Holland America cruises

Spent Christmas onboard this beautiful ship, in the Caribbean with our two children, 11 and 15. Our 15 year old said it was his best holiday yet. The teen club was brilliant, loads to do and plenty of friends to make. The entertainment was great, the food excellent. Although we sampled the extra charge restaurants, the main dining room was so good, we dined there most often. The staff are impeccable in both appearance and service and the ship was really clean and beautifully appointed. We had two cabins which were a good size, both with balconies. Lovely public rooms, some with excellent views. The family pool has a cover that can be closed in inclement weather, which is a plus and our daughter was in it every day. The adult pool and hot tub are on the back deck and very civilised! We had breakfast out there most mornings. Christmas day was spent on Holland America's private island and again we had excellent service, along with some great shoreside activities. Would definitely recommend this ship.

We sailed on the Eurodam on the Baltic cruise to St.Petersburg, the ship was fantastic the food was fantastic. They could not be faulted at all. We have done this cruise before on the Marco Polo from Cruise & Maritime which is not as glitzy as the Eurodam. Where the Holland America let the trip down was on the tours. Biggest complaint we only had until 3pm in Stockholm which is a bit sad as it was beautiful. Also the talks on Marco Polo were really interesting on the Romanov dynasty and lots of other interesting things. I felt as if it was dummed down to an American clientele on the Eurodam. Although it did have an excellent library and librarian and wifi was reasonably priced. Shows and entertainment were also excellent apart from Patti the entertainments officer who spoke so fast with an American accent, most of it was lost on us. So if it is decor, food to die for and casinos Holland America should be your choice. CULTURE: Cruise Maritime. I forgot to say on the Marco Polo on the tours a member of staff went out with each coach and kept the flock together whereas on the Holland America the Russian tour guides spent more of their time being a shepherd than explaining what we were looking at, a lot of the Americans just wanted to buy tat off the market stalls. CONCLUSION Yes I would go with Holland America again but make my own tour arrangements. Which having returned home seems quite easy to do on the internet.