Joy

Am most anxious to hear from anyone sailing on HAL's new ship Amsterdam thru Panama Canal to Costa Rica. Thanks!

mary beth horn

Joy, unless you are old and on a walker, avoid the HA Lines. This cruise line attracts very old people. There are no activities.. the food is bland to meet the diatery needs of the senior set. Navigating the ship is difficult with all the wheel chairs and walkers.(not joking) Needless to say, this is a cruise line that attaract AARP members.....not 30-somethings. To top it off, the service is poor, and the food quality is lacking..... I just got off the Statendam, 17 days to Hawaii...Bummer!

Parrot Mom

WRONG!! Just took a tour of the Amsterdam last Wednesday..it is a gorgeous ship.. they were anxious to show travel agents(not me) the chlidrens section...It is rather dark and rich looking.. I think the decorations in the alternative restaurant remind me of a bordello. Had lunch on board and it was delightful.. HA is aiming towards a younger group... Go to...http://www.cruise2.com/bulletins/newquestions.htm to find people who were on the overnighter.. Then again..with the prices they are chargina a younger couple would certainly not be able to afford it.

Paul Therault

<BR>You all may be pleasantly surprised. The HAL Maasdam is sailing a simple itinerary for the summer at very attractive rates. <BR> <BR>This is your chance to try HAL. They are attempting to change their image and attract families. <BR> <BR>Also remember there is a "no tipping" policy that can save a family a couple of hundred. <BR> <BR>Paul

JanGail

I agree with Paul-- HAL is trying to <BR>change or rather "fine-tune" their image <BR>to attract younger passengers and <BR>families. We sailed on the Veendam and <BR>had a wonderful time--great food, great <BR>service! We are in our 40's & 50's and <BR>found plenty of passengers younger <BR>than us, passengers in our age group <BR>and passengers 60+. There seemed to be <BR>plenty of kids-- our son (15) had a <BR>great time, made lots of friends, never <BR>saw him except at dinnertime-- he had <BR>too much to do! When we interacted with <BR>the older passengers we found them to <BR>be wonderful and interesting <BR>conversationalists, having traveled <BR>extensively. They are also often great <BR>dancers-- a real treat to watch them! <BR>In conclusion, I really do feel that <BR>HAL is succeeding to be a cruiseline <BR>that appeals to all ages who desire a <BR>touch of class! <BR>JanGail

Lynn

Have not been on the Amsterdam, but I just have to disagree with the first poster about Holland America not appealing to 30-something's. I sailed on HA's Maasdam on a European Capitals cruise in 1997. I was (and still am) thirty-something, and of the 8 cruises I've taken, the line and that cruise is my favorite. I've been on RCCL, Costa, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and HA and HA was just a notch above the others in food and service, always providing those little extras. And, the trip that we took to Europe on HA had about the most varied age group of any cruise we have ever been on. Maybe something has changed, but I wouldn't hesitate to rebook on them if the itinerary/ship met my liking.

monique

My neighbors just got back from the Amsterdam yesterday. They went on a trip paid for by State Farm. The ship was only half full and was only filled with State Farm workers. They raved about the food and the ship it self. I was told that they had 12 table games in the casino. They were not that thrilled with the ports of call but they have been to the carribean before and have something to compare it too. The food was top notch in there opinion and comparable with the finest restaurants in our town which is in California and has a few nice dining establishments. They would have liked to stay in Aruba longer but had to fly right home. They enjoyed the novelty of the Panama canal not necessarily the scenery. I am getting this info from others but if you have any more questions I will be happy to ask.