HAL's Signature of Excellence (SOE) Timetable and Details

[Stevesan]

http://www.hollandamerica.com/signatureofexcellence/signatureofexcellence.do

 

Click on "Schedule Update" In the lower right of the page. The schedule page is in Adobe Acrobat format.

[trubey]

Thanks for posting the link. This is a perfect example of why I check these boards so many times a day. Susan.

[TeresaJenkins]

I loved the 2 min video! Thanks for posting.

[Sea Island Lady]

Very cool! Thank you for the information.:)

[whalers4ever]

:) Perhaps they will be done with the Veendam in time for my journey!

 

 

 

Holland America's Veendam - This will bring us to 25 Sailing Days, all with Holland America!!!

[Majika]

Oh no, according to this schedule the Zuiderdam won't have the nice new pillow top bed by our July 30th sailing..bummer. :(

[Himself]

Thanks for the link. Enjoyed seeing the schedule and the presentation by Gary Walker, a fine CD.

 

Himself

[gsheth]

I just confirmed with Ship Services that all Vista Class ships have not been in dry dock yet and able to have the SOE upgrades--contrary to many of the check marks showing various items already completed on the January 2005 chart--mostly because the ships are newer/nicer and are therefore of lesser priority to have upgrades done. This incorrect SOE timetable posted on the website was important to us as we are bringing our four and six year old boys on board for our 4/2-4/9 Mexican Riviera sailing on the Oosterdam, and Club HAL only currently accommodates down to age 5 on that ship (vs. 3 if the ship has gone through SOE upgrades).

 

That said, this will be our second time on the "O", and we're looking forward to it as a family.

 

George S.

Alaska - Oosterdam - August 2004

[Rudydog]

I just got off of the Veendam and the cabins do not have DVD players as of yet -- I had even called to verify they had them prior to sailing and was told they were there. There are VCR's but no DVD's -- was told it may be a year before they get them in all cabins.

[Sharkfin]

That was great thanks so much!!

 

Oosterdam 9/17/2005

S/S Norway 8/2001

[rjbean4]

:cool: Thought I would offer some info on this subject as my mom & I have been cruising with Holland America for over 15 years. When we started cruising it was just the old Rotterdam V, Noordam & the Nieuw Amsterdam. First night out on our first HAL cruise I met one of the crew and till this day we have been the best of friends and helped him with many things that have lead to helping his family.

Anyways, we saw him this last Monday down in Ft. Lauderdale on board the Rotterdam as they sailed that day to go Trans Atlantic back to Europe for the summer. The Rotterdam has just completed her SOA dry dock at Freeport in the Bahamas. They actually came back into Ft. Lauderdale Sunday mid morning. Our last 2 cruises have been on the Rotterdam and boy has she had a face lift. We were on board with visitor passes thanks to my friend so we were able to see all the changes.

The spa is now the Greenhouse with a larger fitness center, more treatment rooms and a thermal suite. This has changed the front profile of the ship though and the space inside was increased by utilizing the outside deck space that was there in front of the spa. As a result the bow of the ship can no longer be seen from the Crows Nest.

The deck around the lido pool has been replaced an more of a non slip surface along with all new furniture.

The Crows Nest has a new DJ booth and a BIG new dance floor. Also a big video screen.

The Lido restaurant also has a new look with new curtains, carpeting, tile work on the floor and behind the serving line and new plates, cups,etc. Also the deserts have been moved to where the salad area was as well as some new serving stations to give her a little more of a food court style like the Vista class ships.

In the theater is where the Culinary Arts center has been added. The angle of the seating has been changed also and the color of the seats.

The Java Cafe is now a new wine area located next to the Pinnacle Grill.

Exploratins Cafe now takes up where the library, puzzle corner and the card room were. There are also listening stations for music there now too. Used to be able to get the coffee & cookies at the Java for free but no longer the case at the Exploratins Cafe. For those familiar with the Rotterdam know thats where the replicas of the Terra cotta army were from Xi'an China. They have been moved to the other side of the corridor next to the Explorers Lounge.

Then there is the improvements for Club HAL in the same location of where the sky room was and above that the Oasis for the teens. This improvement is totally cool and will be great for the kids on board. The Oasis has a pool with a waterfall, hammocks and other seating areas as this is a area for teens only.

We noticed some new artwork on board in the staircases also. We did not get to see the cabins because embarkation was in progress but was told that the cabins on board the Rotterdam do have the flat screen tv's & DVD players.

In the hallway on both sides of Navigation deck are old photos of HAL past. A lot of history in these over the years and of previous ships in the fleet.

The tv's that were over the Casino bar have been replaced. Also new video screens on either side of the curtain in the Queens Lounge. New carpeting everywhere and upolstery on the chairs.

Also for those who might be aware of what happened during the Fall trans atlantic cruise the Rotterdam did last September, form what we could see all the glass doors that broke have been replaced as well as some others so everything is the same. We were passengers on board that crossing last September and there was quite a bit of cosmetic damage to the ship as a result but thankfully now that has also been taken care of. Will never forget that evening on Sept. 24th when we were dead in the water for 3 hours being broadsided by 30 ft seas and rolling to as much as 28 degrees from Hurricane Karl. The sound of everything falling and breaking in the Crows Nest and having the Piano flip over won't be forgotten.

So far the ships that have been completed with the SOA are the Ryndam, Zaandam and Rotterdam. The Princendam had had her dry dock but did not include a lot of what is being done on the other ships and does not have Club HAL. The Westerdam is going to Freeport this next week for about 9 days. Statendam is headed to Victoria, BC for her Dry Dock the 25th - May 12th. Rest of the ships in the fleet will either be done in the fall or by the Spring of 2006.

R. J. Bean

43 cruises on HAL at the age of 40

473 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS

8/05 Alaska on the Veendam

12/05 Caribbean for the Holidays on the Zaandam

If Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[BNguy]

I'm hoping someone can answer this, we are sailing on the Amsterdam on May 5 (circle trip to Hawaii) Do the "S" suites have DVD players (as the SOE timetable says) or do they have VCR's? I'm asking because I'd like to bring several movies with me, but I have to know which kind to bring!

 

Thanks for whatever help you can provide.

 

BNguy

[T Rex]

Boo-booed. Wrong thread.

[rjbean4]

:cool: BNguy,

 

Wouldn't count on it. Have read some other posts, one from someone who was on the Veendam recently and also saw that based on that schedule for SOE that the info is WRONG. The post said that they didn't have DVDs & the flat screen TVs as the schedule said. Mentioned that they called HAL also and was told before sailing that the DVDs and the flat screens were on the Veendam but found to be WRONG once on board. My mom & I are going to be on her in Alaska for 2 weeks in August.

 

Based on experience of knowing A LOT of the Beverage Dept crew and what they tell us that they wouldn't just tell anybody, My guess would be that no, you will not have DVDs for your sailing. Probably still have the VCR's in the suites.

 

We saw my good friend that works in the Beverage Dept who is currently on the Rotterdam when they were in Ft. Lauderdale on the 11th. They had just spent 3 1/2 weeks in drydock at Freeport, Bahamas for their SOE work. Based on getting to see all the changes on the Rotterdam, the Amsterdam won't have DVDs and the flat screen TVs till her SOE drydock which will be Sept/Oct in Victoria.

 

Hope this Helps.

 

R. J. Bean

43 Cruises on HAL at the age of 40

473 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS

8/05 Alaska on the Veendam

12/05 Holiday Cruise on theZaandam

If Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[helenp2]

thanks for the SOE update - greatly appreciated. I do have a question on the update. I noticed you said they have added a "thermal suite" on the Rotterdam, what about a "hydro pool"??? Is it just the thermal room, or both? Thanks

[rjbean4]

:cool: Helenp2,

 

Yes the Rotterdam now has a thermal suite with the heated ceramic lounge chairs as there are 5 of them. And there is also a hydrotherapy pool in the thermal suite but its more along the lines of a jacuzzi about the size as the ones next to the Lido pool. Its next to the front windows. If you wanna see a hydro pool you should see them on the Vista class ships. The Rotterdam's themal suite is along the starboard side and looks over the bow of the ship. Don't forget that you will probably have to pay to use it.

 

R. J. Bean

43 cruises on HAL at the age of 40

473 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS

8/05 Alaska on the Veendam

12/05 Holiday Cruise on the Zaandam

If Holland America doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[richkat]

Really enjoyed the video of the Ryndam showing the enhancements. Where is this outside teen area with pool? Has the aft pool been untouched? I hope so because that is our favorite spot on the ship.

 

Thanks,

 

-- R&K

[rjbean4]

Richkat,

 

:cool: Sure you are aware that the Ryndam was the first ship to go through her Signature of Excellence dry dock. Others have since also done theirs. Including the Zaandam & Rotterdam. Statendam is now doing hers in Victoria, BC returning to sevice on May 13 for the Alaska season. The Westerdam also just did a dry dock in Freeport and now en route to Europe for the Summer. Rest of the fleet will do thiers either in the fall or in 06.

 

To answer your question the new Club HAL facilities including the Oasis is up on Sports Deck aft so the aft Navigation Deck pool area should be un touched. Based on our experience visiting the Rotterdam fresh out of her dry dock on April 11th in Ft. Lauderdale this is the way it is there.

 

R. J. Bean

43 cruises on HAL at the age of 40

473 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS

8/05 Alaska on the Veendam

12/05 Holiday Cruise on the Zaandam

If Holland AMerica doesn't go there WE DON'T GO!!!!

[MsJ]

Hi...can anyone tell me if the Veendam is going to have the thermal suites too? From what I have read it seems like it . According to the HAL website in the Spring 2006?????? We are looking at the Veendam for February 2006.....we loved the thermal beds on the Zuiderdam. Would hate to just miss having them on the Veendam......I would rather wait until after they are installed and go another time.....when we were on the Z they had not put in the new mattress in our cabin...we spent both sea days in the thermal suite and the spa...it was the 2 best days of the cruise in my opinion:) Thanks Marianne

[rjbean4]

MsJ,

 

:cool: From what I have read, Veendam will have her Signature of Excellence dry dock in January, 2006. After she is finished will have her first sailing on January 28, 2006 from Tampa. This information comes from our Mariner magazine that came in the mail last week. It's the Spring issue. Also lists the ships that are completed and the schedule for ships that have yet to have their dry dock.

 

Ships that are completed are; Princendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam, Statendam, Westerdam and Zaandam.

 

The Statendam actually is finishing up her dry dock in Victoria this week and will re enter service on Friday sailing from Vancouver.

 

Amsterdam will get hers in September. Resuming service on October 6, 2005 from Seattle for her 62 day Orient Explorer cruise.

 

Volendam in December, 2005 resuming service on December 19, 2005 from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Zuiderdam in in December, 2005 resuming service on December 22, 2005 from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Maasdam in April, 2006 resuming service on April 28, 2006 from Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Oosterdam in September, 2006 resuming service on October 3, 2006 from Vancouver.

 

This info comes form the Spring 05 Mariner magazine and also mentions to visit the HAL website for updates. Hope this helps everyone.

 

R. J. Bean

43 cruises on HAL at the age of 40

473 days at sea on 11 different DAM SHIPS

8/05 Alaska on the Veendam

12/05 Holiday Cruise on the Veendam (have changed ships)

If Holland America Doesn't go there, WE DON'T GO!!!!

[dew2004]

I just got back from an Alaskan cruise on the Statendam. What you just described sounds like the upgrades made to that ship as well. It was her first trip since dry dock and there were a few glitches but the beds were great and the flat screen tv's and dvd's were a nice touch.

[FamilyofFourtoAlaska]

We are going on the Statendam in early August and I have been waiting to hear from someone who has actually been on her since the dry dock. Care to elaborate any on the enhancements?

[dew2004]

We are going on the Statendam in early August and I have been waiting to hear from someone who has actually been on her since the dry dock. Care to elaborate any on the enhancements?

 

I have never actually been on the Statendam before this past month. However, they have the new spa - which is very nice with the thermal beds and stuff. You can pay about $90 and use the spa through the whole cruise - the thermal beds, showers, saunas and that sort of stuff.

 

I am told that the Crow's Nest was all redone. It was very nice. It had a huge screen on one wall and a new bar and new DJ booth.

 

The rooms were all redone. The beds were great - very comfortable. The flat screen TV's and the DVD players are a nice touch. You can rent the DVD's for about $4 each from the library. At the time of sailing, they did not have a DVD list - but they probably do now.

 

The library, internet and games area is obviously redone and great. Stations where you can kick back, relax, listen to music and look out the windows. The cafe there I believe is a pay one so I never used it - I just popped up to the Lido and got what I wanted then returned.

 

The dining room food was very good and the service at my table was excellent. I did find the dining room chairs were not as comfortable as they could have been - they reclined back to far for me - it could just be my build though, I don't know. The food in the lido was very good as well.

 

The ship had a few problems - but personally, I think if people relaxed and realized that no one and nothing is perfect - they would have had a better time. I took a few pictures of the ship and will put them online once I figure out how - and, if I can find this thread again, I will let you know how to see them. - they are not great, but it may give you some idea.

 

Do you know what cabin you are in yet?

 

Diana

[FamilyofFourtoAlaska]

Thanks so much for your reply and further info. I am going with my husband, 9 y.o. son and 13 y.o. daughter. We debated splitting up and getting two staterooms, but were hesistant to do so. So we are booked in a "S" category suite - 011. I don't know how to judge exactly what is a good location. It did not end up being too much more than two rooms since we get to the 3rd and 4th person prices. We get all those other benefits which will probably be great with kids, too. When we booked we did not know the Statendam would be updated, but the times worked out best for our family on this particular tour. I have heard about so many problems with the Ryndam post-update (lots of toilet issues) and am hopeful that the Statendam will not have the same. At this point I am thinking that there will not be many kids will be on an early August sailing; so many schools go back the second week of August now. If so, the kids are stuck with Mom and Dad :( . We are doing lots of shore excursions - probably too many, but I could not help myself!

[dew2004]

Unfortunately, toilets were an issue with the Statendam as well - but they worked on fixing them. I don't know what the best location on the ship is either unfortunatley and I have never stayed in a suite. Let me know how it is. When I was on the ship in May there were quite a few kids. I did not have my 9 y.o. daughter with me so I did not even check out the kids programs - but the kids I saw seemed to be having a good time!!! I am pretty sure that they should have the ship in better shape by August and, just remember, if you don't sweat the small stuff you have a lot more fun - at least that is my view anyway. I am sure your kids will have a great time. What shore excursions are you doing?

 

 

 

Diana