My Wife & I along with our 16 year old son & friend (separate cabin) sailed the 7-day Thanksgiving week Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Westerdam. We're experienced cruisers & 3-Star HAL Mariners (90+ sea days). This is a somewhat exhaustive but hopefully entertaining & informative account of our voyage.

Embarkation: Some studdering here. The first line outside the terminal slowly moves inside where our party is given a number & directed into a holding area, this one for the X-ray machine - only. Takes a half hour to be called. Once through, next herding, er, ... holding area is for check-in, again, wait a half hour. Check-in is smooth, but then yet another sit & wait to actually board. Finally on the ship after 1 p.m.; hey, what the heck, we're on our long awaited vacation. At least by the time we board the cabins are ready. Grade: C-.

The Ship: Ahh, HAL, where every vessel is the same in layout, only slightly different in decor, like seeing an old, welcoming friend. The Westerdam is over 10 years old & a little worn in spots, but she is kept absolutely spic n' span. And no cruise line tops the Indonesian service staff. Grade A+. Read more