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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. 
Collapse List of Ports
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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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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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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0 out of 0 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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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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The destinations and overall services ma by
A Traveler from New York, NY Sailing date: Sep 2006A most enjoyable time. Entertainment & Activities
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Ship Review by
Jake from Boston, MA Sailing date: Mar 2006
Entertainment & Activities
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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Will never sail with Holland America aga by
Jane from New York, NY Sailing date: Apr 2006Pros: Dining crew. Catered to the elderly too much... not enough for the younger pre teen children. Entertainment & Activities
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Not bad at all. by
Aleksandr from NY, NY Sailing date: Apr 2006Pros: Comfort I liked it more than I disliked it. Entertainment & Activities
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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