Westerdam Review
cruisingMax
10+ Cruises • Age 60s
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Sail Date: Dec 2016
Cabin: Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
My husband and I cruise several times a year, usually on Carnival, but have ventured to other lines when there were good deals, wanting to check out differences from one to another. We jumped on The Westerdam because we love to cruise out of San Diego. As seniors,we were able to ride the train from Oceanside to the Santa Fe Station for $5.50 for 2 passengers each direction and avoid the week long parking costs and commutes. We were then able to walk from the station to the ship for boarding! A great start!
Embarkation was timely and quick- short lines at about 12:30 to board...and note, we had no privileges, this was our 2nd Holland America Cruise. We had booked this trip for the home port as well as a familiar itinerary...Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are very familiar to us having been there many times- we can really relax knowing exactly what we like to do there. We booked as an inside cabin guarantee for the least expensive way to board, and were also granted gratuities included and 2 $50 drink gift cards- we were all set til we got an upsell call about 4 days before boarding which would give us an aft extended balcony at an affordable price we couldn't refuse- cabin 8145 on the Navigation Deck, just below Lido. Though we are now "seniors" at 62 and 63 years, we have always been huge fans of Carnival, love all the activities and entertainment....and were wary that we would be bored on HAL....glad to say, not the case!! We were busy, and thoroughly entertained every day and did not feel the entertainment was geriatric at all! This cruise was the total package- great ship, service, food, entertainment and enjoyable fellow passengers! Definite win,win!
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
Cabin VC
Large aft balcony on Navigation Deck- just below Lido deck , Seaview Pool area. Deep balcony with a lounger, two chairs, ottoman, and a small table. Once in a while there would be someone above us at the aft railing of Lido Deck, but that was rare. Plenty of shade going South and a lot more sun heading North, but still enough shade for comfort. Very convenient to Lido deck for the pool, jacuzzi, activities, food and drink. The Main Dining Room was a quick trip down on the elevator. It had a full tub, shower with an adjustable showerhead, great Elemis products, comfortable robes and great big absorbent towels. There was plenty of storage though I requested extra hangars so I could hang up most of my clothes. TV and DVD player were there, but we rarely turned the tv on and had no time for a movie. Our steward was great, excellent and friendly without being intrusive- perfect.
Port Reviews
San Diego
A beautiful port city, with lots of places to visit via walk along the embarcadero or cab or shuttle or excursion before and/or after your cruise
Cabo San Lucas
Love Cabo- great marina with lots of restaurants and entertainment and tourist shopping handy for cruisers just coming off their tenders. Downtown with even more to do and higher end shopping is walking distance from the marina. You can walk, taxi, water taxi, pedi-cab to local beaches to party, snorkel, swim or fish. Excursion opportunities abound. We had beautiful weather, sunny in the 80s with low humidity- perfect!
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is like a second home to us...so we ferried to Stone Island for a relaxing day of sun and fun on the beach. We walked down the beach to our favorite restaurant, Lety's, to sit on the beach and go swimming. We had cold cervezas and a delicious lunch of coconut shrimp, guacamole and chips right there on the beach under an umbrella- the venders are plentiful if you want some souvenirs, some entertainment comes by during the day for a tip, you can do nothing- or you can hire a banana boat, horseback ride, ride an ATV- whatever you desire- a great day- Mazatlan is a safe, beautiful, friendly city with beautiful beaches, history and restaurants- they love their tourists! We love Mazatlan!
Puerto Vallarta
Big beautiful city with a lot to do- having been here many times, we chose to take the bus down to Old Town, walk the Malecon and relax on the beach at The Swell- enjoyed their hospitality, lounges, table and umbrella on the beach, while enjoying an afternoon of food and drinks and dips in the ocean. Busy area with lots of people, travelors and locals, vendors, shops and restaurants, shopping- lots to see...the Malecon is lovely,the Cathedral and city square is magnificent- great port city!
6 Helpful Votes
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