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our third trip on HA - best cruise yet! by
A Traveler from madison,wi Sailing date: Dec 2012Pros: everything, but ports and food where the best Cons: no such thing we had so much fun as a family of 4 - 2 kids and 2 adults - i love holland america line - so friendly, clean, always great service, best food and lots of fun! Ship Quality
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   A pleasant experience by
A Traveler from Boca Raton, FL. Sailing date: Dec 2011Pros: The crew was very nice Cons: The food was erratic, the entertainment was fair We have been on the Holland America Line before on the Old Rotterdam and the Noordam. We remember them fondly. This cruise did not live up to our memories.
It was very pleasant. However the food was sometimes excellent and at others tasteless. The entertainment was uneven. Some very good and others just okay.
We asked for a table for 2 each evening and either had to wait or were seated with other people at a table for 4. No one mentioned wether we should or could make reservation. We had "Open Seating". Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe Optional restaurants were excellent. Stateroom QualityThe room clean, comfortable and in pretty good condition. Our location was excellent. Ship Staff QualityWe sent our laundry out and it got lost. We had to call the front desk to locate it in the laundry. Our room steward finally went to the laundry and found it marked "no name" Entertainment & ActivitiesThere were no lectures of special interest to attend which are available on several other ship lines. These are interesting and educational 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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a mediocre cruise by
Ruth W from Rotonda West, FL Sailing date: Dec 2010Pros: I love being on the ocean Cons: the food was extremely disappointing the ship was decorated lovely for Christmas and the staff were quick to wish you a Merry Christmas which we loved.
Having been on six "DAM" ships we expected great food. We were severly disappointed in the food. Many nights we could not eat the soup presented. We had table mates, and they too were horribly disappointed in the food.
The main desk gal was surly when I asked about dining in the Pinnacle grille after recieving a gift certificate for the grille.
We left a Christmas bonus for our cabin boys and never saw them again!
I got sick and ordered room service and they sent what they felt like sending, not what I ordered.
We definately would not go aboard the Noordam again. Ship Qualitysome of the furniture needs to be replaced. Dining/FoodThe food was never hot coming out of the kitchen. It was always luke warm. That may be ok for some foods, but others you want hot. Stateroom Qualitywe had a deluxe suite and we were surprised that it was smaller than the one we had on the Zandaam. The veranda was gorgeous! Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activitiesthe comic neeeds to find another profession. the rest of the shows were great. The sound man needs to turn the music down so it doesn't drown out the singers. 
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Ocho Rios, Jamaicawe did a private taxi tour of the island, one side that is. The poverty is astounding.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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A relaxing vacation by
A Traveler from Chapel Hill, NC Sailing date: Aug 2010Pros: dining in the two speciaty restaurants onboard (Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto's) Cons: too few onboard activities The Noordam is a beautiful ship. Its venues are underused, however. They could/should have activities going in all these fabulous rooms every day--not just the lone "at sea" day. A no-smoking policy would be appreciated (their "suggested" smoking areas were only loosely adhered to--as was the "adults only" policy at the aft pool.) Ship Quality
Dining/FoodIt's hard to do a quality job with such large numbers. The specialty restaurants--the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto's--were excellent. The regular dining room was a step down from service in years past. Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityOverall, excellent. Entertainment & ActivitiesThis seems to be where this ship spared expenses. In the past, I have even skipped shore excursions to stay onboard for particular classes and activities. I would have been playing Solitaire on this cruise, had I done so. I will definitely explore on-board activities/lectures/classes before booking my next cruise.
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Barcelona, SpainWe particularly enjoyed exploring the Gothic quarter.
Cannes, FranceA beautiful port with good shopping.
La Goulette (Tunis & Carthage), TunisiaMy favorite stop--largely because of a terrific tour guide who really brought the history and culture of ancient Carthage to life.
Palma De Mallorca, Balearic IslandsBeautiful, but we arrived on a major religious holiday when everything was closed. We had a very pleasant walk, though, and did some sight-seeing. It's a long walk into town--a shuttle would have been appreciated here.
Trapani, SicilyVery accessible--a short walk into town with abundant good shopping.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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First time cruisers and loved it! by
Beth and Sam from New York Sailing date: Jul 2009Pros: The crew aboard the Noordam Cons: It was all good This ship is kept clean. The food was excellent. The ships crew goes above and beyond customer service. How they remember names is amazing. I would highly recommend this ship and will definately cruise again on it. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe food choices were plentiful. Even picky eaters could find something to his or her liking. Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualitySome of the crew found out it was my daughters birthday and had a cake made for her! Entertainment & Activities
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Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Corfu, Greece
Dubrovnik, Croatiawould definately go back
Santorini, Greecetake the donkey ride up the hill
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Messina, Sicilyunfortunately we weren't in port long enough
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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10 day Holland American Cruise by
A Traveler from FL Sailing date: Mar 2009Pros: Great food, fabulous entertainment, good size pools Cons: food dishes not clean, mold in bath, room furniture & carpet not clean & worn The staff needs better instruction in cleanliness. Perhaps tired at end of contract, however cruise line should be aware of this and oversee the staff tasks instead of standing & watching guests. Ship Quality
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Oranjestad, ArubaDon't Miss: Aloe factory very informative Roseau, Dominica
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.waste of time
Curacao
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Very satisfied. Will go again. by
Tony from Corning, CA Sailing date: Aug 2007Pros: Over all attitude of staff. Rewarding. Dining/Food
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26 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
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Great service. by
Paul from Glen Ellyn, IL Sailing date: Jul 2007Pros: No lines for anything. It felt like a small ship. Cabin service is the best experience possible. Dining/Food
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Cruise Glacier BayJueanu.
Dog sledding on the glacier was the ultimate experience of a lifetime.
Don't Miss: Dog sledding on the glacier. Juneau, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska
Sitka, AlaskaSitka Captian's choice excursion.
Wildlife, nature expertise, flexible locations, free time to walk on the shore.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Never again on a ship this size. by
John from Portland, OR Sailing date: Jul 2007
Dining/Food
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5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Trip of a Lifetime! by
A Traveler from Centralia, WA Sailing date: Jul 2007Pros: Wonderful, helpful staff. We had the time of our lives. The ship was beautiful, the staff wonderful, the food very good, and Alaska is truly God's country. We are ready to do it again! Dining/FoodThe food was excellent and it was so much fun having the same table and wait staff every night!
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityEveryone took such good care of us! We were totally pampered.
Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: There was always something to do! You could do as much or as little as you wanted every day.
Entertainment: Great shows every night.
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Cruise Glacier BayGod's country.
Glacier Bay is truly God's country. The glaciers and sounds of this beautiful national park are hard to describe. We heard a woman say at the end of our day in Glacier Bay, "If the cruise were to end right now, it would have been the perfect place to end it!"
Juneau, Alaska
Ketchikan, AlaskaBeautiful city!
We loved Ketchican! Just wish we could have had more time there.
Don't Miss: Great Alaskan Lumberjack at show. Sitka, Alaska
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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