This was our 1st cruise on Westerdam, the 4th on HAL (Zaandam, Osterdam, and Zuiderdam). We have also travelled Princess. We flew in on the day previous and stayed at Comfort Inn Cruiseport/Airport South. I would not recommend it and will not stay there again! We arrived at the port about 10:15 a.m., waited about 20 minutes for the doors to open, and were on the Lido deck at the buffet by 11 a.m. (first ones on!). After a leisurely lunch, we wandered about the ship refamiliarizing ourselves (it was identical in layout to its 2 sister ships we had been on), and got into our balcony room about 1 p.m. It was, of course, spotless! Early Monday morning, we arrived at Half Moon Cay, our favorite destination in the Caribbean. We had rented a clamshell with 2 lounge chairs. The large barge-ferries they have to transport people ashore is a big improvement over tendering with the lifeboats. After enjoying the ocean and beach for almost 3 hours, we returned to our ship, went up to the Lido buffet for lunch and then into the hot tub close by (almost no one at the pool area!). That evening, we dined in the formal dining room, with the usual excellent meal, and then went to the Vista Lounge for the Broadway style show--very good! Tuesday was a major disappointment, Grand Turk was less than wonderful We took a shore excursion to Governor's Beach, a 5 minute drive to a beach about 25 yards wide, with new toilets that they had turned the water off in! We complained and got our money back (Thanks for that, HAL!). But dinner was another excellent experience. The magician in the Vista Lounge was amateurish.

Wednesday was a day at sea. We slept in, but got to the dining room in time for breakfast. It was good, as expected. I spent much of the day on my balcony, reading and watching the ocean. We went to the Pinnacle Grill (Odyssey Restaurant)for dinner. The cost ($30 p.p.) was not nominal, considering the excellent meal we missed in the dining room, but the food was top notch. My wife had a filet mignon you could cut with a fork, and I had scampi. My dessert--baked Alaska--was both large and sumptuous. Thursday we stopped at Grand Cayman, and tendered in on the lifeboats. We had reserved the shore excursion to Seven-Mile Beach--worth the money! This was the second time we had visited Georgetown, but the first time since the hurricane. Some of the character of the place had been destroyed with modern buildings replacing the more historic ones. Again, we were at the Lido for a late lunch. The food was good and a young man from Bali offered to get me dessert and ice tea. He was much more active than his colleagues!There was a comedian in the Vista Lounge--excellent! Friday we stopped at Costa Maya. Having read up on the area, we decided to go to the large salt water pool by the ocean. It was free, as were the thatched umbrellas we lounged under while reading and watching both people and ocean. The tram that travelled the VERY long dock out to the ship was much appreciated! Friday evening was the chocolate extravaganza by the aft pool. What artists those chefs are! And what tasty desserts! Saturday was another day at sea. Another restful and relaxing time. Sunday morning we arrived back at Lauderdale. We were staying in the area the following week, but were off the ship and into a cab by 9:30 a.m. In summary, the service was excellent. Our room steward, Julie, was never obvious, but every time we went out, the bed was remade and there were fresh towels, including (at night) little animals. Our dining room steward and his assistant were first class. All staff were friendly and polite. It was everything we expected! We are looking forward to our next cruise with anticipation.