Back to Back Panama Canal Cruise

Item: Volendam
Rating: 3.8
Author: BbJp

Volendam Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

BbJp

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

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

Sail date: January 03, 2019

Ship: Volendam

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

Cruise was OK. Not totally impressed with Holland America. Best for elderly passengers. No real fun activities onboard. Most staff was very polite and friendly. Elevators were very quick. Some areas of the ship are FREEZING COLD. Bring a sweater!! Trying to enjoy a drink in a freezing cold bar (Crow's Nest) or enjoy the show on the Main Stage and feeling sooooo chilly is very annoying.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Main dining room's food was very good. Dined twice in Pinnacle Grill and it was lovely. Open seating at dinner can be a challenge. For some reason, many tables are empty, but they make you wait to be seated. My guess is staff cuts in kitchen and dining room staff.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Most shows were very good.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Waiters and room stewards were great. Very polite and friendly.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

We were midship and it was very convenient to the elevators.

Ports of call

San Diego, California

4 out of 5

Wish we had more time there. We were doing back to back cruises and had to be back on board by 3:30pm.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

4 out of 5

Loved discovering P.V. on our own with tips from ship's lead guide.

Thumbs Up 2

Huatulco, Mexico

4 out of 5

Nice port area with beach. Quick taxi ride to Las Crucesitas was really good. Nice little town. Good shopping and bars.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

4 out of 5

Did a private tour up to the city of Antigua for $35. Loved it.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Corinto, Nicaragua

4 out of 5

Met a local guy that escorted us to the beach area. Nice drinks and wifi, and a beautiful breeze. Very poor area. Spend some money there.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

4 out of 5

Did a private 8 hour tour with Odyssey Tours. Loved it! Modern bus with a/c and wifi. Very good guide, and we went lots of places where a bug bus could not go.

Thumbs Up 0

Enter Panama Canal At Balboa Did not visit port

great experience

Thumbs Up 0

Panama Canal Transit

4 out of 5

Cartagena, Colombia

3 out of 5

Took a ship tour, and it was OK, but overpriced. Don't bother with the Sea & Land tour. Boat ride is not worth the time. We were not in port very long, and that was disappointing. We needed more time to discover the Old City. Better to find a private tour.

Thumbs Up 0

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

4 out of 5

Two ships in port on this day made food service insanely busy. Beach is nice. Water is clear and beautiful. Washrooms were not very clean.

Thumbs Up 0