Great Ship, Shame About The Food

Westerdam, the sister ship of Arcadia, is an excellent ship, well maintained, bright with fresh flowers every day throughout the ship. It does not have the tired worn dull look of Arcadia (but both are very stable seaworthy ships). Staff are very capable except for the Lido Restaurant where they are never sure of their duties. They are not of the same standard as Princess staff. I had not realised that this was a repositioning cruise with new routines being rehearsed. Entertainment gradually came up to standard as the cruise progressed, however the only decent late night entertainment was The Piano bar where Diane entertained whilst the bartender(ess) kept us well supplied with the only quality beer on the ship. The ports were excellent and the weather good but Holland America cares more about saving the Planet than looking after the needs of it’s customers.
Food portions were miniscule and the menus were written to limit number of courses. We ordered ribs one night and the dish consisted of two 2 inch bones with a small amount of meat between, an eggcup full of mash and 3 pieces of julienne carrot. Since the late snacks finish early, this is the first cruise we went to bed hungry. The Lido restaurant had no trays so juggling was in order and food was limited in the serveries. It regularly ran out of Roast by midday. and it was obvious that servers were told to limit the amounts given.
Put this ship in Princess hands with P& O food and it would beat any ship afloat.