Tampa ever have an R class?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We sailed on the Old Nieuw Amsterdam in 1998 -- South America.

And the Old Noordam out of Tampa in 2001.

[innlady1]

Someone mentioned a couple of weeks ago that it will be the Veendam.

 

With the revised stern, that would be quite difficult on the Caribbean cruises. But, I guess not unreasonable. We will probably book the Caribbean this winter on the Ryndam...really liked the ship, so it'll be one last time on her.

[sail7seas]

We noticed when Noordam III was a little tired and ready to leave the fleet, they assigned her to great itineraries. That is how they got people to sail her. Perhaps it is the same thinking for Veendam's lack of aft pool? The Tampa 14 days itinerary is really nice. We really enjoyed it a few times.

[RedmondCruiser]

We had a porthole on NADM III back in 1993 and a great time on our first HAL cruise out of Tampa

 

NADM III had public lounges and areas you don't hear about anymore: the two-tiered Stuyvesant (main show) Lounge, the Minnewit Terrace with Peter’s Bar, the Peartree (night) Club with the Partridge Bar, Henry’s Bar, the Book Chest Library, the Card room, De Halve Maen room, the Princess (movie) theater, the Big Apple lounge, the Paerel Straet (Pearl Street) Shopping Arcade, the Wampum Casino and The Square (including the Main Lobby, Main staircase, elevators plus offices of the Hotel Manager, Purser, Cruise Director and Maitre d’ Hotel), the Barber Shop and the Beauty Parlor

Brings back many many fond memories. The Noordam III will always be our favorite. The Piet Hein lounge and Henry's bar bring back good memories ( I remember it as the Silver Bar - am I confusing it with the old NA ?) Crows Nest was a favorite spot - but HAL has continued that name. I was glad to see them finally go to the circular bar, in the crows nest, from the R class ships on.

[Vict0riann]

Our first HA cruise was on the old Noordam to Alaska. Then, many years later, we were in Tallinn, I think it was, on the Westerdam, in the Lido and a couple of the stewards were looking at a ship out one of the windows, and there she was again! She was so small!:D Good memories.

[St Pete Cruiser]

It has been my pleasure to read of the interest in cruising from Tampa aboard Holland America ships. Here is the history of which ships have sailed from Tampa:

1982 Veendam (prior Veendam than the present ship)

1983-1999? Nieuw Amsterdam (the new "N" class ship)

1999?-2003 Noordam (the sister "N"class ship)

2003-2008 Veendam (the current "S" class ship)

2004?-2005? Ryndam (14 day cruise) Veendam continued on 7 day

2008-2014 Ryndam

 

The Ryndam will return to Tampa in November and leave in April 2015. With it leaving the fleet, the Veendam will return to Tampa in January 2016 for a short season. Those of us who care, hope Seattle will continue to base a ship here. The "R" and the Vista should be able to clear the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. With Carnival, Royal, and Norwegian sailing 7 day or shorter cruises, it would be best for HAL to do the longer (10+ days) market.

[Ship's Wake]

It has been my pleasure to read of the interest in cruising from Tampa aboard Holland America ships. Here is the history of which ships have sailed from Tampa:

1982 Veendam (prior Veendam than the present ship)

1983-1999? Nieuw Amsterdam (the new "N" class ship)

1999?-2003 Noordam (the sister "N"class ship)

2003-2008 Veendam (the current "S" class ship)

2004?-2005? Ryndam (14 day cruise) Veendam continued on 7 day

2008-2014 Ryndam

 

The Ryndam will return to Tampa in November and leave in April 2015. With it leaving the fleet, the Veendam will return to Tampa in January 2016 for a short season. Those of us who care, hope Seattle will continue to base a ship here. The "R" and the Vista should be able to clear the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. With Carnival, Royal, and Norwegian sailing 7 day or shorter cruises, it would be best for HAL to do the longer (10+ days) market.

 

Thank you for this bit of HAL history in Tampa.

[yj_eugene]

the Veendam will return to Tampa in January 2016 for a short season.

 

I'm really hoping the Veendam then repositions to Boston to do another set of Bermuda and Canada runs. I can easily see myself embarking in Tampa and disembarking in Quebec City with a trip to Hamilton in the middle. And I wholeheartedly agree they should continue to base a ship in Tampa. Are you listening Seattle? :)

[DFD1]

We sailed Noordam out of Tampa. Great ship, but, when we were on board, the vibration was significant. We changed cabins on one cruise because of it.

 

We like that port and hope the ships don't all outgrow their ability to clear the bridge. It is a beautiful site to see at night from the deck of your ship.