Statendam Questions

[Vicar]

As several of you here know , GF and I are planning to get married in the next year . We are thinking about a Hawaiian cruise.

 

I see on the HAL site that the Statendam has a nice 16 day trip from San Diego. Just from the info on the site, it seems like a nice itinerary, from the few pics there it looks like a beautiful ship.

 

Has anyone done this cruise and what did you think of it?

 

Thanks in advance for any info :)

[RuthC]

I sailed the Statendam from Vancouver to San Diego, Circle Hawaii, and return to San Diego the first of October '00. I also sailed a 16-day Circle Hawaii round trip from L.A. during the winter way back when.

 

The cruise over is five relaxing sea days, followed by five port days in a row (busy), then five more days at sea to recouperate.

 

Each port has it's own charm. I'm especially fond of Lahaina and Kauaii.

The first day (or more) out and last day back can be cool, depending on time of year. Seas aren't always "pacific", so be prepared if the motion of the ocean is a problem for either of you.

 

Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate a life together.

[Vicar]

Ruth

 

 

hmmmm now the amount of sea days sounds good because we both really enjoy them. 5 days of busy port days would be okay too.

 

Not sure the exact date so I will have to consider that in regards to the motion of the ocean. I have been very lucky so far as to have never had horribly rough seas when cruising. I sure don't want to start now if i can help it *LOL*

 

Thank you so much :)

[RuthC]

I never considered the seas rough at any point on either trip, but others did.

I guess it's an individual definition of "rough". You know your definition.

Some people get sick in the hot tub; others like to know they're at sea.

 

Any specific question please post.

[Vicar]

True

 

Rough seas are a matter of opinion in many cases . I have been on cruises where yes the movement was a little more noticeable at one point than the rest of the trip, but to hear a few fellow pax talk you would think we were in a monsoon in the China Seas *LOL*

[DonMaryCar]

We loved our cruise. Don't think I have ever had a bad cruise though. Unfortunately our cruise had some pretty rough seas and rainy weather. That is really not the fault of the cruiseline, mother nature had a hand in it. The crew even said it was much rougher than usual and inferred that the Pacific is usually rougher than Caribbean. I think maybe that is a matter of opinion as I have read on this board that others feel just the opposite.

 

Good mixture of sea/port days. The crew of Statendam is outstanding and even though it is a older smaller ship is was kept up nicely.

 

Passengers were all nice but we did find it to probably be the oldest average age on any cruise we have taken. We are forthysomething's but enjoyed the older folks but you aren't going to find much activity onboard the ship after 11:30 or so (if our cruise was any indication). Even the casino was closed by 1 am since nobody in there. Have heard the longer the cruise the higher the average age of the passenger, which makes sense.

 

Overall we thought it was a great trip. Have a great trip if you decide to go and congratulations on your upcoming marriage.:)

[Vicar]

DonMaryCar

 

 

Thank you so much for the info also.

 

Yes I have heard of that about the age/ cruise length factor. GF is 28 and I am 37. We are not "Animal House" party animals , but we like to have a good time. We have always enjoyed the company of people of all ages. I love sitting with older people and hearing about their lives and "the good old days" :)

 

I was looking for a good honeymoon cruise , By that I mean one with a good amount of honeymooners to pal around with. Nice that there probably won't be a lot of kids on board for that type of cruise. GF and I both have kids so we don't want to be inundated with other peoples kids :)

 

 

Thank you again :)

[Venture]

My wife and I did the 16-day Circle Hawaii San Diego To Vancouver this spring. RuthC has described the cruise as I would with the addition of how magnificent the Na Pali Coast, on the island of Kauai is. The food was, to our taste, excellent; the staff, as usual, were attentive and friendly; the ship, the first of the 'S' class , is still in remarkable condition especially her expansive teak decks.

 

One evening, we had the privilege of dining with the Captain. When I told him that our home was in Victoria, he informed us that Statendam was going to have an 18 day major refit in the Victoria drydock in the spring of 05. He stated the refit would include the upgrading of the ship's spa. If you decide to cruise Hawaii in the fall of 2005, you will see the results of the refit!

 

Yesterday, I was at the Victoria Cruise Terminal to view Oosterdam dock. She comes in 'stern first' and it is always a treat to witness how the crew can manoeuvre that ship with such ease alongside. No tugs- must be the azipods.I had conversation with a young man who told me he was an officer with HAL, and that he had just left Ryndam that morning. He was meeting a friend on Oosterdam and was sailing to Seattle. He said Ryndam was coming to Victoria drydock Sept 29 this fall for upgrading to the 'Signature of Excellence'. This includes enlarging forward on Lido deck the gymnasium and spa doing away with the forward Lido observation deck! One of my favorite spots for photo's!! He said that the officers are somewhat apprehensive for they fear of the noise of passengers running on the treadmills above them.

 

I know you would enjoy Statendam and Hawaii- My wife still gets teary eyed when thinking about the ceremony of throwing her lei into the pool!!

[Socal404]

My wife and I sailed on the Statendam in March, 2003 R/T from San Diego to the islands. It was great! We loved the sea days over and back. Very relaxing. You might want to consider travelling between Dec.-Apr. That is when the whale migrate to the islands. You'll see scores of them, and the snorkling is good, too. :p

[Vicar]

Venture and SoCal404

 

thank you both for the info :)

 

Hmmm that does sound nice about the Whale watching . I have been on a few whale watches up here in New England and they are fascinating .

 

We have also been snorkleing a few times and love that.

[starysacz]

We have been on three HAL cruises on the Statendam from San Diego and return to San Diego. Did not experience rough seas at all. A bit choppy and wx a little cool about a day or two out of San Diego.We are thinking about doing it again in 2005.

 

Good Luck and enjoy.:)

[Vicar]

Starysacz,

 

thank you.

 

hmmmm this is sounding very good.

 

Thank you all for your replies, everything sounds pretty poisitive. This just might be a go :)