At age 53, I've cruised a dozen or so times on five different lines; and logged around 80 days on Holland America Line. Usually, I cruise with my family in a suite. However, this time I was alone in an inside cabin, my only companion a rented wheelchair. An injury had aggravated a bum knee.

The reasons for my booking? A friend cruising for the first time, and an irresistible price. The same cruise and cabin on Ryndam in 2010 would cost three times what I paid. Put another way: I paid less to stay aboard for 14 days than my friend did for 7 days cruising and a flight from Anchorage. HAL gets a 5+ star rating for value.

My pre-cruise stay at Fairmont Vancouver Waterfront was booked through HAL. The room was pleasant. Baggage was picked up from inside the room, and delivered directly to my ship cabin. However, there were long hotel check in lines, and fumbled reservations for other travelers. Compared to my post cruise stay at the Pan Pacific Vancouver (the two hotels are across the street from each other) Fairmont management performed like a bad comedy team. Read more