16 Night Panama Canal (Ft. Lauderdale To San Diego)
Sail date: November 20, 2019
Ship:
Rotterdam Retired
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 1873
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 4 years ago
Review summary
It was our second cruise on a Holland American ship and the trip was very predictable and no surprises. The muster was the most uncomfortable moment with the complaining and whining, glad the rest of cruise was not like that.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Very smooth and no problems. Ship left port on time and as promised.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Dining was above average to excellent. Variety, quality and freshness way above average.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Fitness center, Sports deck great.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Could enhance the program with more entertainment. Musical show times, more rock. The magic act was great and the comedians was great except for one.
Children's Programs
Of the 1,300 passengers, I think there were less than 10 under the age of 16
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Everybody was service oriented with genuine good attitudes, they made it all about you the passenger. Maintenance, stewards, waiters, food servers, deck hands were was super friendly and helpful.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Layout was practical and easy to deal with. Everything was clean and in good shape.
As usual the muster was the most painful moment of the trip.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Interior was clean. The outside of the window could have been cleaned on departure, it was cleaned in the next port, and following ports.
Ship tip
Its Holland America. Average age appeared to be 75? 70? Everybody we came in contact with were very alert, intelligent, friendly and happy.
First time on a Fantasy Island. Hiking, swimming, snorkeling, beach (with drink service) and free run of the island. A second Holland America ship MS Zuiderdam was there same day but the island did not seem overran. Like the Capt. Morgan ship/bar and food and drink serviced by the crew of the two ships.
Ok for one time visit. Docked in the container port, 30 minute bus ride to town of Caldera (buses provided by the town). Got to town and it was pouring rain for 3 hours. There was an Oceania ship in the town itself and that ship provided umbrellas for their passengers.
Another container port. Nice greeting with locals bands and dance groups. Swarmed by pedicabs, vendors inside the port and once outside we were mobbed. Once we got a pedicab "Jonathan" we were off limits to the rest. The town was not in the best shape and it reminded me of Tijuana in the 1960s. Locals were indifferent and not overly friendly but okay.
Prices for everything was good, best on this cruise. Overall it was a good experience.
A contrast to Puertos Caldera and Corinto-it was a Cruise ship port. Greeted with a band and a vendor market. 4 of us contracted a taxi (Taxis de Turismo Porteno) and Fredy Gudiel Martinez as our guide. Took the trip into Antigua Guatemala, 500 year old city. Sharp contrast with Nicaragua. The people were super friendly, the town very clean and prosperous. Antigua is well worth the visit.
The road from the port to town about 50 miles long had 5 bridges destroyed in 2018 due to the local volcano. What is impressive the government was repairing all 5 at once.
Short visit (6 hours) spent most of it on a snorkeling excursion (Seven Bays). Not the best day to snorkel with the high winds, rough water and decreased visibility. And it was on a Sunday, the best dive spot was swarmed by locals. Other than bumping heads, it was a good experience.
Briefly enjoyed the port village with food and drink at El HABANERO LOKO.
Sick with flu, spouse didn't leave the ship. I headed to Walmart across the road from the port (?!). At the Cold and Flu section, it was mobbed by passengers from two cruise ships in port.
Went to downtown by city bus ($1 rt) and spent the rest of the day at the shopping mall Chili's with fellow passengers chilling.
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