Holland American wowed me once again. I book a signature suite for me and my son. I love that the rooms on HAL are ready when you board. I hate dragging luggage the ship while trying to get lunch. We went to the Mariners Lunch, where We had a great lunch. I had the salmon, which was cooked perfectly. Alex had calamari and a burger, both were great. I had reserved in cabana in the Retreat, an adult only section on deck 11. The elevators only go to deck 10, but there is the slowest elevator in the world from 10 to 11. Roderick an Andrian greeted me warmly and treated be like royalty all week. So with a glass of champagne, I watch as we sailed from the port of Tampa and toasted to vacation. The cabana guys would bring me breakfast each morning, provide the daily lunch memo and deliver lunch at the specified time and at 3ish, they delivered more champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and grapes on skewers. Fresh fruit as well as water and Evian misters were replenished daily. While it was windy and rained for part of the day, the Retreat was my sanctuary for the week. The robes and towels are a wonderful addition. There are two showers to rinse or cool off.

We loved Danny and Justin of Billboard on Board and spent every night at the piano bar, singing, meeting people and have great drinks. We did purchase the elite beverage package and could have beverages up to $15. It was well worth it. If I didn't like the drink, I didn't feel compelled to drink it.

We dined at Canellato once and Pinnacle twice. Pinnacle was our favorite. I had a perfectly cook New York Strip and the lobster bisque. Alex had steak tartare and the Maine lobster tail, a surcharge but it was worth it, which looked more like a Carribbean lobster it was so big. The second time I did the Alaskan King Crab Legs no surcharge and added a small lobster tail for 10. The crab was a good portion, which I couldn't finish and took back to the room. I did get to try the piña colada soup. It was served in a bowl and was a cold soup, but a straw was needed not a spoon. Glad I wasn't driving. Read more