The Good, The Bad and the great.. A step above the rest.
Amsterdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage
7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: August 14, 2016
Ship: Amsterdam
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 1813
Traveled as: Family (older children)
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
I was more delighted with the experience offered by Holland America than another cruise line. HA did not take a casual approach or interest in muster, health and my safety in general. Some of my positive experience probably had to do with clientele that was more to my liking.
The entertainment was great. I saw a wedding party on board with little kids, all the way up to grandparents. There was something for everyone; Gameshows, Movies, Comedians, Jugglers, Live band, Swimming, Ping Pong, Free in-room movies, and on and on. Not an extra fee for room service either. I even got a haircut on board. They offered meetings on the culture and history of what we will see to maximize our shore experience even if we were not purchasing an excursion.
The bad... I would have liked to have been able to approach the Hubbard glacier without the constant dialog of our guide. She was knowledgable. However, it would have been great to have a place where one could experience approach without constant berash of every random thought. For me I just wanted to take in the serenity beauty and grandeur of the experience with the natural sounds of the ocean, glacier and wildlife. In addition, some of the maps and paper handouts had small fonts or colored dots with numbers that where impossible to read unless you where under 45 and had excellent vision. Sometimes I had to take a picture with my phone and then zoom in. These things were very minor but worth mentioning.
If you have only cruised to tropical destinations, I would definitely recommend you get out of the heat and join this Alaskan cruse.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
If you are coming from your state room and you know where you want to pop out up top it is sometimes easier to do the lateral walk on a stateroom deck than it is an entertainment deck. However for the first few time do that walk on different decks just to explore the ship.
Ports of call
Traveler Photos
3 Comments
glomarrone 7 years ago
Yes, I enjoy all the activities and the entertainment on HAL, too!
You do have a point about some quiet time to just absorb the magnificent scenery near the glaciers. I always enjoy the wonderful presentations HAL
provides for passengers but some quiet time is good too.
I have also mentioned to HAL about the small writing on their handouts and also on the pale colors of some of the ink used. Yes, it looks cool but if passengers have trouble reading the literature, what good is it? If HAL is catering to an older clientele, then they need to consider that in all aspects of their amenities. I think with the Koningsedam, perhaps they are aiming to lower the average age on board.
Thanks for all your additional comments in your Category Ratings.
I also enjoyed the two photos that you included w3ith your review. Thanks for sharing them with us.