Complain about a product or service

Holland America Cruises

M of Edmonds WA (04/08/08)
I got a job with Holland America during the summer, working as a maid in their hotel in Skagway Alaska. When I got there, the working conditions were far from the wonderful picture they gave when visiting my college. And I had a horrible sinus infection, which I had never had before.

It was early in the season and they had too many housekeepers for that time. Guess what they told me to do? Prepare the lunches for the ship! They were fully aware that I was sick (and obvious to anyone who saw me), and I was too naive to think I could refuse. I had just spent alot of money flying up there, and didn't know if they would get rid of me. So if you're all wondering why you get sick, maybe the person preparing the meals is sick. I didn't even have a food handlers permit.

After that horrible experience (I ended up quitting and sucking up the cost of airfare back home), I will NEVER use Holland America and will NEVER recommend them. And by the way, while working as a maid, they expected 6 rooms to be cleaned in an hour. I tried, but there was no way that could be done. Guess what that means? The rooms might look clean, but they aren't. Look closely at the sheets and rub your finger on the bathtub to check for soapscum!

One way ticket to Alaska. One way ticket home from Alaska. Cost of charter plane from Skagway to Anchorage. Losing the bonus you get if you stay the season (I left because they lied and the living conditions and working conditions were so crappy). As a person who wants to do a good job, it was impossible.

Darryl of Tucson, AZ December 18, 2007

Darryl of Tucson AZ (12/18/07)
In Sept, 2007, we enjoyed an Alaska cruise on the Holland America Zaandam from Vancouver, BC to Alaska and disembarked in San Diego. We paid Holland America for our return air from San Diego to Tucson. Our return air was by a tiny propeller driven airplane that was noisy and very uncomfortable not to mention safety concerns. We paid HAL top dollar for our airfare and they booked this aircraft because it was cheap and they increased their profit at our expense. We will never again allow a cruise line to book our airfare. We could have booked this airfare on jet service for much less than HAL charged us.

Very uncomfortable and nervous return flight home.

Timothy of Quinton, VA November 4, 2006

Timothy of Quinton VA (11/04/06)
My wife and I researched cruise lines. In September, we discovered an Expedia.com special rate for a ten day eastern carribean cruise on the Noordam, from Holland America Cruise Lines. This cruise is scheduled to depart from New York in January. We noticed that the Expedia rate was exceptionally good and similar to last minute rates that one may obtain when booking a cruise. We decided to pay in full and book the cruise. About a month later, we were notified by Expedia.com that Holland Amercica advised them that they were refusing to honor our reservation for the price paid. Holland America stated that we had one week to pay an additional 710 or elect to receive a full refund.

However, since we had just booked non-refundable air fare from Richmond to New York to catch the cruise, we felt compelled to have to pay the additional money. Prior to booking our cruise,I read a complaint from a prior Holland Amercia customer about them pulling something similiar. At this point, I am concerned that Holland America may be refusing to honor ticket prices as it becomes convenient for them to do so. Beware of their pricing integrity.

Edward of Sarasota, FL February 9, 2006

Edward & Geraldine of Sarasota FL (02/09/06)
I made reservation for a definite cabin and was charged extra to assure that I received that cabin...email stated as such. Have Medical problem and told use middle of ship to avoid sea sickness. The cabin (I was told #756 by email)was in middle of ship.(I have the coppy of it) Get to ship -cabin is not available-they wanted to put us at the very rear of ship. I got sick on a previous Holland voyage and cabin had to be changed-and was.

The main lobby desk on ship told me I had no option, that if I did not take the rear of the ship I could get off-then they proceeded to escort me and my 80 year old husband off the ship with our luggage. Now the travel agent claims he has contacted the main office of Carnival Cruises -the mother company--and they have refused to refund me my 2000. They have not offered a replacement cruise and have not refunded anything to me. We are elderly and only live off our Social Security.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Share		Follow us on Twitter.

Back to the top |