We chose this cruise because it included ports we have never visited and because it included New Years Eve. We are retired and this was our 5th cruise on Holland. We like Holland but are not averse to cruising other cruise lines - we have also cruised with Celebrity. All in all, I felt this this cruise was not up to the standards of other Holland cruises.
Our cruise left from Fort Lauderdale returning to the same port at the end. We live in Florida so we didn't spend any extra time in Fort Lauderdale - I don't care for the city and I find traffic terrible. We stayed overnight before the cruise at a nearby hotel that offered a package that included overnight hotel (Roadway Inn) room, parking for 10 days and transportation to and from the cruise terminal - all this for less than $200.
Embarkation and disembarkation were efficient, quick and easy. No problem there.
The rooms are small but adequate. The setee (used as an extra bed for a third guest, I assume) was not particularly comfortable and was looking a little tired and worn.
The bathroom was very clean and in good order. Our cabin attendant, Putu, did an excellent job - above average and he went beyond what I expected. He truly made a difference in our cruise.
We live in Florida so we drove to Ft. Lauderdale the day before the cruise commenced and stayed overnight. We did not participate in any excursions.
We got off the ship here, walked through the local stalls near the wharf and then went back on board ship. We probably spent less than an hour off the ship. I see no point in going to Jamaica. This just happened to be a stop on this trip. I find Jamaica a dangerous place. The last cruise we were on stopped at another port in Jamaica and someone was shot in town - not somewhere I care to visit.
A nice town to stroll through. We liked it and did a little shopping in port.
I've been to Key West before. We just walked into town and had a nice time shopping and enjoying the area.
I find this stop as a "filler" stop. It's a place for the cruise line to sell excursions. It's basically an uninhabited island owned by a cruise ship company. It has a beautiful sandy beach but I am not a beach goer so I avoid getting off the ship at this stop. My hubby has problems walking and the launch required to go to the island is difficult for him to board and disembark.