01
May 2012
Westerdam Gets Primped and Polished
Carla Thomas, Westerdam’s human resources manager, sent in some pictures of ms Westerdam in drydock last week. Westerdam completed its drydock on April 25th. Below you can see all the hard work that went into the overhaul and a picture of the new pool lido deck.
Bottom paint prep.
Maintenance on PS stabilizer.
Maintenance on thrusters.
New Lido Pool Deck.
Stories from the sea, past and present
Although I am not certain what the six smaller photos are showing, thanks for posting your pictures. Hope to be on your ship in a few weeks and expect it will be as enjoyable as our Eurodam cruise.
I love this Ship!!!
We will see her in 10 days! Can’t wait! Thank you so much for the nice upgrade, HAL!! You ROCK!!
My husband and I sailed on the old Westerdam and on the new Westerdam, and we look forward to sailing again on the newly-refurbished Westerdam!
This was the first ship that we took a cruise on. It was a New Years trip out of Florida. It was great then but should be even better. Hope we can take another on it. Bob
This is my Favorite Dam Ship. Good for here getting a face lift. I am ready to cruise.
We’ll be looking forward to the Alaska Cruise July aboard the newly refurbished Westerdam!
Last week I booked a trip on the Westerdam for a cruise in December of this year for 14 days and wasn’t aware she was being refitted at the time. It’s good to hear and should make our voyage that much more enjoyable.
We have always loved the Westerdam and have sailed her 4 times in the past 5 years. We have been to Hawaii on the Zaandam in 2010 and return to her this late October. We were appreciating she was going into drydock before our cruise but were told it isn’t going to happen to save money because of the Concordia disaster. I haven’t gotten any reply from HAL to confirm that comment which doesn’t quite make sense seeing how the Westerdam is getting a makeover and is 4 years newer. Would be interested in any reply that I can get.
We took the ship from Lauderdale to Vancouver right after dry dock. Ship looked brand new. Also the ship did great stemming the spread of the intestinal virus which arose on the cruise
We were fortunate to be passengers on this ship through the Panama Canal Cruise in April/May. We had a wonderful time and would not ask for any part of our trip to be done differently. The ship and the crew are absolutely second to none.
I understand they got a new entertainment package, all new shows. I hope it did not include the big video screen I saw in the New Amsterdam. I did not like it and found it really cheeped the shows. Looking forward to seeing it in August.
It’s been a few years since we were on board this ship. Looking forward to sailing on it in the near future Thanks for photos on what’s happening to the ship.
Great photos!!! hey what does “PS” in the PS Stablizers stand for?
Thank you for sharing these interesting photos of the Westerdam under refit. It’s good to know that behind the glamour and glitz of the ship when in service, there is a time and a process to fix and update and refresh her for what she does best, making people happy.
We sailed the Caribbean on Westerdam in March 2012. Wonderful cruise to Half Moon Cay, Curacao and Bonaire. We did not notice anything in need of maintenence but are impressed that HAL does such a thorough job to keep everything safe and “Shipshape”. We had a similar excellent experience in March of 2011 on the Eurodam. Keep up the good work! Looking forward to joining HAL next spring to see the Panama Canal.
Nice to see Westerdam again. We took a European Capitals Cruise on her just 2 weeks after she went into service, she was spotless then. Later we made a Westbound Transatlantic on her, another fond memory. As a retired Navy guy, can you tell me where she was in drydock? How Long?
Looking forward to see her in all her new glory July 7. Cant wait. Holland America rocks.
John
Why isn’t she going to be doing this cruise to Hawaii & Marquesas for fall of 2013? We’ve had to cancel our cruise at that time because we found out that there is only a smaller boat going and we’ve always had the 2 suites out the back for our cruises. What a bummer!
We will be on the Westerdam in 2013 for the 30 day Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas cruise. This will be our 4th HAL cruise but the first on this ship. We are excited to meet her!
She is the sister ship to the Zuiderdam and they both are our favorite ships. This upgrade should only make her even better. We try to cruise on either ship when possible. WTG HAL.
We have sailed on the Westerdam several times already and look forward to sailing on the newly “primped and polished” Westerdam on her New Year’s Eve cruise.
I am looking forward to enjoy my next cruise on the Westerdam and take advantage of the great new pool !
We love HAL!!! Our next cruise will be the month long South Seas cruise in October…and it’s on The Westerdam. Thanks for “cleaning her up!”
You will have to pardon me if I am not excited about the refit of the Westerdam. We were aboard the Rotterdam on its first voyage (South Pacific) after it was reconfigured and what with the loss of one pool, restricted seating on the promenade deck, inadequately trained and unhappy crew, unhappy passengers because their air conditioning wasn’t working in the add-on cabins, we have not cruised with Holland America again. We had been on the Statendam, Vollendam, and the Rotterdam previously, and so I think we had basis for an honest comparison. This trip did not work very well for us, and the company seemed quite indifferent to the unhappiness of crew and passengers.
The pictures are great Thank u for sharing them with us
Hope to be on a Holland America cruise through the Panama Canal this winter. January or February 2013
Thankyou for the informative update of the beautiful ship Westerdam!
WOW – i’m glad to see the Westerdam is getting some TLC. Eight years of hard work needs some rewatds. Great pics. we would love to see some more before and after pics, especially on the public spaces, electrical upgrades, and mechaical repairs. we are interested in areas we passesgers don’t normally get to see.
By the way – if you hover over the picture, you will see the description. Looking forward to another cruise next year on Westerdam, or Eurodam – we LOVE HAL!
Looking forward to 34 days on board starting September 30, 2012. Can’t wait..
Looks great, we’ve been aboard a couple of times looking forward to going on again
PLEASE put actual steps into all your pools….not just ladders…Many people cannot do the ladders, but would love to enjoy the pools….I am one of them, as is my wife and most of the people who were on our cruise to Alaska last year on the OOsterdam. Thanks for consideration.
Am taking my family (19) for the holiday cruise in December on the Westerdam. We have been on the Nordam and the Eurodam in the past, and are looking forward to our voyage on this vessel.
Nice to see it, as we are alrerady booked for a 30 days cruise for Hawaïi, Tahiti and the Marquetas islands in april on the Westerdam. I have been on the Eurodam, Noordam, Rotterdam, Ryndam and Masdam but this will be my first cruise on the Westerdam. Looking forward to it.
Very interesting pictures of a makeover. Am a bit disappointed that none of Holland America’s newer ships sail the South American routes. Seems its always the aging Veendam and am considering a South American cruise for 2013 but am seriously considering another cruise line for that voyage as the Veendam does not excite me. Was on the Statendam last year and found that ship very tired looking although the service was as usual superb.
A fine ship gets a facelift! We enjoy sailing on her, especially the Jazz Cruise in January.
We went on the Ship on April 25. It is great to see what we done. Enjoyed the cruise. Every one have a great time. Enjoy the chocolate.
we did the panama canal 3 years ago and enjoyed the ship. would like some info on the hawai, tahiti and marquesa islands in september.
sounnds great!!
We will be on thi ship in Nov. to Panama, nice to see the upgrade!!!
We sailed on the Westerdam many years ago – great ship. Would like to know more about her “sail around Hawaii” cruise.
The “Westerdam” was our first HAL ship we sailed.
Although we missed 4 stops in Mexico due to the H1N1 flu, we were hooked on HAL.
Looking forward to sailing her again. We find the crew on all your ships (we sailed) great.
Thanks …
I love this ship too!
Awesome. Fantastic photos!! Different perspective of that beautiful ship. Anxious for my next sailing this fall.
I am going on an Alaskan cruise in Sept. Will be nice to see all the improvements. I have taken a cruise with HAL before and just loved it so I know I will enjoy this one too.
Just keep her ship shape for us in October – Tahiti here we come…
I hope that I can make in my future plans of Hawayan cruise by september
Living just minutes away from the dry-dock in Esquimalt ( Victoria ), I was wondering if this is one of the ships that was here recently
We just came back from a cruise on her sistership the MS Zuiderdam to the inland passage to Alaska and Glacier Bay May 12th – 19th and the weather was absolutely spectacular. Part of the way up we saw the Westerdam ahead of us and in Juneau. Our first cruise and the staff on the Zuiderdam was great, the ship could do with some sprucing up though. We will cruise again.
A great ship! Is there a site with photos of the entire dry dock process?
We have been on the sestet am 3 times..one of our favorite ships
I find this interesting in that we were on the Westerdam May 12 – 19 and I wouldn’t have known that there had been any work done. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not….
Westerdam was the first ship which we cruised in, with Holland America. We have fond memories of the Westerdam and it’s a beautiful ship. Thanks Holland America, we have sailed 3 times with you so far.
I have sailed many times on the Westerdam, and hope to enjoy it again when the refit is complete
so hope it will be soon!
My and my wife enjoyed our trip especially when our daughter Vivian Joyce Folsom was the party planner.We look forward to returning very soon.We especially look forward to seeing Ernest and his better half there is no better ventrilloist. No better chef than Andrasas . I think I messed up the spelling of the big Austrian chef .770-242-3930
We will be on her again in September. Looking forward to my second HAL Alaska cruise.
I will be on her for two weeks in Dec 2012 ! I can’t wait to see the upgrades over when I was on her two years ago !
THIS WAS MY FIRST CRUISE SHIP, AND MY FAVORITE. THANKS FOR FIXING HER UP. I HOPE TO CRUISE ON HER AGAIN SOMEDAY.
Why would you waste time including these interesting pictures
without taking the extra step of including data about what the
picture was about? Pictures are virtually meaningless without
exlanation. I’ve had a great experience on an Alaskan trip on
the Westerdam. p.s. HAL does such a great job of getting out
such fine printed matter, magazine etc – why put out such a
slip-shad blog?
slip-shod
Hope to cruise soon on this ship!!!
If you position your mouse over a picture, there is a description of the scene.
Was on the Westerdam in Sept-Oct. 2011 on a 35-day Hawaii/Polynesian cruise.
This was our first every cruise ship. We boarder her as she started her maiden voyage from NYC to the Bahamas. Love this ship.
I think the update will be wonderful. We recently sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam, 2week collector cruise and what a beautiful ship. Will you be updating the cabins ?
We have been on the Westerdam ship 3 times. It is great to see pictures of the maintenance being done on the ship. We were on the ship just before it went to dry dock. Will probably be on the ship again next spring.
SEEING THE ‘WESTERDAM’ BEING SCHEDULED INTO EXTENDED DURATION CRUISES IN THE COMMING YEAR, WERE WASHER AND DRYER/PAX LAUNDRY FACILITIES ADDED IN THE OVERHALL? IF NOT, CERTAINLY HOPE THAT LAUNDRY SERVICE WILL BE INCLUDED, NO CHARGE, FOR SUCH TRIPS AS HER 30 DAY, OCT 4, 2012, SAN DIEGO ROUND TRIP, HAWAII/ TAHITI SAILING.
As the Westerdam is going to be doing long cruises, has the refit added self use laundermats?
HAL
It is rewarding to see that your older ships are being brought into the new century. This helps us feel more secure about sailing with you. Keep up this good work.
Thanks for your concern.
Fasinating pix … thanks for sharing!
We found the Westerdam to be a fine ship on a a cruise. We recently did a cruise with a competitor, Celebrity, on a ship we had sailed previously. The “improvements” were a blatant grab for extra income by the company and at that weren’t done well. We very much hope the Westerdam’s and other HAL ship upgrades are true to the concepts of good, safe ships, profitability as a reward for good service rather than a money grab, and upgrades with technology in engineering and simple passenger comforts.
Great ship. Been on three times, and look forward to anothr cruise when it gets out of drydock.
Can’t wait for our next trip on this beautiful ship the week after Thanksgiving! We love HAL!!!!
My first cruise was on the old Westerdam in January 1991, can’t wait to go on this beautiful ship.
My Wife and i sailed on the Westerdam on our 50th Wedding anniversary in March 2012 we had a wonderful time, great ship!
Glad to see no major changes were made to this great old ship. HAL seems to have learned their lesson.
We will enjoy our 2nd Westerdam cruise in Apr 2013. Did Lauderdale to San Diego in 2011 on her. Not our 1st cruise – but our 5th. Our 1st was on the Statendam. Will be our great pleasure to be on during the 140th Anniversary. Way to go HAL
Great memories of our trip on the Mediterranean in 2007 on the Westerdam. First trip for me and my late husband with HAL was on the Zaandam to Canada and Alaska in 2003, what an adventure that turned out to be and fantastic service brought me back to sail again but only with HAL. Congratulations on her fantastic makeover and I am sure she will be just as beautiful as ever and give lots of enjoyment to all who decide that HAL is the best and only way to travel.
My two sons and self sailed from Seattle up to Glacier Bay Alaska June/July 2009 . Celebrated July 4 in Ketchikan. Fabulous . Picked the “Westie” up in Venice in May 2010 this time with my daughter and grand-daughter . In 12 days we sailed over 5 seas, the skies were blue all day and the pristine Greek Islands are all that you hear and read about. You have got to go there.
wonderbar! as always we had a great cruise in her last december. Le us know when she’s ready. Mike
WE’VE BOOKED, OCTOBER 4th TRIP, HAWAI,TAHITI AND MARQUESAS.
THIS WILL BE MY 6th TRIP ON “DAM ” SHIPS. ARE LAUNDRY GOING TO BE INSTALED ?
FOR THIS CRUISE [ 30 DAYS ] IT SHOULD BE A “MUST “. HOPE TO BE SURPRISED !!!!!
WE JUST LOVE YOUR SHIPS !
For those of you planning to join the Westerdam in Sep/Oct for the Hawaii/Tahiti cruise please come on over and join our roll call on cruise critic. We’d love to have you. Some of us are on our 6th time for this itinerary.
For all of you folks that may be sailing on the Westerdam for the 30 – 35 – day Hawaii/Tahiti cruise in Sept/Oct of 2012, check out our Cruise Critic Roll Call. Cut and paste the following link into your browser:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1445531
It’s an active roll call with a ton of posts, and great information on the cruise.
Aw, thanks! You got her all spruced up for us
We’ll be sailing on her to Alaska Sept 1st. So excited!!!