My wife arrived in Ft. Laurdaerdale from Des Moines, Iowa on Thanksgiving Day. We atyed at the Renaissance Hotel which is right across the street from the cruise terminal. Very nice hotel and they offered a shuttle to the pier for a cost of $8 per person. rrived at the pier at 11:00, checked in OK and was onboard by 11:45.
Since we can not go to our cabins until 1:30, we were all sent to the Lido Restaurant for lunch. What a disaster. For precautionary purposes, only the staff can put food on your plate and provide you with drinks. This caused massive lines and people cutting in and out of line to make this miserable. This went on for the 1st 48 hours of the cruise. By the time you got tyour drink, your food was cold. Food was tasteless and not too much of a selection. Holland America provides food with lots of starch and the food selection is the same every day with a few minor differences. Good luck in finding a table. There is definitely not enough tables in the Lido.
SAIL AWAY Must be no big deal according to Holland America. No music by pool side.