This is for the 3/20/05 cruise and it's from the perspective of a 1st time cruiser.

It was a very good vacation. My wife and I had a wonderful time, the Westerdam is a terrific ship. I have always been hesitant about a cruise because my wife and I work very hard and when we vacation it's for relaxation, to get away from schedules and crowds. A cruise is not for that type of vacation yet we still enjoyed ourselves. Having never been on another line all I can compare it to is 30 years of travel to resorts and major cities. HAL is not a luxury or sublime resort. The easiest way to explain the cruise is that the total cruise is better than the sum of it's parts. It's quite good overall but each aspect lacks sophistication and luxury. embarkation: It's a process that must be endured but there needs to be a better way than just dumping your luggage on the curb and tipping the porter to ensure you get you luggage later on, we did, very timely actually. There was someone waiting with paper cups of water and OJ. Rum punch would be luxury and Champagne would have been sublime.

We loved to stroll the 3rd deck outside and the top deck. Never saw the work out rooms or spa. A lot of people complained about the massages so we didn't bother. The opinions of others varied. Out main dining room companions were very experienced cruisers and said this was the best. Another couple complained about being nickeled and dimed to death, I agree. Charging money for soda is stupid and insulting, especially at meals. Read more