We have found the "perfect" holiday! A cruise is relaxing for both my wife and I, and she can take many active shore excursions. I have mobility problems (mild M.S.), so I stay on board in every port. That's why we reserved a big suite (huge - good for my wheelchair, although a walker or canes are needed for the raised washroom; and so well-appointed. Even two telephones - one in each corner of the suite, lots of storage space and a great little dressing room, with its own sink - we could both be brushing our teeth at the two sinks, without tripping over each other). I toddled (using my walker) off to the private veranda - big - 12'x 20', and I could call room service if my wife had a lengthy time on shore.

I was never bored, that's for certain. I barely touched on the ship's features. This was, in part, necessitated by our late (8 p.m.) dinner seating, which made doing anything else in the evening nearly impossible. Next time, I'd choose the early seating (5:30 or 6:00) for dinner, so we can go to the shows, which (other passengers say) were excellent, if you remember you're not in New York or Toronto. One thing for certain, the supper itself was excellent. The service was friendly and efficient, and the food was gourmet and so beautifully presented. We ate every night in the main dining room, and breakfast and lunch were taken at the Lido (cafeteria restaurant), the main dining room, or for a quick lunch, one of the little pizza/hamburger/tacos bars around the pool. I'd give the meals 5 out of 5, always. One couldn't ask for anything more, as the food wasn't our central concern. Friendliness IS, and always will be, and the staff (Indonesian and Filipino) genuinely was. We felt like a million dollars on this, one of the smaller ships.The staff does speak broken English, but my wife and I broadened the lines of communication by using a few foreign phrases. One doesn't need to. Smiles are international. But since we're going to take several more Holland America cruises (Caribbean this spring, and Alaska this Summer), I will spend more time with my Indonesian phrase book.

Cruises can be affordable, too. A healthy person only needs a place to sleep at night. He/she is never in the room anyway. We loved the big room because of my wheelchair, but most people can use less. If you want a traditional cruise, then Holland America is a consideration. And the Veendam, as the subject of our first cruising experience, will remain in our hearts.