Veendam Info Needed - Cruise Newbies!!

[MisterEd]

OK Gang....this is our 2nd cruise (the first was awful :mad: ) so this time we booked with HAL. I sure would like some insider info regarding the ship Veendam. Best places to eat, shows to watch, tours of the ship, etc. We are staying in room B-169....good room?

 

This is where the ship is taking us...any recommendations while in these ports?

 

DayPortArrivalDeparture0 Tampa Bay 5:00 PM1 Key West11:30 AM6:00 PM2 At Sea 3 Belize City8:00 AM6:00 PM4 Santo Tomas de Castilla6:00 AM6:00 PM5 Costa Maya (Majahual)8:00 AM5:00 PM6 At Sea 7 Tampa Bay7:00 AM

 

Any advice is appreciated....thanks in advance.

 

Ed

[WindyCity]

We took the same cruise in December. My Brother in law and his wife had B170 - nice location - midship near the stairs.

In Key West, we took the conch train - was very nice - got tickets while on shore. Key West is nice to walk around in also, but we took the train. It circumnavigated the whole island - up and down the streets crisscrossing through Key West. Tour guide was very informative.

In Belize, we booked through HAL and took the Air Boat. This was a bus ride to the Air Boat dock - Tour guide on the bus was very informative. At the Air Boat dock, there were rest rooms and free water or local soda - we chose the soda and it was good. Air boat ride was wonderful! We then took a bus back to the dock with a different tour guide, on a different route and again the tour guide was very informative. Pulling up to the dock area, we passed a small area of street vendors and walked back to them. Got some very good deals.

We stayed in the port area in Guatemala and just shopped. Very good prices - make sure you stop at the information desk and pick up your "worry dolls" Again - good shopping - lots of silver, woven goods and jade. Bargain with the vendors.

In Costa Maya, all the others in our group booked the ATV through HAL and thought it was not worth the money - they went down streets instead of through the jungle and had a very short stop at a beach - enough time to go to the washroom and back on the ATV traveling the same route. Shopping in Costa Maya port is an experience. Port area was very nice and you could bargain with some of the vendors.

As far as the Veendam - she is beautiful and the captain is wonderful! We only watched 1 show - the Show Tunes - we really liked it.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask & I will respond.

Have a great cruise!

Kris

[senator6]

I would have to echo most of what Windy city said. In key west we did the trolley, booked on line at $22.50 each. In Belize we did the air boat as well and really enjoyed it. In Costa Maya we went to Tequila Beach and enjoyed it- there were two large Carnival ships in port that day so it did detract- would like to go back when there are less people.

 

The ship is great we liked the signature of excellence changes better on the Veendam than the Maasdam for Crows Nest and sports Bar. We have stayed in many B-category cabins and found them to be great.

[sortingthoughts]

Ed

 

My husband and I took this cruise for our honeymoon on 2/25 - and we loved it!

 

Our cruise highlights are on my blog if you'd like to see it. My husband posted our photos on his website as well, if you'd like to see these, please let me know and I'll email you the address (I don't want to put our addresses out there for the 'world' but would gladly email them to you.

 

Kellie

[I Luv Crusin]

My DH and I were on the Veendam last April. Not on the same itinerary but we enjoyed the ship. (My DH looking over my shoulder said that he," REALLY liked that trip!")

 

The ship isn't large but big enough. I liked the Explorations area, Computer service was slooow, Pinnacle Grille was nice but not great, we liked the culinary shows. (IF you want to do a class sign-up at the front desk when you board the ship, at least we did.) The protestant Sunday service was nice but awkward-it was done by a Catholic priest who was very uncomfortable. Service was outstanding. I loved the fact that the staff not only greeted you with a smile but also with your name! We liked the promanade deck but unfortunately I forgot my walking shoes. We really liked the fact that we could find places to "practice" our ballroom dancing. We are in our mid to upper 40's.

[willowoodf]

We've been on the Veendam twice and LOVE her! I love this size ship, not huge, but like a previous poster said, big enough. I love the Explorations Cafe, a nice place to catch up on e-mail, or read a book or do a crossword or jigsaw puzzle. DH and I love to watch the old movies in our room at night, or during sea days when we are being lazy. They also have new movies at the "theatre" then on room TV afterwards. DH and I did that same itinerary last year and loved it. We did snorkeling in Key West and that was fun, although I wish we would have just walked around and gone to the different places to see. Everywhere else we did Mayan excursions, which we LOVED. Really see history. Of course, one of the best things about Veendam and HAL is their staff. The Indonesian and Phillipino staff are WONDERFUL. You will enjoy it!

 

Curious - what was your cruise that you hated??

 

Mary

[grammyc]

Ed, We were also on the Veendam on 2/25 with 14 family members for a family reunion. It was the time of our lives and also mine and DH's first cruise. The Veendam is a wonderful ship. I will touch on a few highlights without boring you to death! Cabin - I can't comment on the cabin you are in as we were on the Navigation deck in a verandah cabin. However, all of the cabins have the greatest bedding and emenities. (it was the best sleep I've ever had). Food - The food was OK. We are from the south and meat and potatoes people. The gourmet food in the Rotterdam dining room wasn't our style of food, but presented well and some had very good flavor. The Lido buffet food is very good with a lot of variety. Of course, the dessert bar . . . well let's just say "BREAD PUDDING"! It was my one indulgence on the cruise on a daily basis! Pools- If you are looking for one less crowded, the pool aftside on the Navigation deck is quieter and has 2 decks with many deck chairs. The pool on the Lido deck has a lot more swimmers and sunbathers but still has many deckchairs. Both pools have quick drink service if one should decide to have something to drink at the pool. Shows - We didn't go to any of the shows, but some family members enjoyed the impersonator show and said he was quite good. Casino - We played in the casino every night and had a blast! If you play any of the table games, say hello to Valentina and Olympia for "Dennis and family". They will know who we are!!! Valentina is the funniest and most engaging and Olympia is very quiet and reserved but friendly and engaging in her own way. Excursions - Key West - Took tram into town and shopped on our own. Be sure to have a slice of Key Lime Pie!!! Belize - Booked through HAL for the Cave Tubing Adventure. The best excursion by far! I was skeptical at first but would do this again in a heartbeat! Make sure you can walk for about 45 minutes before beginning tubing down the river. Great tour guides. Make sure you take a waterproof camera with you if you do this as I didn't have one and missed the whole excursion on film. Still kicking myself!! Guatemala- Booked through HAL for the Amatique Resort excursion. You will be taken by water taxi to resort. Nice pool at resort with quite a few local vendors selling anything from jewelry to clothing to souveniers. Haggle!!! It's all part of the game with these people. Bought a necklace for granddaughter that started at $25.00 but held my ground with lady and she sold it to me for $10.00. Costa Maya - Booked through HAL for the Mayan Reality tour. Taken by bus for a 45 minute ride to a town for a guided tour and then to a local "home" for a bit of Mayan hospitality. Back at the pier, there are a lot of vendors for shopping and haggling! Nice beach port! Nice view for sailaway! The Veendam is a wonderful ship! We will definately sail on her again! The shops are pricey, but tax free. Left my digital camera battery charger at work so thought it was time to buy a new camera. Was nice to pay $199.99 with no tax added! The entire crew was friendly and always remembered our names! Even the people at the front desk smiled and said hello even if you were just walking by! The coffee at the Explorations cafe reminded me of Starbucks or similar. We did go to the Pinnicle Grill one night and paid the extra fee, but wouldn't do again as we didn't feel the food was any better than as in the dining room. The library area was nice, comfy and quiet! I liked that there are several places on the ship to sit, enjoy a drink and listen to a variety of music. Each are secluded in their own way. Well, I guess I've gone on too long so I will be glad to answer any other qustions, so please don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best. Happy sailing, Cindy

[grammyc]

Terribly sorry how my message above is laid out on screen! Had it in paragraph form, but somehow I messed up and it didn't show up that way!! By the way, Lisa, how do I e-mail you to be able to see your blog? We were on your cruise and would love to see your pics. I'm new on this board and not sure how to navigate my way around for e-mails. Thanks in advance. Cindy

[MisterEd]

Thanks to everyone who has posted responses! Seems like we made a good decision with choosing this cruise. Anyone have any experince with a scuba diving excursions at these ports?

 

How about special treats on-board the ship? I want this cruise to be very special for my wife.

 

Since someone asked about the first cruise.....it was with Carnival. I could write pages on what I think was wrong but simply put; we were lied too twice, food was OK but served poorly, hours old pizza under warming lights was their version of a "midnight buffet".

 

Again, many thanks to everyone. I'll be lurking trying to get smarter on cruising!!

 

Ed