We are 2-star Mariners with Holland America Lines (HAL). After cruising on Princess the last six years, we decided to try HAL, again. Based on our experiences of this cruise, HAL has definitely degraded in the last six years. Due to our experiences on this cruise, we will not consider sailing with them any time soon and won’t recommend HAL.

I booked our Thanksgiving week 7-day Western Caribbean cruise on the Eurodam on-line through the Holland America website as a guarantee balcony category. Eleven days prior to sailing, we got our stateroom assignment. It was a two category “upgrade” to the Navigation Deck, directly under the Lido Pool. The Lido Deck extended well over our balcony making it fully covered and then some. We experienced noise in our stateroom from Lido deck furniture moving/rearranging during late night/early morning with no relief even after complaining to the Front Desk. I would not recommend booking as a guarantee category. Obviously HAL gave us (2-star Mariners) less than desirable guarantee balcony placement without any consideration and appreciation for our repeat business.

We arrived the day prior to sailing into Fort Lauderdale and stayed at Embassy Suites on SE 17th Street. There is a Publix and Winn-Dixie grocery stores and a Total Wine & More store within a block of the hotel. Numerous restaurants are within walking distance. Cab fare to the Eurodam (Port Everglade) was less than $15. Read more