Veendam Review 1/11 -1/18

[fireman845]

REVIEW MS VEENDAM Cruise Jan 11th thru Jan 19th, Western Caribbean

If you have any questions concerning this review please post them and we will try to reply to them.

 

REVIEW:

Veendam, Western Caribbean, January 11, 2009 thru January 18, 2009

Captain James Russell – Dunford

Hotel Manager Kees Streuding

Cruise Director Eric

 

EMBARKMENT:

Everything went as smoothly as possible! We arrived a little early do to having to return the rental car or be charged an additional day so we arrived at 10:30 and they were already to receive our luggage. We checked in at 11:00 and were onboard at 11:30 sitting on the Lido having a wonderful lunch and all of this happened without incident. Rooms were ready at 1:30.

 

VERENDAH SUITE 200:

It was our first time having a verandah and was everything plus more that we could of expected. Plenty of storage for all of our needs, although we did not have a whirlpool bath the shower was just fine. We were upgraded to this room from a Cat H, so everyone the upgrade fairy does exist! The only thing I noticed on the entire ship that seemed wore was our couch in our stateroom, but besides that I though the ship was in great shape considering the age and due for a stop in dry dock at the end of the season.

CABIN STEWARDS:

I am sure everyone has read that they are working in teams of two people now, but we never saw our second one, Adi was always there for any and all of our needs. I truly believe that HAL has the best on the Seven Seas!

 

CASINO:

I had very good luck this time around in the Casino, there was no smoke free nights in the Casino, but the smoke was not bad at all. The only thing that I was interesting for me was that the Craps table was only open from 9:30 pm or later to Midnight. This was probably due to participation but if it’s not open no one can learn?

 

SHOPS:

My DW enjoyed the shops onboard quite well, but it has been a couple years since our last HAL cruise and she stopped and looked every time she walked by (purchased a few things as well). I also found better deals onboard for alcohol then what I could find either at home or ashore. There was a nice selection of moderately price cruise wear and trinkets.

 

DINING:

We had meals in all three venues and were satisfied overall. We were invited to have dinner in the Pinnacle Grill with Captain James Russell and had a fantastic time. The food was magnificent! The steaks were cooked perfectly with great flavor and the quality was good with the presentation being exquisite. Vjay the head chef of the Pinnacle definitely knows what he is doing my Hats off to him! Room Service was used at least once every day without problems and food portions were abundant.

 

POOL PARTY (9 pm Lido Deck):

This is new we were told for this season and that it had replaced the Dessert Extravaganza. One side of the Lido Deck was a dance floor with the HAL Cats was providing entertainment. The other side of the lido was set up with desserts and chocolate waterfalls. The desserts were very good and the pillars were covered in fresh fruit for the chocolate waterfalls. There were a variety of cupcakes and finger desserts.

 

CHARITY WORKS IN GUATEMALA:

As some of you have read Holland America Lines has been doing charity work in Guatemala. Well after I read this a few months ago after one of our fellow CC mates Jim and Ruth JVrhovac had gone and also brought some medical and school supplies to the Orphanages of Livingston through there contact Go with Gus, I thought to myself that I have so many contacts in my business that I need to start making some phones calls and see what my family can do to help. I contacted Jim though CC and he started me in the right direction (Thanks Again Jim) and while doing some research I found a clinic in Rio Dulce about an hour from the port run by a man by the name of Bryan Buchanan aka the “JungleMedic” that is from the US and has been in Guatemala for over 10 years helping and treating the people. So I contacted him, and told him what I am doing and if I could help. He was overly joyed as his mission is all run by donations. After a few emails and 1 long distance phone call we were set. I would be taking some emergency equipment for his “ambulance” over 150 Diabetes Meters, over 1000 strips for the meters, 3 large boxes of Spanish education materials, school supplies, and of course some treats for the children.

 

I encourage all who are interested in helping to visit his website at junglemedicmissions.org

As you will find out that 100% of everything he receives goes straight to the people. A little about Bryan’s Mission is that teams of nurses and volunteers come and spend a week or so with him and go to the villages and pass out vitamins, pull teeth, wash hair, and many many more things that I just don’t have enough room to mention. I worked for the biggest Health System in our area which is also the biggest employer in the state. My goal now that I have returned is to organize 10-15 nurses and volunteers to go back and spend more time. Because the few hours I was there, yes I brought supplies, but I don’t feel like I reached my potential.

See below under Guatemala for more

 

DEBARKATION:

We received debarkation documents the night before and they said that there would only be one announcement to start the process and then everyone is to follow the written instruction. Debarment started at 0800 and we left the ship at 0800 due to our departing flight at 0850. It took us less than 5 minutes to go through customs, as we carried our luggage off, and make our way to the curb. We had arranged with our rental car company that they would pick us up at the port and the driver had even given us her phone to call when we would be ready and she was right there waiting as she said she would. It was one of the best and most organized debarments we have been part of.

 

 

KEY WEST:

This was our first visit to Key West and my DW loved the small shops and stores. We spent most of the day just walking in and out of the shops spending money… I am sure our 4 lovely daughters will appreciate everything we picked got them. I did want to stop by the Blonde Giraffe to get the “best Key Lime Pie” in the country and I will admit it was great!

 

BELIZE:

You have to tender into this port on high speed boats. We had not made prior arrangements in this port as it was our first time here. We found a tour once at the terminals and was a City and Ruins tour with a fresh fruit lunch for $35. Well worth the money as there was 6 of us and we had walked along the terminals and couldn’t find anything else we really wanted to do. I will mention if you are not on a tour DO NOT venture outside the terminal as it is not safe at all (stated by our Belizean Tour guide) He also state that Whites and Asians are targeted by the small gangs that they have in the city. They make some beautiful hand carved hardwood bowls here that are great for entertaining; something my DW and I enjoy doing.

 

GUATAMELA: (continued)

Customs went off without any major problems or delays. The port agent had called me down to the front desk at 6am about the supplies that were to be offloaded from the MS Veendam and loaded onto JungleMedics truck and be delivered to the villages and medical clinic. We met a lot of the children and their smile’s made everything worthwhile. Bryan had taken us first to his clinic and then a 1 hour drive up the mountain to one of the first villages he started treating (he now treats about 137 villages). To see the smiles on the children’s faces we be etched on my memory for the rest of my life! They are so beautiful and they have very little it is amazing. Their diet consists mostly of corn tortillas.

 

COSTA MAYA:

This was the only downer of our cruise we didn’t get to stop due to the weather L. We had winds across the bow at 47 knot and the berth we were assigned to Captain James was just not able to get alongside after a couple tries. The wind would just push us away.

OVERALL:

This cruise exceeded all of our expectations especially our Guatemala experience and we would highly recommend this crew and ship to anyone. The personality of the MS Veendam is the best in the HAL fleet, in our opinions.

[LolaLemon]

So glad for such a good review of the Veendam.

We're excited for our upcoming trip!

 

One question, did anyone explain to you why it was so dangerous in Belize? I checked the State Dept and there are no current advisories...

[johnlcruise]

Great Review. Thanks for posting.

[fireman845]

 

One question, did anyone explain to you why it was so dangerous in Belize? I checked the State Dept and there are no current advisories...

 

No they did not explain it is only what our tour guide of all people said. We too had checked with the State Dept and nothing was noted. But from my experience from the looks of things right outside the terminal is did not look safe. But that is IMO

[pipedreams62]

Fireman, for taking the time to give us a review. I thought Belize was dicey myself. Just the few minutes waiting outside the terminal for our Bus to cave tubing,it seemed dicey. I noticed on the bus ride out to the caves EVERY house had bars on the windows (there's a red flag)

 

We took Gus's humanitarian tour, so I know how good you must feel seeing those children smile.

 

Thanks again

[geologygeek]

No they did not explain it is only what our tour guide of all people said. We too had checked with the State Dept and nothing was noted. But from my experience from the looks of things right outside the terminal is did not look safe. But that is IMO

 

We walked around Belize for a few hours after we did a one hour taxi tour round the city. We had no dramas with regards to personal safety and actually quite liked Belize. What I didn't like that one the tender on the way back to ship people were bagging out Belize something cronic (raw sewage in the street - well we did smell (or see) any) each to their own.

 

Interesting to note that all the items for sale near the dockyard were at least two-thirds of the price at stores further away, perhaps your tour guide was on commission.

[fireman845]

 

Interesting to note that all the items for sale near the dockyard were at least two-thirds of the price at stores further away, perhaps your tour guide was on commission.

 

That is a very good point... It was also enough for my family and I to not venture off, after our tour we really only had less than a hour before the last tender left and we hadn't bought anything yet.

[fireman845]

Fireman, for taking the time to give us a review. I thought Belize was dicey myself. Just the few minutes waiting outside the terminal for our Bus to cave tubing,it seemed dicey. I noticed on the bus ride out to the caves EVERY house had bars on the windows (there's a red flag)

 

We took Gus's humanitarian tour, so I know how good you must feel seeing those children smile.

 

Thanks again

 

My wife made the same comment about the bars on the windows 2 hours before the tour guide gave us the low down...

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

We also had the 9 PM Pool party on our Eurodam cruises. Talking to a few crew members -- they said that they like it better as more people show up for it than they did for the late night Dessert Extravaganza.

Belize is a third world country and has a long way to go -- thus people are always warned not to go out on their own here. If you don't take a ship's tour -- then get one of the guides that are right at the tender areas.

[Suesan Jean]

THANK YOU for your review......!!! :)

 

I am glad you had a great cruise and I am glad you enjoyed being on the Veendam.....!!!:)

 

It makes me look forward to mine next year.....!!!:D

[Cruiseboomer]

What a wonderful review. I've read too many disappointments with the Veendam but I am a positive person. Like I keep saying.....IT's A CRUISE! NO SNOW, WIND, AND COLD FOR 7 DAYS!! HOW COULD THAT BE BAD.

 

I am waiting for my cabin assignment, and I have Catagory H. I would love to have an upgrade, but I am traveling alone. Do you think I have a chance to get a Veranda?

 

I also will be taking dental supplies to the children on the Go With Gus Humanitarian tour. I manage a large Oral Surgery Practice so it was easy to get items. Who did you check in with when you brought your supplies on board? Do they take the items or just notate that you have them?

 

Sorry you had to come back to this wonderful WI/IL weather! But memories will last forever................

 

Barb

[fireman845]

 

 

I also will be taking dental supplies to the children on the Go With Gus Humanitarian tour. I manage a large Oral Surgery Practice so it was easy to get items. Who did you check in with when you brought your supplies on board? Do they take the items or just notate that you have them?

 

 

Barb

 

Depending on how much you have, if you can hand carry your things you will be fine, I had a number of large boxes and the Guest Relations Manager took care of everything just let them know. I was able to ship all of my boxes to the ship via Fedex...

[trixiee]

Very cool review! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Too bad about Costa Maya though! I wonder how often that happens?

[rebeljohn]

Enjoyed reading your review................Thanks for taking the time to post it..........

[hammybee]

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

 

I am thrilled that "Giving in Guatamela" has legs.

[maninmontreal]

Great review Jimmy T. Wow, the upgrade fairy loved you guys!!!! Like they say, what goes around comes around. Glad your cruise was memorable. Stay well....:)

[fireman845]

Great review Jimmy T. Wow, the upgrade fairy loved you guys!!!! Like they say, what goes around comes around. Glad your cruise was memorable. Stay well....:)

 

Michael I want to Thank You for setting up the M&G it was really a great trip, that I will look forward to repeating ASAP!!

[maninmontreal]

Michael I want to Thank You for setting up the M&G it was really a great trip, that I will look forward to repeating ASAP!!

 

Your welcome. I sent a thank you e-mail to the on-board event planner Jennifer Smith and told her what a great time we all had. She should really get the credit. She replied how happy she was that we enjoyed ourselves and looks forward to working with us in the future ! Hey, I'm ready to do it again ASAP too. As soon as the time and money fall into place......;)

We've got to get back to Costa Maya and do what Mother Nature decided not to let us do this time.