We booked this cruise because Europe was always out of our price range, but, happily, this cruise was priced below any others we had found. The price was very reasonable and we knew that the Oosterdam was going to be refitted in drydock and was the reason that it was moving from the Mexico/Alaska routes that the Oosterdam traditionally was assigned.

Armed with that knowledge we lowered our expectations for this trip. We further lowered our expectations for this trip because we had travelled on the Oosterdam on an Alaskan Cruise two years ago and were very disappointed in the level of service and the unfriendly staff overall. Our very first cruise we ever took was on the old Westerdam and it was so enjoyable, we were bitten by the cruise bug. Altogether we have taken nine cruises on various lines and enjoyed most of them for different reasons. The Oosterdam Alaska cruise was the least enjoyable of all our cruises and we would not have booked another Holland America trip had they not offered this terrific bargain.

The Spring Discoveries Cruise was eighteen days of the best cruising we have experienced. The ports were wonderful, this was our first trip to Half Moon Cay and we loved it! The ship was in good order, clean and well maintained, considering it was on it's way to an updating. Read more