The ship-organized bus transfer at the Barcelona airport will cost you $49. USD each but you'll have to wait for everyone to board ... get a cab outside for approx. 25€ total tip included. It's a short ride to the ship.

We paid $2,050 USD per person (taxes all in) for a deck-one ocean-view cabin with no obstruction. I thought the price was high but I was willing to pay because Holland America promotes itself as "above the rest". This was our 15th cruise ... we believe there's no such thing as a bad cruise. But, we would position Royal Caribbean and Princess ahead of HAL. This itinerary is a good one because there is only one sea-day. The Free-Style dining works well because it gives you lots of time in port and you don't have to rush back for a firm dinner time.

Normally I wouldn't want a deck-one room but this was VERY convenient to dining and for getting on and off the ship - I would highly recommend it. The ship is medium sized which makes it easy to find things and easy to get on and off. The decor, particularly in the Lido, is very disco-dated and a little worn-out, but, after a few days, you won't notice it. There are two roof-top pools and one has a retractable roof - excellent! The gym is well equipped. The theatre is roomy and the on-ship singers and dancers are very good ... as well as Marty Brill the comedian and Penny, the "Les Miz" lead singer. Neil Diamond fans/groupies may not enjoy the Diamond-impersonator with the Australian accent or the magician who talks too much and doesn't do his act. If you are planning on buying any of the Art-at-Sea from PARK WEST, you may want to Google them before you go - they have lots of unresolved issues with cruise-customers. Online hook-up is $55 per 30 min. - dial-up is very slow (and costly). Internet Cafes at the port in CIVITAVECCHIA & VENICE are about 3€ for half-hour and the phones to N. America are equally cheap. The on-board Casino is very, very smokey and the staff is the worst I have ever encountered on a ship - most of them wouldn't last a shift in Vegas. Read more