You cannot find a better cruise line with better service (based on sailing 119 cruises). .... I know everyone has their own favorites....
Holland America's service people in dining rooms, cabin stewards, Guest Services, Spa, tour desk,and officers are consistently outstanding. I still dont know how many remember your names even if I sail every few months.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was smooth, uncrowded and uneventful. Escorted to 4 & 5 Star Mariner Lounge and boarded promptly at 11:30am. Carried all of our luggage as carry-ons and we were unpacked by 1205pm.
For lunch we went to the MDR and were seated at a table for 2. Everyone (ships staff) along the way greeted us with "welcome on board" , "hope you have a nice cruise" with sincere smiles of welcome. Thus is what we love about Holland America!
We were finished by 1:15pm and sat in one if the lounges for our next event which was the Welcome Back Mariners Cocktail Party at 2:00pm which was hosted by the Hotel Manager Errol Nelson.
We said hello to him and he greeted us with a familiar hello.
We knew him from the Nieuw Amsterdam in November 2019.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Excellent food in Main Dining room, Pinnacle Grill and Lido Market Buffet.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Lots of activities and trivia.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
BB King All Star Band was excellent. Plenty of dancing.
Holland America also started ballroom dancing in the early evening which also plays Latin music.
Enjoyed Lincoln Center stage classical music each day.
Enjoyed Rolling Rock band which was packed every night.
Also enjoyed the Greenhouse Spa with its thermal rooms as a couples package for the week.
Buy online for $219 vs $279 if you buy onboard.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
You cannot find a better cruise line with better service (based on sailing 119 cruises). .... I know everyone has their own favorites....
Holland America's service people in dining rooms, cabin stewards, Guest Services, Spa, tour desk,and officers are consistently outstanding. I still dont know how many remember your names even if I sail every few months.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Ship is beautiful and new like condition from top to bottom. Service staff always cleaning and polishing and repairing.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Beautiful vista suite with lots of floor space, drawer space, cabinets and electrical outlets and phone chargers outlets wonderful wrap around balcony right up front from side to front. Going to love this cruise. My wife spends a lot of time on the balcony reading and napping.
HAL provided binoculars for auite guest. It is surprising that MSC Yacht Club on the Meraviglia does not provide binoculars for their top paying guest.
Ship tip
Consistent surpurb customer service.
Excellent food and presentations
We love Key West and have visited by car, and cruise. This time we decided to shop and also go to the bird sanctuary near Higgs Beach. We took the Key West Duval Loop bus (FREE) and walked the rest of the way. After visiting Higgs Beach we walked back to the bus stop for our bus back to the downtown area to continue shopping and then back to the ship.
Had a WONDERFUL time at Amber Cove. Loved the Sky Bar and the view of the entire port. The waterside, zipline, restaurant and shops are so enjoyable, clean and aesthetically beautiful. After spending time there we took an adventure by walking to Bachata Beach. The beach is not beautiful BUT the beach chairs are free, drinks reasonable and the water is enjoyable. Quite a few cruise passengers were there along with hotel guest.
One of our favorite itineraries and one of our best beaches for fun and relaxation. Margaritaville was fun with the pool and music. Also the space shuttle display at the port is worth seein.... and it is FREE...
The weather was perfect. The tender from ship was smooth and orderly. The island was beautiful and the activities fun. We walked to the Stingray adventure and then to the horseback stables, then the cots to relax and then the lunch BBQ and then the beach dor snorkeling. Weather was perfect.
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