Holland America Was NOT What I Expected. Here's Why

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Thinking about a Holland America cruise? I tried Holland America cruise line & there was so much I didn't expect! This video is an honest review of our cruise on Holland America Nieuw Statendam - from cruise food, entertainment, service, other cruise passengers and more!
Whether you're a first time cruiser or have cruised before on other cruise lines, this Holland America vlog is full of helpful information and real cruise tips!
We were hosted on this cruise by Holland America as a press trip. However, all opinions in this cruise review are my own. Thanks to Holland America for inviting us and the opportunity to cruise onboard the gorgeous Nieuw Statendam!
If you enjoy cruising with Princess Cruises or Celebrity Cruises and want to compare cruise lines, this Holland America cruise review will be especially interesting
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I'm Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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30 июн 2024

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Комментарии : 1,1 тыс.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Planning a cruise? Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner. It's a 47 page printable cruise travel planner with packing checklists, shore excursion planning forms and much more! ($10 off for a limited time). Here are the details: lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-cruise-planner

@nijahh4928 Год назад

How was the weather on your Last Rotterdam- Holland America cruise. Also, do you see any reason to upgrade for better amenities??

@truthseeker3909 Год назад

Just got back from a Holland America cruise, never a gain! The new Amsterdam is way out dated and has a horrible layout! I would never go with them again! Go with celebrity, it's better in everyway.

@rungee1335 Год назад

Great video. We actually like the lack of music by the pool on Holland America. We often just want to rest or read and music can sometimes make that difficult. When we do want music we can just use our earbuds and listen to the type of music we enjoy, instead of the annoying music that most cruise lines often provide at their pools.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

I can understand. That’s an interesting point :)

@pierrettelajoie8009 Год назад

Totally agree!

@deekang6244 Год назад

Exactly

@deekang6244 Год назад

Completely agree, love that it’s quiet. Can just enjoy the water, the sun.

@peggyharris7849 Год назад

Agree completely

@Hawkeye2001 Год назад

I'm 68 years old as a reference but have been sailing with them for 20 years. I appreciate the fact that there aren't tons of poorly monitored kids running about. We've been on 17 cruises with various lines. We have an eighteen-day San Diego to Hawaii cruise this winter. Holland American is my favorite. It just feels more "civilized". The music walk is our go to place every night. The Crow's Nest is also a favorite hang-out place. The cabins on HA are just a bit larger, (interior, window & balcony) - Their food has always been top of the line, and the crew just seem happier and more helpful.

@PineGeri Год назад

We are going in that same cruise in 2023! Am so looking forward! Been to Hawaii more times than necessary but NEVER on a cruise! Look us up!

@Hawkeye2001 Год назад

@@PineGeri This will be our first time to Hawaii. The 5 sea days in & out are a bit concerning to my wife. She's worried about boredom. I'm looking forward to the relaxation of 5 days without obligations.

@PineGeri Год назад

@@Hawkeye2001 we thought those many days at sea a long time too…which is why we went to Barnes & Noble and purchased a few books to take along. While other RU-vid channels say the WIFI, even when included or purchased, isn’t all that great, it’s good enough for our needs-Ipad time! My husband and I are like you, looking for a bit of relaxation. Having been on cruises with loud music by the pools, or belly flopping contests going on, it’s just time for something else which we hope this cruise will bring.

@claireburt428 Год назад

We always cruise HAL with our family! 16 of us, all ages, this Christmas!

@designdoctor247 Год назад

@@claireburt428 eeekkkk so excited for u. make lots of FUN memories 😀

@nancystanley8828 Год назад

I have cruised with HAL for over 9 years now. I have also cruised other lines previously. I go on vacation to relax and prefer the fewer kids, better quality food, dressing up and earlier turn in at night. HAL is not a party ship, but they do have excellent musical entertainment from classical strings, dueling pianos, blues clubs, comedy shows and a stage production using technology. I prefer the quiet hallways and a good nights sleep so I wake up refreshed for the next day.

@MeowMeow-vo9cj Год назад

I feel exactly the same way as you do, Nancy 😊

@ameliaerin1544 Год назад

@@MeowMeow-vo9cj me also.. i may try this line, as a solo first time cruiser.😊

@krajchek Год назад

I can't say anything else, but yesss! Spot on.

@truthseeker3909 Год назад

Just got back from my first Holland America cruise, never a gain! The new Amsterdam is way out dated and has a horrible layout! I would never go with them again! Go with celebrity, it's better in everyway.

@reneemallady1 Год назад

Holland America is my personal preference for cruising. I'm a solo traveler and in my mid-50s but have traveled HAL since 2006. The more laid-back atmosphere and smaller ship size fit my personality. The Crow's Nest is my absolute favorite place on the ship, especially in the mid-morning on a sea day. As a solo, I feel very safe on the ship. If something were to happen, like getting a bug or falling (any of those things no one wants to happen but can), I feel confident the HAL crew would do whatever they could to help me. As mentioned in the video, HAL is certainly not for everyone but if you are looking for a slower, relaxing trip HAL is worth a look.

@donnacarroll7483 Год назад

Curious as a solo traveller, does HAL have cabins for singles or do you pay for a double occupancy cabin? I’m recently single and was wondering if a single person cabin is something HAL has to offer.

@rosemarysmith5967 11 месяцев назад

@RedRoseSeptember22 I attended a napkin folding class on my first cruise...and I was 13. As was said about someone else I liked, I've always had an 'old soul". Though as I actually become older, also still young at heart. Little older then you but not by much.

@debbyfalmouth 11 месяцев назад

My husband and I have cruised HAL for 15 years. A few things. 1. You didn't mention that the Dutch Cafe food is free (only the specialty coffees and pre-packaged snacks cost anything). For reference, the Dutch Cafe is only on the Pinnacle class ships - there are three of these. 2. We prefer that there is little to no music and activities at pools, we go to relax and read and talk and not have craziness by pool. 3. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the bands. I think you needed to say more about the Rock Room Band and BB King Band. The BB King Band is some of the MOST fabulous musicians we have ever seen and not only are they amazing musicians they also interact with passengers and are super friendly and really get everyone up dancing and singing. Music is a lot of Motown type and all the music people of all ages love to dance to. The Rolling Stone Rock room is also great musicians and super fun. 4. Different ships on HAL have different options, for ex. Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam have awesome additional bars like Silk Den for ex. 5. HAL is ALL about service and cleanliness and we have cruised several other lines, but once we went on HAL we were hooked and never left. 6. Cabana club is worth mentioning but since we don't want to many people knowing about it I will leave it at that. 6. From what we hear, all cruise lines are cutting back on the entertainment, HAL is not unique in that but since you were on just 7-8 months ago I would have mentioned the BB Earth show - it is AMAZING and the Run Around Kids and the History of HAL. Super great shows in the main stage. - In case you can't tell, we are HUGE HAL fans and devoted to their crew, their brand and have sailed on most of their ships, each type has it's own vibe so people should differentiate between the Pinnacle class which you talk about and others. Thank you

@donnafleming4566 9 месяцев назад

Thank you for the extra tips.

@lorrigumanow5743 Год назад

The giant chocolate thing is called a bossche bol, also called a chocolate ball. We had 2 sisters in our group from the Netherlands, and they told us all about it. It is a giant round pastry filled with profiterole cream and covered in a dark chocolate shell. 4 of us split one bossche bol on the last night of our cruise. SOOOOOOO GOOD!

@brewster102 Год назад

Is there an extra charge for that and if so, how much?

@DeborahChapman902 Год назад

@@brewster102 We had the Take It All package and we didn't pay anything extra for it

@denisebolieau960 Год назад

All the food items at the Dutch Cafe are free 😊

@gina9129 Год назад

The official name is called in Dutch : Bossche Bol, translated : Bosche Globe . It is named by the city S’Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands . This family ( Jan de Groot) makes this delicious cream filled round chocolate ball with a secret recipe , it made them famous all over . If you are ever in the Netherlands , visit this wonderful city, it’s like little Amsterdam with canals. Take a boat trip through the canals. If you like to make them at home, on RU-vid there are a lot of recipes , just put in the search bar : recipe Bossche Bollen… enjoy!

@fionaalder122 Год назад

Holland America is our favourite cruise line especially for longer cruises. They sail to some fantastic locations and include enrichment talks about the destinations and often have location specific experts on board doing talks. I have found the age group of passengers is older on longer cruises but it drops significantly on shorter 7 day cruises. We are going to South America and Antarctica with them in February and really looking forward to it. 😊

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Thanks for sharing!

@leighvanlydegraf2500 Год назад

You will love that cruise! Many surprises!

@Nashf218 Год назад

I’ve been on it three times and Antarctica is our favorite you’ll have the best time of your life

@brentshuffler1234 Год назад

@@Nashf218 what made those cruises to Antarctica memorable for you? My biggest hesitation is the price-points....

@madchatteress Год назад

I am booked on my first HAL cruise with an amazing Mediterranean itinerary this summer. Could you share with me more about what I can expect with these enrichment destination talks and location experts? The other cruise lines that I've sailed seldom have information about the actual port cities and countries. I would prefer learning about the destinations prior to visiting the ports so these enrichment talks sounds like something I'd enjoy.

@Jen-pr7zu Год назад

We did one to Alaska in September. We loved the entire experience. It was Nieuw Amsterdam, and although the ship was clearly older, it was immaculate, and the service was incredible. We LOVED our stateroom attendants, and they were a joy to talk to . even left us messages playfully with a stuffed animal I bought and left in fun dioramas in the room! The food was very good, although too heavy on the 5 spice in many dishes. The entertainment was on point, music is the main theme and that's what we wanted. If there had been some of the music piped into rooms via a channel, it would have gotten 5stars from us. Our ship was smaller, and there was limited seating for the Lincoln Center Stage. Wifi was abominable, and the fact that you couldn't have an Americano through room service was a shame. I think the TV options were extremely limited and could be improved. I don't want music by the pool when it's not pool season, but I wouldn't use the pool anyway if it were. Use ear buds and listen to music you like. Beds are very comfy, laundry service a must, never had such lovely crew! Definitely do it again!!!

@helenrizi4719 Год назад

I am in my 60's--we have been sailing Holland America for 20 years. Totally agree that there aren't some of the activities that you find on other lines like the game shows and the egg toss from the atrium. I do miss the production shows. I also don't feel that there are as many perks for suite guests--the Neptune lounge doesn't have free drinks like the suite lounge does on Royal for example and there isn't a separate dining room for suite guests for lunch or dinner. What I very much do like about Holland is the excellent service and the fact that you are made to feel welcome as soon as you walk on the ship. You also didn't mention the casino--we find that the dealers and casino hosts are very friendly on Holland America and that the perks for playing in the casino are better than on other lines. We find that we generally get more offers for free cruises on Holland as compared to other lines--even when we take a break from sailing on Holland. We also feel that the buffet on the lido is the best we have ever encountered in "mainstream" cruising. At dinner--the same menu is featured in the buffet as in the dining room. They have twice as many employees working in the lido than on other cruise lines--you never have to get up to get coffee and you never have to flag the waitstaff down in the lido. A Holland American cruise is just plain relaxing. I would never bring my grandchild on Holland with me though--no slides, roller coasters, or climbing walls.

@lynnephelps2370 9 месяцев назад

I just returned from an Alaska cruise that started with the train to and from Denali. It was a bucket list item and HA did not disappoint! The service was FABULOUS, We had turndown service complete with towel animals and chocolates, our waiter was incredible. Lots of enrichment programs and the day we sailed through Glacier Bay Nat'l Park, the park rangers came onboard, they served dutch pea soup on the bow deck, it was really super. The Crow's Nest was our favorite place, and it also included chess games, jigsaw puzzles and board games of all kinds. We really appreciated HA's history in Alaska, we always had optimal dock position and a full day in each port. The trip of a lifetime!

@X0awsome Год назад

12 days away from giant cream puff heaven. Between those and the fresh baked cobblers on the buffet HAL has the best desserts at sea

@dogvacaylovelovedogs7571 Год назад

I worked on Holland America Cruise ships as the front office supervisor and I was the first female lifeboat commander fire fighter and paramedic.

@75Froggie Год назад

"Fun, relaxing cruise" is a good description. Holland is the best outside of luxury class, especially if you like a quieter, more sedate atmosphere (by no means dead or stodgy, though). Limited music by the pool is a plus for me, an escape from the constant noise on other vessels. You can converse at a normal volume or doze comfortably. And THE FOOD is a cut above. These make Holland attractive to older passengers, but many experienced younger cruisers prefer Holland over lines that cater more to people looking for an "exciting" cruise, where you may get tired of all the forced "fun."

@michaelseibel858 Год назад

Great video and commentary - I have been on over 30 cruises, transitioned out of Carnival/Royal Caribbean/Norwegian (which I loved in my 20s, 30s and 40s) - wanted to upgrade to better food, better service, less rowdy party passengers, a more refined and subdued country-club cruise experience. I’m now sailing Holland America exclusively since 2013 (I’m in my early 6ps now) - I’ve taken them to the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and on two trans-Atlantics - the longer cruises are the best - definitely more down time on HA, and you need to be able to be able to Entertain yourself at times - I love the Crows Nest each morning to watch the sunrise with a latte. The limited capacity spa whirlpool is worth the upcharge. Food, especially in the specialty restaurants blows away other mainstream cruise lines. I really like the music walk - start out with classical and a glass of wine before dinner, then return for blues,mop, and rock. I feel most at home on this line.

@johnchalley8770 Год назад

We agree with you. Now 75. Sailed with others when we were younger and they were in our price range. Today ha is our favorite. Great staff.

@truthseeker3909 Год назад

Just got back from my first Holland America cruise, never a gain! The new Amsterdam is way out dated and has a horrible layout! I would never go with them again! I feel ripped off! Go with celebrity, it's better in everyway.

@vontravel Год назад

My favourite cruise line for sure. The reason the crew is so good is that they all come from one country and region so they get on. I also prefer no music at the pool. I just want to swim and relax: there is more than enough music elsewhere, especially the music walk. The Dutch are fastidious about efficiency and being on time and it makes for a wonderful experience.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Interesting about the crew. They were lovely

@MeowMeow-vo9cj Год назад

I agree with you and love the lack of music in the pool area… nice to have some quiet time ❤

@reneemallady1 Год назад

I agree with the music around the pool. If I want music, I'll bring my own

@peggybrust3544 Год назад

We have gone on several Holland cruises and we absolutely love them. Other cruise lines do not compare. As you noted the food and staff are amazing.

@kendrawaterbury2328 Год назад

After watching this i will absolutely book with HA. They seem to be exactly what I’m looking for in a vacation. So grateful you shared the good and bad. I’m loving the vibe HA is offering and the food sounds fantastic!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

So glad this was helpful:)

@andreas4268 Год назад

We really enjoy the HAL brand of cruise life….we want relaxation and a chiller vibe. We don’t want a party type atmosphere but trust me it’s an enjoyable adventure. Not loud and a lovely atmosphere. The music walk has something for everyone and the shows are fantastic! Cheers and thanks Illana! 😊🥂

@deekang6244 Год назад

Food - there is so much food that is included, I don’t mind the up charges. The food in general is so good. I go for the food and the quiet. And love the “free room service”. Although a limited menu, I appreciate that I can get something in my room for free.

@TrudyMarchant Год назад

I am 76 years old and am taking my first cruise ever on the Holland America Eurodam to Alaska. I was going solo but my daughter is coming with me. This is her first cruise too. We are taking Amtrak from Jacksonville, FL (my first time on a train) to Seattle WA (4 days) then the cruise and then back on the train. Two nights at a hotel downtown in Seattle. I am so exicted and from all the videos I have watched, I think this ship is for me. I have learned so much from you in your videos. We are going in September and if you would like me to I will let you know about our vacation.

@rosemarysmith5967 11 месяцев назад

I would love to hear more, especially the train portion. One day I will recreate the journal I have from my family, as well as passenger and immigration records, of ship from Southampton to New York, then train across North America to Vancouver Island. I've done train across Canada, but not USA.

@briana14333 Месяц назад

How did it go?! I’d love to take my mom for her 70th next summer.

@blackimpala1967 Год назад

I would love to hear more about the dining options and food. A lot of cruises now charge extra for room service, so having that included is great to know.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

I love “free” room service 😂

@jhollie8196 Год назад

Said that HAL does not have the Pizza Stop on all ships. Really enjoyed it on Eurodam in Sept. Going on Zaandam in Feb for 14 days and no pizza!

@marshatrynor5409 Год назад

We never had a pizza shop on any of the older ships.

@jhollie8196 Год назад

@@marshatrynor5409 we were on the Eurodam in September and they had one. It was a nice change to the food menu and taste pretty good.

@Lyoko88 Год назад

True, on the smaller ships (such as the Zandam), you can only get the pizza on the Lido Buffet...not sure if it was an option for room service. My wife and I absolutely loved it to sail from Boston to Montréal back in August.

@deb7518 Год назад

I think I would prefer the lack of music by the pool, as someone else mentioned, just to read or relax (and I'm married to a musician!) We have so much music and noise directed at us everywhere in modern life that just to hear water and feel fresh air sometimes is such a treat.

@johnharper2016 2 месяца назад

Love your videos. Booked for 42 day cruise November/December 2024 on Volendam. Using your tips to get us informed. We are 66 and 75 and look forward to a more mature group. Can't wait!

@colingeorge9620 Год назад

Very good review! We sailed on the same ship about two months ago and loved it! We love Holland America for the traditional cruising experience without all of the gimmicks! We really love that Holland America puts their focus and resources on ensuring excellent service! Service by room stewards, bar tenders, waiters, guest services, and food are top notch! The other thing we thought was excellent which you didn’t mention was how you can comment in the app on the excellent service you get and by which employee. The employees then see the comments each day and that you made it about them! Then they come thank you and are so appreciative of the comments! It helps them with promotions, wages, and evaluations. Great review!

@LindaRUDYK Год назад

I enjoyed your review especially because we were there. The pool area was so busy that it wasn’t possible to get lounge chairs. There were a lot of chair hogs! Too bad there isn’t a time limit. I know the sign that said if you leave towels and don’t show up for 30 minutes they would be removed. That didn’t happen. The same at the back pool area. I was surprised you didn’t mention getting off the ship in Aruba. We were in the middle of people pushing and shoving on the stairs to get to day trips. It was a a messy and unsafe situation. Disembarkation was also messed up which is quite unusual. We agree with the service and the crew. Absolutely amazing, as usual. Rolling stones were great except if you took a night off and your room was above it. I usually love the piano bar and singing. That was horrendous in my opinion. Where did they find those people? Would we go on a short Caribbean cruise again. Enjoyed but not up to usual standard with HAL.

@karenbryant3923 Год назад

10 HAL cruises and I didn't know about commenting on specific crew members. Look forward to doing this next time!

@MeowMeow-vo9cj Год назад

I only know I can give feedback after the cruise is done with the survey to mention crew members who provided excellent service. How do I go about adding comments during the cruise with the Navigator app? I’m boarding Statendam this Sat. Thank you.

@stcrombie 9 месяцев назад

We are in our late 60s and we just planned our 7th Holland America cruise. We've done the Caribbean a couple times, San Diego to Hawaii three times and a 28-day trans-Atlantic cruise to the Baltic countries. We like the calmer vibe on board, the excellent food and the fact that there are rarely more than half a dozen or so kids on board.

@leslieoconnell2051 Год назад

Our first HAL cruise was a 21 day Norway cruise last summer. Loved every minute of it!

@kirashrugged170 Год назад

My sister-in-law and I took Holland America to Alaska, and had a fabulous time. She took a window cabin (actually envied her bathroom), and I took a suite where we hung out for room service breakfast, and when the viewing from the extra large balcony was fantastic, under cozy cashmere blankets on individual lounge chairs. We loved the food, and took more pictures of the gorgeous presentations than we did of the incredible landscape (almost). The entertainment was generally fun, but on other cruise lines, priority seating was included with a suite, but it was first come, first served at the shows. My friend is a very accomplished chef (her family thinks so!) and we both really enjoyed the 3 Cooking shows that we attended. If this is no longer offered, what a shame. It was a highlight for us. I had more fun on Holland America than I have had on Celebrity, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean. It may have been that Alaska was one of the most gorgeous places on earth, cruising the Inside Passage (trying to drag my husband there currently), but it was by far the best cruise I’ve taken. My very first cruise was on Carnival, and it was unruly, but about right for my high school graduate daughter, and we did have fun regardless. I would recommend Holland America, and especially, Alaska! Thanks for these videos and your experience, you are darling!

@queenscatsandcastles Год назад

I appreciate all your reviews of cruise ships! Love all the pros and cons so we can make the best choices for our vacations. Keep up the great videos & reviews!

@chaswintermeyer1939 Год назад

Thank you! I am a big Holland America fan. Besides the quality, they are the only line with a priest on board so Catholics don't have to worry about missing mass. You did not mention Lincoln Center Stage. My wife and I do not like big musical productions or loud music, but the Lincoln Center Stage features about five wonderfully talented classical musicians (piano, cello, violin). The venue is small, for about 80 people, and it gets crowded quickly after a few days as word gets out about how talented they are. Listening to them has been a highlight of our last several cruises.

@cyndimontanaro2902 Год назад

First cruise ever was on Holland America and we brought our three young adult daughters. We were all so happy with it. This video makes me nostalgic! I feel like no other cabins will ever compare and I totally agree about the service. It was our first cruise, so we were happy with the entertainment! Can't wait to cruise with them again.

@j.m.7056 Год назад

I love HAL! A true cruise experience not a resort experience. Excellent service and excellent food!

@indirasanchez3206 Год назад

My husband and I have just returned from this very cruise, and we had an amazing time! I agree that the entertainment was lacking and the shows should have had later times and more variety, but it was relaxing for our 1st cruise. Your review was spot on!

@kimwinterburn1789 Год назад

Four star mariner here, love Holland America and would recommend them to anyone that wants a comfortable relaxing cruise. If you book 7 days expect that there may be kids on board because people will take their kids out of school for 7 days (and these kids are good kids) but if you want to avoid kids go for 10 or more days.

@georgespaeth812 Год назад

HAL is amazing! They have the best customer service, and the best employees and they are genuinely happy. When you sit in the main dining room and have the same waiter, they get to know you and what your needs are, which is great. The changes in specialty dining aren't being taken well by most HAL sailing vets. I'm not going to be surprised that they change that after a few months of feedback. So glad you enjoyed sailing with them!

@lauramockett5871 11 месяцев назад

We did the Alaska cruise with HA on New Amsterdam and it was fabulous! I agree with everything you said on the video. The staff were so friendly and helpful . We can’t wait to sail again with HA

@jeanenebooth1713 Год назад

When we cruised with Hal years ago they were wonderful with the kids, they learned our name and always greeted us by name, always so nice, always smiling when the cruise was over I felt like I was leaving family. It was quite a weird feeling and took me by surprise. We like Hal a lot.

@chadandmatthewcruise Год назад

We were on the Nieuw Statendam the week after you, and we absolutely fell in love with the ship and the cruise line. We’re in our mid-40s with no kids, and we loved that it was a quieter crowd. The food was top notch, as was the service, and we actually really enjoyed the lack of kids and noise around the pool decks. We also loved the EXC talks! They’re fantastic, and we preferred them and the music walk, along with the dance company, to traditional cruise entertainment. We have definitely found our go-to cruise line in Holland America, and we plan to return again and again. We tried the dessert you mentioned, and while it wasn’t our thing, the Apple and Bacon Pannekoekken in the Grand Dutch was amazing!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Thanks for sharing your review! So glad you enjoyed your cruise 👌

@karenbryant3923 Год назад

Excellent review! I'm 62, have cruised 17 times since 2005 with 10 being on HAL. Love the classic, traditional cruise experience with wonderful food, service, and music venues. HAL has best itineraries. Crow's Nest is a favorite. Notice that for cruises longer than 7 days and to less common places the average age goes up. Just off the 14 day Panama Canal cruise on Zuiderdam yesterday. A very senior crowd but not complaining. Met some amazing folks!! I love people anyway! Had about 20 young people ages 2-17. Did feel that few things were different post-covid. True, wifi is a "booger" but it worked well enough to meet our needs. Have not yet booked on a pinnacle class ship so now I'm going to have to just to try the large puff pastry! LOVE you videos!

@jimnichols9793 Год назад

Yes, we cruised Holland America to Alaska and are doing a Caribbean cruise with them this coming February. In the past we have cruised Royal Caribbean and Princess, but we are seniors now and like what Holland America offers. Thanks for the great video the tips were super!

@barbhesse2292 Год назад

We’ve done about 25 HAL cruises & absolutely love the line. Over the years, we’ve done outstanding European trips. My favorite is the Voyage of the Vikings. It’s RT from Boston so no long international flights. Totally spoiled by that experience. Have met the nicest people on private tours & we still keep in touch 12 yr after first meeting them. Can’t say enough about the crew. Will do anything to make your cruise more enjoyable. Hope to cruise to Antartica in next 1-2 yr.

@jacquimg2469 Год назад

I would love an Antarctic cruise! Unfortunately, it’s out of my budget. It’s on my list though.

@shellihurd2090 Год назад

We are going to Antarctica on HAL next month and on our list for next 1-2 yr is the Voyage of the Vikings. :-) We are two ships passing itineraries.

@tammysheene Год назад

I would love to see a video totally dedicated to Holland America’s food!

@liam721 Год назад

This is spot on. You nail what HAL does well and what they don't do well, often because they really aren't trying to do so. I'd be interested in your thoughts on the food in more depth.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

I’m glad to hear your perspective, & that this is fairly accurate:). Great to know for food

@MotormanT36 Год назад

We did our first Holland America cruise this past September to Alaska. I think your review is spot on. The Crow's Nest was a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery while traveling through the Alaskan Passages.

@sumitasarkar866 Год назад

Thank you for the great review. My teenage daughter and I went on the Alaska cruise of HAL sometime back and both of us loved every moment. I will be soon going solo on one of HAL’s long cruises and am eagerly waiting to board. I feel it is the perfect cruise line for the older solo traveller.

@TeresaMormile Год назад

I definitely love cruise food videos, so definitely please consider doing that one!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Awesome! lol we think alike on this one

@dereknrobw-g4749 Год назад

So nice to hear so many positive things about HA. Our first HA cruise several years ago was pretty awful and we did all our cruising on others. But with the onset of the pinnacle ships we decided to try them again. We are booked for a Caribbean cruise in 2023 on the Koningsdam and after viewing your video we are thrilled that we did. Thanks for what you do!

@DamnTheWeather Год назад

Good luck! I am on this ship as I type this and it has been the absolute worst cruise we’ve been on so far. Maybe some of that is our age, as we are only early 30s. :/

@positrones Год назад

We loved that ship 2 weeks ago! it was like a dream

@positrones Год назад

@@DamnTheWeather what is going wrong with it?

@rosemarysmith5967 11 месяцев назад

@@DamnTheWeatherI wouldn't say only age, but personality as well. I did a genealogy cruise and conference in my 30s.

@heather1356 Год назад

It was really nice to meet you at the airport, Ilana and good job on overcoming your fear of flying. I really enjoyed my first cruise and was well prepared thanks to your videos. My friend and I both have vertigo a week after but that's not going to stop me from cruising. I'm going to have to add HAL to my list after seeing what a great time you had. Thanks again!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Nice meeting you too! I’m glad to hear your enjoyed your Celebrity cruise! The “mal de debarquement” is an actual thing that affects many after a first cruise especially (I felt it for 2 days after my first). Some people say to take non drowsy Bonine or ginger, basically same as dealing with seasickness. It goes away & seems to happen less on subsequent cruises (at least :)

@pennysoto3138 Год назад

We were on the same cruise and agree on your view of Holland. The lack of music by the pool and would love to see more options on entertainment. The service and food were excellent. I would definitely go with Holland again.

@Therealmegalollie Год назад

The beanbag game is called “corn hole”! At least, that’s what we call it in Georgia. Its one of the most popular poolside/backyard/tailgate games. Just about everyone I know has a cornhole set- most people have custom boards cause it’s a super common wedding gift 😁 just fyi!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Lol, who knew? Thanks so much - interesting:)

@RobPope-il1me Год назад

We've cruised HA now exclusively for many years and love it. We did the Antarctic at the onset of the covid pandemic and this past summer, the Voyage of the Vikings. The Baltic, the Med, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal and Alaska and soon SE Asia. Wherever we were, whatever the length the crew were always friendly, informative and couldn't do enough for you, from the Captain on down. The longer cruises had excellent lecturers that would fill the Main Stage theatre half an hour before they started (SRO every time!) Food is always delicious and the very few times we commented on dinner being not really hot enough, the dining staff were all over it in a flash. The dining staff! What can I say? Excellent, would remember our preferences after the 2nd night, called us by name, always had a little special favour for us too. We found things a bit different pre and post pandemic, small things like the chocolate on the bed every night have disappeared (now only on Gala nights,) destination lectures prior to port arrivals are gone, wifi still sucks though and is expensive. The Lido restaurant is awesome, food is always fresh and plentiful. Staff again go out of their way to accomodate whatever you need. Some very good excursions with knowledgeable guides at every port too. Yes we've cruised on non HA ships, but mostly small ships in exotic areas. From 22 pax in the Galapagos Islands to 200 pax in French Polynesia and river cruises in Europe and Cambodia but HA is our home away from home on regular cruising holidays.

@amylewis4092 Год назад

Absolutely love your videos. Have watched so many. Extremely helpful. Thank You.

@jaycasbon2749 Год назад

Spot-on accurate HAL review in every respect!!! Also glad you mentioned the Dutch connection and history of HAL. We hardily endorse HAL for anyone wanting a superior cruise experience: excellent food, beautiful ships, great cabins, and world-class service! jc

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Thanks for sharing your experience:)

@brendoni Год назад

We are Diamond members on RCCL. We've taken one HAL cruise, but we have 2 more booked for this year, the first is less than 4 weeks away! For me, the main difference seems to be intent. On RCCL, it seems to be about the journey. While you are on the ship, you have this to do, that to do, and lots of forced frivolity. On HAL, it seems to be about the destination. You will get from port to port in style, with great food and service. But it is about the destinations. We really enjoy that about HAL. Of course, that is my impression after just one cruise. I may have a different opinion after our upcoming cruise.

@francesgill8621 Год назад

You must not be a classical music fan. I went on HAL in 2019 and absolutely adoredLincoln Center Stage which offers incredible chamber music. I am scheduled to take the Rotterdam on 12/11 and am very excited about it. I really appreciate that Holland is the only cruise ship truly dedicated to classical music. They also have the best musicians.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

That’s awesome! I’m not a big classical music fan, but great that you are

@ingridschatz459 Год назад

LOVE the classical music.

@alisoncalton1113 Год назад

But they also have BB Kings that plays Blues and R & B as well as Rolling Stone Rock room that plays Rock, Pop, etc. It’s not all classical

@michaelmichniak127 Год назад

@@alisoncalton1113 Yes, on the Rotterdam both BB King and Lincoln Center were in the same location, an intimate small two level room that has great sight lines. This was my favorite since I love both blues and classical!

@reitzl 11 месяцев назад

We have taken 2 HAL cruises…we loved the classical music!! We really enjoyed the music at the other venues, too, but the classical was my favorite!

@cynthialockwood9880 Год назад

In November, we did the transatlantic from Rome to Fort Lauderdale on the Volendam. We were fortunate to be upgraded to a Neptune Suite. The ship is beautiful but smaller. The staff, accommodations, and food were excellent. The downside is that because it's smaller, there was no Music Walk. The evening entertainment they had was fine but pretty sedate. The only lively night was the Orange Party. They also had fewer dining options. Just FYIs for those looking to cruise with Holland. We've sailed on Holland twice and love it, but next Holland cruise we will probably opt for a larger boat with more venues.

@raisafrancisco7323 Год назад

Hi, Ilana! I am planning a cruise on Holland for February for the first time. This video was amazingly informative for me. Thank you again for your good job with the videos.

@baylorgirl2013 Год назад

We've taken 7 Holland America cruises (beginning in 1990), 6 of the cruises with children beginning when they were in preschool through when they were in high school. They enjoyed it very much. When we first started there weren't as many activities, but as they aged, Club HAL became more attuned to their demographic.

@VegasSongPub Год назад

I'm going out on my 3rd HAL cruise right after Thanksgiving. Absolutely love sailing with them. I've done over 40 cruises, mostly on RCL, but also Cunard, NCL and some others.

@charlottemakeuplover1012 Год назад

Wow, I hope to have done 40 cruises. I would love to know your favorite place youve visited and which ship you would recommend? I've only been on Royal Caribbean but hope to try other lines. Happy Cruising 😊 🛳🛳🛳🛳🛳

@VegasSongPub Год назад

@@charlottemakeuplover1012 My favorite cruise was to the Baltic states on a long gone small Cunard ship. These days, I don't really care where the ship goes, just that I'm on it. I have been cruising only on Holland America for the last few years. I love their music walk. Food and service are both great.

@laurenschenck5355 Год назад

SO EXCITED!! 🧡🦃🍂🍂🦃🤎❤️🍁🧡🍁🍂🍂🍂🤎🤎🦃🧡🍁🍁❤️🍁🤎🦃🍂🍂🍁🍁🧡🍁❤️🍁🧡🧡🧡🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️🛳️

@shirleykrc9256 Год назад

Going on our 1st HAL cruise to Panama Canal in just over a week with friends who have traveled HAL several times and love it. This video was informative and encouraging. Thank you. We are very excited!

@barbb Год назад

Holland is my line of choice. Love the ships, both big and small. They are not for everyone, but that is ok. Have always found our room attendants and the waiters to be excellent. Got 2 more cruises coming up with them, an 11 day and a 39 day one! Great video

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Thanks for sharing 😊

@jimwarrick Год назад

We've cruised Holland twice and everything you mentioned is spot on with our experience. Wonderful ships and crew, and the best food we've had (to date) on any line. Your critical observations were also spot on.

@bonniemandly1815 Год назад

We are taking our fifth cruise with Hal this December. We love the service, the food, the decor, and the itineraries.. The Alaska cruise was THE best! I think they are longest running Alaska cruise company and they have it down pat.

@ckbcustomshop Год назад

Thank you for posting this! I'm a travel advisor and we have had our agency for almost 7 years now. We have had a few HAL bookings but really haven't pushed the brand hard due to the stereotypes that circulate about the line. However, I have recently started and nearly completed their training program and now really want to cruise with them. We love Princess and Celebrity and already promote them quite a bit.

@wendyb457 Год назад

What is your company? I would be interested.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

So glad this was helpful! I truly believe that there are cruise lines to fit every person

@lcam1665 Год назад

Have you informed your clients about all the new up-charges including the specialty restaurants, limits on dining room and specialty restaurants orders, up-charges for orange juice at breakfast, and all the other gimmicks to separate money from their customers that had traditionally be included in the cruise fare?. It seems post-COVID, all of Carnival's subsidiary brands have taken the nickle-and-dimeing of passengers to new levels.

@danielbaker3175 Год назад

I am 50 and a long time HAL cruiser and just got my 4* level. I think you have given a totally honest and bias free review. The food is and has been top level and would love to see a video on it to get your take. My only thought that I think you missed in your video is that the venues and activities are those on the larger Pinnicle ships, the smaller older ships do not have all of these things and people might be a bit disappointed without the Rock room and Billboard as well as Tamerin restaurant (which you did not mention).

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

That’s a good point. It’s true a HAL cruise on an older & smaller ship would be different & have different venues. Btw, we loved Tamarind & if I do a food video I will include it

@heatherkliewer1963 Год назад

Hi, I am Melissa. I am 12 years old and my family and I love watching your channel. My mom said that I could send you a comment. My Dad and I are going on a cruise on December 28th and we are cruising with Holland America. It's a 7 day cruise and the theme of the cruise is gospel music! We would love to hear more about the food! Thank you for your honest reviews!!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Hi Melissa! So nice to hear from you & I’m touched that you and your family watch my channel. Your holiday cruise sounds absolutely wonderful! I hope you have a wonderful time 🛳❤️🎉

@claireb5509 Год назад

Great video, I’ve been very curious about sailing with Holland America and this is now definitely on my bucket/cruise list. I’ve been waiting for this video and very much appreciate all the information you provided!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

I’m so glad this was helpful:)

@MeowMeow-vo9cj Год назад

Look for their last minute deal!! My family got a great deal mid Oct and we are embarking the same ship this Saturday 😊… if you travel with a family, often times the fare for their 3rd and 4th person in the same cabin is either very cheap or even free… just had to pay the port charge, gov taxes and crew appreciation (gratuities). My friends go on other liners and they are often getting nickeled and dimed.

@ghjcmo Год назад

I'm glad you enjoyed HAL, they are by far my favorite line. In no particular order, my top 3 things about HAL are the smaller ships, the more traditional cruise experience, and the Crows Nest. (This feature is really underrated IMHO). I was surprised when you mentioned that the crowd was younger, but most of the HAL cruises I've been on have skewed older. WAY older. My last cruise on HAL was in Dec of 2019 and I was 58 at the time. And I guarantee you if someone would have calculated the average age of passengers I would have been well under the average, even at 58 years old. Back to the Crows Nest. This is a feature that really seems to be missing from other ships on other lines. You described it well in your video, so I won't rehash it, but suffice it to say it's easily my favorite place on a HAL ship. And it seems fairly unique to HAL, it's certainly missing on Carnival, and the Discovery Princess I was on last month. NCL's Encore has a very similar feature in their huge observation lounge. This is a cruise line for you if you like the traditional experience, without the amusement park rides, the water slides etc. But it does come with a price, they seem to be a little pricier than other lines. But they serve a different niche in the cruise industry.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Great to hear your experience! Thanks for sharing

@deb7518 Год назад

It really sounds as if Holland America might be just the line for me. I've always been put off cruising by the idea of a loud amusement park vibe, and being trapped onboard with a lot of determined partier types.

@bonniemccormick7770 Год назад

I did try the giant cream puff, and OMG you are correct about the cream being so good and you have to share, just too big for one person. I also tried the apple pie and it was wonderful. We will be going on hal Koningsdam in February and March to Hawaii and french Polynesia. Since it is the same class ship I know we will really like it. The food, music, service all excellent.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Wow, what a dream cruise!

@lorettadingee8913 Год назад

We have traveled Holland America several times. Carribean, Alaska, Baltic States, and a transatlantic fron Ft Lauderdale to Amsterdam. We have never been disappointed! I found your video very accurate. Thanks.

@jkschnik6952 Год назад

The only cruise we have been on was a Holland America cruise to Alaska. It was beautiful! I loved it! We were at that time 16 years ago among the youngest people there although there were a couple families with teenagers on the ship too.

@LisaMango0 Год назад

Thank you for your honest review! I am Dutch and HAL is the biggest line travelling from The Netherlands. I've been looking into it for my first cruise experience. What you ate is called a Bossche Bol. It comes from the city of Den Bosch, which is why it's called Bossche. Bol just means round/bun.

@ninakane2661 Год назад

We’re taking the Eurodam to Alaska in June & I am definitely going to have to look for that!

@jlizardi5013 Год назад

I knew would be back as soon as I found out cabins are ready when they start embarkation 😀 You nail it. Got all my plus & cons although I could care less about the music by the pools. Have my music. I think people should ask if these are "fun" ships (loud, games, water slides) rather than ask about passengers' age range.

@phillisik4426 Год назад

We just returned from a 10 day Caribbean Cruise on the Rotterdam. We loved it. The meet the captain and meet the chef talk was very informative. Also, the food was fantastic. All the entertainment was outstanding.

@robblackwell2774 Год назад

Love this channel. Reminds me how great cruises are if we go looking for things to like. Cream puff looks amazing and I can see how something simple can make all the difference.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Thanks so much! Really appreciate your comments

@KnowlesLodgeGmail Год назад

We just came off of the Nieuw Statendam's 14 day Repositioning Cruise from Quebec City to our home of Fort Lauderdale. I agree with everything you said. At the 7th day, none of us were ready to disembark. The 14 days was NOT too long! It was wonderful! One suggestion I had for HAL is that they make more use of the huge screen at the Lido Pool. They could have streamed messages from the Captain & the Activities Director live. That is also an ideal place to have music video's streaming throughout the day. Also, your group should not be afraid of the colder climates. The ship's temperature is very comfortable. Even the pool area, in 40°F the roof over the pool & hot tub area opens & closes. When it's closed the whole area is heated & there is plenty of light that comes through the retractable roof. Bring your bathing suits & expect a wonderful pool-side experience, even if you encounter inclement weather!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Great to hear! Thanks for sharing 👏

@victoriaglass7584 Год назад

I have sailed many times on HAL. My first trip was a 28 day cruise. The majority of the guests were in there 70’s and I was impressed by how they accommodated the guests with disabilities. The scooters were everywhere charging. One couple was celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary. Sadly, our trip was delayed because they had to keep taking guests off the ship for health reasons. I was barely 40 then and it was overwhelming when I witnessed 2 heart attacks. Not sure if they still use “Bright star” announcements. We were 5 days out at sea from port and there was an early morning call for a priest. On this trip, learned they had a morgue on board. Not surprised to see the coroner’s van and police when we docked. I’ve gone on shorter cruises and the guests were a much younger group. I just went this summer and really enjoyed the new music but I kind of missed the gentleman dance hosts from back in the day. I’m glad to see they have changed over the years to entertain their current guests. It’s nice they still have free room service. Love the Elemis products in the cabin and the bigger balconies. Thank you for your wonderful videos!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

It’s nice that they’re very accommodating and comfortable for different guests and travellers. I imagine they also need to continually attract new cruisers as well, and we thought they did a good job :)

@cherifurr3935 Год назад

Every cruise ship has a morgue, FYI-they just don’t advertise it.

@amybradley5821 Год назад

Love the Orange parties! This summer the guy that won the orange costume just put on a life jacket! Also a chocolate party in Rolling Stone Lounge.

@cruisegal4991 Год назад

We have cruised on HAL many times. Our longest cruise on HAL was 54 days from San Diego to the South Pacific. It was a great experience. They do some form of it every year, highly recommended.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Wow!! Incredible

@visagrunt Год назад

The so-called "Indulge" section on every menu (including the specialty dining venues) is the one post-pandemic change that absolutely infuriates me! They are still my preferred line and I think there is great value. But I will push back against the upcharge menu items on every survey until they see the error or their ways! ;)

@jenniferperez946 Год назад

Great video, thank you! I ❤ HAL! but you're right it is not your typical cruise line. I actually prefer the slower pace and enrichment opportunities they offer vs. Celebrity or Carnival (other lines I have cruised). One thing you didn't mention and may not be aware of, that they have a Catholic priest on each cruise and celebrate Catholic mass on the ship. Going to a daily or Sunday service isn't usually on the list of things to do for most cruisegoers, but I liked the option. Thanks again, I really like your channel!

@kathyvandelaare5235 Год назад

I’ll be on Oosterdam on Easter Monday for 14 days! Where will I find morning Mass?!!!

@jlawrence0181 Год назад

@@kathyvandelaare5235 I was on the Konigsdam in December 2022. There was a priest on board. There was a Saturday night Mass, a Sunday Morning mass and on sea days, there was an AM Mass. On port days, the Mass was around 4 pm. In ALL cases, the times were advertised on the daily calendar as well as on the App. Do realize that that ministry, Apostleship of the Seas - USA, has shrunk a bit since the pandemic and therefore, you may not have a priest on every ship. The priest that was on our cruise was serving for six month, I believe. By the way, the Masses were WELL ATTENDED and people were supporting the ministry generously as it is well appreciated. On Sundays, there is also a Protestant prayer service.

@rosemarysmith5967 11 месяцев назад

Ironically, it is one of the things I will miss on my little cruise when I learned this. Mine is a little repositioning so not a full week, get off on Saturday. I belong to an Anglican/Episcopalian religious order and there is the reminents of an order in my arrival port that I have contacted. Something better then nothing.

@bradh3139 Год назад

We took our first Holland America cruise last month on MS Rotterdam. A 15-day Trans Atlantic cruise from Rotterdam to Ft Lauderdale, commemorating the 150th anniversary of their first TA. Vacation Perfection! I’d say 75% of the guests were 70+ years old. Me and fiancée are 59 and 67. I saw just a handful of teens and just one family with a toddler. The food was mostly incredible. Best prime rib I’ve ever had in the MDR. Best ribeye I’ve ever had in the Pinnacle Steakhouse. Rudi’s Seafood excelled in atmosphere, service, presentation and of course the meal itself. Impeccable service from the moment your greeted embarking throughout. Entire staff has great attitude, were very welcoming and truly seemed to be enjoying themselves (with the exception of a grumpy casino cashier). We loved the Music Walk. Especially the B.B. King Blues Club and the Billboard Lounge. I thought a piano lounge would be lame. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Kiya is a highly talented sweetheart. I didn’t care much for the Main Stage entertainment. The dance company just wasn’t my thing. The enrichment lecture who shared Holland history was a delight. Though not a ton of things to do aboard (especially with a week at sea), you could have as much or as little down time as you choose. Overall, a wonderful experience and we would certainly consider Holland America again.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Great to hear about your cruise! Thanks for sharing

@Archermit Год назад

I'm looking at my first cruise next year with Holland America, never done a cruise before so I've bingling your videos, getting lots of tips, thanks!

@helenahayes6150 Год назад

I sailed Holland America (Noordam) for 20 days in March/April around New Zealand and Australia. EVERYONE was in their 70s. Of the thousands of passengers I saw one younger couple, and one young Asian family with 2 children. I'm 64 and younger than everyone else and I felt it. However, these passengers were lovely, young at heart, very friendly - you could always just mingle and find someone to talk to. There were no big productions on the biggest entertainment venue there known as the 'world stage' - if there was I missed them. There was a film showing about the environment. There was a talk by the captain about how the ship worked and his career. There was a Chinese girl playing the accordion for an hour. There was a girl giving a talk about the history of playing cards. And they were the more interesting shows. There were a couple of other rather daggy films. So that was all disappointing in terms of entertainment. The Rolling Stones lounge had a comedian, and a band playing 80s songs with people getting up and dancing, on the nights that I went. That was good. I enjoyed those two smaller events. There was a Thai Chi class early in the morning if you were up in time. In terms of activities, there was an origami (paper folding) class, a trivia night and a bingo night. There were lots of sponsored sales talks - e.g. skin care. To me it felt as if the activities and entertainment was all a bit disappointing. It felt a bit like it was all geared toward older people and that I hadnt gotten to that stage yet. Having said that - the food was lovely. The main dining room was just one great big buffet with gluten free, vegetarian and other options - so no matter what dietary conditions you had, you could find something nice to eat. The staff were superb - almost too perfect. And we were very well looked after. For example, when my travelling partner came down with covid and had to isolate, I was offered a separate (admittedly very small cabin with no window) so that I never got sick. I had some medical equipment that I had to use - and they supplied extension cords for me (since you weren't permitted to bring your own). In every respect, we were very well cared for and looked after. All the drinks including alcoholic drinks were not expensive. The pool looked unappealing and was cold - at least on the first day that I felt the water. In the whole 20 days I was on the cruise, I saw the two children of the Asian couple swim in the pool once, and perhaps two or three other people in the pool. a few times. But for the vast majority of the time, the pool was empty and everyone sat in deck chairs around the pool, but nobody went in the pool. The two little spa pools attached to the main pool looked more inviting and lots of people, including me and my friend, went in the spa. There were shops there - mainly a big gift shop, and it/they were beautiful, and not horrifically expensive. They had a big 'expensive looking' beautiful jewelry shop. I'm not sure who would be buying all that jewelry. If you had to go to the doctor, it wasnt as expensive as I had imagined. I think a visit cost around $70. The doctors office also acted as a pharmacy for medications. There was this weird art auctioning going on a lot of the time. As soon as you stepped off the ship, people kept wanting to take your picture. This was my first time cruising, so I didnt know that if they snapped you, you would be charged for it - and that was without receiving any photos. Overall, it was a more upmarket experience, in that, all the passengers were dignified, well behaved, friendly, 'well to do' affluent retirees - nearly all Canadians and Americans. There was no riff raff, bogans, red necks, undesirable people. Everyone was lovely. It was a quiet relaxing experience, and the care and level of service was unbeatable.

@marymillicent Год назад

Thanks so much for this video. We just returned from a 45 day South Pacific on the Zuiderdam Our first on HA. It was amazing! My husband got covid and was moved to isolation on another deck in a veranda cabin. His first time but he was given Paxlovid (we paid) and was well to come back in 5 days. They gave us a cruise credit for those days. The crew all wore masks and we were encouraged to do the same in public areas. Don’t know how many people got it but HA was very proactive. Did hear from another passenger that they didn’t think there was enough to do. We seniors so there was more than enough for us. The morning exercise classes yoga, tai chi - nice. Spa days were also nice but $$$. There were ukulele lessons and hula lessons. All in all pretty low keyed. We loved it and booked a 35 day in 2024.

@carolw1624 Год назад

Thanks for your videos. What I like about your channel is that the information is there quickly. No long drawn out videos where I am bored and move on.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

I’m glad you like them! Thanks Carol :)

@anditubin669 Год назад

Loved this video! I've sailed on this ship and you're right! It's beautiful! The pastry in the Dutch Cafe is AMAZING! It is called a bosche bol (in Dutch) and it's a good thing I tried it on my last day. I'll be on the Koningsdam in 18 days and I can't wait for the adventure! As far as a recommendation, they have an awesome itinerary going from Eastern Canada which sails to Greenland and Iceland - which was the trip I took this summer. I can say enough how incredible those 2 weeks were after coming through these last 2 years. Thanks for all your great content and your warm and engaging nature!

@VictoriaGates Год назад

Definitely want to hear about the food!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Have an amazing cruise & I like your way of thinking

@marilynmaurer861 Год назад

We have sailed on Holland America several times since 2006. Definitely agree about the aspect ‘limited entertainment” Nothing compares to the Disney live Shows and movie theater. It certainly would be nice to have more couples involved with interactive games. Especially since there seems to be a range of years and or length of relationships. We are planning another cruise 🚢 early this year 2023 to the Caribbean and hope to enjoy the escape. I heard there is a new added feature of a book room/library books… yes I’m kinda old fashion and love to hold and turn pages.. I especially liked the Dutch cafe and will be trying the huge cream puff pastry you talked about. It’s too bad that test kitchen isn’t on board yet.. it was a highlight of mine even though it was a simple short and sweet presentation. We usually book suites on Holland and enjoy that added element of the Neptune lounge. Thank you for your advice and videos. It definitely takes time and energy to put together! Mary

@betsysuposs2778 Год назад

Great video Ilana!! I have never cruised Holland either, but wow, a beautiful ship!! I would definitley consider it now!!

@pamelanurse273 Год назад

Thanks so much. I sailed with HAL free when I worked as a dialysis nurse 32 years ago. I got seasick, but it was a nice ship. I’m going back in January with a friend and have my Seabands and Zofran so I’m praying I don’t get seasick. They had such great Black Friday deals that we each booked our own private Inside cabin next to each other. I’m so used to living alone so this was a great relief. but we can do things and eat together which will be fun. Thanks for the good review. I am very excited to go in January!!!

@christineainslie4239 Год назад

Thank you my dear for all the info! Yes please do a food video, on the different options available onboard-which ones are inclusive and which ones are an upcharge. We sailed the old Statendam way back in 1996. It was our first HAL cruise and they upgraded us to a suite at no charge! It was wonderful. Then we did a family cruise on the Ryndam the following year. We had adjoining verandah staterooms and made wonderful memories with my parents and brother. Nice to know the food is still excellent. Happy cruising from your senior cruisers in London Ontario.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Wow, sounds fantastic! I’ll definitely do a follow up :)

@Pukeko95 10 месяцев назад

I really enjoyed your video. I'm taking my very first ocean cruise (solo!) in October on the Nieuw Amsterdam, which is a smaller ship, but your video and the comments here convince me I made a perfect choice. Thank you.

@firoozeh2 Год назад

We just got off this amazing ship last week. I agree with you on all your negative and positive points. We are in the same age group as u and really enjoyed how this cruise wasn't a "party ship". We will also definitely go on Holland America again as we have done in the past. P.s. those giant cream puffs were the best!!!

@jacecypress5977 Год назад

I'm about to go on my very first cruise and am going with HA. So excited. Thanks for the video!

@lucifriday6288 Год назад

My husband and I are taking a cruise on Holland America in May. Your video was helpful!

@mauricemosley8380 Год назад

How perfect!!! I am looking at Holland America for the first time. Thanks.

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

I’m glad this was helpful 🛳👍

@ScottSingerCruises Год назад

Great review! I can’t wait to cruise on this ship next year to Europe! Thanks for the video-super helpful!

@LifeWellCruised Год назад

Hey Scott, thanks so much! Very exciting to be cruising in Europe next year 👌

@borg1964 11 месяцев назад

I’m going on my first cruise to Norway on Rotterdam in August. I like that HAL offers active shore excursions, not just bus trips. I’ve booked a guided walk through Kristiansand, a hike to waterfalls near Haugesund and a trip by kayak in Naeroyfjord. And I love how the itinerary is a combination of culture (cities) and nature. I’ll be well prepared thanks to your videos🫶🏻