Cruise Talk: Any Comments on Veendam

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Topic: Any Comments on Veendam

29 again
First Class Passenger
Member # 1168

posted 03-18-2000 04:52 PM

Planning a first time cruise in Dec of 2000.
Like the looks of HAL or Celebrity Galaxy. Any advice?

Posts: 18 | From: Oregon | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 03-18-2000 05:59 PM

Hi 29 again,

I have not been on the Veedam but sailed her sister ship the Ryndam, last year. I loved it. Sympatico, which posts to this site, would be able to answer questions on this ship since she has sailed on the Veedam before and is boarding her again tomorrow.
I just returned from the Volendam and loved it. I think HAL gives you a great cruise. I have never tried Celebrity.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 03-18-2000 08:37 PM

Hi 29 again

Tried posting just now but lost the connection.........

I have sailed with HAL many times.I love the RYNDAM,STATENDAM and the ROTTERDAM,having sailed on the ROTTERDAM 4 times since & including her Inauguration in 1998.

If you do choose HAL,be sure to use their Cruise/Fly deal.They look after you very well and you can relax knowing everything is under control. One tip...depending where you are starting from,of course....go the day before the ship is due to sail.Stay overnight at the hotel HAL uses and it will all be worry free.
The reason for this is,there could be a snow storm(my own experience)which could hold you up and not allow you to reach the ship in time. By staying overnight beforehand,you know that you will be safely on board the day of sailing.HAL uses Pier 66 Hotel in Ft.Lauderdale and I love it,especially the revolving cocktail bar on the roof,overlooking the harbour! Outstanding!!

Sympatico,who is now cruising with the VEENDAM,will be "reporting" on this particular ship when she returns.She has sailed with HAL 30 odd times and that alone says something for the cruise line!!

Anyway,29 again.....Happy Sailing!!

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

29 again
First Class Passenger
Member # 1168

posted 03-18-2000 09:50 PM

Not only am I new to this site--but the web!! Great fun. We will be flying out of Portland, Or-- to San Juan, so the advice to go a day early, especially in Dec is good advice. Thanks.

Posts: 18 | From: Oregon | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

stangirl
First Class Passenger
Member # 1171

posted 03-19-2000 02:20 PM

We just got back from a cruise on the Veendam and it was the best cruise we ever took (we've been on three so far, all with HAL). The only thing that went wrong was a broken down taxi in St. Croix. The ship was beautiful and the crew members were all so friendly, except the bartenders. We don't drink so if we went in a lounge just for a Coke they sort of ignored us. We liked the layout of the Westerdam a little more because most of the shops and services were on one deck, not spread out among three decks. On the Veendam, we could never remember what was on what deck. Otherwise, we can't wait for our next HAL cruise.

Posts: 17 | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

JDCasey
First Class Passenger
Member # 1065

posted 03-20-2000 09:12 AM

Hi 29 Again,
I know nothing about flight availability from the Northwest. But I would be cautious of a winter flight that has to stop in the Midwest somewhere. We waited on the dock at the first Port of Call with people who where traveling from Seattle to Miami via Detroit. It was at Detroit that the plane was held up. Try to get a non-stop to avoid the snowbelt (maybe Delta in Atlanta)or south (American in Dallas).

Posts: 48 | From: New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

sylvia
First Class Passenger
Member # 916

posted 03-21-2000 07:05 PM

The veendam is terrific. We've been on quite a few cruises (13) and think that HAL is one of the best lines we have tried. The food was much better than we had on RCCL. Have fun.

Posts: 36 | From: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

scotto
First Class Passenger
Member # 766

posted 03-23-2000 12:32 AM

I was on the Veendam in November, and I must say it was the best cruise food I have had in about 20 years of cruising. I have not been on the much-touted Celebrity, and many people love the food there. The Veendam was just fine for a traditional cruise without all the glitz.

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

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 03-23-2000 08:29 AM

My pick would be Celebrity. Have cruised on both and most definetly prefer Celebrity. We were on the Ryndam, mid-Jan a few years ago and we were by far the youngest (50's) people on the ship. The majority of the passengers were 70's and rather cranky. Food OK, but definetly had better food on other ships, although this was our first experience with HAL everyone was complaining about the food. Entertainment, so so, we had late seating and after dinner no one was still up. Casino, bars, shows etc were pretty empty. I've cruised on HAL, RCI, NCL, Disney, Premier, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess and HAL is my least favorite line.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Bernard
First Class Passenger
Member # 1038

posted 03-24-2000 02:06 PM

I've been on all the S-Ships (Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam and veendam) of Holland america line. I Would highly recommend them to everybody. I think that the Maasdam and the Veendam have the best interiors. A cruise on the Veendam is much more relaxing than a cruise with celebrity. The food is excellent and the service is brilliant. Try to get an upgrade to a cabin with a verandah for the ultimate relaxing cruise experience.

Enjoy your cruise !!!

Bernard, The Netherlands.

Posts: 94 | From: The Netherlands | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 03-24-2000 02:59 PM

I agree with Bernard from The Netherlands.
My only difference I like the interiors of
the Maasdam and Ryndam best. I do like the
Atrium of the Veendam the best of the four.

NAL

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-26-2000 09:33 PM

I see you are waiting for my "review". Hate to say it but my daughter and I did nothing, but lay on a lounge on the Navigation deck and get a good tan. It was the most relaxing holiday I have ever had. The weather was perfect and NO humidity, temps. around 75-78 and breezy. The ship is beautiful and was spotless. Food was great. We went to the BBQ, expecting it to be like the ones they had in the old days, with games, music, ice sculpturing, etc. and they had nothing. Found out later, that all it was, was an alternative dining night. Food was good, but I wouldn't go again. There was lots to do and the cruise staff was very involved. I didn't even go to Bingo, which was a change for me. I was there to rest and that I did. The Captain was very visible and so outgoing. Our last two days were at sea and he was always wandering around eating his ice cream cone and talking to passengers.
We had a generator go out and a new drive shaft had to be built so one engine was out and this slowed us down. The Captain made the decision to reverse St. Thomas and St. Croix, thereby giving us a full day in St. Thomas, which everyone appreciated. We arrived in St. Croix around 1pm and sailed at 11pm. Everyone thought he did the right thing.
Didn't go to the shows at night, but heard they were very good. I went to the short one they had the last night and it was very good.
I hear the Crow's Nest was swinging every night till the wee hours.
jwine - ages ranged from 3 months to 90 years old. Lots of children, teenagers, college kids and they were all well behaved. Didn't run into a cranky one on this cruise, but I know what you mean.
Stangirl - can't believe that they ignored you in the lounges. I don't drink and it didn't matter to the staff. I even ask for water and they are very obliging. Maybe you just got a "sour puss" serving you. This does happen.
Sorry to not be able to tell you more but I did have a good time and enjoyed myself as did my daugher. If you have any questions, please ask and I will try to answer them.
Forgot to mention - we stayed at the Marriott Marina and I wouldn't stay there again. I much prefer Pier 66 even though it is more expensive. You can't walk anywhere at the Marriott as they are building the new lift bridge and the construction is going on right outside the door. At least at Pier 66 you can walk across the stree to the little store at the gas bar and pick up anything you may have forgotten. I also love the revolving bar on the top of the hotel. A nice place to sit and wait before going to the ship and the food is much better at Pier 66. There also is a large lobby where you can relax and wait for your transfer to the ship.
Terri Lee - no more pre check-in at Pier 66 for HAL passengers because of the new electronic boarding cards. Pre-board went very quickly.

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 03-26-2000).]

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 03-27-2000).]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 03-27-2000 02:53 PM

Sympatico...

Welcome back.Glad you enjoyed everything.
Also great news re. pre-checking at Pier 66.

So pleased we are of the same mind about the revolving cocktail bar atop of Pier 66.It can be absolutely breath-taking at night when all the ships are lit up,along with the lights of the city.And you are right about the food there...I have always found it to be very tasty and the staff have always been very pleasant with me,too.

29again...I hope you are still reading us and making your notes!!!!!

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 03-27-2000 03:51 PM

Thank you too Sympatico for your experimented comments and the infos about shaft, engines and generator (this is a new ship!).
A general question however: did you remark changes in the HAL's service or customers during the past years and what is the ship you prefered to sail on (no matter the circunstances or souvenirs, just speaking ships and service only)in the HAL fleet?
Thank you.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-27-2000 05:52 PM

Vaccaro - Yes the Veendam is only a couple of years old, but when they are running them 24 hours a day every day, except for the few days they are in drydock, things do break down. It caused us no problems, in fact, in the long run we had an extra day at sea and were able to dock in St. Thomas, so the Captain made the right choice.
I really don't have a preference regarding the ships. I like the Statendam and Veendam, maybe because I know more staff on them, but to me they are all the same. I wasn't the one who remarked about changes in HAL's service or customers. Might have been someone else.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Vaccaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 465

posted 03-28-2000 03:17 AM

Ok Sympatico, thank you very much.
Good to know HAL is trying to keep its strength and its philosophy in the changing cruise market.
These changes are sometimes good (security, more affordable prices...) and sometimes bad (more "hotel" than "ship", behavior of passengers or crew, quality...).
According me, the biggest mistake would be the uniformity due to commercial constraints with no real choice and the loss of the "ship spirit".
Bye.

Posts: 1193 | From: France ...where the greatest liners ever are born, ...by far! | Registered: Feb 99 | IP: Logged

29 again
First Class Passenger
Member # 1168

posted 03-28-2000 08:37 PM

Yes, Terri Lee, I am taking notes.I am pathetic, I hurry home from work every day and check to read all the new postings. I call my daughter and keep her informed on all the new stuff I have learned. Thanks Sympatico for your input on Veendam
29 again

Posts: 18 | From: Oregon | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-28-2000 10:09 PM

29 again - have you decided which ship/line you are going on and exactly when you are sailing?

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

29 again
First Class Passenger
Member # 1168

posted 04-01-2000 08:22 PM

Sympatico,
I let my 26 year old daughter make the choice, and she picked the Veendam- 7 day Southern Route- out of San Juan- December 1st,2000.
Thanks for all good advice
29 again

Posts: 18 | From: Oregon | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 04-01-2000 09:28 PM

Hi 29 again - now I will be looking forward to your review on the Veendam from Puerto Rico. My daughter and I are going on the Christmas cruise Dec. 22nd. Too bad we won't all be there at the same time. Am not really looking forward to the long flight to PR, but if I want to go guess I'll have to do it. At least this time I will know some of the crew as a lot will still be there.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Brandon
First Class Passenger
Member # 1156

posted 04-04-2000 05:57 PM

Well I think veendam is a great ship

Posts: 117 | From: Miami Fl USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

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