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Name: Robert & Linda Garcia
Email: bobgee33@gte.net
Age: 39
Occupation: Senior Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Veendam
SailingDate: 5/17/98
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 94
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 98
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 99
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 99
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 90
CasinoStaff: 89
PrivateIsland: 95
GoodForFamilies: 80
LoungeService: 80
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 88
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 99
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 97
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 96
Stabilization: 96
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 92
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 May 1998
Time: 19:36:46
Remote Name: 208.253.159.112
Remote User:
Comments
This was our first time cruising with Holland America. Like many others, we had read the
reviews of the Veendam in the months anticipating our cruise in order to
perhaps garner significant ideas of what to expect on board.
As we had flown into Fort Lauderdale roughly two hours prior to sailing, we were quickly
met by reps from Holland America and taken directly to our shuttle.
There was no need to tend to our luggage which was all handled by Holland America. No
doubt because of how close our sailing time was, we embarked in no
more than 15 minutes from the time we stepped off the bus. This was a real treat. A
steward whisked us right to our room, which by the way was on the
Verandah Deck. Our luggage was deftly placed in our room while in lifeboat drills no more
than 30 minutes after we had boarded.
This room met all of our early expectations: a wonderful verandah with a lounge chair,
chair, and small table; a ceiling-to-floor wall of glass out to the verandah;
a sitting area with couch (a sleeper), desk, table, TV/VCR, stocked (honor) refrigerator,
an offering of liquors, queen bed, Jacuzzi tub/shower, and two wardrobe
closets. The room was stocked daily with fresh fruits, and the honor bar was of course
also replenished. The air-conditioning was individually controlled by us,
and quite adequate. Our cabin steward ensured that there was always a bucket full of fresh
ice in the room as well.
More on the cabin steward. The only parallel that I could draw as to the level and modesty
of his service, not to mention all the others, was a comical one: I
thought about the Oompa-loompa’s from Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory tale
-- Always around when you needed them, then they just disappeared and let
you be. Seems like any time we left the room for a period of time, our steward was in
cleaning, primping, stocking, and just making sure our room was fit. It was
executed quietly, without a fuss, and in the event he ran into us in the hallway, he
always had a personal (by name) greeting for us both. There was a definite
level in pride to the work.
Each and every day, actually late the night before, the next day’s itinerary was sent
to each room. This was indeed helpful in deciding where we would be eating,
touring, etc. from one hour to the next. Additionally, the New York Times Fax was sent to
our rooms each day. This was a nice touch, and a way to catch a
high-level view of the news. We also had CNN available in the room, plus movies, and in
one of the lounges, ESPN was on around-the-clock.
FOOD: The offerings were plentiful, and counter to some of the opinions listed here
earlier, quite good. The medium of taste that this staff needs to meet to
please everyone I believe was struck dead on. Nothing overly spicy as to turn anyone red,
but not so bland as to be considered dull. We managed to make most
of the meals in the Rotterdam (formal) Dining Room for dinner, ate all of our breakfasts
in the Lido (Casual-buffet style) Restaurant, and lunches were either
spent near the Lido Pool or on shore excursions. The hamburger/hot dog/polish dog/pasta
bar/taco bar offerings on near the Lido Pool were very popular, as
were the casual luncheons in the Lido Restaurant. There was an ice cream buffet set up
three times daily. We did manage to go to the Dessert Extravaganza
and it was truly a dentist’s dream. The staff did a BBQ on the Lido pool deck that
was great. Big steaks, chicken, kabobs, salads,etc.
AT SEA: Plenty to see, plenty to do. Lots of artwork to enjoy onboard. The Wajang movie
theater had three offerings each day, along with free popcorn. The
Lido pool, because of it’s central location, gains the most popular relaxation spot.
Get there early to get a good chaise. This pool is very close to the Lido
Restaurant and the hamburger area. There’s also the Dolphin Bar right next to the
pool. This pool has a retractable cover so weather is not a factor. The aft
pool is for the true sunbathers. Usually plenty of room out there. The Casino was the
proper size for this number of people, wasn’t so cavernous that you felt
alone, but even with a lot of folks playing, you always had plenty of “space”.
Avoid the $3 Blackjack as the rules are VERY favorable to the dealer. The $5 tables
play rules much more similar to that of Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe tables (we won on these).
The slots, as you might expect, are tight. The dealers, many from
New Zealand, were quite fun to play against. There were many, many activities that we did
not have time in which to participate: BINGO, kitchen tours, wine
tasting, lounge shows, etc. We did manage to see the “Vegas” show in the Rubens
Lounge and it was OK, as was “Devlin and Kim”, a magic/comedy act. The
library on board was nice and quiet, and there was quite a selection of videotapes to
check out for your room.
One special mention I would like to make was for a quartet that we had the pleasure to
enjoy. The “Rosario Strings” played wonderful salon music in the
Explorer’s Lounge, as well as a variety in the Rotterdam Dining Room during our
formal dinners. They were Excellent and applauded by all. A very memorable
part of the trip for us.
EXCURSIONS: These were the extra excursions that we opted to participate in:
Horseback-riding on Cozumel, Swimming with the Stingrays on Grand Cayman,
Prospect Plantation Tour and Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, Reef snorkeling on
Half-Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
If we were to go on the same sailing again, we would drop Jamaica altogether, probably do
the Stingrays again, the horseback riding again, and the reef
snorkeling again. I don’t believe we’d even get off the ship again in Jamaica,
just not much to do really. The island is obviously not well off and you go through a
lot of depressed areas in doting around from tour to tour. The Stingrays on the Grand
Cayman were magnificent. Holland America’s Half-Moon Cay is quite nice.
A very relaxing day can be spent here, or if you prefer, para-sailing, water bikes,
snorkeling, windsurfing, etc. I would have been in favor of doing two days here
and dropping Jamaica altogether.
Disembarkation was as simple as embarkation. No hassles whatsoever, and I thought it was
well-organized.
All-in-all, we were very happy on our first experience with Holland America, and indeed
they are already on the prospective list for our next cruise. The personal
service displayed was commendable, even in cases dealing with what I would term
“unreasonable” customers. A very high level of professionalism and pride was
exhibited.
Bob & Linda Garcia
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