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Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Danielle Bogle
Email: danielle@oz.net
Age: 22
Occupation: Software Quality Assurance Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Veendam
SailingDate: 07/26/2000
Itinerary: Alaska - Inside Passage
Cabin: Mini-Suite
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 92
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 99
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 99
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge: 99
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization:
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 25 Aug 2000
Time: 17:32:58
Remote Name: dbogle.internap.com
Remote User:
Comments
This was my very first cruise ever, and wow. It's hard for me to comment on value or price, or any
of that, since my family paid for the cruise. What a wonderful way to celebrate my Grandparents
50th Wedding Anniversary and vacation at the same time.
I cannot comment on any transfers or airfare. The cruise left from Vancouver, B.C. and I live in
Seattle, so my family just drove up the morning of the cruise and parked at Canada Place where
the cruise was to leave from. Embarkation was quick and painless, we checked in and learned that
our stateroom had been significantly upgraded, and then explored Vancouver for a few hours
before embarking the MS Veendam. Once we walked onto the gangway we were greeted by a very
nice young man to take us to our stateroom. My main complaint (there are very few) is the speed of
the elevators, oh my...it took like 10 minutes for the elevator to come. This was okay because the
stairs provided good exercise to burn off the fantastic cuisine. The room was nothing like I had
expected, and the verandah was HUGE. I was very pleased. The only complaint about the room
was the flowbie style hair dryer, it would take forever for me to dry all of my hairs.
The entertainment on board the ship was excellent, I enjoyed all of the shows, comedians, and the
magician. I especially enjoyed the performance that the Indonesian members of the crew put on,
wonderful. There weren't many activities for someone my age (20 somethings) on board the ship. A
few days into the cruise I met one of the 3 other people my age on the ship. I also felt that the
music/dance atmosphere died down pretty early (~12:30am), but I guess with the lack of demand
HAL has to do that. Nonetheless I made a friendship that I certainly hope will last a lifetime on
board ship.
Food, OH FOOD! We had three people waiting on us at dinner. We had a steward, wine steward,
and a supervisor. All were excellent and made the dining experience fantastic. I don't know how
they can all work the time they work (months on end without an off day) and still be plesant... I
wasn't too impressed with the Lido buffet, but the Rotterdam dining room rocked my world. The
Baked Alaska presentation was fabulous!
I hope to be cruising with HAL ASAP! Hopefully on the Veendam again! See you there...
Name: Barry Wood
Email: cosmoflitton@webtv.net
Age: 61
Occupation: Retd attorney/college instructor
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Veendam
SailingDate: 10/05/00-10/20/00
Itinerary: San Diego to San Juan
Cabin: 413
FoodDiningRoom: 97
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService:
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 99
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Oct 2000
Time: 19:15:25
Remote Name: proxy-1316.public.svc.webtv.net
Remote User:
Comments
My wife and I traveled independently from Pittsburgh to our embarkation city, San Diego, for this
repositioning cruise. Our paperwork was picked up at will-call with no complications. Our luggage
arrived at our cabin shortly after we did and our steward (Porbi) quickly converted the beds to a
queen. He was a jewel througout the trip keeping the ice bucket filled, answering our questions, and
doing everything in a cheerful manner. Although we were near the aft portion of the ship the only
noise was the stern thruster when manuevering in docking and departures. We were on the lower
promenade deck and our window let us see out without anyone seeing in. My wife was pleased with
the size of the bathroom and plentiful supply of soap, shampoo, and lotion along with a hair dryer
which were far better amenities than those on the last cruise she took. As to dining, we rate the food
and presentation from very good to to excellent. We took 95% of our meals in the dining room (second
seating)
Our waiter (Dana) was very skilled and accomodating. We often ordered 2 or 3 appetizers,
and two entrees if there were 2 particularly enticing choices we couldn't pass up. The snails were
extrodinarily good even though only served once, and I was amazed when Dana produced wasabi and
soy for the lightly grilled ahi tuna entree. If I had spoken sooner he could have served it raw for both of
us. I point this out because many might think that the large numbers of older passengers on Holland
American might cause one to visualize salt free, bland meals. That is not the case although the buffet
on the Lido deck seemed to have lots of steak and chicken for the meat and potatoes crowd, We only
ate there for an occasional breakfast when the dining room was closed for a port call or we overslept.
We did use the Lido pool bbq and grill for a snack. Our table companions were great; a couple from
England who changed tables and fortunately for us, were reseated at our table and a couple seated
by us at a table for two who agreed to join us.
We took advantage of the wonderful liquor buys in the
duty free, (take a small bottle of Vermouth if you do martinis-none in the duty free) only utilizing the
lounges for an occasional drink and dancing. As a rule we made cocktails in our cabin before dinner,
took them up to the outdoor tables at the rear of the Lido deck, overlooking the pool and stern, picked
up a couple appetizers at the buffet and had our drinks and pupus while watching the sun go down.
Because of our particular cocktail hour coupled with a second seating, we missed most of the lounge
shows, catching only a portion of the wonderful Russian concert pianist. We did see all of the
company's song and dance routine one evening. We enjoyed the Filipino crew show and found the
Indonesian crew show to be outstanding. The guest lecturer, a geologist, gave 3 wonderful and
informative lectures. The narration from the bridge as we traversed the Panama Canal was excellent.
The ports of call got mixed reviews. I was in Puerto Vallarta in the mid-sixties when it was a Mexican
town. I think it fair to say the fewer the U.S. junk food joints, the more interesting the port. San Juan de
la Sur in Nicaraugua was native, junk food-less, and quite enjoyable. We met a couple of young N.
American missionaries in the post office and had an enjoyable conversation with them. We liked
Curacao, but found Aruba too desert like. We do not do ship's tours, relying on local transportation to
see the port area. The ship pushes it's tours, of course, and mentions taxis, but is mum on how the
locals get around. We did the local buses for 4 pesos in PV, did the jitneys in Curacao for 2 guilders
and rode a funky, home made, truck-train in Costa Rica that took us all around town for 2 bucks each.
I must confess we rented a jeep for the day with our table mates in Aruba. We saw everying there that
the tours saw for probably 1/5 the cost. Basically, if we get a good feel for the people and country in
the few hours the ship is in port we will see their sights on the next trip, but will book independently.
We would have loved to have had a day and a half, or even 2 days in Curacao. The facilities were
good. The steam/sauna room was great, rarely used and immaculate. The seperation of the sexes is a
drawback. It would be nice if times were reserved for couples, or if a time certain could be reserved by
a couple for a half hour or so, given the general lack of use by the passengers. As to tipping, we
heard a great number of complaints from fellow passengers about other ships owned by the Carnival
Alliance and the lack of service unless one tipped constantly. That is, of course, hearsay, but it was
not true on the Veendam. We tipped the room steward, waiter and asst. waiter because they gave
extrodinary service and deserved it. Disembarkation was a bit slow. We had requested a late morning
slot not realizing staterooms had to be vacated by 8:00 AM. Because of luggage we took a $16.00 cab
ride in San Juan to the hotel we had picked out on Isla Verde. After checking in we took a 25 cent bus
to the Old San Juan bus terminal and then boarded an imitation San Francisco cable car for a free
tour of Old San Juan. We got off at a stop, had a pleasant lunch, then back on again to the bus
terminal for another 25 cent ride to our hotel. We will sail Holland America again.
As an aside, we ate ashore and my wife did get a little touch of something one day. They sell laxatives
on board, but no Imodium. Take a package along with the Vermouth when you pack or be prepared to
spend money in the ships infirmary unless your table mates remembered to bring some.
Name: Bill King
Email: billking@ultranet.com
Age: 44
Occupation: travel agent
NumberOfCruises: 27
TravelAgent: Yes
Ship: Holland-Veendam
SailingDate: 11-3-00
Itinerary: southern caribbean
Cabin: 300 / I
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector: 50
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 50
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 80
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 75
FoodVariety: 80
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon: 0
CasinoStaff: 75
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 50
LoungeService: 75
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 50
WheelchairAccess: 85
ExerciseFacilities: 50
EntertShowLounge: 50
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 30
CruiseActivities: 30
Casino: 75
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 50
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 65
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 80
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 17 Nov 2000
Time: 09:16:55
Remote Name: 207-172-216-123.s123.tnt1.sbo.ma.dialup.rcn.com
Remote User:
Comments
This was my first Holland America cruise. I've been on many other lines and figured it was time to try HAL.
Overall I was pleased with the experience in that I was looking for a low key relaxing time. This is exactly
what I got. My wife and I were travelling with another couple and they were in the cabin next door 302.
These cabins were very nice although a bit noisey. Lots of machinery noise in the AM when docking or
mooring. After 10:00 pm the ship was like a ghost ship, rarely did you pass ofr see many other
passengers. The evening activities were few after the main show for the evening.
The service in the dining room was good with the food and menu fair. The lido food was Ok as well with
nothing really memorable.
The cruise director as well as her staff were the most laid back I've seen nothing to get us involved and
basically very little involvement with the passengers.
The best point was that whnever we wanted to lay out by the pool there was space, we always found 4
chairs together and we never faced the usual saving of chairs and fighting for space. The service on the
aft deck by the pool was great. Drinks were very expensive and typically without tip were running $4.75 a
piece.
The islands were the same as always so no need to waste space here talking about them. Any comments
or questions please feel free to cantact me.
Name: Mary Ellen Palmer
Email: kstengel@earthlink.net
Age: 47
Occupation: housewife - volunteer
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Veendam
SailingDate: 19 Jan 2001
Itinerary: So. Caribbean from San Juan
Cabin: B159, mini-suite
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector:
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff:
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 85
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 09
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 79
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 100
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 01 Feb 2001
Time: 11:35:16
Remote Name: 63.232.188.139
Remote User:
Comments
The participants: Mary Ellen - late 40s, 5th HAL cruise, has also sailed on (the late) Royal Viking and Premier
(when it was the Disney cruise) Judy - early 50s, first time cruiser, works as a med-tech.
It wasn’t feasible for my husband to take a cruise this year. Our neighbors were unsure that cruising would be
an enjoyable vacation, but Judy’s brother had given favorable reports, so Judy and I decided we’d go on a
‘trial’ cruise and leave our husbands home to shovel snow and feed the cats. Judy relied on my experience
and left much of the planning up to me. I thought this would be good time to branch out and try another cruise
line, but after researching on-line and reading reviews, HAL appeared to be the best choice for us. Also
considered were Celebrity’s Millenium, Disney, Princess, and since we’re both non-smokers, Carnival’s
Paradise. The Veendam was finally selected because the itinerary was one that appeals to first-timers - many
ports and only one ‘sea’ day.
Even though our hometown, Colorado Springs, doesn’t receive very much snow in January, my husband and I
have found that arriving in the port city a day early makes for a much more relaxing start to a cruise, so Judy
and I took HAL’s pre-cruise package for one night at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan. While we took HAL’s air,
we opted to select our own airline and routing.
We booked a mini-suite as Judy wanted the verandah and we liked the idea of having a refrigerator. My
husband and I normally book an inside cabin as I do get seasick and prefer to be on a lower deck in the
center of the ship. We also prefer that HAL’s inside cabins have a stall shower rather than a tub since my
husband is very tall. Since this itinerary doesn’t cross the Straights of Florida, it should be smoother water so
I’m really looking forward to the mini-suite even though it is on a higher deck than I normally prefer. This may
be my only chance to experience a mini-suite, but my husband is concerned that I’m going to insist on one
after this.
Thursday, 18 Jan - We had selected American Airlines because it would get us into San Juan the earliest
(5:30 pm) and their ‘hub’ of Dallas should have better weather than more northerly cities. We arrived at the
Colorado Springs airport about 5:30 am for our 7:00 flight to Dallas only to find that due to weather in Dallas,
our flight had just been cancelled - not an auspicious start. Thankfully, since we arrived so early for our flight,
there were just a few parties in line ahead of us as everyone had to be re-booked and it was taking a LONG
time.
Our plane tickets noted that we were cruise passengers and the ticket agent asked what time the ship sailed,
as the earliest he was able to get us into San Juan was 9 pm. We like that he was concerned that we make it
to the ship on time. He had booked us on United to Denver, then American to Miami, where we connected to
San Juan. Since we flying in a day early, this was ok. By the time we checked in with United we only had 12
minutes to make it to the plane. At 6:15 we were on the plane and pulling away from the gate - hopefully our
luggage was on the plane too. I decided not to call the 800 number HAL gave in our documents, as it stated it
was only for emergencies on sailing day, if we would arrive less than 2 hours prior to sailing.
We finally arrived in San Juan about 9:30pm. Now it was time to wait and see if our bags would appear on the
luggage carousel or if there would be a HAL representative for the transfers to the hotel. We kept our eyes
peeled for someone in the red vest and HAL clipboard all the way to baggage claim, we’d seen several of
them in the Miami airport, no one. In baggage, no one. Oh well, we’d just call the number for HAL’s
representative (Tour Co-op of Puerto Rico) given in our cruise documents.
I had debated putting on the lime green ‘Veendam’ tags on our bags before checking them in Colorado
Springs (as instructed by HAL) as I knew some cruise lines would pull the tagged bags before they went on
the baggage carousel for transfer to ship or hotel. Having never sailed from San Juan before, I didn’t know
what the procedure would be there. I wanted to make sure our bags arrived (and were undamaged) before
leaving the airport, as we’d have to file a claim with the airline if they hadn’t. Upon advice I received on the
Cruise Critic bulletin board, I did go ahead and put the Veendam tags on our bags.
A lot of bags were coming out of the carousel, but no sign of ours yet - or of any other lime green Veendam
tags. Was this because a) the volume of bags (the plane was a fully booked wide-body), b) they were being
pulled in back, c) there weren’t any other Veendam passengers on that flight, or d) our bags just hadn’t made
it with us??? Finally - a Veendam tag! It wasn’t one of our bags, but there were other Veendam passengers
and apparently the bags weren’t being pulled. At least it meant that there should be someone representing
HAL to meet the flight.
More bags and still no sign of ours, but we finally spotted the red vest and HAL clipboard and flagged him
down. After giving him our names, he informed us, rather abruptly, that we shouldn’t have been on that flight -
well, DUH! we knew that - AND that he didn’t have the paperwork for us. Just what did that mean? Does it
mean that he doesn’t handle our transfer? We could see our names under the 5:30 flight from Dallas on his
clipboard, so something along the lines of ‘Oh, we’d expected you earlier and were wondering what had
happened to you. It’ll take me a few minutes to write up some papers for you.’ would have been a better
response. Anyway, he walked off leaving us wondering. If weather was causing cancellations into Dallas, they
should have been aware and expected that passengers would be arriving on other flights.
Our bags finally appear! The crowd was pretty thin by then and we had been getting more nervous with the
appearance of each bag that wasn’t ours. We gather our bags and join the group around the HAL rep, still
wondering if he is handling our transfer or if we need to track down someone else. By this time he has filled
out some form for Judy and me, which he gives each of us in exchange for all three of our transfer vouchers
(airport to hotel, hotel to ship and ship to airport). Apparently this is the missing ‘paperwork’. Why even tell us
he doesn’t have our ‘paperwork’ if he can fill it out on the spot? He also asks for the baggage claim checks
and airline tags for each of our bags. After putting them in some sort of order, he hands them back to each of
us, and dragging our bags, we head off after him. We stop at a security point where they verify our claim
checks against the airline tags - so that’s why he went through that little exercise! We then continue to haul
our bags across the street to a waiting small bus. I much prefer the arrangement in Ft. Lauderdale. After
claiming our bags there, they were put on a baggage cart and taken out to the bus for us.
We are at last on our way to the Caribe Hilton! On the way we have a chance to meet our fellow passengers.
On arrival at the hotel the bellmen take our bags and ask that we tell them when we get our room number.
The lobby is a beautiful open-air area and we go through a typical check-in. We’re also given a flyer telling
about HAL’s Hospitality Desk hours, the baggage collection tomorrow, and pick up time for the transfer (and
tour) to the ship. After giving the room number to a bellman, we head off to the room and our bags arrive
about the same time we do. Our room is ok, nothing special - mold around the tub even. For $185pp I’d
expected something more. The balcony is small and we overlook the roof over the lobby. Tomorrow we’re on
the ship, so we just get something to eat downstairs and call my husband to let him know we arrived safely.
(ATT prepaid phone cards work at domestic rates, only a $1.25 ‘service fee’ from the hotel for the 800 call.)
Friday, 19 Jan - Checking out our view again in the morning, we discover that past the roof is the Atlantic
Ocean! We set out our bags by 10 as requested, checked in at the hospitality desk and explored the hotel
grounds (beautiful) while we wait for noon and the start of our tour to the ship. The Caribe Hilton has the only
private beach in San Juan. They appeared to do a good job of policing the pool/beach area so that only
guests were using it as it was crowded enough was it was. The lady at HAL’s desk mentioned that she had
wondered what happened to us the previous night when we hadn’t checked in before she left. In retrospect, I
would call HAL’s 800 number with our flight changes if the situation occurred again. I was expecting to
check-in for the cruise at the hospitality desk (rather than the pier) as we’d done in Ft. Lauderdale. It has
been a few years since we’d cruised last. Maybe it is because of the increased security and improved
boarding pass that check-in is no longer done at the hotel.
We’d picked our 2:30 return flight so we wouldn’t have to worry about getting off the ship in time to catch an
11am flight, and we’d seen on HAL’s website that a post-cruise airport transfer was available that included a
city tour for later departing flights. We were planning on doing that, so we were surprised to discover when we
received our cruise documents that our transfer to the ship from the hotel included a city tour. We had hoped
to go to the Hard Rock Café for dinner (and pins) after arriving in San Juan and tour the Bacardi factory on
our own before boarding the ship. We did manage to stop by the Hard Rock for the guitar pins while on the
city tour but the Bacardi factory will have to wait.
About 2:30 we were dropped off at the pier for boarding (which apparently started at 1). All in all, it was a fairly
smooth embarkation. We did find it interesting that, after retrieving our carry-on bags after going through the
x-ray machine, the line was so long that we had to go back out past the x-ray machine and security to get in it.
There didn’t appear to be anyone checking that people didn’t by-pass the security stop and get directly in the
second line.
We did appreciate the stop for a pre-check of our immigration paperwork. You know, the form that is to filled
out before boarding, but many people don’t get it done. Several tables were set up at that stop so that those
people who still needed to fill it out were pulled out of line to get their paperwork done and didn’t hold up
everyone else.
The next stop was for final check-in. Very efficiently done. As we got to the head of the line we were directed
to the next available clerk. Much better than picking a line only to discover that all the other lines are moving
except yours. We were informed that due to a polio outbreak in the Dominican Republic we were going to St.
Kitts instead. On to the duty-free shop for our supply of Coke and Sprite. At last, we’re outside on our way to
the ship. The ship’s photographers weren’t pushy when we said we’d prefer not to have our pictures taken.
Once on-board, we were escorted to our cabin to find all of our luggage already there. Our steward, Swedi,
came by to introduce himself and to see if we were expecting any more bags. After a quick check of our cabin
it was off to more important matters - food.
Since the aft elevators are often used for moving luggage, we just went up the aft staircase two floors to the
Lido Café. No line -- and a crew member has been preparing trays with napkin, silverware, and a salad plate.
After our refreshment we explore the ship. Outside the Rotterdam Dining Room, there is a chart showing table
numbers, and we find that we do have the type of table we requested (a round table for 8). While unpacking,
we turn on the TV to the channel with information on the life boat drill. There is an introductory show to meet
the Cruise Director and his staff for the second seating at 6:45 in the Reubens Lounge. Afterwards is the
lifeboat drill for everyone at 8. The drill took longer than what I’ve experienced before as instructions were
given in English and repeated in Spanish. Since some passengers still haven’t boarded, there are many more
‘absent’ cabins than usual.
Dinner goes smoothly, our table mates look to be an interesting bunch, little did we know how interesting. Judy
has been nervous about our having the second seating, concerned that it is too late. I said that we’d asked to
be changed to first seating if she didn’t like it. She doesn’t ask for the change.
After dinner we go to Navigation deck for the sail-away festivities. Between flight delays and the traffic with the
San Sebastian festival occurring in Old San Juan, we’re delayed a bit waiting for more passengers. It starts to
rain so we decide on the shelter of our own verandah. The gangplank is up and we pull away. We’re finally off
on Judy’s first cruise.
Saturday, 20 Jan - St. Kitts. We wake to seas a little rougher than I expected - whitecaps everywhere. Even
though we’re up on the Verandah deck there is only a little motion. At 8am we’re sailing by a small island with
houses perched on the very steep hillsides. Later we find out that this is Saba. We decide to breakfast in the
main dining room, and are shown to a table on the upper level. I order the strawberry pancakes, picturing
pancakes with a strawberry compote and whipped cream like I’m familiar with at home. My breakfast arrives
and the pancakes are more like blueberry pancakes, the strawberries are cooked in the batter. They are
good and I’m happy with them, just surprised. About 9 there is another island, St. Eustatius, this one is larger
and has what looks like an oil refinery and many tankers in port.
About lunch time we arrive in St. Kitts. It takes a while to get anchored such that the winds are low enough on
the leeward side of the ship in order to provide tender service. We’re not taking a shore excursion, so we wait
a while before going to the Reuben’s Lounge to get our tender tickets. It takes about half an hour for our
number to be called. When we get ashore we notice many, many suitcases piled up with Veendam tags on
them. Apparently not all bags (and passengers?) made it to the ship before leaving San Juan.
Basseterre appears to be a fairly tidy small town. Much better than what I’ve seen of the Dominican Republic
on previous cruises. No other ships in port. We look around some shops and find an Internet Café to send
e-mails home to our husbands. At 25¢ a minute, a much better price than what the Veendam would charge - if
it had e-mail capability.
A nice touch - HAL had set up a awning to provide shade and has a crew member stationed there with large
beverage containers (like in the Lido Café) at the pier where the tender ties-up. I also like that the daily
program has a portion of the back page that is perforated so you can tear it off, fold it up, and take the
schedule with you. One side has sections listing the ‘Service Hours’ for shops, casino, infirmary, pools, etc.;
‘Dining Hours’ for all locations throughout the day; and ‘Bar and Lounge Hours’. The other side is ‘Day at a
Glance’. This lists all activities during the day - including what time you need to back on the ship and what
time it sails. All the information you need in one tidy place. I understand that each week some passengers are
left in port despite all the announcements made about boarding time and the printed information in the daily
program. Actually one day, one of the men at our table didn’t scan his boarding card properly when returning
to the ship. When the gangway was due to be pulled up, a phone call was made to his cabin to see if he was
indeed aboard ship.
From the brochure, one aspect of the mini-suite that appealed to us was the refrigerator. In other reviews I
learned that this was an ‘honor bar’, not the empty refrigerator we envisioned using for soft drinks. Other
reviewers had success requesting that the refrigerator be emptied. We also requested this of the front desk
and our cabin steward, and it was emptied.
Dinner this evening was a little unusual in that one of our table mates got a little bit of crab shell caught in his
throat and couldn’t breathe. It was pretty scary for a while, one of our other table mates suggested that he try
to relax and try slow breaths. Thankfully this worked as it drew no attention to him, unlike if Judy had done the
Heimlich. Neither of them wanted to be known for the rest of the cruise as ‘those people from the dining room’.
I was glad to learn that she knew how in case of an emergency. The show after dinner was a ventriloquist,
Mike Robinson, that we enjoyed very much.
Sunday, 21 Jan - Our ‘at sea’ day. Due to the change in itinerary we aren’t cutting across the middle of the
Caribbean Sea going from the Dominican Republic to Barbados. Instead, we are sailing by islands giving us
lovely views. We go by Martinique and St. Lucia. The Pitons of St. Lucia are one of the most photographed
spots in the Caribbean and we spend some time cruising the area. From other passengers we hear that there
are whales off the port side of the ship. I’ve never heard of whales in the Caribbean, but we head to our
verandah to look - nothing. We head up to the Sports deck for better views on all sides. Up there we learn
that the whales are dolphins/porpoises and they are playing in the wake off the sides of the ship. They are
about the same color as the water and are kind of hard to see.
We went to the kitchen tour in the morning. I’d recommend arriving early for this so you have time to read the
handout everyone is given describing what you are going to see. You won’t be able to read it as you are
walking through the kitchen. We also went to the veggie and fruit carving demonstration in the afternoon.
Handouts are available so you can try and duplicate their efforts - yeah, right! I’ve never gone to the ‘Royal
Dutch Tea’ and Judy wants to do as much of the ‘highlights’ as possible, so we’re off to the upper level of the
Rotterdam Dining Room. A beautiful (and tasty) array of sweets and creamed chicken in puff pastry shells.
This is a ‘formal’ night. The Captain’s reception is before dinner where we meet the officers. When we get to
the our table for dinner, there is an extra place set. Our waiter tells us that ‘someone’ is joining us.
Speculation runs rampant. Then it hits us - after our experience with the crab shell the previous night, they
are seating the Dr. with us! Actually it turned out to be the ship’s communication officer, Robin (I don’t
remember his last name). He seemed very nice but pretty nervous. After he saw how wacky our table was he
relaxed and we had a great time.
The after dinner show was the Veendam Cast in ‘Las Vegas Nights’. I’ve never seen a Las Vegas show so I
can’t say how this would compare. The costumes weren’t anything I’d be concerned about a child seeing.
Monday, 22 Jan - Bridgetown, Barbados. We docked at a pier, there was a shuttle running passengers to the
port entrance/shopping area. It turned out to be a national holiday, the Prime Minister’s birthday, kind of like
our President’s Day. All stores were closed except those at the port. There was only 1 other ship in port, the
Sun Bird. It was disembarking/embarking passengers.
We took the Atlantis submarine shore excursion. We’d read that if going to both Barbados and St. Thomas,
Barbados was the better place to take the submarine. We had a good time, glad we did it, but wouldn’t go
again. This might have been better if it had been sunnier. The water didn’t seem as clear as I’d expected.
The after dinner show was a singer, Peter Fernandez. While he was a very good singer, we didn’t care for his
show.
Tuesday, 23 Jan - Fort-de-France, Martinique. We docked. Judy was a little surprised when she started to go
out on our balcony after getting up to see another ship - right there! The (Dawn?) Princess was also in port.
In the morning we did some shopping in town and in the afternoon we took a new shore excursion, the rain
forest tour by 4 wheel drive. This was interesting look at the island. We were late returning to the ship, but
since we were on a shore excursion, the ship did wait for us. By the time we got back to our cabin, we were
already pulling away from the pier - whew.
Tonight show was a juggler, Chuck Gunter. We really enjoyed his show, but ducked out early to hit the ‘Dutch
Dessert Extravaganza’ in the Lido Café. A spectacular display of calories.
Wednesday, 24 Jan - St. Maarten. We docked at the new pier (al least it is new since I was last there). There
were 3 other ships docked and at least 1 anchored in the harbor. We had originally booked the ‘Butterfly
Farm’ tour departing at 8:30 am (remember, this is 3 hours earlier than Mountain time), but cancelled after
learning that the late night buffet the previous night was the dessert themed buffet - one must have their
priorities straight. We take the water taxi into town ($5 for all day). The water taxi people will put a plastic band
on your wrist to identify that you’ve paid. Some people were able to get their bands put on their bags rather
than their wrists. I’d go for that if you can, as it got rather hot and itchy on my wrist. My husband says that the
chocolates I brought home from the Belgian Chocolate Shop on Old Street Mall are the best he’s ever eaten -
and he’s a chocoholic. Judy agrees with him.
This was another formal night. Before dinner we went to the ‘Up on the Roof’ show with the Veendam cast. It
was 50s and 60s music - my favorite. Robin, that brave soul, showed up for dinner with us again. The Baked
Alaska parade was tonight. I don’t care for Baked Alaska so usually our waiter has offered me something
more to my taste, like a hot fudge sundae, but not tonight. Several others at our table usually don't care for
Baked Alaska either but they said this was actually good, the best they’ve ever had. After dinner (10:15) was
the disembarkation talk (for both dinner seatings).
Thursday, 25 Jan - St. Thomas. Our last full day. We dock at a pier with another ship. No shore excursion for
us, just shopping in town. We take one of the shuttles into Charlotte Amalie for $3.50pp. When he drops us
off the driver lets us know that when heading back to the ship, we need let the driver know we want to go to
Crown Bay. Boy, is it crowded in town - almost body to body! We can see that Havensight pier is packed
(Millenium, Paradise, and another [RCI?]) and the Noordam is anchored in the harbor. Last time we were in
St. Thomas we docked at Havensight and we only shopped there. After shopping we have lunch at the Hard
Rock (and buy more guitar pins). I head back to the ship and Judy stays in town for more shopping.
While aboard, I hear an announcement that the gangway is once again open. A crew member had been
severely injured and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. The gangway was temporarily closed to
facilitate his transfer. As it came time to depart the captain announced that we would be waiting for one of the
nurses (sent with the injured crew man to the hospital), who was caught in traffic, to return to the ship and that
the crew man had been stabilized. We later learned that the crew man was injured while inspecting fire
extinguishers, one of which exploded. Two others were also injured but were treated aboard ship. Both nurses
went to the hospital, one was left in St. Thomas with the crew man. While we were saddened by the extremely
severe injuries the crew man received, we were very impressed with the care and attention given to the
injured man and that he wasn’t left ‘alone’ in a strange place.
Since we have such a short distance to travel tonight, we spend the evening sailing in the calm water of the
leeward side of St. Thomas. We can see the lights of other ships sailing in circles with us. Judy and I think we
are doing well, being all packed before going to dinner, only to find some over-achiever down the hall, already
has their bags outside their door. One last dinner with our new found friends. Returning to the cabin, Judy
puts her bag out in the hall. I finish putting tags on my bag and find that Judy’s bag is already gone no more
than 5 minutes later.
Friday, 26 Jan - Time to go home. We wake up in time to see our arrival in San Juan. Our flight time is
scheduled to check in with American Airlines in the Lounge at 7 to 7:45. For some unknown reason, our San
Juan - Dallas flight is on a separate record than our other 3 flights. Everyone we’ve dealt with at American,
prior to sailing, said that they’ve never seen this before, but that they would note that there are 2 ‘records’
involved. The American agent aboard ship only had luggage tags and boarding passes for us as far as
Dallas, not on to Colorado Springs. He had to hand write all new luggage tags for all our bags and we had to
check-in at the San Juan airport after all, to get boarding passes to the Springs. After one last Lido breakfast
we head to the Crow’s Nest to wait for our number to be called. It is surprisingly empty considering how
crowded other decks seem. I’m able to use my cell phone to call my husband from there. I wanted to remind
him to bring our coats to the airport. He had taken them from us when he took us to the airport, so we wouldn’t
have to haul unneeded heavy coats with us to the Caribbean.
Retrieving our bags was much easier than in Ft. Lauderdale. When we entered the hall, a person was there
and spotting the extra tag I’d put on the bag I carried off, told us exactly where we could find our bags. In Ft.
Lauderdale there were huge rows of bags for each type of tag. Here they were in much smaller groups. No
problem at all finding our bags. An easy transit through Customs and we’re outside to find the American truck.
Our luggage tags for American have been sealed in an envelope that only one of their people can open and
place on our bags. If the envelope is opened by someone else, we’ll have to take our bags on the bus with us
and check them in at the airport.
Since we have several hours to wait for our flight, I decide to try something I’ve read about. We go to the
American Airlines Admirals Club and inquire about buying a 1-day pass. It is $50 and allows me to bring a
guest, Judy. We were able to relax while we waited there. While we had a great time, it was wonderful to get
off the plane and find our husbands (and coats) waiting for us.
Final Thoughts - This cruise was completely booked, but the ship never seemed like it. Always plenty of
places to sit. I should have called HAL about the change in our arrival flight into San Juan. Since this was a
typical ‘first-timer’ itinerary, I wasn’t expecting very many HAL vets onboard. However, the Mariner’s reception
completely filled the lower level of the Reuben’s Lounge. There were plenty of ‘first-timers’ too and I didn’t
expect they would know the ins and outs of cruise etiquette, but I thought they would have some class. Please
people, when there are serving utensils at a self-service setup like the Terrace Grill, USE THEM. I went to get
iced teas to go with our burgers, and while I picked up one of the forks in the tub of lemon slices to spear a
wedge of lemon for Judy’s tea, TWO people stick their hands in for lemons. I was too stunned, but I should
have (gently) poked them with the fork and said ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that you were going to stick your
HAND in there’. Judy went without her lemon. Ok, I’m off my soap box, now that I’ve vented my pet peeve.
We will never give in to temptation to arrive on sailing day. Arrive at least one, but two to three days early is
better. While I liked the verandah, I don’t know if I’d book it again. I think I’d rather be able to go twice as often.
Judy can’t imagine going without a verandah. I didn’t use the hairdryer in the bathroom (I have pretty short
hair), but Judy found it on the weak side. She’d bring her own next time. We liked the option of hanging our
towels for reuse or leaving them on the floor for replacement. Even though we put our towels back on the rack
they were replaced. We never encountered any lack of service onboard. It was nice to see crew carrying trays
for those who needed assistance in the Lido. Food had improved since my last HAL cruise. The meat was
tender and all the food tasted as good as it looked.
I used ‘the patch’ and Judy used Dramamine, neither of us felt any queasiness, but we did hear of a few
others getting sick. Since January, after the holidays, is a fairly slow time for vacations, there were VERY good
prices offered when we booked. I think this helped attract many passengers new to HAL, and new to cruising.
Some may not have even seen a brochure as they were surprised that the ship didn’t spend the evening in
port and sailed before dinner time. The itinerary was printed in the cruise documents, so how they can
complain about the time in port is beyond me.
Many people seem to have the impression that HAL is only for passengers over 65. There were passengers
from strollers to wheelchairs (and pretty even numbers of both). My first cruise was when I was 26, on HAL.
We even had a dog on board this time. I think it was in training to be a hearing companion. Our table ranged
in age from 27 to I won’t even hazard a guess. It was a wonderful eclectic group of people. I’d be thrilled to sail
with them again. My husband and I are looking forward to being able to cruise together again - on HAL.
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