Robert Waring

Age: 58
Occupation: Security Electronics Management
Number of Cruises: 9
Cruise Line: Holland America
Ship: MS Volendam
Sailing Date: October 25th, 2003
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean

Like a Cruise out of a Steven King Novel, let the fun begin. From limited hours and food rationing in the Lido Buffet, to lack of service in the beautiful Rotterdam Dining Room, shipboard activities that seem to not exist, Cruise Director and staff totally absent, and the Vegas style shows (Excuse me) more like the Waffle House on the Vegas strip. I traveled with my wife who is disabled with MS and totally wheelchair dependant, not once in 7 days was any assistance ever offered to carry a food tray or even open a door.

As for Holland Americas slogan "Tipping not Required" it should read "TIPPING TOTALLY UNDESERVED". On the Volendam we were basically on our own for 7 days. Food was rationed in Dining Rooms if you ordered more than 1 main course you got what they decided you should have and 1 only. The Lido Buffet was closed far more than it was opened. Room service was good, but got old after a while. This is the first Cruise I have ever been hungry on. To be fair to Holland America we are going on the Zaandam in December, maybe we just experienced a bad ship. We'll let you know.

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