This was our first cruise with HAL (Holland America) and we had sailed with Disney to Bahamas and Star Cruises in SE Asia. We decided to go with HAL this time because of the newer Westerdam and competitive pricing. It was a 7-day Western Caribbean departing Fort Lauderdale on 03/27/05. Our stateroom number was 1085 on the main deck and has a window and bunk bed. It was spacious for two adults and two kids(9 and 5). The closet space was more than enough and practical. The bed was so comfortable that my kids slept like baby and took a nap in the afternoon everyday. The bathroom had a tub which my kids loved and my 5'10" 170lb body could fit in nicely for a soothing bath. One annoying thing about our cabin was the random rumbling noise/vibration from below. It did not happen on the first two days of the cruise. It lasted about 3 to 4 seconds each time every few hours. I had notified the front desk and they did not have a clue.
Ship Interior : It is contemporary style and leather furniture is everywhere
Food was good in general. We loved the pasta on Lido Deck. Vista Dining Room was good too. Me and my wife spent one evening at Pinnacle Grill while our kids were checked in at Club HAL. I had filet mignon and she had halibut steak. The food quality at the Pinnacle Grill was definitely better than Vista Dining Room. While eating at Vista Dining Room one evening, I found eggshell fragment on my broccoli and the dessert glass was chipped. I had notified the head steward and he promised the situation would be rectified. We wish there were more seafood selection on the menu. Vista Dining Room offered grouper, snapper, salmon and lobster tail on different evenings. The baby shrimp cocktail was mushy. However jumbo shrimp cocktail on the first formal night was delicious. On Disney cruise, there was tiger shrimp and stone crab claws available at buffet. We missed them. I guess that's why it costs more to sail on Disney. Over the 7 days, I had prime rib, sirloin steak, shank of lamb leg, filet mignon and they were good. My kids loved the dinner rolls and mashed potato.