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Name: Andrew
Email: dgentlman@aol.com
Age: 32
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: November 1995
Itinerary: 10 days Southern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 92
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 93
DeckService: 99
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 70
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 80
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 99
OverallPortsofCall: 92
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 90
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 98
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Dec 1996
Time: 09:09:09
Remote Name: 192.189.43.58
Remote User:
Comments
Tried Carniva, Princess and Dolphin before. Holland is the best yet. Food is bland, but
OK. The service is incredible. More than I ever expected. The night shows are warm and
inviting. Passengers where on the older side. Excellent overall.
Name: Fran Ollweiler
Email: frano@aol.com
Age: 69
Occupation: retired
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: June 24, 1996
Itinerary: Vancouver to Alaska
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService: 97
CruiseStaff: 94
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 92
DiningRoomService: 94
CabinQuietness: 99
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 85
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff: 85
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon: 85
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 75
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 Jan 1997
Time: 14:25:01
Remote Name: 206.25.190.129
Remote User:
Comments
This was our first cruise ever, and we were delightedly surprised with the size of our
suite, the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, and the range of activities.
I think it was the suite itself that made it so pleasurable. We had a lovely breakfast
every morning in our room, and that along with the fresh fruit replaced daily was a
wonderful treat.
I was disappointed only in the Exercise facilities. It seemed to me that unless you were
willing to hire a private trainer you couldn't get a treadmill in the morning. Wish that
they would open the exercise room earlier than 7 AM.
The food was very good, especially the bread pudding I ate every day at lunch.
We enjoyed the movie theater a lot, and the fresh popcorn. I thought that the casino was a
big rip off, with about the worst pay off ever I've ever experienced. I wonder if they are
allowed to do that.
All in all it was such a great experience that upon our return we booked two more cruises
for this year on Holland America. The first is in February to the Western Caribbean, and
then in late August from New York City to Quebec.
Name: Hannah Mandelbaum
Email: hannahm@erols.com
Age: 46
Occupation: travel agent
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: Yes
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 12/27/96
Itinerary: western caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 99
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 97
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 99
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 99
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 99
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 98
GoodForSeniors: 98
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 99
SpaceRatio: 99
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 18 Feb 1997
Time: 20:46:51
Remote Name: 207.172.49.164
Remote User:
Comments
Our family including 15, 17 and 12 year olds as well as 3 grandparents went on the New
Year's sailing. We also brought a young couple who are new friends. Everyone had a great
time! What a great way to spend the holiday- no icy roads, no drunk drivers to avoid and
great service everywhere. The ship is a favorite of ours- lovely, roomy and very classy-
the art work is fabulous. I would spend a week on this ship even if it didn't go to any
ports. My favorite spot onboard is the Piano Bar- a cozy room where I like to listen to
music while everyone else gambles! A wonderful ship.
Name: John B. Bruneel, Sr.
Email: usnretdocb@praxis.net
Age: 54
Occupation: Retired U.S. Navy
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 11/20/97
Itinerary: 10 Day Southern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 97
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 16 Mar 1997
Time: 16:12:41
Remote Name: 205.160.243.105
Remote User:
Comments
This was our 4th cruise, first aboard Holland American. We were pleasantly surprised by
the efficient embark/disembark procedures. Had been led to believe that this was a
'negative' area for HAL. The food and services were also better than expected. We had been
'spoiled' on Celebrity, but the quality, quantity and presentation on Statendam was better
than expected. The ship was always clean. The staff were always helpful and pleasant.
The only real negative that was experienced on this cruise, also turned out to be a
positive experience and is the reason for the large disparity of my markings between the
cruise director and that of his staff. The only reason I marked the director as I did, is
someone has to take responsibility for errors of judgement and in this case, I felt the
error was on the director shoulders. It concerned an activity I never indulge in but one
my spouse loves. Jackpot Bingo. The jackpot had built up over the cruise and on the last
afternoon had not been claimed. It was announced that the last game would start promptly
at 10 pm. This upset some players who were assigned late seating in the Dining Room as
they would not be able to enjoy their last dinner totally with their tablemates and would
have to make a quick exit to buy their bingo cards. It really started to get vociferous
and a lot of guests were upset. The cruise staff, particulary the assistant director who
also ran Bingo, was able to, with some diffuculty quiet the raging beast and continue with
afternoon bingo. Ultimately the start time for the last game was delayed 15-20 minutes and
everybody was happy. My feeling was it should never have gotten that far. The director
could have headed it off by using the same diplomacy his staff showed, and by not
initially insisting, no matter the eating habits of the late seating, the games would
began at 10. Amazing, but this little incident soured some people for the whole cruise.
Not me, nor my wife. It actually didn't affect us, but I just felt it is something that
could have been handled better.
Name: Donald
Email: doa@axionet.com
Age: 67
Occupation: retired
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: May 22, 1997
Itinerary: Alaska Cruise
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 92
CabinComfort: 99
FoodRoomService: 97
CruiseStaff: 98
CabinAmenities: 99
FoodLidoDeck: 94
DiningRoomService: 97
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets: 92
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 98
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 96
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 88
GoodForFamilies: 89
LoungeService: 93
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 99
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 82
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 97
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 98
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 97
EmbarkDisembark: 92
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 93
ShopsOnBoard: 99
SpaceRatio: 98
OverallCruiseValue: 97
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 29 May 1997
Time: 22:17:18
Remote Name: 206.108.214.136
Remote User:
Comments
The Statendam consistently provides quality accomodation, with friendly staff--largely
Filipino and Indonesian, well above
average meals (especially with fish and beef), and a full program of cruise activities to
choose from. The program is
particularly suitable for those 50 years and over, though an attempt is made to provide a
program for children. Physically
handicapped people will have difficulty: there were insufficient wheel chairs on the ship
and to deal with embarkation and
disembarkation, and the tides and the stepped gangway makes use of the gangway at Alaskan
towns very very difficult
for those in wheelchair or those using walkers.
The shows held in the show lounge were Las Vegas style, high energy, but of high quality.
The two orchestras were
above average, though the Indonesian Crew night used the stringed orchestra which simply
didn't fit.
I regret that the cruise director did not provide any information on shore activities for
independent explorations. At
Skagway there are two theatre groups that put on performances during the time the ship is
in port: we attended the Spirit
of 98, a great review of the Soapy Smith story done to music, and a fixture in Skagway.
Perhaps there were similar
performances in Juneau and Ketchikan but we missed them.
The shops on board seemed to us to beat the prices of the on-shore shops most of the time,
and we ended up buying
souvenirs and other items on board.
I continue to like the Dutch atmosphere, coupled with Dutch cooking, and senior staff who
are Dutch. I spent much time
wandering around looking at the art work and the artifacts as a means of creating my own
private island.
Name: Duane Goertson
Email: duanegoertson@lightspeed.bc.ca
Age: 63
Occupation: retired
NumberOfCruises: 0
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 15 May 1997
Itinerary: Vanc'r, Juneau, Skgw Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Van.
FoodDiningRoom:
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService:
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 85
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 31 May 1997
Time: 11:25:02
Remote Name: 206.12.82.40
Remote User:
Comments
This was our first cruise experience - the only negative was our contact with the fitness
staff. There was a 'Passport to
Fitness' program promoted in the information brochure in our cabin. The information
indicated locations where the
passport could be secured. When we went to these places we were under the impression that
the passport would be
issued to us by a fitness instructor. In the gym area were 2 instructors - one was busy
speaking to someone, the other
left shortly after our arrival, brushing past us and not acknowledging our questions.
Neither one seemed interested in our
presence at all. We tried the other locations and in neither other location was anyone to
be found that knew about the
passports. We later found that it was not necessary for anyone to actually issue and
register the passports, they could
simply be picked up - if one could find them. The attitude of the fitness staff very
unprofessional and unhelpful even in
later contacts when I attempted to suggest how the passport information could be better
handled.
The ship, staff, amenities and overall experience was very good, in fact I would say it
was excellent. Should we plan
another cruise, Holland America would certainly be a contender.
Name: Charlene
Email: cwoodring@localaccess.com
Age: 49
Occupation: Social Worker
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 6/19/97
Itinerary: Alaska Inland Passage
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService: 89
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 99
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 88
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 80
ExerciseFacilities: 90
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 80
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark:
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 28 Jun 1997
Time: 00:31:12
Remote Name: 206.64.48.150
Remote User:
Comments
I just returned from a cruise on the ms Statendam to Alaska. The cruise, food, and service
as well as the sheer beauty of the
ship exceeded my wildest espectations. I and have already recommended the ms Statendam and
Holland American Cruise to a
number of my friends. The overall experience was exceptional. There were two areas that
kept the experience from being
absolutely perferct. I was traveling with my mother who is handicapped and relies a walker
or wheel chair for mobility. Use of
these was somewhat difficult aboard ship. The process of embarking and disembarking at
each port was almost impossible for
her. We had to cancel some of our off ship activities just because the process of getting
on and off the ship was so physically
demanding that she could not participate in some of our planned activities. It was
difficult for her to go onto any of the outside
decks. The shows in the VanGogh Lounge were virtually inaccessible. The chairs in the back
of the main floor blocked all
entrance to the theater, and use of the upper area with its steps and tiered seating was
equally impossible. It would be helpful
for some seats to be allocated for the handicapped in wheel chairs or other mobility
devices. My second area of concern was
related to a purchase made in one of the onboard shops. I purchased a diamond and emerald
tennis bracelet. The clerk in the
jewlery shop talked about the natural emeralds from Columbia. The general literature about
shopping in Alaska talked about the
great values for emeralds. I purchased the bracelet that was signed as a diamond and
emerald bracelet, and purchased
matching emerald earrings in Ketchican. Upon my return I took them to my jewelery store
for an appraisal only to discover the
the bracelet purchsed was NOT emerald and diamonds, but stones that only LOOKED LIKE
diamonds and emeralds. I felt
quite betrayed by this dishonesty. This has taken some of the joy out of what had been an
almost perferct experience.
Name: Lois L. Reed
Email: cwoodring@localaccess.com
Age: 76
Occupation: Retired
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 6/19/97
Itinerary: Alaska Inland Passage
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 95
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 85
WheelchairAccess: 80
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 28 Jun 1997
Time: 13:08:35
Remote Name: 206.64.48.230
Remote User:
Comments
The dining room and dining room service was superior. The seating arrangement was
excellent making our meals most
enjoyable.
Because I have difficulty in walking it was necessary for me to use either a wheel chair
or walker, there were problems getting
around in some of the lounges. It was difficult to use the deck facilities as the deck
chairs were so low that it was impossible
to get out of them. Getting on and off the ship in port was also very difficult for a
handicapped person.
Other than these few criticisms, the overall cruise was far superior to my greatest
expectations. Everyone went out of their
way to do as much as they could to make my trip enjoyable.
Name: cheryl b
Email: cheryl@cts.com
Age: 44
Occupation: business owner
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: july 18 1995
Itinerary: alaska
FoodDiningRoom: 75
CruiseDirector: 100
CabinComfort: 75
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 50
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 50
ShoreExcVariety: 100
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 100
ShoreExcValue: 100
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 100
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 50
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 50
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 75
EmbarkDisembark: 75
DiscoNightclubs: 50
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 100
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 50
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 25 Jul 1997
Time: 17:29:40
Remote Name: 205.163.24.174
Remote User:
Comments
My husband and I were very excited about this cruise as all we had heard about Holland
America was good. We have been on 2 previous Royal
Caribbean and 1 Princess cruise and were extremely pleased. We were in a mini-suite with a
large balcony.
The afternoon we finally got on board, after waiting in line in Vancouver for over 3 hrs.
there were 2 twin beds in our room.(We had requested a queen}.
Finally at 1:00am after 3 calls to housekeeping , the bed was finally made into a queen.
Every day I could always tell when housekeeping had been in the room, the whole suite
smelled to body odor for quite some time.
The balcony would have been great except for the smell of garbage,sewer, something wrong
with venting? I never did understand the explanination we
got.
The ceiling above our bed had a loud creaking sound every time the boat moved, we tried to
find a way to stop it, as did the housekeeping crew, but were
unable to do so.
Our suite was above on of the public restrooms and every time someone would flush the pipe
in the wall next to our heads would make a rumbling sound
and wake us up often. Sometimes this would go on until 2 or 3 in the morning. The ship was
sold out so we could not move.
Many of the staff did not speak english very well at all so communication was a problem.
Our waiter at dinner was always forgetting courses, it got to be a
running joke at our table.
Alaksa was really beautiful however, the scenery was by far some of the most beautiful in
the world.
I dontt know if this is the same with all cruise line but, the age of the people on our
ship was quite a bit older than us.
The only night my husband and I went to the show we left almost right away. The sound
system was terrible and the group doing the show were not a
professional group, costumes were almost non-existant, taped music, no stage decoration.
We have decided that cruises we take in the future will be on Princess or Royal Carribean.
Name: Garland Choate
Email: b727driver@earthlink.net
Age: 51
Occupation: Airline Captain
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: July 10, 1997
Itinerary: Vancouver - Inside Passage of Alaska
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 10
CabinComfort: 0
FoodRoomService: 80
CruiseStaff: 80
CabinAmenities: 0
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness:
FoodMidnightBuffets: 80
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety:
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 0
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 10
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 75
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness:
EmbarkDisembark:
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace:
Stabilization:
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 10
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Jul 1997
Time: 00:17:09
Remote Name: 38.30.93.217
Remote User:
Comments
My wife and I were recently wed in Victoria, B.C. - an absolutely lovely event.
Then we took a cruise on the Holland America Statendam - Alaska Inside Passage. This began
a nightmare. On the very first night of our cruise
(honeymoon), our cabin carpet became flooded with water from faulty plumbing. We, of
course had the Guest Relations Manager and the Chief
Housekeeper come immediately. They offered only to vacuum up the water and put a very
noisy fan in the cabin to dry it out. This continued for four days -
each day the plumbing problem grew worse and our carpet became soggier and soggier. They
offered no relief - said there were no other cabins
available. On the 4th day, they tore out the entire wall of the cabin and fixed the
plumbing. The odor in the room grew so bad with the spores of mold, that
it sent my wife to the infirmary with a migraine. The ship's doctor gave her an injection
and other medicine. They finally offered us another cabin on the fifth
day.
You must remember this is our honeymoon cruise -- What a Honeymoon! To date, Holland
America has offered ONLY a very small token recompense for
this disaster. One would think they would AT LEAST offer us another cruise at their
expense.
This only proves to me that Holland America is in the business to only make their dollar
even if it means usurping their passengers with no regard for
comfort.
You decide if this is the treatment you want from this cruise line!
G. Choate Airline Captain
Name: Martin van Kuilenburg
Email: martink@odyssee.net
Age: 43
Occupation: engineer
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 17 July 1997
Itinerary: Vancouver>Juneau>Skagway>Ketchikan>Vancouver
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges:
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 93
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 09 Aug 1997
Time: 23:58:32
Remote Name: 205.236.247.192
Remote User:
Comments
The design of the dining room was excellant: at the stern, floor to ceiling picture
windows, spread over two floors with a large open area in
the upper floor with many tables for two and four people. The last very good for couples
and families. There were many seniors and even
several people in wheelchairs on board. They did not seem to have any difficulty getting
around with eight elevators and many ramps
covering most areas of the ship. Our cabin (728, portside on A deck) was right over the
fresh water hose connection. It was noisy when
docked and water was being taken on but otherwise the cabin was quiet and spotless. It
must be said that the ship was generally spotless,
decks scrubbed, brass polished and public rooms always clean. Unfortunately, the dinning
room windows could have used a wash. When
the sun shone on them, the streaks really showed. The weather was generally overcast and
dreary (normal for the Alaska Panhandle) but
there was always something to do on the ship. It was to-bad that there were not enough
hours in the day to participate in all of the
activities. All of the staff, especially the cabin and dinning room stewards always had a
friendly smile and a cheerfull disposition.
Name: Dave Rice
Email: dave-rice@msn.com
Age: 44
Occupation: Civil Servant
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 7/31/97
Itinerary: Alaska Inside Passage, 7 days
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 99
FoodMidnightBuffets: 98
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 50
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 40
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 99
Stabilization: 99
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 98
OverallCruiseValue: 85
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 12 Aug 1997
Time: 17:04:27
Remote Name: 153.35.132.135
Remote User:
Comments
Ms Statendam - 7/31/97
The food in the Rotterdam Dining Room was good but a little bland. Variety of menu items
was excellent. Service was excellent as well. The
Lido restaurant had a good variety of different foods. In fact, all the food at all the
various restaurants was for the most part as good as
advertised. Hamburgers at the pool side grill are required to be cooked well done per HAL
(Holland America Lines) policy. Food ordered
through room service was not as good. It was even more bland than the restaurant food. You
might consider packing your own sa1t &
pepper shakers as these were not provided on the room service tray.
We were a part of family reunion consisting of eight adults and two children. The
children's programs seemed to keep the kids occupied
and interested giving the adults a chance relax a bit. There were not very many children
on the ship making it easier for the staff to give
individual attention.
Although we had no handicapped people in our party, we often saw the troubles of those who
did. The show lounge is well designed for
normal seating. Every seat has a fine view of the stage. Wheelchairs, however, can't
negotiate the narrow sloped isles and were stationed
in the back where they had trouble seeing over the other seats. Getting on and off the
ship at each port was also a hassle. Each time a
wheelchair had to use the gangway it was attached to a special hand trolley and all other
pedestrian traffic had to be halted - a process
that often took five minutes. I'm not sure why HAL doesn't open a second gangway just for
wheelchairs. Also, many exterior doorways
leading to outside decks have raised thresholds (a weather barrier) which provides another
obstacle.
Our three ports of call were quaint but did not offer much variety of activity which could
distinguish one from the other. It's about what
you'd expect from small Alaskan towns which can be reached only by air or sea. Skagway
relies on tourism (almost entirely from cruise
ships) for 100% of its economy. It's almost all gift shops with restored facades.
Ketchikan has its fishing industry and Juneau is the capitol,
but even these larger communities have no shortage of gift shops near the pier. There are
flight seeing and nature rafting excursions at
all the ports but I felt HAL's were overpriced. We found third party tour operators just
as knowledgeable providing many of the same tours
for a lower fee. HAL will not acknowledge their existence while you’re on the ship.
Even our travel agent (who always seemed to act in
HAL’s interest) tried to steer us away from them. Just look for them near the pier or
search the Internet
(www.alaskainfo.org/communities.html) before you go. Also, make sure they can get you back
to the ship before it sails.
The cruise activities were interesting and generally filled the bill. In Glacier Bay the
ship picked up two park rangers who did a very good
job of answering questions and doing a running commentary of the area over the PA system.
The ship spent about an hour stopped in
front of one of the large active glaciers - enough time to see at least one small iceberg
being calved.
Although the ship carries more than 1200 passengers, it did not seem crowded except at
opening time of the Lido Restaurant and when
the gangway was first lowered to disembark at the ports. You can avoid crowded conditions
in both areas by simply waiting a few minutes
for the crowd to thin out.
The entertainment was a bit sedated for my liking, but probably in character for the
majority of those on board who were older, in many
cases much older than I. In the Van Gogh show lounge I found the magicians,
impressionists, and comedians much more entertaining than
the singer/dance troupe. The latter reminded me of the old ‘Up With People’
group. In fairness though, it’s very tough to do any precision
dancing on a rolling ship. The band which played in the Crow’s Nest Lounge was
better. It took some time getting used to an all Indonesian
band playing American tunes and the lead singer’s falsetto voice. After a while I got
used to both and enjoyed them.
Cabin comfort was very good. My wife & I had an inside stateroom (187 sq. ft.), one of
the smallest on board but we didn’t feel cramped.
The cabinets were well designed and provided adequate storage. Our four X-large suitcases
fit under the bed. The bathroom was small
but very clean. I’ve read other reports about plumbing problems and noise but our
room was clean, dry, and very quite. You also have a
choice of listening to PA announcements in the cabin or turning them off if you’d
rather not be bothered.
At times I noticed a strong odor of raw sewage in the aft area near the ship’s stack.
I suspect that under certain wind conditions vapors
from the plumbing vent in the stack were caught in a downdraft. Unfortunately this
objectionable odor was also sucked into the rear of the
Lido Restaurant when the exterior doors were opened. It was most noticeable while in port
when the winds were calm.
The general appearance of the ship was excellent. The interior metal was always polished
and the teak decks add a touch of class which is
a novelty placing HAL above other lines. The whole ship seemed very clean.
The ship’s motion was barely noticeable I thought. The weather conditions were very
calm for the entire cruise even when we ventured
into the Pacific Ocean.
I’ve included every negative aspect of the cruise which I could remember. In general
it was a great time and a good overall value. I’d
recommend it to anyone and will probably do a return trip in the future.
Name: Gerry Coscia
Email: gcoscia@injersey.com
Age: 42
Occupation: Civil Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 30 November 1996
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 75
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 85
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 65
DiscoNightclubs: 75
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 03 Oct 1997
Time: 22:28:57
Remote Name: 206.139.53.58
Remote User:
Comments
The main attraction of the cruise was the ship itself. It was just the right size, had
plenty of deck space, and felt like a ship and not a hotel. The
fully encircling promenade was very wide and lined with padded lounge chairs. It was a
great place to sit or stroll, and we spent a lot of our time
on this peaceful deck. There was also plenty of open space on other teak-lined decks,
including the foredeck at the front of the ship that is
off-limits on other ships. All of the interior spaces, which were themselves beautiful,
connected to the sea via expansive windows. All in all, a
wonderful ship.
Other highlights included the excellent gym, the Java coffee bar, the canvas tote bags,
and the hot appetizers at cocktail hour in the lounges.
Things that could have been done better include: embarkation (a long wait to have our
number called to board, even though we arrived early);
debarkation (we had to lug our bags to the bus, and then from the bus to the check-in at
Ft. Lauderdale airport; Princess handles the bags all
the way through after you clear customs); the fairly sedate Captain's Party, where we were
herded into the main show lounge; and, the
confusing 'no tipping required policy', which as I found out means that tips are expected
at rates on par with other cruise lines, but HAL won't
tell you how much is customary. As a HAL first-timer, I got tipping advice from HAL
old-timers so that I could tip appropriately.
Food and entertainment were good; we enjoyed most of what we were served, and the shows
were pretty good. The disco was fairly quiet, but
the few folks we met there were interesting.
The ports were terrific: St. John/St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Caracas, and Curacao. We
took a ship excursion on Dominica to the Carib
Indian territory and it was fantastic. We were pleasantly suprised by Caracas. We hadn't
intended to do much, but then decided to hire a cab
for a ride to/tour of the city. It was spectacular!
We'll cruise again with HAL in the future, on the Statendam or one of her sisters.
Name: DeAnne Curto
Email: curtod@mpinet.net
Age: 27
Occupation: Purchaser
NumberOfCruises: 4
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: November 22, 1997
Itinerary: Carribean 10-day Wayfarer Cruise
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 100
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 100
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 98
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 100
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 98
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 98
BeautySalonStaff: 98
EntertainmentLounges: 98
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 98
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 98
Casino: 98
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 06 Dec 1997
Time: 11:36:29
Remote Name: 208.6.198.73
Remote User:
Comments
Positive Aspects:
The first step to any great vacation is the travel agent. We are extremely pleased with
the service we received
from Martin Frankel of Gold Coast Cruises in Miami, FL. You can contact him at (800)
443-SHIP, ext. 318.
Our cabin was #599 on the Main Deck. Great midship location. We appreciated the number
procuedure that
Holland America used for both embarkation and debarkation. Our luggage literally arrived
in the cabin 3 minutes
after we did. Please note that the soft drinks provided in the room are not free of
charge. Our table assignment
had already been made which saved a great deal of time. The lifeboat drill takes a while,
but was the most
thorough I have seen yet. I really felt that I would know what to do if a disaster
happened, and can still remember
my lifeboat station number. We wished that we could have gotten to know our cabin steward
better, but it is the
line's policy for the steward to be unobtrusive. We had an outside cabin with an
unobstructed view.
I had never taken a cruise on a ship of this size or weight. While we were blessed with
exceptional weather, the
weight of the ship (55,000 tons) is a great help when the weather gets interesting.
Instead of walking through
lounges on your way to where you're going, Holland America places its lounges on the sides
of the ship like little
hideaways. Great idea. The ship's decor was warm and comfortable, and was constantly being
cleaned by the
staff. There was a tremendous variety of activities for all tastes and interests. The Lido
Deck with the retractable
dome over the swimming pool is really something to see. The casino staff was very friendly
and there was a good
variety of slot and table games. The cruise director, Rick Spath, was calm and pleasant.
Announcements were
made at about 10:00AM and 4:00PM each day, and that was it except for an announcement when
the big bingo
game was each day. All the rest of the information appeared under the door every night at
9:00PM in the Daily
Program. I was on a cruise once where the cruise director yelled Good Morning over the
intercom every day at
7:00AM. HAL's approach was a breath of fresh air. There were several lounges each with
different music (strings,
piano, or a musical group) appearing at various times during the evening.
My husband and I are not gourmet eaters, so we enjoyed the variety of food offered at each
meal. We ate
breakfast and lunch every day at the Lido Restaraunt. There are two buffet serving lines,
along with a continental
line, dessert bar, ice cream bar, and specialty omelettes on occassion. The Lido Deck has
hamburgers and hot
dogs, along with stir-fry, taco, or potato bars depending upon the day. The second day at
sea, they hosted a
dutch tea in the formal dining room. Someone invited us to go, and we really enjoyed it.
The dining room is
beautiful. Two stories with a grand staircase. I was pleased to see that in each menu
section at dinner, there
were gourmet and ordinary choices. In the appetizers, you might have sushi or caviar
listed alongside bay shrimp
cocktail. I really enjoyed the soups, and there was always something similar to a plain
salad available each night.
They offered a very extensive dessert menu as well. Someone told us that non-smokinng was
on the bottom floor,
and smoking on the top, and there were a variety of table sizes (2's,4,'s,6's, etc.)
HAL provided two things on this cruise that Norwegian only provides to its alumni
passengers. We received a New
York Times fax every morning, and were able to take a tour of the ship's kitchen
facilities.
The Indonesian / Filipino crew were one of the greatest assets. They are considerate and
cheerful. Most would
nod and say hello, and some would start conversations with us even if we briefly met them
on the staircase. We
also had a great experience with the Front Desk staff. Ships use a vacumn toilet system,
and sometimes the lines
get clogged. This did not suprise us since it happened briefly on our last cruise. Both
times this occurred, the
problem was resolved within minutes of calling the front desk.
One of the best parts of this cruise was the 6 ports you stop in (Curacao, Bonaire,
Grenada, Dominica, St.
Thomas, and Nassau.) All the ports were very pleasant except Grenada. While a lush,
beautiful landscape, the
people hassle you from the time you reach land. We returned to the ship within 30 minutes.
Curacao was clean
and busting; Bonaire was peaceful and quiet; Dominica was lush and verdant; St. Thomas has
exceptional
shopping and friendly people; Nassau is improving (Atlantis on Paradise Island is
definitely worth a look.)
Negative Aspects:
The passengers were the biggest deficit to the whole experience. Many were exceedingly
critical of the staff or
food, and constantly commpared their present experience to the treatment they received
from other lines.
People are so spoiled and desire such extreme pampering that they become unreasonable. One
night bay
shrimp was on the menu as an appetizer which we really enjoy, so we ordered it. The waiter
came back saying
that they only had scallops instead. We ate a few but not many only because we don't care
for it as much. When
he saw we did not eat much, he apologized profusely thinking we were angry. It's 11:30AM,
the beginning of lunch
time in the Lido restaraunt. Only one beautiful buffet line was ready, and there were only
six or eight people still
waiting to go through the line. One woman walks by complaining to her friends that she
couldn't understand why
both lines weren't open yet.
We had been spoiled by a wonderful, congenial captain on the Norwegian Crown last year.
Captain Franz Cosen
was a drill sergeant more than a host. Each day at 1:00PM, he would rattle off all the
specifics regarding the
ship's location, wind speed, and sea conditions, and that was it. He did not appear in any
of the pictures taken at
the Captain's cocktail party. He did not deliver a farewell message when the cruise was
over. There was also a
charge for him to officiate the renewal of marriage vows which was provided free of charge
by the minister
aboard the Norweigan Crown.
My husband is a senior citizen, but he said he felt younger than most of the passengers on
board. While we did
see several couples with young children, and had a middle-aged couple at our dinner table,
it would be safe to
say that 75% of the passengers were 60 or over. In the bathroom, there was a conservation
sign like you see in
many hotels these days. Towels you want replaced you can lay on the floor; those you'll
use again you leave on
the rack. We felt no need to have all our towels replaced everyday, but they were even
though we left them on the
rack. The pricing in the shops on board was a bit high (which is to be expected I
suppose), but the photographs
were very expensive ($19.95 for an 8x10).
Name: Joe Famularo
Email: joe.famularo@usa.net
Age: 44
Occupation: Software Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 15
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: 12/11/97
Itinerary: Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 97
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 85
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 60
CasinoStaff: 75
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 06 Jan 1998
Time: 13:48:33
Remote Name: 192.208.46.247
Remote User:
Comments
This is the first cruise that we've taken one week prior to Christmas and it was
wonderful! Our sixth time on a Holland America ship provided
us with wonderful food, atmosphere and relaxation. Some of our favorite moments include
sitting on our verandah sipping champagne at 2
a.m. watching the moon shine on the open waters, or enjoying cocktails at the piano bar
while "Mark" a wonderful entertainer punched the ol'
keys and sang out some tunes. Not to be missed, the sunsets.
This cruise attracted an older crowd so the atmosphere was subdued to say the least.
That's OK because we were on vacation to relax and
this cruise did as intended.
Holland America provided us a vacation we'll remember for a long time. You can bet that
we'll be sailing with HAL again.
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