Trying a new cruise line can be a bit stressful, from the uncertainty around the booking process to check in and embarkation. Even so we have always stressed that the itinerary should be the driving factor in your choice. As such we sailed with Holland America Line for the first time in order to see Indonesia.
In truth there is no reason to compare cruise lines as each one has its ups and downs. What I can tell you is what we truly loved about Holland America in case you are thinking about one of their itineraries.
- Their Navigator app was a great way to explore what the ship had to offer and excelled at helping us book and plan our cruise. We were lucky to get a package that included unlimited data for both us for the 14 day cruise so we used the app for everything, replacing paper for daily activities, excursion tickets and dinner reservations. In fact we were able to access the full cruise activities using our hotel WiFi before embarkation.
- This itinerary offered a number of cultural experiences ashore and on the ship. There were lectures and classes offering insight into religion, trade, customs and history of the region from the occupation of Indonesia to the importance of the spice trade. These educational offerings, while not up everyone’s alley, were very enjoyable for us.
- To go hand in hand with that Holland America offered an excellent lending library and book exchange. The large space included comfy chairs, cozy tables and a coffee shop offering cappuccinos and cupcakes. It was like a floating Chapters!
- With a few sea days as part of our itinerary the ship offered a multitude of activities. There were Pickle Ball tournaments and classes for beginners, trivia, arts and crafts, Tai Chi and more. You could be as busy or as sentient as you wanted on those days. What we also found was a hard working crew always ready to help you out, and ensure you have a great time.
- The demographic of the passengers was very diverse. We were among only a handful of Canadians with Dutch, Germans and Australians making up the bulk of the passengers. There were few families on board and the clientele did run a bit older. We heard a number of languages throughout the ship and even the menu reflected the diversity. Our favourite meals was when we shared a table with other travelers, meeting so many nice people from around the globe.
We will of course consider Holland America Line for a future cruise, especially as they offer many diverse and longer itineraries that transverse the globe. Check them out to see if they may meet your travel needs.