Volendam 10/14 LONG

[arzz]

I have one other comment to make -- on every cruise that I have ever taken on any cruise line -- there has always been a notice in the daily program about Friday night Jewish services -- if there is not a Rabbi on board, the notice usually invites a cruiser to volunteer to lead services.

 

 

There was no such notice on this cruise. I will admit that we forgot that it was Friday (we apparently did not ride the elevators that day.....) so it went right past us. We later heard two explanations on board for this omission. The first was shared by a couple who approached the Hotel Manager (James Deering) to ask why there was no notice and he supposedly said that it was because of corporate policy that they were posting Protestant and Catholic services only. Supposedly later in the cruise he shared a different reason -- he blamed the omission on the Cruise Director. We did not ask Mr. Deering about this ourselves, so these excuses are hear-say.

 

I would hate to think that it was corporate policy. I would prefer to believe that it was just someone's omission -- a mistake that will hopefully not happen again.

[localady]

The Cruiser mentioned that they were seated at a table for 6 at the aft windows. Those tables have a lovely view, but it can get pretty warm in the Caribbean and other warm climates near the back windows.

Thanks for a very well thought out review!

[hammybee]

Thank you for making the time to share your cruise with us. I found your report well balanced and fair.

 

So many toilet problems, on so many ships, of vastly different ages, has me wondering what the common element is. Perhaps HAL is attracting many who are new to cruising who do not understand how sensitive a ship's plumbing is and the signs posted are there for a reason. I suspect many passengers really do not understand the problems they can cause when they misuse the facilities. There was a post last week about banana peels and some other fruit clogging the pipes.

 

HAL has an opportunity to do some hands -on passenger education, even as a part of the muster drill, if necessary. Their reputation is riding on their ability to impress the masses with appropriateness.

[NaplesCruiser]

Tom,

Thanks for your review, very informative. We will be on the 11-3 sailing, and are your age and celebrating our 30th also!

John

[thomasale]

localady I thought the same about the a/c for as I moved to the doorway, after finishing dinner, the air felt more comfortable. I also did not feel the ship was full.

 

hammybee You are probably right about the misuse of facilities, however, I am not sure that all the advise in the world would prevent some from abusing. (think of those late or missing from muster or ID checks at US ports)

 

Naplescruiser Congatulations on your 39th. I know you will have a great cruise aboard the beautiful Volendam

[seafun]

Hi Buddy,

I'm already back at work -- but enjoyed your review as well. Shoot me an email when you have time. Wishing we were still snuba-ing in Coki Bay, Tom

[doone]

What a great, well balanced review, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks so much for sharing your two experiences between HAL and X, I think you did a very fair review. I have always found that no matter how many cruises I take, nothing ever beats my very first cruise.

[thomasale]

Seafun I know what you mean about back to work...Sandy has your email address (on your card) but can't find right now...send me a note at thomasa@adelphiadotnet so I can drop you some pics...btw did you see the pics at VIsnuba yet?

[Bmrsmom]

My husband, sister, niece and her husband were on the same week, 14-24, we were on deck 2 aft and did smell an unpleasant odor in the hallway. The toilet problem in public areas was unsettling to say the least. I didn/t mind the warmth of the dining room as I am always cold. Our first cruise on Holland America, it was for the most part a good cruise, the ship is small and easy to get around, except to get to the outside deck. The food was just ok, not anything to write home about. Love the Half Moon Cay, as someone said sand like talcum powder and clear blue water, loved it. We had missed our flight due to the weather concequently our luggage never made it to the ship, we went to the pursers desk and they took care of it and located our luggage, we wouldn't get it until our first port of call. The ship offered to do what little laundry we had, which was a nice thing to do, fortunately my niece and I wear the same size she shared her day clothes with me, my husband bought a few things to tide him over. all in all we had a great time and any day at sea is a good day.

[mafig]

Did they have the laundry special?

Were there fireworks when leaving Curacao?

How was the casino?

[scott in maine]

Did they have the laundry special?

Were there fireworks when leaving Curacao?

How was the casino?

 

YES

 

NO -- there was some confusion around this. Several folks offered different explanations for what happened, but we never really found out. Many of us waiting on the outer decks for a half hour outside of port hoping the fireworks would come..... to no avail.

 

Casino was fine and larger than I had been led to believe based on some wild reports here. I had read here that the casino was microscopic and dead most of the time. Certainly not on both accounts. Smaller than some at sea casinos I've seen over the years, but I'd say adequate in size.