T+L’s Ship Review of Holland America Line Westerdam

When I was planning my sail from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, I was excited about exploring a new-to-me part of the world. I had visions of untouched landscapes, bustling cities, hopping kangaroos, and restful days at sea.

But once I had booked my trip, aboard the Holland America Line Westerdam, some of my friends and family had to know: was I really going to take this trip alone? Was I really going to fly to the other side of the world by myself—and then spend two weeks on a cruise ship solo?

“Yes,” I enthusiastically replied. “I am.”

And it was wonderful.

It helped that I was already familiar with Holland America Line, a company I’ve traveled with several times before. And while I’d never been on the Westerdam before, I quickly found my way around, taking note of the pool, restaurants, fitness center, entertainment venues, and spa. First built in 2004 and last refurbished in 2017, the vessel is showing its age a bit. I noticed some wear and tear in my stateroom and on the balcony, as well as throughout the ship, but that’s not to say Westerdam isn’t clean and comfortable. In my stateroom, the shower’s water pressure was better than I have at home, and I had no problems with the very cozy bed.

I certainly had plenty of time to settle in: during the first week of the cruise, we stopped at just two ports, the Australian cities of Melbourne and Hobart. Intent on keeping my workout regimen going while traveling, I laced up my shoes and hit the gym on the same days I workout at home. I popped by the library and borrowed a book to read and return. Rather than indulging too much at the buffet, I opted for salads and healthier options at lunch. (For the most part I popped up to the Lido Deck for quick bites, but did on occasion wander to the Dining Room as a party of one and sat with other cruisers.)

I made plenty of friends, as I swapped travel stories with guests from countries around the world. By the second week, we were cruising scenic areas such as Milford Sound and stopping almost daily in cities around New Zealand. One fellow passenger told me about an interesting excursion she was taking in Tauranga, so I booked a ticket. When the day rolled around, I ended up running into a former colleague from 20-plus years ago. It really is a small world.

The trip was also something of a revelation: I was on my own time, waking up and going to bed when I pleased. I filled my days working out, napping, reading, exploring, taking a cocktail making class, and, yes, working as necessary thanks to the stellar Wi-Fi. And while I love traveling with my husband, family, and friends, I also genuinely enjoyed my own company.

Here, my review of Holland America Line’s Westerdam, and how anyone can enjoy themselves aboard, whether traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends and family.

The Staterooms

Westerdam has five stateroom categories and three types of suites. Even the smallest, entry-level rooms have ample storage space, though these Inside cabins do lack windows and start at a cozy 151 square feet. An upgrade to an Ocean View room offers not only a window on the sea but also more floor space. Verandah staterooms range in size from 212 to 359 square feet, including an outdoor balcony and a sitting area.

Signature Suites range from 372 to 384 square feet with a sitting area and balcony, while the premium Neptune Suites, which range from 500 to 712 square feet, come with a whirlpool bath, dressing room, and sitting area, in addition to a balcony.

At the top of the line are the Pinnacle Suites, which measure approximately 1,150 square feet, with a king-size bed, living room, dining room, dressing room, balcony with whirlpool, and a guest powder room.

Restaurants and Bars

Dining on Westerdam is all about choice. For quick bites, the Lido Market is a buffet-style line-up with a carvery, bread board, salad bar, global cuisine, and (of course) dessert. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are also served in the Dining Room, either by reservation or whenever. Counter service hot dogs and burgers are served for lunch and an early dinner at Dive-In near the Lido Pool. There’s also 24/7 room service.

Specialty restaurants on Westerdam, which come at an extra cost, include Pinnacle Grill, a steakhouse-style affair serving prime steaks and seafood, and Canaletto, which does nice Italian fare. A highlight of my voyage was Morimoto by Sea, a pop-up that takes over Pinnacle Grill, serving dishes created by Holland America Line’s Fresh Fish Ambassador, chef Masaharu Morimoto.

In addition to a variety of dining options, Westerdam offers plenty of spots to grab a drink. Both Explorer’s Lounge and the Pinnacle Bar are on the quieter side, while Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard have live music and a more energetic vibe, particularly later in the evening. The Crow’s Nest Café on the Observation Deck is a terrific spot to start the morning with a specialty coffee—or to toast another sunset at sea.

Where Westerdam Sails

Westerdam offers a variety of cruises, with many ranging from 7 to 42 days. This summer, the ship will be in Alaska, before sailing to Hawaii and onward to Japan, China, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The vessel will return to Alaska next summer, while another Holland America Line ship, the Noordam, will travel around Australia and New Zealand, on itineraries similar to the one I enjoyed. A particularly interesting trip to note is a two-week, 2026 journey in China and Japan that Holland America Line has arranged in partnership with the History Channel.

Shore Excursions

Holland America Line offers a variety of shore excursions, with the hopes of appealing to all sorts of people: think active adventures, more low-key experiences, wildlife encounters, behind the scenes tours, activities that revolve around local foods, the list goes on. I was late in booking my own shore excursions—many were sold out—but I did manage to squeeze onto two. In Tasmania, I got to hand-feed kangaroos, watch a wombat gnaw on a carrot, and glimpse a Tasmanian devil at a wildlife sanctuary. In New Zealand, I went for a small-group bike ride that took us to several wineries around Marlborough, as we sampled some of the excellent wines made there.

Amenities and Entertainment

In addition to the bars and restaurants highlighted above—and the Lido Pool—Westerdam has a casino, shops, and lots of activities, including trivia, bingo, and a well-stocked library.

On my solo trip, I made plenty of visits to the well-appointed fitness center. I could have—and should have—tried my hand at pickleball, since Holland America Line exclusively partners with the Professional Pickleball Association to maintain its shipboard court and equipment. There’s also the delightful Greenhouse Spa & Salon, where I enjoyed a massage and facial treatment.

Family-friendly Offerings

I was aboard for a two-week trip in the middle of the school year, but I did spot a dozen or so kids onboard. Holland America Line does offer a supervised kids’ club for those aged 3 to 17, with three tiers of activities and entertainment for youngsters, tweens, and teens.

Accessibility

As a company, Holland America Line says it is “committed to serving everyone,” and it makes lots of accessibility information available online.

On Westerdam, every deck is accessible by elevator, and accessible staterooms have wide interior and exterior doorways; showers without thresholds; grab bars; and accessible seats and room controls.

Guests who are deaf or hard of hearing can request stateroom kits that include a visual and tactile alert when someone knocks at the door, the phone rings, or an alarm sounds; stateroom TVs are equipped with closed captioning; and stateroom telephones have the ability to amplify sound.

Guests who are low vision or blind can request a familiarization tour of the Westerdam upon arrival. Guests with food allergies or dietary concerns are accommodated, too.