Description

The Vista-Class ms Westerdam joined the Holland America Line fleet in spring 2004. On board, guests enjoy a space-per-person ratio unsurpassed by any other ship in a fleet already known for spacious comfort. In addition, Westerdam has more of what guests desire: more staterooms with private verandahs; more dining choices including the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill experience, and the Lido Restaurant, a culinary courtyard; more ways to relax in The Greenhouse Spa and Salon.

Gasp at hundred-mile views as you travel from deck to deck on two glass elevators on the outside of the ship. Stroll the wide teak deck encircling the Upper Promenade. Classic deck chairs await, should you decide to pause for the sunset. Roll the dice in the casino. Blackjack, stud poker, draw poker, roulette and 107 slot machines are available. Feast on cuisine prepared by world-class chefs and served by our thoughtfully attentive crew. Toast your travel companions and new friends in one of six lounges, bars and nightclubs. Shop boutiques and duty-free shops on the Promenade and Upper Promenade decks.

Itinerary

Copenhagen - Denmark's capital is sophisticated, saucy and friendly. Stroll the fairytale world of Tivoli Gardens to take in bright lights, castles that out-Disney Disney. See the city's 200- year-old Royal Palace, the lively Old Harbor—Hans Christian Andersen lived here. Salute the Little Mermaid, symbol of this light-hearted city.

The Baltic Sea - has almost no tidal swing, so its shoreline is ideal for weekend cottages and pleasure craft. Always in favor of relaxation, the Scandinavians seem to make good use of the opportunity presented.

Tallinn, Estonia - Medieval walls and towers still stand tall in Tallinn's Old Town. Stroll and shop along cobblestone streets, walk up to the Baroque palace in the Upper Town, look out over the red roofs to the Baltic below, drop in at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to find inspiration in the gleaming mosaics and icons. Crisp, gorgeous linen is a local specialty—find yours at a small store near the town hall square.

St. Petersburg - Peter the Great called St. Petersburg his "Window on Europe." For openers, there's the fabulous Hermitage Museum at the Winter Palace, with its renowned art collection from Raphael to Rembrandt, Titian to Tintoretto. Other musts are the babbling fountains of Peterhof, and the Amber Room at Catherine's Palace which words cannot touch.

Helsinki, Finland - Shaped by its bays and off-shore islands, Helsinki is one of Europe's most scenic capitals. Take an archipelago cruise, walk the esplanade shopping streets, hear a Sibelius concert, or tour across the Arctic Circle to Lapland, home of Santa Claus, reindeer and the Midnight Sun.

Stockholm, Sweden - There's so much to see in charming Stockholm, sprawled on 18 islands, often called the "Venice of the North." Cruise the sparkling waterways and navigate narrow, medieval streets. Watch the snappy changing of the guard at the Baroque Royal Palace and sail into Viking history with a visit to the awesome Vasa Museum. Work up an appetite so you can do justice to a lavish smorgasbord.

Scenic cruising Stockholm Archipelago - Completely oriented to the water and all its fringe benefits—transportation, trade, harvest and leisure—Stockholm is a city that flourishes in a maritime setting. Weaving through the islands en route to the city is inevitable, and tight channels, gorgeous scenery and rush-hour boating traffic make it unforgettable.

Visby, Sweden - Barely able to claim that it has emerged from the Middle Ages, Visby is a jumble of immaculate cobblestone streets winding this way and that—purposely confusing for any invaders who actually made it over the medieval walls. Right! Consider exploring by bike, then you'll have every excuse to refresh yourself with an icy aquavit or stop for Scandinavian treats at a killer bakery in town.

Warnemunde/Berlin, Germany - Inseparable from its modern history, Berlin decidedly features it. In the former Soviet/American/British sectors are the Berlin Cathedral, Checkpoint Charlie, Unter den Linden Boulevard and the stunning Brandenburg Gate. In the Western sector, browse the lively Kurfurstendamm for snazzy clothing stores, delicate hand-painted porcelain and a snack of beer and bratwurst.

Arhus, Denmark - Step back to the Middle Ages in Old Town Arhus with its cobblestone streets and faultless renditions of half-timbered houses. Shop for unique Danish handcrafts near the port, explore the ruggedly beautiful Jutland Peninsula and its heathery hills, or indulge your inner child with a trip to the original (and still the best) Legoland.