We are long-time members of the Princess family but have always heard wonderful things about Holland America. We found a 14-day Alaskan cruise, round-trip Seattle that visited some ports we've wanted to see so we booked and looked forward in anticipation to our sail date.

Our first night out we elected to eat in the Rotterdam Dining Room. My first negative indication was when I asked for a shrimp cocktail and was told they weren't available. But, if I put in a request perhaps I could get one the following evening. I ordered the "signature" french onion soup, Caesar salad, and salmon. the soup came lukewarm, the salad was wilted, warm, and the lettuce was old. The salmon was way overcooked and could have been used as a hammer. To say the food was mediocre would be giving a real stretch. The dinner, in fact, was the worst meal I've had in 13 previous cruises.

And, it didn't get any better during the remainder of the cruise. In the Lido buffet restaurant one had to line up to be served. That took time. Their was little selection; the food was never hot and always bland. We talked to many other cruisers and everyone we spoke with was disappointed with the food. This was Statendam's last cruise with HAL prior to going to P & O and many thought perhaps the galley was trying to use whatever available food was left. I don't buy that story but if that's the norm when it comes to HAL's food service perhaps they should contact Golden Corral for a franchise Read more