Holland America Line, which has been sailing for 150 years, visits 400 ports in 114 countries every year. Dutch heritage shines through in some of the $4million-worth of artwork to be seen onboard, complimenting the luxurious cruise experience.
Live music remains HAL's forte, with venues including the Rolling Stone Rock room and BB King's Blues Club. For foodies, a wide range of restaurants serve the finest of fayre.
The breathtaking destination of Manta, where the Pacific caresses its sandy shores and the verdant cliffs offer a mesmerizing backdrop. The climate, a tropical delight, ensures year-round warmth, making it a haven for those escaping colder realms. Manta thrives on providing an authentic local experience, far from the usual tourist paths, where traditions are not just observed but are a vibrant part of daily life. The lively Montecristi, known for its handwoven Panama hats, a misnomer that speaks to the local craftsmanship, punctuates this genuine slice of Ecuador. Here, every breeze carries a story, every corner a local legend, offering more than just a visit but an immersion.
The breathtaking destination of Manta, where the Pacific caresses its sandy shores and the verdant cliffs offer a mesmerizing backdrop. The climate, a tropical delight, ensures year-round warmth, making it a haven for those escaping colder realms. Manta thrives on providing an authentic local experience, far from the usual tourist paths, where traditions are not just observed but are a vibrant part of daily life. The lively Montecristi, known for its handwoven Panama hats, a misnomer that speaks to the local craftsmanship, punctuates this genuine slice of Ecuador. Here, every breeze carries a story, every corner a local legend, offering more than just a visit but an immersion.
The second of our Signature-class ships, Nieuw Amsterdam celebrates historic New York City with its inspired design and an art collection valued at more than $3 million.
We are 3 seniors and we dared to explore through our exciting excursions. The service on the ship was second to none. The Cruise Director and staff made us feel welcome at every turn. They made us feel like we were the only ones they were serving. We have experienced some great cruises, but this was exceptional. It's not always about the destination. Sometimes, like this cruise, it was about what was happening on the ship. The various entertainment was outstanding. The food was excellent. There was nothing about this cruise that was shabby.
Excellent navigated cruise especially through Glacier Bay where we were given great information by local arrangers who came aboard . Also College fjoyd where we crept up slowly as close as we dare to see and hear the calving while the captain turned a full 360 degrees.
We didn't opt for the 'Have it all' package as we don't drink much and thought it expensive, especially for a 38 day trans-Pacific cruise!
But by the time you added up the cost of drinks, coffees, shore excursion discounts, speciality dining nights, wifi and gratuities that would have come with the package perhaps it was a false economy? All of these were stupidly expensive.
Gratuities for our cabin for the cruise was over $1000, added to our bill without prior knowledge (steep considering 18% gratuities was added to every drinks bill).
There were so many things that were charged extra throughout the ship. Yoga and spinning classes at $20, bridge visits, galley visits (over $100! I remember them being free), craft classes, several items on the menu every night as extras! People joked that they'd charge for toilet paper if they could.
The cruise ended up being so much more expensive than. Buyer beware.
Booked a cruise with HA, thinking they offer nice excusions. At the time of the booking they all seemed available. Day after booking I have discovered there is literally none left, besides basic walking city tours for over 100 USD!
In short, I cannot even spend my onshore excusions credit with them.
I have written so many emails and called so many times trying to find a solution, but they dont return any answer.. My phone bill is probably over 500 USD after one month of this now. I simply hate HA at this point of time.
On top of it, they website is super buggy - hundreds of error messages, you cannot check out, you see things as available which are not, and and and...
And they also advertise wrong prices - e.g. Have it all package for 55 USD a day, and when you try to check out it magically becomes 65 USD a day.
A wonderful way to see Indonesia and Malaysia from Singapore. This was a special time, especially the tours on the many ports of call. Quite naturally one compares it with the best of my many previous cruises, and that`s when improvements spring to mind.
What was missing was the daytime activities and evening entertainments to stimulate the senses. Regular Holland America cruisers, of which there are many, insist that classical music and educational speakers were the norm before covid. If the latter had been in evidence, then a great cruise could have been an amazing one.
Our tours were expensive, and although some tour guides were exceptional, sadly some were very poor. Holland America does not ask for feedback, so presumably no opportunity to reward the best whilst eliminating the seriously bad.
Thank you Holland America, and in particular the majority of the service staff, who went out of their way to ensure our well being.
