aamons

On all of our HAL cruises the young folk on board have been very well behaved - and seldom seen. Most of them are experienced cruisers and some, depending on where in the school year they are, may have reports to do about the cruise. We have done March and April cruises with no problems of hordes of young people.

A few years ago Veendam was the subject of quite a few negative reviews. On one Canada/New England Cruise she failed her inspection and many passengers were very unhappy with the shape the ship was in. As a result, I believe HAL didn't renew the contracts of several upper management people. I had a friend on that cruise, and they refuse to consider HAL again, even thou they had two good cruises on other ships prior.

Since that time Veendam has had at least one, probably two dry docks. I have been on three cruises on Veendam, one Quebec City to Boston, then Ft Lauderdale to Montreal and finally Montreal to Fort Lauderdale. While I am not picky, I didn't find any problems with the ship or crew and would easily consider another Veendam cruise.

Yes, Veendam is older but the crew takes good care of the ship. Remember that people who have problems are more likely to complain and that people who have a good time generally don't write as many reviews.

Amen, Rich.

Bad thing about the tubs is the very high step required to get in - to take a shower. Only tub I have ever used on a cruise is a hot tub on Lido deck. This will make things safer for us.

I know it should be obvious but thought I would mention guests in Pinnacle Suite also can have breakfast in Pinnacle.

Pinnacle breakfast hours are same as in main dining room.

And, no attempts at up-selling. My wife has asthma and needs to use a sinus rinse that requires distilled water. We asked concierge before dinner and lo and behold a gallon was delivered. Genuinely nice people who are happy to answer even off the wall questions.

We are doing the standard 7 day route on the Rotterdam (Western Caribbean - Sunday-Sunday) and were wondering if anyone who has done this recently can tell us which days the 2 Gala Nights were. I am pretty sure that the first one will be on Tuesday (a sea day), but the second is a bit uncertain (either Friday or Saturday).

 

I know that HAL normally does not do them on the last evening, Saturday, but on the other hand Friday we are in Costa Maya until 5 PM and HAL normally does not like to have one on a late afternoon or evening departure day.

 

Anyone know?

We just returned from the 4Mar sailing on Rotterdam. I have slept since then so am not sure, but I believe it was Saturday since we had dinner with friends who live in Cozumel on Friday.

It's really unfortunate that breakfast in the PG is supposed to be a Neptune Suite perk, and is so pathetic. Used to not be that way. Better service in the MDR.

 

Roz

Right, but a perk should be nice and enjoyable.

Come to think about it, disorganized or not coordinated is a good way to describe the "service ". And not smiling. Starting at check in podium. Even at dinner.

We were on Rotterdam west Caribbean cruise 4 March - we tried Pinnacle breakfast one time - never again. I had to ask for peanut butter 4 times before it ws brought. And staff were not smiling. service in MDR was much better and at least as fast. We also tried lunch once. Waitress tried to take order during captain's announcement over loud speaker system and them stood across table to take order. Not a Pinnacle experience at all.

Normal sea day masses are at 0800. No idea about Easter vigil. Ask priest once you board the ship.

Any soda they serve in a bar is available, diet included.

If you do not drink alcohol, there is a $50 soda fountain card for $25 you can get before sailing. I get one each cruise and it is good in the MDR. No cans, just glasses of sodas.

So, hit and miss is the new game in town with cruise logs.

It's all in the $$, Al. ;)

Other cruise lines like Celebrity don't have self-laundries on any of their ships. At least HAL has a more reasonable laundry option for all passengers that doesn't cost $50 for a paper bag of laundry. :D First it was the wine policy, now laundry -- just catching up to the other lines, I guess.

We chose to use the self serve laundry on the Veendam. May have to change on Rotterdam - but I think we will get it free.

Interesting!

Trying to push the pay for laundry?

Eurodam 13 April 2019 SAN-YVR via Hawaii is available. We booked that on Veendam two weeks ago.

In today's world, most everything is done with word processor on a computer. So, why not e-mail a PDF version to folks and save the paper - or use art auction flyers we get several times a cruise back sides for cruise logs?

Love Sweet Tomato but it is buffet style.

 

 

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Yes. Excellent salads and pastas. And dessert. Closest to us in Indianapolis is either Chicago or Atlanta.

One thing to be aware of, is that the 1700 Daily Mass on port days may not be doable if you have 1730 dining seating. Or if dining time is changed to 1700- as it was on Veendam past two weeks. Sea day Masses are at 0800, no problem there. Be aware that location may change daily depending on what other groups have rooms reserved or what movies are playing.

Our cruise will be departing from Fort Lauderdale. We will be flying in the day before it departs. Any suggestions on good places to eat for dinner while staying in Fort Lauderdale?

There is a great restaurant called Sweet Tomatoes there. Salads, soups, pasta, breads and of course, dessert. Always clean.

Just got off Veendam. Last Gala night was when they had the parade. Waiters moved very fast. Casino and other public areas on deck 8 were covered. We were not in Crow's Nest so cannot comment on whether or not waters got up there. Pretty good variety of treats. About 15 or so waiters carried trays with goodies on them.

Have not seen one. But they usually schedule a veterans meeting - especially if asked to do so.

Nice :). Happy to add it for you :)

Thanks. Good listings.

My wife and I will be on board the Veendam from YUL to FLL 7Oct2017.

When we did our Panama Canal cruise on the Amsterdam, some things could not be book until 1-2 months before sailing. You might want to double check that. I seem to remember that I had to wait to book some spa services until about one or two months before sailing. Once that time came, no problem.

If you plan on dining at Pinnacle Grill for the Le Cirque night (one per cruise) ,do it as soon as you can. Pinnacle Grill is superb with excellent food, but the Le Cirque night is really over the top.