This was my fourth Holland America cruise, and even though I loved the ports of call, this was my least favorite HAL cruise. I struggled with whether to rate this cruise three or four stars, and I settled on four because there were many things in its favor. I'll try to be fair in the areas where I felt it could have been better.

Can't recall when I've ever mentioned a Captain by name in a review, but I really, really liked Captain Bart Vaartjes. I'd see him around the ship, always smiling. He did a power point program that was a virtual tour of the bridge. It was excellent and well attended. He made me feel fortunate to be sailing on Zuiderdam.

Embarkation and debarkation were a snap, most organized I've ever experienced. Read more