Extensive enhancements include Music Walk, first Rijksmuseum at Sea and Explorations Central
When Holland America Lines ms Westerdam emerged from a 12-day dry dock at Fincantieris shipyard in Palermo, Italy, in April 2017, the ship debuted major renovations that added many new public spaces and amenities.
These included two firsts for the fleet: Explorations Central, or EXC, in the Crows Nest and Rijksmuseum at Sea.
Westerdam also received the popular Music Walk venues Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard, the intimate Gallery Bar, a reimagined Lido Market and The Retreat area with private cabanas.
Additional upgrades and modifications including suite upgrades, enhancements to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, renovations to youth areas Club HAL and The Loft, and the new Holland America Line logo on the funnels.
Deck 10 saw the addition of 25 guest staterooms, including 18 verandah and seven interior staterooms, increasing the capacity of the ship to 1,964 guests.
Holland America Lines partnership with Rijksmuseum – the Museum of the Netherlands in Amsterdam – celebrates the companys Dutch heritage. With Rijksmuseum at Sea on Westerdam, reproductions of some of the museums most famous masterpieces are showcased at a dedicated space located on Deck One of the Atrium.
Guests have even more entertainment options with the addition of Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard, complementing the B.B. Kings Blues Club.
Lincoln Center Stage showcases an ensemble of world-class musicians performing multiple chamber music programs nightly, while Billboard Onboard features the talents of two pianists performing dynamic shows centered around the interesting facts and figures of the music industry as chronicled by Billboard.
During the dry dock, Westerdam received the intimate Gallery Bar. The sophisticated venue, serving an exclusive cocktail menu created by celebrity mixologist Dale DeGroff, replaces Northern Lights and is adorned with an eclectic and whimsical mix of artwork including portraits, landscapes, still lifes and abstract pieces.
The traditional, casual Lido buffet has been transformed into the Lido Market concept – a marketplace with different themed stations offering a selection of options guests can grab on the go or have quickly made to order.
Service at Lido Market is enhanced with coffee, juices, water and iced tea served tableside, and in the evening the tables have an upgraded setting with placemats, glassware and cutlery awaiting guests after they have selected their food from the new menu.
To further complete Westerdams transformation, 25 new staterooms were added near the top of the ship on Deck 10. The 18 verandah and seven interior staterooms increase the ships capacity to 1,964 guests.
Additionally, the suites on board received the fleetwide suite upgrades. The main living area was refreshed with a new headboard, new carpet, wall coverings, a privacy curtain, drapery, bed runner and bed skirt. New quartz-stone surfaces were added to the desk, dresser, nightstands and makeup vanity which, along with new vanity lighting, enhance the cosmetic transformation.
Electronic upgrades include a new USB outlet added to the beds headboard, bedside LED lights, upgraded electrical outlets and a lighted closet rod. Suite bathrooms also were upgraded, including a wall of designer glass tile, new vanity area, stylish floor tiles and a nightlight.
A new interactive television system was installed throughout the ship, featuring large LED flat-screen TVs with complimentary movies and popular TV shows on demand as well as easy access to the daily program and shipboard information including restaurant overviews, spa services and guest billing.
PASSENGERS : 1964
BERTHS : 949
CREW : 817
FACILITIES : Two dining rooms (two sittings), casino, two show lounges, library, two swimming pools, gymnasium, sauna, steam room, self-service launderette, golf simulator, internet cafe.