Live Blogging from Veendam in Alaska May 30 - June 7

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Tsorensen55, the specialty coffees and teas at Explorations are an additional expense. Here's the photo I took of the price list. Iced drinks range from $1.60 - $2.85. You can also buy specialty waters and sodas, iced chai lattes and something called a Creamice.

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Cruisinsmoothly, there is not a Let It Ride table in the casino so your gambling budget is safe!

[Erica@cruisecritic]

HosannaB, we toured an inside spa cabin today (cabin 112). Be prepared for a pretty small room. The door leads directly to the bed, with a desk, closet and bathroom tucked into the far left corner of the room. All the spa cabins come with two yoga mats, organic bathrobes, pedometers, flavored Vitamin water, and a Zen water feature, as well as discounts to the spa and access to a special spa concierge. Also, they have different décor and bedding from regular cabins, featuring more earth tones. Otherwise, the cabins are the same. I've attached a photo of the bed in the inside cabin and some of the special spa cabin amenities.

I think all the add-ons are a nice touch, though I have no idea where there's enough floor space to roll out a yoga mat in the cabin. I guess if your cabin feels too small, you can just spend all your time in the spa!

[lovebug33]

My DH wants to know if there is a sandwich restaurant on board. There was one on the Carnival ship and that's all he ate because we try to stay away from the buffet! Also, is the pizza open 24 hours? Thanks!

[nothriver]

I'm really looking forward to your posts, Erica! Thanks for taking time from your vacation to let everyone know about the ship and itinerary.

[tannes]

Erica,

So sweet to go to the trouble of posting the coffee menu. I think it sounds like it will be a favorite for me also. I am really looking forward to reading more on your blog. Thanks for sharing with all of us!

[HosannaB]

Erica, Thanks for giving me a "look" into the inside spa cabin. Since I'm going to travel alone, it should be just fine for me. The special deals in the spa are what really appeal to me. Loved the pictures. Enjoy your trip! Skagway is my favorite Alaska port. Everything about it, from the graffiti on the rocks to the railway ride to the town itself, is enjoyable. There are some fine artists and crafts persons there, too. Last fall while there, I bought a carving made from a mammoth's tusk. So awesome!

[fabby50]

Hey! Thank you for doing this! We are on the Veendam in October and I am really interested in all the retrofit news.

 

We are staying in a balcony spa suite, so I have a couple more questions about the spa suite if you have time. I tried posting them on another thread, but no luck.

 

What is the "spa breakfast"?

 

What is the "spa menu"? I assumed this was a list of special services you can get by staying in the suites (like in-room massage, etc.), but another post made me think it might be a special spa dining menu?? Confused -

 

Thanks for your help and any info, pictures regarding the upgrades. Enjoy your trip - we are all enjoying our "virtual cruise"!

[luvncruising]

Hi Erica

 

Hope you are having a wonderful time. I wanted to know if the ship has a thermal suite, hydropool, and steam room. If they do - do you know their hours? I also wanted to know if they have an indoor pool and what the hours are there as well!

 

Safe travels!

 

Michelle

[Erica@cruisecritic]

One of my favorite things about Alaska cruising is the continuous scenery. Our departure yesterday from Vancouver was lovely as Veendam cruised by Stanley Park and passed just underneath a suspension bridge. Since then, the ship has been surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lower hills, with the occasional lighthouse coming into view. Every time you look out the window -- through our lanai doors, looking up from dinner, glancing to your side as you cross the pool deck -- there's something new and beautiful to see.

Here's a tip I picked up from another cruiser: If you're interested in mountainous scenery, it may be better to cruise Alaska early in the season as I'm doing now. That's because the mountains still haven't lost their wintry snows from their top peaks. If you plan your vacation for later in the summer, more of the snows will have melted and the scenery may not be quite as striking.

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Aloha, lanai cabin!

My cabin is one of Veendam's new lanai cabins, a unique twist on a balcony cabin. The word "lanai" is the Hawaiian word for a verandah -- and I'm amused to be sailing in a tropically named cabin as I cruise to see icy glaciers. The Deck 6 cabins are the same size as the outside cabins on this deck, but instead of an exterior wall with a picture window, these staterooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and a sliding glass door leading out to the public promenade. Out on deck, two wooden lounge chairs with striped cushions are reserved for each lanai cabin.

So far, the experience is not really like having a balcony cabin. There's no privacy on my public balcony, and morning walkers are constantly passing by my window. Nor do we have an outside table, so my thoughts of ordering room service to have breakfast on my lanai were crushed when I realized I'd have to hold everything on my lap -- and perhaps have the walkers eyeballing my selections. Although the cabin windows are coated so it's difficult to see in, outsiders can peek in a little, so you don't necessarily want to throw back the curtains in your underwear to check the day's weather.

However, I've never had so short a distance to travel to the muster drill. People were mustering right outside my window!

The lanai cabins are not overly spacious, but so far we've made it work. We have the room configured in twin beds (I'm traveling with a friend from Alaska, actually) and I think there would be more room by the desk and love seat area if the beds were pushed together. Holland America has actually squeezed a teeny loveseat, table and extra chair in one corner and the desk with flat-screen TV, DVD and desk stool (hollow for extra storage) in the opposite corner.

As for storage, there are two closets each with two sides that have three drawers, several shelves, areas for hanging clothes and shelves that can be put down or locked to the wall to create either more shelf space or more hanging space, depending on your wardrobe. I found that a neat touch. Drawers under the bed are unfortunately already filled with bedding. Other than two drawers in each nightstand, that's all the storage you get.

The bathroom has minimal storage as well -- now mirrored cabinet in the corner. However, it does have a tub, which means plenty of room to shower and plenty of places to put shampoo, conditioner and razors. But watch out -- the step into the tub is high, and I've already banged my knee on it once.

I know snallysmom had asked about noise. I'm reserving judgment until I've been here a few more days, but so far I think the cabin is a little noisier than others. We're also directly across from the self-service laundry so not sure if our end of the hall will start seeing traffic on sea days.

[Erica@cruisecritic]

We ate dinner last night in the Rotterdam main dining room. The restaurant is decorated in reds and golds and has two floors -- the main floor on Deck 7 and a balcony level on Deck 8 circling the lower level. Holland America gives guests the choice of open or assigned seating -- I'm technically on the open plan, but our Holland America hosts had made reservations for the press group.

The special theme of the menu was "Chef Rudi Goes Wild with Salmon," and it highlighted two salmon dishes -- one in a wine sauce, the other almond-crusted. The rest of the menu consisted of starters, soups/salads, mains and dishes that are available every night.

I remember being underwhelmed by HAL's food on a trip two years ago on Westerdam, but last night's dinner was delicious. A grilled vegetable starter had rich flavors and an arugala and frisee salad was very fresh. The salmon was perfectly cooked and not dried out like fish can sometimes be on a cruise ship. Nearly everyone at the table ordered one of the two special salmon dishes.

My only complaint -- service was slooowwww. It was an hour from the time we sat down to the time we received our first course. Our dinner reservations were at 8 p.m. so we didn't start eating until 9 p.m. Needless to say, we missed the show and most of us were pretty sleepy when dessert came around. I don't know if this slow service was ordinary, though, because most of the dining room had cleared out by the time we were finished. I'll report back on how leisurely the rest of our dinners are, and whether the food quality remains as high as on night one.

 

Tonight, we dine in the Pinnacle Grill in our formalwear. I'm looking forward to it as I remember the food there being outstanding.

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Arrived back today from 14 day BTB on Veendam. Not a happy camper! 7 days with no heat in our room, needed 4 extra blankets and all I received was a sympathetic smile and told they were looking in to it!

 

That's ironic, WestCan, because our room is HOT. I've got the A/C turned to its coldest setting and it's still really warm in there. The temperature started evening out at night, so I wonder if it's the sun streaming into our floor-to-ceiling windows. Maybe as we head north, it will become more comfortable in there...

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Oops, forgot to attach this to my lanai post. Here's a photo of one of the lanai cabins.

[alderaniandad]

Have a great time. We just returned yesterday from the southbound run on Veendam and will post my impressions/review in the next day or so. Your reserved deck chair/s are right outside your stateroon on Deck 6. There are numerous other chairs aft on Deck 6 for everyone else. The only deck chairs that seemed to be in constant use were the midship chairs on the Lido Deck (Deck11) poolside. The new Retreat I liked - sheltered - no children - and lots of deck space - underutilized - about 120 deck chairs and at the most 20 to 30 in use. Have a great time and we will compare notes. String quartet definately there and good.:) We had a great trip. Only caution --- heavy footed folks playing basketball on the sport deck above the Lido Restrauant during meals - very distracting.

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Veendam recently underwent a refurbishment, adding new spaces and redesigning others. After a ship tour today, here are the highlights.

New on Veendam:

--The aforementioned lanai cabins are a new concept industry-wide. As Veendam is an older ship without a ton of balconies, this new style of Promenade Deck cabin really gives cruisers more options in cabin styles.

--The Retreat is a resort-style pool area, featuring a hot tub and lounge chairs arranged in a wading pool of water (so you stay dry, but can dip your toes in to cool off). A large screen shows movies and, in Alaska, National Geographic and nature-focused films. The original aft pool on Veendam was located a deck below. Now 48 new cabins are in that space, some sporting larger aft-facing balconies. The Retreat is in a newly built deck space extending from the Lido Restaurant.

--The Mix bar area replaces the old Piano Bar and Casino Bar. Walls were knocked down for a more open feel, and the area features three bars, each highlighting a different beverage: champagne, martinis and ales/spirits.

--An under-used portion of the Explorer's Lounge has been turned into the Merabella Luxury Collection shop, featuring very upscale, designer jewelry pieces. The store keeps tabs on past customers and will wine and dine you if you come onboard again.

--The Showroom at Sea theater has a new look (seating with better sightlines and cabaret-style chairs and tables set up at the front of the Orchestra-level seating area) and new productions. Gone are the Vegas-style shows. They've been replaced by a cast of singers, all of whom have previously preformed on Broadway. The idea is for higher-quality productions in a more intimate setting.

And stolen from Eurodam:

--Veendam has adopted the Canaletto Restaurant, which is a section of the Lido Restaurant with different décor that becomes an Italian restaurant in the evening. There's no fee to dine here but reservations are recommended. The area can seat 60 people at one time and serves around 90 diners in the course of an evening. The menu is the same each night.

--The Slice pizza parlor makes an appearance by the Retreat. In Alaska, it's open from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. but it should have longer hours when Veendam repositions to warmer climes.

--Spa cabins, which debuted on Eurodam, are now to be found on Veendam. These cabins, as I mentioned in a previous post, have a more earthy décor and offer spa privileges to guests.

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Blackjack and poker tables have a $5 minimum bet, with the exception of Fun 21 blackjack, which has a $3 minimum. Roulette has minimum bets of $1 - $5 depending on the style of play. The minimums are listed on computerized screens so I don't know if the minimums change daily. I'll keep an eye out.

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Bald eagles have been spotted in front of the ship and we haven't even reached Alaskan waters yet! Apparently, it's possible to see bears and whales during today's cruising, if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. Our Promenade Deck is packed with people lounging in their chairs or hovering by the rails with cameras and binoculars. Some are snuggled up in blankets but it's actually quite warm in the sun.

How often do you get to lounge around in your swimsuit to a backdrop of snow-tipped mountains, pine forests and spouting whales?

[Erica@cruisecritic]

Hi Erica

 

Hope you are having a wonderful time. I wanted to know if the ship has a thermal suite, hydropool, and steam room. If they do - do you know their hours? I also wanted to know if they have an indoor pool and what the hours are there as well!

 

Hiya luvncruising!

 

Veendam's main pool has a retractable roof, so the pool deck can be covered when the weather is chilly or rainy. Pool hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (hot tubs are open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.). The Retreat is outdoors only.

The Greenhouse Spa has free steam rooms in both the men's and women's locker rooms. It also has a thermal suite, which features a hot tub, steam room and sun beds made of heated tiles. There's no thalassotherapy pool. All of those areas are open when the spa is, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To use the thermal suite, you can either buy a single person cruise pass for $89, a couple's pass for $150 and a day pass for $20 ($10 if you buy the pass for the day you're getting a spa treatment).

[Erica@cruisecritic]

My DH wants to know if there is a sandwich restaurant on board. There was one on the Carnival ship and that's all he ate because we try to stay away from the buffet! Also, is the pizza open 24 hours? Thanks!

 

Hi lovebug33,

 

There's no separate sandwich restaurant, but there is a sandwich bar as part of the buffet. There's also a salad bar for additional healthy options.

 

Slice, the pizza restaurant, isn't open 24 hours as it's outside in the Retreat. It's currently open 11:30 - 6.

[Sillyjilly]

Thanks for all the information you have posted. I'm getting excited about my cruise in September. :D

[jeepr]

Alaska is amazing...have been twice but it looks like I will have to wait another year before getting back...just enjoy it!!! - Joan

[lardor]

That's ironic, WestCan, because our room is HOT. I've got the A/C turned to its coldest setting and it's still really warm in there. The temperature started evening out at night, so I wonder if it's the sun streaming into our floor-to-ceiling windows. Maybe as we head north, it will become more comfortable in there...

 

It's not like HAL didn't know about their A/C problem, it's been on CC's message board many times...they just decided that they didn't want to spend the money to replace the A/C. It's cheaper to offer an OBC to those of us who complained....(they know it's non-fixable because they continually try to "fix" it)

[lovebug33]

Thanks, Erica, for answering that question. DH will be sad about the no 24 hour pizza, but then I won't have to watch him eat 5 pieces at midnight. It's a bonus for me! I'm enjoying your posts and am dying to leave!

[luvncruising]

Erica

 

Thanks so much for the information regarding the thermal suite and pools.

 

Have fun!