Our primary reason for choosing this cruise was for the itinerary although we have cruised with Holland America twice before. This still a beautiful ship despite its age. We found the service, food, embarkation and disembarkation wonderful. The entertainment was very good and we always enjoy the movies in the theatre on the smaller HAL ships. We did not participate in any enrichment programs.

Our cabins were somewhat of a disappointment. The first was an obstructed oceanview on the 6th floor which unfortunately was underneath the galley so the clanging of pots began at 11 or later and I have a very difficult time getting to sleep. The front office did change our cabin after we complained to an unobstructed cabin on the 4th floor which seemed fine at the time we took it. The first day on tendering we found out that the tender ramp was right underneath our cabin and so noisy starting early in the morning. The front desk did at least give us a small onboard credit for our trouble.

In retrospect the original cabin was actually better than the replacement one. A word of advice - do not take cabin 729. I heard rumours that this ship was going to be sold to a European line but think it's nothing more than a rumour.