Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line

Our first cruise. Pro's -- Beautiful ship, excellent, if sometimes over attentive service. Top quality food and service in Manhattan restaurant. Good and varied entertainment in the Theatre and other venues. Cons -- perhaps we should have known better, but too many loud Americans ( America- a land of wide open spaces surrounded by gleaming white teeth ) Who else would complain about the heat in the Mediterranean in August? Did they not know there are some good cruises to the Antarctic? Ships photographers pushing a camera in ones face at every conceivable opportunity, they were most unhappy when I did the same to them! Prices-- ridiculous. On shore excursions totally overpriced as were drinks with a 15% service charge added ( is this optional? I think not) Passengers sleep in cabins not staterooms. I would have welcomed more talks on the culture and the history of the places visited, for example most people had no idea of the geo-physical history of Santorini . Tipping:  why not pay the staff a sensible wage! 

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.