Early dining and various Volendam notes

[mrswynn]

We had early dining, upper level, on our recent Volendam cruise. We got out of the dining room around 7 nightly. The rest of our group had dinner at either 8 or 8:30. There was relatively nothing to do during the interim unless you wanted to use the casino, but it was too smoky for us. Rosario strings didn't start until 9:45. The evening show wasn't until 8:30. Most of the time we went back to our cabin to "rest" and fell asleep. Do not recommend this time if you want to stay up at all. I don't think I was up in the evening more than twice. I'd go back to our stateroom, slip off my shoes and wake up on the sofa at 1:30 or so, change and go to bed. The later diners had their evening show at 10:30, so if they wanted to meet us for a drink it would be at 11:15 or so. We were usually sawing logs. However, we really enjoyed our table for two and our wait staff, so didn't change times.

 

Another note on the Volendam - the rooms were far too WARM. We called the front desk three different days but it never improved for more than a few hours. The water was horribly rough during our 10 days, so many of us were feeling a little "green" and the warm staterooms didn't help at all. On a positive note, we never had the reported plumbing problems other guests have noted.

 

Hopefully when the Volendam goes into dry dock they'll clean the rooms up, clean the stained wallpaper, fix the plumbing and a/c and all will be well... but until then it's a bit disappointing.

 

Read my review for the Volendam for more information. Sorry RevNeal and those who LOVE this ship - we liked it, but there were things we felt needed to be addressed.

[Krazy Kruizers]

mrswynn

When were you on the Volendam?

I have searched for your review and can't find it.

What cabin were you in?

[DFD1]

Please tell us where to find the Volendam review. We sail on her next friday 11/26.

[mrswynn]

We were on the Volendam 11/6-11/16/04. I posted my review today, so it won't be available for a few days. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have in the interim. We were in cabin #7048.

[sail7seas]

If you have a copy of your review in your computer, could you post it here on the HAL Board? We wouldn't have to wait for it to appear elsewhere that way. Thank you if that is possible.

 

 

Thank you for posting a review in either case and for your comments here.

[mrswynn]

Sorry, but I typed my review on the "review" formatted section and I don't have a copy. I received a message that it would be available in two days. There was so much information that I supplied, I couldn't possibly remember it all.

[mrswynn]

If you give me your email address, I'll try to answer any questinos you had and relay my experiences.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, mrswynn. I don't have any specific questions but appreciate your willingness to help.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Now you have us counting the days until your review is posted.

[michmike]

and here are my thoughts (and please accept them as MINE all you HAL loyalists who can't stand any negative comments)

 

Overall we had a good trip. Weather was crummy in Tortola and Barbados and to a lesser extent in Dominica, but that's not HAL's fault. Missed HMC due to high seas and gale force winds *stuff happens*

 

On the PLUS side, we (4 of us in our mid to late 50s) met up with a great group of fellow cruise critics onboard, 16 in all and had a good time with them. Met a numbdr of other nice folks on board thru trivia games and other game sessions. In general a more gregarious group than we have found in past HAL cruises, perhaps a difference in the clientele on a 10 day vs 7. Only about 5 kids on board THANK YOU JESUS!! Great cabin steward Denni (tipped him extra) Won $56 on the slots....Comfortable outside cabin on the Dolphin deck. None in our group got sea sick despite the rough seas. Many were howerver. Got our 25 day Mariner pins. Capt Van Der Zee was very personable and helped us out with an odd request for a friend (long story).

Room service breakfasts were served on time w/ few glitches. Had no problem writing in things like oatmeal or french toast which were not on the preprinted form and still getting them. Had a good meal and good service in the pinnacle. What nightly shows we attended were good. We only attended 2 as we are not great fans of HAL's entertainment in general and also felt 10:30 show (after 8:00 dinner) was too late. Would much prefer shows predinner at 6:30 or 6:45 (again MY opinion) more in next post

[dakrewser]

and here are my thoughts (and please accept them as MINE all you HAL loyalists who can't stand any negative comments)

Which negative comments? (oh, maybe in the next post!)

 

FWIW, I don't know of anyone posting on this board who denies that problems occur on HAL ships. All that some of us ask is that a) you don't blame HAL for nature's fury (and you didn't) and b) you back up any claims of "The Worst Cruise Ever" with some details. I'm sure you'll agree that not getting your water glass refilled in the Lido hardly constitutes evidence of the Worst Cruise Ever. :)

 

So tell us, what were the problems? Wait, let me guess - service levels were down? Maintenance seemed to be delayed? You'll get no quibble from me on those things.

 

-dave

[michmike]

on the negative side - it took us 90 minutes to get processed in (arrived about 1:15) Have never waited more than 40 minutes on previous 3 trips. When I complained I got shrugged shoulders and a "your problem, not mine" attitude. Neither our waiter or his assitant introduced themselves or made any attempt to get to know us. No give and take with the table (6) as in previous trips. Think it is due to a combination of staffing cuts and new tipping policy. Service at supper was ok but had to hunt down refills for water , tea or coffee in the DR at bfast or lunch. Requests for multiple appetizers , entrees or desserts were handled w/o problem. But I don't know WHY they had lamb on the menu 3 or more times.

 

Consistently waited 5-10 minutes for service in any of the bars and at least that long again to get your drink. Staffing cuts again? Daily 2for1 happy hour at the Dolphin Bar was a nice innovation if you could get service.

 

On past trips there were always glasses and ice out by the poolside burger and pizza area for use with the iced tea spigot. No more. Now you have to go all the way into the Lido to get a beverage. Pointless!!

 

We play a lot of the onboard games like trivia, scattergories, etc. You meet quite a few nice interesting people there. Seems like the prizes for winning get chintzier each trip though. Used to be hats, mugs , nice silverplate picture frames. Now luggage tags, mouse pads and key chains.

 

Air conditioning throughout the ship was inconsistent. Hot in some areas cold in others. a/c in our cabin was set at lowest setting the entire trip but still too warm in there when showering and getting ready for dinner or when packing the last nite. Will pack a small fan next time.

 

Our first 2 HAL trips '01 and '02 we always had 3 or 4 staff members who stood out and made a very positive difference in our trip. That just has not been true this year either in Jan on Zaandam or last week on V.

 

At disembarkation talk, Dottie, our cruise director, remarked that about 950 of 1400 aboard were repeaters. With a loyalty like that I guess i don't understand why the bean counters want to tinker with things. wrap up in next post

[michmike]

Will we cruise on HAL again? Sure, but we're also talking about taking another look at Celebrity where we first cruised. Had our last 2 HAL cruises been the caliber of our first 2, I don't think we would be looking elsewhere.

 

This was our first 10 day cruise. Will be tough to go back to 7 day itineraries. *S*

[dakrewser]

At disembarkation talk, Dottie, our cruise director, remarked that about 950 of 1400 aboard were repeaters. With a loyalty like that I guess i don't understand why the bean counters want to tinker with things. wrap up in next post

Because they think the Mariners will continue to come back, no matter what. So they think they can tinker and change to try and attract a different passenger demographic. I'll be trying Celebrity myself next fall. It might be that it's time to switch to brand "X". Certainly your experience is consistent with that of other HAL cruisers recently - both veterans and newbies!

 

-dave

[bellebaby]

Is the Volendam scheduled for Dry Dock? If so, when?

 

Thanks.

[DFD1]

Thanks, michmike. Good information very well put.

 

In my opinion, and I've said it before, the staff service on HAL will decline well below it's previous level as result of the new tipping policy. HAL has removed the incentive for good performance by the staff and given them an accross the board pay increase via these newly captured revenues (tips). The result is that human nature has kicked in....the staff knows it will not have to earn the tips so it no longer puts forth the added effort.

 

Now, I know there are those here who disagree with me about this and I appreciate and respect their positions. However, the evidence if beginning to tell the story.

 

Thanks again for your informative post. I am praying for a cool cabin when we sail on the Volendam next Friday 11/26. I hope it's okay to pray for something like that.

[stanjj111]

Please send me the review on the Volendam. We will be on the Dec 26th cruise. sjjas@yahoo.com

[dakrewser]

Now, I know there are those here who disagree with me about this and I appreciate and respect their positions. However, the evidence if beginning to tell the story.

The "evidence" is that the line has cut staffing and those remaining are working harder than ever to do more with less - by your theory, service on Seaborne (with no tipping) should be even worse, shouldn't it?

 

-dave

[gizmo]

Thanks, michmike. Good information very well put.

 

In my opinion, and I've said it before, the staff service on HAL will decline well below it's previous level as result of the new tipping policy. HAL has removed the incentive for good performance by the staff and given them an accross the board pay increase via these newly captured revenues (tips). The result is that human nature has kicked in....the staff knows it will not have to earn the tips so it no longer puts forth the added effort.

 

Now, I know there are those here who disagree with me about this and I appreciate and respect their positions. However, the evidence if beginning to tell the story.

 

I do not agree. I believe the decline in service is do to the reduction of staff.

[gizmo]

 

On past trips there were always glasses and ice out by the poolside burger and pizza area for use with the iced tea spigot. No more. Now you have to go all the way into the Lido to get a beverage. Pointless!!

Totally Idiotic!!!!

 

At disembarkation talk, Dottie, our cruise director, remarked that about 950 of 1400 aboard were repeaters. With a loyalty like that I guess i don't understand why the bean counters want to tinker with things.

Beats me too. The inmates are running the asylum.

[Cars1999]

I will also be sailing on Nov 26 - do you remember what movies were playing at the theater?

[peaches from georgia]

The movies change so there is no guarantee that what played a week ago or longer will be playing when you are cruising. Something in the theater on the ship the week of 11/6-11/16 might have been on its last showing.

 

The movies are not ones currently opening in land theaters, but are not old to say the least- mostly are those recently out on video.

[mrswynn]

My review is now available. I tried to send it to you, stanJJ111, but your link didn't go through. Let me know if you have trouble reading this through the review board.

[Arubalisa]

Link for the review http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=7453

[BLStokes23]

mrswynn- enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for taking the time to post your observations. Sorry the beautiful weather wasn't with you for your cruise. We cruised the Volendam last January, and will be on her again this January. Wish you could have made it to Half Moon Cay. It's always the highlight of our trip.

 

Did you have an opportunity to do anything in Barbados, despite the weather?