We flew into Rome from Miami, arriving October 31, and were efficiently whisked to the cruise port at Civitavecchia where the Koningsdam awaited. The 45 minute bus ride was uneventful and I tried to stay awake to enjoy the passing scenery. Our boarding was fast and we found the HA personnel - here and at the airport - kind and helpful. My husband and I were traveling with another couple and we ...
Our third HA cruise, and probably the last.
Entertainment during the day was non existant. Main Stage acts were poor apart from female impressionist.
The smell of smoking in the Casino and deck 9 was overpowering. This is now a deal breaker for us.
Lido buffet food was cold and laid out all over the place. The meat on offer was very poor quality. Dining room was an unmitigated disaster, ...
Disappointing 13 day cruise.
Pro: clean ship, accommodating staff, friendly interesting captain.
Con: Very few activities. Sea days were particularly boring. Lack lustre cruise director.
Food and entertainment were not at all up to par. Limited options and repeated offerings in dining room and Lido buffet. Little fresh fruit and berries. Got worse as days went by. None left half way ...
We were interested in the Adriatic ports in the 13 day Mediterranean version of this cruise, and have had excellent experience with Holland America in prior cruises. This one was no exception. The Vista Suite cabin was nicely designed, with the sitting area near the entry door, and the beds closer to the window, making for a "roomier" feel than the typical walk-into the bed, and then around it ...
We always choose the itinerary and HAL ships often deliver. We boarded in Civitavecchia, went to the Adriatic Sea, Sicily, Malta, Naples. We stayed on for the transatlantic back to Fort Lauderdale. We loved all ports with Kotor, Malta and Madeira being favorites.
The Koningsdam is fairly new with pleasant décor. It is also one of the largest ships we cruise on. Smaller is better in our opinion ...
I have cruised on Holland America more than any other cruise line, but I think that is going to change.
There are some things that Holland America does very well. The cabins are comfortable, the room stewards are exceptional, and the food is quite good. Of course, there should be more to a cruise than staying in your cabin and eating, at least for most of us. The entertainment on-board keeps ...
We actually were booked on our favourite and most travelled line, Princess, on their brand new Sky Princess but when we saw the Koningsdam's itinerary we switched. We just did the 13 night itinerary in and out of Civitavecchia. The itinerary was the main draw and we had read some pretty disparaging reviews on Cruise critic after booking, but we decided to stick with it. I am not sure why people ...
This cruise was my second cruise in Europe, my third cruise with Holland America, but my first on the Koningsdam.
We stayed one night in Rome before the cruise and one night after, both at the Starhotel Metropole which is less than ten minutes’ walk from Termini station, a location very convenient for transfers to and from the airport as well as the cruise port in Civitavecchia as we did both ...
We have cruised many times with Holland America and have had no complaints.This cruise left us disappointed.
The cabin and dining room staff, namely Dudi, Eka, Allen, Hanif and Mohamad were excellent, along with Leslie and Ryan in the Crows' Nest.
Sam and Damian, pianists in Billboard, super.
What was below our usual expectations;
No Hand Gel, apart from Boarding and Casino. First time ...
We picked this cruise because we were on the Koningsdam last year and had a great experience, plus we liked the itinerary.
Here are the Pros and Cons...note that we are not drinkers so I cannot comment on anything related to that,
Pros:
The ship was immaculate... hand washing machines on the Deck 9 dining room
Friendly service and prompt in dining room and with cabin stewards. I ...