Veendam Review May 8th Sailing

[FoxyTerrier]

DH and I and both of our moms sailed on the May 8th Veendam cruise to Bermuda. To read my full review with picture check out my blog: http://foxyterrier.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/veendam-may-8-2011-review/

 

Embarkation

We were up early on Mother’s Day and arrived at the port around 11:30am. Our Lexus navi took us right to the port – no issues at all. We dropped off our moms at check in and a pleasant dock worker took all our luggage. (I saw “tipping optional” signs – this came up on a recent cruisecritic.com thread and we did tip, but we always do.) We were directed to the port parking on top of the pier. We were met by security and a bomb sniffing dog – we even had to open the back of the SUV and the dog jumped in to sniff around. I was very happy to see extra security especially with the recent OBL killing. Note to other NYC travelers: No need to drop off luggage at the curb – just proceed to the parking deck and you will be assisted up there.

 

There were no lines for Suite check in and we were on the ship just before noon. We hadn’t been on a non-Vista class ship for sometime was confused as our normal stop on Deck 7 was now Deck 10. We stepped off the elevator and were met there by Anna, one of the concierges from the Neptune Lounge; she greeted us by name and escorted us to PS001. I was in total shock she met us at the elevator lobby, but she continued to amaze me all week. We dropped our things and proceeded to the MDR for the Mariner’s Welcome lunch. When we arrived there we did not get the same welcome - we and other mariners were refused to be seated as we did not have an invitation. I sent DH back to the room to look in the room but it turned out we were not given one from the on shore check-in staff. Finally after a crowd in a similar situation had gathered we were all seated. I think this was a mix up on the on shore staff or maybe only some mariner’s are being invited. In any event, it was not a great way to start the week, but minor in the scheme of things.

 

The Veendam’s condition

We were on the first full sailing since dry dock (May 1st sailing was cut short by one day). I thought she looked wonderful and her new nose is so cute. As I said above we hadn’t been on a smaller ship in a while and I was really anxious to try a smaller ship again. I fell in love with her size it was so easy to find everything once I stopped thinking about Vista class ships. As soon as I could, I took pictures of the new retreat area which has already been posted in another. Later in the week I did see people using the new hot tubs, it was a bit cool and breezy so not a lot of sun bathers while the ship was sailing. As others have said I also noticed water spilling out of the hot tubs on to the deck. It wasn’t a lot of water but enough to leak down to the cabins on deck 10. There is also a huge TV screen back there and at least once they showed a family movie.

 

The Champagne Bar, Martini Bar and Panio Bar are all very close together and every night had quite a crowd. There was also a bar called the Mix that was well attended – this bar had free computer game bar tables (checkers, chess and tetris type game plus others) The casino was just around the corner from the Mix which made it easy to grab a drink. I also heard the Ocean Bar was packed each night with the West Point class of 1956 reunion group (it was not reserved for them but a lot of them hung out there).

 

Before sailing I had heard lots of reports of smells, toilet issues and AC issues. I can report I didn’t smell anything unpleasant. We did have 3 toilet problems. The first neither toilet would flush and were not clogged – they resolved themselves on their own. The 2nd was a clog one toilet and required maintenance. The 3rd was one toilet in the big bath room – no clog but would not flush. I let the room steward know and later that day he said to push the button harder. Now on to AC issues – we did have issues it was so cold in the room for the first 2 days. Finally ask them to check it out and they took down a ceiling tile and played with something in the ceiling and then we could regulate the temperature much better.

 

The Neptune Lounge was also bit more intimate than on Vista class ships. The first 2 days there was no self service access to coffee and food. This was new to us too. I also found the PG to be more intimate than on Vista class ships.

Penthouse Suite 001

One word to describe it – AMAZING!!! If you ever have the opportunity to sail in a PS you should do it. Please see my blog posting Veendam PS001 - http://foxyterrier.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/veendam-ps001/

 

Food

Overall I think the food was really wonderful and better than we had in the last few years. We had table 25 in the upper dining room. This was a table for 4 next to the window. Assistant Dining Room manager Marcus took great care of us along with Steward Yano and Assistant Bram. We ate most meals in the MDR, a few breakfasts in the Neptune and a few breakfasts in the Pinnacle Grill. We purchased one of the new beverage cards from our darling wine server Lutche. On the 3rd night our beverage card was pretty much used up and Lutche suggested we think about one of the Wine packages as 3 star Mariners get a 25% discount. We told her we had a coupon in the room too – she said we could combine them to get a bigger discount. We opted for the 7 bottle Admiral package, when we got back to the room we discovered it was for 10% off the Admiral package plus 2 free dinners in the Pinnacle Grill. Also any wine we didn’t use we could take off the ship which we needed to do.

 

I was very impressed with the Pinnacle Grill. Sebastian Van Elk is the PG manager and he is doing a great job. We attended Le Cirque for the first time which had the brand new revised menu (Check my blog for all the details http://foxyterrier.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/veendam-le-cirque/ ). We also found out after boarding the Le Cirque night had changed from Friday (Formal night) to Thursday. The HAL website had the wrong night which caused some confusion for Sebastian, but he contacted everyone and got it straightened out early in the cruise. The Veendam is currently the only ship with new menu which is expanded and very delicious. Sebastian explained to us they were the last ship to get Le Cirque and it was decided to start with the new menu. We had 7:30 dinner reservations but the Neptune girls got it changed to 8pm so we could attend the Suite cocktail party. We arrived at the busiest time and did have to wait a bit before our wine order was taken. We ordered the wine pairings and once we had the sparkling wine our order was taken and then everything was on track. We had only one issue and that was with the lobster salad – it is now being served in a large martini glass which makes for a very pretty presentation, but is hard to eat as the lobster needs to be cut. We both had the butternut squash soup, DH had the sea bass and I had the rack of lamb entrees. We also both ordered Crème Brule for desert.

 

On Friday we attended the Indonesian Suite lunch in the PG. All the ladies from Bali were dressed in beautiful Indonesian attire. The food was amazing – we had the Indonesian lunch one other time (Panama Canal Zuiderdam in 2009) and was so glad to see them do it again. This was another postitive comment I made on our end of cruise survey.

We also ate in the PG the last night. I always think it’s the perfect way to end a cruise. I tried something new – the Steak Dianne. It had to be the best steak meal I’ve ever had on any ship. Bravo!!

Staff

What you say about HAL staff – they are all just super. The Veendam was no exception, from Captain Harris to the maintenance men. Stand outs are the entire Neptune staff – Anna, April and the PG servers headed by Sebastian. Our head cabin steward, Gus, was a dear man. Cruise director Eric and his staff kept the entertainment going. DG Reggie made kept the party going in the crows nest till early in the am hours. I did miss the Northern Lights though. Lynn and Larry the future cruise consultants gave a great lecture on HAL history ( we purchased 2 more open ended cruises). And also our MDR staff which I mentioned above.

 

Bermuda’s Hamilton Port

Due to bad weather our stop in St. George’s was eliminated and we went right to Hamilton. Hamilton was just as charming as I recalled even though the old stores like Triminham’s are gone. We had no excursions plans and decided to wing it. On Tuesday, I tried very hard to find the house my mother and father lived in when my father was stationed in Bermuda in 1952-1953 but we were unable to find it. Too many years and not enough information and I even went to the Bermuda Archives office to assist.

On Wendesday, we hired the most wonderful taxi tour driver – Nevis Barboza, prbarboza@ibl.bm Phone 441-236-2581, Cell 441-334-8239.He recommended a 3 hour tour to St. George’s and surrounding areas and then back to Hamilton. We told him we were interested in seeing Tucker Town and the Mid Ocean Club as my father is a former club member. We had contacted the Mid Ocean Club about coming for lunch but in the end mom thought it was too much trouble. Nevis knew a lot about the Kindling AFB where my father was stationed and a lot about Tucker Town. He was able to drive us right up the 18th green. I jumped out of the car and snapped a few pics and got a lump in my throat thinking about dad playing there. When we arrived back in Hamilton we arranged for a tour the next day with Nevis.

On Thursday, Nevis took us to the beach areas and other part so Bermuda. We stopped at Elbow Beach, where DH and I stayed in 1985, it was scheduled to be torn down but instead it had been renovated. The Sonesta Beach resort had been torn down but not rebuilt do to the economy. The Southampton Princess is now a Fairmont property was just lovely – we ate dinner there in ’85. Finally we made our way over the Dockyard where we saw there the “X” Summit and NCL Gem were docked. There was a ton of people milling around – many waiting for the ferry and others the buses. Actually one ferry arrived and only half the people were able to get on board. Our taxi driver said only 2 buses were servicing this area and way too many people when both ships are in port. We felt so lucky we were docked in Hamilton – DH and I are seriously thinking of cancelling a family cruise on the Summit in July 2012. We both said we would go in a second if it was HAL docking in Hamilton.

 

On Friday, we stay on ship since we were all aboard was 12:30pm. During the Indonesian Suite lunch an announcement was made we were still waiting for 2 passengers. At 1:10 we saw 2 people running with shopping bags in hand to board and we were underway at 1:15 – the captain was very nice to wait for them. I really thought we might be leaving without them.

Misc

We played Bingo and won $419. The casino was busy but not super crowded; I played Texas Hold ‘em where they had a live dealer, our last 2 cruised had video Texas Hold ‘em. DH and his mom played the $1 slot closed to the cashier’s cage and it was set very loose – they both won quite a bit there. An on a whim I entered the Slot Tourney and was a finalist, but didn’t win. I also hit 4-4-4 on Three Card poker.

We took the kitchen tour and a Le Cirque cooking demo. They handed out the recipes for the Le Cirque Lobster salad and Crème Brule.

 

DH and I did Team Trivia most days. We won the second day on a team just by ourselves and got 2 sets of HAL coasters – they are really cute and something we had never seen before.

One thing to note: While the ship was docked from Tuesday – Friday the shops and casino were closed. We did miss the casino but at least we came a bit in the black. I still wish HAL had more upscale shopping.

 

Disembarkation

This was the smoothest disembarkation we had ever seen. We were assigned Brown 1 and when we were called we left PS001 for one last time. Pushed for the elevator and it was empty (this never happens) and went down to deck 5 and found no line at all. One last scan of our ship cards and we were off. A porter offered to assist with luggage, we have him our Brown 1 tags and he quickly took us to our area. All of the bags were together instead of spread apart in the area. No lines security and he took up to the roof where he had a funny look that all that luggage plus one wheel chair and one walker was not going to fit. I told him it only goes in one way like a logic puzzle. He just shook his and smiled when the last piece was loaded in. No traffic at all getting to the Lincoln tunnel. We did run into some traffic in Delaware but not too much. Picked our newly rescued Wire Fox Terrier, Jake, who got a good report at Shady Spring Kennels - http://www.shadyspringkennels.com/

[KirkNC]

Joni,

 

Thanks for the review, we loved the smaller size of the Veendam, it was out first HAL ship.

 

Kirk

[catl331]

Thanks for this great review. You gave us confidence in this cruise.Those late shoppers were darn lucky. The captain had extra time going back to NY but if they have to leave, they will leave you and everyone will wave goodbye to you!!!!

[Hobbsey]

Thanks very much! I enjoyed your picktures as well. They made me want to cruise back there again soon. I hope HAL renews the contract and that they just delete the SG stop altogether in favor of Hamilton for the duration.

 

: )

[CtheW0rld]

nice review and photos. thanks.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review

 

very good

 

oh yes -- we love those penthouse cabins!!

[HamOp]

Nice to hear some good things about the Veendam. I'll be on the Aug. 7 sailing. Fourth HAL cruise, but first time in Bermuda.

[kazu]

What a tremendous review. I had to go to your blog. great pics and a lot of detail. Very, very nice.

 

glad you had a great time. I envy you in the Penthouse. I can tell you enjoyed every moment:)

 

thanks so much for this wonderful thread:D

[Charles4515]

On Friday, we stay on ship since we were all aboard was 12:30pm. During the Indonesian Suite lunch an announcement was made we were still waiting for 2 passengers. At 1:10 we saw 2 people running with shopping bags in hand to board and we were underway at 1:15 – the captain was very nice to wait for them. I really thought we might be leaving without them.

 

Thanks for the review. I have a question. Why was the all aboard at 12:30 and the sail so early? The sail away is supposed to be 2:00 pm.

[FoxyTerrier]

Thanks for the review. I have a question. Why was the all aboard at 12:30 and the sail so early? The sail away is supposed to be 2:00 pm.

 

Charles I was not aware we were to leave at 2pm. As soon as we arrived and left the ship I noticed the Passenger All Aboard time was 12:30pm.

[ChaCr]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this. I also enjoyed your pictures. We're on the May 29th sailing.

 

c

[lvz2cruz]

Thanks for the review. I have a question. Why was the all aboard at 12:30 and the sail so early? The sail away is supposed to be 2:00 pm.

 

 

Could they have moved it up since they got in late the week before?

[lvz2cruz]

Thank you for the review. I saw your boarding day pictures of the new retreat and hoped for a review.

I'm happy you found everything on the ship in such good shape.

[lburg7]

This is a great review, thank you for taking the time to write it. I checked your blog as well, loved all the pictures. I'm sailing on MS Veendam in just a week, first experience with a HAL ship. I can't wait. Glad to hear that you had such a great cruise and kudos to you for your adopted fur baby!

[Zezzie]

We were on the same cruise! :) I watched those late passengers get onboard. Seemed like the man was waiting for his wife/girlfriend who literally showed up at the last moment. They were starting to pull in the gangway when he saw her and started yelling her name. He ran up to the terminal to get her and then he ran back with her packages. She took her time walking to the ship - I don't know if she even realized how close she was to being left in Bermuda.

[FoxyTerrier]

We were on the same cruise! :) I watched those late passengers get onboard. Seemed like the man was waiting for his wife/girlfriend who literally showed up at the last moment. They were starting to pull in the gangway when he saw her and started yelling her name. He ran up to the terminal to get her and then he ran back with her packages. She took her time walking to the ship - I don't know if she even realized how close she was to being left in Bermuda.

 

Zezzie - I hope you had a fabulous time and that the seas weren't too rough for you. We had such a great time I'm ready to book another Bermuda cruise.

[Zezzie]

Zezzie - I hope you had a fabulous time and that the seas weren't too rough for you. We had such a great time I'm ready to book another Bermuda cruise.

 

Overall we enjoyed the cruise, but I have to say I honestly was not impressed with the service onboard. Things got off on a bad foot the first night when we went to MDR (we did not have as you wish dining) and our waitstaff didn't even welcome us or introduce themselves. Needless to say we only went there twice. We found Canaletto and PG to be very good - both with service and food. Had some issues with our cabin stewards too - nothing major but not to the level of service I believe HAL is known for.

 

We decided to have dinner in our stateroom the 2nd formal night when it was rough. We ordered the filet mignon and lobster tail from MDR! :)

[portofrome]

Thank you for the review.

[FoxyTerrier]

We found Canaletto and PG to be very good - both with service and food.

 

We decided to have dinner in our stateroom the 2nd formal night when it was rough. We ordered the filet mignon and lobster tail from MDR! :)

 

We have not tried Canaletto yet I always forget about it. Is the menu the same accross all ships? If so is there on posted?

[innlady1]

Thank you, Joni, for your review.

We've been to Canaletto on the Noordam and on the Maasdam...same menu. The antipasto is awesome! That, and one of their lovely dessert, is adequate for me!

[ninkb]

We have not tried Canaletto yet I always forget about it. Is the menu the same accross all ships? If so is there on posted?

 

Yes, it is the same for all ships. And it does NOT change night to night. The food is delicious, the service good, but I'd get tired of eating from the same menu more than twice a week.

[KatWag]

Thanks for the great review. Heading over to your blog for more Veendam fix.

 

We did this trip last September and you are making me want to go back.

[sbcs5390]

Thanks for the wonderful review. We were on Veendam last May and go back on 6/5. Sounds like so many things are different. So excited about Le Cirque - I had no idea that was an option now!

[V'sGirl]

Your review and your pictures are great, and I can't wait for three weeks from today. Your new little guy is a real cutie!

[Ray in NH]

Thanks for the wonderful review. We were on Veendam last May and go back on 6/5. Sounds like so many things are different. So excited about Le Cirque - I had no idea that was an option now!

 

We will also bo on board for the 05 June sailing. Perhaps we will meet on board?

Ray in NH