Statendam Short Review, 04/15/14, a trip from the Past

[G&G]

The following is a short review of our 29 day South Pacific cruise on 04/15/14. My comments represent my opinions only and may not represent what other passengers experienced on this cruise.

 

It was hard to believe that as we embarked on the Statendam on 04/15/14 that this would be our last HAL cruise after sailing with HAL for 32 years. We had become very disappointed with the level of service and quality of food during the past few years. In December 2013 we had completed a 42 day cruise on the Maasdam which was one of the worse cruises we had taken. We meet several people on the Statendam who also sailed on the Maasdam and only could say that "Something was Wrong" on that cruise with the staff and crew.

 

But once we boarded the Statendam it was if we had gone back in time the way HAL cruising use to be.

 

By far, this was the best officers and staff we had ever cruised with; service was superb and food was excellent for 29 days. Captain Smit and Hotel Director Bert are responsible for such a well run ship and excellent service. Once we boarded it seemed every staff & crew member knew our names and we were always addressed as Mr. & Mrs. The service in the MDR was the best. We sat at the same table at anytime dining in the MDR. Our waiter, Suta, after the first night would be waiting at the entrance to the MDR to escort my DW to our Table. The last formal night we left the MDR prior to getting out dessert order due to a party we were attending. We had ordered the Souffle. The very next night before ordering desserts, Suta brought us the Souffles that we had missed even though it was not on the menu. I could go on and on with these types of experiences.

 

The ship sailed into San Diego on 04/15/14 as a "Sick Ship" and had to be cleaned prior to embarkation. On the last day of the cruise I asked the Head Nurse in the medical center how was this cruise health wise. She stated it was the healthest cruise she had ever been on; remarkable considering the condition of the ship into San Diego on the prior cruise.

 

I wish to thank HAL, the senior officers, staff and crew for such a memorable cruise.

 

PS: WE ARE BACK !

[jaspersmycat]

Welcome back. Nice review. I'm glad you gave HAL one more chance.

[High Flyer]

Welcome home Rick. I was hoping you, Connie or Carol would do a review to include the weather, seas, tours, et: all. Glad to hear you had great service and food.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your review.

Glad that you had such a wonderful cruise this time that you have decided to stay with HAL.

A couple of years ago we had a couple of bad cruises and actually did cancel some future cruises. We did give HAL another chance. Only time will tell if we stay with HAL.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report, glad you had a good time!

[carri cruiser]

The following is a short review of our 29 day South Pacific cruise on 04/15/14. My comments represent my opinions only and may not represent what other passengers experienced on this cruise.

 

It was hard to believe that as we embarked on the Statendam on 04/15/14 that this would be our last HAL cruise after sailing with HAL for 32 years. We had become very disappointed with the level of service and quality of food during the past few years. In December 2013 we had completed a 42 day cruise on the Maasdam which was one of the worse cruises we had taken. We meet several people on the Statendam who also sailed on the Maasdam and only could say that "Something was Wrong" on that cruise with the staff and crew.

 

But once we boarded the Statendam it was if we had gone back in time the way HAL cruising use to be.

 

By far, this was the best officers and staff we had ever cruised with; service was superb and food was excellent for 29 days. Captain Smit and Hotel Director Bert are responsible for such a well run ship and excellent service. Once we boarded it seemed every staff & crew member knew our names and we were always addressed as Mr. & Mrs. The service in the MDR was the best. We sat at the same table at anytime dining in the MDR. Our waiter, Suta, after the first night would be waiting at the entrance to the MDR to escort my DW to our Table. The last formal night we left the MDR prior to getting out dessert order due to a party we were attending. We had ordered the Souffle. The very next night before ordering desserts, Suta brought us the Souffles that we had missed even though it was not on the menu. I could go on and on with these types of experiences.

 

The ship sailed into San Diego on 04/15/14 as a "Sick Ship" and had to be cleaned prior to embarkation. On the last day of the cruise I asked the Head Nurse in the medical center how was this cruise health wise. She stated it was the healthest cruise she had ever been on; remarkable considering the condition of the ship into San Diego on the prior cruise.

 

I wish to thank HAL, the senior officers, staff and crew for such a memorable cruise.

 

PS: WE ARE BACK !

 

Welcome back!! thank you, I love a positive review!!

[iflyrc5]

Please tell us more about the cruise itself. We are doing this cruise on the Statendam in Feb 2015.

[erewhon]

Thanks for your Statendam review.

 

Hope your next HAL cruise will be just as good.

[G&G]

Please tell us more about the cruise itself. We are doing this cruise on the Statendam in Feb 2015.

 

Food and service was excellent. Entertainment is what we would expect. The piano bar player, Damian was excellent. We booked all independent tours as follows:

 

Hilo: shuttle bus to Walmart :D; been to Hilo four times

Honolulu: North Shore Food Tour, $150; excellent and worth the price; retired chef was our guide as we toured the North Island sampling various dishes along the way.

Maui: Got a day pass for $35 at the Westin Hotel; great facility

Kona: rented a van and toured north and west side of island

Fanning Island: did not go ashore

Bora Bora: Patrick's tour was excellent, $125

Raitia: walked around; snorkeling tours offered ashore for $25; heard the tour was very good

Papeete: been there and do not like so we did nothing except wi-fi ashore.

Moorea: Hirotours, $50 sail and snorkel, excellent, included swimming with sharks and stingrays

Rangoroa: booked snorkel tour to The Aquarium at dock. Saw 1000's of fish and black and white tip sharks. $50.

[PathfinderEss]

So glad you are back and had such a wonderful trip on the Statendam. We had a similar experience on her last November when we did the Inca cruise. In our opinion the Statendam is doing everything right and is a asset to Holland America. To bad she is up for sale, personally I think they should sell the Veendam and I know their a lot of other people who feel the same way.