First and last time with Holland
Oosterdam Cruise Review to Transatlantic
Review summary
We had great hopes for this cruise, but for us, it was 50-50. We loved certain aspects, but are very critical of others. There are certainly many things Holland can do to make this more enjoyable for travelers, especially those new to Holland and as such don't have any kind of special benefits. (1) Streamline the embarcation process. The majority of the guests are seniors who have traveled a long way and are tired. You can add more personnel to manage this process, provide some refreshments due to long waiting periods. We need, and not merely deserve, food and drink (2) Provide umbrellas for rainy days. We can even buy them if necessary. We were surprised there weren't any. At one port, we saw several other tourists using Viking umbrellas. We were so jealous! (3) Since you don't have any shore excursions included free with the cruise, and we had to pay for everything, please offer your guests FREE bottled/canned water. By charging us $4/can, you're literally nickel and diming us. Not appreciated, and not a good look. (4) Improve your internet service. Terrible, terrible connection, and in some areas, none at all! (5) For what we pay for the cruise, the excursions, etc. include house wine and sodas with the dinners. Charge only for premium drinks and cocktails. Again, don't nickel and dime your guests! (6) Offer complimentary umbrellas and ponchos for those unexpected rainy days, Plastic ponchos won't take up too much room. Include that with a welcome package (which you don't even offer) in every room. (7) Include at least a bottle of water per person FREE everyday for each room. Some of us take medication and will need water. It was a shock that we had to pay for it. An even bigger to see how much it was! (8) Don't use old, stained and frayed napkins at the Lido. Made us feel like second-hand travelers every time we ate there. (9) Believe it or not, some of the breads at the Lido were stale and hard! Improve your quality control methods. (10) Have a show at the theater every night. Not everyone drinks, gambles, or goes off shore. Remember who most of your clients are: Seniors! Most of us even have mobility issues. Account for them. (11) We can't hear the announcements in our room, and we had to open our cabin doors to hear them in the hall. Make sure each room's speaker works.Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Pinnacle Grill
This is by far the best of what you offer. The food is creative and delicious. The service outstanding. Too bad we have to pay after the first complimentary one. Offer lunch times, too, to those of ud who are willing to pay, and not just to your Orange Club guesta
Lido Restaurant
Just okay.....we learned which stations have good choices. Others are run-of-the-mill. Favorites are omelette stations. But some of your theme foods are not up to par or even taste anything resembling the country's food you purport to serve.
Canaletto
This wasn't even a separate venue -- they just put up a wall separating it from the Lido. Not a fine dining experience at all. Even the food reflects it
Rolling Stone Lounge
We kept looking but you don't have a BBKing blues club. Instead, it was turned into a Rolling Stone rock and roll club. WTH?
Onboard Activities
Guest Services / Excursions
Very expensive excursions. Had to look for alternatives. Most of the excursions were fine BUT some of the guides forget that we have a senior group of people, some of whom have mobility issues. I had to ask a guide to walk slower and let the others catch up. But our biggest beef with your organization, you are charging for water and other refreshments to go! As expensive as your tours are, you should offer everyone at least a bottle of water, some snacks. Even airlines offer those!
Meeting Rooms
From the back of the room, we can't see the floral arrangement session. Maybe have a camera project what he's doind will help.We signed up for one technology session, but apparently it was cancelled, but there was no note on the door.
Internet Center
Terrible, inconsistent, sometimes unavailable
Entertainment
Art Gallery
Very nice. The art team were so accommodating even to those who didn't buy anything
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
DON'T.
Ports of call
Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy
Disembarkation
9 Comments
katierney23 1 year ago
Lawnboy1956 1 year ago