I just got off the Nieuw Statentdam (aka Hospice of the seas). I've been on dozens of cruises, and this was by far the worst.

The ship had far fewer common areas than any other ship I've been on. It's not an old ship, so why was it designed so poorly? I don't need water slides and go-carts, but at least a few places to sit. They shoved in as many cabins as they could with little thought to what anyone would do on board.

Also fewer activities. This isn't just about the age of the other passengers. I honestly couldn't understand why they did so little to entertain people of any age. Read more