Veendam, 2/17-24: Another Take

[vcdarty]

Just home (GA) from a wonderful week on the Veendam. Neither of us had cruised before, though DW had done a translatlantic crossing on HAL some years back. Which entitled each of us to a tile and invitation to Mariner's brunch. Capt. Russell-Dunford commented there that of the 1260 or so passengers, 691 were Mariners.

 

Embarkation/disembarkation were a breeze--half an hour or less from start to finish each time. We *highly* recommend the valet parking at the Tampa terminal if you're driving. After checking hand baggage and an OK, 11:30 lunch at the Lido, we prowled the ship, located our stateroom where our steward (Mari--a fine fellow who had the room made up before ten every morning) greeted us and let us stow our hand baggage. Checked bags showed up sometime before 4:30.

 

The stateroom, 206, was beautifully located--a few steps to the small aft deck and up from there to the aft pool, and a few steps forward to the staircase down to the dining room. The cabin was spotless and had plenty of storage: four smallish closets and a total of 13 drawers. Lots of pillows. The head was immaculate, though some of the paintwork around the door was slightly worn.

 

Breakfasts: room service three mornings--prompt, hot, exactly as ordered, with courteous delivery. (We tipped $3.) Main dining room four mornings--larger selection, excellent preparation, and decent service.

 

Lunches: Lido twice (day one and at Grand Cayman since main dr was closed that day)--OK both times, though neither of us is a fan of cafeteria lines. Main dining room four times--four choices each for starters and main course, plus a largish dessert menu. We ate lightly and happily and were well-served every lunch.

 

Dinners: Main dining room, table 167, 8:30 seating, every night. Our steward, Verri, and his assistant, Pudu, couldn't have been more attentive or professional. (Verri is a serious, smiling chap whose demeanor and skills rival any three-star waiter we've known--he even tried a couple of magic tricks with table stuff the second formal night; Pudu, a Balinese, is younger and something of a cut-up.) Our wine steward, an obviously inexperienced young woman, was a disappointment. We brought our own wine each night, paying the $15 corkage each time; she paid little attention to our glasses and could hardly pour without spilling. But a small matter.

 

Our TA had told us the food quality was at the upper end of banquet-level offerings, and we agree. There were variations: fish tended to be sub-par--overcooked and boringly sauced. My shrimps provencale one night amounted to four medium fellows in a dull red sauce. But the braised lamb shanks another night were done to perfection, as were lamb loin chops another evening. Overall, we and our tablemates stayed happy. (Although to be honest, the Master Chef dinner is an embarrassment and the Baked Alaska parade--oh well. Guess we're just fuddy--duddies.)

 

On the subject of tables: we supposedly had a six-top, but first night sat alone at an eight-top. Another couple sat alone at a ten-top, observed our solitude and joined us the following nights along with a couple of merry widows. A *lot* can depend upon your table companions, as we discovered. Ours were wonderful--amusing, well-informed, chatty, and delightful.

 

Facilities: we're not into casinos or movies or demonstrations or shopping or bingo, etc., etc. Briefly glanced into the rather garish (it needs a lighting spruce-up) show lounge a couple of times: a high-energy pseudo-Vegas show and later the Filipino crew show--earnest and charming. We enjoyed the Explorer's Lounge before and after dinner some nights. A pleasant young Ukrainian piano trio played light semi-classical selections. We spent some time in the Piano Bar where Barry provided low-key entertainment for his loyal followers, mostly singles. Most of the time the Ocean Bar gave us a pre-prandial drink and dance to the talented Seabreeze musicians; we generally joined friends there after dinner for more dancing.

 

We headed for the aft pool most mornings for an hour, repeated most afternoons. Took tea most days--first-rate selection of sandwiches and scones and gloppy pastries. Spent a while in the library most days, too, dozing ahem over a book. And our balcony was a super diversion--with plenty of flying fishes to watch one afternoon.

 

Shore excursions: we did one HAL excursion to Tuluum while at Cozumel. We'd visited Chichen, Uxmal, Palenque, and Copan on our own in years past, so wanted to add this to our list. The situation is magnificent, the ruins just OK compared to . . . . , and the crowds were overwhelming. The guide for about 40 of us wasn't particularly well-informed. The trip was a mistake.

 

More later. ;)

[vcdarty]

:cool: Shore excursions, cont.: we'd heard plenty about hassles at Montego Bay (the Veendam hadn't stopped there for three years), so were mighty cautious. No HAL excursions appealed. Licensed drivers and tour operators work out of the compound at the dock, so we dealt with a young woman serving as go-between for a driver to take us to ********* Great House, an 18th century mansion built by the Barrett family (of Elizabeth B. Browning fame) that had never been burned and had much (70%) of the original furnishings. Adam was a good driver and chatty guide, and we very much enjoyed the 3 hour or so excursion. We were the only tourists there, and the house guide--Jenny Barrett--was delightful.

 

We walked off the boat at flat, hot Grand Cayman, strolled the tidy town, bought no diamonds or tanzanites or black coral, and tendered back to the ship for lunch and second formal night.

 

One major caveat: we wanted ship's lectures on navigation, propulsion systems, and marine technology in general. Nada. Likewise, we'd like talks on, say, the Maya and Jamaican culture and the mechanics of off-shore banking, instead of (we were told deceptive) talks about where and what to shop for.

 

This has gone on far too long. Much more to be said, but we had a swell time: great service, good value, no major complaints at all, and we'd do again. After years of extremely independent travel (and sailing on boats no longer than 44 feet), we had a qualm or two about cruising with 1250 others. We learned that on a fine ship like the Veendam, we had a remarkable amount of freedom and independence.

[O2B@C]

Thanks so much for your very informative review! I'm glad you had such a good experience on the Veendam, as I am looking forward to sailing on her to Alaska in August. It's great to read a review that gives the pluses and minuses in an evenhanded way, while retaining an upbeat attitude about the overall experience.

 

PS: As an opera fan, I just have to say that I LOVE your screen name! :D Tosca is one of my favorites. My dear departed Burmese cat, who was a total cuddlebug, has "vissi d'amore" as his epitaph.

[Seago2]

Gone on far too long? No way! Bring on more.

 

Thank you for your review.

 

i think I should start a poll: What's the shortest amount of time you've spent on Grand Cayman? I think my mother and I would win- 5 minutes.

[fireman845]

Thank you for the post...

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you posting your review.

 

What were the price of your drinks?

[VTcruisenut]

Very important question for those just off the Veendam- any Noro Virus outbreaks or alerts or known quarantines on your trip? :eek:

[Stevesan]

:cool:

One major caveat: we wanted ship's lectures on navigation, propulsion systems, and marine technology in general. Nada. Likewise, we'd like talks on, say, the Maya and Jamaican culture and the mechanics of off-shore banking, instead of (we were told deceptive) talks about where and what to shop for.

 

 

Excellent comment. My only cruise(s) that featured an on board specialist was Alaska ( a naturalist). Even European cruises offered little but shopping talks.

 

I'd be happy to pay a fee for talks on regional culture and history. In addition to on board talks, that individual could accompany some of the local shorex.

 

The ship's technology is another area of interest. HAL could begin a trend by offering talks about the ship. They could use the ship's officers, so no outside expert required. It's at least worth an experiment. I suspect the talks and walk abouts would be well attended. If not, nothing is lost and the cruise line could at least say they tried.

 

I doubt we're alone in this. I wish HAL would give it a try.

[HeatherInFlorida]

................

One major caveat: we wanted ship's lectures on navigation, propulsion systems, and marine technology in general. Nada. Likewise, we'd like talks on, say, the Maya and Jamaican culture and the mechanics of off-shore banking, instead of (we were told deceptive) talks about where and what to shop for.

 

This has gone on far too long. ............

 

Not too long at all!!! Not long enough:) . Loved this review. Thank you so much.

 

I completely agree on your comments about lectures onboard. In the "good old days" I recall lectures onboard. These "talks" have now degenerated to shopping lectures which are insulting and annoying. I don't cruise to shop.

 

And what a great idea to have lectures on the technology of the ship! I guess they just don't see this sort of thing as revenue generating.

 

So glad you had such a great time. We, too, really loved the Veendam and one of my favorites was the aft saltwater pool.

 

Thanks again for your great review! Tell us more!

[vcdarty]

In response to a couple of questions: Veendam 2/17-24 seemed a healthy ship--no hacking or wheezing to speak of. Purell dispensers everywhere that got plenty of use. Never washed my hands so much since I did (volunteer) ER work at Mass General.

 

Drink prices seemed fair enough, considering, though pours were not especially generous. (We didn't cozy up to any barmen!) At Ocean Bar we paid $13-14 for, say, a Martini and a Cosmo before dinner. Piano Bar hit us up $19 for a couple of Glenmorangies. That includes the 15% service charge.

 

As mentioned above, we brought our own wine--ten bottles including aperitifs and bubblies--aboard (HAL's prices and selections were not agreeable) in a well-padded soft-sided carrier, and tipped the porter a bit extra to look after same. No problems whatever, though I wonder if the wine service would have been more conscientious had we bought HAL's vino.

 

Incidentally, we ran into more than a few folks who'd arrived with the hard stuff in their checked bags, and had been doing so for years and years. Tsk.

[yogiesq]

Hello all,

 

We also had a great time. I started a thread a day or two ago that compliments this one. Seems like we all had a great time. Counting down until our next voyage.

 

Any questions, just ask.

 

Yogi

[Jade13]

Glad to hear the trip ws a success. The Veendam was our first big ship as well. We debated on this 2/17 trip which I understand was sold out. We had a timing issue, had been on the Veendam (love her) and so decided to try Celebrity since they had a 5 night last week. We had a good time but its not HAL. My only comment about the Baked Alaska parade, at least its real Baked Alaska. On Celebrity it is just ice cream with the merange on top. The ice cream was good but it was not the real thing.

[bobnpaml]

vcdarty, we'll be on the Veendam in June. You stated that you had drinks at the piano bar. Who was playing there and how what type music was he playing? Our first Hal cruise was on the Volendam and we were at the piano bar every night. Our favorite after dinner treat.

[HokiePoq]

When we were on the Veendam in December, the environmental officer did a presentation which we did not attend.

On the Volendam, there was a naturalist/scientist present who did a daily lecture.

[vcdarty]

bobnpaml--We were at the Piano Bar twice last week. Barry, the pianist, is an older chap, an Aussie (?), and very easy-going, personable, and most obliging. He has a songbook that he'll pass around now and then. The fare was pretty standard, pleasant stuff: Cole Porter, Gershwin, showtunes, Streisand, and the like. When we were there it was all low-key and amiable.

 

We did, as mentioned, the Ocean Bar mostly. The band, Seabreeze, is excellent. Walked through the Crow's Nest a couple of times at night. Frigid and empty. We fled.

[yogiesq]

Based on the average age on the trip, early to bed and early to rise was the philosophy for the trip. I was up at 6am and could not believe how many people were walking on the deck or in the Lido getting coffee.

 

Conversely, at the end of the show, most of the poeple go to bed. The casino was quiet after about 11pm. I never made it to the Midnight Buffet so I could not tell you have may people were there. I cannot assume that many stayed up so late.

 

Enjoy her...she is a great ship.

 

Yogi

[innlady1]

Excellent comment. My only cruise(s) that featured an on board specialist was Alaska ( a naturalist). Even European cruises offered little but shopping talks.

 

I'd be happy to pay a fee for talks on regional culture and history. In addition to on board talks, that individual could accompany some of the local shorex.

 

The ship's technology is another area of interest. HAL could begin a trend by offering talks about the ship. They could use the ship's officers, so no outside expert required. It's at least worth an experiment. I suspect the talks and walk abouts would be well attended. If not, nothing is lost and the cruise line could at least say they tried.

I doubt we're alone in this. I wish HAL would give it a try.

 

 

So do we. We enjoyed this on the Caribbean Princess...one of the Officers gave an excellent talk about the ship. It was very well attended, too.

[fcorey]

Just home (GA) from a wonderful week on the Veendam. Neither of us had cruised before, though DW had done a translatlantic crossing on HAL some years back. Which entitled each of us to a tile and invitation to Mariner's brunch. Capt. Russell-Dunford commented there that of the 1260 or so passengers, 691 were Mariners.

 

Embarkation/disembarkation were a breeze--half an hour or less from start to finish each time. We *highly* recommend the valet parking at the Tampa terminal if you're driving. After checking hand baggage and an OK, 11:30 lunch at the Lido, we prowled the ship, located our stateroom where our steward (Mari--a fine fellow who had the room made up before ten every morning) greeted us and let us stow our hand baggage. Checked bags showed up sometime before 4:30.

 

The stateroom, 206, was beautifully located--a few steps to the small aft deck and up from there to the aft pool, and a few steps forward to the staircase down to the dining room. The cabin was spotless and had plenty of storage: four smallish closets and a total of 13 drawers. Lots of pillows. The head was immaculate, though some of the paintwork around the door was slightly worn.

 

Breakfasts: room service three mornings--prompt, hot, exactly as ordered, with courteous delivery. (We tipped $3.) Main dining room four mornings--larger selection, excellent preparation, and decent service.

 

Lunches: Lido twice (day one and at Grand Cayman since main dr was closed that day)--OK both times, though neither of us is a fan of cafeteria lines. Main dining room four times--four choices each for starters and main course, plus a largish dessert menu. We ate lightly and happily and were well-served every lunch.

 

Dinners: Main dining room, table 167, 8:30 seating, every night. Our steward, Verri, and his assistant, Pudu, couldn't have been more attentive or professional. (Verri is a serious, smiling chap whose demeanor and skills rival any three-star waiter we've known--he even tried a couple of magic tricks with table stuff the second formal night; Pudu, a Balinese, is younger and something of a cut-up.) Our wine steward, an obviously inexperienced young woman, was a disappointment. We brought our own wine each night, paying the $15 corkage each time; she paid little attention to our glasses and could hardly pour without spilling. But a small matter.

 

Our TA had told us the food quality was at the upper end of banquet-level offerings, and we agree. There were variations: fish tended to be sub-par--overcooked and boringly sauced. My shrimps provencale one night amounted to four medium fellows in a dull red sauce. But the braised lamb shanks another night were done to perfection, as were lamb loin chops another evening. Overall, we and our tablemates stayed happy. (Although to be honest, the Master Chef dinner is an embarrassment and the Baked Alaska parade--oh well. Guess we're just fuddy--duddies.)

 

On the subject of tables: we supposedly had a six-top, but first night sat alone at an eight-top. Another couple sat alone at a ten-top, observed our solitude and joined us the following nights along with a couple of merry widows. A *lot* can depend upon your table companions, as we discovered. Ours were wonderful--amusing, well-informed, chatty, and delightful.

 

Facilities: we're not into casinos or movies or demonstrations or shopping or bingo, etc., etc. Briefly glanced into the rather garish (it needs a lighting spruce-up) show lounge a couple of times: a high-energy pseudo-Vegas show and later the Filipino crew show--earnest and charming. We enjoyed the Explorer's Lounge before and after dinner some nights. A pleasant young Ukrainian piano trio played light semi-classical selections. We spent some time in the Piano Bar where Barry provided low-key entertainment for his loyal followers, mostly singles. Most of the time the Ocean Bar gave us a pre-prandial drink and dance to the talented Seabreeze musicians; we generally joined friends there after dinner for more dancing.

 

We headed for the aft pool most mornings for an hour, repeated most afternoons. Took tea most days--first-rate selection of sandwiches and scones and gloppy pastries. Spent a while in the library most days, too, dozing ahem over a book. And our balcony was a super diversion--with plenty of flying fishes to watch one afternoon.

 

Shore excursions: we did one HAL excursion to Tuluum while at Cozumel. We'd visited Chichen, Uxmal, Palenque, and Copan on our own in years past, so wanted to add this to our list. The situation is magnificent, the ruins just OK compared to . . . . , and the crowds were overwhelming. The guide for about 40 of us wasn't particularly well-informed. The trip was a mistake.

 

More later. ;)

 

 

Thanks for posting the review, I am thinking about doing a cruise on our first non-Vista on Veendam. Sounds like a nice trip