We were on the Westerdam for 43 days that started March 24 and ended May 6 here are a few observations. The Crows Nest is now a lot of wasted space. There were many complaints about the changes. There are to many electronic devices set up that nobody uses and some are already broken down. It seems rare that someone uses that area. The new shop vendors have very little product at extremely high prices and most of the products have nothing to do with Holland America or the Westerdam. They do sell items related to the areas of cruising but for the most part you can buy those same items in the ports at much better prices.
During the day there are two places open to buy bar drinks, one the pool bar and two the Ocean bar, however on sea days the Ocean bar is taken over by the art auction and the only place to sit and get a drink is on the bar stools. These stools are high and hard for short people or handicapped people to get on.
The entertainment at times is good but not great. The main theater has a lot of poles blocking views on the second level of seating. The production shows have good singers but their dancing is very stiff. BB King does not play every night and when they play it is not for very long, however when they play it is the exact same songs in the exact same order every time and extremely loud. It is hard to be in the room to listen to them. The dueling piano's do draw a crowd. The Lincoln center does fill up for the classical music also.
In rough weather the ship rocks and rolls pretty much. It creaks and makes noises like from a horror movie in many places. Even though it had been dry docked last year there was not a lot done to most staterooms other than adding large TV's. Many of the public bathrooms had very rusty doors in the stalls. One elevator or another always seemed to be broken down. They were constantly doing maintenance so they are trying to keep up on things I just believe they are short staffed in many areas of the crew.
The food is subjective for me I had to turn away many dishes from the MDR but that is due to my taste preferences. The service was slow in the MDR but again that is due to short staffing not because the staff is not working hard. We had set dining at 5:30 PM and were lucky if we were done by 7:30 PM. We were at a table for 6 but usually only 4 people would show up.
The ship is in decent shape and we did have a good time. The crew did every thing they could to make it an enjoyable trip. The crew is very hard working and very friendly, I just believe they are short staffed. The staterooms were well kept up and of decent size, we had two balconies and one inside during our 43 days.
Ultimately I guess the question is would I cruise on it again? Yes I would because the crew was so good and I met a lot a lot of nice people. It would not be my first choice but if the destination and timing were right I would not hesitate to go on it again.
During the day there are two places open to buy bar drinks, one the pool bar and two the Ocean bar, however on sea days the Ocean bar is taken over by the art auction and the only place to sit and get a drink is on the bar stools. These stools are high and hard for short people or handicapped people to get on.
The entertainment at times is good but not great. The main theater has a lot of poles blocking views on the second level of seating. The production shows have good singers but their dancing is very stiff. BB King does not play every night and when they play it is not for very long, however when they play it is the exact same songs in the exact same order every time and extremely loud. It is hard to be in the room to listen to them. The dueling piano's do draw a crowd. The Lincoln center does fill up for the classical music also.
In rough weather the ship rocks and rolls pretty much. It creaks and makes noises like from a horror movie in many places. Even though it had been dry docked last year there was not a lot done to most staterooms other than adding large TV's. Many of the public bathrooms had very rusty doors in the stalls. One elevator or another always seemed to be broken down. They were constantly doing maintenance so they are trying to keep up on things I just believe they are short staffed in many areas of the crew.
The food is subjective for me I had to turn away many dishes from the MDR but that is due to my taste preferences. The service was slow in the MDR but again that is due to short staffing not because the staff is not working hard. We had set dining at 5:30 PM and were lucky if we were done by 7:30 PM. We were at a table for 6 but usually only 4 people would show up.
The ship is in decent shape and we did have a good time. The crew did every thing they could to make it an enjoyable trip. The crew is very hard working and very friendly, I just believe they are short staffed. The staterooms were well kept up and of decent size, we had two balconies and one inside during our 43 days.
Ultimately I guess the question is would I cruise on it again? Yes I would because the crew was so good and I met a lot a lot of nice people. It would not be my first choice but if the destination and timing were right I would not hesitate to go on it again.