Spectacular 14 Day Alaska cruise. Would definitely do it again. Best value ever!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Best Food Presentation - just beautiful. Quality was good. Waiters seemed understaffed,
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Gym and pools were great. Best real teak full Prominade Deck in heavy use & for good reason. Great 5K Charity walk. Excellent Pickle Ball/Basketball Court. Pickle Ball Tournament. Excellent for Light to Moderate exercise. No Crowds!
Entertainment
2 out of 5
Very limited arts & crafts scheduled just before dinner (no time). Few and poorly run Trivia contests with nothing to winner. No "History of Holland America" film (!?) Singing (mixed) Quartet were only 4 separate good voices. No string/classical music ensemble of any type. After sailing on the Konigsdam, I was very dissapointed in the entertainment, arts and crafts and games.
HOWEVER, Holland America has the BEST enrichment programs for Alaska, including the Noordham!
Don't go for the entertainment!
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
Food service was a bit slow due to understaffing and ship logistics. However, I had the very best single service experience & best single memory of any cruise I've been on:
was on the very front of the open Bow in windy, very cold rain viewing the beautiful Hubbard Glacier (properly clothed). I was completely alone as other passengers were huddled under an overhang. I was slightly startled when I received a tap on my shoulder by a wait staff offering me the best Pea Soup I've ever had! Just a spectacular experience. I guess you had to be there!
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Ship was exceptionally clean (very important!) Nice cloth hand towels in public restrooms. Weird array of carpeting in the ship.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Guaranteed Large Ocean view cabin (obstructed). Was indeed large with bathtub and small couch. Nice big flat screen TV. View was obstructed by a tender (not a lifeboat). We could see directly through the tender windows to the ocean. So our view was only partially obstructed. Twice daily service. Cabin was always clean and neat! Completely comfortable and well cared for all 14 nights!
Ship tip
Great midsized ship. Never waited for an elevator and can't remember standing in a line! Ship was at capacity but best experience regarding no crowds! Excellent embarkation and debarkation. Excellent off and on the ship at ports!
A few years ago my wife and I took my mom on this 14 day Alaska cruise. It was a great experience, and a wonderful memory as it was the last cruise on which my mom was able to join us. So glad you loved it as much as we did.
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