We have over 260 sea days with Holland America and after this last cruise it will remain at that number. This was the second time we have taken this cruise and it was probably the worst cruise of my lifetime. It started with embarkation in San Diego, for some reason non- US citizens don't get the word to clear with customs so the whole operation waits, hours for a few stragglers. Finally boarding after a couple hours in the cold pier and looking forward to the Mariners lunch, there was none....no reason, just none!! Cabin was not very clean, lots of dust around the air ducts at the ceiling. A veranda cabin on deck 4(4141)which we find is over the men's restroom, ka-boom and later really loud booms,and lots of water splashing right above the bed ?? After many complaints and the engineers visit we are told the MAIN plumbing line comes down through the wall, WOW, and nothing could be done...more complaints and we got moved, not upgraded but moved up one deck, quiet but way forward. We're 4 stars and since we were moved we were forgotten and never received invites for wine, cocktails parties even the Mariners brunch did get free laundry.

About 2 weeks into the cruise we became aware of a lot of coughing going on, also observed several people being evacuated at some of the ports, the ship was very cold as in very cold, shorts were not very comfortable and long sleeve shirts or sweaters were needed. It was really hot in the islands and you walk into a cold ship, no wonder people were sick.

The menus have really slipped, we ordered bacon cheese burgers for dinner several times as the menus were so weird, what is a veal cheek?? The menu covers were disgusting, worn out and thread bare. Read more