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Name: John Mamrak
Email: njboater@webspan.net
Age: 52
Occupation: construction
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Ryndam
SailingDate: March 24, 1998
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 98
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 99
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 85
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff: 85
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 99
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon: 85
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 17 Apr 1998
Time: 18:29:04
Remote Name: 206.154.93.169
Remote User:
Comments
This was my first cruise on Holland America. My previous cruises were on Carnival. They
are the complete opposites. Carnival was up beat and party like.
Holland was laid back and relaxing. After the first 2 days my wife and I said we would
never go on Holland America again but that changed quickly. On
Carnival the service throughout the ship was good, lively and always around. On the Ryndam
it was excellent but hidden in the background. Drinks were
never pushed on you but were instantly available when wanted. The food was outstanding.
Dinner couldn't be better and the food at lunch on the Lido
deck had a much larger selection than Carnival and more gourmet. The ship is smaller, less
crowded. The pluses out weigh the minuses 50 to 1. The
entertainment was outstanding. The cruise director on Carnival is part of the
entertainment on HAL he is entertaining but not the show. He doesn't have to
be.
The only negatives are the seniors. They were the majority. We had the late seating they
usually get the early. Which I feel is an advantage. You can
spend the day on the islands and not have to rush for dinner, but your not hungry for the
mid-night buffets. We would go but not usually eat, just sample a
little. We had a table for 8 and all were in our age category. I said that it is good for
honeymooners because I remember wanting to be left alone. St Lucia
is a bust! You arrive on Sunday and everything is closed. The seniors were a disadvantage
because they move slow and take their time at everything. This
soon turned into a plus because it was the most relaxing vacation I ever had and the ten
days were not enough. The only true negative was the music. I
like the calypso and raggae music, especially in the Caribbean. The music was geared to
the older people. I enjoy that music but missed the hot-hot-hot.
When we left Ft Lauderdale, the bon voyage music was big band era. On Carnival it was
Raggae.
All in all I think HAL is first rate and will definitely go again. If you're in your 20's
try another cruise line. We had a room with a verandah and will never go
again without one.
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