Veendam made it back to NY!

[GrammieK]

Just got off the Veendam today and I have much to report. First and most important - the couple we were traveling with won a free cruise!!

Seas were very rough on the way down. A navy man that we met said it was due to a "quartering sea." Not only were we rocking and rolling, but high winds and waves were hitting us on an angle causing much discomfort to many passengers. We thought the ship was empty, but alas, many were just in their cabins fighting for their lives!

Embarkation - don't think I have seen it smoother. HAL has that down pat! Very smooth and organized. Suites had a dedicated lounge and my party was the first on the ship. Crew and staff were very welcoming and the ship looked great. Even the Retreat, which we were told by an unamed source is a big mistake, looked beautiful, but the water and winds kept many people from using it. The new cabins aft on the Navigation were lovely. Our friends were in one and it was shiny and comfortable.

We passed on St. George due to the rough seas, which was fine according to many passengers. HAL had planned ahead and reserved a berth in Hamilton on Tuesdays for every subsequent cruise. To make up for it, everyone was given a free one day bus pass in order to get to St. George. We used it and were happy to find St. George as we left it last time we were there, quaint and clean. Due to the gale force winds, it was a little difficult to walk around unless you were sheltered by the buildings. A wonderful two piece band played in the square to welcome us. I am sure they would have rathered we were all getting off the tender there as many passengers passed on St. George altogether because of the winds. Many people found it hard to regain their sea legs after the rough trip down.

Bermuda was hotter than expected and even with the high winds, many people enjoyed golf and days spent on Horseshoe Bay (us). The sun was so strong that even with lotion on I got quite a sun burn. You would think that I would know better at my age, but there is nothing better than going back to work with a little color.

The spa was wonderful and the staff very friendly and good at what they do. The spa manager was different from my last Veendam cruise and she was a delight and accommodating.

Dine anytime - STINKS. It didn't work for us. Even with the Neptune Concierge running interference we were unable to get a table for four at the times we wanted. Out of four nights in the GDR, we had 1 table for four at the time requested. On one night we were asked to share and were joined by a lovely couple whose company was wonderful. The next night we were told we would be joined by another couple, but 15 minutes later we were joined by a single man and another 15 minutes later, by another single man. It caused a problem for the waiters because they kept trying to catch them up on courses, but resulted in a 2+ hour sit. The next night, we said - 4 only, but again, 15 minutes into our dinner, we were joined by a single man. It made the conversation awkward and again, extended our dining time. It is my hope that HAL can solve this problem, because it was the only negative of our cruise. Before anyone starts telling me that we should have made the best situation, let me say that we did. When things are so good everywhere else, it just makes the problem stand out.

Pinnacle - wonderful as always. Food and service were exceptional and the breakfats there were calm and quiet. We had arranged for a birthday party on our first night for my husband's 60th and was great!

Canneletto - Underutilized - a great space with great food. Our party all had different dishes and everyone was pleased.

Bad news - no more craps table, less slot machines and higher limits on the blackjack table. Not many people were using this area and there was always a spare chair or machine.

More later - I hear my washer machine calling my name.

Any questions, just ask. I will try to be as accurate and unbiased as possible.

K

[Cruising since 3]

Great info! Thanks so much. We are leaving next Sunday and appreciate all the feedback. Did you keep the daily programs? If you don't mind looking, could you tell me the hours that club HAL was open on sea days and port days.

 

Also, any new "can't miss" spots in Bermuda that you discovered on this trip?

 

Thanks again!

 

~Heidi

[serendipity1499]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!:):):)

What a wonderful review! Have decided to try to talk DH into flying up to NYC to see his Brother, Sister-in-Law & all our Nieces & Nephews in Rockaway Beach...We have a cruise booked in Nov....DH wants one in between but hates to fly..;)

However this could be a two-fold trip for us..It would be fun to visit our family for a few days & also take the cruise to Bermuda (perhaps for our Anniversary in July)..I've never been to Bermuda & would love to go..

We're not suite psgrs, However do you think it would be easier to get a table for two in Any time Dining after 7:30 p.m.? DH & I tried anytime dining in Alaska & it was just OK for us...At the end we kind of got tired of the same old conversations with new people each night...

However Anytime Dining worked well for us & our Friends on the Maasdam... We had two couples at our table & we all clicked...We all asked to book the same table with the same waiters every night..

I'm downloading the first part for him to read & looking forward to the rest of your review..Thanks again & looking forward to the rest of your review..

Cheers....:)Betty

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home.

 

Thanks for taking time out from unpacking and washing to let us know how things were on the ship and in Bermuda.

[snyderc635]

Did you notice if they offered a Pub Crawl at any time? Also, are the heavy winds and rough seas unusual or standard? Thank you for taking the time to post a review and offer to answer questions!

[dachengdao]

Welcome back and thanks for sharing your unbiased review! We will take our first HAL cruise from NYC in July.

[portofrome]

Thank you for the review.

[bobpatj]

Welcome back!

 

Bob & I are in NYC to spend the long weekend visiting our daughter and son-in-law. We can see the ships, in port, from our hotel window, and with the Veendam in town, today, we took a walk to see the ship, at the pier. She looks none the worse for wear for the rough seas! ;) Thank you for checking in so quickly and we look forward to hearing more. Our cruise to Bermuda is still a long time from now. :)

[DTraveler!]

Many thanks for the review! Not happy about the anytime seating. We wanted early seating, but it was full (& we booked months ago). Hope it gets better before August!

[many cruises]

Thanks for taking the time to write your review! We'll be on the Veendam in July! :)

[Rigger]

Thanks for the info, it sounds as if things went well. I look forward to your complete review. What was your evening itinerary like (formal nights, MCD etc)? Let us know when you get the chance.

 

Thanks!

 

Rigger:)

[Cruisin Suzin]

Great review. Looking forward to more...did you use the Retreat area at all?

[saphousechic]

It was nice to read something positive about Ms. V. Will be sailing July 25th and hoping for calm seas, but expecting some ruffness. Booked in April of '09 and surprised that price went up instead of down. I am always very critical about the cleanliness of the cabin, draws, bathroom, etc. upon first entry, so if there is someone out there as critical as me (slightly germaphobic) please respond and clue me in on that note. Tired of spending my first hour on board cleaning everything before putting my personal belongings to sail for a week. One other query.....how salty is the food? I only get swollen ankles on cruises, so my guess is the food is salty so you spend monies on drinks. Well, HAL, I'm bringing my case of wine on my back. Thanks to whomever responds. A New Yorker for life......yeah....no plane ride this time!!!!!!! :D

[innlady1]

It was nice to read something positive about Ms. V. Will be sailing July 25th and hoping for calm seas, but expecting some ruffness. Booked in April of '09 and surprised that price went up instead of down. I am always very critical about the cleanliness of the cabin, draws, bathroom, etc. upon first entry, so if there is someone out there as critical as me (slightly germaphobic) please respond and clue me in on that note. Tired of spending my first hour on board cleaning everything before putting my personal belongings to sail for a week. One other query.....how salty is the food? I only get swollen ankles on cruises, so my guess is the food is salty so you spend monies on drinks. Well, HAL, I'm bringing my case of wine on my back. Thanks to whomever responds. A New Yorker for life......yeah....no plane ride this time!!!!!!! :D

 

When I board, I let them know I'd like a low sodium diet...certainly not as tasty as the regular but it helps with the swollen ankles! This past cruise, I let it go after a bit (and it was a 20 day cruise so I should not have); I couldn't believe how swollen my ankles were. Never again!

[sealady1]

Welcome back, GrammieK. I am so glad that you had a wonderful cruise in spite of the weather. Thank you for your review. I look forward to reading more before my 5/16 sailing.

[mamaofami]

The Veendam made it back to NY and she's left again, a few minutes earlier than last week.

Thanks for the great review.

[kaleighsgram]

Thanks for posting so quickly and for offering to answer questions. I sail next Sunday and was glad to see that the air conditioning was okay. Can you really get breakfast in the Pinnacle and what is the extra charge? Is it worth it? Also, how dressy were the formal nights.? Last question (for now, until I think of a few more) when was the Master Chef's dinner?

Thanks again.

Heidi (cruisin' since 3) and Sealady...I hope to meet you soon.

Pat

[A.S.]

GrammieK,

 

Thanks for posting so soon after your cruise. Am curious as to what time you went into the Dining Room when you had a problem with anytime dining.

 

Would appreciate any info. Thanks

[Copper10-8]

Thanks a bunch for the quick review! With the new 'Showroom at Sea" concept, can you go a little bit in to what type of entertainment is offered at night? Do they still have two production shows a week in there? Stand up comics/Magicians/Musicians? Thanks again!

[earl_m]

Thanks for the review. Glad you enjoy your cruise. i will be cruising next year to Bermuda. Too bad about the crap tables, I enjoy playing craps

[serendipity1499]

Thanks for posting so quickly and for offering to answer questions. I sail next Sunday and was glad to see that the air conditioning was okay. Can you really get breakfast in the Pinnacle and what is the extra charge? Is it worth it? Also, how dressy were the formal nights.? Last question (for now, until I think of a few more) when was the Master Chef's dinner?

Thanks again.

Heidi (cruisin' since 3) and Sealady...I hope to meet you soon.

Pat

 

Pat only Suite Passengers are permitted to have Breakfast in the Pinnacle..No Charge..

Foodservice Mgr in another review states

Quote..Formal Nights - Overwhelming majority of those in MDR wearing at least a coat and tie, less than 10% wearing formal wear. At least the guy at the next table who wore a Capt. Morgan tee shirt to dinner every night put a blazer over it for formal night! Yes, I'm serious - and he was a Sr. Citizen, not a young kid.Unquote

Enjoy your cruise..

Cheers....:)Betty

[3rdGenCunarder]

Just got off the Veendam today and I have much to report. First and most important - the couple we were traveling with won a free cruise!!

 

Oooh! Tell us more, please!

 

 

HAL had planned ahead and reserved a berth in Hamilton on Tuesdays for every subsequent cruise.

 

Do you mean they planned ahead and reserved Hamilton as a plan B, or are they considering giving up on St Georges?

 

Dine anytime - STINKS. It didn't work for us. Even with the Neptune Concierge running interference we were unable to get a table for four at the times we wanted.

 

Well, that doesn't sound good. I'm sorry you had problems. Did you have a sense that many other pax had similar problems? I don't mind being seated with other people, but if they don't seat you all at the same time, it gets awkward.

 

 

Any questions, just ask. I will try to be as accurate and unbiased as possible.

 

Did they have a mariner's luncheon on embarkation day? If so, what time was it?

[kaleighsgram]

Pat only Suite Passengers are permitted to have Breakfast in the Pinnacle..No Charge..

Cheers....:)Betty

 

Betty, thanks so much. This place is the best. If you have a question, there's an answer out there waiting somewhere. We're in a suite. Can't wait for breakfast! YUM!:p

Pat

[Jade13]

The dining sounds messed up especially since you were a Suite Guest. They obviously did not save tables.

 

Otherwise, thanks for the nice review. Veendam is our favorite HAL ship.

[GrammieK]

Answers to some questions:

Club HAL - did not see times listed in program - sorry

Table for 2/7:30 - that seemed to be the most popular time. We requested 8:00 for 4 at least 3 days in advance and were told 5:30 and 6:00 were available. When I pressed, I was given 7 and 7:15. The Pinnacle was also sold out when we asked on day 3, but we had the foresight to book before the cruise and enjoyed 2 nites. We hoped for more, but I guess we will have to just wait until the next cruise.

Pub Crawl - did not hear of one.

Rough seas and high winds usual - I have cruised to Bermuda 6 times including this cruise. We have hit a hurricane, a water spout (both in October) and smooth seas the other times. I think the Atlantic is unpredicable, but these seas were unique. My husband has never been seasick, but he was this time. I was using ginger caplets and seemed to avoid it mostly.

Shows - sorry to say, never went to one. We enjoyed the Ocean bar with the Neptunes, a very good trio, and spent a lot ot time there and in the casino.

Formal nites - Monday and Friday. There were not as many people really decked out as on previous cruises. I think that many passengers have just decided to tone it down. Most people were dressed country club casual or semi formal. The number ot tuxes was down and floor length dresses were fewer than previous cruises.

MCD - last nite, but we avoided it by eating in the Pinnacle.

Retreat - Did not use it myself because it was just too windy and cold. While we were in port I did see some passengers enjoying the space. One thing I noticed is that there is no place to put your belongings. The chairs are shallow water, so shoes would get wet. Anything that fell off of your chair would get wet. My husband suggested they put a hook on the back of the chair to hang a bag.

Germaphobe - Try Vera Bradley travel bags. I put my belongings in these in the drawers and also use dry cleaner bags.

Robes - only saw a few going to and from the pool. Mostly men. I realized that the robes don't really bother me, in fact they look quite nice over a bathing suit.

 

Dismebarkation - Not as good as embarkation. We had our car parked on the pier, so could leave any time. We chose 8:30-9:00, but our color was not called until 9:30. Not so bad, after all who really wanted to leave???

St George - I did not mean to give the impression that this stop was out altogether, but in case of rough seas the berth was secured for all Tuesdays of this itinerary.

Free cruise - our friends won it in a lottery that is drawn before the snow ball jacket bingo. 1 ticket - $10 or 3 for $20. We also won the free cruise in the lottery on our Alaska cruise on the Ryndam 8/08. Be sure to buy those tickets!

Pat - you're gonna love that suite. It is huge and the balcony is bigger than I have ever had before. You will love the Pinnacle breakfast and the Neptune Lounge has lots to offer.

Any other questions??? Save them for tomorrow - laundry is done and it is time for bed.

K