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Name: john bullis
Email: jbull121@msn.com
Age: 63
Occupation: retired
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Veendam
SailingDate: 2/15/98
Itinerary: cozumel,grand cayman,ocho rios,bahamas
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 100
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 70
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService:
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge:
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 Mar 1998
Time: 14:12:21
Remote Name: 153.36.176.3
Remote User:
Comments
This is our second trip on Holland American. The key words for this line and certainly the
Ryndam and Veendam which we've been on are, clean!
comfortable! conservative but fun! and very well organized. This trip would have been
typically mostly the age 55+ crowd but it was Presidents
Holiday Week and thus a few younger couples and more kids. This, however, strengthened our
opinion that the cruise and ship at this time of year is
really not set up for the younger crowd. Too us, it's not as family friendly environment
as it could be. Which, is alright with us as we would not want a
cruise loaded with the younger action crowd.
The ship is just beautiful and, for our money, designed lots more like a ship rather than
floating hotel. It just looks and feels more marine. The smaller
ship and smaller number of passengers contributes to this we think. The staff is
outstanding everywhere and we can think of no, even slight,
negative experiences.
Space is fine, the ship seems to absorb the crowd easily, except on the stern area around
the pool which is very crowded and getting a chaise
lounge becomes almost war each day. The staff seems to ignore the reserving of lounges by
groups of people who really do not need all they take
although they do state that these types of things are not permitted.
Now for the food. It is fine but not outstanding. This, in our opinion, is not a ship to
take if one is looking for Gourmet dining. The fare is varied
enough in choice but the results are inconsistent. At no time did we have a really bad
meal, however, sometimes the description did not live up to the
billing. One percieves that the staff is trying to achieve a level of quality and variety
that is just beyond their capabilities. Nevertheless, the service
and attitude of the staff is just outstanding.
We were not especially impressed with the ports on this trip, especially Ocho Rios. Why
they use this port for Jamaica is beyond us. What a dump!
Cozumel is, well, Mexico. Georgetown Grand Caymans is really well worth the stop and H/A's
own island, Half Moon Cay is a real winner. It's really
going to be super when they get it fully developed.
All in all, this ship and line are perfect for an older couple like us who like it quiet
at night, don't need rich large meals, and would prefer to avoid
noisy kids and loud thirty somethings. Everybody's got to fit somewhere. Also, don't get a
verandah room at the stern of this ship right under the
pool deck. The moving and sliding of deck chairs during the day can drive you nuts.
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