CruiseMGM

Great review and we're very happy you enjoyed your cruise! Loved the humor and comments about everything ship-wise. We sailed the Koningsdam back in December (our first Pinnacle class ship) and are really looking forward to sailing her again some day. Thanks for writing, it was awesome to "live vicariously" aboard!

Watching her come in now, swinging around to dock? But I swear it looks like a ghost ship. Where are all the people on their balconies? I see about 6 walking on an upper deck, but hardly anyone else. Doesn't really look like it's raining at present. 🙄

Interesting! I just took a look and there's only a few cruises scheduled, one or two in January and two or one in March (2023). I think I'd kinda expect they'd be open for booking now, seems well past the time when people would be booking! Good luck with your cruise, whenever you get to go. The Koningsdam was our first Pinnacle Class ship and we really enjoyed sailing on her (last December). Best wishes!

And the same to you, too! We're just a couple of years behind you! 😉

Thank you for your comments! Do you happen to know if there is any restriction on doing the ArriveCan "early" (eg: months before your cruise), or do we take care of that the week (or 2 weeks) before the cruise? Thank you!

While I think of it, a few questions, I'm curious! Did you have a formal night onboard this 6 night cruise? Or more than one? Any stand-outs for dinners in the MDR (any dishes you raved about, or any you didn't particularly care for)? Do you know what your capacity was like? Did it feel crowded at all? Were there long lines and wait times (as mentioned on other ships, a current thread)? Our only Carnival cruise was earlier this year on the Panorama and it was PACKED. We felt like the Lido buffet wasn't anywhere near big enough for the number of passengers that ship carried, and it didn't appeal to us at all (small, crowded, too many hands on the serving spoons, cafeteria-style). We definitely enjoyed Blue Iguana, though, and had a wonderful family meal our last night at the steakhouse. We enjoyed our trip with family, but we're kinda hoping the Spirit will be more to our tastes, especially considering (a) it's Alaska (and not "beaches and sunshine"), and (b) I think most younger kids will be back in school by then, and so maybe a little less crowded. Thanks for any insights you may have!

Thank you SO much for your review! We've on the Spirit in August (for our 40th anniversary and birthdays) and I've really scoured the boards and haven't seen many reviews on the Spirit. So happy to see yours, and enjoyed your comments and experiences. Best wishes and happy sailing!

Thank you for this thread! We're sailing Spirit in August and have seen very few reviews on CC for her. Looking forward to reading more! Best wishes.

I have to agree with both @Hygge! AND @Kristal Blade, LOL! We had a Lanai cabin on the Zaandam (sister ship to Volendam) right before the shutdown and we liked it AND we disliked it at the same time! My friend, who cruises often, calls the promenade the "peeping Tom deck"; we definitely kept the curtains closed when changing clothes. There was maintenance on the promenade which curtailed our use of our semi-private balcony several times during the cruise. We only had others sitting in "our" deck chairs once or twice, thankfully. And it was nice to be able to get out and walk so quickly. I liked that there was a system whereby we could get into our cabin from the promenade, I hadn't expected that. I liked the shade and the railing wasn't far away so we could look down at the ocean. And the walkers were mainly during the day, so the late afternoons and evenings were pretty quiet out there. Since Volendam and Zaandam don't have "regular" verandas (only Vista Suites and above), it was worth it for us on that cruise, and I guess the good things outnumbered the not-so-good, but I'm not sure we'd book a Lanai again. I really like my private space, and a private balcony vs a semi-private? No contest. Well, no contest except for the price! Not sure if this was helpful or not. Best wishes and good luck with your future choices!

Exactly! Happy for the refugees, but HAL is ultimately a business and they're doing what's in their best interests. We had 2 cruises scheduled on the Volendam this year, both canceled. It's a real disappointment, although that's a definite first-world-problem and I understand that and am happy the refugees have a lovely temporary home. But it's still a disappointment.

No kidding! I just went to look at the website and was pushed back in my chair by the sight! WOW, that's a mighty big butt (reference to Finding Nemo, butt for boat, LOL!). I know, I know, it's a ship. But it's still a mighty big butt! Hahahaha!

I don't think HAL will modify your comped dinners, but I suppose it never hurts to ask. We actually love Canaletto (the salad is divine!). You'll find me there every Saturday I'm onboard, for their Grilled Jumbo Shrimp night, YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!! Last time we were there, my brother ordered the lasagna and it was unbelievably good, so now I have a big decision.....lasagna? Or grilled shrimp? Hmmmm! For what it's worth, our first visit to the Canaletto was on a Souther Caribbean cruise on the Zuiderdam long, long ago. They were testing the concept and there was no fee for eating there. We ate there 3 times on that trip. On the first visit, we walked up to the maitre d' after a long, hot, dusty day in one port or other, and I asked (in a very small and tired voice) "are we dressed ok for here?" The wonderful man smiled at me and said "you look MARVELOUS" and escorted us to a table. I was sold, for sure! That was before they started doing the daily specials, slightly different concept then, but we enjoyed the food and the casual-yet-apart food and venue. Best wishes and good luck with your request!

From my TA, more info to come, I suppose. Dear Travel Partner, I am writing to share with you we have extended our charter agreement with Netherlands and City of Rotterdam officials through September 14, 2022 for Volendam to continue to be berthed in Rotterdam where she has been providing a temporary home for 1,200 Ukrainian refugees. The extended charter will now run through September 14 and will house up to 1,500 refugees, part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 refugees from Ukraine.

Just got word from my TA, housing extended thru mid September. There goes our cruise. Happy for the refugees, of course, but another disappointment here.

For what it's worth, I just got off the phone with my Travel Agent. She said she just got off the phone with HAL (again) and has word that the refugee housing has been extended but only "through July". For the two of us, that means our September plans (Med cruise) are still good on the Volendam. But as far as how far into July that means (July 1st? July 30th?), and whether the housing will be extended further than that, I don't have any further information. I'm sorry for the minimal info, but hopefully anyone else who might be impacted can get a little more information from their Travel Agent or PCC.

Sounds like things are definitely looking up! We didn't go to the Italian restaurant on our cruise in April, but the Steakhouse was FANTASTIC (IMO). Dress up a little bit (long pants or skirt and nice top, NOT tux or tie unless you want to) and enjoy the experience! I'm certain you'll enjoy the food. Of course, food is very subjective, but DH had the filet, I had the filet and lobster tail, absolutely delicious. If you like mushrooms, the mushroom appetizer was delicious, as was the shrimp cocktail. We didn't have the smoked oysters but enjoyed watching the presentation at other tables. And finally, we weren't fans of the Caesar salad, though, the dressing was a little too fish for us (it was that way in the Main Dining Room, too). Best wishes!

Oh dear. Do you have a link for that?