Statendam Review in Members Review Section

[SilvertoGold]

I just finished reading the review by Brian&Joan on their August cruise on the Statendam under the "Members Cruise Reviews" section.

 

They had "over 50 disappointments", many of which seemed to arise from a misunderstanding of what to expect on HAL as opposed to other lines.

 

I am wondering how common this is. I really felt sorry for their problems and disappointments because much seemed standard HAL to us and not a big deal. I guess we are so used to HAL that we don't think that how HAL operates is "bad"! But it must be very confusing to a HAL newbie with very different experiences on other lines.

 

Any thoughts on this review?

[sail7seas]

I don't go looking for reviews on that review section. I only read them if there is a link provided or the review is copy and pasted here.

[boulders]

I've been reading a lot of Zaandam reviews lately. Many of them are similar to the Statendam one. I really wish that there were a comment feature on the member reviews, so that we could point out 1) many of their complaints are about normal things on cruise ships, and 2) their complaints could have been avoided if they had done some research. The Alaska itineraries really seem to bring out these types of reviews.

 

On the Royal Caribbean board, there's a thread about don't book a suite on the Oasis. The OP evidently couldn't get iced tea in the concierge lounge and was very put out that the concierge wouldn't order it for her. Somehow, she thought that her experience should be equal to a 5 star hotel on Maui. :rolleyes:

 

Really people, if you are going to book a vacation that costs the same as a small car, do some research on what you are purchasing.

[Sea42]

I feel for these people. How frustrating to have your vacation be such a disappointment! I think they made some very valid points in regards to the dining hours and service issues. I appreciated that they didn't make a huge deal out of the complaints that they considered minor (nits). I do hope their next cruise is much more to their liking!

[Rusty Scupper]

Having read the review, I think it sounds like the kind of cruise I would expect and could still enjoy -- unless their report on the food holds true. And it would be pretty hard for the food to be worse than on the last non-Holland cruise we took.

 

I agree: They may not have known what is standard for Holland, and they did suffer a few legitimate problems, so it was unfortunate they were so disappointed.

 

Here's the link:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=227020

[OVgirl]

I think their expectations were just too high.

And a little more research would have prepared them for some of the issues.

 

Hope that when they go back to their cruiseline of choice, they have a better time.

[PathfinderEss]

Wow, guess they didn't like their cruise. I take these kind of reviews with a grain of salt. I have traveled on other cruise lines and they are not any better then Hal. Maybe I'm a little to easy going (most the time) to let stuff that bother them, to bother me, I don't know but I'm sorry they didn't have a good cruise. Hopefully if they cruise again, they will do better.

[JimnKaren]

I wonder...do people who write reviews generally post glowing things? Or not?

 

My guess that most of the folks who have had a fabulous time, will write something short and feel good about their recommendation.

 

However, those who don't have a fabulous time feel the need to let others know that there are big opportunities for disappointment.

 

We sailed on Statendam in February. We had several issues with the service in the MDR. I expressed my concerns at the time and the dining room staff did try to make it better. They didn't do a good job. We did get to have our names and faces known though. We ate in other places.

 

It was a great cruise, and I won't go into details about my experiences. That's the way I am.

 

Jim

[SilvertoGold]

We sailed the Statendam in the same time period and thought the food was fine to excellent. The service at the 8pm upper seating was outstanding. So many of the "nits" described are quite standard on HAL.

 

 

As noted by many, I do think doing some serious research beforehand helps a lot. If we ever sail another line I will be doing the research!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yikes -- over 50 disappointments -- I'll have to read the review.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Having read the review, I think it sounds like the kind of cruise I would expect and could still enjoy -- unless their report on the food holds true. And it would be pretty hard for the food to be worse than on the last non-Holland cruise we took.

 

I agree: They may not have known what is standard for Holland, and they did suffer a few legitimate problems, so it was unfortunate they were so disappointed.

 

Here's the link:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=227020

 

 

Thank you for the link. Now I won't have to hunt the review.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Seems like there was a lot of "nit" picking over everything.

Maybe they wanted a free cruise?

[Wakepatrol]

somebody is going to have to sit next to him on his next cruise. I pray it's not me.:eek:

[sail7seas]

Having read the review, I think it sounds like the kind of cruise I would expect and could still enjoy -- unless their report on the food holds true. And it would be pretty hard for the food to be worse than on the last non-Holland cruise we took.

 

I agree: They may not have known what is standard for Holland, and they did suffer a few legitimate problems, so it was unfortunate they were so disappointed.

 

Here's the link:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=227020

 

 

Thanks for the link.

Appreciate you providing it.

Sorry the reviewer had so many disappointments on their cruise.

 

[Lady Chew]

somebody is going to have to sit next to him on his next cruise. I pray it's not me.:eek:

 

Me, too!

We were on the Statendam in August and didn't see/sense any of those types of difficulties, except for our dinner in the Pinnacle Grill.

I could almost swear we had breakfast in the Lido after 10:30 am ... getting up there that late, I mean ...

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I wonder what cruise line they usually sail. IMO he spent more time looking for things to be wrong to the point he could not enjoy anything.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I wonder what cruise line they usually sail. IMO he spent more time looking for things to be wrong to the point he could not enjoy anything.

 

He mentions Princess and Celebrity when he talks about the specialty restaurants.

[sail7seas]

I can't imagine actually counting how many things disappointed me in anything I do in life let alone a cruise. :eek: Sure we all make note when something is not the way we'd like but do we actually total up and count a list?

 

[NikKasey]

Honestly!! This has to be a joke ! We are on the Statendam 30 day Hawaii/Tahiti in a couple of weeks and can't wait(130 days on Hal) and the second time we have done the 30 day Tahiti cruise. Thanks Hal for Open Seating !

[whogo]

I thought the review had some excellent warnings for those considering a HAL cruise: no escort to cabin; no refrigerator; limited live music; limited dining times; challenges eating with allergies; limited forward facing venues; difficulty getting answers beyond "the basics"; room temperature challenges; afternoon tea service problems; mediocre showroom troupe; the rush to clean cabins at disembarkation; and website challenges. Regular Holland America cruisers are desensitized to these issues, first timers should be warned. Very helpful review.

[OCruisers]

Our very good friends were first time HAL cruisers on Statendam to Alaska in August and they had a fantastic time. Loved Statendam and thought it was a perfect size ship. They are hoping they can find a cruise on Statendam that goes through the Panama canal. They fell in love with that ship! :)

 

Special thanks to KK and others here who were so very helpful in answering my questions. Just last Saturday, they asked me to thank my HAL CC friends for all of the good information. (While I sometimes cruise on HAL, it's never been on Statendam to Alaska so I depended on you.)

 

Strange with cruises ... how what some hate ... others love. Happens all the time. :rolleyes:

 

LuLu

~~~~

[jlt60]

Wow, I have been reading this forum for a couple months now, and now have decided I needed to comment.

 

I was on that Statendam last week along with 3 other couples and my husband, and if you ask any of us, we would have a very different review of the cruise than the review in question. We all had a great time, found the food in the Lido very tasty, lots of food choices to pick from. We found the staff very helpful and eager to help and to please us.

 

Yes, it was our first cruise and maybe we are too easy going....but would we do it again? Yes in a heart beat and I would travel on the Statendam again.

 

P.S. The weather in all ports was beautiful. Sunny and no rain. The day in Glacier Bay was picture perfect, and yes they did open the swimming pool roof to let some of the heat out, plus they were grilling the salmon bake by the pool. Only drawback, the days at sea were a bit rough, the ship did bounce around a bit.

 

Any questions or comment please ask.

[chrispb]

Are HAL the only line who don't put fridges in ALL their staterooms? Perhaps it's time they got round to this.

 

I don't have food allergies but I can understand those who do expect to have their needs met.

 

The other "nits" really wouldn't bother me.

[SwKnight]

We travel on the same ship come December. We tried the HAL once prior (Oosterdam) and we were both hit with anti-biotic Z-Packs from the doctor because the room and public rooms were so cold.

 

We have been on a few ships prior and can foresee and prepare for the cruise. My wife calls it the "Adolf" Ship line, but the dancing and other things are great. I told her that the cold temperatures keep down the dreaded ship viruses.

 

 

We'll call IMMEDIATELY if the cabin is 50 degrees again.

Especially when the outside air was 100 degrees and the humidity about the same.

[sail7seas]

Are HAL the only line who don't put fridges in ALL their staterooms? Perhaps it's time they got round to this.

 

I don't have food allergies but I can understand those who do expect to have their needs met.

 

The other "nits" really wouldn't bother me.

 

 

All HAL ships have coolers in the Neptune and Pinnacle Suites and the newer ships which are Vista and Signature Class have a cooler in every cabin.

 

Those ships that do not have a chiller in every cabin, you can arrange to rent one for $2 /day. There is a limited quantity so it is recommended you make arrangements in advance or soon after boarding.

 

 

 

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