From January 7-31, a friend and I spent 24 days aboard Holland America’s Westerdam on a Collectors Cruise to Mexico and Hawaii, followed, three land-days later, by a 15-day cruise through the Panama Canal aboard the Island Princess (February 3-18). Below are my thoughts about the two cruise lines.

It was apparent on all three cruises that, with the exception of some very weak and generally irrelevant lecturers (topics included the death of Marilyn Monroe and rich LA kids who killed their parents!!), both ships have virtually eliminated all their contracted passenger-activity providers (bridge directors, ballroom dance instructors, etc., even -- on the Princess -- religious personnel).

The difference between the two ships was that on Island Princess, Cruise Director Simone Smith and her highly visible and tireless staff (Greg, Hannah, DJ, in particular) made every effort to pick up the slack and provide activities for every fitness level. They offered Zumba, line dancing, ballroom dancing, martini-making demonstrations, sail-away parties, seemingly impromptu demonstrations, contests, and dancing in the Atrium, as well as many other passenger-participation activities. Read more