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HAL to return to NY in 2010

cruiservictor

By cruiservictor,
in Holland America Line

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Guest LoveMyBoxer

Guest LoveMyBoxer

Posted
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My husband and I just got off the 3 day NY trip on the lovely Eurodam. He fell in love with HAL and wants to cruise again on the line. Since he doesn't fly, cruising from NYC or Boston is ideal for us( within 2-3 hr drive from both). Could someone give us an idea on what the Veendam is like? Is it an older ship?

 

Here is a link to pictures of the Veendam. Let's put it this way, is she wasn't an "older" smaller ship, she probably would not be doing the Bermuda run! http://www.beyondships.com/veendam-tour-5.html

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innlady1

innlady1

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I am thrilled that they are doing bermuda but why can't they go from Florida. And for that matter, since they have cruises from New England to the Caribbean, why can't they have cruises from florida to Canada/New England???? I would love to do those.

HAL no longer has cruises (the Noordam) from NYC to the Caribbean...that ended in early this year. Sadly. Too costly. So I doubt they'd do one from Florida to New England/Canada.

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innlady1

innlady1

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I am more than thrilled about the Veendam going to Bermuda. Wouldn't it be great if we could agree on a date and have a great big CC cruise. We were in Bermuda for a delayed honeymoon in June and the weather was wonderful. Then we went again in June several years ago. It's in my siggy somewhere. I for one, don't care where the ships go, just put me on the ship and let it sail. But out of NYC, now that's great!

June is lovely in Bermuda; as are September and October. April and May...not so good. Rainy each time we've been there during those months. July and August are hot.

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sail7seas

sail7seas

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Dh told me today that Veendam is his favorite because it is smaller with less people. I thought about it and decided I agree. Have you not been on her? She is Massdam's sister I believe. So, we hope to try Maasdam soon.

 

If only these ships would change to the beautiful green spa decor. The decorating team did a great job on Eurodam.

 

Veendam will be sailing from NY.

 

 

Yes, Jade. We have sailed Veendam a number of times including back-to-back her Inaugural Season in the Caribbean. In 'those days', HAL ships spent their first summer sailing the Caribbean and we loved that. We sailed her three cruises between end of July 1996 and January, 1997. Again, November of 1998 but then not again until January, 2005. She's a fabulous ship!

 

No secret here about how much we love the "S" Ships. We were on Statendam, the first of the "S" her Inaugural Season for a great Panama Canal cruise. A number of cruises on Ryndam, as well. ;)

 

We were at Maasdam's Inaugural Party in Boston when she made the crossing from Fincantieri. We loved her from the first moment we boarded and our love has only grown!

 

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Copper10-8 "Live from...." Rare

Copper10-8

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Here's a prediction: Those cruises will become very popular and Veendam will sail out of the Big Apple pretty darn full

Great place to visit! Overnight in Hamilton (watch the Town Crier;) )and St. George's (so no Royal Naval Dockyard - really only a Mall there - and no bus trips) - You step off the gangway in Hamilton and you're right smack in the middle of pubs, restaurants, Dark 'n Stormy, stores, you name it. HAL pulled off a coup here just getting into Bermuda on regular cruises!:)

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PRINSENDAM

PRINSENDAM

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Here is a link to pictures of the Veendam. Let's put it this way, is she wasn't an "older" smaller ship, she probably would not be doing the Bermuda run! http://www.beyondships.com/veendam-tour-5.html

 

 

'Fraid I have to disagree with you on this one. :o

 

The 'S' class are the only ships that HAL has that can 'fit' into St. George and Hamilton and VEENDAM is the 'newest' of the four ships!

 

Of course PRINSENDAM would also fit but she would be wasted on the Bermuda run.

 

VEENDAM is a perfect fit for Bermuda. Well done HAL!

 

My first HAL voyage was back in 1982.... Bermuda up to New York in the old VEENDAM. Cost about $300 for the two days on board. In those days, space available, locals could sail one way but could only book one or two days prior to departure from Bermuda. Heck, anything is better than flying!!!!

 

Stephen

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PRINSENDAM

PRINSENDAM

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We've sailed Zenith, cruising speed 21.4K, 5X to Bermuda from NYC Her schedule was a Saturday 4:30 PM departure with arrival in Hamilton @ 9 AM. Monday She left Hamilton 6AM Wed for a 9AM arrival in St. George & sailed for NY @ 3PM on Thursday & was back a the pier in NY @ 8AM Saturday. This itinerary was successful for many years, so it will be interesting to see Veendam's itinerary. Either way, it doesn't matter to me!

 

We always booked a port side cabin & faced the harbor in Hamilton & the dock in St. George. I ususally prefer to see the harbor from my stateroom, but must say that the view of the City of Hamilton on the starboard side is beautiful.

 

I have never sailed Holland America before, but will absolutely be booking Veendam to Bermuda. I think that Celebrity made a huge mistake in abandoning Bermuda & am glad that another upscale line has stepped up & filled the void.

 

This is great news!!!:D :D

 

 

Rich,

 

High time you made a run on HAL!!!! You don't have to wait until 2010!;)

 

The port rotation is completely optional but VEENDAM is somewhat larger than the Celebrity ships and weather conditions will dictate the ship's ability to enter St George. More importantly is the departure from St George. If you don't get out on time then the arrival at NY is delayed and then the departure on the following cruise. Can cause a real mess. Better avoided if possible.

 

The distance, pilot to pilt is only bout 720 miles and the vessel much make the run in roughly 37 hours... and easy 19.5 knot AVERAGE speed. No problem for VEENDAM.... same service speed as the ZENITH.

 

Oh... saw the old HORIZON in Palma a few days ago. She looks rather nice in her all white livery.

 

Stephen

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silvercruiser

silvercruiser

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Florida to Montreal cruise does occur next May and we're already booked. It's a repositioning cruise. We're doing the Montreal to Florida run this October. Used frequent flyer miles and made it a round trip ticket...two cruise flights for the price ofo one. The one next May stops at more ports and is slightly longer than the Oct. one. Both are on MAASDAM.

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rzdj96

rzdj96

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Rita,

If I recall correctly, you're in PA...when the Noordam left from NYC, they always had a homeport bus from PA, NJ, upstate NY, and New England. That might work for you!

 

The bus prices have gone up Sheila, then again, what hasn't? I'd just like to see HAL use the Brooklyn Pier (if possible) instead of that dumpy Manhattan one. I wonder if the cruise lines will ever get off the fuel surcharges now since oil is back down lower than what it was when the lines implemented the surcharges in the first place.

 

I am more than thrilled about the Veendam going to Bermuda. Wouldn't it be great if we could agree on a date and have a great big CC cruise.

 

Carol; 2010 is a ways away. Then again it'll probably give Sheila enough time to obtain "Bermuda entry approval" :rolleyes: . Personally, I'm glad to see that HAL used some thought in using the Veendam for the Bermuda runs. I haven't read all the posts yet but docking at the West End (in my opinion) doesn't really give us a warm and fuzzy. It's like your missing the whole beauty of Bermuda when your docked away from everything. Maybe it's because we've docked in St. Georges and Hamilton previously. Then when we got docked at the "West End", we just felt cheated. Bermuda isn't really an island that one can fully enjoy and experience when only there for a few hours. Glad to see your back home and safe. I believe I read a post where it took awhile for you to disembark. Was it the crowd or was it that Sam just didn't have a tight enough grip dragging you off (cause you didn't want to leave)? Just kidding! You guys take care! DJ & me

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richsea

richsea

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Rich,

 

High time you made a run on HAL!!!! You don't have to wait until 2010!;)

 

The port rotation is completely optional but VEENDAM is somewhat larger than the Celebrity ships and weather conditions will dictate the ship's ability to enter St George. More importantly is the departure from St George. If you don't get out on time then the arrival at NY is delayed and then the departure on the following cruise. Can cause a real mess. Better avoided if possible.

 

The distance, pilot to pilt is only bout 720 miles and the vessel much make the run in roughly 37 hours... and easy 19.5 knot AVERAGE speed. No problem for VEENDAM.... same service speed as the ZENITH.

 

Oh... saw the old HORIZON in Palma a few days ago. She looks rather nice in her all white livery.

 

Stephen

 

Hi Stephen! As I said, I don't care about the port rotation, as long as I'm in Bermuda! Heck, I enjoyed the Dockyard on our 1st cruise on Celebrity's Meridian in 1996. It is so easy getting around Bermuda that I don't see why so many people don't like the Dockyard. Each area has it's own charm.

 

I also saw Horizon while in Barcelona in May. If you look closely, you can still see the X on her funnel. While I have never sailed on Horizon, I've enjoyed many cruises on Zenith & am sorry that X saw fit to transfer them out of the fleet. Next to go is Galaxy, next March, then most likely Mercury.

 

I guess I'll have to try HA to get my smaller ship fix!

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innlady1

innlady1

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Here's a prediction: Those cruises will become very popular and Veendam will sail out of the Big Apple pretty darn full

Great place to visit! Overnight in Hamilton (watch the Town Crier;) )and St. George's (so no Royal Naval Dockyard - really only a Mall there - and no bus trips) - You step off the gangway in Hamilton and you're right smack in the middle of pubs, restaurants, Dark 'n Stormy, stores, you name it. HAL pulled off a coup here just getting into Bermuda on regular cruises!:)

From what I understand, it's somewhat difficult dealing with the powers that be in Bermuda; they limit the # of cruise pax coming to their island (feeling that those who cruise hurt the hotel/inn business). That's been a struggle for years, trying to keep the lodging properties happy. I believe they limit the number of cruise pax who can visit annually.

 

Lucky for all of us that X pulled out; I imagine this gave HAL the opportunity to sail to Bermuda again.

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Dolphins

Dolphins

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Here's a prediction: Those cruises will become very popular and Veendam will sail out of the Big Apple pretty darn full

Great place to visit! Overnight in Hamilton (watch the Town Crier;) )and St. George's (so no Royal Naval Dockyard - really only a Mall there - and no bus trips) - You step off the gangway in Hamilton and you're right smack in the middle of pubs, restaurants, Dark 'n Stormy, stores, you name it. HAL pulled off a coup here just getting into Bermuda on regular cruises!:)

 

I suspect the reason HAL pulled off this Bermuda coup is because they still have ships small enough to enter St. George and Hamilton. NCL got rid of Crown and soon Majesty, Celebrity got rid of Horizon and Zenith. RCI and Princess got rid of their small ships and keep building bigger ones so HAL was in an enviable position with their Statendam class ships.

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Sirdar

Sirdar

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From what I understand, it's somewhat difficult dealing with the powers that be in Bermuda; they limit the # of cruise pax coming to their island (feeling that those who cruise hurt the hotel/inn business). That's been a struggle for years, trying to keep the lodging properties happy. I believe they limit the number of cruise pax who can visit annually.

 

Lucky for all of us that X pulled out; I imagine this gave HAL the opportunity to sail to Bermuda again.

 

 

You may recall the June 10th news release on CC regarding Bermuda which points out:

 

"In a move that signals an increased sense of urgency and -- dare we say -- desperation, the government of Bermuda has passed measures that will overturn a long-held ban on the operation of cruise ship casinos and suspend a cabin tax currently levied on ships calling on the island."

 

I suspect that Carnival Corp was eager to take advantage of a change in attitude on the part of Bermuda authorities and has utilized tha "small ship" Veendam to its advantage. It will be interesting to be on board while the casino is in operation while in port. This could be a real money maker for HAL. I agree that HAL to Bermuda is sure to be a sell out for the whole season. We will certainly take advantage of this opportunity. We are sailing Veendam in the western carribean in january and will try to book while aboard.

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herb

herb

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Here's a prediction: Those cruises will become very popular and Veendam will sail out of the Big Apple pretty darn full

 

Agreed 100%. The only other option for 7 night cruise to Bermuda right now from the Big Apple is NCL. (we didn't care for the Freestyle experience).

I wouldn't be surprised if many of the cruises to Bermuda with HAL sell out FAR IN ADVANCE!

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sail7seas

sail7seas

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Agreed 100%. The only other option for 7 night cruise to Bermuda right now from the Big Apple is NCL. (we didn't care for the Freestyle experience).

I wouldn't be surprised if many of the cruises to Bermuda with HAL sell out FAR IN ADVANCE!

 

 

I fully agree. We will be booking early!

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