Outstanding cruise experience

Volendam Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 8

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5
Volendam

15 Night Panama Canal Eastbound (San Diego To Ft. Lauderdale)

Sail date: December 03, 2018

Ship: Volendam

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 2093

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

FABULOUS CRUISE. AMAZING STAFF, STEWARDS. RESTFUL. Huatulco best port for me. Recommended to everyone.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Easy

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Loved Lido, Dining Room variable from great to mediocre. Enjoyed drinks by the pool one day. Loved the Explorations coffee bar, but a bit expensive.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
I loved the library. Did not do other experiences. I had a superb "leg therapy" in the spa, but couldn't afford to do more. Expensive, IMO.

Guest Services / Excursions

5 out of 5

GUEST SERVICES were outstanding in resolving my issues with internet and other issues. Much appreciated courtesy, professionalism and follow-up. I did not use Excursions as I arranged all my tours.

Hudson Room

5 out of 5

Used this venue during Hanukkah. Appreciation for availability, ritual food/wine provided gratis. Allowed me to meet people on cruise in a wonderful way throughout the 7 days that Hanukkah continued during the cruise.

Lido Deck

5 out of 5

Enjoyed when I used. Sometimes too hot for me.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Highly variable.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
SUPERB, cannot find words to adequately describe the excellent service, thoughtfulness, and impact on my experience (especially room stewards) and Lido staff.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
It was fine, especially since I was a solo traveler. Took me awhile to figure out how the rain faucet worked to get enough water pressure. Would have liked more interesting art on the wall, but that was minor.

Ship tip

Enjoy. Be prepared for walking which effects those of us with mobility problems

Ports of call

San Diego, California Did not visit port

Note: BICE RESTAURANT has been closed for some time. Should not be in your guide.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Did not visit port

Have been to PV before. Don't particularly like the area.

Huatulco, Mexico

5 out of 5
I LOVED HUATULCO. Arranged for a guide and panga just for me and went snorkeling. Pristine cleanliness, views and snorkeling was delightful. Want to visit again

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

4 out of 5
Awful poverty could not be disguised. Enjoyed Antigua and the drive there very much, seeing and understanding the impact of volcanoes. Marvelous artesanias.

Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua

3 out of 5
I thought the entertainment at the port on debarkation was AMAZING and wished I had watched that vs rushing off to excursion to Leon. Poverty again appalling. Leon, except Cathedral, was a bit of a disappointment after Antigua. Be prepared for heat and humidity.

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

5 out of 5
Loved my excursion to Rain Forest with guide and visit to restaurant with outstanding views. Loved monkeys and birds seen. Accommodation to my mobility issues outstanding. Did not use any guides via ship: hired all on my own.

Enter Panama Canal At Balboa Did not visit port

We did not stop. Views were interesting.

Panama Canal Transit

5 out of 5
Fascinating. We transited without stopping. No excursion.

Cartagena, Colombia

5 out of 5
Loved the old walled city. Drove through with guide because simply too hot & humid for me. Worth it to see Botero statue, IMO. Loved the park at the port: charming and attractive.

Key West, Florida

5 out of 5
Charming. Welcoming. Did the CONCH TRAIN and highly recommend. Ate conch. Yum.

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida Did not visit port

I went to visit a friend who lives in Ft Lauderdale after disembarkation, taking Lyft. Did not do tour. Then flew home in the later afternoon.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Easy, except for pre-disembarkation check onboard. Need better arrangements for those who cannot comfortably stand in line.
Was this review helpful? 8

2 Comments