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Holland America Line
MS Volendam
Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Nigel Harvey
# previous cruises: 8
Date of Trip: February 21, 2008
Itinerary: Caribbean - Southern
The cruise itinerary is variable but for me the highlight was the Panama Canal and Costa Rica.
As always on HAL ships the walk round promenade was appreciated. Most of the public areas were up to HAL's usual high standards.
The quality of food was generally good although the range of food on the menus was less than previously. The Mariners 'Brunch'. which was really a lunch, was terrible. Why not stick to the previous cocktail evening.
Service in the Dining Room and elsewhere was superb as usual.
The cabin was a bit cramped and at the front of the ship so it moved about a bit. However no complaints re closet space.
I attended some of the entertainment. However it is very USA orientated and is off-putting to us more gentle Europeans.
Activities on board ship were OK and varied. With a predominantly elderly clientele the Casino was the centre of attraction.
Half Moon Cay was a rip off but then HAL owns the island. Unfortunately we were hoping to go on the glass bottom boat but it was too rough.
Oranjestad (Aruba) - as we there on a Sunday it was closed. The island is very bleak and it's main tourist destination, the Natural Bridge, collapsed in 2005.
Willemstad (Curacao) was charming. Holland in the Caribbean.
Panamaa Canal was awesome and fascinating.
Colon, Panamaa, was a bit frightening but this was a very short stop for some light shopping. Some passengers must have liked it as they did not return to the ship.
Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - not much to see but I enjoyed the excursion to the jungle and the Aerial Tram.
Most of the passengers were 70+ but it was still interesting.
My overwhelming impression is that HAL is cutting back and that the captain of the Volendam was not really interested in the passengers compared to our previous captains.
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