Worst Cruise we ever had

Volendam Cruise Review to Other (Asia/Africa/Middle East)

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 21

Overall rating:

1.8 out of 5
Verified Review
Volendam

14 Night Japan South Korea & China (Yokohama To Shanghai)

Sail date: October 13, 2017

Ship: Volendam

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 7043

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

It was our worst cruise ever by a mile. Holland America didn't inform us that we needed visas for China so that pretty much devastated our cruise. And whenever we tried to ask for help or for an alternative, the Front Desk ignored us and simply said, "the manager is working on it." On the second to the last day, we received a voicemail stating, "there's nothing we can do." We're still very hurt and very upset over what happened. That should never happen to anyone - there should be all kinds of warnings from Holland America from representatives, in notices, and within the on-line system stating that YOU NEED A VISA FOR CHINA!!!

Embarkation

1 out of 5
Terrible - we were told we couldn't go to China because we didn't have a visa! NOBODY TOLD US WE NEEDED A VISA, EITHER SPOKEN OR WRITTEN!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
They were OK.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
NA

Service and Staff

1 out of 5
Wait staff was good but the Front Desk ignored us and treated us like second-class citizens!

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Ship tip

Don't do it!

Ports of call

Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan

2 out of 5

Shimizu, Japan

3 out of 5

Osaka, Japan

3 out of 5

Tianjin (Beijing), China

1 out of 5
We were kicked off the ship so we couldn't visit.

Qingdao, China

1 out of 5
We were kicked off the ship so we couldn't visit.

Shanghai, China

1 out of 5
We were kicked off the ship so we couldn't visit.

Disembarkation

1 out of 5
We were escorted off the ship almost like criminals.
Was this review helpful? 21

12 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

cruisellama    5 years ago

Copentravelcom    6 years ago

They should have checked at embarkation 🙄

JoAnnaBullhead    6 years ago

I understand your anger and frustration. But, it is YOUR responsibility to read what is needed document wise for your cruise! We also learned the hard way, as you just did! Now we read everything! If you use a travel agent ask them.. if using HAL.. you are on your own.. they will not tell you one way or the other.. as they then would be liable!

PrincessElite    6 years ago

Visa ranges from $55-63 Cambodia and Vietnam. I believe even if you have your own Holland requires you to go thru them to get Visa. So don’t bother trying to get your own Visa.

gferragut    6 years ago

Hal said no visa if you get on and off the ship

genemila    7 years ago

Does anybody know how much is the price for Cambodia visa if one buys it on ship?

Avidcruiserz    7 years ago

You are responsible for your visas traveling on cruises. Its NOT HOLLAND AMERICAs fault it yours. It says right in your cruise docs you print off, and online that its your responsibility. Maybe read things you click to agree on! Your cruise docs are a contract and it states you are the only one responsible for getting and knowing if you need visas which is the same if you arrive through the air somewhere. You are obviously not a person that travels outside a north american bubble ever.

GIL155    7 years ago

Hard to believe that HAL has been operating this cruise for so long, and you are the first to have this issue. Yet it is the ship's fault???

rgbenning    7 years ago

Another individual that played a major part in their own misfortune. Common sense and research should be second nature.

hookem72    7 years ago

Did you ever think that you needed to do your own research? Crazy how people create their own mistakes and want to blame others

GospelCruiser    7 years ago

How did you even get on the ship to begin with then? Doesn't make sense!!!!