0208 248 2355
Questions about your booking? Contact Us
Login Superbly refreshed, Westerdam cruise ship features excellent bar, entertainment and dining venues, plus completely reimagined suites. Westerdam is a fascinating destination in her own right and has won multiple Best Cruise Ship awards. On board, enjoy live entertainment with Music Walk™ and Billboard Onboard. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central atop the ship.
Our cruise was 28 days - two weeks Japan/China followed by two weeks Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. The Ship. While we really like the size of the ship (medium sized), the Westerdam is showing its age and could do with some major upgrades in many of the public spaces and in the staterooms themselves. That said, it is a comfortable ship with (on the whole) a wonderful crew. Stateroom. Our stateroom bathroom in particular (balcony deck 6) was problematic. Why bath tubs were ever installed is questionable, but why they remain is even more mind numbing. It makes what is a small space even more cramped. We experienced a hot water issue early on the cruise, but this was rectified relatively quickly. The rest of the room was fine, although we have been on ships where the space is better used. Beds were comfortable and more than enough space for storage. Dining. We found the dining experience quite good, although we avoided the buffet whenever possible (more later). The MDR was enjoyable, and with some exceptions the food quite good and the menus varied and interesting. Service was consistently good, often excellent. Breakfast tended to have the normal problems - luke warm tea/coffee, cold toast etc, but overall we were happy with most meals (although the steak in the MDR was like shoe leather and only tried once). The buffet restaurant offered a great selection, but seating was often hard to find (may have been the timings we went), and unfortunately there are always the 5% who either don't know or don't care that there are others also looking to have lunch - don't get in their way! The staff here do wonders keeping things ticking along but it feels like some areas are missing the expertise and direction of the first line supervisors. Lots of little things get either missed or simply ignored. We ate in three specialty restaurants - twice in Tamarind Pop up (VG), once in Canaletto (G,) and once in the Pinnacle Grill (so so). The Dive In was VG. Entertainment. For a medium sized ship we were happy with the entertainment; the variety was excellent and the performance level ranging from ok to very good. There was minimal change of performers over the four weeks (function of the geographic area???) and it would have been nice to see some different acts/performers. The cruise director was a bit overly enthusiastic on the daily updates (sometimes three or four) - could tone things down somewhat. Daily activities were fine. Port Visits. We chose these two back to back cruises entirely for the itinerary and were not disappointed. Most of the stops were good to very good and some outstanding. Highlites stops for us were Osaka, Kochi, Hiroshima, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Ishigaki. We enjoyed the two days in Shanghai although the hour drive to and from the city centre was tiring. The Best of Shanghai tour could have been better organized. As it was, over 300 passengers were dropped simultaneously at the same small garden (and subsequent sites but not with the same impact) and we were run through the site like a sausage machine. The other ports were good - less Manilla which we would take a miss on if ever back. We did not find the port visit briefings well done. There was some good information provided but it was disjointed and one had to pull the useful nuggets out of what appeared to be a script that was simply read. A handout would have worked better. We also felt there was too much left out that could have been included. The fact that one could take the metro to the Lotus Pond is ok. What would have been more useful is the location of the metro stop, the line, the direction and the stop to get off at. Too much of the info provided was factual but in no way sufficient to really help. A list of main attractions is just a list. Details on how to get to these would be much more useful. Embarcation/Disembarkation. Both excellent. We requested and received authority to disembark two days early (in Osaka) and could not have been better treated or professionally handled. Communication. During the first cruise there was a gastro problem on board. We felt that the passage of information regarding this was poor. In fact, on arrival in Hong Kong, disembarkation was delayed, significantly impacting plans made for the day. We might have been a bit more patient and less demanding of the ship's personnel had we been advised the ship has to undergo medical protocols/screening etc before disembarkation could start. As it was, we were simply advised this was a result of Hong Kong requirements. Not sufficient! The second two weeks were a 180 degree reversal, and we felt we were being given all necessary information in a clear and understandable manner. We enjoyed this cruise largely due to the itinerary. The age and need for some serious refurbishment render it unlikely we would cruise on the Westerdam again.
Back to back cruise from Feb 1 - March 2. Embarkation & desembarkation on every country was orderly & quickly. Stayed in a high category outside cabin with big rectangular windows. Beds are excellent. Food varieties are excellent, entertainment are excellent, service are excellent. Plenty of activities during sea day. Good size gym & walking deck ariund the ship. The ports we visited are excellent. Excursions are very expensive. The ship provided shuttle busses with reasonable fares to center of town for people who want to tour the port on their own. We had a norovirus case at the 3rd week of the Cruise. The ship adjusted food services by serving food by the crew. I attribute this norovirus occurrence to the unsanitary passengers who do not wash their hands after leaving the restrooms and before entering the dining room. I witnessed these kind of passengers. The ship is very clean & maintained clean daily.
With refined amenities and Holland America Line signature Mariner’s Dream bed gracing each elegant stateroom, the ship offers six grades of staterooms. Most are ocean-facing, many featuring teak-lined verandas for dining alfresco or private sunbathing.
Enjoy everything from a burger and fries by the Lido Pool to the authentic Italian flavors of Canaletto to the ultimate in refined and luxurious dining at the Pinnacle Grill.
Every day aboard a Holland America cruise ship brings a wealth of cruise activities and indulgences, along with the freedom to partake in as many- or as few- as you please. It's an opportunity to try something new that surprises you, every day. Dabble, discover, daydream- do everything, or do nothing at all.
Whether you want to workout in the Fitness Centre, learn yoga, pamper yourself with a massage and spa treatment, or enjoy a game of basketball, there's a perfect onboard activity for everyone.
Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties.
Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.
Safety Comes First
Safety is our primary concern and strict policies are in place for effective supervision. Adult guests are not permitted to remain in Kids Club unless attending to a special-needs child.
Please note: During voyages with a high number of families onboard, we will make all efforts to accommodate interested parties. However, participation in our program cannot be guaranteed. Hours of operation may change to better serve our guests.
