Most CC reviewers have done a thorough job preparing you for what you'll find on Westerdam and what you can expect from a HAL cruise. Although I felt like I kept reading the exact same review over and over again before my wife, daughter and I went on the November 26th cruise with the Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

So instead of repeating observations about how easy the embarkation/debarkation process was or discussing the finer points of the ships staterooms and common areas, I would like to share some different observations of this ship. In fact, what I have to say may surprise some of you especially all of you HAL enthusiasts.

To establish credentials, this was my 13th cruise and first on Holland America. I'm not one of those chronic complainers you seem to find on every cruise, I'm 39, not particularly picky, and for the record I'd rather be on ANY cruise ship than spend the day at work. Read more