Embarkation: Much too slow, taking about two hours. Had we been told to fill out and submit our immigration forms on the Internet, our processing would have been completed in a fraction of the time. Next time, we will know better.
Public areas: The Westerdam has intimate sitting areas scattered mainly throughout the second deck. This is a classic Holland America vessel, gleaming brasswork, and marble inlaid floors. However, although this is a relatively new ship, carpets are beginning to show signs of dirt and wear. Steps leading down to Atrium level #1 from level #2 are carpeted in dark blue causing the outlines of the individual stair surface to blur and become indistinct. What we have here is an incident waiting to happen.
Entertainment: Aside from a "ho-hum" illusionist , a generic juggler and an Aretha Franklin/ Whitney Houston wannabe, the sets and costumes for production numbers showed originality. Overall, the singing was mediocre and the dancing was uninspired. For me, the surreal high point was a Filipino singer doing an old Irish ballad. He was laughing while I was hurting.