Very good Alaskan cruise.

Westerdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

IanCoulthard

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 71

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Glacier Discovery Northbound (Vancouver To Seward)

Sail date: August 25, 2019

Ship: Westerdam

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: GUAR

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Very good cruise but felt not as fully expected. Fully understand having to pay for alcohol bu not able to get a soft drink or bottle of water without charge - plus 15% - to me is a grab for money. Lots of attempts to up sell - by bottle of wine not a glass, buy products from spa, etc. Also thought the “sail away party” would have been that with a few drinks included but the special occasion drink was still a $9 extra. Enquired about a bridge tour and was told a $150 fee for a behind the scenes tour and minimum of 4. Again another money grab in my opinion. Gala nights were “odd” - apart from the Captain’s Toast Monday night there was nothing more “gala” apart from the suggestion to dress up (not all did) and the Friday night, there was nothing else at all to signify. Seemed lacking, I expected something “gala”!

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Initially very confusing as no one knew what we should do when we go there early.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Main dining room food generally very good, Pinnacle restaurant excellent, Lido deck good for the main part. Burger place was average or below, fast food quality.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Hydro pool was very good as were the hot beds. Did a cycling session that was a bit too ugh for me but as advertised.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Very good overall, good range of entertainment

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

In general excellent, crew always saying good morning etc. As you find an old few occasionally not up to standard

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Generally very good

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Bed not that comfortable, in the suites they should be a single queen or king and pillow top, not 2 singles together. Bathroom grout in tiles needed to be address as did the shower that leaked badly.

Ship tip

Get a suite or balcony, don’t waste the chance for great sightseeing or just to sit outside and read, listen or watch.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

4 out of 5

Embarkation point, enjoyed looking around.

Thumbs Up 1

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska

4 out of 5

Nice cruising

Thumbs Up 0

Ketchikan, Alaska

4 out of 5

Good place to walk around with only a short stay

Thumbs Up 3

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Great day to helicopter to glacier and do the dogsled and chopper back. Tram to Mt Roberts then a hike up was great. Good place for a longer visit.

Thumbs Up 4

Skagway, Alaska

4 out of 5

Cute town, opted to ferry over to Haines for a few hours, not much there but walked around and had lunch and great to do a boat trip.

Thumbs Up 3

Cruise Glacier Bay

4 out of 5

Was good but had higher expectations of what you would see as to glaciers and aquatic life. Very little seen despite the talk from the ranger suggesting it would be abundant.

Thumbs Up 0

Seward (Anchorage), Alaska

4 out of 5

Disembarkation and unfortunately rain prevented a lot of town exploring. The sea life center was interesting but very expensive to do other activities besides general entry.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

No issues at all.

3 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

GerryBCruisin 2 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to share your review of the Westerdam.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

TNTGreen 5 years ago

Out of the major cruise lines don’t know if one where there is not a cost for drinks and before you say NCL you’re sought of paying for the “free unlimited drink package” since the prices of your cruise is higher than RCL or Carnival. Unless you’re sailing on Viking you have to pay for drinks.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag