The third oldest Vista-class cruise ship in the Holland America Line fleet received several upgrades and additional passenger capacity after a recent dry dock. The ms Westerdam spent 12 days in Palermo, Italy where the transformation took place.
She went in being able to accommodate 1,916 passengers and emerged with a revised capacity of 1,964 thanks to the addition of 18 verandah and seven inside staterooms on Deck 10. This is the second time the ship received additional capacity, the first was during her last major refit in April 2007 when her original passenger capacity was increased from 1,848 to 1,916.
One of the most significant additions was the introduction of Rijksmuseum at Sea. This partnership between Holland America and the Rijksmuseum Museum of the Netherlands allows passengers to experience reproductions of some of the museum’s collection in a space located in the Atrium on Deck 1. The Westerdam was the first ship in the fleet to debut this new experience.
Another first, is the new EXC program (Explorations Central) which is designed to provide an immersive experience for cruisers looking to learn more about destinations around the world. In the ship’s Crow’s Nest, passengers can visit the “central hub” where interactive screens and a virtual bridge have been installed in order to make the travel experience more engaging.
Introduced on the line’s newest ship, the ms Koningsdam, Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard have made their way to the Westerdam as part of the line’s Music Walk concept. Lincoln Center Stage offers up chamber music performances, while Billboard Onboard showcases two pianists playing music charted by Billboard magazine. These additional entertainment options join the always-crowded, always-fun B.B. King’s Blues Club.
The ship’s disco, Northern Lights, has been replaced with the new Gallery Bar featuring craft cocktails designed by celebrity mixologist Dale DeGroff.
America’s Test Kitchen, the ship’s demonstration kitchen, got a re-do. This isn’t a new space, but a rebranding to reflect the partnership with the popular PBS cooking show. Previously called the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, the entire fleet will see this rebranding complete by the end of 2017.
The ship’s buffet took on a new look, also introduced on the Koningsdam, as well as a new name. Now called the Lido Market, the buffet area has been transformed into a marketplace featuring different themed stations. Breadboard offers up fresh-baked goods, Homestead serves comfort food classics, Distant Lands allows guests to sample food from around the globe, Wild Harvest is the place to grab a made-to-order salad, and no meal would be complete without dessert from Sweet Spot.
For those traveling in one of the ship’s suites, they’ll be happy to know they received a freshening up as well. New headboards, carpet, wall coverings, privacy curtain, drapes and bedding have been introduced. New surfaces were added to the desk and cabinetry and USB outlets have been placed at the bed’s headboard. Bathrooms were also redone with a new floor and a wall of designer glass tile.
All staterooms received LED flat-screen televisions with a new interactive system that offers guests free movies and TV shows on demand. While public areas throughout the ship received a freshening, the pool deck got new lounge chairs and teak decking.
Deck 11 is now home to The Retreat, a private area that offers up private cabanas that can be rented for the day or for the length of the cruise. Cabanas come with butler service for an added level of pampering.
All photos courtesy of Holland America Line.