 |
 |
|
Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Bernard Bryant
Email: bbryant@intellisys.net
Age: 66
Occupation: Retired
NumberOfCruises: 21
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Westerdam
SailingDate: March 23, 2001
Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean
Cabin: 541/C-Large
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 97
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 97
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 93
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 97
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 97
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 98
Stabilization: 97
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 05 Apr 2001
Time: 20:59:05
Remote Name: pm09011.intellisys.net
Remote User:
Comments
We went to Ft. Lauderdale the day before sailing, and had to check out of our room by noon. This gave
us quite a wait before the 3:00PM published boarding time. We were pleasantly surprised at the quick
check-in and nice waiting area. We were further surprised by the early boarding and were on board
before 1:30. Our luggage, which we had turned in at 12:15, was already in our cabin. The cabin was
larger than we expected, with a full sized sofa and chair. The bath had a tub, with a fixed shower head
and a removable shower head. This settled the battle between my 5' 4" wife and me, 6' 2". The cabin
had a heavy curtain between the sleeping area and the sitting area. Our cabin steward was better than
average. We seldom ever saw him, but never found a dirty towel in our room if we were out more than
two hours. If we dropped paper in the trash before lunch, it was gone after lunch. The public rooms on
the ship were comfortable and well-maintained.
The loungest were well-staffed by well-trained
personnel. The evening shows were of two types. Very good or very amateurish. One of the most
interesting shows was the ethnic entertainment put on by the crew. They weren't polished entertainers,
but their hearts were in it. Food. It was the best beef we have ever had on a cruise, and we always
selected the beef dishes. The dining room was better laid out, and roomier than most. We always select
a table for four. Our dining partners were delightful. Our waiter, Nanan, assistant waiter, Adi and wine
steward, Carmen were well-trained and very knowledgable. They never missed a beat and made dining
enjoyable. We ate only the evening meal in the dining room. The only fault. Hot food should be hot, and
cold food cold. It wasn't. The hot soups were tepid. The butter on the table had dishes that should have
hels ice under them. It didn't. As a result, the butter was almost runny. This wasn't our waiter's fault. I
talked with other passengers who had the same complaint. This will probably be our last March cruise in
the Caribbean.
The ports were crowded. In San Juan, we came in as the Celebrity was leaving. Waiting
for us in port were Disney Magic, Ecstasy, Norwegian Sea, Atlantica, Millinium, and Explorer of the Sea.
It was hard to find a native in San Juan. We found all the other ports the same way, and ran across
some ships we'd never heard of. We gave up shopping early. We've been to St. Thomas and St.
Maartin so many time we don't tour any more, but it would have been impossible. The beaches looked
like a 1929 picture of Coney Island with wall-to-wall people. I'm glad we both think that cruising is a
destination. The ship had first-run movies in both the theater and in the cabins. The lounge
entertainment, particutarly in the Ocean Bar is top-notch, if you're on the golden-oldies side. The deck
entertainment was strictly Steel Band music, which I love if it's good, and this was. A couple of downers.
I've never had a cruise staff try and sell me stuff so hard. Even the bar tenders were pushing cocktail
shakers. The drink prices are high, even for a cruise ship. Domestic beer is $3.50 a pop, and the prices
go up from there.
At the final debarkation briefing, the Cruise Director made it very plain that while
Holland America doesn't require tipping, it would be appreciated. After that, before we got off the ship, I
must have heard that 10 times, along with a list of which crew members would 'appreciate' your tips.
They would have actually gotten better tips from me if they hadn't pushed it so hard. Debarkation was a
breeze. They really had that down pat. We were off so fast, we couldn't believe it. There was only one
bunch off faster. The crew. When we got into the terminal, they had every phone tied up. When one
would finish a call, he would pass the phone to a fellow crew member regardless of the fact that others
were standing in line. There were passengers waiting who, like me, couldn't phone their hotel for
transportation. I've not seen that many mad passengers in one place since all the port-side bathrooms
plugged up on the old Norwegian Star. It was a good cruise with lots going for it. It wasn't a great cruise
because of (a) a few small details that HAL should have taken care of long ago, and (b) the crowds in
port. Would we do it again? Not at the price we paid, and not in March.
Name: Pat Clark
Email: pclark@telusplanet.net
Age: 50
Occupation: Office Manager
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Westerdam
SailingDate: April 13, 2001
Itinerary: Eastern Carib.
Cabin: 291
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 70
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 65
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 99
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 87
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 69
Stabilization: 70
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 80
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Apr 2001
Time: 17:38:33
Remote Name: h66-38-148-130.gtcust.grouptelecom.net
Remote User:
Comments
Boarding was efficient if not overly speedy. We were escorted to our cabin and were delighted to find our
bags already in the cabin. The cabin was very spacious, a very positive thing as there were three people
sharing (two adults, one 15 yr old). Lots of drawer and hanging space. Unfortunately only a double bed
which for two tall adults is a little cramped. The sofa made up into a bed at night for our daughter and did
not inhibit the movement around the cabin which was a big plus. The cabin steward was very efficient, so
much so that we never really got to know him as we hardly ever saw him. The only downside to the cabin
was the vibration from the ship which was nothing short of severe, loud and intrusive at certain times. We
had one rough night and the ship handled that well.
The dining room was very good, the food plentiful and of very good variety. The service was very good and
like the cabin steward, very low key. Combined with the fact that we were having so much fun with our new
friends on our table, we did not get to know our waiters as we have on previous cruises.
The food in the Lido and Verandah dining areas was adequate but very repetitious. The express breakfast
line was an excellent idea and worked very well. I really enjoyed the 24-hr availability of tea and coffee.
The overall cruise staff were pleasant with the exception of the DJ who we found to be very arrogant and
not very accommodating to peoples requests for music in the disco at night. The disco was very good and
the waiters there were wonderful. Unfortunately there was some petty exchanges with cruise staff about
allowing under 18-year olds into the disco. Considering the disco was almost empty except for a group of
parents of 16 and 17 year olds who were there with the 18 year olds, too much fuss was made each night
by the cruise staff by way of signs on the door and announcements asking anyone under 18 years old to
leave the disco. Had it been crowded, had the kids been misbehaving or had anyone objected to them
being there I could understand it. When the Cruise Director was approached on this subject he was nothing
short of rude in his response.
The ports of call were standard E. Carib and not too over crowded with other cruisers probably as we were
on one of the last Carribean runs of the winter. We docked in all ports which is a big plus and the
movement from ship to shore and back again was very well handled. However, as a non-US citizen, the
early morning calls to go through immigration were extremely annoying and some format should be sought
to eliminate these early morning calls. The notices and the announcements definitely makes one feel like a
second class citizen! The only tendered stop was Half Moon Cay. The tendering process was very good
and we did not have to wait in any lines. However, I would have walked over broken glass to get to this
island as it is by far the most beautiful place I have ever been to in my entire life. The beach was pristine,
fine clean white sand. The water, although a little cool to begin with, was the clearest and cleanest I have
ever seen. There was not a rock, pebble, shell or anything to make walking on the beach or in the water
uncomfortable. It truly was paradise!
The day we all dread when we have to disembark came all too quickly and our goodbyes to our new friends
were made and then we started what we expected to be a long wait as we did not have any forward plans.
We were very pleasantly surprised to have our number called very quickly, we walked off the ship and our
bags were smack bang in the middle where they were supposed to be. The whole process probably took
only 5 minutes - excellent.
Overall The Westerdam was not my favorite ship I have cruised on. The layout was confusing, no doubt
due to the splicing of the added section, which made movement from front to back of the ship difficult on
some decks and impossible on others. The ship, however, was well maintained and, apart from the
absence of a multi-storey attrium, you would not realize its age. My overall cruise enjoyment was the best
out of any cruise I have taken, due mostly to the friends we made on board. This was an Easter cruise so
the average age of the cruisers was 40 - 50 year olds with teenage children. I think usually there are an
older crowd with very few kids.
I would be happy to discuss further with you should you wish to contact me by e-mail.
Want to book your cruise at a great rate?
Click here.
Questions or comments? Mail to webmaster@cruiseopinion.com.
Copyright ©1996-2001 CruiseOpinion.com. Last modified: May 02, 2001.