The Final Morning Onboard
Day 7 of this Holland America Canada and New England cruise had us calling in Quebec City.
The delay in our arrival time meant our tour was also delayed until 1 pm. While the tour was still visiting the main attractions, the included lunch portion was cancelled as a result.
So, we had the entire morning to ourselves. The weather was clear but much cooler today.
The ship was cleared before 10:30 am. So, I headed outside for some filming and final videos and photos of the ship. With Quebec City in the background, it felt like the ideal time for some outdoor shots.
We also spent some time packing prior to heading ashore.
A bit before our tour meeting time, we made our way down to the Grand Dutch café for an afternoon coffee. With caffeine in hand, we checked in at the World Stage for our Best of Quebec tour.
Our group was called a few minutes before 1 pm. Along with our fellow cruisers, we headed towards the gangway on deck 2, through the terminal, and to the meeting point. Now, it was time to learn more about our last port of call.
Holland America Line Zaandam Cruise Reviews For Senior Cruises From Vancouver
Review forZaandamtoSouth America
Cabin Type: Large Interior Stateroom
Cabin Type: Large Ocean-View Stateroom
Cabin Type: Large Outside Stateroom
Cabin Type: Large Ocean-View Stateroom
Holland America Line Rotterdam Caribbean Cruise Review Day 5
All along, St. Thomas was our third port of call. Although, we didnt realize the time had been changed until we got a notification about changes to our shore excursion the day prior.
We were supposed to have an 8 am arrival. Now, we had a new arrival time of 11 am, with the ship staying in port until 8 pm. Normally, we would take advantage of a late day stop, but I had to work my full-time job this week and had some meetings and other obligations I could not miss this afternoon.
This meant we had to cancel our revised shore excursion to Coral World and Coki Beach.
Back with our usual morning pick me up, we were both ready by 9 am local time, so there was time for breakfast before starting my work day. The easiest and quickest option was the Lido Market. We sampled a few items, including the custom omelet station.
Good thing for me, we were docked and cleared right before 11 am. With all the PA announcements done, along with 5G internet speeds and cell service, I was able to hop on a Teams meeting without issue.
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Holland America Cruises Customer Reviews
Autumn was a wonderful person to work with. She took excellent care of us.
It was a perfect cruise – just the right amount of activities and the ability to stay apart when we wanted to.
great Alaska Cruise by Holland American. We had good weather, great food and a good variety of excursions to choose from. We only had 1600 on the ship, which included staff. Thus, being small vs other cruise ships was a huge plus. Great whale watching going above Victoria BC. Due to gale winds, we only had 2 hours in Victoria. This was way too short. Maybe just a pure Alaskan cruise and skip Victoria BC. Staff were great, kind and exceptional at times.
I will definitely book another trip with HAL just so because they have a very great and very helpful staff.
Jerry has always gone above and beyond he has Great customer service and is the reason why I use affordable tours.
excellent staff, stewards and food service!
everybody great and rspecially Steve Warren agent!
Our room was the last one aft. We felt it when the ship was at sea. Next time, no verandah, middle aft is what the cruise director told me would be best for Narayan. Also at a lower level with a shower would be more stable experience.
Have used Affordable tours since early 2000 and have always been pleased with price and knowledge travel agent
The cruise itself exceeded our expectations. There were no problems it was all good.
This was our 1st cruise and would do it again!
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This Is No Where Near The Claimed 5
This is no where near the claimed 5 Star luxury cruise line. We have just been to an inner passage Alaskan tour. We had booked hoping to be a once in a lifetime experience. It was a big let down. Most of our time was spent trying to sort our food a big surprise as one had heard that you get a lot of tempting food on a cruise. The line could not cater for 5 vegetarian who do not eat eggs and 1 vegan. We did complained from day 1 and at though the staff tried there best but there were various problem mostly due to the kitchen staff either not bothered or overworked. This is made worse by the senior staff on the ship having no power to address the situation they just said to us that they have taken noted our comments and will forward to their head office. So surprised that a very simple diet of vegetarian and vegan requirement could be satisfied. There was virtually no desert except ice cream. The serving staff also not sure of the ingredients.
Date of experience:October 03, 2019
Dining In Style On Rotterdam
With all aboard not until 4:30 pm, many of our fellow cruisers were still on the island. This gave us the perfect opportunity to continue getting some remaining photos and videos of the ship.
So, with a better idea of the ships layout now, we retraced our steps from day one. Finishing up at the interior decks around 3:30 pm, we grabbed some afternoon coffee and headed back to our room.
Tonight, we had an early dinner at the lines signature steakhouse, the Pinnacle Grill. Pre-cruise, the only time we could get for this popular specialty restaurant was 5:30 pm.
Dinner was timed much better tonight. Our friendly and talkative waitress, Betty, made sure we had everything we needed throughout the entire meal.
For starters, we could not pass up the signature candied bacon. This is a must-try menu item at this restaurant. On the other hand, my crab cakes were a tad dry, while the Princess iceberg salad was pretty standard.
For entrees, I went with the 10 oz. filet. It was perfectly cooked to a medium-rare temperature. To try something new, I added the red wine sauce on the side. This paired extremely well with the tender meat.
As you could guess, Heidi ordered the lone chicken dish on the menu. Our sides included the French Fries and sautéed mushrooms.
Dinner had us out of the restaurant a little past 7 pm. This was perfect timing to get some decent seats on the portside of the World Stage. Tonights main theater show was Billboard Off the Charts.
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These People Will Love Holland America Line
Destination Collectors. Holland America Lines expansive fleet sails to more than 450 ports.
Premium ship lovers. Holland Americas ships are mid-sized, carrying from 793 to 2,104 passengers, and featuring wraparound teak decks and staterooms that are on average 25 percent larger than other ships in its class.
World cruisers. Holland America Line has operated world cruises for more than 25 years.
Long cruisers. Holland America Lines Grand Voyages allow passengers to explore a specific region of the world on an extended Holland cruise. Combine Grand Voyages to circumnavigate the globe.
We Will Just Share That With The Table
Tamarind can be tricky to find on the Pinnacle-Class ships. It is located all the way aft on Deck 10. Though, the only way to access it is to use the aft elevators. Knowing this trick, we were up to dinner a few minutes early. We grabbed seats at one of the two tables next to some writers we hadnt had a chance to talk with yet this trip.
Then, we settled in for a multi-course feast. Getting to dine with multiple people means we can order several things. But first, the signature drinks at Tamarind are among the most popular on the ship. With our Wasabi and Far East Legacy cocktails in hand, it was time to dive into some food selections.
For starters, our table ordered several sushi plates. I was fond of the soft shell crab and the lobster tempura.
Then, I went with the lobster and shrimp post stickers and spareribs as my own appetizers. Both were prepared in a traditional manner and bursting with far east flavor. Expectedly, Heidi did the chicken satays.
For dinner, I went with my go-to, the spicy Szechuan shrimp. With a light glaze, stir fried vegetables, and tempura fried shrimp, it was as delicious as always. Heidi also stuck with her usual dish, the red curry chicken which was just mild enough for her tastes.
Around the table, our server brought several side dishes. So, I got to sample some of the crab fried rice and dan dan noodles.
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Sexual Harassment With Effy Sales Person
We had a very bad experience with a sale person named Milan P on board a cruise ship. He sold us an engagement ring. While I was going through the payment process with the store manager , my fiancé proceeded to the room to get ready for dinner. Milan followed her to the elevator and made a pass at her.She mentioned what happened to me the next day and was bothered by his actions. We did file a complaint with Holland America and Effy Jewelry. Hopefully this gets settled in a proper way soon.
Date of experience:November 09, 2022
A Sunny Afternoon In Halifax
Our second part of this excursion was a 75-minute loop through the city. It was a beautiful, sunny day, ideal for sightseeing. From the second level of the bus, we had the perfect vantage point.
The bus made 10 stops at notable locations, including a Victorian park, the Citadel, and the Titanic Cemetery. While this was a hop on hop off bus, we decided to stay on for the entire loop.
Our new guide provided some facts and figures about the various buildings and areas of the city. I found the nuggets of knowledge more interesting than Heidi.
The final stop is only about 20 minutes from the ship. So, we got off and walked along the boardwalk back to the ship. It was a gorgeous day, and the various restaurants, bars, and shops were busy.
Oddly, we have another cruise returning to Halifax soon. During that stop, I plan on spending more time on this Boardwalk!
Eventually making our way back onboard Nieuw Statendam, we grabbed a late lunch. Heidi went with the pizza, which I still say is average at best. I made a custom sandwich with the pulled pork from the carving station at the Lido Marketplace.
We then spent the remainder of the afternoon unwinding and doing some work in our cabin.
Tonight, we were on our own for dinner. We ended up connecting with a few other members of our group to meet up at the main dining room around 7 pm.
Unlike night 1, there was no line at the Deck 2 main dining room. So, we were immediately escorted to a table all the way at the aft of the restaurant.
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Dining On Holland America
Im Celiac, lactose-intolerant, and allergic to nuts. Yes, its a long list! Cruising with food allergies can be challenging, so my review focuses on the cruise lines ability to handle my allergies and keep the meals tasty.
I ate most of my meals in the Rotterdam Restaurant because having a consistent waiter works best for me. The choices for me were phenomenal, and my meals were always fantastic.
Top marks to the chefs who made sure my meals were free of my allergens, but never sacrificed flavor or presentation.
I enjoyed breakfast from the Lido each morning because it was fast and easy. Gluten-free bread, waffles, pasta, and sweet treats were readily available onboard.
Alternatively, cruisers can get hamburgers, hotdogs from the Dive-In, and specialty coffees and teas from the Explorations Café. The Canaletto Restaurant and Pinnacle Grill have a surcharge of USD 20 and USD 39 for dinner.
Promised Fcc In August 2 Months Later Still No Fcc Credit On Jagel Account Confirmation #xk4t2h
Due to positive Covid tests on board, we were confined to our cabin. We received a letter on August 14 from John Mark M. Piemonte, Guest Service Manager, Nieuw Statendam stating that you are providing a Future Cruise Credit worth 100% of the per day cruise fare for the days you are isolated. We would have applied this FCC towards a reservation for a…
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Whats Included On Holland America Line
All meals, except for dining in the optional reservations-only restaurants.
Fitness Center, except for instructor-led classes such as Spin, Yoga and Pilates.
Entertainment, including Broadway-style shows and cinema.
Daily World Newspapers news from all over the globe is published daily.
Youth Programs, catering to toddlers, kids or teens.
An Early End To Dressy Night
Like most nights, dinner took over two hours. So, it was well past 9:30 pm when our table was ready to head out. Saying good-bye to everyone, we made our way to the World Stage for this evenings show. Tonight was another performance by the Step One Dance Company, In Tandem.
Arriving to the show about 20 minutes late, we found seats on the portside of the ship. We settled in to enjoy the show. There was only one problem though, this production is rather short. In fact, it is only about 35 minutes. So, we only caught a few minutes before the final act.
Like many of the nights before, we ended our evening in the Rolling Stone Rock Room. The band was just starting its last set. The eclectic mix of songs ranged from modern rock to classic rock. They even threw in some pop performances with an unique twist.
Even though it was Dressy Night, many of the bars and lounges were closing at 11 PM. So despite a rather uneventful day cruising the St. Lawrence River, we decided to call it a night after the rock show.
Tomorrow was already our last day of the cruise.
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Keep A Dying Man’s Money Just Because They Can
Happy New Year to Holland America Line who refused to give us even a full credit for our cancelled cruise several weeks prior to sailing. My pre-existing medical condition, which our travel insurance didn’t cover, suddenly and unexpectedly deteriorated. I am terminally ill, and am about to start in clinical trials aimed at buying me time. Despite the letter from the haematologist stating that not receiving immediate medical intervention could result in my death, they refused to even give us a full credit for a future cruise, but offered a 50%…
- Value for Money
Day Alaska With Holland America We Were First Time Cruisers And Thought
We were first time cruisers and thought this cruise would be a good one as only 7 days and largely inside passage so a smoother time at sea. We were right! A great ship with super crew who always had a smile and time for you.Food was very good, the signature restaurants excellent. Well worth taking the ‘have it all’ package. Entertainment was really good, especially the ‘Rolling Stones Lounge’ where the excellent house band got you boogying!Alastair is clean and interesting. We were lucky and had some sunshine. The trip we took were good, but wished we had taken a float plane as you would see a lot more. You will see wildlife, you just have to be patient. Our trip was end of July.Day 2, disaster struck for us, told we had covid and quarantined to our cabin. This is when a company really steps up or fails. We were so well looked after, in particular, Mia, the customer services manager on the zudamme took over and really looked after us, always cheerful and positive, she is a credit to Holland America and we truly thank you. We think Holland America are super and couldn’t recommend them enough.
Date of experience:August 14, 2022
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Luxury At Budget Prices
If you cant afford a luxury cruise line such as Seabourn, Viking, or Regent, Holland America is a good option at a more reasonable price. Youll find many of the amenities found on higher-end cruise lines at a much lower cost. Indulgent touches include luxurious beds and linens, Egyptian cotton towels, and the comfy bathrobes seen in upscale hotels. The impeccable service is due to almost one crew member for every two guests. Complimentary room service is available for even the lowest cabin category. Food and wine aboard Holland America ships can compete with the top luxury cruise lines. .