Alaska w/ Hubbard Glacier and Sitka

Item: Amsterdam
Rating: 3.6
Author: clue46120

Amsterdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

clue46120

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 32

Overall rating:

3.6 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaskan Explorer Via Hubbard Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 22, 2018

Ship: Amsterdam

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 3428

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

We enjoyed our cruise, but we would like Holland America to offer more games, contests and activities on the sea days. We would like to have more time in the ports. The customer service was outstanding in every way.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Our ADA handicap-accessible shuttle van was extremely late in getting us to the ship. The Holland America staff called us on the phone to inquire about our whereabouts and estimated time of arrival. We were literally the last two passengers to board (the muster drill was in progress). The kindly and efficiently usherd us onboard and provided a private "make up drill" for us.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

We found ourselves with little to do. Luckily we brought some books onbard and we enjoyed reading them, but there were very few activities on the sea days. We expected to have games, contests and crafts led by the cruise director's staff. There was one trivia game scheduled each day, but it was always during our scheduled dinner time in the main dining room. The onboard library is the best I've seen on a cruise ship. But, many of the boxed jigsaw puzzles were missing pieces. They should be discarded and replaced. For a very small amount of money, the entire collection of jigsaw puzzles can be replaced. It is very frustrating and diheartening to spend the time to put together a puzzle only to discover that it cannot be completed due to missing pieces. Some passengers left notes on or inside the boxes regarding missing puzzle pieces. Additionally, the daily activity schedule listed the "sales" events in the spa and jewely stores as activities. Those sales pitches are not activities to us.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Instead of a production show, aovie was shown while the ships' musicians played along with a pre-recorded soundtrack. We expected more from the singers and dancers. The movie could have been shown in the onboard movie theater or on the stateroom televisions.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The customer service was about the best that we have ever experienced on any ship! Everyone was kind, friendly, efficient and genuinely caring.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

Bring plenty to do or read on the sea days. There are very few activities scheduled. Also, bring an extension cord or three-plug adapter. The cabin has only one electrical outlet.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5

Not enough time in port

Thumbs Up 0

Sitka, Alaska

1 out of 5

There is very little to see or do in Sitka. We expected the town to be full of Russian heritage and charm. Other than the Russian Orthodox church, we saw very levidence of the former Russian heritage. We wandered the shops, but found Sitka to be a dissapointment. Skagway is much more fun and interesting than Sitka.

Thumbs Up 1

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5

Not enough time in port

Thumbs Up 0

Victoria, British Columbia

4 out of 5

Not enough time in port. We should get at least 6 hours during the daytime to enjoy Victoria.

Thumbs Up 3