Hello from Volendam!

[hammybee]

Well. That sums it up nicely. :) Thanks for taking me/us along for the ride.

 

Ditto. A really professional summary.

[gizmo]

Hi Rev,

 

Thanks for your review. I enjoyed reading it. I also enjoyed your posts while you were on your cruise. :)

[Atomica]

Greg,

 

Thanks for the very in-depth and informative review of the Volendam! Glad to hear service in the dining rooms is getting back up to speed. Looking forward to seeing your pictures when they're up!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Greg, many thanks for your review!!! I really enjoyed following along with you on your journey as well. It was a great thread.:)

 

I'm so happy to hear you feel the dining room service has improved ... always one of my pet peeves about HAL. I hope that holds true for our upcoming cruise as well.

 

Thanks again! I look forward to your pictures!

[mamaofami]

Greg, it's great to read your well thought out comments on the Volendam. I enjoyed being along for the ride and really appreciate all the tech help you've given me along the way. I've now got a laptop coming along on my next cruise.

 

By the way, we were on the Noordam last February and never had a service problem in the diningroom. But I did have a friend on your cruise in January who complained about the service and that the fod was cold. Maybe they had gotten it together by February or maybe we were just in a good spot and were lucky.

[RevNeal]

By the way, we were on the Noordam last February and never had a service problem in the diningroom. But I did have a friend on your cruise in January who complained about the service and that the fod was cold. Maybe they had gotten it together by February or maybe we were just in a good spot and were lucky.

 

As I stated in my review, the marked improvement in service was quite noticeable on Noordam this January ... particularly so over what we experienced in Feb/March 2006 aboard the Inaugural cruise. Of course, milage will always vary ... some people will have excellent service, and some not-so-excellent. But, overall, I thought the service this past January aboard the Noordam was quite good. It wasn't quite as good on the Ryndam this past March, but neither was it at all bad.

[mamaofami]

As I stated in my review, the marked improvement in service was quite noticeable on Noordam this January ... particularly so over what we experienced in Feb/March 2006 aboard the Inaugural cruise. Of course, milage will always vary ... some people will have excellent service, and some not-so-excellent. But, overall, I thought the service this past January aboard the Noordam was quite good. It wasn't quite as good on the Ryndam this past March, but neither was it at all bad.

 

 

Sorry Greg, I misread what you originally wrote.

[RevNeal]

Sorry Greg, I misread what you originally wrote.

 

That's alright, Carol ... it may well have been more my awkward phrasing than any misreading on your part. :) So ... to be certain I'm clear:

 

Service on the Noordam in Feb/March 2006 was ok, but with lots of problems.

Service on the Zaandam in October 2006 was better ... but tended to be slow.

Service on the Noordam this past Jan was excellent.

Service on the Ryndam this past March was satisfactory ... neither great nor bad, just ok.

Service on the Volendam this November was excellent to outstanding.

[ldog]

Thanks Rev

 

A good summary of the Volendam. I posted much of the same from our repo cruise in October. I would comment though, that the Captain was around the ship a lot during the day on our trip. We talked to him over breakfast at the back Lido deck. He was there most days.

[RevNeal]

A good summary of the Volendam. I posted much of the same from our repo cruise in October. I would comment though, that the Captain was around the ship a lot during the day on our trip. We talked to him over breakfast at the back Lido deck. He was there most days.

 

Was it Captain Wilhelmus "Fred" Eversen ?

[JohnR49er]

I could see a lowering of quality of the food on this ship compared to the Noordam 1 year ago. Subjective on my part, agreed. The Noordam and Maasdam Pinnacle Grills served a better meal IMHO.

The ship needs maintainance without a doubt. While it is seaworthy, it certainly could use everyday routine things done that are just left being left undone. An out of order toilet near the lido for half the cruise makes you wonder what is going on?

The crew did their best and were generally top notch, but I feel they have been thinned out and are overburdened.

I could care less about the dress code debate, but.............

let me throw my grenade and take cover..........

Whats the difference between someone who isn't dressed in the appropriate attire and not bothering anybody and someone who is decked out and gets wasted to the point of getting lost in the bathroom and having to be escorted after they were found wondering?????

I had the misfortune of sitting in the lido several mornings and having to overhear without trying, the daily report, from the cub reporter, of who was drunk, who did what, did you see what they did, did you hear what they said etc. etc. This was from the "Well" heeled group.

I had a great cruise and was just left with the feeling that too many people have too much time to take pictures, gossip, and be judgemental. I guess if thats what makes their cruise, good for them. I have better things to do, like enjoy myself and not worry about what everyone does.

Some Cruise Critics should remember that they may be living in glass houses ............................

[Copper10-8]

Was it Captain Wilhelmus "Fred" Eversen ?

 

According to the sched that would have been Pieter Visser as Volendam's master on that 28 SEP 07 repo. from San Diego. Capt. Fred took over from him when Volendam arrived in FLL on 17 OCT 07

[Susie51]

Thanks for the detailed review.

[ldog]

Yes it was Pieter Visser.

 

Captain Albert's blog has an interesting comment about the Black & White Ball. He has it on the night before Grand Cayman on this cruise because there is later docking and time change that adds an hour. The officers are under less pressure so can get to the ball.

[ekerr19]

I

 

Whats the difference between someone who isn't dressed in the appropriate attire and not bothering anybody and someone who is decked out and gets wasted to the point of getting lost in the bathroom and having to be escorted after they were found wondering?????

 

I had the misfortune of sitting in the lido several mornings and having to overhear without trying, the daily report, from the cub reporter, of who was drunk, who did what, did you see what they did, did you hear what they said etc. etc. This was from the "Well" heeled group.

 

I had a great cruise and was just left with the feeling that too many people have too much time to take pictures, gossip, and be judgemental. I guess if thats what makes their cruise, good for them. I have better things to do, like enjoy myself and not worry about what everyone does.

 

Some Cruise Critics should remember that they may be living in glass houses ............................

 

John -

 

Wow, was this from the Volendam cruise referenced in this post or a Noordam cruise?

 

I agree with your comments about denigrating others. Each of us has our weaknesses, faults, etc. - I agree it makes no sense to continually point these out in others, though I think it is often times just human nature to do so. :)

[spacecat]

I could see a lowering of quality of the food on this ship compared to the Noordam 1 year ago. Subjective on my part, agreed. The Noordam and Maasdam Pinnacle Grills served a better meal IMHO.

The ship needs maintainance without a doubt. While it is seaworthy, it certainly could use everyday routine things done that are just left being left undone. An out of order toilet near the lido for half the cruise makes you wonder what is going on?

The crew did their best and were generally top notch, but I feel they have been thinned out and are overburdened.

I could care less about the dress code debate, but.............

let me throw my grenade and take cover..........

 

Whats the difference between someone who isn't dressed in the appropriate attire and not bothering anybody and someone who is decked out and gets wasted to the point of getting lost in the bathroom and having to be escorted after they were found wondering?????

 

I had the misfortune of sitting in the lido several mornings and having to overhear without trying, the daily report, from the cub reporter, of who was drunk, who did what, did you see what they did, did you hear what they said etc. etc. This was from the "Well" heeled group.

 

I had a great cruise and was just left with the feeling that too many people have too much time to take pictures, gossip, and be judgemental. I guess if thats what makes their cruise, good for them. I have better things to do, like enjoy myself and not worry about what everyone does.

 

Some Cruise Critics should remember that they may be living in glass houses ............................

....a glass house, or any type of house for that matter. (Won't bring up exactly what type of house I am referring to...) I don't understand when some of these "critics" say it doesn't impact them personally, but impacts the atmosphere? Obviously, its personal (and they have made it personal by including pictures of strangers to try to make some sort of point). You are right about some people having too much time on their hands....I am starting to wonder why I even take a peek at this stuff sometimes...

Shari

[NoNoNanette]

Some Cruise Critics should remember that they may be living in glass houses

 

Indeed! They ARE living in "glass houses".

 

Excellent post! :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

JohnR, interesting to read your perspective. I agree that sometimes any one of us can be too judgmental of others and unfortunately this forum seems to almost encourage it.

 

I think it's one of the reasons I realized recently that cruising was much more magical before I discovered CC. There's much to be learned here, a lot of really good information, but along with that flows an unfortunate undercurrent that probably we would be better off without.

[RevNeal]

Whats the difference between someone who isn't dressed in the appropriate attire and not bothering anybody and someone who is decked out and gets wasted to the point of getting lost in the bathroom and having to be escorted after they were found wondering?????

 

I was, and continue to be, quite concerned about this person. It is, indeed, a very tragic situation, and one which tends to place into stark perspective such minimal issues as dress codes. That someone(s) would dare to use it as a component of factors to attack others, however, is both disappointing and problematic in the extreme.

[ekerr19]

I was, and continue to be, quite concerned about this person. It is, indeed, a very tragic situation, and one which tends to place into stark perspective such minimal issues as dress codes. That someone(s) would dare to use it as a component of factors to attack others, however, is both disappointing and problematic in the extreme.

 

But don't you see John's point? I think I do. It's easy to cast stones and talk about "who did what to whom" and "who drank x amount", etc.

 

I DON'T want to know who this person is - and I don't see that John was offering this up as an attack - merely to point out that we're all human. :)

 

We all make mistakes on occasion. We shouldn't necessarily be ridiculed for them. :)

[Copper10-8]

And now for something completely different!

Men Are Just Happier People --- What do you expect from such simple creatures?

 

Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can be President.

You can never get pregnant.

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.

You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal.

You never have to drive to another gas station restroom

because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress-$5000. Tux rental-$100.

People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.

The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

You almost never have strap problems in public.

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original color.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

Your belly usually hides your big hips.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th, in 25 minutes.

 

No wonder men are happier;)

 

[ekerr19]

JohnR, interesting to read your perspective. I agree that sometimes any one of us can be too judgmental of others and unfortunately this forum seems to almost encourage it.

 

I think it's one of the reasons I realized recently that cruising was much more magical before I discovered CC. There's much to be learned here, a lot of really good information, but along with that flows an unfortunate undercurrent that probably we would be better off without.

 

Heather -

 

Maybe it should be like that commercial... "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", lol.

 

I like reading about a cruise - that said, I like hearing about "the cruise" - and don't necessarily think the "other stuff" belongs on a public forum, but that's just me.

 

I also think John's post is a reminder that we're all on vacation - maybe we do and say things we wouldn't normally do. ;)

[hammybee]

And now for something completely different!

 

Men Are Just Happier People --- What do you expect from such simple creatures?

 

This is a keeper. Thanks for the laugh. :D

[RevNeal]

But don't you see John's point? I think I do. It's easy to cast stones and talk about "who did what to whom" and "who drank x amount", etc.

 

I DO see John's point. I just disagree with using someone's tragic illness to make it.

 

I DON'T want to know who this person is - and I don't see that John was offering this up as an attack - merely to point out that we're all human. :)

 

John shared discussion and events from aboard ship, much of which he admittedly only overheard about events which he didn't see. In other words, he gossiped about other people's gossip. Others than took that gossip and, hoping for further salacious details and possible ammunition for their real-world attacks, virtually slobbered in hopes that pictures might have been taken of the sad event ... either by John himself or by Brian (who has to be the "cub reporter" referenced in John's post, since I wasn't present at the referenced breakfast discussions).

 

We all make mistakes on occasion. We shouldn't necessarily be ridiculed for them. :)

 

Yes, we do all make mistakes ... and those mistakes also shouldn't be held against us for all eternity and taken into the real-world and used in an attempt to destroy the real-world life and careers of others.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather -

 

Maybe it should be like that commercial... "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", lol. ............

 

I think you're right, Laura! That's a great thought!:)

 

.................

 

John shared discussion and events from aboard ship, much of which he admittedly only overheard about events which he didn't see. In other words, he gossiped about other people's gossip. Others than took that gossip and, hoping for further salacious details and possible ammunition for their real-world attacks, virtually slobbered in hopes that pictures might have been taken of the sad event ... either by John himself or by Brian (who has to be the "cub reporter" referenced in John's post, since I wasn't present at the referenced breakfast discussions).

 

Yes, we do all make mistakes ... and those mistakes also shouldn't be held against us for all eternity and taken into the real-world and used in an attempt to destroy the real-world life and careers of others.

 

Greg, with respect, this thread was much about gossip albeit about people we don't know, but still gossip and with pictures. I think JohnR was merely trying to point out that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

 

He was obviously turned off by the judgmental attitude of people who remained nameless until your post.

 

I really don't mean to take issue with you, but JohnR didn't start this. I learned a while ago that in this cyber world at least, most of us are rarely forgiven. It comes with the territory unfortunately.