Cruise Customer Reviews

Overall Rating: This vessel has a 2 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Family w/older children

Stateroom Type:

Balcony

Some shortcomings by Eugene H from Lake Worth, FL

Sailing date: Apr 2010

Pros:

Dinner in the formal dining room -- each night dinner was excellent....also Joel Mason's entertainment was great!

Cons:

Dirty room....took two days to resolve, two managers, gurest relations manager had to get involved

we sailed on the HA westerdam...when we checked into our room it was dirty... first impression is a lasting impression! Took two days to resolve....two days too many! everyone was "sorry" but there was no real effort to resolve until I had to become visibly upset about it and force the issue. We enjoyed the nightly dinners in the formal dining room...diner was excellent each night....Joel Mason's Elton John impersonation was on the money as was his comedy routine...the ship was quaint, lots of older people, not many fun activities on the ship, the ship itself was clean...staff was spiteful in making it difficult to find our luggage when we returned... they had cut off all our luggage tags, 5 pieces of luugage with 3 luggage tags each....MISSING! - even the HA staff at Ft. Lauderdale thought it was suspicious

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

However, the breakfast and luch buffets just okay.... special dessert buffets on deck were terrible--- cheap food!

Stateroom Quality

as i mentioned, DIRTY.... even the closets had a scent of high school lockerroom

Ship Staff Quality

overall staff was friendly, however the removal of our luggage tags really spoke volumes of the lack of professionalism, spitefulness, immaturity

Entertainment & Activities

most activity was boring...the ship's dancers/broadway show was lacking in entertainment quality...Joel Mason was a saving grace for the ship...

Children's Programs

Terrible!

5 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 2 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

7+ cruises

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Balcony

Mediocre at best by Dave B. from Phoenix, AZ

Sailing date: Dec 2008

Pros:

The ports of call

Cons:

Food and Entertainment

Food and Entertainment were mediocre. Don't book this ship unless you want to be underwhelmed or asleep by 9PM every night. Celebirty and Carnival Liberty food quality and service far surpasses this ship. Our first and last HAL trip.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

No better than other ships we've been on (Carnival, Celebrity, NCL, RCL, Princess), lower quality than others.

Stateroom Quality

Ship Staff Quality

Entertainment & Activities

Only two good shows out of 7 night cruise isn't fun, it's boring.

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Grand Turk Island; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)

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Ports of Call:

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

Two severe hurricanes damaged the reef and life but still a good dive. Dive shop was far away at 45 minute drive each way, almost on top of Belize border.

George Town, Grand Cayman

Rained heavily the day we were there. Went shopping and out to lunch. Don't miss Casanovas Italian if you're in the mood, you won't be sorry.

Grand Turk Island

A scuba diving hot spot, never a bad dive on this island. Hurricane damaged parts of the reef but still clear dive with abundant life. I will miss Alexandar, the 45 LB grouper who's no longer there.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)

Clean and well planned spot. Snorkeled right from the main beach and filmed an octopus swimming around.

6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 2 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

4 - 6 cruises

Traveler Type:

Group

Stateroom Type:

Balcony

Worse than other cruise lines by Eugene D from Philadelphia

Sailing date: Oct 2008

Definitely caters to a certain audience. The repeat Holland America cruisers we spoke to, were happy with the trip. We were in for a bit of culture shock. * Under no circumstances should it be considered acceptable for smoke to permeate the staterooms of non-smoking passengers. Because they allow smoking anywhere on the ship -- there isn't even a single floor/deck set aside for non-smokers -- cigarette smoke is felt as soon as you step on board the ship. * Except for the pizza and taco bars, there was almost no "off-hours" food service -- lunch hours were strictly 12 - 1:30, and afternoons or > 9pm it was hard to find any edible snacks. The last day's breakfast is over by 8am, even though the last group disembarks at 10:15am. * Entertainment was limited (karaoke was contest-only; theatrical shows were revue/variety only). Food lacked variety -- no tropical fruit or various smoked fish for breakfast, like on Princess. Not enough dancing -- actually, no dance classes at all. No karaoke, except for the contest which you must enter on the first night, and there's more verbal abuse of the contestants (a la american idol) than there is actual singing. No real cover bands like Norwegian; would be nice to have some reggae to get into the spirit. Instead they try to be classy with a string quartet before dinner, which gets boring, and anyway they were flat / out of tune. * The sauna/spa is a joke, it's tiny compared to other cruise lines, I think the "real" sauna is not free and part of the spa package (not like princess). * Food is definitely not any better than other cruise lines, though the "loyal customers" swear by it, and adore the head chef, it's not that imaginative or memorable. Lamb and escargot were good though.

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico; Grand Turk Island; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 3 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Family w/older children

Stateroom Type:

Balcony

A great experience! by Lisa Marie from Toronto, Ontario

Sailing date: Mar 2013

Pros:

elegant, beautiful ship, fun casino

Cons:

pools were quite small, not many chairs to lounge in, unless your over 65 you may be a bit too young to go on this ship!

Overall, it was a stunning ship that was highly elegant, with quality food, drinks and great shopping. Beautiful decor, very professional on every front and the casino was fun. There was lots to do throughout the day, however, at night it was rather boring.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Stateroom Quality

I stayed in a balcony room. We had 3 people in our family, and it was quite spacious!

Ship Staff Quality

Fun, professional, and hard working.

Entertainment & Activities

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 3 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

4 - 6 cruises

Traveler Type:

Family w/older children

Stateroom Type:

Oceanview

Our Holland America Cruise by Cindy R. from Fort Wayne, IN

Sailing date: Dec 2010

Pros:

Large ship, nice room.

Cons:

Too many older people on this cruise. Not good for families. Food was pretty but tasted bland. It was unsalted and some was sugar free items. Food line wait was too long! Charged extra $11.00 per person per night for rooms!

Nicely kept ship. Very pretty decor and was always kept clean.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

Bland tasting, cheap quality, they cooked most items to order so the wait in the food lines was horrible! The restaurant was slow getting food out too.

Stateroom Quality

Not enough covers or pillows. Hidden charge of $11.00 per person day for the room! We didn't expect that! $44.00 extra a day was added to our bill. I couldn't find my sweater and am going to report that to the ship. I hadn't worn it after the first day but couldn't find it when we were packing to leave.

Ship Staff Quality

Wonderful smiling people!! They made the cruise so nice!!!

Entertainment & Activities

Children's Programs

We had our 20 and 22 yr old kids with us. There was nothing for them to do!

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Oranjestad, Aruba; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island); Curacao

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Ports of Call:

Oranjestad, Aruba

Kind of disappointed in Aruba. We docked in a not so great looking place. The shopping closed at 6;00 and or excursion didn't get over until then. THe hotels and dining were so far away from where we docked! We had to take a city bus to get something to eat b/c a taxi would have costed an arm and leg. The bus ride was horrible with island workers smashed in all around us! Our excursion to Paridise Island was nothing great. Food wasn't to good and snorkeling was ok. Banana boat guy closed 1/2 hour early so we didn't get to ride that. I don't think I would visit Aruba again.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)

Nice time, luckly it was a nice day. The food buffet looked amazing but again, everything was bland tasting.

Don't Miss: Well, don't miss the boat! Some lady was left on the island because she was out swimming!

Curacao

Rained the whole time we were there. Cute island but shopping was boring. Clothing looked like it was 15 yrs old! No nice shops, just cheap stuff. Sun peaked out once so we went to Mambo beach. Nice place, paid $3.00 each to get in then had to pay $3.00 each for a lounge chair that were all over the beach anyway. Some people were sunbathing topless. There were families with small children there. No signs to warn anybody!

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 3 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Couple

Ship Review by Loretta from Cincinnati, Ohio

Sailing date: Mar 2007

State room had a bad odor, the food was overcooked and very salty, the gentleman that was in charge of our cabin was wonderful!!

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Grand Turk Island; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island); San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 3 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

First cruise

Traveler Type:

Couple

Ship Review by Chris from USA

Sailing date: Feb 2007

Ship Details:

Entertainment & Activities

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

2 - 3 cruises

Traveler Type:

Couple

Stateroom Type:

Balcony

A Caribbean Dream cruise by A Traveler from Chico, CA

Sailing date: Feb 2009

Pros:

The large stateroom, the food, the shows

Cons:

The cost of soft drinks, water or alcohol on board

The Westerdam is a beautiful ship. While not the newest ship in the Holland America fleet, it is still clean and bright with all the ammenities you expect to find on a fine cruise ship.

Ship Details:

Ship Quality

Dining/Food

The food was wonderful! We we went to the Pinnacle Grill one night and it was absolutely perfect. The service and food even exceeded that of the excellence main dining room. And the buffet food was good, too.

Stateroom Quality

We loved our stateroom. It was larger than our room on another cruise line, and the bathroom was quite spacious. And, of course, the balcony is the best.

Ship Staff Quality

In seven days, we never saw a staff member who did not smile and say Good Morning, or something else appropriate. Our stateroom steward fixed 2 small problems (hair dryer and remote batteries) quickly and efficiently. All the staff was great.

Entertainment & Activities

We attended 4 shows and all were great - an Elton John tribute, a Broadway show tunes and dance show, a musical variety show and a comedy act. Liked them all

Read this user's port of call reviews:

Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Grand Turk Island; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)

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Ports of Call:

Cozumel, Mexico

The dolphin trainer shore excursion was excellent - such amazing animals, and wonderful, helpful and knowledgeable trainers. The fury catamaran snorkel and beach excursion was a great time and a great price! Highly recommend it.

Don't Miss: Dolphin experience

George Town, Grand Cayman

Sting Ray City was the highlight for us. Our guide was informative and fun, and, of course, the sting rays were amazing.

Don't Miss: Sting Ray City

Grand Turk Island

Unfortunately our shore excursion was cancelled due to high winds, but we had an enjoyable time just wandering around the island and, of course, swimming in the beautiful blue ocean.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Cruiseline Private Island)

A beautiful beach with all the amenities you could want. A great place to lay in the sun, swim and read a book.

15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

30 - 49

Cruise Experience:

4 - 6 cruises

Traveler Type:

Group

We prefer a larger ship, at 2100 people, by Kathy from Gilbert, AZ

Sailing date: Dec 2006

Pros:

Spa, specialty restaurant and midnight extravaganza.

We had a nice time, always do, as we are a family and all went together. However, Holland America is for a much older crowd and not in that sophisticated way, just a bit dreary in atmosphere.

Ship Details:

Entertainment & Activities

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Overall Rating: This vessel has a 4 star rating

About the Reviewer:

Age:

50 - 65

Cruise Experience:

4 - 6 cruises

Traveler Type:

Couple

Quite good, except for the virus. by Andy from Tewksbury, MA

Sailing date: Feb 2006

Pros:

Staff

Our party consisted of two mature men and two mature women. Both men contracted a stomach virus during the cruise. The dining room staff were sensitive to our needs/condition.

Ship Details:

Entertainment & Activities

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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