That 5 days solo cruise was the one just before the ship going to Europe. A lot of people took this one and the crossover (back to back). I wasn't one of the lucky ones. The deal costs less than 1000$ CDN. Stops were Nassau, Key West and Half Moon Cay.
Nassau: Been there twice before and unfortunalely the pier renovation was not completely ready yet. it is now. Unless you have an excursion you ...
This was an Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Niew Statendam departing Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday, 3/26/23.
I was a little worried, as I had read recent reviews that Holland America cruises were not as good as they were pre-pandemic. I also read that the food was not as good.
I am happy to report that all that turned out to be false! I could not be happier with our ...
The principal reason for my enjoyment of this cruise was the extraordinary service provided by the Oosterdam crew and service personnel. My every need was attended to and in many ways above and beyond all expectations. I was traveling on the second leg of a tour around South America back-to-back with the first leg which started in Buenos Aires and ended in Santiago. Toward the end of the first ...
We embarked on the 18th of March 2023 and disembarked on the 29th of March 2023. It was an 11 day cruise.
As an umbrella statement, the following are my thoughts and even my DW and I had some differences.
Great:
The entertainment, especially the music. The rock and roll, the two pianos, the blues band, the comedians had our attention every night. I do not know of another cruise ...
I love to watch the show Mighty Cruise Ships on the Smithsonian channel. One of the episodes was on the Nieuw Statendam. After seeing the show I decided I wanted to sail on this ship. I was not disappointed! The food was excellent! Service was great throughout the ship. One thing I was disappointed about was that I believe because of cutbacks there were no sommeliers in the dining room. The ...
This was our second cruise with Holland America and first on the Eurodam. The Eurodam is a very nice ship, having been recently spruced up with new dining room furniture and new carpeting throughout the ship.
We had a verandah cabin with a very nice balcony. Much nicer and wider than the Regal Princess we were just on recently. The only glaring fault of the cabins is the bathroom which is ...
We chose this cruise to relax with family members 1 year before the cruise, who knew how bad we would need it. Embarkation was well organized and quick at Ft Lauderdale, under 30 mins from the time we dropped off out luggage to the time we were in our cabin! We were on Eurodam 10 years ago and she is still in great shape, her last drydock the carpet was replaced in the main spaces, dining rooms, ...
I cruised on the Niew Amsterdam a week or so ago with two friends. We had a great time.
it had been about 21 years since I had cruised on the Zandaam over the New Years holiday. That cruise was fun. (In the interim, I had taken about 25 cruises or so on various lines.) One of my friends picked this one, and I was wondering what we would get on board. It was terrific.
The precruise ...
Holland America is my choice for any future cruises. Everything perfect with one exception. It was very frustrating to witness the chair hogs that was an everyday occurrence. I am an early riser, and by 6 am MANY pool deck chairs were already "reserved" by the usual method, and many of them were not used until well pass lunch time. I realize there really is not much Holland can do about that. ...
This was a 14 day Panama Canal journey from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale. Zaandam is a smaller ship and doesn't have a lot of "bells and whistles" but has a lot to offer. Passengers were on the older side and only 14 or so children on board. Staff and crew were excellent. Never a long wait for a drink or to get something from the Lido buffet.
Pools and hot tubs were never really very ...