Westerdam Cruise Reviews - Reviews

We had a group of 14 family members take this cruise this past June. First, the hi-lights. Speaking for just my spouse and me, we most enjoyed the trip up Glacier Bay to view the calving of the Marguerite Glacier. Once we left Glacier Bay and headed out to sea, we seemed to have the entire rear observation deck to ourselves. For a few hours we enjoyed spectacular scenery. The scenery from that same location on the Westerdam while moored in Sitka was also spectacular. Our favorite shore excursion was to visit Burchart Gardens during the Victoria, BC, stop. As a family group, we dined most every evening in the Pinnacle Dining Room and took our breakfasts and lunches at the Lido Buffet Dining area. The meals at the Pinnacle were a decided upgrade. Desserts alone made that dining experience worth the effort. After our evening meal, our group always headed to the Lido Lounge for the evening's entertainment. The Texas Tenors and the magician were our favorite shows. Now for the negatives. While we understand the ship has to travel considerable distances between stops, it seemed we spent a bit too much time traveling and had such small windows of time for shore excursions. When preplanning our trip, we anticipated enough time to take a seaplane trip and to kayak. Once at our destinations, we soon realized that there'd not be enough time to enjoy those outings. Instead, we were dumped at docks and the tourist-trap shopping that immediately greeted us. We didn't take this cruise to buy cheap t-shirts and other tacky paraphanelia. The stops in Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria were much too brief. We looked forward to our planned visit to Burchart Gardens and were allowed only 90 minutes to tour this remarkable destination. This was a shame. Can't the ship travel faster between stops and thus allow more time at each destination? The HAL singers and dancers were talented. We generally enjoyed their nightly productions. However, there was lewd and suggestive content in almost every show. Holland America should tailor these shows to the family audiences that attend. We had a horrible experience with the Roberts Tramway in Juneau. We bought tickets aboard the Westerdam just to avoid the long lines we were told to anticipate a shore. Unfortunately, the day we stopped a storm hit Juneau that led to the tramway being shut-down. We have friends who spent 3 hours at the top of the tramway waiting for clearance to restart. We finally made our trip up at about 8pm, knowing we had to be back aboard ship by 9:30pm. However, once we arrived at the top, we were told by tramway workers that we had a 1 hour 45 minute wait to get down. This was clearly poor management. Tramway operaters at the base of the ride should have informed potential riders that the crowd up top was considerable. Or they should have stopped selling tickets or provided a warning. Thus, we rode up, got back in line, and did not enjoy any of the experience. We were able to get off the mountain rather quickly and back to the ship on time. It did seem the workers up top did get the message from many travelers in line that we had a need to severely hurry up the descent process. My sister-in-law purchased tickets for five. She was incensed that she'd spent close to $150 for nothing. She immediately started to contact management to seek a refund. They argued back and refused to take responsibility for selling tickets they should not have. Since I purchased my tickets aboard the Westerdam, I returned to the excursion desk, complained politely, and was refunded my money. The tramway experience could be a wonderful excursion. The views we were briefly able to enjoy were amazing. And there was so much more to view up top but we were unable to. However, I believe Holland America should let travelers know that Roberts Tramway is a money-grubbing, selfish, operation. They seem only interested in maximizing their number of travelers and not their travelers' experience. I feel it is the Tramway's responsiblity to deliver a quality product to their customers. They clearly do not. If the weather is disagreeable, the customer suffers because the tramway offers no refunds. Much is made about the food on the Westerdam. I was deployed into the Middle East by the Army in 2006-07 and ate as well in dining facilities on my base as I did on the Westerdam. The food is vastly over-rated. We were tendered a shore in both Juneau and Sitka. The Juneau tender aboard the Westerdam was a mass of confusion. It seemed totally dis-organized. When travelers have so little time to be a shore, the ship should do its best to get its passengers off and running. Although Holland America does its best to provide for a great experience while aboard, you should understand how important it is for your travelers to get a shore and off the ship. Simply, its nice to have solid ground underneath your feet. We, as a couple, cannot recommend this cruise for others. The enjoyable aspects of the trip are overcome by the many negatives I've listed above.

Overall, the cruise was beautiful! We had sunny weather most days, even in Glacier Bay. The first full day of cruising was at sea, and it was really rough. If you get motion-sick, prepare yourself with Bonine, get up early and get out of your room and get to the Lido deck for some light food. Other than that first day, the waters were pretty smooth sailing. If you are a gluten free passenger, they do have gluten free food, but each area handles it different, and it can be a pain. The best thing to do is go to each dining are you will be participating in and talk to someone in charge. In the Lido, look for the chefs with the tall hats. If you do this early on, it will save you a lot of time, and you will get to enjoy more foods. In Juneau, we really enjoyed the $8 roundtrip bus ride to Mendenhall Glacier. Great way to spend the afternoon. In Sitka, we walked the city street and looked in the shops. In Ketchikan, we shopped. Tongass Tradiing is worth saving your buying dollars for. Up the road from the ships is the Salmon Market - we got a great deal on salmon. A must stop. Further up that road you can go to the bridge that runs over a river thru town. Very picturesque. It almost always rains in Ketchikan. Our favorite tho, was Glacier Bay. Get up early and eat and go up top. Dress in layers and be ready for all weather. Take your camera. The port side of the ship was best viewing. The glaciers are spectacular and not to be missed. It ends by 1:30, and then it is a leisurely cruise out of the bay. As for excursions - Don't buy a whale watching excursion. You will not see more than you will from the ship, and you will see whales from the ship. Pull up a chair by the window on the Lido Deck, or the Crows Nest, or just hang out at the rail on deck. Watch for the "blow" of spray, and then they will surface. Rarely do they fully breach, but you will see tales and backs and once in a while... one does come up higher. And those porposes give you a great show too. If you are going to go to Alaska, Holland America is a clean ship, with a really caring crew. I would go again tomorrow if I could. Enjoy !

My wife and I were considering what we could do with my 96 year old mother, still living alone and in good health. I think we picked the best possible option. From the time we boarded the Westerdam until we returned to Seattle WA, this was the best experience my mother has ever experienced (according to her). The route including Glacier Bay was wonderful. We went to shore at each stop using the wheelchair we rented when on the boat. Mom was able to walk whenever needed. Enjoyed the show every night. Enjoyed the visit to each Alaska Community as well as Victoria B.C. The Westerdam staff was fantastic. The towel art, cleanliness, food at multiple locations, quality music, shows, bands, store prices, photographers etc. etc. When we got back from mom's 1st trip, her first comment was I'd like to do this again....Recommend to anyone. Thanks Garry & Naomi

Because my husband and I live 15 minutes from Port Canaveral, Florida, we frequently cruise the Caribbean but had never been to Alaska before. Holland America is one of our favorite cruise lines because of their service, consistency, and value. When we finally decided to take an Alaskan cruise, we found the Inside Passage 7-day from Seattle the best value offered at the time, and we were not disappointed. We spent a couple of nights in Seattle first and were charmed by the friendliness, cleanliness, history, and beauty of that city. The itinerary of the cruise showed us a sampling of the Alaskan wilderness and lifestyle, and we are already planning a longer, more extensive cruise and land package for next summer.

Not as classy as they used to be. No Chocolate Extravaganza. No Ice carvings. No Baked Alaska Parade with waving napkins. Drinks not as fancy but more $$. No little toiletries in balcony room . No boarding greet with champagne . No namecards on doors. Overall decor of ship very ordinary , where there used to be museum quality pieces. I realize "you cant go back"... but it just doesn't feel like the Holland America Style that was so unique. Looks like they are trying very hard to SELL you art and wine and spa and junk jewelry. The people who buy Shore Excursions have priority over others when disembarking ..when there is so little time in most ports anyway. Specialty Restaurants not much better than regular dining venue. Sorry not up to par anymore.

MY EXPERIENCE WAS VERY GOOD. FOOD WAS GREAT, SERVICE EXCELLENT. TO MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE BETTER SHOWS - MORE ENTERTAIMENT.. I WAS VERY LUCKY WEATHER WAS SUPER GREAT, TIME WAITING TO GET OFF THE SHIP WAS REALLY GREAT. NO LONG LINES TO WAIT.

The planned cruise was interrupted by conditions beyond the ability of the crew or officers to fix - the weather primarily. Seas were rough for most of the trip. The captain, Henk, was curteous in explaining much of the conditions that we faced and therefore eased the minds of many (but not their stomachs). One off item is the thermal spa staff. None were unpleasant, especially when they wanted your money, but one knows when pleasantries are phoney.

great. a bit rocky at times but nothing that the cruise line could control. great food and service a cruise is what you make it. i am not a participant in alot of activities.

Nice crew and staff. Ship condition not quite nice. Pay attention to your bill.

Great Captain and crew.

We had a very nice cruise despite high winds and rough seas. The dining room food was overall quite good, while the Lido deck buffet was mediorcre at its best. The captain managed to avoid almost all the rough seas that even shut down the harbor in Sitka. In doing so, he was able to extend our shore time in Ketchikan and Victoria. Our extended visit in Victoria really allowed us to see the area, something we had not been able to do on a prior cruise. For an approximately 8-year old ship without a major refit, the vessel was in good shape and it was evident that the crew worked hard to maintain it. Holland America still manages to have the best cocktails and bartenders afloat, although the wines in their wine packages are pedestrian and over priced.

the ship was older, but so clean. Enough room for all, and easy to follow deck plans. I did not know there was a 'crow's nest, with panarama views, but that is my fault for not looking at everything. But that was my only complaint.

The ship was clean but needs to be updated. The crew was very helpful, friendly and on the ball. The food was good for the most part. The only real complaint that I have was the ports. Juneau and Ketchikan were very commercialized and populated with fine jewelry stores and novelty stores loaded with mass produced junk. I was wanting to experience the culture and artwork by the locals and discovered it was hard to find.

Very well organized. Lots of activities. Good look at Glacier Bay.

i will never cruse with this line again Holland America

The ship was clean, well organized, staff was friendly and great. The entertainment was good. Always something to do. Very enjoyable week.

Nice sized ship, with lovely stateroom and very nice and friendly staff. Food was good. I wasn't wild about sharing a table with a new set of strangers every night, though. It would has also been nice if they'd announce over the loud speakers when wildlife was abounding. Princess does this, and it is a really nice touch.

Nice relaxing vacation with beautiful views

The ship was clean and the staff was friendly. The meals were certainly above average. Embarkation and debarkation process was smooth and orderly! .

I have been on Statendam to Alaska last year, felt good . This time I brought my 91 years old mother to Alaska on Westerdam, felt betther. She bigger, but food, service, stateroom, staff, etc. all same are good enough.