Westerdam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This was my husband's and my first cruise and we were filled with excitement and anticipation when we boarded. We are seniors who wanted a quiet experience, and some new landscapes to explore. I looked into the various cruise lines, narrowed them down as to destinations, price, amenities and the overall 'vibe' of the lines and the individual ships. We chose Holland America because it has a reputation for catering to a more mature clientele.
However, what we got was hordes of kids. Everywhere. It was a family-oriented cruise that might have done better on Disney.
It was impossible to use the pool, since it was packed with screaming kids from morning till night. The whole Lido deck where the pool is was kind of a zoo.
Cabin Review
Beautiful cabin. No complaints. Lots of storage space, big balcony. Quiet.
Port Reviews
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is small and very charming. Just walk around - the port is right there. Don't miss Creek St., which still has a lot of the old - some renovated - wooden buildings from when this was a boom town. It's touristy but in a good way, and overlooks a salmon-running estuary. We had lunch at the New York Hotel Cafe: excellent chowder.
Victoria
A beautiful city! Avoid the tours. Make a reservation at the Fairmont Empress for dinner (the ship is only in port for five hours in the evening) and enjoy dinner there. The food is very good. Then walk around the piers. It's colorful, with mild weather (at least in the summer) and there are some entertaining street performers.
Glacier Bay
Beautiful and majestic.
Seattle
We began our cruise in Seattle, but spent two days before in the city, and visited friends. Seattle is a great place. We went to the Space Needle and toured the adjacent Chihuly Glass Museum - this is a can't miss!
Stayed at the Hotel Andra for two nights. It's very well located, a nice, smaller hotel with an excellent restaurant downstairs.