crimlarks

We've been on the Volendam twice; the first time we had a Lanai room, which was very nice. This last time we had a partially obstructed ocean view room. Both were on deck 3, lower promenade. I like having a room on the promenade deck so I can just leave the room and go walk on the desk.

We sailed on the Volendam on their 94 day Grand Australia & New Zealand cruise. We loved the Volendam, and are booked on the same 42 day cruise you have booked, and the Pole-to-Pole cruise starting in January 2025 (133 days.) I wouldn't be worried about it being like the Koningsdam. The crew was fantastic on our 94 day cruise. We had set time early dining, but decided not to do that on these upcoming cruises, as we thought the 5 PM early dining was too early. We had breakfast in the MDR on the first morning of the cruise, and met several other nice couples that we got to know as the cruise went along. The rest of the time we had breakfast in the Lido buffet. Great omelets, eggs benedict and blueberry pancakes! And always made when you order - never sitting in a warming tray. We love this older, smaller ship - or as the captain would say every day at dinner time when he gave the daily update "the beautiful, elegant Volendam". Love that.

My wife and I did a 29 day cruise on the Island Princess April-May this year. We wore masks any time we were out of our room, except, obviously, when eating. Fortunately we didn't get Covid. We will be doing 45 days of cruising in the Caribbean on Holland America and Princess starting on Nov. 19th. We'll be wearing masks all the time again. Hopefully that will keep us from getting it, especially Connie, as she is immune compromised. We're both fully vaxxed and boosted. We wear N95 masks on board. We're both 70. It's too bad the cruise lines dropped testing. 800 people is just too damn many. Steve