Typical HAL Quality

This was our sixth cruise on Holland America (eight cruise overall), the first on the Westerdam; so we had expectations with regard to service, food, and accomodations.  We were not disappointed at all with the service or the food.  With regard to accomodations, our only complaint is the veranda was not deep enough to allow the partition between our veranda and our neighbors (who we were traveling with) to be opened and still allow our door to our cabin to open.  I should note that previous cruises were on decks 7 and 8 which have a deeper veranda to allow an overhang for our deck 5 cabin on this cruise.  We will just book higher decks from now on.  Cabin size, including bathroom, was excellent by cruise standards, with plenty of storage.

We cannot say enough about the service and food on HAL cruises.  Cabin attendees are thorough, accomdating, and friendly; they called us by name from the first day.  Waiters and servers in the dining room are equally as good, treating us like we were their only responsibility--yet doing the same for other passengers.  The entire crew exhibits the same friendliness, whether serving you or just passing you in the hall or other common areas.  The food was excellent, whether in the main dining room, the Lido buffet, or the only specialty restaurant that we dined at on this cruise (Canaletto).

All HAL ships follow similar formats with regard to cabins, common areas, layout, names, etc.  with differences in size and decor specifics.  This made it easy for navigating the ship, especially if you have cruised HAL before.  Being the last cruise for the Westerdam before heading to drydock for refurbishing, we did not know what the expect with regard to the condition of the ship.  We were pleasantly surprised that there was little sign of wear.