Overall this is probably the best cruise we've taken due to the itinerary, the service, and the incredible food. Was also very blown away by the enrichment talks by the biologist and the talks about Samba and other aspects of Brazilian culture. The Brazilian Dance group they brought on was very talented. Other highlights were the cake afternoons on deck, the ice cream socials, the afternoon teas and the very friendly casino. I would definitely do this cruise again!!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Efficient, minimal waiting.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Holland American really outdid themselves for this cruise--we ate 90% of our meals at the LIDO buffet because it was so incredible. For breakfast there were waffle, pancake, and egg stations. Everything was made fresh. For dinner we also choose the LIDO buffet every day--the main dining room as about 90% of the same food that the main dining room does--but you can eat at your own speed. No sitting there wishing you had your food sooner--or alternatively--no need to feel guilty if you want to take a longer time and even stay longer to have after dinner drinks or to play cards. Every night there was a huge selection of food that always included a strip steak--cooked as you waited to the temperature you wanted. Many evenings there was a theme--seafood night had every imaginable type of seafood including whole lobsters cut in half. Beef night had huge cuts of juicy thick steaks that were the size of roasts. Lobster tail night had as many lobster tails as you could eat. Additionally--every evening the buffet featured 1 dish that was freshly made while you waited --pork chop milanese was one that I loved that I remember. The specialty steak restaurant was excellent as usual. We were also pleasantly surprised by the Italian specialty restaurant--the evening we were there they had a special on a cowboy type of steak that was probably the best steak we had ever been served at any restaurant. Our experience on Holland America has never been quite this wonderful food wise--since this was a 28 day trip--the chefs really went all out to create a unique dining experience.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
There were 2 pools and a well outfitted (but relatively small) fitness center. Both were adequate for the size of the ship and neither was ever very crowded. There are really no water slides, rock climbing walls, etc--this ship is mainly for the 50 or above crowd.
Infirmary
5 out of 5
One in our group--fell and got a nasty scrape on an excursion. The infirmary took care of it right away --very professional.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The entertainment on Holland America is not as stellar as the food--however since this was an Amazon Cruise--they had special entertainers from Brazil who were excellent. However--the HAL production shows were not as good as compared to other cruise lines.
Children's Programs
no children
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Service was excellent in all areas.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
It's an older ship--very nicely maintained, but can't compete with the newer fancier ships.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
There were 3 of us in this oceanview cabin and it worked. The 3rd person thought that the couch that turned into a bed was much more comfortable than the accommodation for the 3rd person in a Neptune suite. We tried to upgrade--but no balconies or suites were available. There was enough storage space for everyone to put all their clothes away--so the room worked. Loved watching the Amazon flow by from our low in the ship window. Also liked that we didn't get any Amazon bugs in our room--that may have been a problem in a balcony. The room was very quiet and close to the elevators. Loved the location--easy to get to the LIDO and to the casino.
Travelled from FLL to Miami port via HAL transportation. The embarkation port had been changed to Miami after we had already bought tickets to FLL. The transportation from the airport took 1-2 hours longer than expected because of waiting around because of lots of confusion between HAL and the bus company--they normally don't travel to Miami--just to Ft. Lauderdale port.
We took the VIP snorkel tour on the Spirit of St. Maarten--one of the best shore excursions because of the high energy of the crew and how welcoming they were. The snorkeling was not great due to the weather. It's easy to walk off the ship and get a water taxi to the beach area or just to walk around the shops if you don't want to do a shore excursion.
Always love St. Lucia. We took a shore excursion to the Morne Coubaril Estate--I found it way too hot and boring--next time I'll go see the waterfalls or beach again.
We did the Tobago South shore excursion offered by the ship. We were stuffed in one of those buses where there wasn't enough room between the seats for your legs to fit comfortably. We visited some historical sites which I would have been happy to skip in the 90+ degree heat. Again--I think going to the beach would have been much nicer.
Absolutely incredible place to visit! Bring plenty of water. The ships tenders drop you off at the small dock and then you are able to tour the island on your own. Recommend printing off a map online before you leave. So interesting. The main advice is to walk to the right after you leave the dock--if you walk to the left you have to climb stairs--going down the stairs is much easier than climbing in the 100 degree humid heat. This was a bucket list destination. Make sure that you see the movies made about Devils Island before visiting.
Again--this is an experience from the ship--you don't get off the ship for this. We were very worried about whether we would be able to go out on deck because of all the bugs--yes we accumulated lots of bugs overnight (and boy was it fun to photograph all the bugs on the promenade deck)--but while sailing during the day it was surprisingly bug-free.
This is an experience on board. We had a special cross the equator party on the deck featuring King Neptune and the unlucky crew members who had never crossed the equator got doused by whipped cream and were thrown in the pool.
We joined a group of people online and booked a private tour (Selvagem Tours) because we were concerned about the size of the ship's tours and because the cost of a private tour was 1/2 the price of the ships tours. We used Selvagem tours. They picked us up right where the ship docked and we went to Maica Lake where we fished for pirana and took a river cruise. The ship's tours pretty much did the same thing and their boats were not crowded either from what we could see. Our tour included plenty of fresh fruit and alcoholic fruit punch.
We chose to stay on the ship and relax (were a little bit exhausted from all the heat)--but I am giving it 5 stars because everyone else raved about how wonderful the stop was. This was a local indigenous village that gets visited by a cruise ship several times a year. The locals love the visitors and it is a very genuine experience.
We again booked a private tour with a whole group of people (Do Brazil Right) that did pretty much the same thing the ship's tour did for 1/2 the price. This was again a boat tour that met us right at the dock and featured swimming with the river dolphins. Our boat broke down--but another one was quickly delivered to us--so we ended up loosing very little time --it was interesting sitting in the middle of the Amazon bobbing up and down in a boat with no motor. Swimming with the dolphins was a bucket list item--it's just better not to think about what else is in the murky water that you are swimming in. (If you think about it--there are no fences holding back the pirana). Day 2 in Manuas--we visited the opera house, and don't miss the fascinating market. We also got a chance to do some shopping.
We took a private boat tour visiting all the beaches. This area is called the Caribbean of Brazil because of the incredible beaches. I thought that visiting 1 beach was enough--after 3 we were ready to go back to the ship. And as our tour guide told us after we all got off safe and sound--of course there are pirana in the water by the beaches--they stay away from you because they are afraid. The water is muddy and murky--there very well could have been pirana swimming around us. Well--I'm never going in the water again!
Barbados is very nice--we took a tour to Harrison's Cave because we love caves. This one is super crowded and you visit on a tram. The sheer mass of humanity made seeing anything difficult. Not the most organized excursion.
We took a ship excursion to Virgin Gorda and the Baths. Beautiful but way too crowded. There was a walking traffic jam trying to walk down to the beach. Won't go back unless it's off season.
What an incredible itinerary in the comfort and luxury of your ship. This is also a bucket list for me but not my husband! Have to figure out how to keep the truth about bugs onboard from him…
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