A group of seven family and close friends sailed the Mexican Riviera on the ms Oosterdam calling at Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. For my partner and me, this was our second HAL cruise on the same itinerary. Most in the group were new to HAL and one person was a first-time cruiser.

Simply put, this was one of the best vacations we have been blessed with. There is just something special about being a passenger on a Holland America Line cruise. From the moment you step on board you just know that you'll be completely taken care. It's the feeling that you're part of an extended family. The ambience is classic and the service is warm, genuine, friendly, attentive and professional.

For us, overall service and food are paramount and HAL truly excels in these areas. Crew members in every corner of the ship make sure you feel welcome and return every smile, often calling you by name. They leave you with a feeling that their work is more than just a job. Our dining room waiter said it best on the last night of the cruise. After having thanked him for taking such good care of us he said simply with his hand over his heart "When you are happy, we are happy." Well said. Not to mention that, over the course of the week, he delivered the most delicious variety of foods from succulent prime rib and wild mushroom strudel with red curry to escargot and foie grois. Read more