We chose this cruise because we had just come back from a trip to Germany and wanted to get out to the Caribbean before ski season. We didn't even consider a cruise at the time, but saw this about 2 weeks before sailing and this cruise had St Croix and Nassau on the itinerary and it was 7 days so it seemed good. It also included Cap Cana DR and Half Moon Cay.
Turns out they switch ports and instead of Nassau and St Croix they end up going to Amber Cove Dominican Republic, Cap Cana Dominican Republic and Half Moon Cay. So every passenger got cheated out of a port. When I complained to the front office they had me talk to a Holland America representative named Arvee, who basically used "safety" as an excuse for not making ports.(funny how "safety" didn't factor in to the amount we paid them to board the ship) Arvee was rude and interrupted me continuously and refused to compensate us for the deception.
My travel agent ended up crediting my onboard account as a show of good faith because it’s likely they understood it was a deception on the cruise lines part and felt bad. I book many vacations through them and in my opinion the travel agent went above and beyond what anyone would have. Arvee on the other hand refused to do anything at all and just made excuses. Later Arvee tried to make it seem like it was Holland America who credited my account when in reality my travel agent put funds on my onboard account.
Many people on board were irritated at this, but many people just put up with it and made no fuss (which is what Holland America counts on and why they do things like this because they know people will just go along with it)
Not to mention that Amber Cove (although around 6 hour drive from Punta Cana/Cap Cana) may as well be the same place. (Essentially it is so boring the ship drops you off at what amounts to a large shopping center and not a thing around for miles. They are 2 places that were basically made by the cruise lines to fleece passengers of money) the excursions offered are boring and not worth it. So it’s just one big shopping center with the same old souvenir junk you find at every port.
The beaches themselves were garbage and covered in sea weed, along with brownish water in Amber Cover and Cap Cana. It wasn't even worth getting in the water and we went back to the ship early, we noticed many other people did the same and many didn't even bother getting off. They left Amber cove late due to engine issues and departure was delayed by about 45 min, they said it wouldn't delay arrival time in Half moon cay, which it didn't delay the arrival time, but they left Half Moon Cay 30 min earlier than what was on itinerary. I am not sure, but I think they left early to make up for lost time they had in Amber Cove so they wouldn't arrive in Fort Lauderdale late.
Half Moon Cay actually had blue water you expect in the Caribbean but the ship was only there for about 5 hours and when you factor in that the tenders take forever waiting to load everyone and unload everyone that leaves about 4 hours (including back and forth tender service.)
As for the food on the cruise, it was above average for cruising. The desserts were pretty good and the wait staff did an excellent job and were very courteous. We appreciated their service and friendliness. In particular an assistant that worked at the dessert place on lido deck named Raymond Capricho was very friendly and helpful and made us feel like welcome guests which was in contrast to our experience we had with Arvee earlier who treated us with arrogance.
There was a decent variety of food available, but I would have liked the salad bar to be open for later snacking rather than the fried foods in order to have healthy options later in the evening.
Overall I think Holland America pulled a bait and switch, and cheated passengers out of their money and time. We have been on many cruises on different lines and this is the first time we have ever experienced any deception like this. I would like to think Holland America would conduct themselves with more honesty and integrity. This was my first time on Holland America line and I liked the fact that they didn't play loud obnoxious music and that it was quiet and laid back, more so than some other lines which was a huge plus for us. It’s unfortunate they chose to conduct their business in such a lowly manner, I may consider Holland America again if they chose to conduct themselves in an honest and upfront manner.
Orlando Ashford the President and CEO of Holland America needs to examine his company. As a Seattle Based Company also my wife and I have traveled on Princess Lines, Royal Caribbean Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises. Because my wife had always wanted to do the New England – (Prince Edward Island) because she is a fan of Anne of Green Gables we booked in October of 2016 Quebec to Fort Lauderdale. Because we also wanted to bring her mother who is 86 and a Nanny we bought a second cabin. And to add to that they were Pinnacle Suites at the tune of 11 grand each. Because my wife and the nanny had celiac disease I called and was assured by Holland America they could handle the job. Needless to say, that several times they served them Gluten products in the dining room and they were sick a total of 8 days of a 12-day cruise. With a second choice of the different options we decided to do the Salad Bar. We instructed them that they were gluten free yet the servers used the same tongs for every item. In fact one server just used his hands from item to item. I complained to the duty officer with no response. In order to protect them from uneducated – unprofessional servers I paid for the Pinnacle Grill thought much of the rest of the cruise to ensure they were not sick the other 4 days. When I complained it was like a joke to them and they offered 150 dollars each for their errors. This is our 6th cruise and I have never had to complain at all about any of our service on any of the other carriers. Something is very wrong here and it always starts from the top with Orlando Ashford. A company’s professionalism and customer service always roll downhill. I hope that if you are looking for a recommendation – try another line or look on line at the Holland America complaints that have not been addressed. Sad State Of Affairs at Holland.
Holland America Cruise Line targets disabled in wheelchair for harassment. They continuouly losing our wheelchair on offshore excursions, then deny a substitute chair insisting on charging rental, lure us to the opposite direction of dining room telling us "there is no dinner for you because you are late from the offshore excursion", when it is the cruise ship's fault bringing us late, then call the security to detain us lying that we attack them! We are disabled in wheelchair and female-senior-citizen paying expensive fair for 17-day cruise, in the middle of the ocean and several hundred of Holland America Cruise staffs, How do we attack them??
My son is diagnosed with "Tardive Dyskinesia and dystonia" and in pain without his wheelchair. The Holland America Cruise Line's staffs could clearly see him in pain but do not care and continue with multiple harassments. We ask for refund but the cruise line responds that it is justified of their actions because my son's wheelchair is located and returned within 2 1/2 hours!
Received phone call thim AM 9:02 AM CST...lady said I have been chosen for a FREE cruise (2 day) on HOLLAND AMERICA to Bermuda leaving from West Palm, Fl..., that I had entered a lotto type for this and have been chosen...fast talker reciting all of the befits I/we (2) would receive...asked what the 'hook' was, she said no hook, just give her a credit card for $118.00 to reserve and confirm...no call backs allowed and MUST do so NOW!...told her uh uh...send me info via mail and she hung up...
Called C/S @ Holland Amnerican Lines and 'Linda" told me no knowledge of this notofication...additionally, they do not normally have cruises from W. Palm, Ft. Lauderdale is their port in Fl...said must have been a acam...
Holland America Line Reviews
We chose this cruise because we had just come back from a trip to Germany and wanted to get out to the Caribbean before ski season. We didn't even consider a cruise at the time, but saw this about 2 weeks before sailing and this cruise had St Croix and Nassau on the itinerary and it was 7 days so it seemed good. It also included Cap Cana DR and Half Moon Cay.
Turns out they switch ports and instead of Nassau and St Croix they end up going to Amber Cove Dominican Republic, Cap Cana Dominican Republic and Half Moon Cay. So every passenger got cheated out of a port. When I complained to the front office they had me talk to a Holland America representative named Arvee, who basically used "safety" as an excuse for not making ports.(funny how "safety" didn't factor in to the amount we paid them to board the ship) Arvee was rude and interrupted me continuously and refused to compensate us for the deception.
My travel agent ended up crediting my onboard account as a show of good faith because it’s likely they understood it was a deception on the cruise lines part and felt bad. I book many vacations through them and in my opinion the travel agent went above and beyond what anyone would have. Arvee on the other hand refused to do anything at all and just made excuses. Later Arvee tried to make it seem like it was Holland America who credited my account when in reality my travel agent put funds on my onboard account.
Many people on board were irritated at this, but many people just put up with it and made no fuss (which is what Holland America counts on and why they do things like this because they know people will just go along with it)
Not to mention that Amber Cove (although around 6 hour drive from Punta Cana/Cap Cana) may as well be the same place. (Essentially it is so boring the ship drops you off at what amounts to a large shopping center and not a thing around for miles. They are 2 places that were basically made by the cruise lines to fleece passengers of money) the excursions offered are boring and not worth it. So it’s just one big shopping center with the same old souvenir junk you find at every port.
The beaches themselves were garbage and covered in sea weed, along with brownish water in Amber Cover and Cap Cana. It wasn't even worth getting in the water and we went back to the ship early, we noticed many other people did the same and many didn't even bother getting off. They left Amber cove late due to engine issues and departure was delayed by about 45 min, they said it wouldn't delay arrival time in Half moon cay, which it didn't delay the arrival time, but they left Half Moon Cay 30 min earlier than what was on itinerary. I am not sure, but I think they left early to make up for lost time they had in Amber Cove so they wouldn't arrive in Fort Lauderdale late.
Half Moon Cay actually had blue water you expect in the Caribbean but the ship was only there for about 5 hours and when you factor in that the tenders take forever waiting to load everyone and unload everyone that leaves about 4 hours (including back and forth tender service.)
As for the food on the cruise, it was above average for cruising. The desserts were pretty good and the wait staff did an excellent job and were very courteous. We appreciated their service and friendliness. In particular an assistant that worked at the dessert place on lido deck named Raymond Capricho was very friendly and helpful and made us feel like welcome guests which was in contrast to our experience we had with Arvee earlier who treated us with arrogance.
There was a decent variety of food available, but I would have liked the salad bar to be open for later snacking rather than the fried foods in order to have healthy options later in the evening.
Overall I think Holland America pulled a bait and switch, and cheated passengers out of their money and time. We have been on many cruises on different lines and this is the first time we have ever experienced any deception like this. I would like to think Holland America would conduct themselves with more honesty and integrity. This was my first time on Holland America line and I liked the fact that they didn't play loud obnoxious music and that it was quiet and laid back, more so than some other lines which was a huge plus for us. It’s unfortunate they chose to conduct their business in such a lowly manner, I may consider Holland America again if they chose to conduct themselves in an honest and upfront manner.
Orlando Ashford the President and CEO of Holland America needs to examine his company. As a Seattle Based Company also my wife and I have traveled on Princess Lines, Royal Caribbean Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and Viking River Cruises. Because my wife had always wanted to do the New England – (Prince Edward Island) because she is a fan of Anne of Green Gables we booked in October of 2016 Quebec to Fort Lauderdale. Because we also wanted to bring her mother who is 86 and a Nanny we bought a second cabin. And to add to that they were Pinnacle Suites at the tune of 11 grand each. Because my wife and the nanny had celiac disease I called and was assured by Holland America they could handle the job. Needless to say, that several times they served them Gluten products in the dining room and they were sick a total of 8 days of a 12-day cruise. With a second choice of the different options we decided to do the Salad Bar. We instructed them that they were gluten free yet the servers used the same tongs for every item. In fact one server just used his hands from item to item. I complained to the duty officer with no response. In order to protect them from uneducated – unprofessional servers I paid for the Pinnacle Grill thought much of the rest of the cruise to ensure they were not sick the other 4 days. When I complained it was like a joke to them and they offered 150 dollars each for their errors. This is our 6th cruise and I have never had to complain at all about any of our service on any of the other carriers. Something is very wrong here and it always starts from the top with Orlando Ashford. A company’s professionalism and customer service always roll downhill. I hope that if you are looking for a recommendation – try another line or look on line at the Holland America complaints that have not been addressed. Sad State Of Affairs at Holland.
Holland America Cruise Line targets disabled in wheelchair for harassment. They continuouly losing our wheelchair on offshore excursions, then deny a substitute chair insisting on charging rental, lure us to the opposite direction of dining room telling us "there is no dinner for you because you are late from the offshore excursion", when it is the cruise ship's fault bringing us late, then call the security to detain us lying that we attack them! We are disabled in wheelchair and female-senior-citizen paying expensive fair for 17-day cruise, in the middle of the ocean and several hundred of Holland America Cruise staffs, How do we attack them??
My son is diagnosed with "Tardive Dyskinesia and dystonia" and in pain without his wheelchair. The Holland America Cruise Line's staffs could clearly see him in pain but do not care and continue with multiple harassments. We ask for refund but the cruise line responds that it is justified of their actions because my son's wheelchair is located and returned within 2 1/2 hours!
Received phone call thim AM 9:02 AM CST...lady said I have been chosen for a FREE cruise (2 day) on HOLLAND AMERICA to Bermuda leaving from West Palm, Fl..., that I had entered a lotto type for this and have been chosen...fast talker reciting all of the befits I/we (2) would receive...asked what the 'hook' was, she said no hook, just give her a credit card for $118.00 to reserve and confirm...no call backs allowed and MUST do so NOW!...told her uh uh...send me info via mail and she hung up...
Called C/S @ Holland Amnerican Lines and 'Linda" told me no knowledge of this notofication...additionally, they do not normally have cruises from W. Palm, Ft. Lauderdale is their port in Fl...said must have been a acam...