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Name: Randall Ponik
Email: randyp@groupz.net
Age: 46
Occupation: Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Veendam
SailingDate: July 5, 1998
Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 98
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 93
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 99
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 98
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 98
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 100
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 98
GoodForSeniors: 98
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 98
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 97
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 16 Jul 1998
Time: 21:24:57
Remote Name: 208.138.66.52
Remote User:
Comments
This has been our 5th cruise, the second on Holland America, and I think I can say that
we've found a home on Holland America. After this cruise, I don't
even want to try another cruise line.
Our cruise experience on the MS Veendam has surpassed everything else.
The ship, 55,000 gwt, carries only 1266 passengers so we never found it to be crowded or
had long lines to wait in. Maintenance and cleanliness were
exceptional. On previous cruises, we have always been frustrated by breaking down
elevators which were seldom fixed or down for days. On the
Veendam, when an elevator went out of service, it was rarely down for more than an hour.
The Veendam also has an escalator between the main and
lower prominade decks which was very convenient. I hope that they are used more on future
ships
Service was carried out with the same graciousness we experienced on Holland America's
Westerdam last year, and we found absolutely none of the
indifference which we experienced somewhere in our cruises with other lines. Our cabin
steward, when delivering room service, politely refused to accept
tips. On other lines, it is expected. Holland America has a tipping not required policy
which basically says, you can tip if you want to, but it is not manditory.
With the level of service we received, our tips were well justified.
Cabins were spacious, quiet, and well stocked. Hair driers were provided in each bathroom
Cabin service was impeccable, and room service prompt.
Entertainment was excellent, the stage productions were typical Las Vegas style
productions; full of energy (new owner Carnival influence no doubt). The
specialty acts included a singer, jugglers, and a ventrilloquist (Mike Robinson, who we
were delighed to see again from an earlier cruise). I heard nothing
but raves from the other passengers, not one complaint.
Dining room service was excellent and the food was first class. I want out of my way to
find the Head Chef and compliment him. Of all of our cruises, the
food in the Rotterdam Dining Room surpassed them all. The menu, which includes the
satndard cruise fare also had Dutch, and Indonesian dishes. We
found the food to be zesty, but not overpowering or bland like other cruise lines. Lido
restaurant food was also quite good, with a large selection of
entrees. In addition, the late night buffets held in the Lido also had at least a half
dozen hot entrees each night, compared to the cold cuts and one of two
entrees we had on other lines.
Exercise facilities were substantial, and the back areas had segregated men's and women's
saunas and steam rooms, which were constantly cleaned and
well stocked with fresh towels and soaps/shampoos. The onboard fitness program, where you
can earn points toward t-shirts, water bottles, and sport
bags was well attended (probably because of the many EASY ways to earn points).
The Lido and Navigation deck pools were very popular areas with lounge chairs filling up
quickly. A tip... if you want sun, try the lounge chairs up on the
sports deck (by the crows nest lounge) or aft on the Lido Terrace.
A for the itinerary, the only blemish was St. Kitts. Relatively undisturbed by the tourist
trade, it is little changed in the last hundred years. It is definitely
quaint and rustic. The shore excursions to the rain forest and volcano were enjoyed by
everyone we talked to though. (My kids labelled the island St.
Pitts). St. Thomas, is... well... St Thomas. We always enjoy shoppng there. The high point
of the itinerary though was Half Moon Cay, Holland America's new
private island. This is the most beautiful talcum powder white sand beach I have ever
seen, and I've seen a LOT of beaches. Swimming or just floating
around in the protected waters was paradise. The food (burgers, ribs, dogs, chicken,
kebobs, salads, fruits, and desserts) was the same as we'd come to
expect at the lido grill. Equipment rental rates were on par with other lines.
We were surprised that most of the passengers were young to middle aged (as are we). We
had expected more seniors to be on board. Oh well, it WAS
summer vacation. Our kids (who always push us to book again on Carnival) think that this
was the best cruise they had been on and want to go on
theVeendam again. With a peak season prices less than Carnival or Royal Caribbean offered
(Alumni get a good price on Holland) , and without the
crowds or boisterous atmosphere found on the larger ships, we think there is no logical
choice but Holland America.
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