HAL to return to NY in 2010

[kryos]

I really like the sound of this --- BUT -- and we do love to cruise to Bermuda -- and would love to book this cruise -- BUT -- taking a tiny commuter plane to New York -- that is all that is left in our area to New York -- NO WAY -- as they do not guarantee that your luggage will go with you -- no thanks -- I am not going to cruise without clothes!!

Any train options?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Krazy Kruizers]

Any train options?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

No trains.

[robertmartha]

Any thoughts on what the 2011 season would be? The statement states 20 cruises/season starting in May so thinking she may alternate Bermuda with Canada / NE? I know that the RC ship does that schedule out of NJ. That to me would be a great option. Thrilled that HAL is returning to NY. Passed the Eurodam in port the other day for her 3 day sailing and it was tortune not being able to hop on board for a mini escape. At least she'll be in port for a few weeks doing the Canada/NE run...just wish we could sail in the fall.

[innlady1]

Any thoughts on what the 2011 season would be? The statement states 20 cruises/season starting in May so thinking she may alternate Bermuda with Canada / NE? I know that the RC ship does that schedule out of NJ. That to me would be a great option. Thrilled that HAL is returning to NY. Passed the Eurodam in port the other day for her 3 day sailing and it was tortune not being able to hop on board for a mini escape. At least she'll be in port for a few weeks doing the Canada/NE run...just wish we could sail in the fall.

HAL doesn't have it up on the website yet...I, for one, will be keeping my eye out for it!

[madelinerose]

The Veendam will be 14 years old when it arrives in NY. Has this ship been refurbished lately? We prefer newer ships still in great shape, so would we be disappoiinted? Does the Veendam have flat screens and updated accoutrements? Thanks. ;)

[FIRELT5]

That's if she leaves on a Saturday ???? :)

[FIRELT5]

Holland America Line Announces $200 Million in Enhancements to Five

Ships as Part of Ongoing Signature of Excellence

Commitment now exceeds $525 million

 

 

Seattle, WA, Aug 30, 2008 - As part of its ongoing Signature of

Excellence, Holland America Line is doubling the amount to be spent in

upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of the line's most

popular ships. Over the next two years, the ms Statendam, ms Ryndam,

ms Maasdam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry

docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new décor and more. The

18-month, $200 million program will begin when Veendam enters an

extended dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for

completion in late 2010.

 

 

The investment in this new series of enhancements will include a new

resort pool concept, innovative lanai staterooms, new entertainment

and enrichment options, all new stateroom décor and more. Holland

America Line's commitment to enhancing its premium fleet now exceeds

$525 million.

 

 

Signature of Excellence features and amenities are evident in every

aspect of the Holland America Line cruise experience, offering guests

more luxurious accommodations, more enticing destinations, enhanced

dining experiences, more creative activities and even higher levels of

service.

 

 

Previously, during the first phase of Signature of Excellence, these

five ships were enhanced with the Explorations Café, Culinary Arts

Center, expanded Club HAL youth facilities and more. This next

installment reinforces Holland America Line's commitment to its

popular mid-sized ships. The enhancements will add more verandah

staterooms, introduce a new category of stateroom, expand the Lido

Deck's pool feature with The Retreat, create a showroom at sea and

upgrade staterooms, bathrooms and fixtures.

 

 

"Holland America Line has long been the leader in the premium cruise

segment," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president of

sales, marketing and guest services. "This significant and continued

investment reaffirms our commitment to our fleet of mid-sized ships

and our ongoing leadership in the premium category by continually

raising the bar in terms of products and services.

 

 

"In an era where cruise lines are building ships to carry more than

5,000 passengers, Holland America Line remains focused on mid-sized

vessels," said Meadows. "These enhancements will blend the latest

innovations for premium travel into our ships, creating a deluxe

experience that is unparalleled."

 

 

The most dramatic alteration will be to the aft portion of the ships,

allowing for a new resort-style pool area on Lido deck called The

Retreat with a shallow area where guests may lounge in chairs and dip

their fingers and toes in the water or relax on the bench and dangle

their legs in the refreshing water. A new pool bar and an upscale

pizzeria called Slice will be installed, as well as a canopy and wind

screens to provide additional covered seating for the Lido Restaurant.

 

 

All staterooms will receive new décor, carpeting and soft goods. Each

ship also will have an additional 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with

verandahs and the remaining will be inside staterooms. On the four

S-class ships, twelve staterooms near the spa (on Deck 9) also will

have verandahs added, and along with three inside staterooms, become

'spa staterooms' featuring a variety of enhanced spa amenities. On the

Rotterdam, 23 staterooms on Verandah deck will become spa staterooms.

On the five ships, forty-six new lanai staterooms will be created by

replacing existing windows of 42 staterooms (on Lower Promenade Deck

6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade,

and adding four additional staterooms.

 

 

The program also involves enhancements to several of the public rooms.

A Merabella luxury jewelry shop will be added. The Casino and Piano

bars will be reconfigured into a multi-themed area called Mix with

three separate bars - Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. Next

door, the high-energy casino will be redesigned highlighting the

always trendy table and slot games. The main show space will be

transformed into the Showroom at Sea with the ambiance of a glamorous

nightclub. The ever-popular Ocean Bar will be refurbished and carpets

will be replaced in most public areas. The new Sky Room on Sports Deck

will feature the latest in multi-generational video games and

high-tech entertainment.

 

 

Entertainment and enrichment, or "edutainment," is taking on a new,

contemporary look and feel across the fleet. A new Explorations Team

employs cruise staff, each specializing in a particular area, to

educate and entertain guests with an expanded menu of activities

including flower arranging, hands-on cooking, dancing and working with

digital photos, blogs and movies. Each team consists of a party

planner, a travel guide, dance directors and a "techspert." On longer

cruises, a book club leader joins the team to lead lively group

discussions.

 

 

Renowned for service levels provided by its award-winning staff, the

program will also include significant crew area enhancements including

a new fitness facility, internet centers, staterooms and recreational

areas.

 

 

The industry-leading Signature of Excellence initiative announced

nearly five years ago in November 2003 has evolved into an ongoing and

comprehensive review of every aspect of the Holland America Line

experience. Signature of Excellence is Holland America Line's brand

promise and continues to bring innovation and relevance to guests.

 

 

Signature of Excellence: By the Numbers

Statistics on Signature of Excellence to date include:

 

 

* More than 2,000 people (including Holland America Line staff,

shipyard workers, contractors and ship personnel) have tested and

retested hundreds of items to ensure quality, coordinated delivery

schedules and complex installations.

* 10 million hours worked in dry-dock.

* 1.2 million pounds of steel installed on the ships.

* 695,743 luxury items added to staterooms, from Mariner's Dream

beds and bathrobes to make-up mirrors and new blow dryers.

* 49,372 pieces of electronic equipment, from televisions to CD

players, DVD players to computers, installed on the 13 ships.

* 27,000 book titles added to Explorations Cafés. At one book a

week, it would take more than 500 years to read them all.

* If you stacked all the new Euro-Top plush mattresses, they would

reach 21,089 feet high - almost 770 feet higher than the summit of

Alaska's Mt. McKinley.

* 254 nautical miles of electrical cable installed on the ships -

enough to reach from Ft. Lauderdale to just off shore of Half Moon

Cay, Holland America Line's private Caribbean island.

* 170 new ways to explore destinations on the Medallion,

Signature, World Wonder and Encore Collection shore excursions.

* 60 nationalities represented by people working in the shipyards

- a virtual United Nations.

 

 

For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional

travel agent.

 

 

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc

(NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to

314 ports of call in 97 countries, territories or dependencies. Two-

to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including

Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a

Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean,

Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 14th

ship, ms Eurodam, will launch in July 2008. For more information,

contact a travel agent.

 

 

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements,

totaling more than $425 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts

Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard

show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary

experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café

powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new

stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top

Mariner's Dream Beds.

[innlady1]

Madeline, the Veendam is the first that will go out for drydock refurbishments in '09.

[Sirdar]

Does anyone have any idea how long the ship will be docked in Bermuda? The announcement merely says overnight stays in Hamiliton and St. Georges The "normal" run from NYC is 1 and 1/2 days with the same for return. This used to leave 4 days in Bermuda ports which was outstanding.

[FIRELT5]

Does anyone have any idea how long the ship will be docked in Bermuda? The announcement merely says overnight stays in Hamiliton and St. Georges The "normal" run from NYC is 1 and 1/2 days with the same for return. This used to leave 4 days in Bermuda ports which was outstanding.

 

Maybe the old Zenith or Horizon itin ???????

 

Sat -Ny

Sun -Sea

Mon-Hamilton

Tues-Hamilton

Wed- Hamilton/St. George

Thur-St George Depart at 1500

Fri-Sea

Sat-NY

 

Or swap Mon,Tues for St. George, Wed, Thurs for HAmilton

[Growler]

Such good news! Does anyone currently aboard any HAL ship know if the 'future cruise consultants' have date/itinerary details yet? It's DW's 50th B'day in Sept 2010, and this would be a perfect itinerary - even more so if it could be BTB'd with New England or Transatlantic!

 

Only got Xmas '09 to sort out now.....

 

Tim

[RevNeal]

Maybe we'll finally get to cruise together ... and I can buy you that drink I owe you. :)

 

Hey, Rita ... that would be great.

I really do want to plan to do that Bermuda cruise, and doing it on the Veendam get's me my 4th S class ship in my "collection," so it would work out perfectly.

 

What time of the year would be better for you? September 2010? Or the summer of 2011??

[fann1sh]

The Veendam will be 14 years old when it arrives in NY. Has this ship been refurbished lately? We prefer newer ships still in great shape, so would we be disappoiinted? Does the Veendam have flat screens and updated accoutrements? Thanks. ;)

 

Madeline, the Veendam is the first that will go out for drydock refurbishments in '09.

 

...and as FIRELT5 points out, was refurbished in 2006 with Signature of Excellence, and before that in 2001. She is being both maintained and kept current with upgrades.

[FIRELT5]

HAL Disappointed the NYC Metro area with taking the Noordam away. This is a nice suprise :)

[fann1sh]

Like RevNeal, Veendam would complete my "set collection" of S ships.

 

So, anyone checked their crystal ball for best guesses when we can start to book?

[RevNeal]

Like RevNeal, Veendam would complete my "set collection" of S ships.

 

So, anyone checked their crystal ball for best guesses when we can start to book?

 

No Crystal ball here ... however ... my "guess" is that the Itineraries will start showing up on the website within the next few weeks.

 

Someone aboard ship should talk to a Future Cruise Consultant and find out if it can be booked NOW. It might be bookable.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Maybe the old Zenith or Horizon itin ???????

 

Sat -Ny

Sun -Sea

Mon-Hamilton

Tues-Hamilton

Wed- Hamilton/St. George

Thur-St George Depart at 1500

Fri-Sea

Sat-NY

 

Or swap Mon,Tues for St. George, Wed, Thurs for HAmilton

 

We did Bermuda cruises on an old NCL ship and the Pacific Princess years ago -- got barely 3 days in Bermuda -- sailed out of New York.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Does anyone have any idea how long the ship will be docked in Bermuda? The announcement merely says overnight stays in Hamiliton and St. Georges The "normal" run from NYC is 1 and 1/2 days with the same for return. This used to leave 4 days in Bermuda ports which was outstanding.

 

The Veendam can't go fast -- I doubt if you would be there longer than 2 or 2 1/2 days in Bermuda.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

So DH says I'm obsessed now! Been looking through pictures of the Veedam, she looks beautiful. So very happy HAL is back in NY! Please, please, please, if anyone finds out when they post the itineraries, please let us know IMMEDIATELY! Thank you HAL for coming back to NY!!! Having just sailed on NCL's Dream and hearing the stories from the locals about how sometimes the Captain is afraid of sailing through Town Cut with the Dream since she is the largest ship to enter, I'm wondering about the Veendam, since she is wider than the NCL Dream. I know she won't have a problem getting into Hamilton, but for those of us who have sailed through Town Cut, you know what I'm talking about! The NCL Dream's beam is 94 and the Veendam's is 101. However, I don't really care where she ends up in Bermuda, having docked at all three ports, the island is so small, it's really easy getting around.

[innlady1]

We did Bermuda cruises on an old NCL ship and the Pacific Princess years ago -- got barely 3 days in Bermuda -- sailed out of New York.

Very reluctantly, I have been checking on the 7-day NCL Dream out of Boston (I couldn't bring myself to book it though!). If I recall correctly, it leaves Boston on Sunday, arrives in St. George on Tuesday morning, sets sail again on Friday afternoon, arriving back in Boston on Sunday. The 5-day cruise on the Jewel arrives on a Saturday morning and leaves Sunday afternoon.

 

One thing for certain, we will be on the Veendam...no matter how many days she spends in port!

 

Been to Bermuda several times, but only once on a cruise during college week in the 60s. That doesn't count!

[innlady1]

No Crystal ball here ... however ... my "guess" is that the Itineraries will start showing up on the website within the next few weeks.

 

Someone aboard ship should talk to a Future Cruise Consultant and find out if it can be booked NOW. It might be bookable.

 

Great idea, Greg. Carol's (mamaofami) is on the Eurodam and I have her cell number. Don't know if it will work but I will try. Also, I believe TomC is on the Maasdam but I recall he said he didn't think he'd do a "Live from" this time...maybe he will check in here, though.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Very reluctantly, I have been checking on the 7-day NCL Dream out of Boston (I couldn't bring myself to book it though!). If I recall correctly, it leaves Boston on Sunday, arrives in St. George on Tuesday morning, sets sail again on Friday afternoon, arriving back in Boston on Sunday. The 5-day cruise on the Jewel arrives on a Saturday morning and leaves Sunday afternoon.

 

One thing for certain, we will be on the Veendam...no matter how many days she spends in port!

 

Been to Bermuda several times, but only once on a cruise during college week in the 60s. That doesn't count!

 

Funny, that's how we felt before booking the Dream. However, we were in the Owner's suite, which was nice, and were able to make reservations via our concierge for every restaurant. Although not quite HAL (an understatement), we did enjoy Bermuda. We did spend a lot of time on our balcony, as the pool areas were very over crowded. Had we not had the owner's suite, I don't think we would have had a good time. Having been to Bermuda so many times, we go through withdrawal and need to get back. Sailing is our preferred option. Her itinerary, although without Hamilton, is just like the Horizon, Zenith and all the other past 7 days cruises from NY. Hoping that the Veendam will do longer than 7 day cruises, but, we'll be happy with 7, and if not, maybe a b2b??? LOL

[FIRELT5]

The Veendam can't go fast -- I doubt if you would be there longer than 2 or 2 1/2 days in Bermuda.

 

Seattle, WA, August 30, 2008 - Beginning in 2010, Holland America Line will once again sail on regularly scheduled cruises between New York City and Bermuda. Holland America is the only major cruise line that calls on both Hamilton and St. George's, Bermuda's cultural and shopping hubs. Additionally, guests of Holland America Line will have an opportunity to fully experience Bermuda's British charm and its unique island culture by day and by night with multi-day stays in each port.

 

Doesn't sound like it to me :)

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

Veendam's average speed is noted as 21 knots the same as the NCL Dream. Having sailed on older smaller ships to Bermuda, I can tell you that they "take" their time getting to Bermuda to allow a full day at sea. I believe if they wanted to they could get there faster.

[FIRELT5]

Veendam's average speed is noted as 21 knots the same as the NCL Dream. Having sailed on older smaller ships to Bermuda, I can tell you that they "take" their time getting to Bermuda to allow a full day at sea. I believe if they wanted to they could get there faster.

 

21 knts= 24 mph, 640nm to BDA from NYC, around 38 hours at sea, same as the X Horizon, Zenith.