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Name: D. Roche
Email: droche1@yahoo.com
Age: 42
Occupation: Financial Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Maasdam
SailingDate: 05/18/98
Itinerary: Alaska Inside Passage/Glacier Bay
FoodDiningRoom: 93
CruiseDirector: 92
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 94
CabinAmenities: 92
FoodLidoDeck: 91
DiningRoomService: 93
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 92
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 88
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 89
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 91
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 94
EntertShowLounge: 88
OverallPortsofCall: 92
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 94
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 92
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 93
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 May 1998
Time: 14:38:00
Remote Name: 205.183.237.70
Remote User:
Comments
Overall, my husband and I enjoyed our cruise a great deal. The whole experience was
enhanced by the shore excursions we picked. We picked the Mendenhall
Glacier Helicopter Ride in Juneau. the railroad ride in Skagway and the Misty Fjords float
plane ride in Ketchikan. The Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Ride was the
single most memorable experience in the entire trip, well worth the price, not to be
missed by anyone of any age. While it rained lightly throughout most of our 7
day trip (which was to be expected given the amount of rainfall they get in Southeast
Alaska), the beauty of the area was still apparent, especially the
awe-inspiring sight of the glaciers. We actually were happy with the misty rain since
everything seemed more 'hushed' and not so picture-postcard perfect.
Among the wildlife we spotted at a distance from the boat were whales, bears, bald eagles,
seals and dogs (one was on a yacht sailing past us in Glacier Bay). I
strongly suggest anyone doing this cruise, or any other in Alaska, bring their binoculars
since we would have missed much of the wildlife had we not had those.
We had them with us constantly, particularly on our many walks around the deck.
The food was very good, especially in light of the hundreds needing to be fed in a
relatively short time frame each night. The variety of food offered each night
was terrific. There was only one lunch were the wait in the Lido Room was long since the
Rotterdam Dining Room was closed for lunch that day and the staff
certainly could have prepared better for the crowds but all the rest of the time,
everything and everyone worked very efficiently.
I was pleased with the outside cabin we had (especially the views from the window) and the
size. We brought a collapsible cooler along for which we used
extensively, particularly for the bottled water and Pepsi (on board is Coke only) that we
drink. The cooler came in handy for the Alaskan micro-brewery ale my
husband picked up at the various ports and with which he was quite happy. And finally, the
crew were all very friendly and quite polite.
I would certainly do another Holland America cruise but the next time, I will buy my shore
excursions off the boat since the same excursions are cheaper.
However, because it was our first time, we wanted to make sure we got what we wanted and
we thought we would be assured of it if we bought them through
Holland America. Can't wait till I go back to Alaska!
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