Update on Ryndam, Statendam, Maasdam ...

[pms4104]

Following is an exerpt from a HAL news release dated today:

"Completion in Two Phases

Except for Veendam, completed at end of April 2009, and Rotterdam, to be completed in December 2009, enhancements will be completed in two phases. First, in a series of drydocks in 2010 and 2011, Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam will receive stateroom upgrades, the addition of Mix, Showroom at Sea, Canaletto and other public area enhancements. The second series of drydocks in 2012 and 2013 will add The Retreat and new staterooms on the aft portion of the ships, as well as forward verandah and spa staterooms."

 

Also:

 

"There will be 38 lanai staterooms on Veendam and 39 on Rotterdam. Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam will receive 38 lanai staterooms during their second phase of drydocks.

[Himself]

As the song in Oliver goes: "I'm reviewing, the information..."

[Copper10-8]

Thanks for the heads up!

[GmaPajama]

Sounds like I'll need to get plenty of Maasdam fixes before that second series of drydocks.

We so enjoy the aft pool.

[CowPrincess]

Sounds like I'll need to get plenty of Maasdam fixes before that second series of drydocks.

We so enjoy the aft pool.

 

 

Yeah, we feel the same way about the Ryndam aft pool. Matter of fact, I took (seriously) about 100 pics of it on my last cruise, so we'd have visual memories of it when it goes away. Sigh... I really hope they decide to leave it alone, let it be, so we can continue to enjoy it!

[sail7seas]

Thanks for the update.

The best part of the news is it seems to promise we'll still have our beloved "S" ships in the HAL fleet for years to come. :)

 

['The Bear']

I was so hoping that Greg, (RevNeal), was correct, as posted on another thread, ------ that the Aft Pool area refit on the Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam was cancelled! :mad:

 

This is truly disappointing; I guess it's time to book the Panama Canal trip next year before these refits occur. ;)

 

Damn, the older I get, the more resistant to change I become! :o

 

As my grand children said last week ---" Gramps, you've officially become 'the old fart,' (a reference to the balcony guys on the Muppet Show)" ! ;)

[bobpatj]

I'm sooooo sad about what they will do to the Rotterdam! :(

[RuthC]

I'm sooooo sad about what they will do to the Rotterdam! :(

Agreed. Since I'll be on the final cruise before they take her to the chop shop, I fully intend to spend some time alone out in "the office" that last day. I shall mourn it's passing, as I have spent many happy hours our there, in all kinds of weather, just enjoying the sea.

[bepsf]

I'm sooooo sad about what they will do to the Rotterdam! :(

 

I agree - It kinda reminds me of this:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the information.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Here is the whole story:

 

Holland America Line Announces More Details on its Latest Signature of Excellence Enhancements

 

Veendam First Ship to Sail with New Look

 

Seattle, WA, June 1, 2009 — Holland America Line has announced further details on the current Signature of Excellence enhancement program, including project specifics, timing and the addition of the popular casual Canaletto Restaurant on all five ships scheduled for upgrades. The premium line also released that new enhancements will now be completed in two phases during future drydocks, except on the first two ships in the schedule. This includes ms Veendam that is currently sailing in Alaska after a 34-day drydock makeover.

“Veendam looks spectacular,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The enhancements are going to impress our guests and engage them in exciting, new ways. This 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.”

Other ships receiving enhancements include ms Rotterdam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam and ms Statendam.

Latest Signature of Excellence Enhancements to Arrive on Five Ships

Signature of Excellence upgrades begin with new fixtures and soft goods in staterooms and bathrooms. A new category of stateroom, the Lanai stateroom, will be added along with several new staterooms on the aft portion of each ship. Highlights are the resort pool feature called The Retreat, the Showroom at Sea and the new Mix, three specialty lounges midship. Completing projects will be the addition of Canaletto, Holland America Line’s popular and complimentary casual Italian restaurant, introduced with ms Eurodam in summer 2008.

Public Spaces Pulse with Latest Innovations

The most visible and engaging alteration will be to the aft portion of the ships, allowing for a new resort-style pool area on the Lido deck called The Retreat. With a shallow area where guests may lounge in chairs and dip their fingers and toes in the water, the new resort-style pool invites guests to relax while cruising and enjoy a new pool bar, upscale pizzeria called Slice, and a giant LED screen for evening movies. A new canopy and wind screens will provide additional covered seating for the Lido Restaurant, too. In the Lido restaurant, Canaletto comes to life for dinner when a section is transformed each evening into the specialty restaurant with glass partitions and an Italian ambiance. Dishes range from putanesca to penne alla vodka. Although reservations will be encouraged for this casual, complimentary dining venue, walk-ups will be accepted. Canaletto will be open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The latest Signature of Excellence plans involve enhancements to several other public areas. Notably, the Casino and Piano bars will be reconfigured into a multi-themed area called Mix with three separate bars — Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales, serving their namesakes. Next door, the high-energy casino will be redesigned highlighting the always trendy table and slot games. The main show lounge will be transformed into the Showroom at Sea with the ambiance of a glamorous nightclub and a new slate of shows. The ever-popular Ocean Bar will be refurbished and carpets will be replaced in most public areas. A Merabella luxury jewelry shop will be added midship.

To complement the new entertainment venues, entertainment and enrichment programming embraces a new, contemporary look 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.

Staterooms Receive New Look and New Lanai Category

All staterooms will receive new décor, carpeting and soft goods and bathrooms will see an “extreme” makeover with new vanities and cabinetry. Plans are for each ship to have an additional 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with verandahs and the remaining will be inside staterooms.

On Statendam-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. New lanai staterooms will be created by replacing existing stateroom windows (on Lower Promenade Deck 6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, and adding a few additional staterooms. There will be 38 lanai staterooms on Veendam and 39 on Rotterdam. Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam will receive 38 lanai staterooms during their second phase of drydocks.

Completion in Two Phases

Except for Veendam, completed at end of April 2009, and Rotterdam, to be completed in December 2009, enhancements will be completed in two phases. First, in a series of drydocks in 2010 and 2011, Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam will receive stateroom upgrades, the addition of Mix, Showroom at Sea, Canaletto and other public area enhancements. The second series of drydocks in 2012 and 2013 will add The Retreat and new staterooms on the aft portion of the ships, as well as forward verandah and spa staterooms.

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.

Signature of Excellence tops $525 Million

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 and exceeds a price tag of $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.

For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Editor’s note: New images available at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/W10zg:MGy:2qk

[brucory]

Thanks for posting the updates.

 

It will be interesting to see what modifications they come up with between now and then to the original plans...

 

:D:D:D

[doncarlos]

Ruth, we should ask Rev Neal to spend a few minutes with those of us who will miss that pool area at your "office " as we leave HMC on that last day Nov 17 , Don Carlos:(

[pms4104]

Thanks for posting the updates.

 

It will be interesting to see what modifications they come up with between now and then to the original plans...

 

:D:D:D

The second phase is far enough off, like 2-3 years, for these three vessels that perhaps HAL will reassess its design as implemented on the Veendam and (soon) the Rotterdam and come up with something different than the poolette. Maybe better. Maybe not.

[RuthC]

Ruth, we should ask Rev Neal to spend a few minutes with those of us who will miss that pool area at your "office " as we leave HMC on that last day Nov 17 , Don Carlos:(

I certainly intend to spend more than my share of time in "The Office" on the trans-At portion of the cruise. Perhaps a short, dignified "R.I.P." service that last day would be in order.

[RevNeal]

I was so hoping that Greg' date=' (RevNeal), was correct, as posted on another thread, ------ that the Aft Pool area refit on the Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam was cancelled! :mad:[/quote']

 

The report which I had from the Hotel Manager aboard the Ryndam and the Captain and Cruise Director aboard the Amsterdam, was that the aft-end remodel would not be carried forward on the Maasdam, Statendam, and Ryndam ... and, specifically, that it wouldn't be happening at the next dry dock (which had been the schedule). The Hotel Manager on the Ryndam stated, as I reported, that it was his opinion that part of the aft-end refit might be performed later, and the Cruise Director of the Amsterdam said he thought it would be a postponement for financial reasons, with a reconfiguration of the refit to address the problems currently being encountered aboard the Veendam.

 

From this press release, however, it would appear that HAL is pushing the refit of the aft-end off by as many as 4 years. This leaves plenty of time for them to either change their minds or reconfigure the refit. We can hope that they reconfigure it so that all they're doing is extending the aft Navigation deck, adding verandahs, and leaving the aft pool intact but up on the Lido Deck (i.e., like the Amsterdam).

[JimVrhovac]

Ever notice how Marketing Executives and Bureaucrats can talk out of both sides of their mouth at the same times and think that we, the customers, are too stupid to realize that they have ruined a good product and made a good area into an abortion.

 

We have sailed on the Veendam 18+ times and trult love the ship but it will be a cold day in hell when we sail on her again.....

 

We are in the process of broadening our cruising spectrum and our vacation senerios.

 

Ruth & Jim

['The Bear']

'RevNeal' --- Thanks for reporting back!

 

Perhaps the four year delay will provide enough time for folks like me to campaign against that tacky wading pool/bar, and who knows, the 'beancounters' may change their minds !! :rolleyes:

 

At the very least we'll have a couple of more years to enjoy the aft pool area! ;)

 

Gord

[pms4104]

Following is the drydock and refurb schedule, as published on HAL's site in a news release dated June 1:

 

Dry Dock Timeline & Sailing Schedule

• Veendam: March 29-May 1, 2009

First Cruise: 20-day Panama Canal from Tampa to Vancouver, May 1, 2009

 

• Rotterdam: Nov. 18-Dec. 16, 2009

First Cruise: 19-day Panama Canal holiday sailing roundtrip from

Fort Lauderdale, December 16, 2009

 

• Ryndam: Feb. 9-Feb. 28, 2010, first phase; Fall 2012, second phase

7-day Western Caribbean roundtrip from Tampa, Feb. 28, 2010;

TBD, second phase

 

• Statendam: Mar. 26-Apr. 11, 2010, first phase; TBD 2013, second phase

First Cruise: 14-day Southern Caribbean roundtrip from

Fort Lauderdale, Apr. 11, 2010; TBD, second phase

 

• Maasdam: Apr. 4-Apr. 26, 2011; TBD 2013, second phase

First Cruise: 18-day Caribbean roundtrip from New York,

Apr. 26, 2011, first phase; TBD, second phase

[RuthC]

• Rotterdam: Nov. 18-Dec. 16, 2009

First Cruise: 19-day Panama Canal holiday sailing roundtrip from

Fort Lauderdale, December 16, 2009

Based on the Veendam track record, I wouldn't want to be on the 12/16/09 Rotterdam cruise.

[RedmondCruiser]

The retreat pool people are heading for cover. They have ruined the Veendam and are about to ruin the Rotterdam but they are hedging their bets with the Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam. Lets see what happens when the two wading pool ships get into warmer water. If you see deep discounts appearing you will know that the wading pool concept was a disaster but the fall out will be slow in coming and the people resoncible will be blaming something else.

[pms4104]

The retreat pool people are heading for cover. They have ruined the Veendam and are about to ruin the Rotterdam but they are hedging their bets with the Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam. Lets see what happens when the two wading pool ships get into warmer water. If you see deep discounts appearing you will know that the wading pool concept was a disaster but the fall out will be slow in coming and the people resoncible will be blaming something else.

Besides the poolette ... there is the abomination of the added-on aft deck cabins that look like they were pulled out of a Lego carton and super-glued to the top of the rear of the ship, like an afterthought. That overhang (what else would you call it?) looks horrible.

[pms4104]

Based on the Veendam track record, I wouldn't want to be on the 12/16/09 Rotterdam cruise.

Just in time for the holiday sailings ... that should make for some deleriously happy passengers!

 

After the less than rave reviews of the Veendam, I doubt I will ever, ever book an inaugural or a first sailing out of drydock on any ship. Unless, of course, HAL was discounting that sailing from the get go by about 65%. That I might consider.

[bepsf]

Ever notice how Marketing Executives and Bureaucrats can talk out of both sides of their mouth at the same times and think that we, the customers, are too stupid to realize that they have ruined a good product and made a good area into an abortion.

 

We have sailed on the Veendam 18+ times and trult love the ship but it will be a cold day in hell when we sail on her again.....

 

Ruth & Jim

 

Why does this not surprise me?