Just returned from an eight day cruise to Alaska on the Westerdam which combined the beauty of nature and the comfort of a quality cruise liner. My friend and I have combined several cruise vacations together since we both are single and enjoy the ease and flexibility of a cruise. I've sailed on NCL before, this was the first HAL cruise. Overall I'd give this an A for natural beauty, comfortable quarters and great friendly crew. The food, on board activity and entertainment I would give a c+.

Departure: Due to a mistake in communication between the travel agent and HAL when we booked the cruise our air fare from Palm Springs turned into a flight from LAX which meant a drive into LA and additional parking fees, and a 7:30 AM flight plus an increase of $150.00 fee for changing the return flight. Once we left LA, things went very smoothly.

We arrived in Seattle and found a HAL agent and dropped our luggage, boarded a bus and made it to the pier in twenty minutes. We were through the check in with the pre booked boarding doc and on board in fifteen minutes. Headed for the Lido deck and a decent lunch on the fan tail (which turned out to be one of my favorite places to sit) and enjoy the open air and sunny blue sky as we ate. Read more