We chose this cruise to celebrate a special birthday and chose to splurge on the Neptune suite experience. We have been fortunate to have taken more than 50 cruises on various lines including crystal, Oceania, princess, and others besides Holland America. We are driven by a combination of itinerary and price with HAL meeting the criteria most often. The 14 days round trip Tampa with excellent and varied ports including Key West, San Juan, St Thomas, St Maarten, Dominica, Curaçao, Aruba, and Grand Cayman . The weather was fantastic and the seas were calm.

Notables - service was super in the bars, the cabin and main dining room. We particularly enjoyed Sip and Savor in the Pinnacle bar each day at 5. The parings were interesting and Alvin was very informative about the wine. While experienced wine sippers p, we still enjoyed. Wine service in the diningroom had been a concern on previous cruises it was very good thanks to Clifford. The Ask the Captain presentation was fun and informative, not to be missed if you have the opportunity. KK the port lecturer was a good presenter as well as available on the dock at each port.

Oh, oh' - it is unfortunate that the only smoking area is at the Seaview Bar aft which renders that bar unavailable to other passengers due to the heavy cigar smoking. As a former smoker, there does need to be a pleasant place to enjoy if one must but it just killed that bar which is a nice place for a late night drink. It's also not great for the employees that work in that area. Read more