Our shoreline cruise to Alaska was our first using Holland American and their mid-size Zaandam ship. The Zaandam (launched in 2000 and named after a town in Holland) has a sculpture laden atrium with a working organ with mechanical figures), paintings of Holland America ships in the stairwells by Stephen Card, and some public rooms decorated in a gracious Dutch colonial motif. There is also a two story high restaurant, a theature, and, of course, many lounges and bars.

But while Holland America has always prided itself on consistency in areas such as service, quality and cuisine, my experience of Zaandam was highly inconsistent. Food was better in the main dining restaurant than it was in the elite (extra pay) dining room. Outdoor viewing areas were awkward, especially during cold rainy weather that should be expected along this coast.

What annoyed me most was the constant reminders that Holland America relies on income from profit centers onboard its ships like jarring loudspeaker announcements of activities: art auctions, bingo, casino contests, spa services, sales in shops and shore excursions. I miss the days of free sail-away drinks and announcements for navigational purposes only. The quiet, up-market ambience has been shattered.

We did enjoy the suggested dress code where the first and last nights are casual, as are nights in port. Casual means long trousers for men, collared shirts and no sneakers; and for women, neat trousers or skirt with a top, no bare midriff or exercise clothing. There were two formal nights (suit or tuxedo, gown or cocktail dress). Other nights are informal: jacket with or without tie for men and dress or dressy pants and top for women. Ramona likes to primp up and I enjoy diners where those around me don’t wear T-shirts with strange comments and stains on them.

But – we did, after all, come to experience some of the beauty that is along the western coast of Alaska.

Glacier Bay – Cold, rainy weather and a ship not conducive to indoor observing of what the Glacier views have to offer, made this part of the journey just blah.

Juneau – better weather, a comfortable day had us leaving the ship and exploring this city that looks more like a fisherman’s camping destination than it does the capital of an American State.

Ketchikan – A fishing village that had us exploring the streams that were currently displaying the annual salmon runs.

Vancouver - bad weather prevented us from setting port and thus we could not revisit the city that was twice the home of our son Aaron and his family..