Just Home form Bermuda on Veendam.

[Arzeena]

My friend and I enjoyed the ship and I a m happy I made this first HALcruise since losing my DH> It was wonderful of my friend to offer to sail with me and it made such a difference to sail with her especially given she and her DH sailed Veendam with us the last cruise DH

and I had together.

 

I thought the ship looks good, has wonderrful,, veryffrfiendly crew.

 

Terrific concierges, and we apprecited how beruitfufly kep both of our cab ins were all week. being taken care of by excellent, so nice stewards. Hugs aast night with our dining stewards. I m grateful to all who were so good to us as they made it posib le fo r me to think about sailing alone again.

 

Bermuda was welcoming, safe, pretty bu t wow was it humid. I never encountered such sticky weather there, bu, of course,, b eing semi-tropical. I found the food to be very goodd ( to my taste but maybe my waist line would b etter off had it not been so good

 

Among the treats I ate this week was an old favorite I had not enjoyed in years. A favorite desert was offered in MDR......... Cappucino bomb. I gtried hard to get the name of the company from which HAL gets them. Igt would make me so happy go order a dozen or so for my frfezer. Howev er, I did nogt gegt the name or wesite from which I could orfder.. ANyone KNOW:? i'D B INDEBTED IF SOMEONEONE has a webiste/name, suggestion where to get them. :)

 

In the interest of honesty and balance....... This was gthe worst Pinnacle I ever encountereed a HAL ship.The young women serving were delightful ugt tgghe Manager needs a bit more training, iMO. I came to learn, he is new to the thisship/ aand to cruising. On top of that, I did not even like my steak and left most of it. In t the scheme of our whole cuise, it is insignificant and doesn't rate high in importance. but, my point is only to say what I really liked and did not..

 

 

I m very happy I sailed in Veendam and thank my friend and the wonderrful Veen dam crew.

 

It was oh so good to be back aboard a blue hulled HAL beauty.

 

 

Cappucino bomb.. :D Please help.

 

Hi there!

We were on the same cruise and enjoyed it a lot. The docking in Hamilton was a big plus..... LOVED it.

The Cappucino Bomb was delish!

[taxmantoo]

Wonderful to hear you enjoyed your HAL cruise Sail, good for you! Seems like it was time!

 

Wondering if anyone has an idea of how long the PG manager will be there? We will be on Veendam Oct 20th until Dec 8th and want to celebrate DH's 75th birthday and our 25th anniversary in the PG. We are not frequenters of the PG so we want it to be something very special.... but it sounds like this might not be the case. Any thoughts on how the PG Manager is assigned? And for how long? Thanks, m--

No idea how long their contracts are but the current manager boarded the same day we did, July 8.

[sail7seas]

We were also on this cruise - first time in Bermuda and totally enjoyed it. Food and service overall were excellent although I cannot comment on the Pinnacle.

 

We had table 18 in the Rotterdam dining room - table for four right next to the windows. Our cabin was down in steerage on the starboard side with a view of Hamilton - would definitely book it again.

 

Although subjective, I found the entertainment - other than piano guy Stryker to be a weak link. Also, onboard activities were lacking. There was no sail away party on deck from either Hamilton or Boston. Cruise director was an enigma - heard her on the announcements but never saw her. One thing I would have liked to see was destination focused lectures such as: history of Bermuda, the Bermuda Triangle, Bermuda and the Civil War, Pirates and Shipwrecks, etc. Also Stephen Card - the painter of so many HAL ship paintings lives in Bermuda. I would have liked to hear him speak. Given the elderly demographic on board I think these types of speakers would have gone over well.

 

Inside the ship was spotless. Outside not so much. The first morning the Midships Lido pool was littered with dried out limes, straws, and other refuse including a massive ball of hair. The lady next to us was so disgusted she went and found an officer to get someone to clean up.

 

Ah the Retreat Deck - not a retreat but what a disaster. That big blob takes up so much space and ruins views. In choppy seas the water runs out of the tubs and all over the decks. I had a pair of Sperrys under my deck chair and they have yet to dry. Drainage does not exist. During the torrential downpours the water was at least two inches deep by the doors leading into the Lido buffet.

 

Perhaps most disappointing was when you looked up towards the Loft area - entire panels and railings missing. It is as if HAL has just given up on the rear decks and doesn't want to spend a dime on maintenance.

 

Don't get me wrong - despite my complaints this did not affect our enjoyment of the cruise. I would have gladly spent the next seven days going to Montreal. She is a great little ship - just in need of a little TLC. I look forward to doing this cruise again next year.

 

The fact that the ship docks in Hamilton was perfect. If you are on a Bermuda cruise - the Harbour Nights street party was a bonus. Much better to see the local Gombey dancers in their natural environment up close and personal than in the ship's theatre.

 

 

 

I agree nothing about the entertainment interested me. We listened to Stryker a few times, for a little while. He was okay but not a great talent, IMMO. I never once set eyes on Cruise Director Wheww Wht did she do, when and where? If she was out an about she kept a mysteriously low profile. ......... I was invited to a cocktail party in Crows Nest and while I appreciated the invitation, I did not attend. No i dea what the party was like, how many or who was ther e etc.

 

We went to harbor nights party for a while but it was so hott and humid, it was not as enjoyable as c ould have been. Certainly

 

no one can help what the weather does. :D I wanted to see the gembey dancers but we didn't get to see them. :)

 

I have never liked HAL's pizza but I am used to wonderful ppizza around Boston. We had NYpizza and I liked that ! Best musshroom pizza I ever ate on aHAL ship. The Retreat is awful, IMO and, as you say the worst is one cannot evden enjoy views out there as the placxement of those silly tubs blocks all views. :rolleyes: This is not the first time I have sailed Veendam since the ruination of her stern vutt can say, it does nott grow on me with subsequent cruises. I is still awful tto my eyes

Edited July 24, 2017 by sail7seas

[RD64]

Sail7seas

 

I meant to comment previously - the Cappucino Bombe!!!!!! We totally agree it was incredible.

 

You mentioned you are from Boston - how fortunate you people are. It is so simple to sail from Boston. From the time the plane landed - to the pier (including baggage claim) was half an hour. It was so much more convenientand less of a hassle than the Florida ports. It won't be our last time cruising from Boston.

[NordicPrince]

Thanks for reviewing your cruise and I'm so glad it was a pleasant cruise for you. I don't deal well with heat and humidity.....is there a less humid month to visit Bermuda?

 

From our experiences sailing from NY we have had excellent weather in the middle of June in Bermuda. The water seems chilly in late May so to wait those few extra weeks makes a difference.

 

Enjoy your cruising days

[sail7seas]

Sail7seas

 

I meant to comment previously - the Cappucino Bombe!!!!!! We totally agree it was incredible.

 

You mentioned you are from Boston - how fortunate you people are. It is so simple to sail from Boston. From the time the plane landed - to the pier (including baggage claim) was half an hour. It was so much more convenientand less of a hassle than the Florida ports. It won't be our last time cruising from Boston.

 

I Love not only being from B oston but especially sailing from Boston. It is so greatf to get to cruise and not have to fly. Our embark at the terminal was about 5 minutesa,

 

 

HAPPY you liked the cappuccino bomb.......... I'm trying hard tto find a place on line to buy some. I have seeen the box HAL gets them in( frozen) but don't remember the name of the company. :L(

 

If I loc ate it, I promise to post for anyone who might be interested. Lots of companies make that sort of frozen treat but their chocolate coating is the best I have had.

[sail7seas]

From our experiences sailing from NY we have had excellent weather in the middle of June in Bermuda. The water seems chilly in late May so to wait those few extra weeks makes a difference.

 

Enjoy your cruising days

 

Last time I was in Berrmuda was a out end of June, if I recall correctly. Weather was gorgeous. Itr was unpleasant this time but not a big deal. This time, we boarded, juy 15 and debarked July 22.

[rkacruiser]

Dear Sail,

 

I'm really pleased that you chose to sail once again with HAL. Having a traveling companion does make one's journey more "interesting" and usually "pleasant". But, cruising solo, as I often do, allows me to enjoy my cruise more as I wish. As you well know, meeting fellow guests on a cruise is easy.

 

I've just returned from the July 3rd Alaskan cruise of the Amsterdam where every day was as good as or better than the day before. In regard to your Pinnacle Grill experience on the Veendam, my Pinnacle Grill experience on HAL's co-Flagship was very satisfactory as to service, but disappointing as to cuisine. HAL has changed beef suppliers from beef that came from corn-fed cows to beef that now comes from grass-fed cows. It's not the same quality or taste in my opinion, as well as others. (Others will dispute this opinion, which is OK by me.) PG has been for some time an inconsistent, weak link in their on-board services and I see no effort to improve it. On the other hand, Canaletto on the Amsterdam was excellent!

 

I encourage you to keep sailing, even as a solo cruiser, on whatever itinerary you may choose. Joining a CC Roll Call, which I don't know whether you have done or not, is a great way of meeting fellow cruisers and developing a rapport before the cruise begins.

 

Welcome Home!

[sail7seas]

Dear Sail,

 

I'm really pleased that you chose to sail once again with HAL. Having a traveling companion does make one's journey more "interesting" and usually "pleasant". But, cruising solo, as I often do, allows me to enjoy my cruise more as I wish. As you well know, meeting fellow guests on a cruise is easy.

 

I've just returned from the July 3rd Alaskan cruise of the Amsterdam where every day was as good as or better than the day before. In regard to your Pinnacle Grill experience on the Veendam, my Pinnacle Grill experience on HAL's co-Flagship was very satisfactory as to service, but disappointing as to cuisine. HAL has changed beef suppliers from beef that came from corn-fed cows to beef that now comes from grass-fed cows. It's not the same quality or taste in my opinion, as well as others. (Others will dispute this opinion, which is OK by me.) PG has been for some time an inconsistent, weak link in their on-board services and I see no effort to improve it. On the other hand, Canaletto on the Amsterdam was excellent!

 

I encourage you to keep sailing, even as a solo cruiser, on whatever itinerary you may choose. Joining a CC Roll Call, which I don't know whether you have done or not, is a great way of meeting fellow cruisers and developing a rapport before the cruise begins.

 

Welcome Home!

 

Thank you for your encouragementll Sailing solo is not big issue for me. My issue is sailing without my DH after dozens, and dozens of cruises together. It is the memories, ghosts of cxruises. past and I have to acclimate myself to that We were a couple since we were both 18 years old..... we were together all of our adult lives and it is an adjustment to learn to sail on HAL ships without him. Of course, I know others deal with the same and what works for one may not work for another.I don't do roll c alls and doubt I would start now. I did meet a number of very nice people on this cruise and had some very enjoyable,, lengthy conversations. I've never had trouble meeting people when and if I wish to. I have to balance how much I wish to gravel and specfically sail vs how hard I may find it to do so. I also have to factor my personal health issues and how would I manage alone should I have an 'event' far from home alone,

[sail7seas]

Dear Sail, I'm really pleased that you chose to sail once again with HAL. Having a traveling companion does make one's journey more "interesting" and usually "pleasant". But, cruising solo, as I often do, allows me to enjoy my cruise more as I wish. As you well know, meeting fellow guests on a cruise is easy. I've just returned from the July 3rd Alaskan cruise of the Amsterdam where every day was as good as or better than the day before. In regard to your Pinnacle Grill experience on the Veendam, my Pinnacle Grill experience on HAL's co-Flagship was very satisfactory as to service, but disappointing as to cuisine. HAL has changed beef suppliers from beef that came from corn-fed cows to beef that now comes from grass-fed cows. It's not the same quality or taste in my opinion, as well as others. (Others will dispute this opinion, which is OK by me.) PG has been for some time an inconsistent, weak link in their on-board services and I see no effort to improve it. On the other hand, Canaletto on the Amsterdam was excellent! I encourage you to keep sailing, even as a solo cruiser, on whatever itinerary you may choose. Joining a CC Roll Call, which I don't know whether you have done or not, is a great way of meeting fellow cruisers and developing a rapport before the cruise begins. Welcome Home!

Thank you for your encouragementll Sailing solo is not big issue for me. My issue is sailing without my DH after dozens, and dozens of cruises together. It is the memrries, ghosts of cruises. past and I have to acclimate myself to that We were a couple since we were both 18 years old..... we were together all of our adult lives and it is an adjustment to learn to sail on HAL ships without him. Of course, I know others deal with the same and what works for one may not work for another.I don't do roll c alls and doubt I would sgtart now. I did meet a number of very nice people on this cruise and had some very enjoyable,, lengthy conversations. I've never had trouble meeting people when and if I wish to.

 

Thank you for taking the time and effort to make some most helpful comments. :) Happy you had a good c ruise.on Amsterdam. Been years since I sailed her. Welcome Back.