Cruise Ship Reviews : Holland America Line Reviews
Taner2011 saw things this way:
Best cruise yet, February 13, 2017
Reviewer: Taner2011
Pros: The staff was exceptional
Cons: We encountered a few rude passengers, but staff handled the encounters with tact
Date of cruise: January 29, 2017
Departure port: Ft Lauderdale
Region visited: Caribbean - Southern
Cabin category: Suite
Cabin number: 8062
We couldn't say enough great things about the staff. Exceptionally good. The ship is very well maintained, although we were told it is going in for renovations in November.
sjfransen saw things this way:
The cabin was extremely small, run down, parts held together with duct tape., September 12, 2016
Reviewer: sjfransen
Pros: Staff pleasant
Cons: People rave about Holland America but compared to Royal Caribbean
Date of cruise: September 4, 2023
Departure port: Vancouver BC
Region visited: Alaska
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5078
From the minute you step on the ship you get the feeling the only thing the cruise line is interested in is "upselling" everything from dining to future cruises. This became even more apparent as each day the number of "flyers" that came to the cabin mail was down right criminal. The company claims to be concerned about the environment and they do all kinds of water and fuel treatment however it is pointless with the obscene waste created by this form of advertising. In a paperless society, this cruise line should be ashamed of themselves.
a23882 saw things this way:
Good experience, May 9, 2015
Reviewer: a23882
Pros: Price
Cons: Expensive tours
Date of cruise: April 8, 2015
Departure port: Ft Laurdale
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5033
Good for children: No
Good for teenagers: No
Nice ship. Attentive staff. Overpriced ship shore excursions. Poor menu selection in main dining room.
pinkone saw things this way:
Good value for the price, November 14, 2014
Reviewer: pinkone
Pros: Main dining room food was very good. Staff was very nice and helpful.
Cons: Our AC was out for a week with our cabin at 76 degrees!
Date of cruise: October 27, 2023
Departure port: Barcelona
Region visited: Transoceanic
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5154
Good for children: No
Good for teenagers: No
This was our 11th cruise with HAL and the first time on this ship. Crew was all very nice and helpful. The food in the main dining room was very good. Public areas are clean. We've cruised with Princess and Celebrity before and prefer HAL. The Lido is not enjoyable to us as it's difficult to find seating and time consuming to get all components of your meal and have your hot food still be hot(usually cold) when you sit down to eat. The AC in our cabin was out for a week before it got fixed. Front desk shined us on at first. When I went down in person and someone came to the cabin with me to check the temp (76) it was fixed within an hour. We ate at all three specialty restaurants. The Asian (Tamarind) was excellent. The grill (Pinnacle) on this ship seemed to have kitchen problems. Overcooked seafood twice. Waitstaff was great. The Italian (Canaletto) was very disappointing, not good Italian food and waitstaff not attentive. We like that there are very few children on board but I'm sure it depends on when you go and for how long the cruise is. Didn't attend all the shows but enjoyed the ones we went to. Still believe we get good value for the money and will cruise with them again.
orracle saw things this way:
New and very pretty ship, January 27, 2014
Reviewer: orracle
Pros: Loved the art work on board, and enjoyed the enhanced dining options.
Cons: The Caribbean ports come to look so much alike!
Date of cruise: January 1, 2011
Departure port: Fort Lauderdale
Region visited: Caribbean - Western
Cabin category: Balcony
Good for children: No
Good for teenagers: No
Spanking new ship, big rooms, lovely food in the premium restaurants, and energetic staff. I like the feel on board - relaxed and happy. Shore tours ran smoothly, although they were the usual predictable ones.
Janiecleo saw things this way:
Excellent cruise, great food, they might change a few stops on the itinerary, June 25, 2013
Reviewer: Janiecleo
Pros: Staff very helpful -- letting us change rooms and helping when luggage was lost
Cons: Drop Marseille from the itinerary; no one we talked to had a positive experience
Date of cruise: June 7, 2013
Departure port: Venice
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Good for teenagers: No
This was my fourth and best so far Holland cruise. Staff were so helpful: our room on the 8th floor (8135) was directly below the Lido pool area and it seemed that at night and early in the morning they were moving around furniture which kept us awake. We requested a room change and they moved us to the 7th floor (7131) which was perfect. Also, my luggage was lost by US Airways did not show up for four days. They were willing to lend me clothing, gave me toiletries, checked on my luggage daily, and even cleaned my clothing for free. They also sent chocolate-covered strawberries to the suite for our suffering. Cabin stewards and waiters were most accommodating, learning what we liked and making sure we received it. For example, I always had a pot of hot decaf tea waiting for me at my table at dinner. We did not take advantage of any of the evening activities, the spa, any of the fancy restaurants, or the casino so I doubt we made them much money. We spent lots of time sitting on a balcony enjoying the view. The excursions we did take (Dubrovnik beach break, the Amalfi coast, transfer to Florence, and Gaudi's Barcelona) were excellent, although trying to get a good seat on the bus is like a cattle call. The strongest and fastest got there first and got the front seat and the rest of us ended up in the back. Also, it was sometimes difficult to hear the guide, and only once did they use the Magnavox system (in the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona) where the guide wears a microphone and the rest of us wear receiver devices with headphones. I have used this on other trips and found it most helpful, especially for those of us who don't hear as well or tend to be in the back. The guides were also not consistent in terms of how we were to find them in crowds. The best held up banners or displays of the group numbers but some did not and were harder to find, especially in crowded places. Also, the tour buses are not particularly handicapped friendly and are difficult to ascend and descend; most have no handholds or railings for the disabled. Holland America seems to have a dedicated following, and most people I talk to have taken multiple cruises with them. I certainly plan on going with them again as well
marie saw things this way:
beautiful new ship with great service, January 28, 2011
Reviewer: marie
Pros: everything was well done
Cons: none
Date of cruise: January 9, 2011
Departure port: Ft. Lauderdale
Region visited: Caribbean - Eastern
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5138
The Neiuw Amsterdam is a beautiful new ship. Everything is very well done. The crew made an effort to give personal attention to all and to address everyone by their name. Service was spectacular. We cruised the eastern and western Caribbean (14-day cruise). We would cruise again on this ship regardless of where it went.
pstoli2 saw things this way:
Very nice cruise, mix of passengers,, January 8, 2011
Reviewer: pstoli2
Pros: New ship - very large balconies
Cons: Shore Excursion desk - not as helpful/knowledgeable as on other lines
Departure port: Port Everglades
Region visited: Caribbean - Southern
Cabin category: Suite
Cabin number: 6096
Good for children: Yes
Good for teenagers: No
Holland America does a nice job of taking care of it's passengers. I often travel with my Mother, and the staff are always quick to help her in any way (i.e. carry her plates in the Lido). There seems to be varied activities for every taste. Food was very good. The Pinnacle Grill was well worth the additional charge. This was a superior dining experience. Very talented and fun gentleman in the Piano Bar. I prefer HAL's smaller ships, but it was nice to be on a brand new ship. This ship of 2,200 passengers had the same size public areas as their 1,400 passenger ship. There did not seem to be enough space to go around, particularly on sea days. Cons: Tables line the area of the Lido where people are accessing the buffet - this it tight. Kids and teens in the adult pool/hot tubs, loud games and music in the adult pool area; the movie theatre was either too small or the seats too large, so that we were never able to see a movie - it was always full; not enough chairs for everyone at the main pool - many cabanas and tables line the area around the pool. There were many empty chaises, but they were all being "saved." I booked a shore excursion to go to a particular beach specified in the description. I also confirmed it was going there (I had been there before and wanted to return) after getting on the bus, we were informed we were going to a different beach. Where we were taken was terrible - it was in a development with golf courses and condos, a manmade, small beach, crowded with people and children. The water was so murky we did not even go in. When I asked about this at the shore Excursion desk, they confirmed that the excursion did specify a particular beach. They were unaware that we were taken elsewhere. The manager said she would contact the tour company to find out what happened and get back to me. I never heard from them, and I was charged the $54 pp for the trip. This was very disappointing. I was okay paying for it, but would have appreciated the follow-up. I will not use HAL's excursions in the future. Overall, this was a very nice cruise, always a wonderful selection of delicious foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Excellent service and attention from the dining staff. Reasonable price/quality for wines by the glass. Very nice library, love the fresh orange juice and the popcorn from HAL. HAL remains a favorite cruise line for me.
lguertin saw things this way:
Dining Room service was excellent; the rest was the worst we ever had, October 11, 2010
Reviewer: lguertin
Pros: Shows were good, and the dining room
Cons: Staff would cut off in front of everybody, not pick up stuff on the floor
Date of cruise: September 24, 2010
Departure port: Venice
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 4189
It was our first time on Holland after experiencing Royal and Celebrity (which was to us superior to Holland. As we said, the dining room service and food was excellent. Shows were also real good. But the staff was not up to par for us. Dishes in the hallways for hours, some staff did not speak English at all, would talk between themselves all the time. Ask for breakfast in room for between 6:30 and 7 a.m. Guy shows up at 6:05. No utensils for breakfast, never brought any back. Went to complain about it, the guy at the front desk did not want our room number. For us it the last time we use Holland.
bcrum1 saw things this way:
Worse cruise experience ever. They obsessed with extra charges, September 13, 2010
Reviewer: bcrum1
Pros: Nothing good
Cons: Service, food and entertainment all worst experienced in 28 cruises
Date of cruise: August 8, 2010
Departure port: Barcelona
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5037
Our ninth HAL cruise. Last two have been poor. Open seating on HAL means eat in Lido. Peddling water at breakfast in Lido instead of warming coffee! Kids running halls outside staterooms (although experienced the same on an NCL cruise also sailing from Barcelona). In fairness, a previous Med cruise in '08 on HAL's Zuiderdam was very good. Seems they have changed a lot for the worse in two years.
Nieuw Amsterdam reviews
Average customer rating:
3.87 / 5
3.87 / 5Average Rating based on 10 Reviews:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
3.70
3.40
3.78
3.80
4.56
4.10
3.00
4.29
3.90
3.40
3.78
3.80
4.56
4.10
3.00
4.29
3.90
Taner2011 saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
Best cruise yet, February 13, 2017
Reviewer: Taner2011
Pros: The staff was exceptional
Cons: We encountered a few rude passengers, but staff handled the encounters with tact
Date of cruise: January 29, 2017
Departure port: Ft Lauderdale
Region visited: Caribbean - Southern
Cabin category: Suite
Cabin number: 8062
We couldn't say enough great things about the staff. Exceptionally good. The ship is very well maintained, although we were told it is going in for renovations in November.
sjfransen saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Staff and Service
1
1
4
4
1
3
1
4
4
1
3
The cabin was extremely small, run down, parts held together with duct tape., September 12, 2016
Reviewer: sjfransen
Pros: Staff pleasant
Cons: People rave about Holland America but compared to Royal Caribbean
Date of cruise: September 4, 2023
Departure port: Vancouver BC
Region visited: Alaska
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5078
From the minute you step on the ship you get the feeling the only thing the cruise line is interested in is "upselling" everything from dining to future cruises. This became even more apparent as each day the number of "flyers" that came to the cabin mail was down right criminal. The company claims to be concerned about the environment and they do all kinds of water and fuel treatment however it is pointless with the obscene waste created by this form of advertising. In a paperless society, this cruise line should be ashamed of themselves.
a23882 saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Staff and Service
4
3
4
3
3
4
2
5
3
4
3
3
4
2
5
Good experience, May 9, 2015
Reviewer: a23882
Pros: Price
Cons: Expensive tours
Date of cruise: April 8, 2015
Departure port: Ft Laurdale
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5033
Good for children: No
Good for teenagers: No
Nice ship. Attentive staff. Overpriced ship shore excursions. Poor menu selection in main dining room.
pinkone saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
5
4
4
4
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
4
4
Good value for the price, November 14, 2014
Reviewer: pinkone
Pros: Main dining room food was very good. Staff was very nice and helpful.
Cons: Our AC was out for a week with our cabin at 76 degrees!
Date of cruise: October 27, 2023
Departure port: Barcelona
Region visited: Transoceanic
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5154
Good for children: No
Good for teenagers: No
This was our 11th cruise with HAL and the first time on this ship. Crew was all very nice and helpful. The food in the main dining room was very good. Public areas are clean. We've cruised with Princess and Celebrity before and prefer HAL. The Lido is not enjoyable to us as it's difficult to find seating and time consuming to get all components of your meal and have your hot food still be hot(usually cold) when you sit down to eat. The AC in our cabin was out for a week before it got fixed. Front desk shined us on at first. When I went down in person and someone came to the cabin with me to check the temp (76) it was fixed within an hour. We ate at all three specialty restaurants. The Asian (Tamarind) was excellent. The grill (Pinnacle) on this ship seemed to have kitchen problems. Overcooked seafood twice. Waitstaff was great. The Italian (Canaletto) was very disappointing, not good Italian food and waitstaff not attentive. We like that there are very few children on board but I'm sure it depends on when you go and for how long the cruise is. Didn't attend all the shows but enjoyed the ones we went to. Still believe we get good value for the money and will cruise with them again.
orracle saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
New and very pretty ship, January 27, 2014
Reviewer: orracle
Pros: Loved the art work on board, and enjoyed the enhanced dining options.
Cons: The Caribbean ports come to look so much alike!
Date of cruise: January 1, 2011
Departure port: Fort Lauderdale
Region visited: Caribbean - Western
Cabin category: Balcony
Good for children: No
Good for teenagers: No
Spanking new ship, big rooms, lovely food in the premium restaurants, and energetic staff. I like the feel on board - relaxed and happy. Shore tours ran smoothly, although they were the usual predictable ones.
Janiecleo saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Staff and Service
4
4
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
Excellent cruise, great food, they might change a few stops on the itinerary, June 25, 2013
Reviewer: Janiecleo
Pros: Staff very helpful -- letting us change rooms and helping when luggage was lost
Cons: Drop Marseille from the itinerary; no one we talked to had a positive experience
Date of cruise: June 7, 2013
Departure port: Venice
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Good for teenagers: No
This was my fourth and best so far Holland cruise. Staff were so helpful: our room on the 8th floor (8135) was directly below the Lido pool area and it seemed that at night and early in the morning they were moving around furniture which kept us awake. We requested a room change and they moved us to the 7th floor (7131) which was perfect. Also, my luggage was lost by US Airways did not show up for four days. They were willing to lend me clothing, gave me toiletries, checked on my luggage daily, and even cleaned my clothing for free. They also sent chocolate-covered strawberries to the suite for our suffering. Cabin stewards and waiters were most accommodating, learning what we liked and making sure we received it. For example, I always had a pot of hot decaf tea waiting for me at my table at dinner. We did not take advantage of any of the evening activities, the spa, any of the fancy restaurants, or the casino so I doubt we made them much money. We spent lots of time sitting on a balcony enjoying the view. The excursions we did take (Dubrovnik beach break, the Amalfi coast, transfer to Florence, and Gaudi's Barcelona) were excellent, although trying to get a good seat on the bus is like a cattle call. The strongest and fastest got there first and got the front seat and the rest of us ended up in the back. Also, it was sometimes difficult to hear the guide, and only once did they use the Magnavox system (in the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona) where the guide wears a microphone and the rest of us wear receiver devices with headphones. I have used this on other trips and found it most helpful, especially for those of us who don't hear as well or tend to be in the back. The guides were also not consistent in terms of how we were to find them in crowds. The best held up banners or displays of the group numbers but some did not and were harder to find, especially in crowded places. Also, the tour buses are not particularly handicapped friendly and are difficult to ascend and descend; most have no handholds or railings for the disabled. Holland America seems to have a dedicated following, and most people I talk to have taken multiple cruises with them. I certainly plan on going with them again as well
marie saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
4
4
5
4
5
5
4
5
5
4
5
4
5
5
4
5
5
beautiful new ship with great service, January 28, 2011
Reviewer: marie
Pros: everything was well done
Cons: none
Date of cruise: January 9, 2011
Departure port: Ft. Lauderdale
Region visited: Caribbean - Eastern
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5138
The Neiuw Amsterdam is a beautiful new ship. Everything is very well done. The crew made an effort to give personal attention to all and to address everyone by their name. Service was spectacular. We cruised the eastern and western Caribbean (14-day cruise). We would cruise again on this ship regardless of where it went.
pstoli2 saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
5
Very nice cruise, mix of passengers,, January 8, 2011
Reviewer: pstoli2
Pros: New ship - very large balconies
Cons: Shore Excursion desk - not as helpful/knowledgeable as on other lines
Departure port: Port Everglades
Region visited: Caribbean - Southern
Cabin category: Suite
Cabin number: 6096
Good for children: Yes
Good for teenagers: No
Holland America does a nice job of taking care of it's passengers. I often travel with my Mother, and the staff are always quick to help her in any way (i.e. carry her plates in the Lido). There seems to be varied activities for every taste. Food was very good. The Pinnacle Grill was well worth the additional charge. This was a superior dining experience. Very talented and fun gentleman in the Piano Bar. I prefer HAL's smaller ships, but it was nice to be on a brand new ship. This ship of 2,200 passengers had the same size public areas as their 1,400 passenger ship. There did not seem to be enough space to go around, particularly on sea days. Cons: Tables line the area of the Lido where people are accessing the buffet - this it tight. Kids and teens in the adult pool/hot tubs, loud games and music in the adult pool area; the movie theatre was either too small or the seats too large, so that we were never able to see a movie - it was always full; not enough chairs for everyone at the main pool - many cabanas and tables line the area around the pool. There were many empty chaises, but they were all being "saved." I booked a shore excursion to go to a particular beach specified in the description. I also confirmed it was going there (I had been there before and wanted to return) after getting on the bus, we were informed we were going to a different beach. Where we were taken was terrible - it was in a development with golf courses and condos, a manmade, small beach, crowded with people and children. The water was so murky we did not even go in. When I asked about this at the shore Excursion desk, they confirmed that the excursion did specify a particular beach. They were unaware that we were taken elsewhere. The manager said she would contact the tour company to find out what happened and get back to me. I never heard from them, and I was charged the $54 pp for the trip. This was very disappointing. I was okay paying for it, but would have appreciated the follow-up. I will not use HAL's excursions in the future. Overall, this was a very nice cruise, always a wonderful selection of delicious foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Excellent service and attention from the dining staff. Reasonable price/quality for wines by the glass. Very nice library, love the fresh orange juice and the popcorn from HAL. HAL remains a favorite cruise line for me.
lguertin saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Food Quality
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
3
1
4
5
3
2
4
1
1
4
5
3
2
4
1
Dining Room service was excellent; the rest was the worst we ever had, October 11, 2010
Reviewer: lguertin
Pros: Shows were good, and the dining room
Cons: Staff would cut off in front of everybody, not pick up stuff on the floor
Date of cruise: September 24, 2010
Departure port: Venice
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 4189
It was our first time on Holland after experiencing Royal and Celebrity (which was to us superior to Holland. As we said, the dining room service and food was excellent. Shows were also real good. But the staff was not up to par for us. Dishes in the hallways for hours, some staff did not speak English at all, would talk between themselves all the time. Ask for breakfast in room for between 6:30 and 7 a.m. Guy shows up at 6:05. No utensils for breakfast, never brought any back. Went to complain about it, the guy at the front desk did not want our room number. For us it the last time we use Holland.
bcrum1 saw things this way:
Value For Money
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
Cabin Design
Entertainment
Fitness Center
Ship Maintenance
Spa
Specialty Restaurant
Staff and Service
1
2
1
4
3
2
2
1
2
1
4
3
2
2
1
Worse cruise experience ever. They obsessed with extra charges, September 13, 2010
Reviewer: bcrum1
Pros: Nothing good
Cons: Service, food and entertainment all worst experienced in 28 cruises
Date of cruise: August 8, 2010
Departure port: Barcelona
Region visited: Mediterranean
Cabin category: Balcony
Cabin number: 5037
Our ninth HAL cruise. Last two have been poor. Open seating on HAL means eat in Lido. Peddling water at breakfast in Lido instead of warming coffee! Kids running halls outside staterooms (although experienced the same on an NCL cruise also sailing from Barcelona). In fairness, a previous Med cruise in '08 on HAL's Zuiderdam was very good. Seems they have changed a lot for the worse in two years.
