Holland America Line has released new photos of the recent renovation to their vessel ms Westerdam. The ship underwent a 12-day dry dock at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy this past April, and emerged with major renovations.
Museum of the Netherlands
The cruise line’s partnership with Rijiksmuseum – the Museum of the Netherlands in Amsterdam – celebrates the company’s Dutch heritage. With Rijiksmuseum at Sea aboard Westerdam, reproductions of some of its most famous masterpieces are showcased at a dedicated space on deck one of the atrium. There are also videos about the museum and its collections on stateroom televisions.
New EXC Program
Holland America’s multifaceted EXC experience combines an array of travel resources with enrichment opportunities for guests to make their vacation more engaging and meaningful. Much of the EXC experiences is featured in the newly created Exploration Central’s hub in the Crow’s Nest, which includes interactive screens and a virtual bridge. Programming also includes a full EXC team to engage with guests, EXC tours, destination guides, and a theater.
Lincoln Center Stage
Cruisers aboard Westerdam have even more entertainment choices with the addition of Lincoln Center State and Billboard Onboard, complementing the existing B.B. King’s Blues Club. Lincoln Center Stage showcases an ensemble of world-class musicians performing multiple chamber music programs nightly, and Billboard Onboard features two pianists performing shows centered around facts and figures of the music industry as chronicled by Billboard.
Gallery Bar
During dry dock the ship also received the intimate Gallery Bar. The sophisticated venue serves an exclusive cocktail menu by mixologist Dale DeGroff and is adorned with an eclectic and whimsical mix of artwork. The Gallery Bar replaced Northern Lights during the refit.
America’s Test Kitchen
America’s Test Kitchen got a whole new look during the renovations with a new color palate and new tables and chairs for guests. The cooking demonstration shows were created in partnership with the beloved public television program and also includes hands-on workshops for those that want to get their hands dirty. Topics range from Asian dumplings to perfecting a pie crust and more.
Lido Market
The casual Lido deck buffet has been transformed into the Lido Market concept – a marketplace with different themed stations offering a wide selection of cuisine for guests to nosh on. Areas include freshly-baked bread and pastries at Breadboard, comfort food at Homestead, dishes from around the world at Distant Lands, Wild Harvest’s freshly made salads, and sweet treats at Sweet Spot. Service is enhanced with coffee, juice, water, and iced tea served tableside, and in the evenings the space invites guests in with placemats, glassware, and cutlery awaiting guests at each table where they can order from a menu.
More Upgrades
Other renovations include 25 new staterooms on deck 10, a new television system throughout the ship, and new soft furnishings in public spaces around the ship. The suites onboard also received upgrades including carpeting, a privacy curtain, quartz-stone surfaces, USB outlets, a new vanity area in the bathroom, and bedside LED lights.
Outside on deck 11, The Retreat was relocated from deck 10 and includes 15 private cabanas for rental. Ms Westerdam is currently cruising the Mediterranean on 12-day itineraries between Barcelona and Venice or Rome.
Photos: Holland America
4 Responses
The contemporary furnishings seem/look very “cold” to me. And the outside area, which has the palms, who is going to sit there to “chit chat” with the blazing sun coming down? (one only does this in bathing suits, besides the pool. Maybe since the new president has never been a cruiser himself, we, old cruisers should share with him a thing or two.
Maybe you old cruisers should understand that this new look might not just be for you. There is a new age of cruisers after you.
“Young man” you write like you have enough IQ to realize that we “old cruisers” are THE ones that have the “mula” (ie. money) and we are just so in AWE of you young people, that we try VERY HARD to spend as much as possible, the money before we die, so that you “young ones” get as little of ours as possible. Thank you for further convince meof this this fact…. MY children will never know about you, to “thank you” directly. LOL
I must thank you for the ” Young man ” and ” IQ ” comments.
It makes me happy that you are spending your ” mula ” before your last cruise. :<)
I believe "you make, you spend it". I have told my kids that as my parents told me. Kids should know that it takes " work "for a rewarded life and not given to them.
I may be younger than you but totally agree with you on this one thing. That is why I have a bumper sticker on my beaten up suitcase that reads " I'm spending my kids inheritance "
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7b30fc9257deeb0fcb2fd2c4c2c050006d7c8a82e64c27466f6fd683e621d0ac.jpg
Cheers back at you
Comments are closed.