StarwoodGuy: May 2016

I have always wanted to do one of the re-positioning cruises from Vancouver to Seattle, so this May seemed like a great opportunity with fares as low as $59.00 for an inside cabin per person plus tax and suites going for $149.00 per person plus tax. I talked three others into going with me so we took a Friday evening flight on Horizon/Alaska from Seattle to Vancouver for $100.00 and made our way to the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. The flight was easy and the airport and Amex Centurion Lounge great as always, the panic about long lines was non-existent at Seatac on Friday at 3:00pm but we also had PRE and sailed through security in the regular few minutes.

I have posted on the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, reached easily by train after the short thirty minute Canada Line train service, numerous times, but the renovations are now largely complete, with the South Tower suites now finished. We were greeted to an upgrade to a Family Suite, which is great for kids, but odd for adults, with two double bed in the living room instead of a sofa and a King bed in the master bedroom. The finishes and furniture, as well as the general decor, are all neutral colors and a definite improvement. The Friday and Saturday in Vancouver consisted of a little work for me, a great deal of shopping, eating and drinking. As always the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre was a great location and stay, the only downside is still the disjointed gym but the service and renovations were great.

On the Sunday morning we made our way the short fifteen minute walk to the cruise ship terminal at Vancouver's harbor and large older Convention Center. The entrance to the terminal is a little narrow, but once we found our way we dropped our pre-tagged bags quickly and then headed through security. There were long lines to get through security, but fortunately there was a Global Entry/Nexus line where we were the only people so we quickly made it through and on to the final check in area, which was empty, to get our boarding passes and our on-board cards.

I had not been on a cruise ship in a long time, but I was impressed immediately. The styling still seems a little on the tacky side, and Holland America's Maasdam is not one of their larger ships, but the suite was spacious with a Queen bed, sitting area, and larger sized balcony with a good tub and shower as well, and the decor was actually much more neutral then I had seen on ships years prior. We had a quick drink in the cabins since they do allow everyone to bring on-board one bottle of wine or champagne before heading out to explore the ship.

We were at the rear of the vessel on deck 10 in cabins 48 and 50 which were the recommended cabins for the smaller suites. Right up the staircase on Deck 11 was the main buffet restaurant and Lido Pool, with the gym and another pool at the front end. The ship had a large theater, an art gallery, and a good casino, as well as a split level main restaurant and two formal restaurants as well, along with various bars. I actually enjoyed the set times for events, and we jumped from Happy Hours as the ship left, to $3.00 Martini time, to dinner, to the show and gambling. The food in the buffet area was so-so but in the main restaurant it was excellent.

The next morning I did make it up for a workout, and unlike the dated pictures shown of the gym on the website, the workout equipment was modern and impressive. Leaving the ship upon arrival in Seattle we had one of our group who had to rush to work and he was given priority dis-embarkation, the rest of us had breakfast and then left at 8:45 but it was all very simple and easy.

It was another easy Horizon flight, a great stay at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center, and I must say I was very impressed with the short overnight cruise with Holland America. I do not know if I will become a regular cruiser, but I did find the experience fun and I think it would be great for couples or groups, but it definitely leaned towards the older side as to passengers.