Our trip on the Westerdam was our first experience to take a cruise. We chose this adventure to celebrate our 30th anniversary. We chose Holland based on our friends' recommendations, reviews on the Internet, and the itinerary offered. It was a combination of who we are and these other influences which help us to match-up our personalities with the cruise line. It was and is a good match. We have already booked to take our second cruise with Holland, back to Alaska, on the Zuiderdam for a different itinerary.

I had concerns, first of all, regarding motion sickness. I am very, very sensitive in this regard, fighting dizziness my whole life. However, my fears were put to ease leaving the Port of Seattle. While my wife and I were unpacking our bags, I happened to notice on the TV in the room, there was a shot of the Space Needle getting smaller and smaller. I thought it might be a live shot from the back of the ship. "Huh. That would mean we are moving!" I looked out the veranda window to see landscape scrolling by. "We're Moving!" I raced outside to the balcony and watched us race the Norwegian up the sound. We had been moving at least 15 minutes before we were aware of it. Motion was not a factor in this trip for me. I only noticed it when we were out to open sea at night and it did not bother me in the least. Safe to say, my wife and I were immediately hooked on cruising from the moment we left Seattle.

A vacation for me is where I have to do very little. If someone can be hired to drive me. Good. If someone will cook, clean, and serve me, good. In other words, I want my only obligation to the vacation is to show up. Holland took care of us in every respect. Here's the lowdown on pampering: Read more