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Holland America Line

Westerdam

Large ship Bliss scored

The ms Westerdam is the third in Holland America Line's series of Vista class ships. As such, she embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies such as her use of a diesel-electric power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an advanced…

  • 1,916guests
  • 82,348gross tons
  • 41cruises now
  • $809fares from

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Book a cruise on Holland America's Westerdam to transit the Panama Canal, cruise the Caribbean or explore Alaska.

At a glance

Westerdam is a large-size cruise ship operated by Holland America Line, in service since 2003. It carries 1,916 guests and 817 crew (2.3 guests per crew member) at 82,348 gross tons. It ties with 2 other ships as the 7th largest of 11 Holland America Line ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for spa & fitness and staterooms (8/10) and lowest for party (3/10). It is rated 4.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 4.5 out of 5 by Conde Nast, 3.5 out of 5 by Berlitz and 4.5 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 41 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $809 to $7,734. 9 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable
4.5 / 5
Conde Nast
4.5 / 5
Berlitz
3.5 / 5
Cruise Critic
4.5 / 5
Guests
1,916
Crew
817
Gross tons
82,348
Decks
11
Length
936 ft
Beam
106 ft
Maiden voyage
2003
Launched
2004
Refurbished
2017
Space ratio
2.3
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
2.3
Speed (mph)
25
IMO
9226891

Bliss scores

What Westerdam is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

  1. Active 4.0
  2. Adventure and nature 5.0
  3. Cultural 7.0
  4. Dining 6.5
  5. Entertainment 7.1
  6. Family friendly 6.0
  7. Party 3.0
  8. Romantic 6.5
  9. Spa and fitness 8.0
  10. Staterooms 8.0

Our review

Westerdam: Elegant sailings amid impressive artwork

The ms Westerdam is the third in Holland America Line's series of Vista class ships. As such, it embraces the latest industry and environmental technologies such as its use of a diesel-electric power plant for optimal energy efficiency and an Azipod propulsion system. Most staterooms have ocean views and many have private verandas.

The theme of Westerdam's art collection is Dutch heritage in the New World. Art ranges from paintings of historic Dutch ships, such as Henry Hudson's Half Moon, to a huge Indian silver-overlaid wood palace doorway, a bone tobacco pipe carved in the shape of a woman's head to a collection of 5,000-year-old pre-Columbian carved limestone figures from Ecuador. Contemporary pieces include an original Andy Warhol portrait and signature sculptures by Sedona artist Susanna Holt.

Who will like sailing on Westerdam 

Holland America is expanding its traditional North American passenger base to attract more English speakers, particularly Brits and Australians. The average age is shifting downward and is now around 45. During the summer Alaska season, Westerdam sees more families traveling with small children, and there might be 100 or more kids younger than 18 on board.

Where Holland America's Westerdam sails

Westerdam sails the Mediterranean, South America, Panama Canal and even Antarctica on leisurely trips mostly lasting 12 to 24 days.

Read the full review

Dining

 World-renowned master chefs lead the award-winning culinary staff in providing extensive dining options, including "light & healthy" items, continental and ethnic cuisines, and vegetarian dishes. All are available in a range of dining venues. Dining options include:

  • Vista Dining Room: features impeccable service and an extensive wine list. Five-course menus include continental cuisine, vegetarian and low-carb options.
  • Pinnacle Grill: This intimate reservations-only venue offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience. Featuring premium Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and many select wines rated "Excellent" by Wine Spectator - as well as distinctive Bvlgari china, Riedel stemware and Frette linens.
  • Lido Restaurant: Offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties.
  • Terrace Grill: Kid-friendly menus including tacos, hamburgers and hot dog on the pool deck.
Colorful tropical drinks ready for quaffing on Holland America's ms Westerdam.
Colorful tropical drinks ready for quaffing on Holland America's ms Westerdam. JD Lasica / Special to Cruiseable

Entertainment & activities

  • The Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows: Guests will be able to "show and tell" their vacation memories, learning how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking - so friends and family can see where they've been cruising even before they return home. Free workshops taught by Microsoft-trained "techsperts" make it easy and fun, even for novices.
  • The Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine: a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen offering interactive gourmet cooking lessons taught by Master Chefs or culinary guests
  • Greenhouse Spa & Salon: features heavenly beauty and wellness rituals. Enjoy a facial, hot stone massage, steam in a thermal suite and have your hair and nails done for a special evening.
  • Explorations Cafe, powered by The New York Times: a comfortable, coffee house environment where you can browse through an extensive library, surf the Internet and check email or simply read the morning paper.
  • Vista Show Lounge: features talented vocalists, dancers, illusionists, comedians and variety acts.
  • Crow's Nest: offers sweeping 270 degree views during the day, and a hip, fashionable nightclub each evening.
  • Volleyball & Basketball Court 
  • Club HAL: a dedicated youth facility  with activities for kids ages 3 - 12; activities are supervised and age appropriate.
  • The Loft: designed exclusively for teens (13 - 17) to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age.
A Signature Suite aboard your Holland America Line ship runs 273 to 456 square feet, which includes a private verdanda, one queen or two lower beds, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath, sitting area and floor-to-ceiling windows.
A Signature Suite aboard your Holland America Line ship runs 273 to 456 square feet, which includes a private verdanda, one queen or two lower beds, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath, sitting area and floor-to-ceiling windows. Courtesy of Holland America Cruise Line

Staterooms

Eighty-five percent of her staterooms have ocean views and sixty-seven percent have balconies.

All staterooms feature:

  • Mariner Dream Bed with premium plush Euro-top mattress and high-quality cotton bed linens
  • Flat-screen TVs
  • Bathroom enhancements ranging from deluxe bathrobes to lighted, magnifying make-up mirrors
  • Fully-stocked mini-bars
  • VCR/DVD players with access to an extensive video/DVD library
  • Personalized stationery and use of the exclusive concierge-staffed Neptune Lounge

Lanai staterooms feature doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, while Spa staterooms located near the Greenhouse Spa offer exclusive amenities such as an organic cotton bathrobe and slippers, yoga mat, water fountain, special room service menus and treatments, and more.

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Westerdam, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773.

SEE ALL WESTERDAM SAILINGS

On board highlights

Dining

Where to eat on Westerdam

Photos

Inside and out

Dining 2

  • Try a Cannonball burger with fries at Dive-In at the Terrace Grill, offering alfresco dining by the pool on your Holland America ship.
    Try a Cannonball burger with fries at Dive-In at the Terrace Grill, offering alfresco dining by the pool on your Holland America ship.
  • Pair a surf-and-turf dish with a glass of wine on your Holland America sailing.
    Pair a surf-and-turf dish with a glass of wine on your Holland America sailing.

On board 9

  • The sculptural figure of dolphins at the Lido Pool aboard Holland America's Westerdam, Noordam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam.
    The sculptural figure of dolphins at the Lido Pool aboard Holland America's Westerdam, Noordam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam.
  • Enhance your kitchen skills by signing up for a Culinary Arts Center demonstration kitchen on your Holland America cruise.
    Enhance your kitchen skills by signing up for a Culinary Arts Center demonstration kitchen on your Holland America cruise.
  • A strawberry daiquiri served on the pool deck of Holland America's ms Westerdam.
    A strawberry daiquiri served on the pool deck of Holland America's ms Westerdam.
  • Colorful tropical drinks ready for quaffing on Holland America's ms Westerdam.
    Colorful tropical drinks ready for quaffing on Holland America's ms Westerdam.
  • Colorful tropical drinks ready for quaffing on Holland America's ms Westerdam.
    Colorful tropical drinks ready for quaffing on Holland America's ms Westerdam.
  • The stylish Waterford crystal sculpture atop the atrium in the heart of Holland America's Westerdam slowly rotates and changes color.
    The stylish Waterford crystal sculpture atop the atrium in the heart of Holland America's Westerdam slowly rotates and changes color.
  • The pretty atrium on ms Westerdam from Holland America.
    The pretty atrium on ms Westerdam from Holland America.
  • Beverage attendant Godwin Pring brings margaritas to a guest on ms Westerdam.
    Beverage attendant Godwin Pring brings margaritas to a guest on ms Westerdam.
  • A tropical drink served poolside aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam.
    A tropical drink served poolside aboard Holland America's ms Westerdam.

Ship exteriors 1

  • Holland America's ms Westerdam moored in the seaside village of Loreto, Mexico.
    Holland America's ms Westerdam moored in the seaside village of Loreto, Mexico.

Staterooms 2

  • The Pinnacle Suite (Penthouse Veranda Suite) aboard Holland America Line rewards you with about 1,296 square feet, including aprivate  veranda, kind bed, oversize whirlpool bath, living room, mini-bar, floor-to-celing windows, large-screen TV and concierge service.
    The Pinnacle Suite (Penthouse Veranda Suite) aboard Holland America Line rewards you with about 1,296 square feet, including aprivate veranda, kind bed, oversize whirlpool bath, living room, mini-bar, floor-to-celing windows, large-screen TV and concierge service.
  • A Signature Suite aboard your Holland America Line ship runs 273 to 456 square feet, which includes a private verdanda, one queen or two lower beds, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath, sitting area and floor-to-ceiling windows.
    A Signature Suite aboard your Holland America Line ship runs 273 to 456 square feet, which includes a private verdanda, one queen or two lower beds, bathroom with dual sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath, sitting area and floor-to-ceiling windows.

More photos 4

  • Book a cruise on Holland America's Westerdam to transit the Panama Canal, cruise the Caribbean or explore Alaska.
    Book a cruise on Holland America's Westerdam to transit the Panama Canal, cruise the Caribbean or explore Alaska.
  • The theme of Westerdam's atrium and surrounding art is Dutch heritage in the new world. Artworks aboard this Holland America Line ship include paintings of historic Dutch ships and an  original Andy Warhol portrait.
    The theme of Westerdam's atrium and surrounding art is Dutch heritage in the new world. Artworks aboard this Holland America Line ship include paintings of historic Dutch ships and an original Andy Warhol portrait.
  • Have fun in the sun and take a dip in the Aft Pool aboard your Holland America cruise.
    Have fun in the sun and take a dip in the Aft Pool aboard your Holland America cruise.
  • Book a cruise on Holland America's Westerdam to transit the Panama Canal, cruise the Caribbean or explore Alaska.
    Book a cruise on Holland America's Westerdam to transit the Panama Canal, cruise the Caribbean or explore Alaska.

Sailing now

Cruises on Westerdam

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