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NEVER AGAIN ON HOLLAND AMERICA
29 of 44 people found this review informative
 
Reviewed By: Mills, Pontypool on 4th Oct 2011
Cruise Line: Holland America Cruises Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: MS Zuiderdam Sailed: September, 2011
Destination: Alaska Age: 56-65
Cabin: Inside Occasion: Annual/regular holiday
We arrived at the terminal in Vancouver at 12.30 and expected to register and board in time for lunch! We were told to sit in a particular row of chairs and not move. We finally boarded at 3.45 and had our "lunch" at 4.10. Not a good start.
Cabin was fine and always clean. However, sheets not changed once during our 7 day curise.
Food good but not outstanding. We opted for anytime dining which worked well. We were never in a position where we had to wait for a table. The first morning we waited 20 minutes for our order to be taken and waited a further 30 minutes for our meal. We had one cup of coffee and wanted another, but none of the waiters came near our table once our meal had been delivered. After 30 minutes we gave up and went to the Lido resturant and made our own coffee. Throughout the cruise the waiters had the intention of "feed them and get rid of them". If one guest ordered a starter and the other a main course, both were served at the same time. As soon as you put your cutlery down your plate was removed, even if the others on the table were still eating. The waiters would lean over guests to serve rather than walk around the table. The dress code is a joke. We took a DJ/Cocktail dress for the formal evenings. In the dining room there were some guests wearing jeans and jumpers and one formal evening a person wearing shorts and t shirt! Entertainment was Ok but nothing special. Overall a very disapointing cruise on a second rate ship. We have curised with Cunard, P&O, RC and MSC. Holland America is not a patch on these. Never Again!
Quality of Food2
Entertainment2
Shore Excursionsn/a
Staff1
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities1
Cabins3
Overall Rating1
29 of 44 people found this review informative
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Comment by Paddon, Tyldesley (27 Dec 11 22:48) about this REVIEW
We cruised on the Zuiderdam in August. I think that your issue with waiting in the terminal was more to do with US immigration than Holland America. We did not have to wait as long as you but certainly felt like second class citizens compared with the Americans waiting to board. We too found others dressed in a variety of attire during the formal evenings. We wore our DJ and cocktail dress for both evenings and felt comfortable. What does it matter if others do not feel the need to dress up? It's their holiday too.
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