Not the best cruise

[onehand]

Holland America ms Amsterdam San Diego to Hawaii Cruise 2/6-2/20

 

 

Summary

Boarding was smooth and departed San Diego on time.

After clearing the harbor into mild seas, its seems several folks became seasick, including myself (unusual).

Our inside cabin was forward on the Main deck (deck2).

Immediately noticed a much higher level on vibration from the ship than had been felt from previous Holland America cruises (Volendam & Ryndam). The audio noise was nominal. The ms Amsterdam has the azipod propulsion modules as opposed to the older props, drive shafts, and rudder. The vibration can even be felt in the Queen’s theater located on deck 4 & 5 in the bow during the performance shows.

As the ship speed increases or the seas become rougher then more vibration are felt.

You can also hear the propulsion motors running (whining).

In my simple engineering analysis… the front propulsion pods can accentuate an increase of the front bow pitch, therefore leading to a slightly rougher ride. The stabilizes may neutralize this to some extent… but they didn’t seem too.

Interesting thing… NO mention or discussion on board about the new propulsion system. It was very impressive on its maneuvering capabilities… turning the ship 180 degrees within its length.

 

We had been assigned the 8:30 PM dinner seating (called the second seating of the main dining)… were completely unable to have any changes made after repeated requests. The maitre’d was even quite rude. The New Yorker types were more successful in moving their dinnertime up after much yelling and threats… squeaky wheel types seem to get their way.

One had to rush through their meal in order to make it to the evening dinner show.

Folks that got to eat in the Dining room said the food and service was excellent. Unfortunately many of us just can’t eat that late. Therefore most of our meals were in the Lido Cafeteria, which was nice.

The Pinnacle Grill was overpriced… $20 extra per person for basically the same thing as the dining room, but in a smaller intimate area.

 

The activities were very poorly organized and limited in their scope and appeal. Several times as many as three events my wife really wanted to attend or participate in were schedule within 30 minutes of each other mid afternoon. So she had to pick one. At many other times there was nothing to do.

The popular events… culinary shows and movies were standing room only.

 

The free coffee/espresso offered outside the Wajang Theater on the other Holland ships have been replaced by a bar for ordering early dinner wines. The espresso & coffee is now priced and located in the “Exploration” lounge…. An Internet café and library run by New York Times. It has a great selection of books and magazines. Around 12 computers for the Internet with WIFI hot spots… but watch out for the connect charges… very, very expensive at 100 minutes for $55, or $.75 by the minute).

 

About half way back from Hawaii, the ship unfortunately lost a crewmember presumably overboard. A day was spent with the Coast Guard and other ships in unsuccessfully searching for him… a sad story. But now most passengers needed to change their return travel arrangements or notify family of their changes. Captain sent out a letter saying free Internet and phone calls. Unorganized chaos resulted; long lines at the computers and telephones lines were tied up for hours. We found out the free internet time was for ship computers only Those of us with laptops couldn’t get in at all as the ship computer servers were now overloaded. Second day was better as you could signups for 30 minutes of computer time; you could fill out an “instant” e-mail form for the ship to transmit and more of the crew was helping in an organized effort to change travel arrangements. Many of the less computer knowledgeable passengers had no idea of their email addresses, ISP or web mail servers, or logon id’s or passwords. I felt sorry for them. Several of us tried to help, but ship crew seemed put off by our help.

So bring your Internet “stuff” with you in case you need to use it.

 

The crew cast shows were really outstanding. They put on four high energy productions over the 15 days. The other shows left a lot to be desired. Seems like old run down performers from Las Vegas and Australia were the only talents available. Several were downright insulting.

The mid morning and afternoon Explorer lectures are a great idea but the lecture topics could be improved. “Canadian legal system problems and stories” just didn’t have it.

There were several smoking areas around the ship. You generally had to walk through or by to get anywhere, i.e. casino or the sports bar. Some no smoking ships would be really nice.

A few of the public restrooms were quite odiferous (smelly). My wife commented several times that they need some auto-fresheners.

 

There also seemed to be a feeling of having to pay for everything everytime you turned around… with the shipboard payment system you have no idea what expenses you are running accumulating… (that’s why they do it.)

The shore excursions have gotten very expensive i.e. $85 for an hour in the “Atlantis” submarine. Better to get off the ship and do your own thing. But they seem to have driven off the small independent tour outfits. They are now very noticeably missing around the dock areas.

Casino slots seemed to be set pretty tight. Several passengers were complaining about lack of any payouts. But all cruise ships slots are tight. (Would make an interesting story on cruise ship slot payout rates.)

 

Disembarkation process went smoothly, but felt we were being rushed off the ship. Was trying to finish breakfast and being told to get off the ship at 8:30 AM. I suspected they needed some additional time to handle the missing crewperson investigation. We had to check several areas for one of our bags, Our “black” tag was with the “purple” bags.

The Holland America web page under “NEWS” was a bit brief. Stating “The delay has been caused by the ship's participation in a search and rescue operation in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard.”

All true, but it was due to an Amsterdam crew member that was missing.

 

Overall… the ship seemed “dirty” and tired. Lido restaurant windows were actually filthy, dirty streaks and needed washing badly. Several areas needed to be vacuumed, cleaned and painted. Not what I would have expected from a ship that has been sailing a couple of years since its “flu” cleanup.

 

We are Holland America Mariners and were unable to get anything upgraded… room or dinner time or anything!!!… a rather “boring” trip

 

Cruise value was not there. Time to check out another line.

At best ONE Star… *

:(

[NoNoNanette]

Wow. What a bummer of a trip report. :( Sorry to hear of your troubles, kiddo.

 

You mention that you're a "Mariner", so I assume that you've cruised on this line prior.

 

Was the change drastic?

 

Again, sorry to learn of your disappointment. This is probably the first and only negative review that I've read on HAL!:confused:

[garydm]

We have been on Amsterdam twice and unfortunately our experience was much like yours.

 

Gary

[CruisinMK]

Thanks for detailed review. Just booked this ship today and now I read this. :)

[R&CCruisers]

We've been on the Amsterdam twice(last time less than a year ago) and have had nothing but good experiences.. Ship was in good shape and crew was excellent as we've always experienced on HAL. But we have positive attitudes about vacations and are not looking for things to complain about.

[jhannah]

I'm sorry your cruise failed to meet your expectations. Perhaps another line will be a better fit for you.

[kingclick]

I wouldn't go that far....maybe just another ship?

[JDRMYS]

Onehand,

 

I am quite offended by your use of "New Yorker Types" in your post seeming to mean pushy & obnoxious people.

 

I notice that you have not posted your hometown in your signature. Perhaps you are ashamed of it. I am proud to be a New Yorker and find that most residents of New York City, having to live in close proximity to each other, are really extremely considerate of their neighbors and try not to offend others. This is obviously not the case with you who have just offended the 8,000,000 citizens of the city that was able to withstand and recover from the destruction and mayhem of the World Trade Center in record time!

 

We New Yorkers are often appaled at the pushiness of out-of-towners who come to New York and make no attempt to understand our etiquette. For example, we often find our sidewalks clogged by stagnant masses of tourists who have no concept that our sidewalks are our main throroughfares and that they are making hard working people late for work or business appoinments.

 

BTW, with all of the complaints about your cruise that you made in your post, you seem to me to be a "squeaky wheel type" too!

[Crazy]

I took this cruise in December -- the Holiday cruise. I found the ship clean, the service great, we had a balcony. We had the late sitting and never had a problem making the shows. Sometimes I win in the Casino and other times I don't -- never expect to win much.

 

Sorry you had a bad experience - Holland America is my favorite line as I have two cruises coming up. Westerdam in June and Volendam (Panama) in February 2007.

 

Emily

[Sillyjilly]

Thanks for detailed review. Just booked this ship today and now I read this. :)

 

Mike,

 

Don't cancel just yet.

We were on the Amsterdam in Dec and absolutely loved this ship and crew. The ship was also spotless. And the food was the best!

 

It's a shame you had the problems you had. Hope your next cruise is better.

 

Jill

[AAAAmerican]

Now at least you have a comparison point to reflect from, costly but important.:D

 

I also had a few hair raising experiences on ships too.

 

Once we booked the best room on a ship and we expected a LOT more.. but got very little... never expect then your never disapointed..

 

We use the experiences always and Finally youall will probably laugh.. think how nice the City is from whence you departed from.. I know only of one other area in the World like that there...which is in Peru.

 

 

 

Make your opinions know while on board then document them by sending correspondence to the HQ ccing the Chairperson.. that way you know they know and it is of record... Thats a paper trail.::::::::::::::::::T

 

Never take the NCL , a Malaysian line then either Nickels and Dimes are constant..:eek:

 

 

 

But to close it really is like Life and Love.. hats what we make of it.:D

 

 

 

 

PS: Go on a different ship and Port of Departure .. then you compare how that is...We are going on the New Noordam ( IV) in March after the Ides.

[grannynurse]

The Azipod on Amsterdam is not new, she's had it since she was built in 1999.

 

Not to discount your concerns, but any ship at sea is bound to have dirty windows during a "crossing". The Rotterdam transatlantic was no different, the large windows in the lido, crow's Nest, and dining room were streaky and salt crusted from the trip over.

And it is common to have motion on the ocean which is certainly not HAL's fault. (especially in the Pacific).

 

We've never seen less than spotless public rest rooms on HAL ships. Every bathroom has the chance of having smelly occurances, dontcha think?

 

I am not a HAL apologist, and HAL is not perfect, it has it's weak areas, BUT, somethings are not the fault of the cruise line, and some things are not worth getting upset about.

On one trip our request for a specific table and time got lost. We had requested it it a year in advance. By the time the Maitre' D got us our table (the second day of a 35 day trip) we were so pleased with our table companions that we didn't want to change, so we stayed and we've been friends ever since.

 

IMO HAL is the least of the nickle-diming offenders which is so common to cruise lines.

 

You have many positive comments, didn't the positives out-weigh the negatives?

 

I've learned that my being impatient and critical just ruins my cruise and my smile so I learned to lighten up. We pay too much money for a cruise and it doesn't help to stay mad. As we say on this board," Ship happens".

 

 

GN

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry to hear about your cruise and being disappointed by the Amsterdam.

 

We were on her in 2002 when the Norvo virus broke out.

 

And we are looking forward to our upcoming cruise on her.

[yiddishkopf]

I wish you would be specific about what you mean when you define people as New York types. When I was working full time, I was in New York several times a year and always met wonderful people and had outstanding service. Once a bus driver let my daughter and me on a bus with not enough money because we didn't have exact change. I asked for his name and address and said I would send him the other 80 cents but he just laughed and said when he comes to Chicago, he expects the same type of treatment.

 

In certain stores where I shopped the people who worked there became friends -- they couldn't have been more accomodating.

[gizmo]

Onehand,

 

Thanks for your post. Sorry the cruise didn't live up to your expectations. I think many of us have a cruise that is not the best. Ironically mine was on the Amsterdam also. :eek:

 

A couple of things.

Slots - Those that do not win always say the slots are tight.

 

Activities poorly organized - I have to agree with this. Late seating people especially are left out of trivia since many are scheduled during late seating. I don't know about ALL cruises but I have seen this on mine. I would not say that Hal's activies are great by any means but this is nothing new.

 

Shipboard payment system - Hal is no different than other lines. This has been in place forever. You can check your account daily if you choose so there is no suprise at the end of your cruise. Maybe you did not know you could do this.

 

Coffee charge - I agree with this. I think it is lousy. All of Hal's ships no longer have the Java Cafe.

 

Excursions ? Most of the time all cruise lines overcharge. I will admitt that sometimes there is an excurion that is worth it.

I don't think Hal has chased off the little guys. If you check the ports of call boards you will find many excursions recommended that are not sponsored by the cruise line. I see many when I get off the ship.

 

Again, sorry your cruise wasn't the best. Thanks for posting.

[kakalina]

onehand, really sorry to see that you were so disappointed in your trip. We just got off the Amsterdam earlier this month ( the cruise before yours ) and if you check out our review there were some disappointments, but overall the experience was a great one. NOt the best we've ever had on HAL but most certainly not the worst. We won some and lost some in the casino, it seemed to even out. The food was not terribly impressive, nor was it bad, just food. The windows, as someone mentioned earlier, do get dirty on a crossing, they have auto cleaners and do what they can. Would you like to hang out over ocean waves to wash a window?? Of course HAL isn't giving out detailed information in a news report about the delay, why ask for problems or bad publicity.As for the activity staff, half of their staff including the CD disembarked on the 5th of Feb. when we did so you had a new staff to deal with. Disembarkation does seem a little rushed, there are new passengers waiting anxiously to get on. . . and folks who, one the cruise is over, are anxious to return to the "real world" ( fools that they are). Shore excursions have always been extremely expensive. What's new? Also coffee and hot chocolate and tea are available 24 hours a day in the Lido, why not charge for specialty stuff, everyone else does. The times they are a changing and like it or not HAL is STILL the best bang for your buck.

[Copper10-8]

Would you like to hang out over ocean waves to wash a window??

 

Hey, Royal Caribbean has a rock wall, maybe HAL can get "over the side window washing" for cool ship's prizes and/or for stamps if they reinstitute the "passport for fitness" program;)

[Captain Crunch]

But we have positive attitudes about vacations and are not looking for things to complain about.

 

That's one way of putting it, another way is that you accept what you are given, without complaint.( it's your money and your time. You can choose to determine the value of it, the OP has chosen to place a higher value than you. It should be respected, whether or not you agree with their position.)

 

A third way to look at is that you have low expectations, which are easily met. The OP clearly has different expectations. I can certainly relate.

 

 

As for the New Yorker types, this comment is generally considered code for Jewish people and an unflattering one if not anti-Semetic. As person of the Jewish faith, that was my instant reaction. Once again, the OP is entitled to their opinion, but this comment reflects most negatively on the OP rather than the target of his displeasure. I was not insulted however, those holding such views do not deserve the respect of inflicting an insult. I do not turn the other cheek in these matters, it is not worth that much effort.

[jhannah]

maybe HAL can get "over the side window washing"

 

Hey, this would make a great kids' game!!! Oops! ;)

[Copper10-8]

Hey, this would make a great kids' game!!! Oops! ;)

 

Now you're in trouble; better get your hockey helmet 'cause things will be flying soon !

[SDHALFAN]

That's one way of putting it, another way is that you accept what you are given, without complaint.( it's your money and your time. You can choose to determine the value of it, the OP has chosen to place a higher value than you. It should be respected, whether or not you agree with their position.)

 

A third way to look at is that you have low expectations, which are easily met. The OP clearly has different expectations. I can certainly relate.

 

 

As for the New Yorker types, this comment is generally considered code for Jewish people and an unflattering one if not anti-Semetic. As person of the Jewish faith, that was my instant reaction. Once again, the OP is entitled to their opinion, but this comment reflects most negatively on the OP rather than the target of his displeasure. I was not insulted however, those holding such views do not deserve the respect of inflicting an insult. I do not turn the other cheek in these matters, it is not worth that much effort.

 

 

I thought of all kinds of ways to answer your post but just didn't feel it was worth the effort involved. However, your comment about "New Yorker Types" being a code for Jewish people? Huh? That's the first I've ever heard of that one. Not so long ago almost all New Yorkers were generally considered "Jerks" whether they were WASPS, African (or any other nationality)-American, or Jews - none of you had the most stellar reputation, believe me.

 

I'm glad to say that thanks to the efforts of Mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg that "stereotype" has gone by the wayside. On my last visit to New York I found the city to be clean and sparkling and the New Yorkers to be friendly and welcoming, and I would happily go back there and spend my hard earned money. Not so long ago I would not even have enterained the idea of spending any time or money in New York City - in fact I would have, and did indeed do so, gone out of my way to avoid being anywhere close by.

 

Get that chip off your shoulder, and please understand that there are those of us who don't see our way of thinking as settling for less: we just choose to be optimists instead of pessimists. To quote a great idea from Spamelot - "always look on the bright side life". If you don't then you are going to be disappointed, over and over again.

[JDRMYS]

INMHO anyone who would lump all of the residents of any city together and consider "almost all" of them "jerks" to be a jerk and a bigot. If this is the sort of person who takes cruises on HAL, I think that I should stay away. In 40 years of cruising (mostly on top-of -the-line companies such as French Line, Swedish-American, Royal Viking & more recently Seabourn & Radisson) I have never run in to such prejudice.

 

I have been considering taking a cruise on the Noordam since it leaves from the New York terminal less than a mile from my home. Now I am not so sure that it is a good idea. Unless, of course, the fact that the ship does leave from NYC means that it will attract a largely New York crowd!

[Boatdrill]

Onehand: I thought your review sounded very fair and balanced. You had positives as well as negatives. Also your observations about the azipod system were interesting and probably have some merit.

 

It's always a curious thing when I hear/read about past cruisers on any cruise line who don't get an upgrade or are not given the dining times they requested. HAL staff does its best to accommodate requests when it can (that's their job).

 

I carry this note with me whenever I travel - it came from an ad in a travel magazine:

What's more impressive than getting upgraded ?

Not making a scene when you don't.

[Joanne G.]

We New Yorkers are often appaled at the pushiness of out-of-towners who come to New York and make no attempt to understand our etiquette. For example, we often find our sidewalks clogged by stagnant masses of tourists who have no concept that our sidewalks are our main throroughfares and that they are making hard working people late for work or business appoinments.

 

As an occassional visitor to NYC who doesn't stagnate on the sidewalk, I wonder why it's wrong to lump New Yorkers together as pushy but it's OK to lump non-New Yorkers together as pushy. ;)

[oilbrnr]

What a thread! Better than a soap opera. When I read "New York types" I groaned out loud knowing that the hornets nest had just been smashed. As a New York metro native and MTA employee I smile warmly at the generalization. If nothin else we have great, broad shoulders. As for "code" inuendo...... man it just doesn't get any better than that! What I want to know is what is HAL's stated position on abortion and UFO's.:p

Seriously, I find that critical comments are so much more insightful than the rather bland lauds of praise. Next time you're in NY I'd like to buy you a beer.