Sailing Through Alaska's Beauty: Inside Passage Cruise Experience

Volendam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

NJamison

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 50

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

7 Night Alaskan Inside Passage (Vancouver Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 23, 2023

Ship: Volendam

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 2684

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

Getting onboard for our Alaska Inside Passage adventure from Vancouver was a mix of excitement and a touch of chaos, earning it a solid 4-star rating from us. Compared to our previous cruise departing from Long Beach, California, to the Mexican Riviera with Carnival, this embarkation had its quirks. The staff at the Vancouver terminal seemed a tad scattered, sending us in different directions without much clarity. It wasn't the seamless process we remembered. However, here's the silver lining: once we stepped onto the ship, things took a turn for the better. The crew onboard was fantastic. They made us feel right at home with their friendly and attentive service, quickly smoothing out the wrinkles from our initial embarkation experience.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Vancouver's embarkation was a bit of a mixed bag, deserving 4 stars; it wasn't as smooth as our last cruise from Long Beach, but once we got on the ship, the awesome crew made up for it and made our trip truly memorable.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

I'd rate my ship experience 5 stars; both the main dining and buffet options were solid and exceeded my expectations.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

I rated the onboard activities 4 stars, with the pool being just okay and not particularly outstanding.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

I rated the entertainment 5 stars; the Ocean Bar Jazz and dance shows were good, the stand-up comedy and magic show were great, and the almost daily Trivia games added to the overall fun and enjoyment of the cruise.

Children's Programs

4 out of 5

I rated the children's program a 4; while my kids found it okay, as parents, we appreciated its availability and convenience, which made it a good option for us when needed.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

I rated the service and staff 5 stars; the service was absolutely stellar, making our voyage truly memorable, particularly the dining room staff who treated us like royalty, ensuring an exceptional experience.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

I rated the ship design and cleanliness 3 stars; although it's an older ship, it's still good, with a simple layout that becomes more convenient once you familiarize yourself with it—decks 4 and 5 being the main decks for easy navigation.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

I rated the stateroom 4 stars; while it was somewhat tight in comparison to the larger Carnival Panorama, it provided a comfortable and satisfactory living space for our cruise.

Ship tip

Treating the staff with kindness and respect can lead to them going above and beyond to make your cruise experience even more enjoyable. It's a wonderful way to foster positive interactions and create lasting memories.

Thumbs up