Costa Concordia

Thoughts and prayers are with everyone as the rescue efforts and evacuation continues. It is my hope that this situation turns out as good as can possibly be expected. Unfortunately, some have already lost their lives and I know a lot of peoples' thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends tonight, as are those of everyone involved.

Latest news at time of posting:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/13/world/europe/italy-cruise-deaths/index.html

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year and any/all other applicable holiday messages to you and yours!

-DBA

Thanks for visiting!

I hope all of the information provided and in some case chronicled over the last few years is of assistance when looking to plan a cruise (or your next cruise) with Holland America Line.

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Cheers!

ms Westerdam Tour - Superior Verandah Suites SS 8068 and SS 8070

Each variety of stateroom has a few rooms onboard each ship that are wheelchair accessible. These rooms allow for additional widths to accommodate a chair and have reconfigured bathrooms among other changes. Here are some pictures of SS 8068 which is wheelchair accessible.

Bed and desk area

Seating area

Door going out to verandah

Bathroom with full roll in shower (same space as where the toilet is)

As well as a more standard tub/shower combo but with additional grip bars

For comparison, here is SS 8070, the exact same room type but with regular accommodations for those not needing the space for a wheelchair or to assist with mobility issues. For more complete images, Access and Compliance has a full library of wheelchair accessible room images and can be contacted by phone or email.

Desk area with TV

Queen bed

sitting area

Separate shower stall and full tub/shower combo

Dual sinks here as well

ms Westerdam Tour - Deluxe Verandah Suite SA 7066

Deluxe Verandah Suites, (depending on the ship category can be S, SQ, SA, SB, SC) are the second largest accommodations on every Holland America Line ship. Here are some pictures of SA 7066.

Bedding and desk area

Vanity area and bathroom

More of the bathroom which has 2 sinks, a tub/shower combo as well as a separate shower stall

More of the desk area

Desk area also showing the TV and speakers

Large seating area that turns into a double sleeper sofa.

ms Westerdam Tour - Penthouse Verandah Suite

The Penthouse on Holland America Line's ships (category PS no matter the ship) is the creme de la creme of accommodations. Each suite is hand built onboard, these are NOT the "plug and play" boxes that you see if you follow the shipbuilding process, and features 1 kitchen, 2 bathrooms (1 7 piece bathroom and 1 guest bathroom), bedroom with vanity area, massive walk-in closet suitable for any length of voyage, expansive living room, a central music system available nearly anywhere in the suite and sliding glass doors to the large verandah complete with dining area, sun loungers and hot tub.

Having stayed in a Penthouse before on Eurodam this past December, I know all about the intricacies of these rooms, the perks and the additional items that come inside you would not find in lesser rooms, but being that I was on port side and thid was PS 7045 on starboard side, you would think I would have been less turned around in here. There have been a few changes to this suite over time, primarily the dining room chairs, but nevertheless, here is a look at 7045.

Art in the corridor across from the Penthouse's front door.

Art in the foyer upon entering. In this case it's a figure from Western Mexico dating back to 400 BC

The large seating area in the living room

TV in the living room. Inside the many cupboards and doors you will find a CD player, surround sound for the TV, DVD player and many other items. The main doors at bottom open up into a double, if not queen size, sofa bed.

View of the dining room from the living room. Note the bedroom in the distance

More art, this bust is located in the living room

The incredibly comfortable recliner in the living room.

The large king size bed, behind it, more art - a jewel and gold crusted nautilus shell

The amazing capsule shower with body jets, bench and foot massager

The dual sink countertop and jetted tub

A closeup of where your bath water comes from

A view of the living room and dining room, along with desk area by the window, from the bedroom 

ms Westerdam Tour - Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar

The Pinnacle Grill is one of the finest meals you will ever have onboard, and for just $25.00 per person at dinner, you can enjoy a multi-course meal with personal, attentive service. The decor of each Pinnacle Grill in the fleet is rather unique, and here is the design for Westerdam.

The entrance, as well as an embarkation day advertisement for the "Night at Le Cirque" menu which brings favorites from the New York and Las Vegas eatery for $39.00 per person.

Tables in the Pinnacle Grill

Additional tables

Additional tables

You guessedd it... additional tables

This section of 2 and 4 seat tables is in a semi-private area and all along a large bank of windows

The Pinnacle Bar is a venue that was first introduced on ms Noordam and over time was brought to her 3 sisters, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and Westerdam as well as on Signature Class sisters Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. As you've likely seen before, the layout and deign of each Pinnacle Bar is rather unique and creates its own feel for the ship's primary wine bar.

Pinnacle Bar counter area

From the bar looking toward the rest of the seating

Another view of the counter

One of the walls of the venue, with lots of display shelves of various vintages.

ms Westerdam Tour - The Atrium and Surrounding Spaces

The Atrium is the main hub of the ship, spanning 3 decks with numerous venues, both entertaining and informational built around it. Here are some views of and around the Atrium on Decks 1-3.

The Waterford crystal Halve Maen (Half Moon) as seen from Ocean Bar, deck 3

Available at the Front Office, a look at where the HAL fleet is today, around the world.

Each ship has a massive, metal-engraved deckplan available for guest reference, adjacent to the Front Office

The Guest Relations Manager's desk, near the Frnt Office, allows for inquiries, meetings and discussions. On some cruises it may also be used for a group's reception area.

Ground floor of the Atrium. Seating, a bar and at embarkation, a place for the music of the Adagio Strings to welcome guests onboard

A view of the Waterford sculpture on deck 3, from deck 1

Another view of the Atrium Bar

More atrium seating and the temporary Adagio Strings setup

The Future Cruise Consultant's desk.

Additional information about booking a next cruise while still onboard.

The Pinnacle Grill also oversees the atrium. Here's the view from deck 2.

Another view from deck 2.

Ground level, from deck 3

Elevators are immediately adjacent to the Atrium.

The midship elevator lobby holds 6 elevators, including the 4 class elevators, 2 on either side.

Other space not specifically depicted in here include:

The Front Office (aka 'Purser's Desk/Guest Relations Desk')

Shore Excursions Desk

 

 

Seen elsewhere on this coverage of Westerdam and adjacent to the Atrium:

Pinncle Grill

Pinnacle Bar

Ocean Bar