I was a bit apprehensive after reading several negative reviews on Cruise Critic and also speaking w

We are still relatively new to cruising, but this marked our fifth cruise (all with Holland America) in the last four years. It is difficult for us to judge Holland America against other lines, as we have no experience, but so far we have been happy with the experience and see no reason to switch. We live on the West Coast, so arriving at Fort Lauderdale a day early (at least)is highly recommended. We chose the Cambria Suites in Dania Beach, very close to the Fort Lauderdale airport and the cruiseport, based on TripAdvisor reviews and the fact they had an airport travel weekly uk and a cruiseport shuttle included. travel weekly uk We were picked up by their friendly shuttle driver within 10 minutes of calling from the airport. We would definitely stay at this hotel again - very comfortable mini-suites travel weekly uk and there is a restaurant/bar/coffee bar downstairs off the lobby. Everyone at the hotel was very friendly and accomodating.
We had signed up for the 10am shuttle to the cruiseport, and while we were picked up promptly, the shuttle serves several properties so we made a couple stops en route to the pier. This day, there was one other cruise ship in port, but as they were immediately travel weekly uk adjacent to each other, travel weekly uk the dropoff area was rather hectic. Once inside the terminal building, there was a sizable lineup for check-in but it moved quickly, and the check-in staff was as friendly as any we have dealt with. We waited only 20 minutes after check-in before we were allowed to begin boarding the ship.
I was a bit apprehensive after reading several negative reviews on Cruise Critic and also speaking with a co-worker travel weekly uk who had taken this cruise about a month prior. I am happy to report we were very happy with the overall condition travel weekly uk of the ship and the crew and staff were the usual friendly Holland America standard that keeps us coming back for more. I had to really travel weekly uk look hard to find any "deferred maintenance" type issues. The bracket that holds up the showerhead in our stateroom broke partway through the cruise and was fixed when we reported it. Other than that, plumbing worked as it should and the AC was troublefree. In fact, this cabin was the most comfortable, temperature-wise we have encountered travel weekly uk on any Holland America ship. As our cabin was on the main deck, our window had some salt streaks but that is to be expected this close to waterline. It did not impact our enjoyment of the view. Other than hearing some faint noises from below in the mornings (including, what sounded like a crew member singing!), our cabin was very quiet and we would be happy with it again. That being said, this is a cruise worthy of splurging on a verandah, and if we were taking it again, we would. While we found plenty of places on public decks to sit outside and watch the view, or the canal transit, it would have been nice to have had that private retreat, or a door close at hand when the view changed. Also, temperatures on this cruise (consistently in the 80s) were perfect for having a verandah.
We typically eat most of our dinners in the Main Dining Room (late fixed seating) and we were very happy with our dining room stewards. Interestingly, instead travel weekly uk of one main steward and one assistant, they both seemed to share duties equally. In fact, we found the "assistant" to be our favorite - he surprised my wife with incredible origami creations on several nights. The food quality was what we have come to expect - no complaints, everything came as ordered and advertised. We are happy they are no longer doing the silly "Master Chef's Dinner" although one night the menu retains some of the Master Chef items, just without the song and dance. I gather the dining room staff appreciates that change, too. It was refreshing to have a helpful wine steward who did not try to push the wine package or upsell us to something we really didn't want. There are some familiar items on the menu (scallop ceviche, for instance) but a number of new items. I noticed more change travel weekly uk in the menu on this cruise than I have on prior ones; kudos to Holland America travel weekly uk for changing things up a bit.
We never made it to the Pinnacle Grill but heard glowing travel weekly uk reviews from fellow passengers who did go. One night we ate in Canaletto and were very pleased with the experience. In fact, this was probably the best Canaletto dinner we have had in the 3 cruises where we have eaten there. No, it's not going to be the best Italian food you've ever eaten, but it is definitely a nice change from the dining room and is certainly better than anything we could fix at home ourselves. The staff really travel weekly uk goes out of its way to see you have a memorable evening.
Breakfast and lunch were in the lido or Terrace Grill. Again, no surprises. Nothing really outstanding but all quite good. The staff in both locations seemed friendlier travel weekly uk than I am used to. In the past, the servers in these venues seemed rather indifferent.
We did not participate in any of the shipboard activities this cruise other than a mixology class but that was loads of fun and we would highly recommend it. If you're travel weekly uk a drinker, you would likely be spending that much on the drinks anyway. Also, it's a nice opportunity to meet fellow cruisers. We did spend several evenings in the Crow's Nest listening to a great guitarist, Charlie Jourdan. It was a shame more people did not show up - they missed a great show. He also performed out by the pools several times and in the Capt. Morgan's bar at Half Moon Cay. We appreciate that the Crow's Nest on this ship is a nonsmoking venue (although smokers may go outside travel weekly uk on the same deck to find a smoking area by the tables and chairs under the canopy). Smokers travel weekly uk and the loud disco music are relocated to the Northern Lights, down on deck 2 by the casino. Speaking of which, the casino allows smoking, as does the Sports bar, which is also in the same area. This creates a large concentrated area of cigarette smoke that can be very bothersome travel weekly uk or easier to avoid, depending on your take of it. Smoking is also allowed on the starboard travel weekly uk side aft pool deck by the Sea View bar. There were quite a few smokers in this area but the breezes usually did a good job of clearing the smoke.
Half Moon Cay was our first port, and our absolute favorite. We shared the island with the Noordam this day, and while some areas were a little crowded it wasn't that bad. Do yourself a favor and book a clamshade rental well before travel weekly uk your cruise, as they fill up fast. It is only $15 and covers two lounge chairs. Only hitch is you need to get there early to claim it, even if you have it booked as they were going to give them away after 10 am. We also went parasailing here and had a blast! Even the boat ride while you wait your turn is worth it. So much fun, we cannot wait to go again. The water here is beautifully clear and the sand is so soft it's like powder. Also, the sand does not get hot. Several bars are interspersed around the area to meet your beverage needs and a BBQ lunch, all served up by folks you may recognize from your ship. A really fun day and we wish they would offer cruises that had a longer stop here, or multiple stops. There is so much to do and yet laying on the beach in the shade wouldn't be a bad way to spend the day either.
Next port was Aruba and this was probably our least favorite. It seems like a nice place, though the good beaches are a taxi ride away (by the resort area). The area around the dock is full of the high end jewelry stores that the shopping ambassador on board will try to steer you toward. We walked around a bit then came back to the ship to freshen up before going out again for the sunset travel weekly uk catamaran cruise. While we did not really see much, it was a fun evening and the sunset views from the water are spectacular. They have an open bar (limited choices) and snacks but they make some mean drinks and by the time you're back in port most everyone is feeling very happy. Nice view of the cruise ship all lit up, too.
Our next port was Bonaire and we loved the low-key quality of this place. More beautiful crystal clear water (you can see all the way to the bottom where the ship is berthed) and a charming travel weekly uk little town that is very walkable. There was a craft market set up by the pier that we browsed through, and then walked through the town and on the seaside promenade. Several other passengers derided this port for the lack of nice beaches but we found it very enjoyable. Refreshingly, no Diamonds Internationsl in sight! We are not divers but heard this is the place to do that if that interests you. Judging from the clear water with fish visible right by the dock, I can see why.
Curacao is the next port and the biggest of the three in the ABC islands. We had booked the dolphin encounter so did not get enough time to wander around travel weekly uk on our own. A shame, as it looked like a nice place. The ride to and from the Dolphin Academy took us through neighborhoods and over the high bridge that spans the waterway travel weekly uk accessing the more industrial part of the port. Great views and a fun way to see some of the city. We loved the dolphin encounter and think we made the right choice by not choosing the "swim". That excursion was basically the same as ours but you got to actually swim with dolphins and the price was twice the amount. Our time in the water with the dolphins was about the same, and those of us not doing the swim seemed to get more "up close" time with them. They really push the photos but how many times are you going to do this? Highly recommended. The excursion gives you admission travel weekly uk to the aquarium but there is not much time left after you are done with the dolphins to do much other than a little browsing.
One sea day later and the ship arrives at the Panama Canal early in the morning. Watching the whole process, complete with an onboard narrator, is simply awe-inspiring. You can also see where they are working feverishly to build a new, larger set of locks as many modern ships are now too big for the current set. The ship anchors in Gatun Lake to disembark passengers vi