New ducktail:

It is going to be one of those physical modifications that must be done for the ship's stability, etc. With this, Veendam's side profile will be much different than I even expected. Should be interesting.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Waynaro:
Interesting I notice that they ripped out the escalators....what are they replacing in its place?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fairsky:

---

Maybe this is a prototype for Carnival's new clip-on 'Extendo-Verandamatic' for all of their existing ships.

[ 03-31-2009: Message edited by: lasuvidaboy ]

A sponson and added-on balconies need not be ugly though. Anyway, I am more concerned about the lanai cabins and their effect on the promenade deck (which is great on these ships), the new aft pool deck (looks rather tacky in renderings) and other changes related to the passenger experience, not the aesthetics of the ship (never especially pretty from the outside anyway). In the end I am sure she will still be a nice enough ship but I am not convinced I will like her better "after" than "before."

quote:

---

Originally posted by dougnewman:
A sponson and added-on balconies need not be ugly though. [/QB]

---

I agree that the S-Class ships are a little boxy but I like them. I especially like getting right up to the bow which you cannot do on many ships now. At least Eurodam has a forward viewing area now, which was sadly lacking on the older Vistas.

The other thing I liked about the S-Class ships was the lack of the wind screen on the top deck, which just spoils the view. Are they adding these? At least on Prinsendam it is set back so you can get infront of it.

I think that Rotterdam & Amsterdam both have a nice sleek line. The mock 'shear' is effective in conveying the classic look of an older ship too.

HAL, you have a great fleet. Please do not spoil it!

Not very attractive.

it appears as if the promanade deck will be cluttered up with all the doors from the so called LANAI cabins that offer immediate access to the outside deck. So does that mean that that will be fewer deck chairs on the deck to make room for all the doors? (Of course, Stein doesn't want you reading a book on that deck, he wants you inside buying gold by the inch.) The other thing, I 've stayed on that deck on two long sailings. It really wasn't a long walk to get to a door to the outside deck. Does Kruse think that passengers are so lazy or broken down they can't walk a few feet to get to the outside? Is there such a great need for such lanai cabins???? Is it worth ruining this one remaining decent space?

Also, that small aft deck that offered a quiet retreat from the aft pool has been lost in addition to the other outside deck being eliminated to make room for the new so called RETREAT deck.

I wonder if STEIN KRUSE has questioined how many passengers will want those new cabins which are right under the RETREAT deck with all the noise from music and chairs etc bromh moved around. Don't think many Stein.

As I stated earlier, the CEO of HAL is ruining the S class ships with these so called enhancements. He is so giddy about this new RETREAT. Well, STEIN, I'm retreating from HAL big time. And I am not alone.

Our only hope is that HAL will find these enhancements a disaster and will cancel plans to ruin the other S class vessels and along with it STEIN 's job.

To NOORDAM, no I am not Stein's ex-wife although I found the question very amusing!

Sorry for the double post....I suppose my grief over the fate of HAL the VEENDAM distracted me.

It makes it sound like you have a personal vendetta against the man.

[ 04-04-2009: Message edited by: dougnewman ]

FYI I have been sailing on ships since I was six years old. I have sailed with AMERICAN EXPORT LINE with ITALIAN LINE, MATSON LINE I was on the final transatlantic of the FRANCE in September 1974. I know how ships used to be from long personal experience. That is why is happening to HAL to so sad for me.

I have no personal vendetta against Stein but he should be held accountable by loyal HALSTERS for destroying the S class ships instead of fighting to build on the rich tradition of HAL. When he finally leaves what will be his legacy? I am holding him accountable by not sailing with HAL in the future. I am not alone. No doubt he is a nice man, just misguided. I would love to hear from people who think he is doing a great job who believe that his legacy will be a fine one. Perhaps they can change my mind.

In the meantime, I just spoke to a woman who very recently returned from a cruise on the VEENDAM. She was horrrifed to learn more outside deck space is being eliminated and the nice aft pool is being down away with to be replaced by wading pools for the sake of adding more cabins.

Please don't think I spend all my time fretting over this. I really do read books, newspapers travel, work and watch AMERICAN IDOL. Rather disappointed that Megan Joy was just eliminated but not nearly as disappointed about the ugly fate of the VEENDAM.

Holland America's niche is classic cruising, longer journeys and heck, older more sedate folk. Even as a young person, I got it and enjoyed it when I wanted a classic cruise experience.

quote:

---

Originally posted by avalon1025:
I hope they realize who their core customer is before they loose their way any more.

---

Or maybe right after Carnival bought it when it stupidly commissioned Joe Farcus to design some public rooms for the S-class ships. The last of these are set to go in this latest round of refits for the S-class, mercifully! (Too bad their replacements will all have the incredibly awful name "The Showroom at Sea." What's next - "The Restaurant at Sea," "The Bar at Sea," etc.?)