We travelled with our 2 sons, age 24 and 21 on the November 27th sailing of the Westerdam from Fort Lauderdale.

Embarkation: We were impressed with how organized Holland America was. We arrived at the port about 1045 a.m. We waited in the check in line for 5 minutes, then our turn came and within 10 minutes we were done. After that we sat for about 30 minutes til we could board. Once on the ship we went straight to our cabin which was ready for us. Our stewards came by soon after we boarded and introduced themselves and told us to let them know if we needed anything. After that they always greeted us by name and with a big smile whenever we saw them.

Cabin: We were in cabin 5009, very near the front, starboard side with a balcony. It is a quad cabin, which means there is sleeping for four people. My husband and I shared the queen bed, one son had the sofa bed and the other was in the 4th bed that drops down from the ceiling. It lies perpendicular to the lower bed, over the head end of the lower beds. Each night the stewards would drop it down ( I think they had to have a special key to do it)and thjen the next morning they would stow it away again. I wondered how I would feel about sleeping with that over top of my head but it was no problem, actually felt kind of cozy. Just be careful getting up in the night! Read more