Statendam Alaska

[blg]

We're going to do a back to back on the Statedam to Alaska starting on July4 and wondered if anyone here has done the Statedam this year. I just read an absolutely horrible review from a couple of weeks ago, and some of my excitement is dwindling. We've done Alaska quite a few times before and know that we'll love the scenery, but having never been on the Statendam before we are wondering how it will be. We want to love the ship too. Please say something encouraging. (Also has anyone used a scooter on this ship, and how is the accessibility?) Thanks.

Barb

[NYteacher]

I'm on the same first half of your trip. I am new to both HAL and cruising overall. I just wanted to respond that there have been several really good posts about the Statendam. I don't know if you'll be able to see them with the new board having wiped out the old, but they were very reassuring.

 

In addition, when I looked closely at the comments, the things that distressed some people wouldn't really bother me, perhaps because it is my first cruise and I've nothing to compare it to.

 

What I mean is that I wouldn't feel let down by a lack of chocolate covered strawberries or a white-gloved escort to my room (maybe because I wouldn't have experienced them before).

 

All in all I am really looking forward to this trip. Maybe someone who has recently taken the Statendam would add their own comments.

[localady]

I wish I could respond to your question regarding the Statendam regarding this year. We loved her and Alaska so much that we are going back to do 2 weeks on the Ryndam. The only reason we didn't select the Statendam was because of availabilities. I sure hope you enjoy your trip:):cool: Bring lots of film or memory for your camera and a pair of binoculars!

[user8]

I just got back from taking the Statendam from Vancouver to Seward last week. This was our second trip to Alaska and our third time on Statendam. We loved it. Our trip was fantastic.

 

As I had filled our our immigration forms on line, embarkation was as smooth as silk. It only took about 10 minutes from the time we got off the bus at the pier until we were on board. It wouldn't have taken that long if we hadn't had to stop for our first encounter with the on board photographer.

 

We were in a D cabin on the main deck. HAL had put new matressess on the bed and they were delightful. They also had robes hanging in the room for us and a bowl of fruit which they replinished as we ate it.

 

After reading on the boards how much things had deteriorated on HAL ships, we found none of it to be true in our experience. The service in the dining room and Lido were exceptional. Our room steward was great.

 

We had two formal nights. I wore a tux to the first one but because there were so few others, I opted for a coat and tie for the second one. At the second formal night, I did not see a single tux being worn. This is something I had never seen before on any HAL ship and I am now trying to decide if I will even take my tux next month on our Transatlantic cruise.

 

I thought the entertainment was very good each night although we did miss one night to go to the movie. As for the movies, I did not see any that I especially cared for. In fact, since we were the last to leave the ship in Seward, they showed a movie which I thought was totally inappropriate for the children who attended because of its foul language and graphic sex. We walked out and waited in the Java Cafe until time to disembark.

 

Over all, we had a great cruise and I think you will to. I would love to be going back.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

OH My, No Tuxs, I have to admit there were very few on the Oosterdam in May to Alaska but there were some including my husband. I would guess about 10 % of them men. You would tend to see more when you looked over the pictures in the photo gallery and see some from the other seatings or other level.

[blg]

I just got back from taking the Statendam from Vancouver to Seward last week. This was our second trip to Alaska and our third time on Statendam. We loved it. Our trip was fantastic.

 

Thanks tons for reassuring us. We've loved HAL in the past and had really hoped that the Statendam wouldn't be any different. Big sigh of relief here.

How was the food... it would be nice to hear that it's great, but it wouldn't kill us if isn't.:))

Barb

[user8]

In general, the food was pretty good. There were lots of choices.

 

For breakfast, I usually had an omelet cooked to order with a variety of ingredients, plus milk and fruit. For lunch, I frequently had a hamburger, topped off with either ice cream or their delicious bread pudding.

 

In the evenings, they always had several entree choices usually among beef, sea food, chicken, vegitarian or from the grill. I especially liked the king crab legs and the steak and lobster. The best I remember, there was always two salads, two soups and three or four appetizers offered. There were never any cold soups on the menu as on past cruises.

 

I am not a picky eater, but I thought everything was good although I usually ordered without their sauces.

 

We did not eat in the Pinnacle Grill.

 

As a side note, every time anyone at our table ordered, our waiter always commented that we had made excellent choices, regardless of what we ordered.

[garydm]

We did the 16 day Panama Canal Cruise on Statendam in January and had a great time. This was our second trip on this ship in a year and it was because we like it so much. Have been on Amsterdam and Ryndam also, but thanks, I think, to Frits Gehner being the hotel manager (hope he is still on board) they do an incredible job and it is our favorite HAL ship. Food was wonderful as was the service. Ate in Pinnacle one night just to break things up, but not necessary as the dining room food is so good.

 

I did a very positive review back in February, but it has never appeared in the CC Review Section.

 

Gary

[carmzav]

I'm glad to hear such positive things. We booked our cruise last week (leaving Seward on August 8.) After I booked, I started reading some horrible reviews, so I was getting a little nervous too!

 

I've only been on one cruise before, and that was an RC (Majesty of the Seas.) I wasn't very impressed, but I think my expectations were way too high. Plus, it was just barely a week after September 11, 2001, and I think people in the tourism industry were as scared and nervous as we were.

 

I read the reviews and take them with a grain of salt. One review I read went on and on about the quality of the food. I guess if you are used to fine dining, then you'd probably be disappointed with a cruise. I guess I just don't look at a cruise as a place just to eat and eat, although I do enjoy a good meal!

 

And, there are some people who just complain about everything, no matter what!

 

I'm just excited about the scenery and being able to go to different ports without packing up my suitcases and driving.

[seattleadjuster]

I had a great time on the Statendam. As to the scooters, one member of our party got run over by a runaway scooter! The story got better (as retold by other passengers) as the cruise went on.

 

I posted a review at http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=4752

 

I also have all the menu's in *pdf format if you'd like them emailed, write me at fax1956@msn.com.

[Palmetto Tiger]

We sailed the northbound leg to Alaska during the week of May 9. We loved the Statendam. It was a very relaxing week. If you are looking for relaxation and beautiful scenery this is the ship and trip for you. If you yearn for things to do onboard such as physical activities, this is not the ship for you.

 

That said, the service was top notch. We were in a Deluxe Suite which I highly recommend. The use of the Neptune Lounge and its services was top notch.

 

The food was above average except for the bread pudding which was absolutely fantastic. I beg you to eat a bowl or two for me!!!

 

Bottom line is would I take another trip on the Statendam....YES, in a heartbeat.

 

Enjoy your trip.

 

PS: Take several VHS tapes with you and put in the VCR. We bought several in Ketchikan for use. There is a TV channel that shows a live camera from the bridge. Not great quality but you can relive a lot of the trip.

[Thoth]

The Statendam is great!!! You leave this Sunday? You will have a wonderful time!

[JohnQ]

While we have not been on the Statendam lately, we did the southbound Alaska tour in 2002, and were delighted. We had the same concerns then because we had read some bad reviews then, and it was only 4 yrs old I think. The reason we chose Statendam was due to being a smaller ship, which is easier to unload in ports, the open decks for outstanding nature viewing and it looks like a SHIP, not a floating box as most of the new mega ships are doing in order to squeeze in more balconies. Best service we have had on any ship and many of the people on board were repeat Statendam cruisers.

[PassionFruit]

We, too, were on the Statendam last week doing a northbound Alaska cruise. I found the ship and her crew to be outstanding! The cabin steward was the best I've had, and the dining room stewards were outstanding as well. Be sure to look for Sam in the Lido. He prepares the trays for guests as they come in and is a riot as he announces the selection for the day, gives information about the stops, and even sings! Our room (Cat A - Verandah Suite) was very comfortable, clean, and was attended to promptly every day as soon as we stepped out. I found the food to be very good to great.

 

I will say, though, that I go into a cruise EXPECTING to have a great time and enjoy everything. Most likely, at least some of the critics are people who go looking for things to be critical about.

 

Here's one tip for you if you are interested in this type of thing. There is a 15 - 20 minute tour of the spa the afternoon you first get on the ship. All 4 in our group attended and signed up for the drawing at the end of the tour. You had to be present to win the prizes. There were only 10 - 15 people who showed up for the drawing and 3 out of our group won prizes (50% discount on a Happy Hands and Feet treatment, FREE body exfoliation and self-tan, and FREE Ionithermie treatment). We really enjoyed these!

 

Have a great cruise!

[blg]

You guys are all great... I knew that the Statendam couldn't be as bad as I was reading. I know that our two weeks (starting this Sunday) will be outstanding. Thanks, too, Seattleadjuster, for the menus. Looks like good food to me. This will be our 30 something cruise and we've never had a bad one, and are looking forward to this being one of the best. Now I gotta go pack.:)

[DonMaryCar]

Just wanted to reassure any of you that are doing the Alaska cruise on the Statendam, we did back to back May/June and it was wonderful. Can't really think of anything to complain about ;) I agree Sam is great, I even went up on stage with them at the Indonesian Cruise show. All the crew of the Statendam make you feel special. We had done the Hawaii Cruise in Feb on her too, enough said. Would do her again anytime.

 

Have a great time, sounds like from the long range weather forecast, you should have some great weather. If you can swing it try to book a helicopter ride to the glacier in Juneau. A experience we'll never forget

[Barocl]

This will be our 7th Statendam cruise. All were great except one. We cannot figure out what happen on that cruise. We are expecting the normal HAL cruise on the 4th July to Alaska. Take care