TRIP of A LIFETIME !!!!!!! Everything from booking the trip thru to the flight arrangemnt home went ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.
An Alaskan cruise was something my wife and I always dreamed of so when the time came to actually go our expectations were, shall we say, EXTREME. All I can say is that the actual trip even blew away our high expectations. From the minute we stepped on the plane to head for Seattle (from Boston) everything went like clockwork. Everything was taken care of. Thru Holland Cruise lines the arrangements were made for flights, an extra night in Seattle, ALL transfers, and of course, the cruise itself.
The cruise itself was amazing. I have been on cruises before but this was our first one on Holland Cruise Ship and the experience THE BEST. The service was, as with our past cruising experiences, was great but there was something different with this cruise. There was a true personal "family" like feeling that spread from the staff thru to the passengers.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
The food was fantastic with more menu options on a ship than I had previously experienced especially for the dinner sit down meals in the Vista Room. Then there was the Pinnacle Room - the ships upscale limited reservation restaurant. The food was to die for. And lastly there was the late night "Chocolate Extravaganza" - need I say more!
Entertainment
5 out of 5
From shore excursion planning, to great shows, on board ship events, contests and tournaments, to fun classes there was omething for everyone. Personally - we liked the "martini class" so much that we took it twice just to make sure we got it right. If you wanted relaxing entertainment - you got it. If you wanted to party - it was there. Your job was making a decision, the Holland staff took it from there.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
We made friends !!!! Whether you required a lot of assistance or simple point of a finger to lead you in the right direction, the ships staff was there. As one crew member said "it is our job to make sure your trip is perfect. Your job is to let us do our job". This works for me.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The Westerdam is one of Hollands larger ships with a passenger capacity of over 1,800. This is where one of the BEST POINTS of our trip came into play. While the cruise was sold out - over 1,800 passengers, it NEVER appeared crowded. There was never any lines for anything. Whether it be anyone of the buffets, a show, a seat at a table in the casino, a spa appointment, or disembarking/embarking from a port of call we NEVER experienced any liines. Yet by the end of the first full day we had a good "feel" as to where everything was on the ship and we were not overwhelmed by its size.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Our stateroom was large, clean, and comfortable. The large bathroom and very large balcony were a Bonus. The perfect start to every day - breakfast room service on the balcony, in your robe, reading the ships daily newspaper and days planner looking out over the Alaskan coastline.
We had a blast at the Lumberjack Show. Lots of fun as well as a good understanding of what it was like to be a limberjack long ago and today. The city itself gave you a real "Alaskan" feel with many shops and products only seen here.
Don't Miss: Float plane to over the glacier to the riverside lodge for a Salmon feast. Watching the Black bear and her two cubs clean off the grill for 20 minutes from 20 feet away - BONUS!
We had a blast at the Lumberjack Show. Lots of fun as well as a good understanding of what it was like to be a limberjack long ago and today. The city itself gave you a real "Alaskan" feel with many shops and products only seen here.
Don't Miss: Float plane to over the glacier to the riverside lodge for a Salmon feast. Watching the Black bear and her two cubs clean off the grill for 20 minutes from 20 feet away - BONUS!
Pros: Ship, food, port of calls, staff/service, WEATHER... did I leave anything out?
Cons: The fact that the trip had to end !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
