First time cruisers (my dear wife and myself) we read reviews, we did our research. Getting on and off the ship was an art, it was flawless and the airlines could learn a lot. The ship (though old) gave a great first impression and the first few days we were loving it, discussing what we'd like in a second cruise. By the later days the age of the ship and the quality of it's outfitting began to show. It lost all it's luster. The staff started off early by impressing us from stem to stern and we were treated like royalty no matter where we went on bard, as the days dropped off the calendar the staffs enthusiasm also waned. By the 5th day I was sure a cruise was not the BEST choice for a vacation and by the 7th day I was sure HAL would not get more of my money. The photography staff, spa staff and excursions staff was proactively after any money we might have spare and were not shy about it, very annoying. The staff by mid cruise was no longer interested in doing anything beyond the bare minimum. (Our room stewards were the only exception as they were wonderful throughout)

The Westerdam is an aging old lady ready to retire but far to determined (via poor plastic surgery and caking on the makeup) to stay on stage and in the public eye. HAL needs to turn over a new leaf. Her old body creaks with every swell of the ocean, she needs her rest.