Susanmaz

I have just requested Cabin Fever from the library. Thanks for the recommendation 

Forgot to add that there were 3 Step One dance company shows that were excellent, one night with a comedian and a man who played a Xylosynthesizor -  an amazing show. The Cruise Director was Glen(?) Micheal. He was good and personable and there every single day! On the Kdam November we never saw the CD once. The food was wonderful, service A-1. One notices the reduced staff, but everyone worked so hard and always smiled. We were seated at a table for 6 in the MDR for early seating. We were alone for the first two nights, talked to our waiter and maitre d who brought another couple to join us on our last three nights.

Got home last night from our 7 day Inside Passage Alaskan voyage from Vancouver.  We absolutely loved being on the Voldendam - especially after the fiasco on the Kdam in November.  Walking from aft forward, or forward aft was a breeze and easy. The old girl is showing her age and in need of some cosmetic updated and maintenance, but it was still a great visit to this class ship.

Embarkation was not bad - while waiting for wheelchair assistance, we watched the check in line dissipate and I was able to walk up to the check in counter. By the time we got back to our waiting area, my wheelchair was there and we had assistance through the rest of the process.  We had a 10:20 checkin time, which we flew through, but there was a delay with the gangway being shut-down until 11:30.  At 11:30 on the dot we were released to board and with wheelchair assistance, we were in our cabin by 11:45.  The lack of crowded areas was amazing - Lido, bars, sitting areas - everything was always available.

Cold and rainy in Juneau, but absolutely beautiful weather in Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan. Didn't see a lot of critters, but did see eagles, otters, seals and I saw a mother whale with her calf when we were leaving Vancouver.  DH saw a moose swimming up by Glacier Bay.

Leaving was easy. We had prepaid for airport transfer, and was sent by cab instead of a bus - how easy is that?

This trip confirmed we will never sail a Pinnacle class ship again, and will attempt to stay small when we can.

In all, it was a grand experience.

Susan

Used to be finger sandwiches in the afternoons in Exploration cafe. is it still offered? Our last trip was on a full capacity Kdam, there was never anything anywhere due to all those people grabbing the free snacks. Never got a peanut butter cookie from the Lido

Lunch menu is wonderful.

DH made a side table with some of ours, but of course, they’re building up again. We did not get them on our November cruise on the Kdam…. Too many people to distribute? If we really want more, we’ve found them in thrift stores.

20 years of sailing HAL, 97% with a camera, so not many pics available. Loved all cruises except for out last cruise on the Kdam in November 

The cab fare is about $38 from pier to YVR. The ships transfer is $29. We are doing the transfer.

We always choose our cabin. I like Deck 7 aft, accessible to Lido deck and MDR deck.

There is a nice stroll on a paved path and stretch your legs a bit.

Thanks everyone.  We always have a nightlight for the bathroom, but I really appreciated the sensor light we had in our Kdam cabin.  I'm usually the one on the far side of bed, and it really made the 2:00 am trip easier!

Susan

So good to hear. We will be on the Volendam in three weeks and will definitely enjoy the classical time.

Do the vista suites on Volendam have the floor lighting around the bed like we had on the Kdam in November? 
TIA

We were on the Kdam in November. With my mobility issues, it took 40-45 minutes to walk from our aft cabin to forward venues, with no place to stop and rest along the way, had to stop and lean against a wall to take a break - I really missed the bench in the elevator area.  There were people everywhere and it was very hard to get through the crowds and a lot of stopping to let those mobility blessed scurry by. I know We wont be sailing Pinnacle class again. If 5he day comes all of the smaller ships are gone, we won’t sail HAL again. It’s a shame after over 20 years.

Eurodam. Rotterdam is too big with way too many people. We’ve sailed Zuiderdam twice and encountered bilge orders on deck 2 both times. DH won’t go on her again. Eurodamis one of my favorite ships. Right size, right number of pax.

Don’t forget the HIA drink package also covers specialty coffees, canned sodas and canned water. The hot mocha coffee when in Glacier Bay is wonderful, the iced mocha coffee when in the tropics is a great treat. All things I never do “at home.”

The Grand Dutch is only on the Pinnacle ships, which are larger and have more passengers. For Alaska a smaller ship and less passengers would be better (IMO). We are doing the smallest class, Volendam, for our Alaska trip in May. We found the Pinnacle class was too big and crowded for us.

You an ask your cabin steward for different pillows

Highlander - we always bring singles for tipping our morning coffee man.  I so appreciate having some one up, dressed and smiling when our coffee comes at 6:00am!

There used to be hot Dutch chocolate offered in the morning in Glacier Bay. Hope it’s still offered also. Crowding depends on the ship…. Kdam will be dense, Volendam not so much - that’s the difference between 2600 pax and 1400 pax. On the smaller ships, there are more places to avoid crowds .

Is ArriveCan required for flying into Vancouver and/or the pier?

We really enjoy the smaller ships. We’re on the K’dam last November and found it too big with too many people, felt crowded and noisy. We like the quiet and calm atmosphere of small.

We always wait until we’re onboard. If it’s sold out we’ll waitlist. Who knows how we’ll be feeling or what we want to do so far out? We can always walk the town and explore - wherever we are. We usually always find a good place for lunch when exploring.

I ordered a birthday arrangement online. It was beautiful and lasted the entire week.

I meant to say the CREW and staff are phenomenal.