Cruise Talk: Holland America

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Today, the newly refreshed Queen Elizabeth has arrived to the Port of Seattle for the first time to begin a season of highly anticipated Alaskan voyages. Cunard's Queens have embodied the pinnacle of British luxury travel for 185 years, and now Queen Elizabeth will homeport in Seattle for the first time, bringing Cunard's renowned White Star Service to the region for two exclusive seasons...

Latest News...Azamara Cruises, known for its Destination Immersion and industry-leading number of late-nights and overnights in port, is giving travelers a chance to see the world in an entirely new light — moonlight. While most cruise lines sail away before sunset, Azamara Cruises is just getting started. "Guests will enjoy more time – and more local culture – beneath the night sky in...

Latest News...Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the world's leading ultra luxury cruise line, has once again raised the bar with the reveal of the Skyview Regent Suite — the largest all-inclusive, ultra luxury cruise ship suite in history. Stunning renderings and an immersive fly-through video showcase this extraordinary two-level suite, which will sit atop the brand's newest ship, Seven Seas Prestige....

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Holland America - Veendam

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Holland America - Veendam

Lineka
Just Boarded
Member # 279

posted 09-07-1999 09:52 PM

We received a brochure from Swain World Cruises featuring a cruise to the western Caribbean with Christopher Lowell. Sounds good, but the write up for this ship was HORRIBLE! Can anyone share thier experiances with this ship and if you have taken other cruises before. We took a wonderful cruise 5 years ago and enjoyed it so much, food was great, sights wonderful, etc. I'd hate to "blow" good money on a lousy ship!

Posts: 2 | Registered: Sep 99

Kas
First Class Passenger
Member # 250

posted 09-08-1999 11:47 PM

This is a wonderful ship and I have travelled on her many times. I have no idea why anyone would write a horrible report on it. It is exactly the same as the Statendam, Ryndam and Maasdam and HAL is ranked very high. I would not hesitate to go back on any of these ships.
P.S. read Malcolm's comments in this same site on "Which Will It Be" That should help you.

[This message has been edited by Kas (edited 09-08-99).]

Posts: 35 | Registered: Aug 99

scotto
First Class Passenger
Member # 766

posted 09-11-1999 12:07 AM

i'm going on the Veendam for the first time in a few months, with a very special, high-quality group of people aboard, and I can't imagine that the celebrity name behind this particular theme-type cruise would book a lousy ship. I doubt that it's a bad ship. everything i've read is to the contrary. do some more research.......of course, there's nothing like being there yourself, and i shall find out soon.

Posts: 28 | From: florida | Registered: Mar 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-11-1999 01:26 PM

Lineka - don't know where you found the HORRIBLE write up of the Veendam - must have been written by very pickey people who spent an entire week looking for something to complain about.
The Veendam is a beautiful ship. We were on her last November and found absolutely nothing to complain about. Holland America Line lives up to its reputation - we've sailed on all the other 'dam' ships too and believe me, you'll not be 'blowing' good money.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

Lineka
Just Boarded
Member # 279

posted 09-13-1999 09:06 PM

Thanks Green. You may want to check out this web site from this very site. http://www.travelpage.com/cruise/ships/ha_veen.htm
It was written by Christopher E. Smith, Travel Page, Assoc. Cruise Director. I would think someone who puts on a web page like this then say the horrible things they did about this ship may (?) know what they like in a cruise ship. But that was a few days ago that I pulled his review down and today it does have a note that the food and service has gotten better and a new review will be posted soon. I do think you are right though - if a celebrity will be hosted they surely would not put on a lousy spread. Thanks for helping us to make up our minds!

Posts: 2 | Registered: Sep 99

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 09-15-1999 06:12 PM

Lineka,
We were on the Veendam in Dec. 98 and found her to be a wonderful ship. Food, service and entertainment were all excellent.
Holland America Line has been providing first class cruises for over 125 years, so I think they have plenty of experience in what it takes to keep passengers happy and want to return. Worry-not and have a wonderful time!

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 09-15-1999 06:47 PM

Hi Lineka - pulled up that review - he sure had a chip on his shoulder.

A revision IS L-O-N-G, very long, OVERDUE!

In November it was interesting to talk with many of the waiters, bar tenders etc. - without exception they were quite delighted with the British Captain and Officers on board and declared the Veendam a 'happy ship'.

Have a great trip- hope you will post your comments.

[This message has been edited by Green (edited 09-15-99).]

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99

Crooza
First Class Passenger
Member # 92

posted 09-16-1999 07:21 PM

Lineka:

I would be very surprised if you are disappointed with this ship. We took the seven-day Western Caribbean last year and in a word, had a ball! The ship is very elegant and we're sure you will come back feeling quite spoiled. I suppose there will always be a few unhappy passengers due to one reason or another. Most of the reviews we read prior to our cruise on the Veendam were all complimentary to the ship and staff. Perhaps you can look at a few more - - they may help in making your final decision. Good luck!

Posts: 32 | From: MA | Registered: Sep 99

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...