Embark & Disembark
We are not extensive cruisers, but this was the most haphazard embarkation we’ve experienced. Security were surly and borderline rude. Passport kiosk didn’t work at all for my partner and myself, so we were directed to the desk. PA announcements were almost impossible to hear, with the echo. The terminal should place electronic screens with instructions.
Disembark was very ...
First time on Holland after many cruises on Carnival, RCL and NCL.
CONS: They definitely have an issue with staffing, especially in regards to buffett and main dining rooms. Buffett, they let you choose some items yourself but not others, which leads to big lines. Main dining room you get a glass of wine immediately but any mixed drink, you have to wait 1/2 an hour. Some staff is not as ...
We went on this cruise with about 10 other friends. It was convenient as we are all from Arizona and Southern California, so San Diego embarkation was perfect. We drove over the day before with another couple and stayed right across from the port. We last sailed HAL (Oosterdam) on the same Mexican Riviera itinerary back in 2010, so were anxious to see how they compare.
EMBARKATION: The ...
My wife wanted to go to the Panama Canal so we booked what we thought would fit us best. Check In was great. Cabin was nice except we where on deck 8 aft under the Lido deck aft pool area. Everytime someone moved a deck chair or lounger you heard it. Our room stewards were great. The food at the Lido Market which was the buffet was disappointing. Probably the worst cruise buffets we've ever had. ...
November 27 to December 4th
This was my 5th time on this ship. 3 times on the LRBC chartered cruise, once with my elderly MIL and this time with a friend.
Normally HAL is never my go to cruise line. The last two times are because my MIL is a long time HAL cruiser (she is 91 now) and my friend is 4* HAL.
Embarkation was a breeze. The ship apparently only had 1500 on this sailing. It was ...
First, we love HAL. Each time we sail, we are impressed with the service, the food, and the ships. Of course, like everyone else we are always most impressed with the crew and, particularly, our stewards. What a great bunch of professionals each and every one has been!
This cruise had some hiccups and coughs that I think they will soon work out, as well as one possible major flaw that ...
Chose cruise to join family members. On the first morning we went to the main dining room. My cold breakfast came quickly the remainder of our party waited 45 minutes for their hot food. At dinner I ordered a wine package and chose a white wine the bottle was placed on the table instead of in an ice bucket, we were then forced to help ourselves. The practice of not allowing shorts in the dining ...
We took this cruise because it was Available for back to back while visiting differs ports on each segment. Entertainment in the main theater was only BBC and dancers. While both were excellent, we’d like more of a variety. Also missing was Americas Test Kitchen, though it’s still listed. There was the same comedian in BB Kings on several nights. The music in that venue was good. We have not ...
I am currently on the Koningsdam, its Thanksgiving day and here is my review.
I’ve never cruised Holland America before. Mostly I’m a loyal Royal Caribbean fan.
I’m travelling solo this time after three years not leaving the island where I live and I was ready to cruise again. I chose Holland America because they sail out of San Diego, the closet port to my home in Hawaii. I wanted an older ...
This was our second cruise on the Koningsdam. We first cruised October 2021and had an excellent experience. An editor rating 5.0 was not accurate as the ship did not live up to the high standards. The service was not outstanding, nor was the cuisine excellent.
Embarkation: Our arrival time was 2:15pm however, we arrived at 10:30am the woman in charge of the entrance just let everyone in. ...