Disappointing

Item: Westerdam
Rating: 3.3
Author: johnsonsteveb

Westerdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

johnsonsteveb

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 16

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 13, 2023

Ship: Westerdam

Cabin number: GUAR

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

After a 15 year interval for the same cruise itinerary on the sister ship (Osterdam/Westerdam)we were disappointed in how much more commercial the trip had become. At every turn previously complimentary benefits have been put behind a paywall.

Embarkation

3 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5

Cruise Puget Sound

3 out of 5

CRUISE STEPHENS PASSAGE

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Cruise Hubbard Glacier

1 out of 5

The Hubbard Glacier visit was an unfortunate disappointment. On a previous cruise this was a well enjoyed high lite. The ship cruised up to the glacier and then rotated slowly for two hours giving wonderful views of the calving glacier. This trip the ship paused a few miles from the glacier and transferred paying passengers to a smaller excursion boat that went up to the glacier for the experience while the ship approached to a remote distance from the glacier, turned around less than one complete turn and then left. All in all a sad return.

Thumbs Up 0

Sitka, Alaska

3 out of 5

Ketchikan, Alaska

3 out of 5

Victoria, British Columbia

1 out of 5

Another disappointment. on a previous trip we arrived in Victoria in mid afternoon and were bussed into town free of charge. We spent a few hours walking around the downtown area and had a meal. This time we arrived at 8:30 and for $15.00 were bussed into town, sharing the busses with another cruise ship. For the very limited time allowed we were packed elbow to elbow with several thousand other cruise ship passengers before lining up for the limited number of busses available to get us back to the ship. A sad visit to a wonderful and magical city.

Thumbs Up 1

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

4 Comments

Ladyjunecliff 1 year ago

A lot has changed in 15 years, especially wages and cost of living. Cruises did cater more to passengers in the past for a lot less. Alaska though probably hasn’t changed much in the last 15 years. So that is wonderful. Sorry you were disappointed.

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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javawoody 1 year ago

Nothing is the same as 15 years ago

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cruising2004 1 year ago

Sorry you were disappointed with your cruise.

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