Holland America please fix the A/C on the Veendam Or junk it.

[Hlitner]

I think this thread takes the "cheerleader" syndrome to new heights. The bottom line is that many cruisers are reporting major A/C problems on the Veendam and this has been an issue for some time. As we all know, cruising on a ship with faulty A/C can be a miserable experience. The Cheerleaders tell us that prospective customers on HA now need to carefully check out each ship, the section of each ship, perhaps the cabin of each ship, etc etc.....before they book because one can no longer depend on HA to deliver a decent product? And the problem is not just on the Veendam. Our favorite HA ship, the Prinsendam, also has many problems. When we cruised on the Rotterdam last year there was a water leak in the starboard aft end of the dining room that caused a very moldy smell from the damp carpet. This problem had existed for some time when we went on the ship...but rather then quickly make repairs HA had kept sitting passengers in that section and only moving those who complained.

 

So here is my take on the subject. HA needs to do better maintenance on their ships adn deal with issues as soon as they arise. Otherwise they are simply selling a defective product.

 

Hank

P.S. We are 4 Star Mariners and do like HA....but refuse to get into the "cheerleader" mode

[peaches from georgia]

There is nothing anyone posting on CC can tell the HAL bean counters that they don't already know. Seattle is completely aware of maintanence issues on all their ships on a day to day basis, know what it will take to fix all the issues, and have decided on a cost benefit basis what repairs are worth it to their bottom line. Does anyone really think HAL management needs to be told the operating systems on Veendam need major repair or total replacement or that the Rotterdam has flooding problems? :confused:

 

HAL makes their plans very long term and knows exactly what is intended for each ship in the coming years. We can only guess, but allowing a ship to continue sailing with major problems gives us a pretty good clue that there is no intent to spend a lot of money on an older ship.

[goodearth]

There is nothing anyone posting on CC can tell the HAL bean counters that they don't already know. Seattle is completely aware of maintanence issues on all their ships on a day to day basis, know what it will take to fix all the issues, and have decided on a cost benefit basis what repairs are worth it to their bottom line. Does anyone really think HAL management needs to be told the operating systems on Veendam need major repair or total replacement or that the Rotterdam has flooding problems? :confused:

 

Agreed, and therein is the answer that HAL is stating very clearly by their actions..........they won't fix these problems! :mad:

[CtheW0rld]

There is nothing anyone posting on CC can tell the HAL bean counters that they don't already know. Seattle is completely aware of maintanence issues on all their ships on a day to day basis, know what it will take to fix all the issues, and have decided on a cost benefit basis what repairs are worth it to their bottom line. Does anyone really think HAL management needs to be told the operating systems on Veendam need major repair or total replacement or that the Rotterdam has flooding problems? :confused:

 

HAL makes their plans very long term and knows exactly what is intended for each ship in the coming years. We can only guess, but allowing a ship to continue sailing with major problems gives us a pretty good clue that there is no intent to spend a lot of money on an older ship.

 

i see these types of threads as intended for the public, not hal. hal does need to know, though, that these problems are being exposed.

[jaguarstyper]

There is nothing anyone posting on CC can tell the HAL bean counters that they don't already know. Seattle is completely aware of maintanence issues on all their ships on a day to day basis, know what it will take to fix all the issues, and have decided on a cost benefit basis what repairs are worth it to their bottom line. Does anyone really think HAL management needs to be told the operating systems on Veendam need major repair or total replacement or that the Rotterdam has flooding problems? :confused:

That's very true. But, what the bean boys may not know is that the word might be getting out and they will be losing future bookings. Maybe more than they budgeted for in their projections. I do doubt that HAL uses this site at all to influence any strategic decisions, but what is posted here my have some influence in the tactical decisions. So, it certainly doesn't hurt to talk about the issues here. In some minor way, it may actually have a small benefit. The may decide to buy more floor dryers and fans, for example. :rolleyes:

[goodearth]

goodearth....not surprised at what your HAL PCC said. HAL pays her salary-she is an employee with a vested interest.

 

After all, she could hardly say that the Veendam is a great ship as long as you get a cabin that is not flooding, has functioning A/C, toilet, and has a verandah window that is not cracked right through in several places and is a safety hazard. Or as long as you do not mind mal functioning elevators or significant variations in temperatures in common areas-from very cold to very hot.

 

Other than that, it is a great choice for you hard earned vacation money and vacation time. Do you like to gamble by any chance or do you like to receive free bottles of $4 wine or future cruise credits??? If so, it is definately the ship for you.

 

We have had good experiences on other HAL ships and other cruise lines. We've never sailed the Veendam, and we won't because of all the issues noted here. Since CC can't reach everyone, at least those that know CAN walk away...or run away from this disastrous 'vacation' on the seas!

[cruisenanny]

goodearth....not surprised at what your HAL PCC said. HAL pays her salary-she is an employee with a vested interest.

 

After all, she could hardly say that the Veendam is a great ship as long as you get a cabin that is not flooding, has functioning A/C, toilet, and has a verandah window that is not cracked right through in several places and is a safety hazard. Or as long as you do not mind mal functioning elevators or significant variations in temperatures in common areas-from very cold to very hot.

 

Other than that, it is a great choice for you hard earned vacation money and vacation time. Do you like to gamble by any chance or do you like to receive free bottles of $4 wine or future cruise credits??? If so, it is definately the ship for you.

 

This exactly, well said.

Aside from a fan being delivered on day 1 when I called to explain how hot our cabin was, we received NO compensation for our warm/damp cabin. This is despite an officer who entered our cabin on night 4 or 5 being aware of the issue. She told me she "would look into it" for me, and nothing ever happened.

Guess we weren't the squeakiest wheels.

[Typhoon1]

Rest assured, it is not ready for scrap. However, it sounds like it is in need of major renovations.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

This exactly, well said.

Aside from a fan being delivered on day 1 when I called to explain how hot our cabin was, we received NO compensation for our warm/damp cabin. This is despite an officer who entered our cabin on night 4 or 5 being aware of the issue. She told me she "would look into it" for me, and nothing ever happened.

Guess we weren't the squeakiest wheels.

What type of cabin did you have may I ask ..

[DWAliaschief]

What type of cabin did you have may I ask ..

 

Her review mentions 185.

[mamaofami]

HAL reps at Seattle and Veendam reps do read these threads. They do know we are complaining about conditions on Veendam, but other than voting with your pocketbook, not much we can do. As long as Veendam continues to sail at full capacity, there is no incentive for them to fix anything. Just keep trying to placate passengers on each voyage. I feel sorry for those ladies at the front desk.

[Jade13]

The Cheerleaders tell us that prospective customers on HA now need to carefully check out each ship, the section of each ship, perhaps the cabin of each ship, etc etc.....before they book because one can no longer depend on HA to deliver a decent product?

 

And the problem is not just on the Veendam. Our favorite HA ship, the Prinsendam, also has many problems. When we cruised on the Rotterdam last year there was a water leak in the starboard aft end of the dining room that caused a very moldy smell from the damp carpet. This problem had existed for some time when we went on the ship...but rather then quickly make repairs HA had kept sitting passengers in that section and only moving those who complained.

 

 

Hank

P.S. We are 4 Star Mariners and do like HA....but refuse to get into the "cheerleader" mode

 

 

I think you are right.

 

HAL takes way too long to fix problems.

 

We were on Maasdam in 2010 and I thought she was in the worst condition of any HAL ship we had been on at that time. They actually closed the pool and started retiling before we departed (this was after they decided to bring the ship back to port because of a hurricane warning and had told passengers they were giving a partial refund as a future cruise credit. But still, we were in the midst of our cruise). The ship was scheduled for dry dock but they let everything go such as having stained towels in the public restrooms and gym. We had cracked tiles in our bathroom. Of course fast forward a year later and she was refurbished, superb, and our favorite HAL ship after VOV.

 

They need to do more yearly maintenance.

[mamaofami]

We're sailing away....didn't I read on another thread that you had to cancel your upcoming Veendam cruise because of an injury?

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We're sailing away....didn't I read on another thread that you had to cancel your upcoming Veendam cruise because of an injury?

I broke my ankle on June 18 so I had to cancel 2 Princess cruises June 23, & July 8, in Europe

[cruisenanny]

What type of cabin did you have may I ask ..

 

Her review mentions 185.

 

Yes, we had a cat B verandah "suite", cabin 185 on the verandah deck starboard side.

[CtheW0rld]

HAL reps at Seattle and Veendam reps do read these threads. They do know we are complaining about conditions on Veendam, but other than voting with your pocketbook, not much we can do. As long as Veendam continues to sail at full capacity, there is no incentive for them to fix anything. Just keep trying to placate passengers on each voyage. I feel sorry for those ladies at the front desk.

 

indeed. they would be foolish to ignore free market research.

[Hlitner]

HA may not pay attention to passenger complaints, but rest assured it does cost them revenue. We are a good example. When we returned from 62 days on the Prinsendam (in May) we decided we wanted to book something for October in the Med for about a 3 week cruise). We looked at HA, Princess and Celebrity. After considering the price, many of the negative comments we have seen on CC, the awful HA smoking policy, the much better amenties we get on X for being Elite vs 4 Star on HA....we booked a 25 day cruise with Celebrity. To be really blunt, as much as we love cruising on HA they just do not compare well to some other lines except in the area of great itineraries.

 

Hank

[iancal]

They need to hear from a few of their top producing independent TA`s or agencies that they are no longer comfortable recommending the Veendam to their clients because of these issues.

[Wakepatrol]

I'm buying powerball tickets tonight. If I win,I will fix the A/C and plumbing issues,anything to make them stop:eek:

[mamaofami]

I broke my ankle on June 18 so I had to cancel 2 Princess cruises June 23' date=' & July 8, in Europe[/quote']

 

 

Sorry about that. It always hurts to have to cancel a cruise. I know from first hand experience. Hope you are all healed now.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I'm buying powerball tickets tonight. If I win,I will fix the A/C and plumbing issues,anything to make them stop:eek:

please win ..:)

[jelly4244]

I'm buying powerball tickets tonight. If I win,I will fix the A/C and plumbing issues,anything to make them stop:eek:

I'll be right along side you buying those powerball tickets.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We need some of the T.A. to help, And tell Holland America They are not going to sell the veendam ship till it is fixed ..

[Jade13]

HA may not pay attention to passenger complaints, but rest assured it does cost them revenue. We are a good example. When we returned from 62 days on the Prinsendam (in May) we decided we wanted to book something for October in the Med for about a 3 week cruise). We looked at HA, Princess and Celebrity. After considering the price, many of the negative comments we have seen on CC, the awful HA smoking policy, the much better amenties we get on X for being Elite vs 4 Star on HA....we booked a 25 day cruise with Celebrity. To be really blunt, as much as we love cruising on HA they just do not compare well to some other lines except in the area of great itineraries.

 

Hank

 

We think a lot like you. Although on a smaller scale as we were on HAL for 3 weeks earlier this year, but going on Celebrity for 15 nights in December. We really considered the Prinsendam, but at half the price and with the great Elite perks we decided to book Celebrity. Note that the new CEO at Celebrity is planning on raising prices. HAL still has the best itineraries at sea.

[CtheW0rld]

We think a lot like you. Although on a smaller scale as we were on HAL for 3 weeks earlier this year, but going on Celebrity for 15 nights in December. We really considered the Prinsendam, but at half the price and with the great Elite perks we decided to book Celebrity. Note that the new CEO at Celebrity is planning on raising prices. HAL still has the best itineraries at sea.

 

maybe the best for you. the grand vayages are very interesting. hal's regular itineraries are snoozers, IMHO.

 

costa has cutting-edge itineraries. costa was the first mainstream line to do the middle east and asia. their regular dubai - savona and shanghai to singapore runs are fantastic. they are developing some interesting south america and indian ocean itineraries, also. costa certainly isn't for everyone, but for someone seeking something different they are worth a look.