We flew to Venice through Vienna on Austrian Airlines from Canada. Three days in Venice prior to the cruise put us in the mood for Europe. We spotted the Westerdam on the date of boarding and were very impressed. The boarding was without incident, taking in the fact that we did not receive any documents and that was our first cruise. We were impressed with the cabin and I had little trouble finding it with all the research I did on the internet prior to leaving Canada.

The cruise gave my wife to do what she wanted to do......relax and I did what I wanted to do......photos, exploring and meeting and greeting. Neither of us are gamblers, so we only walked through the casino. I fell in love with the Greek Islands and Turkey, it is everything I thought it would but except better. Malta, what a surprise, so much history, great churches and very pleasant people.

The ship, it was a large greyhound. Fast and sleek filled with a surprise around every corner. The shops were interesting with different sales each day. The crew of this ship are diamonds. The cabin, dining room, deck crew and the officers on this Holland America Ship were way above and far more than anything I would expect. The required tipping system was a little surprise. Required tip collected daily $10x2x12= $240 US. The tips, we are told are divided evenly among each and every member of the crew. The crew's salary dropped when this required tipping was set up. Read more