Westerdam cruise

Westerdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

ingmarie141

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaskan Explorer With Glacier Bay (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 18, 2015

Ship: Westerdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7041

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

I picked Holland-America line because they have a reputation of being the more elegant of the cruise ships. The service was extremely good, the food to die for, the venue was, indeed, very elegant. We had a cabin with a veranda and that was a good choice.

We had some reservations about the excursions, especially in Juneau. It cost $65 if you buy a bus tour to Mendenhall Glacier and a ticket on the tramway to Mount Robert- if you go out on the dock the same is $10 for the tour to the Glacier and $10 for the tramway.

Another thing that they didn't tell you is the hidden charges of close to $12/per day, per person for "housekeeping", that is making your bed, clean the bathroom aso. I don't know what other cruise liners do, but it would have been better being upfront about this '"xtra" charges.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Elegant, clean. Our favorite place was the Crow's Nest on Observation Deck

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We think balcony is a "have to" for once-in-a-lifetime cruise.

Ship tip

Find the Crow's Nest in the very front of the ship. Best place for viewing.

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Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Skip Tramway, expensive for what you experience. Remember that there are 5 cruise ships, each with 1.900 passenger, that come to Juneau at the same time.

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Cruise Glacier Bay

5 out of 5

Sitka, Alaska

5 out of 5

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

1 out of 5

We arrived too late in the day.

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7 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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Lori69 8 years ago

Has anyone used internet on this ship?

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bugsinmyheart 9 years ago

The $12 per day per person are the gratuities that pay your cabin steward, head waiter, maitre 'D and bus boy. If you purchase shore excursions through the onshore vendors you risk being left behind if you do not get back before the ship leaves port whereas if you purchase them through the cruise line and you are late getting back to the ship while on that shore excursion, the ship will wait for y

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Gigi1977 9 years ago

Very true, Tim. But if an agent knows they have a first time cruiser, I would think they would mention it. Of course, many people book on line and do not read the fine print much less their contract.

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CrusinTim 9 years ago

Gigi, it's not necessarily the agents responsibility to inform the passenger of the gratuities. If the poster read their contract for the cruise, it's plainly stated there. I found the info at the HAL website here.... http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Shipboard+Life&contentMenu=Money+Matters&contentSubMenu=Is+There+A+Hotel+Service+Charge+%28Gratuity/Tip%29?&WT.ac=PopTop_Gratuity

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Gigi1977 9 years ago

Almost all cruise lines charge the $11. To $12. per day. It's for tips - not just housekeeping. If you book directly with HAL it is stated. If you book with a travel agent - it's up to them to let you know. Sorry you were surprised by this. I agree their excursions are more expensive, but you are also paying for the guarantee the won't leave you in port. We have been on 6 cruises with them.

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katbay 9 years ago

I am surprised you hadn't been informed on the daily charge. While I haven't sailed a Holland-America ship (and I have heard many friends say it was as wonderful as you say) all other cruise lines I have used include this daily charge. It has alway shown up in ticket information or frequently asked questions about your cruise prior to sailing. Honestly, they weren't trying to pull a fast one.

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