Our 'gap year' had to wait until we were three score years and ten.
Sydney to Vancouver on the Holland America line ship Volendam in April & May 2010 was a part of our 'gap year' world cruise, Southampton UK to Southampton UK, but it was a world tour including cruising that we researched, saved for at least three years plus, booked and enjoyed more than words can express - but I'll try.
We were away from home for nearly six months and missed the worst British winter since 1947. It involved P&O, Holland America, Canadian Railways and Cunard and just one short airflight - the least we could get away with. But this section, reviewed here, was through the Pacific Ocean visiting many islands and it was the the cruising highlight of the whole trip.
Our ocean view cabin 1914 was better than we expected. Ample closet space. But no one told us about a deeply disappointing usurious charge of $2 per day ($52 per trip) for a fridge. I needed it for storing medecines. It annoyed many on board although stewards did renew ice buckets twice daily. Just the hassle of going to the front desk to order a fridge and then the subsequent wait was an imposition. CRT TVs will be replaced shortly in a refit. The beds were supremely comfortable with plenty of room to stow luggage underneath. [Unlike the Queen Victoria - nicknamed "The Queen with no draw(er)s."]
We were located close by a D deck engine room access door which when opened emitted an alarm to ensure its closure. It was awful and went off at all hours for the first three days of our 26 day cruise. Appeals to the front office were ignored until I took a recording of it and demonstrated it on my ipod speakers and suggested that a visit to the Captain's corridor might occur - then the alarm was disconnected within ten minutes and a note of apology given.