I've been cruising for 4 decades. This was my first on Holland America. The ship is absolutely beautiful and the crew is excellent. My cabin steward remembered my name from the moment we met and always greeted me by name in the hallways. The ship itself is gorgeous. The music theme is evident throughout and there are many opportunities to hear live music. The show theater and performers were excellent.

The problem with this ship and why I will never return to Holland America, is the food. There is very little palatable food on the entire ship, unless you pay for the specialty restaurants. Then the food is just OK. The sushi restaurant and Tamarind stood out from all. Those were spectacular, with presentation and flavor to rival any land based sushi or Asian restaurant. When you can't even get bacon, eggs and potatoes in the morning that you can eat, that's really saying something - and I eat everything! The eggs were rubbery, the bacon felt like eating wood chips and the potatoes were bland, chewy, lukewarm. This was both in the Lido and main dining room. I gave up on them and ordered room service, to be served the blandest, most unseasoned food and NO salt and pepper to improve it. UGH. I paid for steak and eggs one morning ($15+ upcharge) and left half of it because it was so bland. I tried Dive-In - OMG, they can't even make a hamburger taste good. Wow. The only things on the ship that I tried that were also free were the french fries, tomato soup and pea soup. I'm not a big soup eater but I was on this ship!

The casino could have more clear instruction for those who are new to the line. There were tournaments with no explanation (You've won a tournament entry! Yet nothing to explain that the tournament is held at each slot machine with a ship on it and done remotely.) There were signs that said there was a casino "club" but nothing to denote how to join. When I asked, they said just to start playing and you're in. OK. Tier scores mean nothing. Bizarre. Read more