Westerdam Review
The cutbacks show but HA is still a good cruiseline
Rating by category
Additional details
Service in the dining room was disorganized and very slow. The waiters are having to serve more tables but that didn't excuse the chaos that characterized the first and last night's dining. The dining room staff looked quite stressed. The courses that were served sometimes differed from the menu description. The musical ensemble no longer plays at dinner. The chocolate buffet has gone. And room service was inconsistent.
Nevertheless the ship is well maintained and elegant and the atmosphere was generally friendly and relaxed.
This was our 5th HA cruise and I suspect that the short cruises out of the US offer somewhat less than the longer cruises from foreign ports.
Cabin Review
Signature Superior Verandah Suite
This cabin was spacious and comfortable. It is right at the bow and has a window looking out over the bow as well as a balcony at the side. It is actually an accessible cabin and so has special features for the handicapped. Unfortunately it does not have the features advertised for the SY suites. We were promised a whirlpool bath, double sinks and a 100 sq ft balcony. There was no whirlpool bath, no double sinks and the lighting in the bathroom is quite dim due to there being no lighting at all in the handicapped shower space. The balcony was only as long as those in the standard verandah cabins. As three of us were traveling, we would still have chosen this cabin based on the space. However there is one other major drawback. Since it is at the front of the ship there is greater movement than in the centre plus during rough sea there was a great deal of noise as the bow rose and fell in the water and when the anchor was lifted or lowered.