 |
 |
|
Name: Charles Rogers
Email: cwrogers@voyager.net
Age: 42
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Statendam
SailingDate: February 21, 1998
Itinerary: S. Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 98
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 98
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 97
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 98
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 93
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 97
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 97
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 96
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 03 Mar 1998
Time: 21:44:43
Remote Name: 209.153.139.137
Remote User:
Comments
This was my first cruise, and I now wonder why I waited so long. Holland America really
treated us like kings and queens, and the feeling's really
great.
This was a theme cruise - specifically, to see the total solar eclipse over the South
Caribbean on February 26, 1998, and this is what prompted us to
take this cruise. Our Ports of Call were Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St Thomas, and Holland
America's newly-opened private island, Half Moon Cay in
the Bahamas. As for the eclipse, the Captain, together with the editor of Sky and
Telescope Magazine, found calm seas in the lee of Curacao, and
the eclipse experience was ideal.
Because of the theme of the cruise, the average age of the guests was reportedly younger
than Holland America's normal clientele, probably in the
late 40's or early 50's; as for me, there were usually several simultaneous activities
which I would have liked to have done. There wasn't any
pressure whatsoever to engage in the organized activities; when I wished to simply relax,
I was always able to easily do so. The evening meals were
all excellent, the nightly shows were very entertaining, and the entire ship crew very
friendly, attentative, and helpful.
As for the cruise director, she seemed to be everywhere, and was always extremely dynamic.
It seemed that she had to be both halves of identical
twins.
As for the ports of call, we particularily enjoyed Curacao. We were there for the evening
of the day of the eclipse, and we really enjoyed the quaint,
real feel of the town of Willemstad. Unlike other ports, Willemstat seemed to be just a
regular town (contrasting to being a tourist-oriented town), and
this was particularily enjoyable.
The only negative, and a minor one at that, was some occasional difficulty in
communicating with the stewards. The stewards, mostly Phillipino or
Indonesian, speak English well, but sometimes speak so quickly that I had trouble cutting
through the accent. They were always very patient, though,
and helped us understand everything that they were trying to say.
We particularily commend Widi, our table steward, who seemed to know us well enough to
anticipate our dinner selections, and Edy, our cabin
steward, who seemed to always know when we were out of our room. Our cabin was tidied up
whenever we were out, and we never lacked fresh
towels.
There were a minimum of five appetizer selections, six entree selections, and five dessert
selections on each evening menu. There was always
something for everybody's taste, and the meals were all excellent.
This 10-day cruise was a vacation that we'll long remember. We'll definitely sail with HAL
again.
Want to book your cruise at a great rate?
Click here.
Questions or comments? Mail to webmaster@cruiseopinion.com.
Copyright ©1996-2001 CruiseOpinion.com. Last modified: March 22, 2000.