Westerdam Reviews

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Overview Dining Cabins Entertainment Casino Fitness / Recreation Spa Kids Shopping Dress Code Gratuity / Tipping

Overview

The Vista-Class ms Westerdam joins the Holland America Line fleet in spring 2004. On board, guests will enjoy a space-per-person ratio unsurpassed by any other ship in a fleet already known for spacious comfort. In addition, Westerdam has more of what guests desire: More cabins with private verandahs. More dining choices including the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill experience, and the Lido Restaurant, a culinary courtyard. More ways to relax in The Greenhouse Spa and Salon.

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Dining

Holland America Line serves incomparable cuisine in a variety of wonderful ways – from bountiful buffets and dress-up dinners to hors d'oeuvres on your verandah and a picnic on the beach.

Holland America offer's the most extensive menus at sea (with more than 500 different food items on a typical 7-day cruise), blending together modern Continental cuisine, regional specialties appropriate to each cruising area and traditional favorites. Rotterdam's chefs are all members of the prestigious Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs gourmet society.

Yes, your mouth will water at the aroma of so many delicious options. But your other senses will delight as well – fine dining has always been the rule on the ship with signature touches like Rosenthal china, starched linens, silver and fresh flowers to enhance your meal.

With so many tastes to tempt you and venues to enjoy, you're sure to experience the many pleasures world-class dining can offer.

In addition to breakfast, lunch and a five-course dinner, you can enjoy: afternoon tea; a stirfry or pasta buffet; an ice cream bar; hot hors d'oeuvres during the cocktail hours; an evening espresso or cappuccino; and the traditional late-night snack (one of which will be the Dutch Chocolate Extravaganza).

Or, try the Terrace Grill, located outside, featuring hamburgers and hot dogs as well as a taco bar and a daily special.

And, of course, complimentary room service is available 24 hours a day.

Casual dining is available in the Lido Restaurant every night.

Luxury dining options in the Pinnacle Grill, featuring the highest quality meat and fish, is available on all ships. Reservations may be made on board by contacting the restaurant manager. There will be a minimal restaurant charge.

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Cabins

Penthouse Verandah Suites
The Penthouse Suites feature a bedroom with a king-size bed, oversize whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall. Complete with a living room, dining room, dressing room, private verandah with whirlpool, pantry, sofa bed, VCR, microwave, refrigerator, guest toilet, private stereo system, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 1,313 square feet including verandah.

Deluxe Verandah Suites
Deluxe Verandah Suites feature two lower beds convertible to a king-size bed, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, dressing room, private verandah, sofa bed two persons, VCR, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 516 square feet including verandah.

Superior Verandah Suites
Superior Verandah Suites feature two lower beds convertible to a queen size bed, sofa bed for one, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, VCR, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 384 square feet including verandah.

Deluxe Verandah Outside
Deluxe Verandah Outside Cabins include two lower beds convertible to a queen-size bed, bath & shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows. Approximately 254 square feet including verandah

Large Outside Cabin
Large Outside Cabins include two lower beds convertible to a queen-size bed, bathtub & shower. Approximately 194 square feet

Large or Standard Inside Cabin
Large inside Cabins include two lower beds convertible to a queen-size bed, shower. Approximately 185 square feet

All cabins are equipped with television, telephone and multi-channel music. Not all cabins within each category have the same furniture configuration and/or facilities. Room measurements are approximate and some rooms in the same category may vary in size.

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Entertainment

Be amazed, be surprised, be thrilled. The ship offers so many entertainment venues, you're in for the night of your life.

Lounges
Choose to relax in one of the sophisticated bars or lounges on board. Holland America offer's everything from wine and cocktails to espresso and hand-dipped chocolates. Whether you enjoy a quiet candle-lit corner or a rollicking good time, you're sure to find something to suit your taste.

On Stage
In the dramatic, multi-tiered show lounges you'll enjoy dazzling Las Vegas- and Broadway-style production shows created by more Emmy®, Grammy®, Tony® and Oscar® nominees than any other cruise line. These spectacular musical programs feature vocalists, comedians, illusionists and variety performers.

Film
Film buffs can enjoy recently released movies. The theaters serve up comedies, dramas, thrillers and hot buttered popcorn.

Dancing
Join in the fun with swing, disco, fox trot, waltzes and calypso at one of Holland America's several lounges. And be sure to take to the dance floor in the signature Crow's Nest nightclub and observation lounge.

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Casino

When Westerdam is at sea, the casino lights up for gaming enthusiasts. Try your luck in the casino at the slot machines and blackjack tables, at dice and on the roulette wheel or in a game of Caribbean stud poker. And after 11 p.m. the Mega-Slot Tournament begins. Our stewards will keep your glass filled with champagne while you try to fill the slots with three of a kind. Let the games begin!

Bingo and Lottery
Other entertaining pastimes include Bingo games with jackpots up to $2,000. Some sailings even include a Super Bingo prize of $25,000! In addition, guests of all ships can win a chance for a free cruise in the cruise lottery.

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Fitness / Recreation

Rejuvenate your body by taking advantage of treadmills, stationary bikes, stairsteppers, rowing machines, weights and weight machines. At the same time, refresh your soul with soothing panoramic views of the ocean.

Holland America spas offer fitness classes to help you achieve optimum health and vitality. Classes may include the following:

Pathway to Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Hindu practice that offers a pathway to enlightenment through specific postures and breathing techniques. We offer a synergy of Yoga styles in a class that is for students of all levels.

Mat Pilates
Developed in the 1920s by the legendary personal trainer Joseph Pilates, the Pilates method is an exercise system that combines posture and controlled moves. Our class is mat based and appropriate for students of all levels.

Cardio Ki-Bo Circuit Training
A great combination of Chi-releasing moves including boxercise, kickboxing and aerobic conditioning. We place emphasis on technique and help push you to your cardio-vascular limit.

Aquarobics
This program features a low-impact water workout. You will effortlessly strengthen, tone and energize mind and body.

Pilates Reformer
The Pilates method is an exercise system focused on improving flexibility and strength for the total body without building bulk. The Pilates method is not just exercise. It is a series of controlled movements engaging your body and mind, performed on specifically designed exercise apparatus and supervised by trained fitness directors.

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Spa

Choose the blissful pampering of a facial. Let the trained fingers of a massage therapist work fragrant oils into your skin, soothing your muscles. Enjoy therapeutic water treatments as you steam in a sauna or bathe in exotic herbs. Spas on board Holland America Line ships feature the beauty and wellness rituals of the renowned Steiner Leisure. With everything from the hydrotherapy pool to hair and nail care, Holland America spas and salons leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

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Kids

Club Hal® Youth Program
Holland America has a youth program for kids and teens age 5-17. Each ship is staffed with a professional Club HAL Director dedicated to making sure children have a great time. Some of the fun-filled activities include bingo for prizes, arts & crafts, special parties and much more. Each participant also receives a Club HAL t-shirt. An activity schedule for each age group will be delivered to your cabin each evening.

Activities are offered for kids (ages 5-8), 'tweens (9-12) and teens (13-17). The program has an open door policy, which means participants may come and go as they please. All activities are supervised; however, the Club HAL Director is not responsible for any child if he/she chooses to leave the activity. Children under five years of age are welcome to participate in the program, provided an adult accompanies them.

Guests under 21
Guests under 21 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone who is at least 25 years old; one adult chaperone is required for every five people under the age of 21. Alcoholic beverages will not be served to guests under age 21. Due to limited medical facilities on the ships, Holland America will not accept reservations for infants 12 weeks or younger.

Minors under age 18 traveling to certain foreign countries must be accompanied by both parents or have a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent(s) not traveling. If the other parent is deceased or the child has only one legal parent, a notarized statement must be obtained as proof. Your travel agent can provide additional information about this requirement.

Parents, guardians and chaperones are responsible for overseeing the conduct of minors in their care. As such, minors may not be left unsupervised on board the ship.

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Shopping

Just as the intriguing shops in the day's port of call fade into the horizon, a whole new world of shopping opens on board Holland America Line ships. Shop the onboard boutiques for duty-free treasures, including French fragrances and Swiss watches, fine liqueurs and designer goods.

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Dress Code

The right clothing can make a big difference in the enjoyment of your cruise. First and foremost, dress for comfort. Daily life aboard ship and in ports of call is laid-back and casual. We encourage you to wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable-sportswear, shorts, sundresses, slacks, and so on. Warmer climates call for clothing made of lightweight, breathable fabrics. For cooler climates we suggest casual clothes that can be layered easily and possibly a raincoat and waterproof hat or umbrella and gloves. Bring a swimsuit-all of our ships have pools and whirlpools. You may wish to bring more than one outfit for the water, if you'll be spending much time in and around it. Holland America ask's that you wear shoes and a cover-up over a bathing suit when walking through the interior of the ship.

If you'd like to jog on deck or work out in the fitness center, bring workout gear. Footwear should include comfortable walking shoes for visits ashore and sandals or rubber-soled shoes for strolling on deck.

Evening dress falls into three distinct categories. Each night a daily program will be delivered to your cabin announcing the suggested dress for the following evening. Comfortable, relaxed clothing is fine for evenings designated as casual; however, T-shirts, jeans, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the dining room, Lido restaurant, or public areas during the evening hours. During informal nights, dresses or pantsuits for women and jackets (tie optional) for men are standard.

On festive formal evenings, women usually wear cocktail dresses or gowns and men usually wear business suits or tuxedos. There are approximately two formal nights per week. (Gentlemen: Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.)

In order to complement your fellow guests, Holland America asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening.

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Gratuity / Tipping

Exceptional service is part of the Holland America cruise experience. Because you are the guest, it is Holland America's goal to make sure you receive the finest service possible. And they have made it easy for you to reward excellent service onboard.

A gratuity of $10 per guest per day for dining and cabin services will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. Holland America is confident that you will find the service onboard exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by contacting the front desk. A 15% service charge will be automatically added to your bar charges and dining room wine account.

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