majn

4 minutes ago, ksmaxey said:

Just off the Veendam today.  The new carpets look great and the ship is in great shape for an older ship.  We had 1 night in 12 where the air didn't seem to work right and we called and reported it and they called us back the next day to ask if they had fixed it which they did.

 

The ship layout is not as great as others with the galley blocking motion on that floor.

 

We loved the hand washing stations on the Lido.  The Lido is smaller because the ship is smaller.

 

We thought the entertainment was seriously lacking compared to other ships.  It lacked the variety that BB Kings offers.  Lots of piano music if that is your thing.   Also all the key entertainment areas are around the casino and there was smoke odor.  We spent more evenings watching DVD's in the stateroom that any other events - which is a first for us.

 

The crew was fantastic.  The TV's are old school and really small. 

 

Fleetwide there needs to be more variety for America's test kitchen for those who cruise more than once every 2 years. 

 

New York Pizza was advertised as lunch and dinner on the online app but was closed the first 3 days and then only open from 11 - 2:30 PM.  There were lots of kids on the transatlantic who would have liked pizza for dinner . . .

 

The Fitness Center was in great shape and opened every day sharply at 6 AM which was first for us as 4 star mariners.  (some ships it is 7 and most often the staff forget 1 out 7 days to open and the desk has to be called.)

Welcome Home!! what stateroom, what deck. So the entertainment not so hot. that's a shame. who wants to watch DVDs in their room?  But service, food, ship was good? and clean? Hoping for some entertainment. No comedians? ugh.

That’s how I felt. Had to finally stop second guessing myself. We love traveling and our excitement begins the moment I get our suitcases down from the attic. It’s a cruise. What can go wrong!!??!! 

Enjoy yours as well!!

Thank you

there’s no turning back now

we are going!!

Feeling much more excited after reading all these posts

thanks 

THANK YOU

Thank you!! Very helpful. I’m actually feeling a lot better about the cabins. 

1 hour ago, Maya_C said:

We liked the Veendam so much on our June 2018 cruise to Bermuda that I checked where else that ship was going. We ended up on a Greek Island cruise in May 2019 in a Lower Promenade cabin, oceanview not lanai. Those OV rooms have more storage than the lanais, but the. We liked the location a lot and would book on that deck again. Yes, it's an older ship and the elevators could be better, but its smaller size means no crowds getting on and off the ship. We had Select Dining, didn't make dinner reservations, and never waited more than a minute to be seated, except when we asked for a two-person table (5-10 minute wait). The dining room was quieter and the service more efficient than on the Celebrity Summit, our most recent non-HAL ship. The MDR food was comparable on the Summit and the Veendam, though the Summit had a better buffet, larger because it carries 50% more people.

 

Here's a photo that will show you what the view is from 385. Straight on, it is fully obstructed, but look either left or right from the window and you will see the ocean.  

The view from 383 is below

Even if you've booked, you can switch to another room, but these two HH rooms have better views than the ones fore and aft on that deck. 

~Maya

Thank you so much for the pictures/views. We booked 385 and 387. I searched all over and could not find them anywhere. You are good!!! Thanks for those pics. So very helpful. 

I booked for December 2019 with a non refundable deposit and got even braver and booked the airlines Round trip. I’m a bit nervous after all the reviews but I’m also excited. Hope you have a marvelous time. Fingers crossed!!

On 8/21/2019 at 12:11 PM, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

We booked 90 days on her for 2020

Wow.  You either must have sailed with them before or know something that no one else knows because the majority of all the reviews are not great.  We are not retired yet but that sounds like a nice vacation.  Hope the reviews that are negative are not true.  Hope you have a great time.  Thank for your help.

Our last cruise was a few months ago, first Carnival cruise.  We were so apprehensive because of Carnival's reputation but the ports were great and the price was right.  We had an amazing time.  Not the same great food we normally enjoy but so what, didn't have to cook, got to be with my family for 7 straight days, didn't have to go to work and I saved a bunch of money.  It was well worth it.  Good luck on yours. 

2 hours ago, Sea Belle said:

We have traditionally sailed on the Veendam from Boston to Bermuda (that has been dropped so we missed it this year) and a couple of Caribbean trips.  Actually the small ship appeals to us because it has maintained some of the old style charm.  Yes, its an oldie but a goodie!  In Dec. we will be doing another E. Caribbean but for the first time in a Lanai cabin. We are 4* but were never sure about that style room.  It’ll be interesting and hopefully a good choice.  What could go wrong????  Hmmmm.....

Maybe we'll be on the same cruise.  Those rooms look really cozy.  Let's keep our fingers crossed.  Reviews still aren't great but appreciate the honesty. 

Thank you so much!

i love all the responses.

I got a little ahead of myself and put deposits down in two cabins. They’re only $25 pp right now so I figured I still had time to research. We have been on NCL over 20 times but I don’t like the newer bigger ships. We’ve sailed RCL about four times but like NCL better. Disney was amazing but kids are grown and not for us anymore. We just did carnival for first time in January on the fascination and enjoyed the itinerary but not much in entertainment. Hoping the New Year’s Eve party is lively. Lol. 

Thank you so much

i am specifically looking at HH385/H387. I can’t afford more than that and need connecting. Just so confusing but I appreciate your comments. One post cautioned that being across from the laundry was very loud. There is a room across from HH385 but I’m not sure what that is.

Hello can anyone give me info on and cabins H387 and HH 385 on the Veendam what do you see when you look out the window?

Also what is the condition of the cabins because the reviews are not so good?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hello can anyone give me info on and cabins H387 and HH 385 on the Veendam what do you see when you look out the window?

Also what is the condition of the cabins because the reviews are not so good?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Hi all. I was hoping some of you can answer some questions for us. We absolutely LOVE cruising and have been doing so for over 45 years all in Caribbean but we have never sailed on Holland America and are looking at the VEENDAM. I am interested in December 28th sailing. But the reviews I am reading are so disappointing. Also does anyone have any reviews specifically on lower promenade H or HH? I know they say fully obstructed or partial obstructed but was hoping someone stayed in one and got a glimpse of the water.

Thanks all in advance for your help!!!