Volendam - What to expect?

[auburn77]

We have never been on an HAL ship. We are sailing the Volendam next month. Being very easy to please (it's a cruise!), I am amused and also feel pity for spoiled cruisers whom let a minor event ruin their cruise (One poster even complained about the waiter not separating the lobster from the shell for him). I have only been on one ship that I remotely disliked, but still enjoyed the cruise.
Anyway, being owned by Carnival, is the Volendam anything like Carnival as far as food(warm melting cake, lobster, 24 hour pizza and ice cream,etc.) and entertainment (not that important as we will be in Alaska). Will we find it easy to get a space on the deck for viewing while cruising the Inside Passage? Do people 'camp out' to get the best spaces? Will I win $10,000 in the casino?
Regardless, I'll have a great cruise. If there's a bump in the road, I'll go over it and keep going.

[northernphoenix]

Our first ever cruise was Alaska onboard the Volendam, and we were bitten by the bug!!! Since we had nothing to compare this to, I suppose some might question our reactions, but all I can say is that we would be happy to join you ( and I have this as a repeat on my bucket list)
Marilyn

[auburn77]

[quote name='northernphoenix']Our first ever cruise was Alaska onboard the Volendam, and we were bitten by the bug!!! Since we had nothing to compare this to, I suppose some might question our reactions, but all I can say is that we would be happy to join you ( and I have this as a repeat on my bucket list)
Marilyn[/QUOTE]

We have never been to your country, either, but are going on a 7 day tour beginning in Calgary before our cruise. It has been part of our bucket list and I hear it's beautiful.

[northernphoenix]

Welcome to our fair country. we are very proud of the natural beauty of this country and you will be experiencing some of the best. if at all possible visit Lake Louise , Banff and Jasper. we travelled north form Calgary to Edmonton and then down to Jasper and Banff, many years ago. God was at his/her very best when creating this!!!
marilyn

[RuthC]

[quote name='auburn77']Anyway, being owned by Carnival, is the Volendam anything like Carnival as far as food(warm melting cake, lobster, 24 hour pizza and ice cream,etc.) and entertainment (not that important as we will be in Alaska). Will we find it easy to get a space on the deck for viewing while cruising the Inside Passage? Do people 'camp out' to get the best spaces? Will I win $10,000 in the casino?[/quote]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=royalblue]First, let's clarify one thing: the Volendam is owned by Holland America. Holland America is owned by Carnival Corporation, which also owns Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America is a sibling line to Carnival, and as in all families, the siblings can be very different. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#4169e1]Specifically, the Lido is not open for food 24/7. There is coffee, hot water, tea bags, cocoa packets. There is a 24/7 room service menu, and you can order off the dining room menu during dining hours. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#4169e1][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#4169e1]The Volendam has lots of deck space for glacier viewing---including from the bow. I urge you to walk around and view the glaciers from many viewpoints. If Alaska is having its well-known "liquid sunshine" the day you are there, then the Lower Promenade Deck will be a great place to be. Since it is covered, you will be sheltered, while still being able to breathe the fresh air, and hear the glaciers calve. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#4169e1]And sure, everyone wins at least $10,000 in the casino. ;) [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#4169e1]Have a great time in The Great Land. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[kazu]

There will be some similarities between the two cruise lines and then some big differences. Orchids in the lido, hand towels to dry your hands in the public washrooms, bread pudding, fresh squeezed oj every morning at no charge - it goes on.

the lines are similar but not alike. The Volendam is a small ship with plenty of public space, a great crew, gorgeous flowers - it's just plain different - enjoy and have a great cruise:D:D

they don't offer a 24/7 Lido as Ruth C said, but they do offer a phenomenal 24/7 room service menu and a great regular hour room service menu - not to mention if you want dinner in your room you can order off the dining room menu (make sure the order is placed at the right time).

The ship is an experience - have fun:)

[RMLincoln]

Our first cruise was on Carnival Spirit to Alaska. Some years later we took our grandkids on their first cruise, Volendam to Alaska. I loved both cruises but they are different ships.

Carnival ships are glitzy to zaney - the fun ships; HAL ships are elegant,smaller, lower passenger to crew ratio, more space per passenger, quieter, excellent library with room for games, puzzles, big chairs and big windows and lots of books including reference books if you want to look up whales, birds, glaciers, eskimos etc on your journey.

Both ships had the National Park Rangers come aboard to provide narration through Glacier Nat'l Park. HAL serves cups of hot pea soup on the outsdie decks during glacier viewing.

You shouldn't need ear plugs in the entertainment showroom on HAL whereas Carnival's volume is always at "10". And the cushioned teak deck lounge chairs on HAL's wrap-around Lower Promonade deck are wonderful for relaxing in and listening to the waves.

I'm sure you'll have a great cruise if you bring your good attitude. Enjoy! m--

[erewhon]

The Volendam is a quietly elegant ship, hope you enjoy sailing on her as much as we do.
An early [B][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]Bon Voyage for you.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

[startwin]

The Volendam is my favourite ship, and I have sailed quite a few between HAL and Royal Caribbean. She's perfect for Alaska and lots of room for viewing. No glitz, but elegant and comfortable, just the right size. Food is good, crew is great, no 24-hour pizza but there is 24-hour room service.

Good luck in the casino:D

[sallywallygal]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=teal]Auburn, it looks like we will be on your cruise! We also have been Carnival cruisers up to this point. We've been on four since 2006, all to the Caribbean. I was a reluctant Carnival cruiser for the first one, thinking it would be a big party, but went for the price. I had been on a Princess cruise to Alaska before I got married and really wanted to go with Princess of RC, but they were a lot more expensive. We have loved all of our Carnival cruises!! We're excited to go to Alaska on the Volendam, which I chose based on the great itinerary. It will be fun to see all of the differences. I will miss the warm chocolate melting cake, though. I'm not too excited about bread pudding. :o [/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=teal][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=teal](Auburn, come on over to the roll call!)[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[auburn77]

[quote name='northernphoenix']Welcome to our fair country. we are very proud of the natural beauty of this country and you will be experiencing some of the best. if at all possible visit Lake Louise , Banff and Jasper. we travelled north form Calgary to Edmonton and then down to Jasper and Banff, many years ago. God was at his/her very best when creating this!!!
marilyn[/quote]

We are, in fact, visiting Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise.

And thanks everyone for the replies.

[auburn77]

[quote name='sallywallygal'][SIZE=3][COLOR=teal]Auburn, it looks like we will be on your cruise! We also have been Carnival cruisers up to this point. We've been on four since 2006, all to the Caribbean. I was a reluctant Carnival cruiser for the first one, thinking it would be a big party, but went for the price. I had been on a Princess cruise to Alaska before I got married and really wanted to go with Princess of RC, but they were a lot more expensive. We have loved all of our Carnival cruises!! We're excited to go to Alaska on the Volendam, which I chose based on the great itinerary. It will be fun to see all of the differences. I will miss the warm chocolate melting cake, though. I'm not too excited about bread pudding. :o [/COLOR][/SIZE]

[SIZE=3][COLOR=teal](Auburn, come on over to the roll call!)[/COLOR][/SIZE][/quote]

I have not had any problems with Carnival. We usually cruise when the young, rowdy crowd is small (or non existent like on the Med cruises).
Are you sure we're on the same cruise? We sail 06/20. I didn't see a roll call for that date.

[suzanneb]

[quote name='auburn77']We have never been on an HAL ship. We are sailing the Volendam next month. Being very easy to please (it's a cruise!), I am amused and also feel pity for spoiled cruisers whom let a minor event ruin their cruise (One poster even complained about the waiter not separating the lobster from the shell for him). I have only been on one ship that I remotely disliked, but still enjoyed the cruise.
Anyway, being owned by Carnival, is the Volendam anything like Carnival as far as food(warm melting cake, lobster, 24 hour pizza and ice cream,etc.) and entertainment (not that important as we will be in Alaska). Will we find it easy to get a space on the deck for viewing while cruising the Inside Passage? Do people 'camp out' to get the best spaces? Will I win $10,000 in the casino?
Regardless, I'll have a great cruise. If there's a bump in the road, I'll go over it and keep going.[/quote]

My favorite cruise was on the Volendam. You will love the ship and Alaska. I went back in 2008 to Alaska, the food and the staff were awesome! You will not be disappointed!

[Mare10]

I'll chime in here. I just got back a couple weeks ago from my first cruise on the Volendam. I had gone last year on the Princess which was a bigger ship but similar itinerary.

I was not disappointed in the Volendam..... loved it! The service was outstanding as was the food. Advantages to a smaller ship like this!

Enjoy your cruise as much as I did. If you like Piano Bars don't miss Lee. There's a waiter Richard that you could say hi for me! We enjoyed our evenings there.

Marilyn

[Assateague Island Princes]

Be sure to check out the "secret deck" on the aft of the Navigation Deck. Just take the stairs down from the aft of the Lido deck. Wonderful seclusion w/awesome wake views, and hardly any "company" to speak of. Enjoy!

[erewhon]

[quote name='Assateague Island Princes']Be sure to check out the "secret deck" on the aft of the Navigation Deck. Just take the stairs down from the aft of the Lido deck. Wonderful seclusion w/awesome wake views, and hardly any "company" to speak of. Enjoy![/quote]

And a similar "secret deck" on Verandah deck.

[Assateague Island Princes]

Right you are, erewhon;)! But I prefer the Navigation deck for its open railing, whereas deck 6 is a solid barrier so you need to be standing for the magnificent views. Both work very well for less crowded, gorgeous aft views, don't you think?

[PathfinderEss]

[quote name='auburn77']We have never been on an HAL ship. We are sailing the Volendam next month. Being very easy to please (it's a cruise!), I am amused and also feel pity for spoiled cruisers whom let a minor event ruin their cruise (One poster even complained about the waiter not separating the lobster from the shell for him). I have only been on one ship that I remotely disliked, but still enjoyed the cruise.
Anyway, being owned by Carnival, is the Volendam anything like Carnival as far as food(warm melting cake, lobster, 24 hour pizza and ice cream,etc.) and entertainment (not that important as we will be in Alaska). Will we find it easy to get a space on the deck for viewing while cruising the Inside Passage? Do people 'camp out' to get the best spaces? Will I win $10,000 in the casino?
Regardless, I'll have a great cruise. If there's a bump in the road, I'll go over it and keep going.[/quote]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=darkred][B]No ice cream or pizza 24/7, certainly the Vollendam has them but just not all night too. What you will find is better food. Do try the Pinnacle Grill, awesome food. [/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[B][SIZE=3][COLOR=#8b0000]Yes you will find a space on the deck for viewing. Ofcourse you will win 10,000 dollars in the casino and I will look like 40 again. :D Have a great cruise you will love Alaska.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

[erewhon]

[quote name='Assateague Island Princes']Right you are, erewhon;)! But I prefer the Navigation deck for its open railing, whereas deck 6 is a solid barrier so you need to be standing for the magnificent views. Both work very well for less crowded, gorgeous aft views, don't you think?[/quote]

I agree with you.
Good site to take photos.

[ttnc4me]

Since you are in the midst of sailing right now, I'd be curious to hear your trip report when you return.