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Originally posted by Waynaro:

Are they serious? VEENDAM's 'sleek look' is spoiled.

[ 05-12-2009: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

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These Youtube video was not made by HAL but by someone else. The remark was stupid reed my reaction (I'm Maasdam1993)
The other video's showing here renewed interior showed they did a good job. Love the new setup in the show lounge.

I know that within HAL manny are not happy how they upgrade the S class. There was rumor among the officers of these ships. Beside that did you notice after the refit the blog did not show pictures of the results as if HAL know that they ruined these ships.

[ 05-15-2009: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

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Originally posted by Maasdam:
I know that within HAL manny are not happy how they upgrade the S class.

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Lets face it, these ships were built in between the old and new, thus they suffer economically, before balconies were an absolute requirement etc. thus design on their later ships has changed dramatically, in order to extend their lives (which is only as long as they make money not how long they look good) Carnival decided to make these changes.

I like the show lounge arrangement, I only hope they make the best of it and dump the Vegas shows and produce something more interesting. I like the new prom deck cabins albeit I don't think I would book one if I could get my own balcony, not really bothered by what they have done to the aft pool, you can always swim in the foreward one, and she needed more balconies - in fact they could have gone further. I suppose the only thing I have a concern with is increasing her capacity but doubt they have done enough to mess things up.

All said and done - 8 out of 10 good job.

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Originally posted by deck chair:
You must understand that HAL is run by simple bean counters not lovers of ships and the seas as evidenced most recently by what is going on with these so called upgrades. I wil not sail on such ships.

Deck Chair

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Well you slightly forget that Holland America Line is a business, and are there to make money. What they have done to the aft section is bad and ugly. The rest of the vessel is very well done as Mika SA said 8 out of 10. never sail such vessel is therefore in my point of view a bit over the top. I bet if the price is right and the cruise good you will go.

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Originally posted by Maasdam:
The rest of the vessel is very well done as Mika SA said 8 out of 10. never sail such vessel is therefore in my point of view a bit over the top. I bet if the price is right and the cruise good you will go. Greetings Ben.

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I sailed on the VEENDAM in 2000 on a winter cruise (before the addition of the hardly used teen area) and there was not sufficient deck space then for those who wanted to be outside. Now there is EVEN LESS which means a very crowded day at sea for those who want to lay out under the sun. Of course, HAL doesn't care about that. HAL wants you inside buying art, gold by the inch and gambling.

And then of course, HAL has cut back on staff which means fewer cabin stewards and waiters in the dining room and the loss of ammenities. I sailed on ROTTERDAM out of NY in 1981. That was the real HAL. I hope all of you had a chance to experience it.

I know HAL is a business but do you have to initiate cut backs and destroy the VEENDAM and other S class ships to make a buck? I, for one, and I know there are many others, would be willing to pay extra for what has been lost.

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Originally posted by deck chair:
it is not only that it is now an ugly ship it is mostly because of the elimination of more outdoor deck space.

I sailed on the VEENDAM in 2000 on a winter cruise (before the addition of the hardly used teen area) and there was not sufficient deck space then for those who wanted to be outside. Now there is EVEN LESS which means a very crowded day at sea for those who want to lay out under the sun. Of course, HAL doesn't care about that. HAL wants you inside buying art, gold by the inch and gambling.

And then of course, HAL has cut back on staff which means fewer cabin stewards and waiters in the dining room and the loss of ammenities. I sailed on ROTTERDAM out of NY in 1981. That was the real HAL. I hope all of you had a chance to experience it.

I know HAL is a business but do you have to initiate cut backs and destroy the VEENDAM and other S class ships to make a buck? I, for one, and I know there are many others, would be willing to pay extra for what has been lost.

DECK CHAIR

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Originally posted by Maasdam:

There is no less outside deck space then before. The promenade deck is not changed. Only the doors added. But those are sliding doors. the aft deck become even larger due to the overhanging new section. The deck is now in level with the lido deck (the same as on Adam, Vdam, Zdam and the Vista's).

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In a way though there is less "avalible" space then before because generally people are not going to want to be on the deck right out side someones cabin door even if it isn't closed off. And I imagine people occupying these rooms will not want people standing right out side their door. Therefore there is in a way less deck space.

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Originally posted by Cunard Fan:

In a way though there is less "avalible" space then before because generally people are not going to want to be on the deck right out side someones cabin door even if it isn't closed off. And I imagine people occupying these rooms will not want people standing right out side their door. Therefore there is in a way less deck space.

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Originally posted by Cunard Fan:

In a way though there is less "avalible" space then before because generally people are not going to want to be on the deck right out side someones cabin door even if it isn't closed off. And I imagine people occupying these rooms will not want people standing right out side their door. Therefore there is in a way less deck space.

I don't really think these kind of cabins are a good idea. They are just a cheap way for HAL to make more money (which I can't blame them to much for). There is less privacy with these cabins. They look ok on the inside but I don't think I would choose to stay in one of these cabins.

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I place little value on alternative restaurants and am not fussed at eating at them, I take a negative view at anything you have to pay extra for, and couldnt care less about wether the cabin has a balcony or not. Allot of top 5 star hotels have great rooms that do not have a balcony, and most of these hotel rooms around the world that I have stayed at are 10 times better than even a suite on a cruise ship.

Personally I think the standard cabins on most ships should be twice the size they are now.

I am the type of cruiser that goes for the ship life and new destinations each time. I am happy for the tropics one year and scenic cruising the next year. I spend mainly on the cruise, shore excursions, massages and drinks. The big revenue raisers the casino and art auctions I have never used.

I don't care either way about the ducktail, but - from the few pics so far - don't like the new aft decks overhanging the stern. I used the aft pool and will miss it - however, it was seldom used for swimming, and am certain the new design will prove popular - I am unsure what I'll do as the midships pool is always crowded. I'm unconcerned about the lanai cabins on the lower prom deck - I live outside on that deck, on a sea day I can happily walk 10 miles. The many walkers and deck chair readers (and sleepers!) are not going to abandon their space because of the new lanai doors. I'd rather have a lower prom deck cabin than a balcony cabin, because of the quick access to the open decks.

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Originally posted by Tim Agg:
[...]I'd rather have a lower prom deck cabin than a balcony cabin, because of the quick access to the open decks. [...]

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Originally posted by Thad:
[QB]Nice image of the refurbished Veendam from Robert Etchell at Ship Spotting

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Originally posted by Ernst:
Thanks for posting the picture. I like the addition above the bridge much better than what e.g. has been done to Rotterdam. It's not that massive and some forward facing open deck space has been retained.

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The addition to the Spa is done a view years ago during the Signature of Excellence upgrade. And you are right that this addition on the S class was better done then the addition on board the R class. It spoiled the view from the Crows Nest on the bow a bit.

In this angle she looks good. But still it could be better if they have done the addition as on board the Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam.

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Originally posted by Waynaro:
Wow! At this angle, she actually looks pretty good. I can barely see the overhang.

If only they extended the dining room so it lines up with the overhang...

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Originally posted by Sutho:
The problem is there are too many pathetic, negative, pesamistic bean counters that have infiltrated companies, change everything and run the companies into the ground and ruin it for the passengers. At the end of the day these bean counters will take it to far and you will end up with ships that no one goes on. Too many bean counters see things that they do not have as a loss and in the case of Veendam they change it and ruin the whole ship in the process.

It is good that Oriana is not getting a refit. That ship has so much potential in it. It would be very easy to turn the C deck staterooms into balcony cabins. I have always thought that ship would be better off as adult only and scrapping the kids area and turning it into better areas for passengers. It would also be very easy to remake the Lido deck and add a sliding dome to the Crystal pool and add mor facilites along those decks.

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Originally posted by Maasdam:
Have altered the picture a bit by changing the position of the dinning room. I think it looks much better.

Greetings Ben.

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It does look better but if the angle lined up w/the dining room below they would lose revenue from at least six veranda cabins.