Veendam to Bermuda 6-18. The Good, the bad and the OH MY!

[Shih-tzu]

Hello David,

 

All well.

 

I have heard nothing about VEENDAM. I fear one or two of the old ship will go when the STATENDAM is ready.

 

You better keep your fingers crossed for a cruise to Bda in 2017!

 

Stephen

 

David - I was thinking the same thing. Loved the fact that the VEENDAM could get right into Hamilton and although I love Bermuda, I'm not so sure I would want to be out at King's Wharf with the larger ships and crowds. I also liked the ambience on that ship - not overly large and the crowd was so friendly. Wouldn't it be interesting if we ended up on the same cruise again? TOPSHAM - I believe you were on the same cruise as well - but only know that from something that you had posted......

[Bostonjetset]

David - I was thinking the same thing. Loved the fact that the VEENDAM could get right into Hamilton and although I love Bermuda, I'm not so sure I would want to be out at King's Wharf with the larger ships and crowds. I also liked the ambience on that ship - not overly large and the crowd was so friendly. Wouldn't it be interesting if we ended up on the same cruise again? TOPSHAM - I believe you were on the same cruise as well - but only know that from something that you had posted......

 

Shih-tzu, it would be fabulous to be on the same cruise as you again. And Topsham as well [who was indeed on our Bermuda sailing last year and is such a wonderful conversationalist!].

[mariner]

Your post is troubling on many fronts.

 

Ship understaffed. A loud drunk and YOU had to ask bartender to call security, which never came.

 

The extra-tariff restaurants not up to snuff.

 

Great crew. So what. First three things speak of a ship that needs some refinement.

[TomAndJane]

Your post is troubling on many fronts.

 

Ship understaffed. A loud drunk and YOU had to ask bartender to call security, which never came.

 

The extra-tariff restaurants not up to snuff.

 

Great crew. So what. First three things speak of a ship that needs some refinement.

 

I think that all ships may need some refinement. Regardless of that we had a great time and a great cruise.

[Shih-tzu]

Shih-tzu, it would be fabulous to be on the same cruise as you again. And Topsham as well [who was indeed on our Bermuda sailing last year and is such a wonderful conversationalist!].

 

That's would be fab.....I either missed Topsham or was speaking to him and didn't realize it. Of course the crutches slowed me down the first 5 days so I missed the Roll Call, etc.....

[St Pete Cruiser]

I know this is last years thread, but wanted to follow up. I just booked my cruise to Bermuda: the 14 day from Montreal on June 3 with the second week to Hamilton, Bermuda. Wanted to follow Stephen Card's advice to do it before the Veendam/ Maasdam leave the fleet. Noticed that Rotterdam is going to Bermuda when it repositions from Tampa to Europe next year AND it has to dock at Kings Wharf. Anyone with recent experience in Bermuda, please add your helpful incites.

Thanks!

[navybankerteacher]

I am looking at Boston-Bermuda this year - it is such a shame that new builds are sizing themselves out of Hamilton (and earlier out of St. Geotge). Dockyard is such an inconvenient tourist trap. Even NCL was OK on their Boston--St. George itineraries - I'm afraid after a year or so it will all be these floating shopping malls on that run.

[OlsSalt]

I....... Anyone with recent experience in Bermuda, please add your helpful incites.

Thanks!

 

Well, I suppose you could get off the ship with a sign that says "Stop Brexit" or "Free Scotland" or "Camilla for Queen" .....

 

(Tee, hee ----typo joke)

[St Pete Cruiser]

LOL. I think I better behave while I am there. Am I correct to think Bermuda is still under the crown? With all that is in the news of late, I'm content to venture to Canada and Bermuda and maybe not too much further.

[OlsSalt]

LOL. I think I better behave while I am there. Am I correct to think Bermuda is still under the crown? With all that is in the news of late, I'm content to venture to Canada and Bermuda and maybe not too much further.

 

Be sure you ask for scwans with your tea and not scoowns.

[HokiePoq]

I was on board VEENDAM in Bermuda (11th to 18th). I was not cruising in the ship this year, but I did get on board twice evening as a visitor with friends who were.

 

The ship looked very good. Good paint job. Well, one of the perks of the VEENDAM is three full days alongside with the painting barge on every call at Hamilton. Very few ships that chance to do a 'wet dock' every week!

 

I could only see what I could see, but the crew looked their normal cheerful self. One dinner in Pinnacle. Excellent. Second evening went on board for Canaletto. Good but perhaps the dinner was not quite as last year. The stewed ribs just a touch tough, but nothing to complain about.

 

First evening for drinks in Oceaan Bar. It seems that bar is only used because it is 'happy hour'. Sad, Oceaan Bar used to be THE place to have drinks and hang out. I saw once couple sitting in the lounge with T shirts and SHORT shorts and flip flops and feet sitting up on the chairs. Sad. The following evening... Crows Nest, best view of Hamilton and also a bit quiet.

 

Next year the VEENDAM will only be making one call in Hamilton. This is the smack in the middle of the AMERICA's CUP, but that week is a quiet week. Still, there will be a lot of things to do.

 

Hope she is again in 2018. Time is running out!

 

Stephen

 

Ocean Bar stayed very busy on Amazon Explorer this winter. (I think the bartenders were better during our cruise...) Also the group played at night with people dancing and tea was there in the afternoon as well. Agree with the observations about the great crew. As for those who imbibed too much....the Brazilian caprianas caused security to have to escort a number of people back on the ship in one port and carry one back on a stretcher. You were right to ask for security that night in the piano bar.

Edited May 3, 2017 by HokiePoq

[St Pete Cruiser]

Hi Hokie,

Yes those Brazillian drinks got the better of several. I remember Abrie warned us! Bermuda will be the opposite....very expensive and weak drinks, so I don't think we will see them being carried back in stretchers. I checked today; the local bus all day pass is $19 (here in St Pete it is $4.50) and the Hamilton happy hour is $6 for a 9 ounce beer. The hotels are $500 a night, so I am liking the Veendam better and better. Calling Stephen Card(Topsham), your wisdom and advice would be much appreciated!

[JimAOk1945]

Thanks for posting your review. Our last HAL cruise was on the Veendam. We had no problems--unlike the people whose cabins were flooded the last night.

Flooding?!? What happened? We will be on the Veendam in December so I'm concerned.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Forums mobile app

[HokiePoq]

Hi Hokie,

Yes those Brazillian drinks got the better of several. I remember Abrie warned us! Bermuda will be the opposite....very expensive and weak drinks, so I don't think we will see them being carried back in stretchers. I checked today; the local bus all day pass is $19 (here in St Pete it is $4.50) and the Hamilton happy hour is $6 for a 9 ounce beer. The hotels are $500 a night, so I am liking the Veendam better and better. Calling Stephen Card(Topsham), your wisdom and advice would be much appreciated!

 

Don't think I bought anything but a ginger beer during a lunch and a rum swizzle at the Swizzle Inn when we were there. I think docking in Hamilton will be a real plus. We were at the Dockyard on X. We did the pass thing one day, Hidden Gems of Bermuda private tour (awesome) one day, and ship's excursion to the beach last day. Saw a lot in three days!

[prescottbob]

Hello!

 

We recently did a Veendam PC transit (January) and the Navigator app was available for PC's, pads & phones. I recall that directions for doing so were mentioned in the daily schedule on embarkation (using the ship existing Wi-Fi: log in and no need buy internet time, etc.).

 

The directions were fairly clear (right up my 'alley') and once set up you could access your on-board account, make dinner reservations, view the 'new & improved' daily schedule (which I'm not a big fan of) and other assorted information.

 

Recent staffing cutbacks (e.g. librarian, lecture folks), the CD no longer announcing arrivals & lack of proof reading the daily program for basic English were minor irritants I suppose.

 

We also found the staff (beverage, housekeeping, laundry services & front office staff) outstanding and the food has improved (this was our 4th cruise on the 'Vee') however, the pool maintenance, plumbing & A/C in various venues certainly had 'issues' & needed improvement, IMHO.

 

I don't think we'll be scheduling another cruise on the 'Vee' anytime soon but one never knows, no?

 

Be well to one & all.

 

Calm seas.

Bob:)

[GG345]

Sailing to Bermuda June 17, 2017 on Veendam. Curious if anyone has heard whether there will be information given specifically about the J Boat Regatta during the time we will be there. It is our main reason for selecting this cruise. Lots of activities associated with the America's Cup Regatta.