This cruise over Thanksgiving week was our 30th cruise, with 9 sailing with Holland America. My wife and I arrived at embarkation at approx. 1:30 pm. The queue was seven lines deep and it took approx. 30 minutes waiting before being checked in. Our mid-ship Veranda was clean but showed serious signs of wear and needed updates. Our Veranda furniture was comfortable but the decking was soiled with considerable rust and peeling paint. We elected to enjoy breakfast in our stateroom, which was excellent and always fresh and hot. Most days at home, we eat very little lunch but tried out the selections in the Lido and were surprised that the quality of food has slipped to mediocre at best.

Our biggest disappointment, shared with many seated around us in the Vista Dining Room, was the lack of choices in the daily and optional menu's and the lengthy wait times between entrees. (Our waiter explained to us that Holland is implementing a new computer based ordering system whereas the waiter inputs your selection which goes to the kitchen and then is brought out by assistant waiters. The glitches were so severe that most of us waited 20 to 25 minutes between servings. We were brought the appetizers & salads and then waited extensively for the main entrée to arrive. After being presented with the desert menu, we again waited 20 minutes or so for the sweets to be brought to the table.) The entertainment was average with highlights from featured performers. An A+ should be given to the service staff for their friendly attitude and smiles. Disembarkation was even longer thanks to our wonderful Customs Department trying to check out almost 2000 people with 4 customs agents on duty. This was our third voyage on the Westerdam and perhaps the last. My wife and I are happy that we chose another cruise line for a re-positioning transatlantic voyage to Europe in April.