The Inside Passage on Volendam

[SnowshoeCat]

I'm undecided. Due to its good reputation, I'd like to visit Alaska on HAL. I'd also like to try one of their smaller, more traditional ships. I have a courtesy hold on the Volendam and would like any input you all may have. I enjoy outdoor activities and beautiful scenery, so the itinerary fits the bill. I don't have any interest in mega ships, at least not for the Inside Passage. But is the Volendam big enough? I'm a solo traveler and don't often eat in the dining room. Is the buffet the only other option? Will there be lectures or other enrichment activities? I'm not into shopping talks. 

 

Even though the Volendam is small-ish, we will be sharing Juneau with the Quantum, and other ports will have multiple ships. Thank you for any thoughts.

 

 

Edited May 18, 2023 by SnowshoeCat

[PACD_JG]

13 minutes ago, SnowshoeCat said:

Due to its good reputation, I'd like to visit Alaska on HAL.

✔️

14 minutes ago, SnowshoeCat said:

I'd also like to try one of their smaller, more traditional ships.

✔️

14 minutes ago, SnowshoeCat said:

I enjoy outdoor activities and beautiful scenery, so the itinerary fits the bill. I don't have any interest in mega ships, at least not for the Inside Passage.

✔️

 

You stated three demands and the Volendam meets all three.  If you're afraid you'll be bored on the Volendam, then why do you even have a desire to be on "one of their smaller, more traditional ships" in the first place?  In Alaska the scenery is the entertainment.  If you're really worried about being bored, than the Koningsdam does the same itinerary.

[CruiserBruce]

Volendam has Pinnacle and Canaletto. 

 

@PACD_JG asks some good questions. Maybe some reading around the board would help you understand what Volendam has to offer.

[AtSeaAlways]

This class of ship gets you a roomy walk around promenade deck, a jazz combo in the Oceans bar and far less crowding than on newer, larger ships.  

[RMLincoln]

I have taken Volendam to Alaska, Inside Passage. A nice advantage of Volendam is the big open Promenade deck with lounge chairs. You can even walk around the back. There are viewing areas in the bow on upper decks. Our Captain opened the bow at times for viewing also.  Seems viewing is the main attraction! 
 

The restaurant options are fewer than a Pinnacle ship. If you don’t like MDR I’m thinking you might not be interested in Pinnacle Grill either. But there’s Canaletto, cozier than the buffet.  Daytime there’s the Terrace Grill at the pool. Not sure if they still have the taco bar at the pool, used to love that for a quick lunch. And HAL has a very decent Room Service menu.  Plus you can still order room service dinner off the MDR menu, the best of both worlds!  We always did late dinners so we could enjoy the outside and long daylight!  
 

The Natl Park Rangers come aboard in Glacier Bay for the full day. There may be other talks, you’ll have to follow a current thread or check a recent review.  There’ll be some evening entertainment, and a few activities during the day but really the cruise is about what’s outside!  
 

Check the times you will be in the ports compared to to big ships. HAL does usually offer small-size excursions that will be less overwhelming if you’re worried about crowds.  
 

Tell us more of your desires for what you need for a great cruise. We’ll try to help! Happy planning!  
Maureen 

Edited May 18, 2023 by RMLincoln

[SnowshoeCat]

I love the promenade (another selling point) and I can sit and enjoy for hours.

 

My concern with the MDR was being solo. Maybe HAL is different, but another line I was on didn't offer to seat me with anyone else, except at lunch. Dinner was awkward.

 

I've done plenty of research and I appreciate hearing people's personal experiences.

Edited May 18, 2023 by SnowshoeCat

[CruiserBruce]

Volendam has the Dive In as well.

[CalGal254]

We've loved our cruises to Alaska on HAL.  They are definitely the leader in knowing what they're doing in that part of the world.  We are booked for the Inside Passage in June, and this will be our third time on Volendam, 6th time to Alaska.  We LOVE the smaller size.  There are other dining options besides the MDR and Lido Buffet, but most are additional cost.  There is a complimentary Dive In burger/hot dog option on the Lido deck.  One good thing about HAL is that most of the items on the MDR menu are also offered in the buffet.  We prefer the dining room, though, because it's more elegant. If traditional sailing is what you desire, this is it. And hopefully they've retained the tradition of serving their wonderful pea soup while in Glacier Bay:  a real treat. On our other Alaska cruises, there have been lectures about local wildlife, etc. during the cruise. I hope this is helpful information. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you decide to take this trip.

[HappyInVan]

5 hours ago, SnowshoeCat said:

I'm undecided... But is the Volendam big enough? I'm a solo traveler and don't often eat in the dining room. Is the buffet the only other option? Will there be lectures or other enrichment activities?

 

 

Your concerns are legitimate. I'm also interested in hearing about the entertainment/enrichment options on the V.

 

IMHO, a smaller ship is fine for short trips (7-10 days) to destinations like AK. You will have 3 ports and Glacier Bay, in a 7-day voyage.

 

That said, I do appreciate the larger vessels like the Koningsdam. In increment weather, I can sit at the floor-ceiling windows of my veranda, enjoying the view and available light. On the V, there are fewer true verandas; the Launa cabins don't count. The V has only one deck of veranda on Deck 6.

 

In addition, K's large lounges on Deck 2 are empty in the morning. Perfect for sea days. 

 

Then, there's the technological marvel of the world stage, where digital effect is integrated into the dance routine.

 

On the other hand, there is a limit to the usefulness of large vessels to AK. For example, even the K had huge problems at embarkation whenever only one gangway is used. This was the case in Vancouver where pax reported waits of 2-3 hours. This was the problem in Skagway at high tide, when returning White Pass pax ran into pax disembarking for the 1pm White Pass departure, on the single midship gangway.

 

I would advise you to diligently do research. Once you have found the right soulmate, its a lifetime partnership. 🤗

 

 

[RuthC]

5 hours ago, SnowshoeCat said:

My concern with the MDR was being solo. Maybe HAL is different, but another line I was on didn't offer to seat me with anyone else, except at lunch. Dinner was awkward.

HAL has both fixed and open seating. For fixed seating you have two choices of time, and can request a large table where you will dine with the same people every night. It becomes comfortable, and something to look forward to at the end of the day. 
If you choose open seating you arrive when you want, and can ask to share with others. You will either be seated with others who were seated very shortly before you, or will start a new table. Just tell the Maître d' what size table you prefer. 

Dining in the specialty restaurants you do not share a table, but you can make reservations with others you have met on the cruise if you want to dine together. 

[OlsSalt]

Link to an ongoing threat about cruising "solo" - sharing tips others have found that work for them- some new to solo cruising, some long-term solo cruisers:  

 

[TiogaCruiser]

23 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

On the V, there are fewer true verandas; the Launa cabins don't count. The V has only one deck of veranda on Deck 6.

 

Volendam has additional verandas on deck 7. Not a whole deck of them, but there are a significant number. We had one aft of the Neptunes 2 weeks ago.

 

There’s 48 to be exact.

Edited May 19, 2023 by TiogaCruiser

[HappyInVan]

51 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Volendam has additional verandas on deck 7. Not a whole deck of them, but there are a significant number. We had one aft of the Neptunes 2 weeks ago.

 

That's a surprise. The map marks them as Vista.

 

I checked a 2025 sailing of the V. They are being sold as Vista?

[TiogaCruiser]

2 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

That's a surprise. The map marks them as Vista.

 

I checked a 2025 sailing of the V. They are being sold as Vista?

Yes. Vista suites (veranda suites), A,AA, B,BB

Edited May 19, 2023 by TiogaCruiser

[crystalspin]

They are called suites, priced as suites, and give you double Mariner points (if bought at rack rate, not an upgrade/upsell) as a suite. On both decks, 6&7. There are no balcony cabins (that are not suites) on the Volendam. I recommend an OV on the Lower Promenade near the mid-ship doors. Not too far behind them -- look at the deckplans for 3 & 4 and make sure you are not under the galley! -- then you will be steps from the biggest verandah on the ship. The full promenade!

[durangoscots]

On 5/18/2023 at 9:59 AM, SnowshoeCat said:

I love the promenade (another selling point) and I can sit and enjoy for hours.

 

My concern with the MDR was being solo. Maybe HAL is different, but another line I was on didn't offer to seat me with anyone else, except at lunch. Dinner was awkward.

 

I've done plenty of research and I appreciate hearing people's personal experiences.

I have sailed solo on HAL many times. In the MDR I was asked if I wanted to share.

 

 

[BeachBum47]

9 hours ago, crystalspin said:

They are called suites, priced as suites, and give you double Mariner points (if bought at rack rate, not an upgrade/upsell) as a suite. On both decks, 6&7. There are no balcony cabins (that are not suites) on the Volendam. I recommend an OV on the Lower Promenade near the mid-ship doors. Not too far behind them -- look at the deckplans for 3 & 4 and make sure you are not under the galley! -- then you will be steps from the biggest verandah on the ship. The full promenade!

 

How can you tell if you are under the galley? I just impulsively booked room 3300 on the Volendam (because it was such a good deal) and now I'm worried it might not be in a good spot...

[AV8rix]

39 minutes ago, BeachBum47 said:

 

How can you tell if you are under the galley? I just impulsively booked room 3300 on the Volendam (because it was such a good deal) and now I'm worried it might not be in a good spot...

No, you're under the World Stage -- can be VERY noisy in the evening.  Here's a link to all of HALs deck plans, courtesy of @POA1:

 

Edited May 22, 2023 by AV8rix
Wrong info

[RuthC]

4 hours ago, BeachBum47 said:

How can you tell if you are under the galley?

The galley area runs from the mid-ship elevator bank to the aft elevator bank. 

[crystalspin]

12 hours ago, BeachBum47 said:

 

How can you tell if you are under the galley? I just impulsively booked room 3300 on the Volendam (because it was such a good deal) and now I'm worried it might not be in a good spot...

As @AV8rix and @RuthC have informed, 3300 is under the Main Stage. If you are up at night, either watching the late performance or in a different music venue (or in the casino!), this will be a fine cabin. There will be little traffic in your hallway. You have, I believe, a smaller exit to the Promenade one step from your cabin door. Your cabin window's view is "Fully Obstructed" i.e. looks out over the promenade walkway to a bulkhead. That view should be approximately like this:

https://halfacts.com/amsterdam-lower-promenade-cabin-obstructed-views/

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by crystalspin

[RMLincoln]

The World Stage will have rehearsals during some afternoons. You will hear and possibly feel the music for up to a couple of hours. If you are out and about in the afternoons you won’t be bothered, but if you like to grab a nap, then I think that the noise would be intrusive. 

[terrydtx]

We are booked on the Volendam next year for a Canada/NE cruise because of her size and itinerary but we wanted balcony to see the scenery and views of the St Lawrence seaway, so we booked a Vista Suite. If you do not want a VS you should look at a Lanai cabin that has a door that opens to the Promenade deck for the views of Alaska.

[Ruthenium]

On 5/18/2023 at 11:59 AM, SnowshoeCat said:

I love the promenade (another selling point) and I can sit and enjoy for hours.

 

My concern with the MDR was being solo. Maybe HAL is different, but another line I was on didn't offer to seat me with anyone else, except at lunch. Dinner was awkward.

 

I've done plenty of research and I appreciate hearing people's personal experiences.

I traveled solo on the Zaandam and loved curling up in the library with a latte and an adventure memoir — I found it cozy. I ate in the Lido Grill most of the time and met many people.  My son’s in the Ocean Bar Band so I’d hang out there solo in the evenings, too, chatting with others. and went to shows. Some excursions I did on my own.

Edited June 8, 2023 by Ruthenium