The weather was very good, no rain at all (unexpected). Food was good drinks of any kind other than coffee (free) overpriced. My impression overall was that the cruise line is out to suck every dollar from its passengers as they possibly can. Example: About $700 per couple for a drink package (we purchased a drink card and paid $250 and did not use it all). 20% gratuity (tips) on everything is ridiculous and you don't have a choice it is automatically added to every purchase. I will not be taking anymore cruises in the US in the future. European cruise lines are less expensive and more fun.
Embarkation
4 out of 5
I was surprised at how smoothly embarkation went in Seattle considering that close to 6000 people were prosessing at the same time for 2 different ships
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
I never ate in the main dining room as I was not interested in getting dressed up just to have a meal. The buffet on the Lido deck was great with plenty of choices of types of food and quantity desired. Also ate one meal in the Pinnacle Grill which is kind of ritzy but the selection of meals was good and some of the meals cost extra but not too bad. The Drop Inn was staples such as hamburgers and hot dogs made to order and was good but only ate there once- it is located near the main pool on Lido deck. Overall if you like seafood or steak or just a salad you will find anything you like. I prefer the buffet and the majority of passengers seemed to also since it was always packed with people and was not too limited to meal times. If you drink coffee and not the specialty types there are several FREE regular and decaf coffee urns on the Lido deck at the buffet along with FREE tea. Water and juices served by the staff at the tables just for asking.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Only used the hot tub one time it was not hot enough for me but was OK and popular at times due to the cool weather especially for kids. Did not use the pools but they were popular for kids.
Entertainment
did not attend entertainment events
Children's Programs
No kids with us
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
everyone was pleasant and attentive and the cabin staff made an effort to greet us by name. The were willing to attend to any problems encountered - there were none but always asked.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Our cabin was located on 4th deck Port side almost as far forward as you can get so it meant that anywhere you wanted to go was a long walk and copious use of the elevators of which there were several. The next cruise we go on I will get a cabin more in the center of the boat. The Lido deck was on deck 9 where we spent most of our time aboard so it was not a short walk to or from the cabin at meal time.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
The room was big enough and comfortable, clean but My wife and I have decided that the next cruise we will go to an inside cabin especially if it is to a cold climate since it is not worth having a veranda if wind and cold prevent you from using it.
Ship tip
The wording of the prices for drinks is such that cruisers will purchase a drink package ge at exorbitant prices. If you are a normal coffee drinker
If you want to brouse the very expensive jewelry shops this is your place. There were 5 cruise ships in port at the time all of them bigger than the Westerdam so the population of town was about doubled at the time. Took the Cable Car up to the top of the mountain it cost about $100 and I did not feel it was worth the price, good view of the ships in the port but nothing spectacular. The other excursions were very expensive and in talking to people later I did not miss anything by not doing any of them.
The Westerdam was only in port for about 3 hours and was docked about a mile from everything and only accessible by bus or taxi so what's the point? Stayed aboard.
Surprisingly quick and easy no customs headaches, searches passport checks just walk off the ship and go home. By far the easiest of any cruise I have been on.
If you are buying a drink separately from your drink package yes 20% is automatically put in as your gratuity and that is a tip. The bartenders are in a different department than the restaurant department and the housekeeping department and other departments. They do not get $20 per night for service or whatever Holland America charges. And yes, those drink packages are very expensive..the whole week.
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