Holland America MS Westerdam Tour and Review (Post Refit Innovations and Additions)

Come on a tour of the revamped Holland America Line Westerdam cruise ship. During a dry dock in 2017 many new features were added to the ship that are now being rolled out across the entire Holland America fleet. These include things like EXC (Explorations Central), Rijksmuseum at Sea, the "Music Walk" (with bars like BB King's Blues Club, Billboard On Board, Lincoln Center and Gallery Bar). I show you around the ship and explore these and much more of the public areas, dining venues and fitness / spa facilities.
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[@tipsfortravellers]

What do you think of the latest innovations and new features that Holland America are launching and rolling out? Leave your thoughts and comments and add to the discussion!

[@literatiglee]

It's because of the Koningsdam's Music Walk and World Stage that I've decided to try Holland America after cruising with Celebrity. It all looks (and sounds) fabulous! Couple that with the fact that HAL won CruiseCritic's Best Cuisine Award and I'd say Holland Amterica is probably the cruise line I'll be sailing on. Having said that, I'd enjoy videos of your reviews of a couple of Celebrity ships to include their new "Edge" after awhile ;; Their Solstice Class ships are extremely nice and I have yet to cruise their Millenium Class. Perhaps you could do it for me! =)

[@johnmortison5763]

Thanks for the review. We cruised on the Westerdam several years ago when it was in the Caribbean and really enjoyed it. It was interesting to see the results of the refit.

[@lukedavis9123]

I was on this ship in mexico before the renovations and all I can say now is WOW! What a great job they did.

[@tipsfortravellers]

+Luke Davis I only saw it after the changes so great to hear from someone who saw the ship before. I liked what they had done and great to hear you think they are improvements

[@kalozakos]

Thank you, I am sailing on the Westerdam in November and was excited to see the new direction that HAL is headed. It was also important to me to notice that they now have a dedicated chess table instead of the old movable board and pieces.

[@tipsfortravellers]

+Nick Barshay thanks for watching! And for leaving comment and feedback. Lucky you sailing and hope you enjoy the changes. I think they've done a great job. Please let me know what you think and how you get on!

[@imhellag]

Wow I am glad to have stumbled on this channel... the best cruise ship reviews and tours with personal clips of the ship itself!

[@tipsfortravellers]

+imhellag thanks!! Great to hear and pleased you found the channel!!!

[@patsylouallenjones9270]

Sailed on Westerdam February, I look forward to sailing again to see all the improvements.

[@tipsfortravellers]

+Patsy LouAllen Jones I hope when you do you like what they have done!!

[@robynwaugh1446]

I was on the Westerdam in February of last year also, were you on the Mexican riviera cruise or Hawaii?

[@ImthehohomanVlogs]

Thank you for posting this video. I went on Holland America Line ms Westerdam last month And my experience with the ship was absolutely amazing.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great to hear! Glad you enjoyed the ship and cruise!

[@fedex1339]

Thank you for the review. Going on Westerdam next year to Alaska. Very excited.

[@stylezlp]

Thanks for your thorough review! Booked my first cruise after watching this video to see how the ship was like.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Great to hear it helped!!

[@wendysmith6184]

wow i think my hubby and i need to do another HAL cruise, love the new innovations

[@tipsfortravellers]

+wendy smith agree! I really liked how they have moved things forward but still kept the ship true to it's traditional roots!

[@thejokerspeaks]

Intriguing. I love their new focus on destinations.

[@tipsfortravellers]

+thejokerspeaks it is pretty interesting focus I agree! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment 😀😀

[@pauldennant9933]

Very good review Thank you

[@paulbjorlin2807]

I appreciate this vid. I was on the Westerdam before the changes but will be on it in 2018 for 43 days but so far have not cared for some of the changes such as in the crows nest but than pictures do not always math up to reality. Great job on the vid and explanations.

[@tipsfortravellers]

+Paul Bjorlin Thanks! Appreciate you watching and leaving your comments. Hope you do like the changes! Sounds like a nice long trip. Let me know what you think once done it!

[@wdh47211]

Haven't cruised HA for a number of yrs. I love the line just too many older folks. I don't want a Carnival party boat with hot tub parties and chug a lug contests.....just some younger folks. Great video by the way...thanks for posting.

[@tipsfortravellers]

The age profile is slightly on the older side generally as the cruise experience is quite traditional as you say. They seem to be trying to attract more families and cross generation groups in the holidays and hotter climates. I agree 100% on party ship line!! Thanks as always for watching and commenting. It is always much appreciated.

[@patsylouallenjones9270]

Wayne, I resemble that remark😅, although in our defense not too many families can take a 21 day cruise in February. It did make it rather slow getting off at tender ports. 😬

[@carrouseltravel1916]

Great new technology at work.

[@tipsfortravellers]

+Carrousel Travel agree! It is pretty cool! Thanks for watching and leaving your comment

[@petrfrizen6078]

Muy interesante y perspicaz! Especialmente, los segmentos de museo y gimnasio.

[@blacksanreynolds3087]

Thank you! That was a great and informative video.

[@tipsfortravellers]

+Blacksan Reynolds great to hear! Really appreciate you watching and taking time to leave a comment and feedback. Much appreciated!

[@ScottSingerCruises]

Awesome video! Very thorough!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks, Great to hear. Appreciate you watching and taking time to leave your feedback!

[@Eric-np3wt]

just came back from this cruise yesterday :)

[@tipsfortravellers]

Hope you had a great time ?

[@Eric-np3wt]

VERY good time

[@kajun74]

Just sailed on the Westerdam..sort of miss the crowsnest....was always a great place to relax and listen to live music on other Holland ships....not a fan of the change....

[@tipsfortravellers]

+kajun74 thanks for watching and really appreciate you leaving feedback as this will really help others as they assess. Sorry to hear you didn't like the change. I know that a lot of people used and loved the Crow's Nest so will be interesting to see how the balance of reactions are. I guess they could bring live music back as there is still room?

[@valerie6533]

Informative video. I had been on Westerdam several years ago and had a great cruise and thought ship was nice as it was. It does go for an older market but I think you get a lot for the money in terms of service and quality of food. Gary, when are you going to update your podcast? I miss it. I had to search you out to see if you were still active in other areas.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks! Really appreciate you watching and taking time to leave the comment. Great to hear you enjoyed the review. Yes, I have got behind on podcasts as been travelling and not had chance but will get back in next week to regular postings!!! Good to hear it was missed :-)

[@HermyNP]

cruise ships vid are the best vid :)

[@tipsfortravellers]

+HermyTP agree!! Thanks for watching this one and leaving a comment 😀😀

[@shannongilroy-cook5293]

Is there a place to dance since it looks like the nightclub is gone? Are there any DJ dance spots?

[@vidmancs78]

I was on this ship on the 16-night Asia cruise just as the Coronavirus had announced half-way through the trip. Despite the minor innovation, this ship lacks activities and the food was mediocre at best. I'm so glad and lucky I did not get quarantine on this vessel. This ship is too old and outdated.

[@eyalshany]

hi Gary - I really appreciate and want to thank you for all your movies on cruising that I watched for several months planning my first cruise ever to Alaska. you have the most professional and serious movies on cruises tips in my opinion. I finally decided after long months- to chose Hollande America as cruise ships for me and my husband, but have a question on the itinerary. I chose cruise that includes Glacier bay but wanted to know if in your opinion- Inside Passage is also a must? I found a nice cruise on the Eurodam from Seattle round trip and noticed that Inside passage is not included/ in fact only going from Vancouver or a one way trip will let me do the inside passage+Glacier bay. so not sure what to do and if I should absolutely keep both in my first ever cruise to Alaska? thanks!!

[@TheresaCottrell413]

Which is your preferred ship to cruise Alaska? We were looking at Eurodam, but having trouble deciding. Verandah/Balcony rooms are what we are planning on getting. Thanks so much for your thorough reviews, I have saved & liked many!!

[@tipsfortravellers]

The Eurodam would be great as a bit smaller. I had a great trip on Nieuw Amsterdam and as it recently refitted was in great condition and all latest Holland America updates. Great to hear you watching and liking the videos! Hope you keep doing so 😀👍🏻

[@marktierney2986]

I am not sure that the changes to the Crows Nest are a improvement? I enjoyed spending a sea day up there watching the Ocean and playing trivia. Now it looks like sales room for expensive shore excursions. The rest of the updates to Koningdam class

[@IDF1987]

I wish they could add the Tamarind to their Vista class ships. I've been told that adding the kitchen facilities would add too much weight to the top of the ship, even in a refit.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Agree, I love the Tamarind too

[@careym3901]

I recently did the Panama Canal on Nieuw Amsterdam. It was refitted not long ago as well. Looks almost identical to the MS Westerdam. The music walk is terrific and I found the entertainment on board generally superior to Princess. Access to recent released movies in cabin is worth mentioning for rainy days at sea or just a change (afternoons for me if I didn't like what was offered on board. I just grabbed a pre made sandwich from the Lido Market and a fresh made bag of potato chips or piece of fruit and watch a matinee in my cabin.) Really enjoyed the ship so much I am thinking of squeezing in a 7 day Alaska this summer on the same ship!

[@tipsfortravellers]

Thanks for the insights, I am just back from Alaska on the refit Nieuw Amsterdam and it was great as you say!

[@angelzheart]

I am planning to alaska , apart from itineraries I hesitate about the ship which one better for me. I am concerned about the food. Where can i find information about this ship which amenities I can use without extra costs?

[@tipsfortravellers]

The Holland America website should describe those. On their ships most things are included and for food for example it is just the speciality restaurants that have an extra charge but there is no real need to use them unless you want to try out the different food. I also have an article which may help about Holland America on my blog at www.tipsfortravellers.com/11-essential-holland-america-tips-tricks/

[@guachito33]

the hydropool, is it free to use ?

[@tipsfortravellers]

The one in the spa ? There is charge fir that

[@mgmbacklot]

I don't like what they've done with the vista class ships. The front desk atrium area looks terrible. Bring back the northern lights disco. I don't like the double piano open space. I prefer the piano bar separate and intimate.

[@PhilFeedback]

Pretty Cool video, thanks for posting this video. My wife and I went on the same ship as you did. We went on the Alaska cruise round trip from Seattle. I've got lots of Travel videos on my KZbin channel. Check them out when you get a chance to. Thanks!

[@Moradaet]

You sound like a marketing person for the cruise line, which makes me question if you paid or getting discounts from the company. The video makes me question who is on the ship, booking companies, travel agents.

[@superdave292]

Bad food. Poor shows. Worst ship I was on.

[@billjanetcsu]

Excellent review as always.

[@tipsfortravellers]

Glad you enjoyed it