Since I was a child I wanted to go to French Polynesia because a cousin of mine was there for 6 months and he told us wonderful things about the life in the Island. I also particularly wanted to visit Kiribati (Fanning Islands) and Rarotonga in Cook Islands but the weather was so bad that we could not visit these two places.
Let me start saying that my friend with whom I travel and I became 4 ...
This was a terrific cruise! We need an accessible cabin and ours was great! Our stewards were polite, kind, and very attentive. The dining room staff were great...always remembering our names and our drinks! Food was terrific, both in the dining room and in the buffet. Service all over the ship was beyond. The staff was always friendly, smiling, ready at all times to help out. Our captain ...
Really wanted to see the South Pacific Islands, but because of weather, Captain decided safety was foremost and we bypassed two islands, and had excursions cancelled on the third. Gutsy of the Captain to walk through the Lido buffett area after he made these announcements.
Embarkation
A disaster. Having only one person slowly process the "special needs" check-in line caused for long ...
As usual, I had a great time on the cruise. We had some problems but I felt that most were handled very well.
Problems first....
Probably the very worst was the embarkation in San Diego. Getting checked in was awful. First there was a line to go through security (took me 30 minutes), then a line to register your wine if you were bringing any on (15 minutes), and then the worst - checking ...
We had planned this cruise before my husband died, but he had made me promise to go even without him. I had mixed feelings but continued on with the cruise.
I arrived in San Diego two days before the cruise and was able to tour the city before the cruise. I was also able to go to a pre-cruise dinner with some of my new Cruise Critic friends.
Embarkation went smoothly for me but from what ...
We just returned from a 35 day cruise of the South Pacific and were left with mixed feelings about the overall experience. This was our first cruise on Holland America and we selected it based on its South Pacific itinerary.
Embarkation: Boarding in San Diego was efficient and uneventful with the exception of a noticeably high number of over 70 guests - some with walkers or scooters. ...
We have over 260 sea days with Holland America and after this last cruise it will remain at that number. This was the second time we have taken this cruise and it was probably the worst cruise of my lifetime. It started with embarkation in San Diego, for some reason non- US citizens don't get the word to clear with customs so the whole operation waits, hours for a few stragglers. Finally boarding ...
After having to postpone this wonderful itinerary for almost 3 years due to health issues, we finally boarded the beautiful Westerdam on Oct. 4 for our 30 day cruise to Hawaii and the South Pacific.
Stayed at the Best Western Yacht Harbor Hotel in San Diego for 2 nights prior. Nice room overlooking the bay -- staff was very accommodating. DH traveled with his scooter and the hotel arranged for ...
BACKGROUND: After flying to San Diego the day before our cruise, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Harborside. This is conveniently across the street from the dock. In fact, we watched the Westerdam arrive early that morning from our hotel balcony.
EMBARKATION: We walked our bags across the street at 10:30 and checked them in outside the terminal. Inside the terminal there was just a 5 minute ...
We always wanted to go to the south pacific and this was an affordable cruise with Holland America an round trip from San Diego. We had a great time visiting all the ports and overall enjoyed the cruise. However, we will not be cruising on this line again do to the demographics of the ship. If you are over 75 this is the cruise for you.
Fellow Passengers: The passengers were definitely ...