Relaxing stress free cruise during the Pandemic

Fastest embarkation ever. Just make sure you have your Covid test results and other needed information.

I'm pretty picky about food, so 4 stars is an excellent rating for me. As usual Holland America has above average cruise ship food, an excellent Lido buffet service, and good main dining room food and service. We stayed in a Neptune suite so had access to the Pinnacle Grill breakfast which was of course lovely with fresh squeezed orange juice and included Mimosas. Also very much enjoyed specialty dining at the Pinnacle Grill for dinner, which is Eurodam's steakhouse. Bar staff very attentive and willing to make drinks not on their menu.

There are 2 outdoor pools on the ship--both on Lido deck. The centrally located pool with the retractable window ceiling is the most popular because it is warmer. The aft pool is not covered and doesn't seem to be as warm--even though it was in the 80's most days and sunny--the pool was never crowded and most people who tried to get in mentioned that the pool was "really cold". Some days they showed movies in the afternoons in their mainstage--was a bit surprised that they repeated the movies --surely they have more than 5 movies to show. There was organized shuffleboard, lots of trivia, putting tournaments and other activities mostly appealing to the older crowd (including me) that was onboard. Fitness center was well equipped and never crowded.

There is a nice dance troupe of about 5 performers--but the shows seem to be a repeat of what I saw on another Holland America ship in August. They did have a steel drum band and the night I saw them they played Andrew Lloyd Weber show tunes which was quite unusual for a steel drum band. Hearing Memories from "Cats" was just not my favorite tune to hear a steel drum band do. There was also a comedian who was OK, not great. Of course Holland America is best known for their classical musicians who were excellent and the band playing in the blues lounge which was also good. I just don't think that Holland has the variety of entertainment available that other cruise ships have.

Service was excellent--no complaints. Lido staff are incredible and always attentive--helping carry dishes to my table, getting coffee, iced tea, and lemonade. Room steward was kept us supplied with extra towels and other requests. Laundry was back by the next day.

No dramatically large or bedazzled atrium. The ship has more of a classic feel. Pretty much like all the other Holland America ships.

We booked an SB Neptune suite that was on the 6th floor. It was the same size as the Neptune suites on the 7th floor, but is considered less desirable because it's a floor below the Neptune lounge. As far as I can tell (and from what I remember)--it has the same layout as the suites on the 7th floor and is the same size. It does seem a bit dingy--the carpet seemed well worn. The bed was comfortable, but not over the top comfortable like suites on other lines. There was above average storage space. The suite comes with binoculars (that had to be exchanged for a pair that actually worked) and an umbrella. Didn't see the Bose sound system that other Neptunes often have. Has the fancy coffee maker which we never used. Neptune suites have a separate makeup/dressing area which is nice if you are travelling with more than a couple in the room. Our adult daughter shared the suite with us and the sofa bed couch was not very comfortable. She is a slim person and had trouble with bowing of the mattress. We finally tucked a comforter under the mattress so she didn't wake up with knee pain from hyperextension of her knees. Don't recommend this room for more than 2 people. The bathroom was OK--not wonderful. The shower wasn't spacious--kept on backing into the damp shower curtain liner which stuck to my back when rinsing shampoo out of my hair. The Neptune lounge is nice--and they have snacks and coffee at certain times. I'm just not sure that the cost of the suite is justified by the amenities. The signature suite is much less costly and gives you the extra room needed. The other amenity that folks talk about is breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill. Yes--it's nice--but Holland America's breakfast in the Lido is also really nice and they have a wider variety of menu items, so wasn't overly impressed with the breakfast amenity. The orange club special at every meal in the dining room is another amenity that we never used--the special never seemed to appeal to us compared to what was on the regular menu. Although there is a separate Orange Club line that one can use to get fasting seating in the dining room--we actually never saw a line at the "regular" entrance. Probably won't book the Neptune again unless there is an incredible deal.

Very smooth and efficient.