Often, we hear from people who have never been on a cruise say they won’t consider taking one because they think they will be bored.
Other folks our age say they don’t want to consider taking a cruise on Holland America Line is because “it’s a cruise line for old folks.” We’ve been cruising on Holland America Lines since our early 30s; we like the experience. We also like cruising on other cruise lines including Seabourn, Royal Caribbean, Costa, Carnival, Princess and Celebrity, among others.
To find the right cruise for you, you have to consider the itinerary and the ship. One of the ways we like to evaluate a cruise is to look at recent daily programs. We like to see what is happening day-by-day, and if there are activities that appeal to us. We also consider if we have to pay extra to do these things.
Scanning daily programs can be tough, but you can get an idea of what the 7-Day Western Caribbean Cruise is like on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam by reviewing the Daily Programs below.
Daily Programs from a 7-Day Caribbean Cruise on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
Day 1: Sunday, March 1, 2015 – Embarkation, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Day 1: Sunday, March 1, 2015 – Embarkation, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida The first day on board the ship you find your daily program in your stateroom. Many folks tend to be tired from traveling, unpacking, and getting to know there way around the ship. The first evening tends to be fairly quiet by 11:30 – 12 midnight around the ship.
Day 2: Monday, March 2, 2015 – Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Day 2: Monday, March 2, 2015 – Half Moon Cay, Bahamas This day was spent at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas — Holland America’s top-rated private island.
Day 3: Tuesday, March 3, 2015 – At Sea
Day 3: Tuesday, March 3, 2015 – At Sea We enjoyed the Dim Sum Lunch in Holland America’s Tamarind Restaurant, and the Live at the Avalon Ballroom evening show after the formal dinner.
Day 4: Wednesday, March 3, 2015 – George Town, Grand Cayman
Day 4: Wednesday, March 3, 2015 – – George Town, Grand Cayman We stayed on the ship and enjoyed on cabana in the Cabana Club. Dinner was in the Pinnacle Grill for An Evening at Le Cirque.
Day 5: Thursday, March 5, 2015 – Costa Maya, Mexico
Day 5: Thursday, March 5, 2015 – Costa Maya, Mexico As we approached the pier in Costa Maya, high winds prevented our ship from docking due to safety concerns. We spent the day at sea instead of making a port call. A revised schedule with more activities was produced and distributed. (This is the original program before the change of plans.) We enjoyed the B.B. King’s Blues Club entertainment, and our Signature Beverage Package.
Day 6: Friday, March 6, 2015 – At Sea
Day 6: Friday, March 6, 2015 – At Sea We enjoyed the Cellar Master’s Premium Wine tasting in the afternoon; our evening meal was delightful Italian food in the Canaletto Restaurant.
Day 7: Saturday, March 7, 2015 – Key West, Florida
Day 7: Saturday, March 7, 2015 – Key West, Florida In Key West, we explored the Little White House and went in search of Cuban coffee. Back on the ship, we had a marvelous evening at the 7-course Master Chef’s Table special food and wine pairing dinner.
Day 8: Sunday, March 8, 2015 – Disembarkation, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
What activities would you most enjoy on this cruise? Please share in comments below.
For comparison’s sake, take a look at these glimpses of shipboard life on the luxurious Seabourn Sojourn:
- A Day by Day Look at Cruising 11-Days on the Seabourn Sojourn
- 11 Days of Menus from the Seabourn Sojourn World Cruise
- 7 Favorite “Naughty” Pleasures on the Seabourn Sojourn
- 11 Spectacular Staffers Who Made Our Cruise on the Seabourn Sojourn Special
- 26 Things to Love About Cruising on Seabourn
Is Princess the cruise line for you? Take a look at these posts:
- Is the All-Inclusive Beverage Package on Princess Cruises a Good Deal?
- Sailing into Santa Barbara, California on Princess Cruises
- Dining at the Crab Shack on the Star Princess Cruise Ship
- A Look at the Sabatini’s Menu on Princess Cruises’ Star Princess
- A Look Inside Interior Cabin B-625 on the Star Princess Cruise Ship
Perhaps sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ships is a good option for you and your family? Check out:
- Is the Premium Beverage Package on Royal Caribbean Cruises A Good Deal?
- Cruising With a 12-Year-Old: Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s Private Resort in Haiti
- Traveling With a 12-Year-Old: Boarding Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas
- Cruising With a 12-Year-Old: A Day at Sea on the Oasis
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