Up until a few years ago I would have unconditionally recommended the Holland America Cruise Line for senior citizens. In fact, the older, the better. Everything about the cruise line was thought out to attract the World War II generation. However, that was before its entertainment revolution!
My first Holland America cruise was a New Year’s Eve cruise in 1998. The travel agent recommended it. At the completion of the reservation I asked him what the age group would be on the ship. “There will be all ages,” he lied (or maybe he really didn’t know).
I was 50 years old. On embarkation I immediately noticed that everyone seemed older than me. When we did the mandatory safety drill on the deck, I was shocked to see passenger after passenger arrive with walkers and canes in tow. A few were in wheelchairs. I was in such denial that I actually thought that maybe the younger passengers were assembled on the other side of the ship. But it was not to be.
Surprisingly, my next two cruises were also on Holland America so I guess I adapted just fine. Nothing wrong with being the youngster on a cruise. It’s all relative! Through the years I went on additional Holland America cruises and the older I got, the younger the passengers seemed!
What I Liked:
- The Indonesian crew were delightful
- Larger staterooms
- At only about 1260 passengers, it was smaller and more intimate than most of the other cruise lines but still easy to navigate with walkers and canes.
- Impressive artwork
- Delicious food especially their cold fruit soups made with real cream and their bread pudding with an amazing sauce.
- Candied ginger offered at the dining room door after the evening meal by a crew member
- A live orchestra providing dance music in the ballroom
- The Indonesian Crew Talent Show. The crew always performed at midnight at the end of the cruise. They sang and performed native dances. I always made a point to attend.
What I Did Not Like
- The worst entertainment at sea for my age group. Geared for those older than my 50 years.
- Evenings were generally quiet after the main show. There might be a combo playing dance music and maybe a country music group in another room.
Somewhere along the way, the powers that be must have realized that their customers were passing away and the next generation of baby boomers must be wooed.
In 2018 I boarded the Holland America Koningsdam for a 2-week Norway cruise. I was now 70 and looking forward to the slower, quieter pace of a Holland America ship. For an instant, I thought I might have boarded the wrong ship.
Koningsdam is a modern, glitzy, mid-size ship of 2650 passengers. The food is still good but the mediocre entertainment in the main theater has vanished. In its place were some of the best shows I have ever seen at sea. As an amateur actor, I notice everything in a theater. The dancers were superb. The 270-degree LED screens provided breathtaking visuals. I was astonished at the change and the quality of the set, sound, choreography, costumes and cast. Score one for HAL.
The Music Walk
They had created a “Music Walk” covering half of the Plaza Deck.
Next to the theater was the ever popular Billboard Onboard with duo piano players.
Next came The Lincoln Center Stage, a favorite of mine, showcasing outstanding musicians performing programs of classical music.
The classic ballroom had disappeared. Oh, it was physically there but had turned into the B.B. King’s Blues Club. Loud rock music blasted through the deck each evening. HAL describes it as “funky and fast to soulful and smooth”.
Koningsdam has a new music venue called the Rolling Stone Rock Room which features classic rock music. I look forward to checking it out in the future.
For someone who likes live music there is something for almost everyone.
It seems that when Holland America wants to go after a new market niche, they do so with a vengeance.
PS: The Indonesian Crew Show has disappeared. It definitely would not fit well on the Music Walk.
