Iwant2BatC

The Ryndam is my least favorite ship and the Rotterdam my favorite. I have also sailed on the Veendam, Volendam, Zaandam, Statendam, Ansterdam, Zuiderdam and Oosterdam. (I don't sail on the biggies). I am not sure I can quantify why but I have always felt the Rotterdam a "cut above" the others. She is a lovely lady. I spent 32 days on her last year and 55 this year. Both cruises were my best yet with Holland America. Great captains, excellent hotel managers, and super support staff. I had my worst cruise on the Ryndam but it was a number of years ago. I think you will find that 10 people on the same cruise will give you 10 different opinions so the preceding is just my two cents worth . Enjoy yourself whichever ship you choose!!

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Just came off the Rotterdam. She is my favorite ship I the fleet. I think you will love her!

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Love your review and your wonderful photos. Darling girls. Btw. I regularly fly Hawaiian from HNL-SEA - Non Stop! The flight leaves at 1:15 and arrives at 9:55 pm. And, they serve a meal.

Very nice! Thanks

Recently I found a huge savings on business class air going through Holland America. Also, if you have a certain level of stars you can select your own carrier. I, unfortunately, booked air after transferring my booking to a travel agent and it was a huge pain not being able to deal with the air department directly. Also, you have to pay for your flights immediately to guarantee your booking BUT they dont actually ticket your booking until about 45 days out. That makes life difficult if you are trying for a mileage upgrade in terms of availability. Still, it was worth it to get the carrier and flights of my choice. Ideally, book your air before transferring your booking.

The Statendam did a World War II cruise 5 or so years ago. It revisited many of the Pacific Islands which were battle sights and did a cruise by Iwo Jima dropping commemorative wreaths. It was very poignant as many of the passengers were veterans who had fought during that war.

Another unusual one was when the Prinsendam did a two week to Alaska RT San Francisco.

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Captain Andre van Schoonhoven, new Captain to Prinsendam, was promoted to Captain after being Chief Officer. We sailed his first cruise as Captain on Maasdam and he's terrific. Wonderful gentleman.

 

Seems to me he was once Chief Officer on Prinsendam?

Anyone know?

I believe I sailed with him on Prinsendam when Bos was captain.

I am wondering if one of the chief officers has been promoted to captain and since the Prinsendam is smaller perhaps she is a short training assignment. I know that often when even experienced captains go to the next class up of ship they train with another captain several weeks. It isn't always on the ship to which they will ultimately be assigned. Some of the older captains may be getting ready to retire.

I'm sure you are aware the Medallion Program counts actual cruise days unlike the Star Mariner Program that includes spending bonus days and suite double days. Just trying to avoid confusion for those who may not know the difference in the two concurrently running programs.

Someone should educate the staff and cruise directors about the difference. The last cruise that I was on the Cruise Director announced at the award ceremony that all those with 700 days or more had platinum medallions. Obviously not true. Many front desk staff I have spoken with don't understand. Frankly, I can't imagine why they ever came up with this confusing scheme. I think they wanted to do away with medallions but mariners squawked so much they caved.

I thought it meant I want to Be at C (sea)

Thank You! You win the prize.

Hello I want to Bat............... cleanup? ;)

 

Scheduled on RTDM for that voyage are:

 

Capt. Hans Mateboer, the author

HD Bert van Mackelenbergh

DRM Ozgur Turnuklu

BM Tinus van Schoor

 

Always scheduled to change!

Thanks! It will be interesting to see how many ports get substituted on this cruise. Nothing like heading for the hot spots. And, no- definitely no cleanup. Lol

Hello Copper. I wonder if you know who the captain, hotel manager, dining room manager and beverage manager will be for the Rotterday Africa cruise September 27. Thank you

Hello Copper- could your crystal ball tell us who the Captain, Hotel Manager, Dining Room and Beverage managers will be on the Rotterdam Around Africa departing Sept 28? Thank you.

Suzie I am taking the Empire Builder to Seattle and then taking an Amtrak train from Seattle to Vancouver B.C.

I hope you take the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver. I recently took it and the train is lovely and the scenery spectacular. You will lovebit.

Thanks for all the insights and ideas. Perhaps the idea about high days does have validity. I am 5 star with over 900 days and my friends are only 4 star. Maybe they just throw out all the 5 star comments. One well known captain told me the old timers are too much trouble!

Recently I returned from a cruise with friends and filled out the cruise evaluation forms which were sent to us by e-mail. All of us had some fairly serious issues and so noted in our evaluations. Both my friends have had e- mail responses. I have heard nothing.. Does anyone know the standard format for handling issues noted in the evaluations?

Hi everyone

The Antarctica excursion offered by HAL requires a minimum number of people to sign up. Does anyone know how many people are required for this excursion to happen? My DH is so excited about doing this and we realize that weather can also likely cancel it. But our fingers are crossed....

 

We would love to hear stories from anyone who has done this tour. Thanks so much!

It was a GO on the Around South America cruise several years ago. One of the peak experiences of my life. We all nearly cried when the plane took off and when the pilot came on and said we were starting our descent and we should all put on our warm clothes - it was really a thrill. We went to Frei Airforce Base operated by the Chilean government. Our naturalist was the lady who helped design the Sea World penguin exhibit. We took zodiac out to nearby islands and sat amongst the penguins. Worth every penny!

Thanks for sharing. I'm so sorry you had to cancel' date=' and hope the circumstances were not too serious. I like the concept of Holland's "Cancel for any reason" insurance. You just never know what's around the corner...[/quote']

 

I would like it better if you could collect the additional 10% when the cancellation reason is medical!

Thank you for those wonderful photos. Oh how I loved that ship. Especially that indoor pool.

Airplanes are festering hot beds of germs! The media has been giving coverage lately to how long some common germs last on planes. Cramming more seats in is the least of it - the airlines only give the aircraft superficial once over. Good idea to wipe down everything around your seat with sanitizing wipes.

Thanks for the suggestions. It is too late to cancel the HAL Platinum and I am hopeful that some company will write a rider to cover the 10%.

Has anyone researched an insurance plan that would cover the 10% Holland America doesn't cover with their Platinum Plan? I have already purchased their insurance for an expensive upcoming cruise not realizing that the reason for canceling (even medical) doesn't matter. They still only reimburse 90%.

We sailed with the very wonderful Captain Peter Bos on Veendam last summer. Perhaps he is still one of the two Veendam Captains or has he moved to a different ship?

He has moved to the Oosterdam. Venndam's loss. Oosterdam's gain!

Personally, I wouldn't mind an overnight in Malaga as there is so much to see there. I think the difficult part on the Around Africa is they probably have had their slot for the Suez for a long time and it isn't easy to change. So, I am guessing they already have some alternate ports lined up ie Istanbul, Crete, etc. I was on the 85 day but just rebooked for only 49.

I asked my friend who just got off the Veendam yesterday:

Same captain entire cruise: Chris Norman. Hotel director is Simon de Boer.

Thanks for the info. We are going next week and were curious.