Help- we have never cruised with Holland America before

[Molly Doble]

Hello

We are looking at a cruise on the Ms Volendam cruising from Sydney on the 6th January 2010. We have never cruised with Holland America before, only P&O and Princess. I can't seem to find much information about the ship.

 

Is the ship suited to a particular age group? Our family has 2 young adults 1 x 20 and 1 x 22. I understand the alcohol policy and casino you must be over 21.

Food- Do you have the option for set dining times and anytime dining?

What are the hours for meals? Princess had meals 24 hours a day, where P&O was only in certain times anything out side that you had to buy.

 

How old is this ship?

 

Sorry for all the questions but it is hard when you have never cruised with this line before. Sapphire Princess was a beautiful ship and only 3 years old when we cruised on her. Where we just got off the Pacific Dawn and it was a lot smaller and 12 years old

 

Hope someone can answer these questions. :)

 

Thanks Tania

[RuthC]

The Volendam is a lovely mid-size ship that's eleven years young. She's one of HAL's R-class ships, which are slightly bigger than the smallest class, and have an additional mid-ship staircase/elevator bank. The ship has a theme of flowers, which are used extensively in the decor.

You have a (presumed) choice of either fixed seating or open seating for dinner. Once the choice/assignment is made, you do not switch from night to night. Fixed seating is either at 5:45 for early, or 8:00 for main. Open seating runs from 5:30 (or thereabouts) to 9:00. If you choose (or are assigned to) open seating, you may make a reservation on any given night, or walk in and you will be seated as soon as possible.

There is also a casual dinner in the Lido, and an extra charge restaurant called the Pinnacle Grille.

Breakfast is served in the dining room during limited hours from about 8:00-9:30; this can vary based on port times. The Lido is open for continental breakfast from about 7:00-10:30. Again, this can vary.

The dining room is open for lunch on most sea days, and many port days. The Lido lunch runs from 11:00-2:00, with the hamburger stand open until 5:00. The sandwich bar is also open until later in the afternoon.

Room service is available 24 hours. There's an extensive menu, and dinner is available from the dining room menu.

The passenger base tends to the mature side, although younger passengers are welcome. :p

[Sillyjilly]

I've sailed both lines and IMHO, Hal is a couple of notches above Princess in food and service.

 

In the movie theatre they serve fresh popcorn. It's a nice touch.

 

However, I doubt you'll see much night life on Hal.

On both the Hawaii cruises I took with them, the whole ship went to sleep at 9:00.

If you want a drink, order it before then.

 

Also, unlike Princess, Hal doesn't have a fridge unless you have a balcony, or higher. We brought an ice chest. I gotta have ice cold drinks.

 

Have a great cruise.

[Modern_Viking]

RuthC covered most of it, I think.

 

To be clear, only the Pinnacle Grille has an extra fee for food. Also the Explorations cafe charges for coffee and tea (which is free in other locales). All other food is free (well, included in the cost of the cruise). This includes ice cream in the afternoon and popcorn in the movie theater.

 

The Volendam will be smaller than the P&O ship you sailed, but should also feel less crowded.

 

There might be few 20 somthings on board, but if you want to stick together as a family, focus on the ports of call, and/or are open to conversing with people of a different age, it should be fun. Many of the cruise staff, casino dealers, etc. are often in their 20's, and that is sometimes an option for conversation.

 

If you are looking for lots of wow's and modern thrills on a ship, the Volendam is likely not for you. But, HAL ships are generally well maintained, there isn't too much in terms of extra fees, the crew is friendly and skilled, and the food is reliable if sometime a bit bland.

 

There is rarely a party atmosphere on board, but people are generally relaxed, enjoy world traveling, and are friendly.

[Bradtez]

Hello

We are looking at a cruise on the Ms Volendam cruising from Sydney on the 6th January 2010. We have never cruised with Holland America before, only P&O and Princess. I can't seem to find much information about the ship.

 

Is the ship suited to a particular age group? Our family has 2 young adults 1 x 20 and 1 x 22. I understand the alcohol policy and casino you must be over 21.

Food- Do you have the option for set dining times and anytime dining?

What are the hours for meals? Princess had meals 24 hours a day, where P&O was only in certain times anything out side that you had to buy.

 

How old is this ship?

 

Sorry for all the questions but it is hard when you have never cruised with this line before. Sapphire Princess was a beautiful ship and only 3 years old when we cruised on her. Where we just got off the Pacific Dawn and it was a lot smaller and 12 years old

 

Hope someone can answer these questions. :)

 

Thanks Tania

 

Tania,

 

My wife and i will be on the Volendam next week from Kobe to Vancouver. We will write a review on her when we return, then you can have another Aussies point of view :)

You will notice a BIG difference between HAL and P&O ( I personally think that P&O are on the bottom of the cruising tree:D).

[KAYEF]

You can request a refrigerator in your cabin.............they may charge you $2. a day for it. We've never been charged.

The beds on HA are better than "any" beds............they are amazing.

You will really love this ship.:)

[Sillyjilly]

You can request a refrigerator in your cabin.............they may charge you $2. a day for it. We've never been charged.

The beds on HA are better than "any" beds............they are amazing.

You will really love this ship.:)

 

Wow, that is good to know about the fridge.

 

I forgot about their wonderful beds and bedding. Princess beds just can't compare!

[cruzinwithteens]

Hi there

 

We have just booked another Volendam cruise for this time next year, from Sydney to Vancouver. We are so excited, we were on the Sydney to New Zealand cruise earlier this year and cant wait to go on her again. She is a beautiful ship.

We cruised with our 3 teenagers last time and they had a ball, this time though we will be doing our first cruise as a couple....pretty exciting. We are now looking at doing an Alaskan cruise straight after before we fly home.

You will have a great time on this ship, it leaves P & O for dead, as for princess we are going on them in a couple of months time, so I will be able to compare them as well.

 

Have Fun

Cruzin with teens. ;)

[Susie51]

Wow! This sounds like a wonderful cruise. If you like mid-size ships this will be a very nice experience. I have cruised with Princess twice once a 7 day cruise to W. Caribbean on Grand Princess and once on a 7 day cruise to Mexican Riviera on Diamond Princess. I like so many pools to choose from on Grand class ships.

 

The food in the lido buffet is IMO better on HAL. Encourage the 20+ people in your group to meet and chat with the cruise staff. My daughter worked on a RCI ship and she met several people she could visit with. The singers and dancers have a lot of free time.

[themerle]

You can request a refrigerator in your cabin.............they may charge you $2. a day for it. We've never been charged.

The beds on HA are better than "any" beds............they are amazing.

You will really love this ship.:)

 

Thanks for letting us know about the refrigerators. I wouldn't mind paying extra if my cabin didn't have a frig.

 

We think the beds are great too!

[Himself]

I think you will be very pleased with HAL and you will find the VOLENDAM to be a wonderful ship. I have sailed her many times and I have always been sad to leave her.

[pms4104]

Wow, that is good to know about the fridge.

 

Thanks for letting us know about the refrigerators. I wouldn't mind paying extra if my cabin didn't have a frig.

If you all truly want a mini-fridge ... request it early. I understand from others on these boards, there is not an unlimited supply of them.

[kenish]

Not sure how port-intensive your cruise will be, but I personally prefer open dining. Then you don't have to rush back to the ship or eliminate excursions due to a fixed dining schedule. We never had to wait more than a few minutes, and met new and interesting people every night. If you do want to eat at a certain time, you can make a reservation in the morning just as your would for a restaurant.

 

The entertainment is pretty lacking, especially if your age is "south of 50". My teen aptly described it as "lame"! They try.... (My teen was very impressed with the teen facilities and staff).

 

Staff and service are outstanding and personalized. Volendam is mid-sized (about 1600 pax) and you will feel like you're really on a ship and not at a megaresort.

 

You will enjoy HAL!

[SunnyinDubai]

I am pleased to have found this thread as we have booked on this cruise and I was not sure about booking a HAL cruise. There are generally a lot of reviews about P&O cruises and Princess (though not as much) so I was not sure about booking on a HAL cruise. To date, I have heard good reviews so I am happy. Thanks :D

 

A quick question to all you lovely Volendam travellers, we have been booked on the Dolphine Deck - which I know is the lowest deck on the ship. Is this a good thing? I am wondering is we should move up....unfor at this stage, we are limited to oceanview window rooms. :)

[RuthC]

A quick question to all you lovely Volendam travellers, we have been booked on the Dolphine Deck - which I know is the lowest deck on the ship. Is this a good thing? I am wondering is we should move up....unfor at this stage, we are limited to oceanview window rooms. :)

If you are mid-ship, there's no particular reason to move. If you are quite far forward or aft, you might hear some noise when docking or anchoring.

My preference is for Main Deck on the R-class ships, but that's only because I have a favorite cabin due to location and configuration, and it happens to be on that deck. If it were one deck lower, then I would book it.

[SeaBlueSkies]

Hello

We are looking at a cruise on the Ms Volendam cruising from Sydney on the 6th January 2010. We have never cruised with Holland America before, only P&O and Princess. I can't seem to find much information about the ship.

 

Is the ship suited to a particular age group? Our family has 2 young adults 1 x 20 and 1 x 22. I understand the alcohol policy and casino you must be over 21.

Food- Do you have the option for set dining times and anytime dining?

What are the hours for meals? Princess had meals 24 hours a day, where P&O was only in certain times anything out side that you had to buy.

 

How old is this ship?

 

Sorry for all the questions but it is hard when you have never cruised with this line before. Sapphire Princess was a beautiful ship and only 3 years old when we cruised on her. Where we just got off the Pacific Dawn and it was a lot smaller and 12 years old

 

Hope someone can answer these questions. :)

 

Thanks Tania

 

The Volendam is our favorite ship. Small, friendly, lovely, great service, great guests, and great cruises. You will be happy.

 

You can go to HAL's site and click on the Volendam and it will give you all the facts about the ship.

 

You can also go and look at cruise reviews for the Volendam from other cruisers and see what they had to say about their cruises.

 

The Volendam is a nice cruise and very comfortable, not too big, not too small...just right. Easy to find your way around, not a ship that is rowdy and I've never encountered any obnoxious cruisers on her.

 

Relax and have a great cruise..you will enjoy her. :)

[SunnyinDubai]

If you are mid-ship, there's no particular reason to move. If you are quite far forward or aft, you might hear some noise when docking or anchoring.

 

My preference is for Main Deck on the R-class ships, but that's only because I have a favorite cabin due to location and configuration, and it happens to be on that deck. If it were one deck lower, then I would book it.

 

Our cabins are mid-ship...and this is our first cruise...think the Volendam is a "S" class ship :)

[RuthC]

...think the Volendam is a "S" class ship :)

Nope. The Volendam is R-class. That's why I included that reference in my earlier post.

 

If you're mid-ship, you're in a good spot.

[Down-Unders]

Volendam. 10 years old.

 

Gross tonnage. 61,396 GRT.

 

Passengers. 1432.

 

Crew. 588.

 

 

 

Beautiful ship with elegant staterooms, fresh flowers, spacious comfortable cabins with great room service especially full breakfast and of course great officers and crew. Enjoy!