Think twice about booking a Holland America cruise. We have about 130 cruise days over 5 years with Three Star Mariner status and were treated poorly. We booked a suite with a jet tub and lots of closet space. We were assigned a handicapped suite with no tub and limited closets. We were told nothing they can do, since sold out, right from CEO office. Finally, when we checked in, they assigned a regular suite. They tendered us in Bali, and it took 2.5 hours to get back to ship. They offered us nothing, not even a glass of wine for the inconvenience. They told us not their fault, since they hired a 3rd party. Not our fault either!! New CEO is on cost cutting kick. I always advised my clients as a CPA that you need to be careful, since if you cost cut too much, no one will buy!!! What a difference between them and Oceania. Worth the extra money!!!
Embarkation
4 out of 5
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
Service and Staff
1 out of 5
The waiters, room stewards were excellent. The Ship Operations Personnel were awful. We had to be tendered back to the ship from Bali. It took us 2.5 hours to get back to the ship. They did not even give us a glass of wine for our trouble. We complained and were told it was not their fault, since they used a third party tender. Well, we did not hire them; they did. It appears they are cost cutting to a point, where it is really hurting them. Sometimes you can cost cut right out of business. We heard many other long time Mariners complain about the operations on this cruise.
Ship Quality
2 out of 5
This is an old ship and shows its age. For example, if you look at the ceilings in some areas of the ship, they are stained and dirty. I think it is time to retire this one.
Cabin / Stateroom
2 out of 5
We did a guarantee of a minimum Vista Suite, which has lots of closet space and a jet tub. A couple of days before embarkation we were assigned a handicapped suite instead. These rooms have no bath tub and limited closet space. When we called customer service. we were told the rooms were sold out, and they could do nothing to help us. We then emailed the CEO, and were given the same Corporate line. They told us that since we did not pick a specific room, handicapped suites are part of the inventory, and basically nothing they could do. Fortunately, when we checked in, they found a regular Vista suite for us.
Ship tip
It is a very old ship, and the Ship operations team were not customer service friendly. They are cost cutting to the point, where we do not plan to take them again, and we have about 130 cruise days with them over 5 years - Three Star Mariners.
We had been to Tahiti and French Polynesia two years ago. Bali was interesting, however, not as tropical and beautiful as Tahiti. We would go back to French Polynesia/Tahiti again, however, we would not return to Bali. We have nicer beaches in FL.
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