great deal of humor to the contest fantastic a must see

 

Ports Grand Turk we took a cab for 3 bucks per person to GOverners beach about 5 minutes away a great beach not very crowded and clean This was a very enjoyable stop very low keyed and relaxing

 

Tortola got in at 2 took a cab to cane garden beach, a nice beach, I would opt to go elsewhere next time but with the late arrival went there and this is the night that they had the BBQ up on deck.

 

St Marten rented a car as always had planned to do a few stops but went to Mullet bay 2 chairs umbrella $15 for the day a beautiful beach. great location some snorkeling and fantastic water

 

I guess you can see we dont go to shop to many nice beaches to go to

 

 

Half moon cay was great however I think that they have screwed up some of the snorkeling it was better right near the channel where the tenders come in but very few fish this time, I think they have done something with the eco system recommendation walk to the other end of the beach about a mile and much better snorkleing They also have snorkleing with the sting rays, Hmm 29 bucks to snorkle in about 3-4 feet of water with sting rays penned in ??? How exciting can that be oh well

 

Cabin 5041 near the elevators no problem balcony outstanding room steward.

 

Capt was out an about and very friendly as was the staff, I had gone to work out about 6 am one morning and then went to drop off something at the desk passed about 10-12 employees everyone of them said good morning or how was it going etc Terrific

 

Cruise director was ok, nothing special funny at times lame at others

 

Disembarkation the shore staff had an attitude problem but once off starting at about 0845 we were in the airport and through the line by 920 so no problems we had a 1030 flight and it went smooth however they had luggage by color and that is fine but with in the colors were numbers so it was confusing at best. We had to bags damaged one leather luggage tag disappeared from the time we put it outside our cabin till we picked up the luggage

 

Great vacation good ports lousy arrival time at tortola

 

 

We would definitely cruise on HAL again and the westerdam

 

Ok will answer any questions suggestions or nothings

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Dear Retired:

 

Thanks for your 37 cents; I'd say it was worth at least two bits.....;)

 

Seriously, thanks very much for taking the time to post your experience on Westerdam. Especially in the wee hours as you did! Sorry about your inefficient waiter, but glad you found the staff overall to be excellent. Appreciate your review; it sounds like you enjoy the Vista class ships:)

 

Karin

[retiredldo]

Yes in comparision to the other larger ships from the other lines this is a very enjoyable style ship. here is one snippet as to why the dining room waiter was not good, lobster tail and filet night he has 22 folks 4 tables all ordered about the same time one of the tables was on their 3 go around of the tails we had not been served our main course yet. Now understand he was taking tails off full plates of food and trashing the rest of the food, we were at a table for 8 4 first time cruisers they were amazed at how poor the service was from the waiter Oh well We have always found the HAL staff to be outstanding Thanks for the response

 

Pete

[constructiondude]

Thanks for the review....I loved the Westerdam!

[MercedMike]

lobster tail and filet night he has 22 folks 4 tables all ordered about the same time one of the tables was on their 3 go around of the tails we had not been served our main course yet.

 

HMMM -- tell me, was that other table very demanding to the waiter, and your table was waiting politely? I have seen it happen, with a new waiter (particularly those nice Indonesian boys) that they don't understand politeness and respond to demands. They think they are making the loud demanding ones happy and that the others sitting quietly are also happy. On occasion, you have to be a bit demanding with them and they will quickly get the idea. If that doesn't work, speaking to the headwaiter strongly usually will. The Indonesians don't get subtle.;)

[retiredldo]

nope they were very quiet and again there were other things throughout the week, wrong meals delivered, wrong salad dressings and not just on our table, Head waiter got involved a couple of times and that was why I said he was the best I have seen in 14 cruises we were far from a quiet table but not demanding

 

good input Mike appreciate it

[waiting2retire]

Thanks for your review! Reading reviews has become my favourite pasttime, and I learn so much...

 

A quick question if I may, our ship gets into Tortola even later, 3:00 p.m. I have never been to Tortola and would have loved to see the Baths, but we'll be too late. Second choice was going to Cane Garden Bay. Do you think it is worth it that late in the day? Or might it be better just to get a cab to show us some of the sights around the island for an hour or so?

 

Your advice would be appreciated.

 

Bonnie

[retiredldo]

Hi Bonnie well getting off the ship is not bad and cabs are waiting right there to take you to the beach abouta 15 -20 minute ride As I alluded to we like the beaches so getting in that late I would head over to Cane Garden it is a nice beach and you could tell the driver to come back at a certain time and they will be there

 

Any other questions just ask

 

Pete

[Tiffin116]

Hi Pete

Thanks for the info on finding this website. Not only did we enjoy the cruise, but also enjoyed meeting new friends that were our table mates. Although the service wasnt 100%, it didnt affect the outcome of our holiday. Thanks again for fun at dinner, as well as Herb

[retiredldo]

Your welcome glad you found it ok, drop me an email we had great travels home just a delay in Newark but overall fine You got a minute

[DonMaryCar]

Not sure of the amount of sunlight now, but when we were there in December our ship docked at 2 but we were about 3 pm before we left to go to the Baths and it was fantastic. It didn't get dark till we returned to the boat for the ride back to the ships. The Baths were gorgeous

 

Mary

[Funny Daddy]

I am going to post a mini review of the above trip and saw that minitor has addressed many of the points but I will add my 37 cents to the mix. This was our 14th cruise and 3rd on Hal (we have been on the Z the O and now the W dam ships)

 

Embarkation was smooth and if you do fill our your immigration forms online, you will have a choice of two lines one for paper work filled out and one not. Now the line with paper work filled out had about 50-60 folks in line, so even though my stuff was filled out I went to the other line and right to the front. The land staff was a bit rough to say the least, even asked one handing out paper work about if you had been sick before etc and questioned her about the virus on the ship her lie was "nothing like that on the westerdam" they need to improve their customer service skills and Likeability factor.

 

We ate in the lido about 12 and went out in the aft pool till 2 when they announced the cabins were ready, went to the cabin and unpacked our bags as they had all arrived. Roamed the ship and waited for the life jacket drill, well conducted.

 

The sail away was fun, point here get near one of the staff , they were at the four corners of the lido deck pool mid ship Questions are asked and first one up to them with the correct answer wins a prize, I got a Dam Mug, there were shirts, rolling bags drinks alot of fun

 

Service very good through out the ship with one exception, our waiter was terrible, terrible. Asst waiter was off and running for the meals and stuff really did not see much of him. The head waiter best we have ever seen, I think as I have on other HAL trips that they have the wait staff stretched out to thin. We were on the early dining 545 top floor.

 

Food was good it is mass produced cruise food, they even tell you that they produce 1200 meals per day. I know this going in so it is not a complaint but what it is. The beef is one area that they can improve in for both quality and taste. The portions have really gotten smaller over the years and that is a good thing I guess. Good dining experience and great table mates. Food was good in the Lido for both breakfast and lunch, that is where we ate those meals every day. But ate in the dining room for breakfast once, like to try the eggs benedict. Not very good, as eggs were over cooked and hollandise sauce was ok. Did see them asking a couple of gents to leave that were wearing shorts, that was good. I wear a tux but would say that was not prevalent outfit for men, dark suit although therer was one guy with shorts a tie and sports jacket and he was not tossed so who knows The chocolate feast was ok, they had problems with the chocolate fountain, so they shut it down, good selection, but not sure why they dont bring some coffee out there (out there being lido deck pool) You have to get your snacks and then into the lido dining area for the drinks.

 

Entertainment was excellent great shows, went to them all, Darlene and the Hal cats play great music, we would do some dancing to them up in the crows nest. The group they had playing in the ocean bar played good music but the songs went on forever, shorter songs more variety would have been better. The hal cats did that, variety with shorter tunes. Good mix with the comedians, juggler and staff shows, the dancers and the singers had 2 very energetic shows and both were well received. We found the comedians (Julie and the one from the UK very funny) in this day and age you are not going to please everyone.

 

The idol competion was packed, and the judges added a great deal of humor to the contest fantastic a must see

 

Ports Grand Turk we took a cab for 3 bucks per person to GOverners beach about 5 minutes away a great beach not very crowded and clean This was a very enjoyable stop very low keyed and relaxing

 

Tortola got in at 2 took a cab to cane garden beach, a nice beach, I would opt to go elsewhere next time but with the late arrival went there and this is the night that they had the BBQ up on deck.

 

St Marten rented a car as always had planned to do a few stops but went to Mullet bay 2 chairs umbrella $15 for the day a beautiful beach. great location some snorkeling and fantastic water

 

I guess you can see we dont go to shop to many nice beaches to go to

 

 

Half moon cay was great however I think that they have screwed up some of the snorkeling it was better right near the channel where the tenders come in but very few fish this time, I think they have done something with the eco system recommendation walk to the other end of the beach about a mile and much better snorkleing They also have snorkleing with the sting rays, Hmm 29 bucks to snorkle in about 3-4 feet of water with sting rays penned in ??? How exciting can that be oh well

 

Cabin 5041 near the elevators no problem balcony outstanding room steward.

 

Capt was out an about and very friendly as was the staff, I had gone to work out about 6 am one morning and then went to drop off something at the desk passed about 10-12 employees everyone of them said good morning or how was it going etc Terrific

 

Cruise director was ok, nothing special funny at times lame at others

 

Disembarkation the shore staff had an attitude problem but once off starting at about 0845 we were in the airport and through the line by 920 so no problems we had a 1030 flight and it went smooth however they had luggage by color and that is fine but with in the colors were numbers so it was confusing at best. We had to bags damaged one leather luggage tag disappeared from the time we put it outside our cabin till we picked up the luggage

 

Great vacation good ports lousy arrival time at tortola

 

 

We would definitely cruise on HAL again and the westerdam

 

Ok will answer any questions suggestions or nothings

 

Ok, you are ready to cruise with us on the HAL! We have done close to 300 days now, welcome on board! Gary B. Pine Ridge Winery, Napa Valley,Ca

[MercedMike]

Ok, you are ready to cruise with us on the HAL! We have done close to 300 days now, welcome on board! Gary B. Pine Ridge Winery, Napa Valley,Ca

 

So, P Daddy, you are not only using that very offensive screen name, you are attaching your business advertisement to it?

 

Can you possibly believe that I would ever buy anything advertised in such an offensive manner?? If you are going to insult women and idolize the rotten underbelly of criminals, at least figure out that you shouldn't connect it to your business!