Heidi BucoloWe recently cruised to Australia and New Zealand on Holland America’s Westerdam. We have cruised with Holland America Line a few times in the past, but mostly on the line’s newer Pinnacle Class vessels. Given that Westerdam launched in 2004, we were interested to see how the cabins on this older, smaller ship would compare to the newer vessels in the fleet. Would this accommodation on the Vista Class vessel meet our expectations? Find out in our latest Holland America Westerdam Verandah Stateroom review.
Holland America Westerdam Verandah Stateroom: Our Experience
For this sailing, we stayed in a verandah stateroom on Deck 4, cabin 4173. This category VC stateroom is located aft of the aft elevators on the starboard side of the ship. According to the Holland America Line’s deck plans, this room measures approximately 212 square feet including the balcony.
Being on Deck 4, we were never too far away from any of the public venues. The main dining room, many of the bars and lounges, and the theater are all located on Decks 2 and 3, while the pools, outdoor spaces, and Crow’s Nest are an elevator ride up to Decks 9 and 10.
Layout of a Holland America Westerdam Verandah Stateroom
Upon entering our Holland America Westerdam Verandah Stateroom, the bathroom was on the right with a closet to the left. Beyond the entrance, the queen bed was on the aft wall facing forward. Before the balcony was the seating area on the right and desk on the left.
This layout is fairly standard for cruise ship accommodations, though the color palette and decor of the cabin are dated when compared to verandah staterooms on newer HAL vessels. The balcony, too, shows signs of its age.
Inside Our Holland America Westerdam Verandah Stateroom
Bathroom
The bathroom in this Holland America Westerdam verandah stateroom was functional but not nearly as well appointed as the new Pinnacle Class ships. In fact, it still features the dreaded shower curtain rather than the glass door enclosures found on more modern ships. While many Holland America staterooms do feature a bathtub and shower combo, this room only has a standup shower configuration.
While dated, the counter space is adequate, and liquid hand soap is provided. Holland America does supply separate shampoo, conditioner, and body wash dispensers in the shower as well, which is always appreciated.
In terms of storage, it always helps that we bring a hanging shoe organizer where we store many toiletries and other small items in our cabin.
Closet
Especially since this was a 14-day sailing, we would have appreciated a bit more storage space in the room, but we made do with the closet configuration of clothes bar with hangers and several shelves. There is one full length clothes bar in the middle flanked by two additional doors with a series of shelves. The side closer to the bed also houses the safe, pool towels, umbrella, bathrobes, and lifejackets.
With some creative organization, we were able to stow away most of our packing cubes and hang our nighttime clothing. We utilized magnetic hooks to hang our jackets, rain coats, and bags to free up valuable closet space.
Main Cabin Area
Our bed was comfortable with newer bedding and accents. We had no issues falling asleep after our long days and nights on the ship. There is also a USB outlet on each side of the bed for charging phones overnight, as well as small nightstands which we used to store some of our smaller items. Across from the bed is the television.
Separated from the bed by a curtain, the seating area and desk immediately abut the balcony. The seating area consists of a rather small loveseat and table, making it adequate for really just one individual.
The desk too was rather small with limited storage space for our personal items. However, the only power outlets in the room are on the desk. There are two 115V, two 220V, and two USB outlets. Thus, charging all our devices each day while still leaving room to get ready and/or work on our laptops took some coordination.
Balcony
Our verandah had plenty of space for the two chairs with ottomans and small table. Though, the outdoor furniture has seen better days, with some noticeable wear and fading. The deck itself had visible rust spots as well.
Despite some cosmetic work needed, the balcony provided a wonderful private space to enjoy the scenic views and fresh air. On port-intensive itineraries like ours, having a verandah to watch arrivals and departures adds significant value to the cruise experience. It also came in handy for our scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park, especially when it started raining.
Recap of Our Holland America Westerdam Verandah Stateroom Review
While Westerdam received a refurbishment in 2017, some elements of the stateroom still showed signs of the ship’s age. Having just sailed on Celebrity Summit, which is of similar age, this Holland America Westerdam verandah stateroom definitely fell short. The furnishings and bathroom, in particular, could benefit from a more comprehensive refresh to meet contemporary expectations.
The ship is scheduled for a dry dock in early 2026, so hopefully some of these issues will be addressed at that time. Still, with a port-intensive itinerary, the room was an adequate space to recharge before our next exciting port of call.
For those accustomed to Holland America’s newer Pinnacle Class vessels like Nieuw Statendam or Rotterdam, you’ll notice the difference in stateroom decor and amenities. However, if you’re looking to explore unique destinations (one of the many pros of sailing with Holland America) and aren’t planning to spend significant time in your cabin, a verandah stateroom on Westerdam offers a comfortable base for your cruise adventures, along with a private space to enjoy the ever-changing views.
When booking your Holland America cruise, we recommend reviewing the deck plans carefully to find the right stateroom category and location for your preferences. When it comes to location, this cabin is pretty far aft. While it didn’t bother us, those who are prone to motion sickness may want to consider something more midship. Additionally, Holland America offers a variety of cabin types at varying price points, ranging from interior cabins to luxurious suites, catering to all travel styles.
So, it’s important to pick what’s best for you. If you’re unsure, a travel advisor can work with you to find the perfect accommodation to meet your goals and your budget.
Comments
Have you sailed in a Holland America Westerdam Verandah Stateroom? What is your preferred cabin category when you cruise? Drop us an anchor below with your reviews of Holland America cabins.
