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Fun in the Sun by
Andrea F. from Cedar Run, NJ Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: The itinerary Cons: the limited time in the ports This was our first time on a Holland America ship. We were very happy with the staff, the itinerary, and the varied activities. Ship Quality
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Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Mykonos, Greece
Santorini, Greece
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Split, Croatia
Venice, Italy
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   It's a nice cruise by
Luba V. from San Diego, CA Sailing date: Aug 2009Pros: Service Cons: Lack of entertainment The ship is nice. The air conditioner in the room was not working properly: too cold or too hot. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodBrekfast in restaurant was poor Stateroom Quality
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Read this user's port of call reviews: 
Barcelona, Spain; Corfu, Greece; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Messina, Sicily; Nafplion (Nauplion), Greece; Venice, Italy
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Barcelona, Spain
Corfu, Greece
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Messina, Sicily
Nafplion (Nauplion), Greece
Venice, ItalyDon't Miss: Barcelona 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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"We won it!" by
Laureen & Chris M. from Napa, CA Sailing date: Oct 2008Pros: The staff were very friendly and most gracious. Cons: FREQUENT toilet issue (clogged & unable to flush) & our mini bar broke down. This was our first cruise & also a prize (won in a raffle). The cabin included was
one with a fully obstructed view. We were offered a balcony room upgrade at time of booking, which we declined due to the $500.00 added cost. Holland's booking agent was very cordial & never tried to up-sell us; as she probably felt sorry for us, when told we had 6 teenage children (modern day Brady Bunch).
A couple days before sailing we were offered the same upgrade for $99.00p/p, which my husband "jumped on", as he is a smoker. The tuxedo ordered from the cruise line's formal wear company was initially, "missing in action" but was located well in time for the first formal night. Ship staff was delightful; friendly & very accomodating. For some unknown reason our cabin & corridor experienced frequent toilet issues, where we/they could not flush. This was an ongoing issue. Our mini bar broke down, but was promply replaced by a maintenance worker. On board entertainment was average; found the talent of several passenger's to be far better. I did however, enjoy the piano bar, which was pretty much standing room only. We enjoyed the "any time" style dining, as we were able to meet new people every night. Everyone we met appeared equally as pleased with the trip as we were. This was an excellent trip & we cannot wait to go again! Ship QualitySome of the decks appeared worn & in need of sanding and new varnish.
The ship was easy to "navigate", even for us novice cruisers. Dining/FoodAlthough we enjoyed the food, entrees were not always very hot. Stateroom QualityWe enjoyed our cabin; with the exception of the plumbing issues! Ship Staff QualityThe staff were terrific! Entertainment & ActivitiesPiano bar was fun, but alot of the other shows were mediocre; found many of the passengers to be more talented! Children's ProgramsThis was our honeymoon trip, so we left all 6 kids behind! From what we saw it looked fine. I did observe some staff bringing small children to the dessert bar one afternoon; the staff had the group well organinzed & encouraged proper manners. The children were very well behaved & appeared to be having a great time. 16 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
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Disappointed by
A Traveler from St Louis, Mo Sailing date: Jul 2008Pros: Dessert Night Cons: Food & Stateroom The food on the Ship was horrible, we have been on other cruises and the food was plentiful and excellent. The stateroom was okay, but needed a thorough updating, the sofa was worn and dirty, along with other areas in the room. Most of the staff was friendly and helpful, except for several servers in the Lido. We like to get what we want to eat, no serving line for us.
Entertainment was okay, needed variety, one of the people in the Fitness Center asked those people not interested in paying for using the Equipment, not to come back to the free seminars. Overall, I wouldn't go on another Cruise on this ship, or with this line. Just my opinion. Ship Quality
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4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anniversary Cruise by
Neil A from Dana Point, CA Sailing date: Dec 2008Pros: Being with Family. Good Food. Nice Ship Cons: Lack of Information prior to cruise The ship was nice, but in need of some refurbushing. Seats at the Lido Restaurant were worn out and should have been repaired. Some fo the walls were in need of touch up paint. Our last Holland America cruise was over 12+ years ago (before the Carnival acquisition) and it seemed that the ship was far more meticously cleaned and kept up than this time. Ship QualityNeeded some maintenance work in the Lido Restaurant and in many places throughout the ship Dining/FoodFood was very good. Would have liked more variety at the Lido Restaurant. IT seemed that it was the same food each day for breakfast and lunch Stateroom QualityNothing to complain about other than our light in the bathroom kept going out and they tried to fix it 3 times and couldn't fix the problem Ship Staff QualityThis was probably the highlight. Excellent service at the dining room Entertainment & ActivitiesNeeded more variety. Maybe a comedy show or something more current.
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Mazatlan, MexicoHad a great city tour which we contracted for right on the dock.
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoHad a city tour also that was great.
Don't Miss: Zip lining Cabo San Lucas, MexicoToo many vendors and beggars at the dock. Couldn't even walk 5 feet without someone peddling something. A lady put an iguana on my daugthers head to try and solicite a $2 fee. SHe was terrified and was very upset by it. THen, this lady held on to my shirt until I handed her money
Don't Miss: A restaurant on the dock that had live music was great with a bucket of Corona's and chips for $10 4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Excellent Stateroom by
Vicki C from So. California Sailing date: Nov 2008Pros: Staff was very accomodating Cons: No trays for the buffet, horrible juggling act Well maintained and highly responsive staff. Ship QualitySome public restrooms on deck were out of order Dining/FoodFood was plentiful but not very good. The lack of trays for the buffet made it impossible to make more one trip. Given that I have a handicap, I had to pass on dessert/ Stateroom QualityI have sailed holland before and will again, but only if the food improves and trays are provided. It broke my heart to watch some very elderly people trying to juggle plates. Ship Staff QualityMost of the staff were wonderful, some however had a language barrier. Entertainment & ActivitiesThis is a ship and not Las Vegas, I do not expect great entertainment but it was satisfactory.
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Puerto Vallarta, MexicoI enjoyed he local shopping by Taxi. Wasn't able to navigate the broken sidewalks.
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoThe old churches were impressive.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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An Excellent Cruise by
Jeff S. from Baltimore, MD Sailing date: Oct 2008Pros: The ship, food and staff were excellent Cons: The internet service was slow and very expensive. Really enjoyed the cruise. The ship and room were great. Excusrsions we good. Food was excellent.
Internet service needs a lot if improvement. Ship Quality
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Mazatlan, MexicoDidn't do any excursions, just walked around shop arrea
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoSnorleing excursion was the best we've had so far
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoSnorleing excursion was excellent
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Cruise was adequate by
Pat D. from Addison, Il Sailing date: Oct 2008Pros: cleanliness of cabin Cons: not enough restaurants to choose from casino too too small Sad to say, my friends were in a corridor where there was a pipe/sewer problem they were in 4167 and 4173. Horrible sewer smell in that corridor, apparently some problem with pipes at one point they could not flush for hours. I think they should have been compensated somehow for having to smell that the whole trip. I do know engineers or whoever were working on the problem but the smell never subsided.
Crew was friendly and helpful, cabin stewards very polite, room service was very good, staff in casino very helpful.
I thought that the food was adequate not outstanding, too too many sauces etc and the dining breakfast menu never changed. The Dining staff was very courteous and accomodating. This was my 6th cruise, so I do have some cruising experience to compare with. Ship QualityCleanliness good Dining/FoodNot enough restaurants to choose from. Food was ok Stateroom QualityCabin steward for 4111 was excellent Ship Staff Quality
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Puerto Vallarta, MexicoOur group took a private taxi tour, it was great, we saw many sites, went to the tequila distillery our driver was great, stopped for shopping for a spell.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
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Relaxing cruise by
Debra T. from San Diego, CA Sailing date: Oct 2008Pros: Clean ship; very polite and professional staff and crew Cons: Food in the Lido Restaurant My mother and I enjoyed our Superior Verandah Suite. It was spacious and comfortable with a wonderful large verandah. The bathroom was exceptionally nice with a large jetted tub and separate shower. Ship QualityWe did not care for the layout of the ship nor the ship's shops; however, the cleanliness and condition of the ship was very good. Dining/FoodThe food in the Vista Dining Room was very good with a nice selection of entrees. We did not like the food up at the Lido. Stateroom QualityOur suite was very comfortable and spacious. Ship Staff QualityShip's crew and staff were very professional and friendly. Entertainment & ActivitiesWe enjoyed the comedian; magician and the featured singer; however, the ship's dancers and singers were extremely amateurish and unprofessional.
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Mazatlan, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoPuerto Vallarta was very clean and I felt extremely safe.
Cabo San Lucas, MexicoCabo San Lucas was wonderful as usual. Weather was perfect.
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An outstanding first cruise experience by
Mike C. from O'Fallon, IL Sailing date: Sep 2008Pros: The service and friendliness of the crew and staff Cons: The Vista Dining Room was exceptionally loud and offered very few seats with views. A great experience. Will definitely consider Holland America for future cruises. Ship QualityThe ship is in need of an overhaul, but it was clean throughout and I am not aware of any functional problems. Dining/FoodThe Lido Deck was more intimate and the Vista Dining Room. The Vista was loud and our table was next to a wait station that added to the noise. Menu in the Vista was so-so. However, the Pinnacle was a dining experience that everyone must enjoy at least once. There was a premium to pay to dine there, but it was well worth the price of admission. Stateroom QualityVery clean and extremely comfortable bed. We were on the veranda deck which made it nice to observe some of the scenery without having to leave the room. Ship Staff QualityI don't think I ran into a staff member that never had a smile on their face and our cabin steward went out of his way to be of assistance when my companion experienced motion sickness the first day at sea. Entertainment & ActivitiesEntertainment was surprisingly better than I expected, though that's not why I went on the cruise. Did not take advantage of any of the ship's activities other than a couple of excursions when in port.
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Juneau, AlaskaEnjoyed the tram ride to Mt. Roberts and the helo flight to Herbert Glacier was the highlight of the entire cruise. Would have liked to have dined at the Twisted Fish, but it was closed for the season.
Don't Miss: Take a helo flight to a glacier. Ketchikan, AlaskaTime was short, so we didn't have time to do much except take a floatplane flight to Misty Fjord and do some quick shopping before returning to the ship. Would have liked to spent more time there. Another beautiful picturesque day.
Don't Miss: Take a floatplane flight to Misty Fjord! Sitka, AlaskaAn enjoyable little town. Local people told us we brought only the fourth day of sunshine to them this summer. An absolutely gorgeous day and beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains.
Don't Miss: Stop in at Ernie's Saloon for an Alaskan beer and to catch some of the local flavor. Don't expect to get anything to eat there though. Victoria, British ColumbiaWhat a beautiful city. Unfortunately we arrived near sunset and were only in port for a few hours so we were limited in what we could do. Would have liked to enjoy some of the cities parks and gardens.
Don't Miss: Hire a driver for a personal tour of the city. This cost the same for two as joining a bus tour, was much more personalized, and stopped at a couple of places the buses could not get to. 9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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