Veendam Bermuda 6/13 - 6/20

[retiredkid]

I don't know how they do it. The Veendam staff is a on a whole different planet than any other place I have ever been. I don't think you can train this; these are special people. And they are sincere as well, nothing forced or phony about them. It's a wow! factor on the cruise.

 

Like I'm not excited enough.:D Man. September can't come fast enough.

[snyderc635]

Solo, Pretty sure you are the coolest person I ever met, just saying. Go check out my warning about the interior spa staterooms and the hate mail I have received in return. But I think I answered well. I miss youu nad the trip!!!! We had such a good time, I'm afraid we could never repeat. What do you think?

[Solo1959]

Solo, Pretty sure you are the coolest person I ever met, just saying. Go check out my warning about the interior spa staterooms and the hate mail I have received in return. But I think I answered well. I miss youu nad the trip!!!! We had such a good time, I'm afraid we could never repeat. What do you think?

It's bad enough I had to go to work today. Now you're bringing tears to my eyes.

 

You're right, though. That was a special week. It's a treasured memory. When we're feeling down, when we need to know there is someone decent in this world, when we need a lift, when we just want to smile, we can open up our treasure chest and cherish the memories of the people we were with and the times that we shared.

 

I noticed in your post you referred to the couple from PA as "a great couple." I think you are omitting the "adorableness" of them, 'cause they really were. The great single lady, she was the nice one. The couple from New York.... no comment :rolleyes: The solo guy.... :eek: And what about the young gentleman that made our jaws drop in astonishment??? No, this group probably won't sail all together again. We were so lucky.

[charleysmom]

Sounds like you all had a wonderful time... we're headed out on September 12th and getting so excited!!!

 

Thanks for the review.

[nyc511]

Hate to be the naysayer here, but I was on the same cruise and the cruise was average -- at best. As noted in other posts on this site, the dining was a disaster. The ship is 15 years old and reminded me of the hotel in Albany that I have to stay in when I travel on government business with a per diem, which, as it turns out, was "remodeled" the same year the Veendam was launched. Yes the crrew was nice, and the food was what you would expect; who you meet and what they are like is a roll of the dice. The captain basically said that he couldn't wait to get off the ship since the 13-20 was his last tour of duty, and through-out the week I saw him eating alone conversing with no one. After 11pm the ship was a ghost town except for people in tank-top t-shirts and a scattering of people at the midnight buffet. The casual dining ended at 8, which defeats the whole purpose of casual dining, particularly since sit-down dining went to 9. We were 10 family members travelling together, many of whom are long time HAL passengers and several of whom were given given significant and free upgrades and access to the Neptune suite because of their status; they gave the cruise a 3 out of 10. I ranked it average because I had not been on the ship before.

[Solo1959]

Hate to be the naysayer here, but I was on the same cruise and the cruise was average -- at best.

 

As I wrote in the first post, it's not so much the ship or the ports as the people you meet. We were fortunate to meet some of the greatest people. We had so much fun with them.

 

As noted in other posts on this site, the dining was a disaster.

 

Disaster is a strong word. Yes, the lines for Anytime Dining were long on the two formal nights and the 1st night out. Making a reservation in advance was the key here. Just one of my meals, the lasagne, was not good, but one of the other meals was the best I've eaten. While I certainly would not rate this cruise as the best dining I've experienced on cruises, it was certainly good. The fruits and veggies were amazing. I don't know... Not the best, not bad, probably a B- or a B. Not a disaster for my tastes.

 

The ship is 15 years old and reminded me of the hotel in Albany where in Albany? that I have to stay in when I travel on government business with a per diem, which, as it turns out, was "remodeled" the same year the Veendam was launched.

 

I was expecting a WOW factor when I boarded the ship, but I didn't find it [except with the staff]. Some of the newer ships today are gigantic, or very have flashy decor. Some have a 10 story atrium, rock climbing walls, ice rinks, a Main St area. I agree. Veendam had nothing at all like that. I found a clean, smartly decorated, medium size ship. It was nice, but had no pizazz. At 15 years old, the ship is not a classic, and it also isn't one of the new genre of ships. It was OK. Nothing was broken, nothing was brand new. Clean and comfortable. No WOW!

 

Yes the crrew was nice, and the food was what you would expect; who you meet and what they are like is a roll of the dice. The captain basically said that he couldn't wait to get off the ship since the 13-20 was his last tour of duty, and through-out the week I saw him eating alone conversing with no one. After 11pm the ship was a ghost town except for people in tank-top t-shirts and a scattering of people at the midnight buffet.

 

The ship did quiet down early, for the most part. Because we were in port overnights, many people availed themselves of the local night life. There was a bar right across the street, it has the multi-colored lights on it, and a lot of people went there. But the bars on the ship, and the Casino while at sea, were open late. We were up in the Crow's Nest till 3am. There were people up and about on the ship: people in tank tops, people at the buffets, people at the bars, people in the Crow's Nest... Not exactly sleepy town, but quieter than the big mega-ships that don't overnight in a port.

 

The casual dining ended at 8, which defeats the whole purpose of casual dining, particularly since sit-down dining went to 9. We were 10 family members travelling together, many of whom are long time HAL passengers and several of whom were given given significant and free upgrades and access to the Neptune suite because of their status; they gave the cruise a 3 out of 10. I ranked it average because I had not been on the ship before.

Was this your first cruise? I hope you cruise again. It might be difficult when with a large group to break off and become part of another group, or to even meet new people. Sometimes when traveling with a large group such as yours, the momentum of the group rather than the events offered at the moment on the cruise, will dictate the time you have. Obligations to spend times with certain people, to wait for them to be ready or to make up their minds, even obligations to accept a particular ship over one you might prefer, could detract from your enjoyment.

 

The Veendam was a nice cruise on a decent ship. The people we met were wonderful.

 

I hope you give cruising another try.

[Charles4515]

Hate to be the naysayer here, but I was on the same cruise and the cruise was average -- at best. As noted in other posts on this site, the dining was a disaster. The ship is 15 years old and reminded me of the hotel in Albany that I have to stay in when I travel on government bus.

 

I was on the same sailing and I think you pretty much nailed it. The ship was boring. I would say the dining room food was better then I expected. Everything I had was excellent. Service depended on who you got as server each evening. And it seemed like the activities were geared to an older crowd than the one that showed up for the sailing. The cruise itself was great because of the itinerary. It is the best for Bermuda. That is why I booked it. And I would book it again for Bermuda. Any other destination, forget it. This by way was my 34th cruise.

[SailorNYC]

Solo - Is it possible to book reservations for anytime dining before you set sail? If not, what is the best way to make reservations? We prefer fixed dining, but were shut out - it was not available when we booked the cruise.

[Solo1959]

Solo - Is it possible to book reservations for anytime dining before you set sail? If not, what is the best way to make reservations? We prefer fixed dining, but were shut out - it was not available when we booked the cruise.

I was told no, that you could not except for the Pinnacle Restaurant. You can make reservations several days in advance, I believe the magic number is 3 days. If a dining time is important, definitely call 88, the reservation number which will be imprinted on your key card, as early as possible. Just to note, early times seemed always to be available for reservation. When I called last minute, times before 6pm and after 8pm seemed to be the ones remaining. The rush was between 6pm and 7pm. Our intention was to do Anytime Dining so there would be no rush for us to get back to the ship since we were docked for several days in Bermuda and wanted the freedom to come and go at our leisure rather than be bound to a strict dining time. It was a good choice for us.

[serendipity1499]

Solo...Thanks so much for answering my questions..Agree with you all, that the Veendam is an older ship, but we enjoy the smaller & older ships..We'll also be in a Port side cabin..

Got a kick out of your remark

". It is on the Port side facing, strangely enough, away from port when docked in Hamilton. It was a nice view of the harbor and it was private as no one walking past the ship would be able to see into my window, not that they would have wanted to... "

 

 

Not sure if you understand what Port side actually means.. There is nothing strange about how the ship is facing..Many times boats & Ships will not dock "port side to" ...Port side does not mean that the ships left side will always be against the pier.. It completely depends on the Harbor Master, wind, tide & the draught of the vessel...

Ships nautical terms have been in place for centuries..Every Sailor throughout the world is schooled/coached in these terms & uses them when communicating on the Ship's Radio with Officials, the Coast Guard, Other ships & their own Crew....

Port side is always on the Left side of the ship if you are facing forward toward the bow (front)..

Starboard is the Right side of the ship if you are facing forward toward the bow...

In sailing, when The Captain yells "Hard to Port" it means he is going to turn the vessel to the left...Depending on where the boom (with the sail) is, it might swing & hit you smack in the head if you don't duck...:eek: LOL..Crew has to be alert & careful when the Captain shouts a command as the maneuver is almost always instantaneous....And DH really knows how to shout! ;)

Been there done that many times during races...One time I forgot to duck & the boom hit me so hard, I ended up on the sole of the cockpit with my feet under the seats in a daze...That's why I have such a hard head! LOL

Anyway so glad you met such nice Friends & hope you will continue to enjoy Cruising..

If I misunderstood your meaning please forgive me & thanks again for your review & your answers....

Cheers....:)Betty

P.S. I now mostly enjoy Cruising on "bigga boats" in my old age..:)LOL

[Solo1959]

You can find the Daily Programs for this cruise at: http://www.halfacts.com/veendam

[Limeygirl]

You can find the Daily Programs for this cruise at: http://www.halfacts.com/veendam

 

Thank you, Solo!!! Now I'm REALLY excited for my first cruise!

2 more days......

[snyderc635]

Have a great trip Limeygirl! Hopw you have as much fun as we did!

[Solo1959]

Thank you, Solo!!! Now I'm REALLY excited for my first cruise!

2 more days......

Time to start packing, lol.

 

Enjoy your cruise. Say hi to the staff and entertainers and try to hang with some of them. There will be super cool people vacationing on the ship, get some party fun started.You'll have a great a time. And, don't forget us stuck here on land. Write when you get back and let us know how everything went. We're all hanging on every word. Bon Voyage!

[retiredkid]

Enjoy every minute, Limeygirl !!

 

and yes please. make sure you do a trip report when you come back. I'll be taking notes for my September cruise.

[Limeygirl]

Time to start packing, lol.

 

Enjoy your cruise. Say hi to the staff and entertainers and try to hang with some of them. There will be super cool people vacationing on the ship, get some party fun started.You'll have a great a time. And, don't forget us stuck here on land. Write when you get back and let us know how everything went. We're all hanging on every word. Bon Voyage!

Start Packing?!?! LOL...I'm paranoid I'll forget something, so I started about 2 weeks ago! Just need to pick out a couple more books to take, and I'm DONE!!!!

 

Thank you for the good wishes! I am REALLY excited. I'm sure we will have a great time (looking forward to the 80's and country events) and will meet some great people.

Enjoy every minute, Limeygirl !!

 

and yes please. make sure you do a trip report when you come back. I'll be taking notes for my September cruise.

 

Thank you!!!!

 

I'll let you all know how it went when we get back.

[family cruisers]

How late is the pool / hot tubs open until at night ?